Bleach: From the moment I was invited by Squad Zero

Chapter 67 Explorers

All eyes were even more fervent than before, fixed firmly on that white-clad figure.

Liu Chuan remained calm, as if the deafening cheers had nothing to do with him.

He calmly swept his gaze across the entire room, and slowly spoke. His voice was not passionate, but it carried a strange penetrating power and composure, reaching everyone's ears: "I am Liu Chuan."

A brief self-introduction once again sparked a suppressed commotion.

"What Captain Shiba just said was about the responsibility to protect."

Then, he shifted his tone slightly, still steady, but with a touch of researcher's rationality and scrutiny: "However, protection requires power, and the acquisition of power requires a path."

The path that Soul Society has bestowed upon you is the teachings of the Shinigami Academy, the guidance of your Zanpakuto, and the legacy of the Gotei 13. This is the destiny of the vast majority of you.

He paused, his gaze seemingly deepening: "But the world is vast, and the source of power is far more than this. All things in the world contain infinite mysteries and possibilities."

The audience gradually quieted down, captivated by the grand vision he painted in his words.

He swept his gaze across the room: "Don't be completely bound by established frameworks, don't lose your true self because of others' opinions, and don't become complacent because of temporary strength or weakness."

In his concluding remarks, Liu Chuan's voice regained its composure: "May you all, on the path ahead, while upholding what you've protected, also retain a spirit of continuous exploration and the courage to question."

An unwavering spirit of exploration.

After speaking, he took a step back.

silence.

Absolute silence lasting several seconds.

immediately-

"boom!!!"

The cheers, applause, and shouts were ten or even a hundred times more enthusiastic than when Shiba Isshin finished his speech, like a volcanic eruption that shot straight into the sky!

The entire training ground seemed to tremble with the sound waves!

Liu Chuan's speech was devoid of empty slogans and simple encouragement; instead, it was delivered in a more sophisticated and essential way.

It opened another window for them to see power and the path, greatly inspiring their yearning for a higher realm and their reflection on their own potential.

In particular, the line "Don't be completely bound by established frameworks" really resonated with many young Grim Reapers.

"Yanagawa-senpai!!"

"That's so well said!!"

"Is this the magnanimity of the Zero Division?!"

The cheers continued for a long time, and even many teachers on the viewing platform showed expressions of deep thought or admiration.

Shiba watched the electrifying scene below the stage, then glanced at Yanagawa, who calmly returned to his seat beside him. He touched his nose, clicked his tongue, and muttered to Matsumoto Rangiku next to him, "Tsk, Yanagawa's popularity is truly enviable."

I talked for ages about grand principles, but it wasn't as effective as a few words from him.

Matsumoto Rangiku covered her mouth and chuckled, "Captain, yours was practical advice, while Yanagawa-sama's was—well, a lower-dimensional attack from a higher level. The audiences are different, you know. However..."

She looked at Liu Chuan with admiration in her eyes, "You really have a way of winning over young people, Captain. You've been completely overshadowed."

Shiba shrugged helplessly. The opening ceremony, amidst the fervor sparked by Liuchuan, moved on to the next stage.

"Next, we will proceed with the traditional ceremony segment—the captain's martial arts demonstration!"

The dean's voice, amplified through the Ghost Path, resounded throughout the arena, instantly drawing everyone's attention to the center of the training ground. "This training aims to demonstrate to you the four fundamental principles upon which the Grim Reaper stands: 'Slash,' 'Fist,' 'Move,' and 'Demon'! Please observe carefully and contemplate them attentively!"

As the dean finished speaking, a light blue, semi-transparent barrier rose around the training ground, which could both isolate the aftershocks of energy and not affect the view.

Yanagawa and Shiba Isshin had already entered the arena and were standing ten meters apart.

"Brother Liuchuan, let's get this straight first, my skill level is just so-so, and yours is probably about the same."

Shiba Isshin grinned, his hand on the hilt of his sword. A crimson spiritual pressure began to rise slowly, carrying a scorching aura. "Let's not embarrass ourselves with our fists. Let's focus on showing the students how our 'Slaying, Moving, and Demon-Slaying' techniques are."

"Okay." Liu Chuan nodded slightly in agreement.

"Then—let's begin!"

Almost the instant the dean made the announcement, the two figures in the center of the training ground suddenly blurred!

"So fast!"

"I can't see it at all!"

A gasp rippled through the audience. Most students only saw two blurry figures intersecting, followed by a series of loud clanging sounds!

That was the sound of Zanpakuto clashing violently at an extremely high frequency!

Instead of unleashing sweeping, sweeping strikes, Yanagawa and Shiba Isshin combined the essence of "slashing" with the profound meaning of "moving" to the extreme.

Their figures appeared and disappeared in the training ground, each instant step accompanied by several or even a dozen slashes so fast that only afterimages remained.

The two used the Instant Step technique to an unparalleled degree, not simply pursuing straight-line speed, but performing ultra-high-speed short-distance movement, change of direction, sudden stops, and reversals within a small space.

Combined with exquisite slashes, it perfectly showcases the sharpness of the "slash" and the agility of the "movement".

Shiba Isshin grew increasingly alarmed as the fight progressed. He knew of Yanagawa's formidable strength and had witnessed the terror of his demonic arts.

However, in his memory, Yanagawa had previously relied more on his powerful Kido (a type of Japanese magic), and pure swordsmanship did not seem to be his most outstanding strength.

However, in this confrontation, Liu Chuan displayed extremely solid swordsmanship skills!

His composure and precision in responding were in no way inferior to that of the veteran captain!

In particular, some of the sword techniques that connected and countered had a peculiar feel that he had never seen before, as if he could anticipate the enemy's moves. If it weren't for his extremely rich combat experience, he would have almost been hit by the attack several times.

"This kid—when did his swordsmanship improve to this level?"

Shiba Isshin sighed inwardly, but showed no mercy, unleashing his swordsmanship, which incorporated years of combat experience, to its fullest potential.

Sometimes as fierce as a raging fire, sometimes cunning, trying to force Liu Chuan to reveal a weakness.

However, Yanagawa remained steadfast. His swordsmanship style was completely different from Shiba Isshin's, lacking some of the wildness and violence, but possessing more calmness and precision.

Every strike seems meticulously calculated, always appearing in the most crucial position. It not only neutralizes Shiba Isshin's offensive but also often retaliates, forcing the opponent to defend or change tactics.

His Instant Step was even more unpredictable; one moment he was facing off head-on, and the next he would appear on the flank or behind him like a ghost.

"Clang! Clang! Clang! Sizzle—!"

Swords flashed and shadows darted about.