Steaming: The tea leaves are steamed until soft, then baked and dried.
Grinding: The tea leaves are ground into powder with a natural stone mill, then sieved to remove impurities.
Whisking Tea: Take a small amount of tea powder, put it into a warmed tea bowl, pour in boiling water, and stir with a tea whisk until a fine foam is produced.
Shimiya Takeru, as an elite of a zaibatsu who had experienced aristocratic education, was well-versed in Japanese tea ceremony, but he had never seen anyone complete the first step by hand without any tools.
The subsequent grinding, however, used natural stone.
The tea bowl and boiling water were also ready.
It was just that the kettle was not placed on an induction cooker or firewood, but on a burning sword, which was too "unconventional."
Looking at the others, they all had an expression of being accustomed to it, which made it even more speechless.
But soon, there was no time to pay attention to these details.
The old man stirred the tea bowl with a tea whisk that looked like a bundle of hair. The steam from the green tea combined with the rhythmic movements made one feel a sense of Zen.
He prepared two bowls in one go and placed them on a tea tray.
Facing everyone's gaze, he unexpectedly called out two names.
"Shimiya Takeru, Kurosaki ichigo... let's start with you two to taste this old man's craft."
Hearing this, Shimiya Takeru and Ichigo stood up and stepped forward.
"Thank you for the meal."
"Thank you for the meal."
Shimiya Takeru's demeanor was graceful and impeccable.
Ichigo tried to imitate him but found he couldn't learn it at all, so he simply gave up and responded with what he considered his most solemn attitude.
The Captain Commander silently watched all of this.
After the two held their tea bowls, took a light sip, and put them down, he slowly spoke:
"How does it taste?"
"It feels pretty good."
This was Ichigo's answer.
"Passable."
This was Shimiya Takeru's answer.
Ichigo couldn't help but glance at him; saying that was a bit too disrespectful.
Unexpectedly, Shimiya Takeru's evaluation was not over yet.
"The tea leaves are very ordinary, not some precious variety, but with the skilled craftsmanship, all their potential has been unearthed."
"Hey, Shimiya..."
Ignoring the anxious Ichigo, Shimiya Takeru closed his eyes and let out a long breath.
"Therefore, although the taste is nothing special, for an amateur, its flavor will soon be forgotten after drinking, but it also means that there will never be a day when one gets tired of it."
"If applied to daily work, it's naturally impossible for such a thing to happen."
"But having a cup like this after work can always keep a sense of freshness in life, making work no longer so tedious and boring, and even... this feeling itself can, along with the taste of the tea... after drinking it, escape the body and mind with the turbid air, and then gradually be forgotten."
These words were not so much an answer to the other party as an internal monologue.
The voice was very soft and calm.
Like the steam rising from the tea bowl.
Like the diffused tea fragrance, naturally drifting into others' ears.
Flowing slowly in the heart, making people feel empathy.
"..."
Perhaps others were like this.
But Ichigo just looked at Shimiya Takeru with a subtle gaze.
He wanted to speak but hesitated, then wanted to speak again.
At this moment, Yamamoto Genryūsai nodded slightly: "To be able to comprehend to this extent, this old man has nothing more to say. Your excellence far exceeds this old man's expectations."
"Indeed, it was right to call you here this time."
"Eh?"
More than being recognized alongside Shimiya Takeru, Ichigo was more surprised by the last sentence.
"Captain Commander has thought deeply and knows that it's not appropriate to make a big fuss to summon two ungraduated students, so he chose this method. Only in this way can he better understand... the true nature of the mischievous brats behind the scenes during this period... right?"
Shimiya Takeru took another sip of tea and said nonchalantly.
The old man opened his eyes and looked at him calmly.
"Boy, didn't your teacher remind you that showing off your cleverness can sometimes backfire?"
"No choice, before I was even born, a psychic pointed at my mother's belly and said, 'This child's biggest flaw in the future will be that he can't play dumb.'"
Shimiya Takeru put down the tea bowl and looked into the Captain Commander's eyes.
"Captain Commander, can I still change?"
"Such is your nature, so there's nothing that can be done."
The old man casually dismissed the matter.
"Let's talk about something serious."
"As the most brilliant twin stars in the history of the Spirit Arts Academy, this old man has been following you since the day the Headmaster of the Spirit Arts Academy submitted his report. I originally thought that even with your exceptional talent, you would only accumulate merits after graduation."
"Unexpectedly, first there was the Rukongai murder incident, then the prohibited drug incident, and a while ago, an unprecedented Soul Burial accident."
