How could such terrifying spiritual pressure exist?!
The power of Shigure Segawa completely overturned his understanding of what "spiritual pressure" truly meant. His heart raced faster and faster, and his face was drenched in sweat.
Just then, Shigure suddenly withdrew his spiritual pressure, and the overwhelming sensation vanished in an instant.
"Hah... huh... hah..."
The purple-haired youth gasped for air like a drowning man rescued at the last second, his entire body limp and exhausted.
Shigure smiled gently and said, "I wonder, do I seem just a little stronger in your eyes now?"
Hearing this, the young man froze for a moment before his face turned awkward.
"Well then, could I trouble you to guide me to the testing grounds?" Shigure continued, his warm smile never faltering.
That smile was so calm and gentle, it made it seem as though nothing had just happened. Yet, it sent a shiver down the spine of the purple-haired youth.
"Y-you... no, I mean, yes! Please follow me!"
He bowed respectfully and then led Shigure deeper into the academy.
There was no choice. The Shinō Academy might pride itself on equality, unlike the rigid hierarchy of the Gotei 13, but it was still a place where strength reigned supreme.
And in the face of the spiritual pressureShigure had just displayed, even breathing normally had been impossible for him.
The gap in their abilities was as vast as an unbridgeable chasm.
He had no desire to experience that suffocating sensation again, so he quickly led Shigure onward.
As they arrived at the central dojo of the academy, a large crowd had already gathered ahead. These were likely the candidates preparing for the Soul Burial field training.
When they noticed Shigure and the purple-haired youth approaching, someone immediately burst into laughter and shouted, "Hey, Sanda! What's with that beaten-dog expression on your face?"
The purple-haired youth, Sanda, clenched his teeth at the remark and raised his head. "Hengyi, shut up!"
"Heh..." The youth named Hengyi stepped out of the crowd, smirking. "Relax, I'm just joking. No need to get so worked up... Anyway, who's this?"
Shigure didn't respond, but Sanda immediately caught on. Swallowing nervously, he said, "H-he's the first-year rookie who submitted his application for the Soul Burial field training two weeks ago, Segawa..."
Hengyi blinked in surprise and blurted out, "Segawa Shigure?"
At this, several heads turned toward them, their gazes locking onto Shigure.
After all, over the past two weeks, Segawa Shigure's name had become legendary.
Mastery of the four core techniques—Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō—on par with the academy instructors.
In particular, his terrifying display of power in Kidō, amplified by his immense spiritual pressure, had left a lasting impression.
However, opinions about these rumors were divided.
Some believed wholeheartedly that Shigure was a genius.
Others, however, were skeptical. They only trusted what they had seen with their own eyes or experienced firsthand.
As countless eyes turned toward him, Shigure smiled and said, "The academy informed me that the test for participating in the early field training would be decided by you. So, may I ask, what is the test?"
His words caused many in the crowd to exchange glances, their faces breaking into knowing smiles.
The truth was, when they first learned two weeks ago that a first-year rookie had applied to join them for the field training, they had been less than pleased.
So, they had already devised an "impossible-to-pass" test!
Hengyi slowly approached, his smile widening. "Segawa, by applying early, you're essentially saying that you believe your skills are on par with ours, correct?"
Shigure smiled confidently. "Of course."
Seeing his self-assured smile, some in the crowd ground their teeth in frustration and muttered complaints:
"Dammit! This guy is way too arrogant!"
"Exactly! Just because he has a bit of talent, he thinks he can compare himself to us, who've undergone six years of rigorous training!"
"Let's use this test to teach him a lesson!"
Their voices weren't particularly quiet, so Shigure heard every word.
Yet, his smile remained unchanged, unfazed by their remarks.
Jealousy was the inevitable path of the strong.
Besides, facing the people in front of him...
No matter what tricks they pulled, Shigure was absolutely confident in his victory.
Hengyi narrowed his eyes, his smile growing even more sinister.
"The rules are based on a game that's been passed down in the academy... Segawa, have you heard of the Binding Duel game?"
Shigure's eyes glinted slightly. "I have a general understanding."
The so-called Binding Duel was a combat game invented by senior students at Shinō Academy.
It involved one-on-one matches where participants were forbidden from using their Zanpakutō. Instead, they had to rely on the four core techniques—Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō—to fight.
The interesting twist was that the participant with the stronger spiritual pressure would take the role of the defender and be bound by the game's rules.
When the attacker launched an offensive, regardless of the technique used, the defender had to counter with the exact same technique.
For example, if the attacker used Hakuda (hand-to-hand combat), the defender had to respond with Hakuda. If the attacker used Kidō (demon arts), the defender had to counter with Kidō.
The challenge lay in the fact that the attacker could freely change their tactics, while the defender could only adapt after the change had been made.
If the defender used the wrong technique and accidentally struck the attacker, they would automatically lose.
This combat game had become a tradition at the academy because it was an excellent way to train students' combat reflexes.
Shigure's eyes flickered as he grasped their intentions.
Hengyi grinned, clearly pleased with himself.
"Today's test will be a Binding Duel. But, you know, with your spiritual pressure being so much higher than ours, a one-on-one match would hardly be fair... So..."
He paused, his grin widening even further.
"Segawa, you'll be facing not one attacker... but ten!"
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