Chapter 157: Ikkotsu
Endure nothing!
Suoh understood clearly—when the Captain-Commander shifted to active offense, the evaluation had entered its final stage.
Also the stage he knew most intimately.
Every second that followed felt like walking on knife's edge.
All Suoh could do was push his abilities to their utmost limits under extreme pressure.
Blood flowed down his uniform hem, then scattered as spray in the next collision's shockwave.
His breathing grew irregular, spiritual pressure consumption approaching critical levels.
Yet his eyes remained calm.
This feeling of nearing absolute limits—he knew it far too well.
"Ikkotsu."
The Captain-Commander struck out with his left fist at extreme speed.
"Bakudou #81: Danku!"
No time to adjust posture—Suoh instantly constructed a semi-transparent defensive wall of spirit particles before himself.
Danku served as the standard defensive measure for captain-class Shinigami facing high-intensity combat.
Whether energy-based attacks or physical strikes, it could achieve blockage.
Of course, abandoning incantation for immediate deployment would substantially reduce defensive strength.
Danku held for less than half a breath before shattering, though the fist's momentum was mostly arrested.
But in this moment, it fulfilled its proper function.
This half-breath gave Suoh the chance to adjust his stance.
The fist slammed into Suoh's abdomen.
Subsequently he executed an extremely graceful aerial tumble through several rotations before heavily hitting the ground.
"Qualified."
The Captain-Commander's voice arrived.
After receiving affirmation, Suoh immediately flopped backward without any concern for image, sprawling in a spread-eagle position on the ground, gasping roughly.
Disregarding how his body was a complete mess, covered in bloodstains and dust.
He fumbled pills from his robes and swallowed them, continuing to lie there using Kaidou for self-treatment.
That final Ikkotsu—without Danku at the end, several of his bones would likely have cracked.
The Captain-Commander allowed his behavior, leaning on his cane as he walked to the field's edge.
The training ground's perimeter held a table and chairs. Sasakibe Chojiro had somehow already arrived and waited there, quietly brewing tea.
Approaching the table, he pulled out a chair for the Captain-Commander and presented a cup of hot tea.
On the serving cart beside them, a plate held several extremely substantial steaks, steaming hot.
Moments later, Suoh rose, returned his zanpakuto—which had fallen nearby and passively released from Shikai—to its scabbard, and approached the table.
"Sit."
"Sasakibe, bring him food as well."
The Captain-Commander indicated Suoh should sit opposite, instructing his subordinate.
"Yes, sir."
Sasakibe responded, laying out a napkin.
He efficiently served the food with knife and fork, gently placing it before Suoh.
"Please enjoy."
"Thank you."
Suoh nodded in acceptance without ceremony, directly beginning his meal.
The steak was seared to perfection—crispy outside, tender within, the meat fresh and juicy, melting in the mouth.
He ate quickly, chewing each bite carefully.
His complexion visibly recovered ruddiness, spiritual pressure state gradually returning to normal levels.
Before long, the plate's steak had been completely eliminated.
"Phew—"
Suoh set down his utensils, exhaling a satisfied breath.
Sasakibe silently cleared the plates, presenting tea.
The Captain-Commander had been quietly observing him eat. Now, seeing his recovery nearly complete, additional meaning entered his eyes as he evaluated.
"Your Kaidou skills learned from Unohana Retsu are quite competent."
"Captain Unohana's instruction was excellent."
Suoh responded respectfully.
The Captain-Commander lifted his teacup for a sip, steam blurring his silvery-white beard and brows.
Sasakibe's tea always perfectly suited his preferences.
Setting down the cup, his gaze suddenly sharpened like torches, speaking in a deep voice.
"During the earlier battle, you hesitated for an instant."
"For what reason?"
"...Only because severing the Captain-Commander's beard tie damaged your dignity—my heart felt uneasy."
Suoh's movements paused.
What should come had arrived.
The true part—he indeed hesitated for that instant. The false part—that wasn't the primary reason.
But he couldn't speak directly.
He certainly couldn't say 'I feared you'd gotten angry and would strike to kill me.'
That final Ikkotsu—he couldn't determine whether it was required for evaluation or if the old man had genuinely grown somewhat angry.
Previously he'd never witnessed the Captain-Commander use this technique during instruction battles.
"Foolish."
Hearing this, the Captain-Commander snorted lightly, though his tone wasn't severe.
"In battle, much less hair—even severed limbs or broken bones prove entirely permissible."
"Had your strike advanced three more inches, you could have wounded my torso. Your Nine-Headed Dragon Flash's subsequent follow-up results might have differed."
"Yet you missed this excellent opportunity due to such pointless concerns."
Suoh bowed his head, accepting instruction.
But the Captain-Commander's tone shifted slightly.
"Maintaining respectful awe isn't inherently bad."
"You simply must clearly distinguish circumstances."
His gaze toward Suoh carried a trace of acknowledgment.
Among students he'd taught, Suoh possessed the greatest audacity.
When attacking, he showed no hesitation or reservation whatsoever.
Even Kyoraku Shunsui, the most outgoing among his disciples, didn't match half Suoh's boldness.
Purely seeking victory, every strike aimed at his various vital points.
Compared to Suoh's usual respectful and gentle demeanor before others—like two completely different people.
After half a year's interaction, he still couldn't understand where this courage facing him originated from.
But this proved excellent.
Precisely what he hoped to witness.
Through several evaluations, besides remarkably rapid strength progression, Suoh's daily conduct remained impeccable, exemplifying the new generation's model.
His personality also proved quite likable, his manner of treating people and handling matters leaning toward his captain Ukitake Jushiro's type.
The Gotei 13 needed, Soul Society's future required—precisely such Shinigami.
"Yes, sir."
Sensing the old man's tone lightening, Suoh's heart relaxed completely.
Based on past experience, this hurdle had passed.
"Now then, regarding your performance today, I still have several points to address."
What followed was the customary review and guidance.
When Suoh departed First Division's barracks entrance, the sky outside already approached dusk.
First Division captain's office.
The Captain-Commander looked at the gift box Sasakibe presented before him, asking.
"What is this?"
"Third Seat Suoh entrusted me to present this oseibo gift on his behalf."
"Bring it here."
Hearing this, the Captain-Commander's brow moved almost imperceptibly, his tone revealing no emotion.
He accepted the gift box without further comment, directly opening it.
The lid lifted.
Immediately, a dazzling array of seven-colored beard ties lay neatly presented before his eyes, with his customary purple tie positioned at the end.
The Captain-Commander's eyelids lowered as he gazed at the gift and the accompanying card.
He extracted the card and unfolded it.
The paper's handwriting stood upright and flowing, bones distinct and clear.
Though not quite master-level calligraphy, it naturally carried a clean, forthright vitality.
"This past year, I'm deeply grateful for the Captain-Commander's instruction! Thank you very much!
Please continue your guidance in the coming year!
—Suoh Tsukasa."
"This youngster."
"The calligraphy's actually quite good."
The Captain-Commander gently returned the card beside the box, shaking his head lightly.
Even he couldn't find much fault with the writing.
His gaze swept once more across the ties, pausing momentarily on the purple one before picking up a crimson tie.
Lifting one end, his fingertips brushed across the fabric's soft surface.
Sasakibe stood with bowed head at his side without responding, a trace of warm smile flashing through his eyes.
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