The duties of the Fourth Division are busy every day, but even so, there are days off—off-duty days, of course.
Today is my first day off since I started working as a Soul Reaper of the Gotei 13.
...Well, that doesn't mean I can relax and rest, though.
"This area should be fine."
"Haa... Haa... Y-Yes... I suppose so..."
Gasping for breath, I somehow managed to nod at Captain Unohana's words, which she spoke with composure.
"What is the matter? It is pathetic to be exhausted by this level of exertion. What did you learn at the Spiritual Arts Academy?"
"I-I'm sorry..."
It started yesterday.
Just before the end of the workday, Captain Unohana told me, "I will train you tomorrow, so gather in front of the barracks at sunrise." Her way of speaking, allowing no objections and completely disregarding my schedule, was... well, expected of her, I suppose.
Well, I had absolutely no prior engagements, so it was fine.
And today.
When I went to the meeting place rubbing my sleepy eyes while the morning mist still hung thick, Captain Unohana was already there and said, "We're moving locations, follow me."
We continued moving without rest, and this is probably somewhere in the mountains of the Rukongai—I think. I don't really know the location.
I was so desperate just to keep up that I had absolutely no leeway to memorize the geography.
Training involving long-term activity with a Zanpakuto, luggage, and protective gear. We did that kind of thing back in the Academy days, but this is incomparable to that.
This time, I only brought my Zanpakuto, a change of clothes, some light food, and a water flask. It should be relatively light and easy to move with, but the amount of exercise was such that it seemed to say none of that mattered.
"Well, I suppose this is acceptable for this time—next time, we shall move a little faster—"
"...Eh?"
Did she mutter the second half in a low voice...?
No, she probably... definitely said it so I could hear.
She could run much faster if she got serious, but she deliberately matched my speed...
Kuh!
I thought I understood it in my head, but I'm made to realize once again that there is a ridiculous gap in ability between the Captain and myself.
"Now then, let us begin the training immediately."
"...Ah!?"
No sooner had she spoken—no, she was definitely moving before she spoke—Captain Unohana slashed at me.
To my eyes, it was a strike that seemed like nothing but a flash of light like a thread.
Acting on instinct, reflex, and pure fear, I moved my body, drew my sword, and blocked the sword flash.
"Haa... haa..."
"Hm, you can stop this level. Good, I thought I might lose a disciple on the first move."
Blocking it, the moment I looked into Captain Unohana's eyes, I was convinced.
This single blow—although significantly held back—was a serious strike filled with killing intent. If I hadn't dodged or blocked it, I would have undoubtedly been cut down right there.
Understanding afterwards that it was such a blow, an unbearable fear welled up from the bottom of my heart. My whole body trembled, my teeth chattered, and even though I wasn't doing anything, it became hard to breathe.
...Compared to this, the killing intent I had felt until now was nothing but child's play. So this is real killing intent...
"F-First move... you don't mean there's a second and third move...?"
"I naturally wouldn't go that far. For now, we are at the stage of ascertaining how much ability you possess."
...Still!?
N-No, let's not think about that right now!!
"Next is your turn, Recruit Yukawa. I will not do anything, so show me your ability."
"Y... Yes...!"
Perhaps a sign of composure, she sheathed her sword and spread her arms as if to say 'come at me from anywhere.'
I swung my Zanpakuto at the Captain and repeated my attacks over and over.
Downward slash, upward slash, diagonal slash, sweeping cut, thrust. I unleashed those attacks, which form the basis of Zanjutsu, with full power.
However—
"Naive. Do you attack blindly against an opponent showing no openings?"
"Gu... gh! T-Take this!!"
"What is the matter? Are you still half-asleep? Your sword tip is already dull."
"Gya!!"
"Who said you could stop? I told you to show me your ability."
"...Bueh!!"
Around the time she finished dodging my umpteenth attack, her fists began to fly, and finally, I was sent flying with a punch. But it didn't end there; in the end, I was trampled.
"C-Captain..."
"What is it?"
"You said... you wouldn't attack..."
"That is why that was not an attack, but guidance. It is natural for naive attacks to be exploited by the enemy."
"...And the final stomp?"
"That was a bonus."
...Cruel.
Huh? But even though I'm currently licking the dirt, neither a follow-up attack nor a bonus is coming? What does this mean?
"Putting that aside, Recruit Yukawa. I have one question for you."
"W-What is it...?"
I couldn't stay down forever, so I asked back while sitting up.
"The sword you wield is somewhat strange. I get the impression that you are forcibly swinging a huge weapon that doesn't fit your stature. Do you have any idea why?"
"Any idea, you ask...?"
Something like that... if there is...
"I learned the sword either at the Academy, or otherwise from my master. I think it's probably one of those two."
"Who is this master?"
"Danzōmaru—ah, the gatekeeper of the Northern Kokuryōmon."
"...I see. So that is it."
The moment she heard that name, the Captain looked as if everything made sense.
"Recruit Yukawa, your sword is Danzōmaru's sword—in other words, it is a swordsmanship designed for a mountain-like giant to swing a weapon. Since a small human like you is using such sword techniques, it is natural that strain arises."
"Swordsmanship for a giant to use, huh..."
I'm big too, but strictly human-sized.
I shouldn't be lumped together with Master's size, whom I have to look up at until my neck hurts.
If a small person like me mimics the Master's swordsmanship, of course it would be strange.
...Master, why didn't you tell me... Teacher too...
"If it is at the skill level of an Academy student, that might still pass. However, in actual combat, your sword is nothing but reckless. First, we need to start by correcting those incorrect sword techniques."
"Correction, is it...?"
Right, because the "incorrect way of using a sword," as the Captain put it, has been dyed into my body for fifty years. First, I have to erase this habit and learn how to use a sword that fits my stature.
"Then, do we start with practice swings?"
"That is also fine, but you can practice that alone. I will summarize the key points later, so please do them thoroughly during your individual practice. Is that understood?"
It seems I'll receive something like a training menu.
...Judging from the flow so far, I probably won't be able to keep up unless I train every day after work, sparing time for sleep...
"Yes! ...Then, what exactly will we do from now on...?"
"That is naturally something you cannot do alone. Defensive training."
Saying that, the Captain swung her sword again.
"Wah!?"
"Your center of gravity is wavering. Like that, you will be at a disadvantage every time you take a blow."
"Close... !?"
"Only your body's flexibility receives a passing grade. With this, you should be hard to fatally wound; I will go a little stronger from the next one!"
Thus began the special training of simply defending against the Captain's sword.
However, the unleashed sword strikes were of a level I could barely block by putting my whole heart and soul into it. Such attacks were repeated over and over with almost no pause.
Attacks that constantly demanded a response at the very limit, while assessing my condition.
Mind, technique, body. If any of those slackened even a little, I would be cut down in the blink of an eye.
While forced to instantly derive the best action by observing the Captain's attacks, the special training continued with no end in sight.
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