Sasakibe was surprised. "You… intend to reopen the Genji School?"
*(T/N: Here, probably refers to Yamamoto's legendary class.)
The Head-Captain shook his head. "Of course not. I don't have time to teach full-time. As principal, I'll just substitute a few lessons."
Though it wasn't a full reopening, Sasakibe was still shocked that the Head-Captain was so interested.
Meanwhile, the match on the field had ended. Though Gusion's overall speed was slower than Yoruichi's, he won the hand-to-hand bout.
"Interesting. The Shihōin girl didn't lose to Gusion in skill but in judgment."
"Judgment?"
Sasakibe hadn't watched closely and asked curiously.
"Fighting is like solving a multiple-choice question. How do you break down your opponent's move? How do you counterattack? Every exchange is a process of making choices."
The Head-Captain said, "Chōjirō, how do you make decisions in battle?"
Sasakibe thought for a moment. "Actual combat is complex, and every move is a gambit. For me, I simply counter as I see their move. If my opponent slashes at me, and I can't counter in time, I'll defend. If my sword is faster, I'll go for a vital spot…"
He paused. "If the battle is a multiple-choice test, there are too many options, and the opponent also has many. As things change, so do all the options, so it's hard to predict. On reflection, my decisions are mostly muscle memory."
"Muscle Memory, huh."
The Head-Captain looked at Sasakibe, making him uncertain.
Sasakibe thought, then added, "Daily training is important. In battle, muscle memory often makes decisions for me."
"You're not wrong, but not entirely right, either."
The Head-Captain nodded. "A competent Shinigami should train every day. Battle skills ingrained in your bones will save your life. But…"
Sasakibe realized the Head-Captain was about to share the essence, so he listened respectfully.
"…Chōjirō, some people make decisions in battle not based on honed skill or muscle memory, but… instinct."
The Head-Captain's aged eyes narrowed as he watched Gusion wiping sweat. "Every move he makes instinctively chooses the optimal solution. So even if the Shihōin girl is faster, he still wins."
"Instinct…"
Sasakibe pondered the word. Looking back, he realized he didn't have time to think during battle—tactics were long-term, not for each clash.
When blades cross, there's no time to think; all you can rely on is instinct, or perhaps subconsciousness.
He looked at Gusion with a grave expression. If this young man truly had the instinct to make optimal decisions in battle, wouldn't he be invincible against equals in spiritual pressure?
According to the Head-Captain, skill level, and decision-making ability should be considered separately.
To put it simply: with equal spiritual pressure, if Yoruichi could kill ten Hollows with a punch, and Gusion could kill eight, Yoruichi's combat skill is higher.
But whether to punch or kick is about decision-making. If Yoruichi makes a wrong choice and misses, but Gusion chooses correctly—even if his move is weaker, he still inflicts effective damage while avoiding harm.
In this sense, decision-making in battle might be even more important than skill.
Instinct, huh…
"Let's go; we'll return in two days."
The Head-Captain said as class was over. He planned to teach this arrogant young man a lesson in the next hand-to-hand class.
...
"…Why do I feel a chill? Did I not eat enough for lunch? Am I lacking nutrients?"
Gusion suddenly felt a chill, as if some terrifying presence was watching him. He looked around but saw no one dangerous.
"Gusion-kun, let's go. The next class is Zanpakutō Resonance."
Aizen called out to the thoughtful Gusion. After two months together, they'd become close.
He had to admit, aside from the spiritual pressure field, Gusion's talent in other areas was fully on par with, or even greater than, his own.
But what frustrated him was Gusion's slow progress in spiritual pressure.
From Aizen's perspective, Gusion had the talent for spiritual pressure, but had been lazy these two months—not training late at night with him anymore.
It was all Captain Unohana's fault…
Aizen couldn't understand Gusion's obsession with Kaidō. He thought it was better to train spiritual pressure to overwhelm opponents and never get injured, rather than focusing on healing techniques to use after getting hurt.
He could sense Gusion's strong obsession with becoming stronger, so he didn't get why Gusion put off the most direct route—spiritual pressure training.
Well, slacking off wasn't exactly right. Gusion still trained diligently during the three weekly spiritual pressure classes. The real reason he didn't train with Aizen at night was that Gusion always seemed exhausted lately.
Who knew what he was doing with Captain Unohana every day? When he returned to the dorm, he was unsteady, pale, and would fall asleep chatting, never training his spiritual pressure.
So obsessed with Kaidō… Could it be… Gusion-kun likes Unohana-sensei?
Aizen felt he'd figured it out. Otherwise, nothing explained why this battle maniac only practiced Kaidō every day!
Thinking this, Aizen couldn't help but say, "Gusion-kun, don't you think you should restrain yourself a little lately?"
"Huh? Restrain what?"
Gusion was confused, not understanding what Aizen was saying.
Aizen thought for a moment, then said, "I know Captain Unohana is very charming, and doing a forbidden activity with a female teacher is certainly exciting, but if you keep exhausting yourself like this, when will you reach Shikai?"
Gusion: ???
Unohana had told him to keep her after-class guidance secret, so he'd never mentioned being cut every day.
Aizen Sōsuke, how do you know I'm doing a forbidden activity with Unohana-sensei every day?
And aren't you misunderstanding something? I'm not that kind of person! How could getting cut be exciting for me?