On the training ground, two figures flashed rapidly, fists and feet colliding.
The confrontation was on the verge of erupting—one figure was light and agile, the other wild and thunderous.
On the muddy field, the petite Yoruichi moved without a trace, while every dash from Gusion would whip up a gust of wind, soaring dust, and leave deep footprints.
The other students in the class kept far away, terrified of being caught up by these two monsters.
In their eyes, this was not the level of hand-to-hand combat that first-year students should have. No, even those about to graduate probably couldn't pull this off.
Besides, during regular sparring, no one would go all out like this, attacking with no restrictions. Usually, hand-to-hand classes were just about honing technique, so no one used Shunpo skills. After all, space in the dojo was limited.
But today was different. The teacher brought everyone outside, so the witch from the Shihōin family and the rookie king went at it for real.
The students watched this battle—some wary, some envious, some focused, trying to absorb the essence, hoping to learn some Shunpo and hand-to-hand combat skills.
Apart from the students watching, there were also two people observing from the rooftop.
The one in front was an elderly man with a dignified yet kindly demeanor, and a hairstyle befitting a strong man.
On the right side of his forehead were two cross-shaped sword scars, adding a fierce edge to his appearance. He had long eyebrows and wore a purple band around his long, silver-white beard that hung to his waist.
Leaning on his cane, the old man asked the silver-haired middle-aged man standing respectfully by his side, "Chōjirō, that girl is from the Shihōin family, right? What about the other one?"
Squad One's vice-captain, Sasakibe Chōjirō, answered respectfully, "He's a freshman who enrolled two months ago, named Gusion Paxley. I heard Captain Unohana brought him from the Rukongai, and he's quite talented."
"Oh?"
Head-Captain Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni showed some interest. "Chōjirō, do you also think he's talented?"
Sasakibe nodded. "I've been observing him for a while. Whether it's swordsmanship, hand-to-hand, Shunpo, or Kidō, he has no weaknesses. Though he's from a commoner background, his talent is so great that, honestly, it's a bit…"
"A bit what?"
The Head-Captain prompted.
Sasakibe struggled to find the right word, thought for a moment, then said, "…a bit terrifying. Several teachers have already said they simply can't teach Gusion."
Seeing the Head-Captain remain silent, he explained further, "On the first day, Gusion Paxley, despite having never learned swordsmanship, defeated Teacher Fujimoto in a duel with equal spiritual pressure. In hand-to-hand class, he beat the Shihōin heir, Yoruichi. On his first try at Kidō, he successfully cast Shakkahō…"
He enumerated Gusion's achievements to the Head-Captain. "His Shunpo isn't as fast as the Shihōin girl's, but that's just at the start. It's only been two months, and he's already close to catching up with Yoruichi."
"Can't be taught, huh… Interesting kid."
The Head-Captain smiled, eyes on Gusion as he sparred. "Have the hand-to-hand and swordsmanship classes not had a captain substitute recently?"
Sasakibe shook his head. "Things have been tense in both Soul Society and the Human World. The Gotei 13 are busy; no captains have had time to substitute."
The Head-Captain nodded. He was both the chief of the Gotei 13 and principal of the Shin'ō Academy but hadn't visited in two months due to official duties.
He hadn't expected, on this rare visit, to see such an intriguing young man—it reminded him of his first batch of students.
The Head-Captain mused as he looked at Gusion, "What about his spiritual pressure and zanpakutō?"
"His zanpakutō hasn't awakened yet, which is normal—he was a commoner and did not know zanpakutō before. His spiritual pressure was only Class 17 at enrollment."
If the academy students heard this, they'd be shocked. A mere Class 17 was a lifelong dream for many, but to Sasakibe, it was average.
He had witnessed the academy's history and knew many noble children entered at Class 10 or above, some even Class 6 before enrollment.
Yoruichi just didn't focus on spiritual pressure training, but she'd reach captain-level sooner or later.
"A Class 17 with no resources, huh. Average."
The Head-Captain evaluated. As a living fossil of Soul Society, he'd seen countless geniuses. In terms of initial spiritual pressure, Gusion didn't stand out.
What he appreciated was Gusion's talent in sword, hand-to-hand, Shunpo, and Kidō. If Gusion improved his spiritual pressure, he'd be a pillar of the Gotei 13 in the future.
"Yes, among geniuses, it's not high, but his spiritual pressure is improving quickly. In just two months, he's reached Class 16."
Sasakibe explained, "I hear most of his time is spent on learning sword, hand-to-hand, Shunpo, and Kidō, not on boosting spiritual pressure."
The Head-Captain nodded. "So it's not that he lacks talent in spiritual pressure, he just hasn't focused on it yet."
Sasakibe said, "That makes sense. The academy only lasts six years, and improving spiritual pressure isn't an overnight thing. Learning more skills while here is wise—the academy is the best learning environment. Spiritual pressure can always be trained later."
"Hahaha…"
The Head-Captain laughed. "Chōjirō, you seem to like this young man a lot, even making excuses for him."
Sasakibe humbly shook his head. "I admire his talent, but I don't like his personality."
"Oh? Why not?"
The Head-Captain was curious.
"Because Gusion wants to graduate early. He's too arrogant for someone who just enrolled two months ago."
Sasakibe shook his head helplessly, relaying what other teachers had said.
Currently, aside from Captain Unohana's Kaidō class, no other teachers can teach Gusion anymore.
The Hadō class is a bit different. The old Grand Kidō Chief no longer teaches, but the new instructor can cast over eighty spells—a true master. Teaching isn't an issue.
The problem is, that while Gusion is extremely talented in Kidō, he doesn't seem interested in Hadō. Every class, he practices Kaidō instead.
According to the academy's graduation standards, successfully casting Shakkahō is already enough. The teacher can't force him, since technically Kaidō is still Kidō.
"Wants to graduate early?"
The Head-Captain stroked his beard and smiled. "He's certainly arrogant—thinks no one can teach him sword, hand-to-hand, Shunpo, or Kidō?"
He struck his cane on the ground, sending dust swirling in a circle. His aged eyes looked at Gusion on the field. "Then let this old man give him a lesson."