Ichigo leaves and takes up residence in Soul Society!

Completely impressed by a wooden sword, Ichigo also changed his attitude.

But Retsu Unohana has no intention of making a move again.

"No need, Kurosaki-kun. You've already grasped the basics of using the superior 'Return Path.' Now, just accumulate experience step by step, and then seek breakthroughs in actual combat."

"what?"

"It means you've already learned how to run, and the next step is to find ways to run even faster."

The four palace officials came over and kindly offered a helping hand.

"Congratulations, Brother Kurosaki, this beating wasn't for nothing."

"Even though it's a sarcastic remark, I'll take it as you being envious of me."

Ichigo said irritably.

"Is Shinomiya envious of Kurosaki's progress? There's no need for that. I also have some knowledge of swordsmanship, so helping you finish your swordsmanship training that you didn't complete today shouldn't be a problem."

Unohana Retsu's voice rang out softly.

Just as Shinomiya was about to decline, he felt his arm loosen. Turning around, he saw Ichigo shunning his support and limping towards Rindo and Hachihachihara, waving his hand as he walked, saying something like, "You guys continue, I won't bother you."

"???"

This version of Ichigo felt unfamiliar to the Four Palace Masters.

"Alright, I happen to have some questions about swordsmanship and would like to ask someone for advice."

"Being able to realize this is what makes a qualified swordsman."

Unohana Retsu spoke with an appreciative tone, casually inserting the wooden sword into the ground. Her fair, seemingly untouched hands gripped the hilt, and the blade, gleaming with a cold light, slowly emerged from its sheath, the entire process possessing a strange beauty.

"Only a qualified swordsman has the ability to create his own swordsmanship."

This statement seems to have a hidden meaning.

Ichigo and the others looked at Shinomiya with some doubt.

However, they did not notice that Yongyin's body trembled and her face turned slightly pale, as if she had recalled a terrible scene.

“But then again.”

Watching the four palace masters move their feet and adjust their bodies, each step exuded an indescribable charm, and as the iaido stance was finalized, the charm transformed into sharpness.

Unohana Retsu's tone suddenly shifted, her smile fading slightly, her eyes lowered, and her expression became somewhat strange.

"That kind of thing can't be called swordsmanship yet."

For no apparent reason, a chill ran through everyone present.

The feelings of the Four Palaces Lord are the most direct.

But he remained unmoved, his hand resting lightly on the blue hilt of the knife, giving off an incredible sense of composure.

"That kind of thing... huh."

"Is Captain Unohana's guidance starting now?"

"My guidance is limited when it comes to things other than swordsmanship."

Unohana Retsu's eyes darted around, locking onto the wrist of the Fourth Prince.

"Denial is useless. I'm absolutely certain that your spiritual pressure outlet is injecting spiritual pressure into the scabbard, and it's Kido spiritual pressure."

"If I'm not mistaken, it's a kind of demonic technique disguised as a sword-drawing technique. Although it can kill the enemy, what truly kills the enemy is not the blade, but the demonic technique itself."

"Of course, I am not against this approach."

"On the contrary, I admire Shinomiya's creativity."

"Combining the way of the demons with swordsmanship can undoubtedly give swordsmanship more possibilities."

"Shinomiya-kun has now successfully taken half a step into the Kido, but the remaining half step into swordsmanship... I'm afraid it will take a long time, after all, your swordsmanship foundation is still far from sufficient."

Upon hearing this, the Four Palace Masters were taken aback.

"...Combining Kido (the way of the devil) and swordsmanship...So that's what you were thinking, Captain Unohana?"

"Have I misunderstood something?"

The Four Palaces Lord did not respond, but instead drew his sword.

At that very moment, Retsu Unohana realized a problem that could not be ignored.

—This is not the move I've seen before.

Author's message

(Currently, this book updates twice a day, with additional updates after it's officially released!)

Chapter Twenty-Eight: What was the Captain-General like when he was young?

Click.

The sound produced when the guard and scabbard come together proves that the sword has been sheathed.

However, no one present saw when the knife was drawn, and no one reacted in time.

The attack was already over.

As far as sword-drawing techniques go, this is how it should be.

That's how it should be...

But can this really be called the art of drawing the sword?

What kind of sword-drawing technique can injure an opponent from more than ten meters away, causing them to bleed without sword pressure or spiritual pressure enhancement?

"..."

Unohana Retsu's gaze fell on her wrist.

Her movements were completely different from before, and Ichigo and the others didn't notice when she adopted a defensive stance with her sword held horizontally.

It seemed that the moment Shinomiya drew his sword, time was cut off for a second, and within that one second, the two sides completed an attack and defense.

The result is.

The four palaces lords calmly sheathed their swords.

