Two figures flashed across the training field, their fists and kicks colliding in rapid succession.
One moved with light, fluid agility. The other was a raging storm, every motion as violent as thunder.
On the muddy field, the petite Yoruichi passed without leaving a trace. Every time Luke surged forward, however, a fierce gale followed in his wake, kicking up dust and leaving deep footprints in the earth.
The other students in the class had retreated far away, terrified of being caught up in the clash between those two monsters.
In their eyes, this was not a level of Hakuda first-years should possess. No—even students on the verge of graduation probably could not manage this.
Besides, ordinary sparring matches were never this unrestrained. Hakuda class was meant to hone technique, so no one normally used Flash Step. The dojo did not have enough room for it, either.
Today was different. Their instructor had brought them outside to train in the open, and so the Shihouin Clan's little witch and the freakish rookie king had gone at it.
Some students watched the battle warily. Some looked on with envy. Others stared with total focus, trying to absorb even a fraction of the mysteries behind their Flash Step and Hakuda.
But the students were not the only spectators. Two more people stood atop a nearby roof, observing the fight.
The man in front was an elderly figure with a composed, dignified air and a faint hint of kindness. He had the unmistakable look of a true powerhouse.
Two blade scars crossed over the right side of his forehead, lending him a ferocious edge. His eyebrows were long, and his silver-white beard reached all the way to his waist, bound with a purple tie.
Leaning on his cane, the old man asked the silver-haired middle-aged man standing beside him, "Chojuro, that girl is a child of the Shihouin Clan, correct? What about the other one?"
Chojuro Sasakibe, Vice-Captain of the First Division, answered respectfully, "He is a first-year who enrolled two months ago. His name is Luke. Captain Unohana reportedly brought him back from Rukongai, and his talent is extraordinary."
"Oh?"
Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, looked intrigued. "You think so too, Chojuro?"
Sasakibe nodded. "I have watched him for some time. Swordsmanship, Hakuda, Flash Step, Kidō—he has no weaknesses in any of them. Though he came from Rukongai, his talent is so exceptional that, honestly, it makes us feel somewhat..."
"Somewhat what?" Yamamoto asked.
Sasakibe struggled to find the right word. After a moment, he said, "...Somewhat terrified. Several instructors have already reported that they simply cannot teach Luke any longer."
When Yamamoto remained silent, he elaborated. "On his first day, despite having never touched a sword before, Luke defeated Instructor Fujimoto in a match with their Spiritual Pressure equalized. In Hakuda class, he defeated Yoruichi Shihouin, heir to the Shihouin Clan. The first time he encountered Hadō, he successfully cast Red Flame Cannon..."
He listed Luke's accomplishments one by one. "He is not yet as fast as the Shihouin girl in Flash Step, but that was only at the beginning. He has trained for just two months, yet he is already showing signs of catching up to Yoruichi."
"No one can teach him, hm? An interesting boy."
Yamamoto watched Luke spar below. "Have no Captains been filling in for the Hakuda and swordsmanship classes lately?"
Sasakibe shook his head. "Soul Society and the World of the Living have both been unsettled recently. The Gotei 13 is heavily burdened with missions, and no Captain currently has time to substitute as an instructor."
Yamamoto nodded. He was not only Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, but also the headmaster of Shin'o Academy. Yet he himself had not visited the academy in the past two months, occupied as he was with official duties.
He had only come by today because he had finally found a moment to spare. He had not expected to discover such an interesting child here—a child who reminded him of his earliest students.
Yamamoto studied Luke's figure thoughtfully. "What of his Spiritual Pressure and Zanpakuto?"
"His Zanpakuto has yet to awaken, but that is normal. He was formerly a Rukongai resident and had no knowledge whatsoever of Zanpakuto. His Spiritual Might was only seventeenth-rank when he enrolled."
If the students of Shin'o Academy had heard Sasakibe say "only seventeenth-rank," many would have been stunned. That rank was a lifelong dream for countless students, yet to Sasakibe, it was merely ordinary.
He had witnessed Shin'o Academy's long history. He knew that many students had entered with Spiritual Might above tenth-rank—especially children of the great noble houses. Some could even reach sixth-rank Spiritual Pressure before enrolling.
Yoruichi simply had not put much effort into training her Spiritual Pressure. Reaching Captain-class Spiritual Pressure was only a matter of time for her.
"Seventeenth-rank without any resources? Decent enough," Yamamoto commented.
As a living relic of Soul Society, he had seen more geniuses than he could count. Judging purely by initial Spiritual Pressure, Luke was not particularly remarkable in his eyes.
What Yamamoto appreciated was Luke's talent in swordsmanship, Hakuda, Flash Step, and Kidō. If the boy's Spiritual Pressure could rise high enough, he would become a pillar of the Gotei 13.
"Among geniuses, that rank is indeed not especially high," Sasakibe said. "But Luke's Spiritual Pressure training is not slow. In only two months, his Spiritual Might has already reached sixteenth-rank."
He continued, "And from what I have heard, Luke has spent most of his time at the academy studying swordsmanship, Hakuda, Flash Step, and Kidō. He has not specifically focused on improving his Spiritual Pressure."
Yamamoto nodded. "In other words, it is not that he lacks talent in Spiritual Pressure. He simply has not exerted himself in that area yet."
"That is understandable," Sasakibe said. "Shin'o Academy has only six years of instruction, while Spiritual Pressure does not grow overnight. It is wise for him to learn as many techniques as possible while he is here. Once he leaves the academy, he will not have such an ideal environment for learning. Spiritual Pressure, on the other hand, can be trained anywhere."
Yamamoto laughed heartily. "Chojuro, it seems you are quite fond of this boy. You even went out of your way to explain on his behalf."
Sasakibe humbly shook his head. "I merely admire his talent. I do not particularly like his personality."
"Oh? Why not?" Yamamoto asked curiously.
"Because Luke wants to graduate early. Young people are far too arrogant. He has only been enrolled for two months."
Sasakibe sighed helplessly. This was what he had heard from the other instructors at the academy.
At present, aside from the Kaidō class taught by Captain Unohana, instructors for every other course had already run out of things they could teach Luke.
Hadō class was a little different. The Grand Kidō Chief no longer taught there, but the new instructor could cast Kidō in the eighties and was a master in the field, more than capable of teaching.
The problem was that while Luke had exceptional talent for Kidō, he did not seem especially interested in Hadō. During every Kidō lesson, he practiced Kaidō instead.
By Shin'o Academy's graduation standards, casting Red Flame Cannon already qualified Luke. His instructor could hardly stop him, since Kaidō was technically part of Kidō as well.
"He wants to graduate early?"
Yamamoto stroked his beard and smiled. "What an arrogant boy. Does he believe no one can teach him swordsmanship, Hakuda, Flash Step, and Kidō anymore?"
He struck the ground with his cane. A ring of dust burst outward as his aged eyes fixed on Luke below.
"Then this old man will teach him a lesson."
Author's note: I should be getting a promotion slot in a couple of days, so I'll post more chapters then. Bear with me, everyone.
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