Chapter 152: The Next Kenpachi.
"That's impossible!"
A loud-voiced bystander broke the quiet atmosphere of the observation, drawing a chorus of agreement from the surrounding crowd.
"That great villain... she... actually lost!"
"She is the Soul Society's recognized 10th-dan in Kendo!"
"What a powerful Profound Truth! What a fast blade! Naruto-kun will definitely become a Captain-level Shinigami in the future!"
"Is this what a Genius is..."
"The Soul Society is about to change..."
Ignoring the chatter of the crowd, Naruto panted heavily, leaning on his blade against the ground; the reason he had avoided using the Profound Truth: Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki was its high consumption.
Because his Kendo was flawed, the near-perfect Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū always fell just a tiny bit short when Naruto used it, but because of this, Narutobroke through the inherent shackles of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū and forged his own path of Kendo.
The ability to control 'The Proud Dragon Repents' with ease gave Naruto a more grand and majestic air, no longer in the state of a butcher whose blade must draw blood.
"That move just now..."
"A product of flawed Kendo, the Profound Truth: Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki!"
Naruto stood up shakily and sheathed his sword with his back to Unohana Yachiryu; he wasn't worried at all that she would go back on her word and launch a sneak attack.
She was proud...
As the sound of a sword being sheathed rang out again, Unohana Yachiryu's center-parted long hair was severed at the neck, and a bloodstain appeared on the tender skin of her throat.
Not only that, her white Shihakushō was tattered beyond recognition; upon closer inspection, three crisscrossing sword scars marked her chest and abdomen.
Of the nine strikes of Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki, Unohana Yachiryu had only blocked five—actually, six to be precise, because the fatal wound on her neck was caused by a tenth strike delivered through a bizarre spinning attack by Naruto.
Exiting her combat state, Unohana Yachiryuregained her usual gentleness, the cold tyranny in her eyes vanishing, allowing everyone present to breathe a sigh of relief.
In her combat state, she truly was a beast!
"Are you interested in graduating early and taking a post in my Squad 11?" Unohana Yachiryu extended an invitation to Naruto. "With your talent in Kendo, you are qualified to succeed as the next Kenpachi."
"Thank you for your kind regard, but I still have much to learn at the Academy, and the blade I hold is but an asauchi..."
"Even if the blade in a Kenpachi's hand is an asauchi, no one would question his combat power."
"But I prefer to become a more well-rounded Shinigami."
"That's a pity..." Unohana Yachiryu nodded, yet she didn't give up on recruiting him. "Your progress in Kendo might be a bit slower this way, but the doors of Squad 11 will always be open to you."
"I will give you an answer when the time comes!"
"Good, I will come find you again tomorrow."
"This..."
Unohana Yachiryu left, leaving behind an ambiguous remark that sounded like a challenge yet didn't quite seem like one.
The struggling Naruto also stumbled at this moment, falling to one knee; the previous exertion had been far too great.
Naruto was also puzzled; the food at the Soul Reaper Academy was quite good, with various flavored ingredients made of reishi available to enjoy, yet Naruto would always get hungry after a short while.
He never imagined that after becoming a soul, his appetite could become so large.
"Naruto, are you okay?!"
Kido Shūi only now came to Naruto's side to help him up; it was mainly because Unohana Yachiryu's presence was so overwhelming that lower-ranked Shinigami didn't even have the courage to approach.
"I'm fine..."
"Little brother Naruto... no, I should call you Lord Shinigami now." Ōshima Shūzō also wobbled over. "After this battle, your title as the number one Genius of the Soul Reaper Academy is set in stone. That was Unohana Yachiryu!"
"She suppressed her Spiritual Pressure," Narutoreplied rationally. "And she never used her zanpakutō."
"Just be satisfied!" Ōshima Shūzō's personality was exactly like that. "Your soul age is barely three months; comparing yourself to a Captain-level Shinigami is just asking for trouble!"
True enough, Naruto gave a bitter smile and let the two support him as they headed to the dormitory; he needed a good rest and to digest the gains from this battle.
In contrast, Naruto also felt a sense of anticipation for Unohana Yachiryu's arrival tomorrow.
Combat is the best way to learn.
...
At the Squad 1 barracks, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, as the Captain-Commander, would still visit frequently.
"You dueled Naruto, and you lost?"
With a respectful expression, Unohana Yachiryudidn't hesitate to admit it and nodded openly, which greatly surprised Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.
"That doesn't sound like you..."
"He is the second person to defeat me, but compared to you, Naruto is purer."
"In terms of Kendo mastery, I assume." Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto naturally knew what Unohana Yachiryu was referring to.
When he had subdued this greatest villain of the Soul Society, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamotohadn't defeated her through Kendo alone; in that battle, Unohana Yachiryu was completely bested in both Spiritual Pressure and zanpakutō.
The title of the Soul Society's strongest Shinigamiwas not earned in vain.
But if it were Kendo alone, while Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto couldn't be said to be inferior to Unohana Yachiryu, his advantages in other areas perfectly masked this.
With more well-rounded strength, a stronger zanpakutō, and more massive Spiritual Pressure, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's Kendo could only be considered a minor achievement.
Although he and Naruto were not on the same level, the latter impressed Unohana Yachiryu more.
After all, Naruto's soul age was less than a year old—a proper newborn soul!
Thus, his talent in Kendo was evident.
"His Kendo talent is unique, but his Kendo is flawed. Although he has forged his own path, it remains imperfect until it is fully refined."
"Don't pursue perfection too much; that is where your shackles lie." Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamotospoke earnestly. "You were someone who had the potential to surpass me..."
"But by the time I surpass you, the entire Soul Society will face destruction; I know my own character." Unohana Yachiryu's tone was flat.
"It is a pity, but you seem to have found a successor."
"Yes, it's Naruto. He is very suitable to be the next Kenpachi." Unohana Yachiryu gripped her zanpakutō. "His talent is on par with mine, but his Heart-Nature is more suitable. After all, I am a demon at my core, living for slaughter."
"It was I who personally ruined your future..."
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto understood well that after he crushed Unohana Yachiryu's Heart-Nature, although he gained a Captain, he also personally ended her chance to go further.
However, while it was a pity, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto did not regret it. If the Unohana Yachiryu of back then had been allowed to keep growing, the entire Soul Society might have become ghosts under her blade.
"No need for that; this was also my own choice." Unohana Yachiryu had long since come to terms with it. "After learning Kaidō from Tenjirō Kirinji, I felt I could better enjoy the pleasure of battle, but now..."
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto knew what Unohana Yachiryu meant and immediately nodded.
"I'll leave Naruto to you. While enjoying yourself, train the next, stronger Kenpachi of Squad 11 for me!"
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