During the battle, Suō Tsukasa immediately felt the difference; the rebound sensation after every clash of their blades grew increasingly fierce.
The pressure on his hands intensified sharply. His breathing grew heavy, and fine beads of sweat trickled down his forehead, yet his eyes shone brighter.
Soon, Suō Tsukasa felt that his offensive had reached its limit.
His mind raced, and he settled on an idea, withdrawing and setting his stance.
"If one strike is ineffective, then I'll use a faster and fiercer combination!"
"Ryūsōsen!"
With a roar filled with determination, the Oboroyo in Suō Tsukasa's hand transformed into black fangs during its high-speed swings.
His concentration was unprecedented at this moment. Every ounce of his physical strength was mobilized, and the knowledge and experience of swordsmanship in his mind fused together instantly.
This strike was Suō Tsukasa's amalgamation of all his current techniques, using his own version of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū for the first time in real combat.
"Good!"
Faced with this sudden burst of fierce attack, Saitō Yūichi's expression brightened, and an unprecedented sharp gleam erupted in his eyes.
Instead of just blocking while stationary, his footwork rapidly moved forward—a first in this battle.
The wooden swords in their hands danced before them, forming an impenetrable net of blades.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
A rapid and dense series of clashes echoed in the dojo. The two contrasting wooden swords in the air were like two dragon heads with bared fangs, snapping at each other.
Suddenly, all sounds in the arena came to an abrupt halt.
And in that very instant, the chaotic sword shadows dispersed, and the tip of Saitō Yūichi's wooden sword rested steadily just before Suō Tsukasa's throat.
"Good job, kid! A very interesting move, 'Ryūsōsen'."
"The offensive was fierce and fast enough, but unfortunately, the moment you finished the move was still a little slow."
"This must be the first time you've used this move in a real fight, right? It still needs refining."
"The foundation and the technique itself are fine. Just keep practicing along this path."
Saitō Yūichi slowly withdrew his sword, looking at the black-haired young man before him, whose breathing was slightly ragged from the all-out exertion, but whose eyes were still bright and excited.
He stepped forward, clapped Suō Tsukasa hard on the shoulder, and revealed a look of immense satisfaction.
"Saitō-sensei, thank you very much for your instruction!"
Suō Tsukasa panted heavily, sweat dripping from his jawline onto the wooden floor, and bowed in gratitude.
There was no trace of resentment from defeat in his eyes, only excitement and joy.
To be honest, before this, Suō Tsukasa had never thought of himself as a martial arts fanatic.
In the boring Soul Society, the only things that brought him joy, besides a satisfying meal, were his daily training routines. While getting stronger also made him happy, it was primarily a pursuit based on survival.
Until today, after this exhilarating instructional battle, he was utterly and truly captivated by the pursuit of strength and combat itself.
That feeling of condensing body, spirit, and will into a single point, and breaking through one's limits under pressure.
It made his heart race, his blood boil, and his spirit feel as if it had been set on fire.
The excitement and satisfaction this brought were far more intoxicating than he had ever imagined.
"Good, keep up the hard work!"
Saitō Yūichi took in the excitement and gratitude in the young man's eyes.
Looking at his straight-held spine, though exhausted, he clapped Suō Tsukasa's shoulder heavily again, his words filled with expectation.
"That's all for today's class. All first-years, clean up the area and then you are dismissed!"
Withdrawing his hand, he surveyed the entire area and shouted the command to the students still immersed in the recollection of the fierce duel.
Upon receiving the order, the students began to move, putting away wooden swords and cleaning the area.
As they worked, their peripheral vision involuntarily drifted with reverence and yearning toward the black-haired youth who had just displayed astonishing power.
...
Noon, the cafeteria.
Suō Tsukasa once again arrived at his usual spot, carrying a tray piled high with food.
Just as he set his tray down, another, much smaller portion, landed across from him.
Hitsugaya Tōshirō sat down opposite him.
"I'll eat now."
The two voices sounded almost simultaneously, and then they fell into their familiar, silent eating.
Compared to previous days, the students in the same year no longer commented on his appetite. Instead, many of them unconsciously imitated his actions.
People who usually ate only one bowl of rice quietly added half a bowl more.
Those who previously complained about the taste of the cafeteria food now began to chew heartily.
A silent force seemed to permeate the air, subtly changing the atmosphere of the area, centered around that table by the window.
Because of the aftershocks of the morning's duel, a different, unwonted stillness had settled in.
Strength often carries more conviction than any words and can subtly change the rules.
On the way back to the small courtyard, the sunlight stretched the two figures' shadows long.
"Suo, how did you practice that move of yours?"
Hitsugaya, walking beside Suō Tsukasa, uncharacteristically initiated the conversation.
"You want to learn?"
Suō Tsukasa's voice was steady, betraying no emotion.
Hitsugaya pursed his lips, not answering immediately, but the eyes fixed on Suō Tsukasa said it all.
"Yes."
After a moment, Hitsugaya nodded heavily in confirmation.
The power of Ryūsōsen was undeniable. Although the young man was proud, he understood and respected the power Suō Tsukasa had achieved through his rigorous training.
"I can teach you, but I don't recommend it."
"It's not about holding back. My style isn't suitable for you; it demands too much from your basic physical qualities."
Suō Tsukasa looked at Hitsugaya's serious expression and spoke sincerely.
Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū is inherently only suitable for tall individuals, with strict requirements for height and arm length.
And the version he had modified based on his memory was even more suited only for himself.
Suō Tsukasa was well aware that he lacked teaching experience, and with Hitsugaya's immense physical difference from him, he had no confidence in being able to teach it effectively.
"Your nature leans toward calmness, making you better suited for Zanjutsu that focuses on timing."
"The only things I can teach you are how to nourish your body with food and the most fundamental basics."
"The rest you'll have to rely on yourself for."
"Start training with me tomorrow morning."
He paused, looking at Hitsugaya, and analyzed the situation from an objective standpoint.
"Understood, I'll do that."
"Thank you, Suo."
Hearing this, Hitsugaya turned his head toward Suō Tsukasa, who was much taller than him, and realized the truth of the situation.
Suō Tsukasa's swordsmanship, like his appearance, held a core of scorching crimson beneath a seemingly tranquil black exterior.
And he never doubted Suō Tsukasa's words. After all, from the first day they formally met, he had felt a unique kind of warmth emanating from Suō Tsukasa.
Suō Tsukasa's words also enlightened him: a true powerhouse doesn't blindly imitate others but finds the path best suited to them, leveraging their own advantages.
"Don't mention it."
The two said no more, walking side-by-side on the path back to the small courtyard.