"Yo, Segawa. For your final assessment... your opponent is me."
Shunsui Kyōraku said with a smile.
Shigure's gaze shifted slightly. He truly hadn't expected that his final test would be a duel against Shunsui Kyōraku.
Noticing his confusion, Shunsui chuckled and said, "Ah, don't misunderstand, Segawa. In the previous two assessments, I might have made things a bit more challenging for you... but this final test isn't about me making things difficult for you."
"This is a rule acknowledged by both the Shinō Academy and Seireitei. If you want to graduate early and join the Gotei 13, you must gain the approval of a Captain."
"So, Segawa, will you use your strength to earn my recognition?"
Shunsui's smile deepened.
Shigure let out a light laugh as well, meeting Shunsui's gaze directly. "I'll make sure to surprise you, Captain."
"Is that so?" Shunsui waved his hand. His pink haori and straw hat were set aside as he smiled. "I'm looking forward to it."
With that, he walked to the side, tossing a wooden sword over to Shigure while picking up two for himself.
"I'm used to dual-wielding... is that alright?" Shunsui asked.
"Please, go ahead," Shigure replied with a smile, gripping the wooden sword.
Of course, he was well aware of Shunsui's preference. After all, his zanpakutō, Katen Kyōkotsu, was a dual blade.
"Alright then, let me explain the rules." Holding the two wooden swords, Shunsui spoke slowly, "You should know by now that in the Academy's graduation assessments, the final score isn't determined solely by the four fundamental skills of a Soul Reaper, but by actual combat ability."
"Which means this final test isn't purely a kendo assessment. Rather, it's about integrating kendo into combat. In other words, aside from kendo... you're free to use the other three techniques as well."
"For example..." Before Shunsui could finish, his figure suddenly vanished.
In the next instant, he reappeared behind Shigure without any hesitation, slashing down with both wooden swords.
"Using Shunpo is allowed," Shunsui said with a mischievous smile as his swift strikes came down.
Shigure's back was completely exposed.
But at that very moment, a circular, water-blue shield materialized, firmly blocking Shunsui's attack.
Bang!
Shunsui's wooden swords struck the transparent shield, unable to penetrate further.
Bakudō #39: Enkōsen.
Shunsui paused in surprise.
Still with his back to Shunsui, Shigure raised his left hand, palm facing his opponent.
Boom!!
A surge of white lightning erupted from his palm, shooting directly at Shunsui.
The sudden burst of thunderous energy forced Shunsui to retreat quickly, using Shunpo to reposition himself several meters away.
Hadō #63: Raikōhō.
The white lightning crackled fiercely before gradually dissipating into the air after a few moments.
Only then did Shigure turn around, smiling at Shunsui.
Shunsui, after a moment of astonishment, broke into a laugh. "Skipping the incantation, huh... I didn't expect you to have such a trick up your sleeve, Segawa. You really gave me a scare there."
Shigure chuckled lightly. "And yet, Captain, who starts explaining the rules only to launch a surprise attack with Shunpo?"
"Ha ha ha..." Shunsui laughed heartily. "Looks like you've grasped the rules now."
Swish!
His figure vanished again, this time appearing directly in front of Shigure, slashing straight at him.
Shigure didn't hesitate, raising his blade to counter.
Kendo Stance: Rising Stag.
At the same time, he lifted his left hand, two fingers pointing forward.
Hadō #33: Sōkatsui!
Boom!!
A fierce explosion of flames erupted, engulfing Shunsui in an instant.
Unlike the earlier Raikōhō, this time Shigure poured more of his spiritual pressure into the attack.
The flames of Sōkatsui were several times larger than the previous lightning strike, and the resulting gusts caused the entire dojo to tremble.
Shunsui hadn't anticipated such a sudden increase in intensity. Even though he retreated quickly, the faint scent of singed hair lingered in the air from the tips of his slightly curled black locks.
"Whoa, whoa, no way..." Shunsui exaggerated his expression. "Your spiritual pressure is strong enough to make even low-level Hadō this destructive?"
Shigure smiled calmly. "If Captain Kyōraku doesn't start getting serious, my spiritual pressure will only continue to grow."
Shigure understood clearly: Shunsui had stepped in personally to test the depths of his abilities.
But then again, Shigure also wanted to test his own limits.
Until now, the enemies he'd faced were far weaker than him.
Dealing with them was like crushing ants.
Effortless.
But now, he stood against the unfathomable Shunsui Kyōraku.
Even though releasing zanpakutō wasn't allowed, he still wanted Shunsui to take him seriously, to gauge his own strength.
Hearing Shigure's words, Shunsui tilted his chin slightly. "Ha ha, it seems like you... have a bit of that fiery spirit like Captain Hitsugaya. Well then... guess I have no choice but to get a little serious."
As soon as he finished speaking, Shunsui refrained from using Shunpo this time. Instead, he raised both swords simultaneously.
In that moment, his entire demeanor changed.
Shigure's eyes narrowed sharply.
Holding his dual swords, Shunsui traced two arcs in the air. The surrounding space seemed to freeze in place.
With a smile, he spoke slowly:
"Segawa, don't be fooled by my laid-back demeanor. My kendo skills... are no joke."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
Read up to (19) advanced chapters on Patre\on
Visit us here: patreon.com/DarkGolds
Happy reading, everyone!