A red line slowly appeared on Unohana Retsu's fair wrist, and blood spurted out.

"team leader?!"

Yongyin was jolted back to her senses by the sight of blood.

Just as she was about to step forward, Unohana Retsu raised her hand to stop her.

"Kurosaki-kun."

"Ah? Here!"

Ichigo jumped in surprise and instinctively responded.

"Watch closely. When you encounter this situation, don't rush to channel your spiritual pressure into the wound. Instead, first stabilize your own spiritual pressure and... your spirit. You absolutely cannot waver because of this. You must remain calm and clear-headed like an outsider. This will help the wound regenerate. This is the only experience I can teach you at this stage."

"I...I know."

Watching Unohana Retsu calmly give a live demonstration, her wound visibly healed on its own.

Ichigo was deeply shaken.

Not only because of the unfathomable skill of this "return to the Dao", but also because of the other party's state of mind, which I can only look up to with envy.

"As for Shinomiya-kun, I have to take back what I said before. Perhaps your swordsmanship foundation is still weak, but... that will not be an obstacle for you."

Unohana Retsu's heart was churning, but only a helpless smile appeared on her face.

"No, Captain Unohana's words do make some sense."

The four palace masters dismounted and stood up straight.

There was no hint of smugness on his face; instead, he seemed to agree wholeheartedly.

"Leaving aside the 'Seven Flashes,' the 'Sole Flash' demands a great deal from the body; mere strength isn't enough. Even if I forged an indestructible sword using the Demonic Path, without superior technique, I still couldn't cut anyone."

That's right.

He didn't use "Seven Flashes" just now, he used "Only Flashes".

The true art of drawing the sword.

It is no longer about using a drawn sword as a medium for performing magic.

Retsu Unohana was able to make the right response precisely because she understood the difference between the two.

The Four Palace Master has made great progress in his Kido recently, all in order to master this move as soon as possible.

"Forging a sword that can break anything with the power of the devil... a very apt description, and it is indeed not as simple as just combining the devil's way with swordsmanship."

Unohana Retsu was slightly lost in thought, recalling that indescribable "flash" that was completely invisible at that moment, only vaguely sensed through spiritual pressure.

"The Only Flash...?"

Simply attaching the Kido to a sword and using it in conjunction with swordsmanship to launch an attack is essentially not much different from the Shikai of a Zanpakuto. However, Shinomiya no Mikoto's "Yisou" is completely different.

From the movement to the swing of the sword, every step is swordsmanship, and at the same time, it is a ritual that constitutes the way of the devil, through which an invincible slash is unleashed.

It is both the way of the demons and the art of swordsmanship.

The stronger the demonic path, the stronger the slashing power.

The stronger one's swordsmanship, the higher the accuracy of their strikes.

It breaks down the boundaries between the ways of the demons and swordsmanship, creating a complete product that possesses two different properties yet is seamlessly integrated.

This is an unknown territory that no one in the Soul Society has paid attention to or set foot in for millions of years.

Although still immature, it is already dazzlingly brilliant.

As long as I continue to hone my blade, one day I will surely be able to cut through what pure swordsmanship cannot cut through, and cut through what pure demonic arts cannot do, making everyone take notice and feel their hearts tremble.

At this moment, Retsu Unohana even had a rather absurd thought.

If there is an ultimate form of swordsmanship... perhaps it should be a similar stance.

"This trip has been incredibly fruitful, all thanks to Shinomiya-kun."

of course.

Retsu Unohana doesn't just talk the talk.

After she composed herself, she proceeded to teach the training methods for drawing the sword, just as she had previously stated.

These are secret techniques that are not passed on to outsiders in modern martial arts schools.

But for Retsu Unohana, it's like it's free.

The Four Palace Master is like a sponge, constantly absorbing the experience of those who came before him. Even if he doesn't understand the purpose, he keeps it firmly in his heart and will slowly explore it again later.

Time flies, and more than two hours have passed in the blink of an eye.

It's getting dark.

Retsu Unohana also prepared to return home.

Shinomiya-sensei and Ichigo specially escorted the captain and vice-captain of the Fourth Division to the entrance of the Spiritual Arts Academy.

"If you have time in the future, Shinomiya-kun and Kurosaki-kun are welcome to visit the Fourth Division. We'll take our leave now."

"Wait a moment, Captain Unohana."

"Is there anything else, Shinomiya-kun?"

Unohana Retsu turned around in confusion.

Ichigo and Isane also looked over.

"I must apologize to you."

The Four Palaces Venerable said unexpectedly.

"As far as I know, you are the most senior captain after the Captain-Commander, and you have seen and experienced a lot, so it is impossible for you to have a shallow understanding of the Eleventh Division as I said."