The next morning, sunlight spilled across the earth. Makarov walked in front, with Kurosaki and Laxus close behind.
Laxus looked unusually energized, excitement written all over him. He was clearly convinced that if he won this duel, he would finally be allowed to join Fairy Tail.
Kurosaki strolled along with both hands behind his head, thinking that Ivan must have stuffed Laxus's head full of the idea that Dragon Slayer Magic was unbeatable.
Laxus was indeed a genius, but Kurosaki was not someone to underestimate either. Over the past year and more, he had trained his body without rest, raised his spiritual pressure through meditation, and kept grinding Unohana's ability proficiency. He had long since shed the frail weakness of his first arrival, back when all he could do was basic healing.
There was something else that needed to be made clear.
Retsu Unohana was never ordinary.
She was the 4th Division Captain of the Gotei 13, and also Soul Society's first Kenpachi. If you traced back a hundred years, she had been one of the most terrifying swordmasters in all of Soul Society.
Later, to fulfill the duty of medical rescue and to cultivate the next generation, especially Kenpachi Zaraki, she deliberately restrained her battle edge, pouring more of her time into studying and developing healing abilities instead.
Her Zanpakuto, Minazuki, looked like a purely healing-type blade on the surface, but it hid an astonishing combat form.
When released, it could swallow wounds for rapid healing, and it could transform into a massive manta ray-like spiritual entity. In that shape, it carried powerful devouring attacks and could also cast wide-area healing.
And even her basic swordsmanship, without fully revealing itself, stood far above what ordinary captains could reach.
It was just that Kurosaki had not yet fully unlocked that hidden power.
"Alright, here is good." Makarov led them into an open clearing in the forest. "It's not far from where Porlyusica lives. If anything happens during the duel, we can get treatment quickly."
Kurosaki and Laxus took positions on opposite sides of the clearing.
"Okay. Begin." Makarov raised his hand, then swept it downward to signal the start.
Kurosaki's gaze sharpened.
"Activate Unohana ability. Condense Minazuki."
The moment he recited it within his inner sea, a white spiritual pressure array began turning slowly beneath his feet. Compared to a year ago, the spiritual pressure now felt denser and more solid.
A soft white glow rose in his palm, gentle at first, yet carrying a hidden edge. Within the light, a short blade formed gradually, refined and calm in shape, its white surface gleaming like jade.
Minazuki, Unohana's Zanpakuto, in its initial form.
The blade looked slender, but inside it sat the depth of the first Kenpachi's sword foundation.
Unohana Ability: Current Status
Zanpakuto: Minazuki (initial form, unreleased)
Current proficiency: 52% (after a year of harsh training and constant skirmishes with beasts, proficiency has risen sharply)
Unlocked abilities:
Intermediate Healing: Rapidly heals moderate external injuries and repairs minor spiritual pressure loss. Can heal self and others.Basic Swordsmanship: Entry-level sword technique Unohana mastered. The movements look ordinary, but each carries lethal intent and the weight of a century of combat experience. Kurosaki has not yet grasped and unlocked the core sword forms.Spiritual Pressure Amplification: Kurosaki's spiritual pressure density is now triple the initial state. He can briefly infuse it into the blade to increase cutting power.
Hidden, not yet unlocked:
Minazuki Release: The Zanpakuto becomes a flying-fish-like spiritual entity. It can swallow wounds to heal and also unleash strong spiritual pressure shocks.First Kenpachi's core sword art: A supreme level of slashing, beyond form itself, far exceeding ordinary captains.Spiritual Pressure Self-Healing: Even heavy injuries can be rapidly recovered by combining spiritual pressure with Minazuki's power.
Kurosaki gripped Minazuki firmly, crouched slightly, and adopted the starting stance of Unohana's basic swordsmanship.
The posture looked relaxed, almost casual, yet it drew every movement of Laxus into his field of view. That sharp battle intuition was only a tiny hint of Unohana's hidden combat strength.
"What's that in your hand?" Laxus stared at the short blade, eyes full of curiosity. "Is it a magic tool?"
He could clearly sense it, a faint but extremely sharp presence coming off the blade. It was completely different from the gentle healing spiritual pressure Kurosaki usually used.
"You could say that. Everything about my ability is tied to it." Kurosaki steadied the blade with both hands and gestured calmly. "Go on. You attack first."
He deliberately restrained the blade's edge. He was only testing his training results, and he had no intention of hurting Laxus.
So he's looking down on me. Damn it.
Lightning crackled around Laxus's body. Kurosaki's calm attitude lit his anger like a match. That composure made him even more desperate to prove that his Dragon Slayer Magic was strong enough.
"Try this. Lightning Ball!"
Laxus shouted, and lightning condensed into spheres in his hands. Four electric orbs shot out one after another, flying at Kurosaki like arrows loosed from a bow.
Kurosaki did not dodge.
He raised Minazuki and swung lightly.
A thin layer of spiritual pressure clung to the blade. The slash looked slow and casual, yet it landed with unbelievable precision, deflecting every single Lightning Ball.
The orbs struck against the blade's sides and shattered into dust, dispersing instantly. It did not even flutter Kurosaki's clothes.
This was the refinement of Unohana's basic swordsmanship. Minimal movement, minimal effort, maximum effectiveness.
"So strong. He actually blocked them!" Laxus clenched his fists so hard the veins bulged. There was a new, fierce firmness in his eyes.
"Your attack speed is fast," Kurosaki said mildly, eyebrows lifting a fraction. "But your accuracy needs work."
There was no pride in his tone, as calm as still water. He could sense it clearly. Unohana's swordsmanship was like a buried treasure. Many hidden forms were waiting.
At his current proficiency, he simply could not unlock them yet.
"Then take this. Summon Lightning!"
With Laxus's roar, a magic circle formed rapidly above Kurosaki's head. The next second, a thick bolt of lightning crashed down from the circle, wrapped in thunder so loud it shook the air.
Compared to the Lightning Balls, this was several times stronger.
Kurosaki moved instantly, feet shifting lightly as his body slid aside like a swift bird in flight.
At the same time, he swung Minazuki upward.
A faint white spiritual pressure slash tore into the air, striking the lightning circle with pinpoint accuracy.
Crack!