"Although young, your active performance surpasses most Shinigami, and you even brought two other talents from your During the same period to prominence."
"This old man is both the Captain Commander of the Gotei 13 and the founder of the Spirit Arts Academy. While I am pleased, I am also worried. Growing too fast is not always a good thing."
"This old man has seen too many talents go astray."
"But now that I've seen you, this old man is relieved."
"Especially you, Shimiya Takeru."
Shimiya Takeru, who was named, paused slightly.
"Captain Commander, why do you say that? I feel I'm much more reliable than this guy next to me."
"...Although I can't refute it, can you at least consider my feelings a little?"
Ichigo couldn't help but roll his eyes.
"Because you look very tired."
Yamamoto Genryūsai's answer left many people present, including Ichigo, puzzled, but what followed was impossible not to understand.
"When I asked Aizen to summon you, I inquired about your recent condition. He said you were both diligently training, but the effort was visible to the point of exhaustion. This old man could only think of one possibility."
"Shimiya Takeru, you've already started your Bankai training, haven't you?"
"What?!"
Renji in the crowd widened his eyes, a huge sense of absurdity welling up in his heart.
It took him decades after graduation to reach this point.
Now he's being caught up by a student!?
Others also found it hard to remain calm.
Kuchiki Byakuya's face became a bit more serious, not knowing what he was thinking.
Suì-Fēng was startled and uncertain, feeling like she was re-evaluating Shimiya Takeru.
Retsu Unohana, Ukitake, Kyōraku, after their initial surprise, had expressions that seemed to say, "Just as expected."
As if they had seen similar situations before.
Only Aizen smiled without speaking.
Komamura Sajin... couldn't be seen with his helmet on.
Tōsen Kaname was silent.
As for the other Lieutenants.
The female Shinigami were fine, as they had some understanding of Shimiya Takeru and Ichigo due to Hinamori Momo, and had no other thoughts besides admiration and emotion.
The male Lieutenants, however, with the exception of Tsubakabe, generally had the same reaction as Renji.
"No way? He's only a first-year!" Ōmaeda.
"He actually said Bankai...!" Kira Iziru.
"...Is this the strongest prodigy in the history of the Spirit Arts Academy? What a despairing talent." Iba Tetsuzaemon.
"Hey, hey, hey... there's a limit to how absurd things can get." Hisagi Shuuhei.
Actually, let alone them.
Ichigo, also considered one of the "oddballs," was also astonished.
"Shimiya, when did you...!"
The person who caused all the discussion had a slightly regretful expression on his face.
He was exposed so quickly; he had wanted to keep it as a hidden trump card after mastering it.
Yamamoto Genryūsai, however, misunderstood.
"What's wrong, boy... do you think you can hide it from this old man's eyes?"
"Don't get too smug. There have been geniuses who mastered Bankai during their time at the Spirit Arts Academy, but not a few of them went astray."
"From what I can see, you don't have that tendency, which is very good."
"Furthermore, this old man has reviewed the records from the viewing room. Your calm combat in the Human World also showed great generalship. Although it caused a very negative impact on the Human World, considering your youthful vigor and your efforts to turn the tide, it will not be pursued."
"After all, your actions have minimized the losses, and some destruction is inevitable. On the contrary, this decisive ability to take responsibility is something this old man particularly appreciates."
Hearing these words, the most moved was not Shimiya Takeru, who was praised to the skies, but Ichigo.
Finally, he no longer had to bear the blame for "destroying the city."
But then again.
Ichigo never expected that doing such a thing would actually earn him praise.
"You flatter me. As you said, it was just youthful vigor. Seeing the Hollows invading the Human World in large numbers, I immediately took action and didn't have time to think so much. I'm already satisfied that it didn't lead to a worse outcome."
Hearing Shimiya Takeru say this, many people, seeing the situation, subconsciously glanced at Aizen.
No one would believe that this steady and humble demeanor wasn't that of a master and disciple.
"Hmm, that's the truth."
Yamamoto Genryūsai nodded.
"It seems you saying you can't play dumb was not an evasion."
"—Kurosaki ichigo."
"...Here!"
Suddenly called by name, Ichigo quickly sat up straight.
The old man looked at him deeply.
"You immediately thought of protecting your family in the Human World. Considering you are not an official squad member, you cannot be held accountable for dereliction of duty by the standards of an official squad member."
"But while this old man appreciates your innocent heart, I also hope you remember."
"There will always be times when you encounter such situations, and at that time, you must choose between sacrificing someone and not sacrificing someone."
"If you don't want to face such a situation, then strive to become stronger."
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