The two continued along the broad wooden corridor, their footsteps producing a steady, rhythmic echo.
They reached the heart of the First Division.
In the center of the courtyard lay a clear pond where fish played amongst reflections of emerald willow branches. These were the same species of weeping willow found in Suō Tsukasa's own courtyard, though these were far older and taller, their thousands of hanging green silk threads forming a natural curtain.
Further off stood a meticulously maintained, open courtyard. The neatly arranged equipment in the corners indicated that this served as a daily training ground.
Standing outside the door, Ukitake Jushiro offered a respectful greeting.
"Genryusai-sensei, we have arrived."
Beside him, Suō Tsukasa stood with a calm expression.
Truth be told, he had been looking forward to meeting this pivotal figure for a long time. Moreover, if he passed this test, he would gain an invaluable opportunity for guidance.
While he certainly felt a sense of excitement, he wasn't particularly nervous.
This tranquility stemmed from a sober awareness of his own strength and the resolve that matched it. For a young man, if he lacked this much confidence, he wouldn't be standing here now.
"Enter."
The response from within was as steady as a deep pool, devoid of any ripple.
The wooden door slid open.
The interior was simpler than Suō Tsukasa had imagined. Aside from a few ordinary vases, the walls were adorned with only a few scrolls of calligraphy and painting.
Following protocol, Tsukasa did not let his gaze wander. He followed Ukitake Jushiro to the Captain-Commander and stood with his head bowed.
Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni sat upright on a meditation mat.
To his left was a cup of clear tea; to his right lay the cane that never left his side. Even in a seated posture, he radiated an awe-inspiring majesty.
Slowly lifting his eyelids, eyes that had witnessed thousands of years turned toward the young Shinigami. He spoke slowly.
"You are Suō Tsukasa?"
"Yes."
Tsukasa looked up and replied.
The moment their eyes met, a vigorous and fierce pressure surged forward like a collapsing mountain or an overflowing sea.
The hair on Tsukasa's forehead fluttered slightly. He felt a momentary tightness in his chest, and his heart skipped a beat. Only then did he take in the Captain-Commander's full appearance.
The old man had prominent cheekbones and numerous wrinkles. Two crossed scars on the right side of his forehead gave him a sharp, piercing aura. Yet, the long white beard hanging to his waist, tied with a purple ribbon, softened that sharpness significantly.
"Captain-Commander, good day."
Tsukasa immediately steadied his mind, remaining unmoved under this abyss-like, heavy presence. He met the Captain-Commander's scrutinizing gaze with a steady look and bowed calmly in greeting.
Though the test had come abruptly, it was not unexpected. Ever since opening the envelope, he had envisioned countless meeting and assessment scenarios in his mind. This small bit of pressure testing was nothing to him; his etiquette remained impeccably standard.
Ukitake Jushiro, however, was somewhat surprised by his teacher's sudden "attack." He spoke with a hint of helplessness.
"Teacher—really, this is!"
"I have no time to teach a youngster starting from how to breathe," the Captain-Commander replied casually, withdrawing the razor-sharp spiritual pressure he had pressed onto Tsukasa.
His half-open eyes closed slightly. At this moment, he looked like nothing more than a serene, solemn, and slightly kind ordinary old man.
His voice paused, and his tone shifted slightly, carrying a faint hint of recognition and satisfaction.
"I have seen your records. A strong body, extraordinary talent—none of your peers surpassed you during your time at the Academy."
"You treat subordinates with both severity and kindness, earning the deep respect of the members within your Division. This is rare."
"I hope your subsequent performance will not be disappointing."
"Let us go."
The Captain-Commander reached out for his cane and slowly rose from the mat.
As the words fell, the old man's figure vanished. His movements were incredibly swift and silent, a vigorous style of action that contrasted sharply with his aged appearance.
Ukitake Jushiro smiled and said easily, a hint of relief hidden in his eyes—the hardest hurdle had been cleared, as his teacher rarely praised people like that.
"Tsukasa, let's keep up."
"Alright."
The pressure test just now was one thing, but the Captain-Commander's direction of travel surprised him. He had thought the assessment would take place in the courtyard they were just in.
Though Tsukasa had doubts, his movements did not lag. he followed immediately.
On the other side of Sogyoku Hill.
The two who had arrived a step late solidified in the air.
Suō Tsukasa's feet landed on a patch of solid rock. The view before him suddenly opened up.
It was a different world compared to the elegant courtyard from before. Beneath his feet were weather-beaten, russet-brown rocks—hard, flat, and vast. It carried an inherent, natural sense of solemnity.
Although the entrance to the underground training ground was on the cliff face on the other side, this was his first time setting foot on this open rocky area nearby.
He had made some guesses when he saw the Sogyoku halberd earlier. He hadn't expected this to truly be the location where the Captain-Commander had disciplined the two captains in the original story.
The Captain-Commander faced them, his cane planted firmly in front of him. The passing wind brushed against his broad Captain's haori but could not move his hem in the slightest, adding to his mountain-like stability.
"Come, lad."
The Captain-Commander spoke quietly, his voice low but clearly overpowering the sound of the wind.
"Show me your caliber."
As he spoke, his left hand gripped the end of the cane. The simple wooden shell disintegrated, revealing the deep purple hilt and brown scabbard hidden within.
Seeing the Captain-Commander's actions, Suō Tsukasa understood his meaning. Taking a deep breath, he suppressed the excitement in his heart and turned to Ukitake Jushiro.
"Captain, I'll trouble you to hold this wooden sword for me."
"Very well."
Tsukasa drew the Oboroya from his waist and handed it to Ukitake. The entrance exam would definitely test swordsmanship, though the specific criteria remained unknown. To ensure his best performance, he had brought Oboroya along just in case.
"Tsukasa, good luck! Don't be nervous, just give it your all!" Ukitake Jushiro took the wooden sword and moved back to sit on a nearby rock, waving his hand in encouragement.
"Give it my all, huh?"
"Of course!"
Tsukasa thought to himself as he turned back to face the Captain-Commander.
His gaze had become completely tranquil. His left hand gripped the scabbard, and his right hand tightened around the hilt.
Clang! A clear, short chime of the blade rang out as the light of the steel flashed.
"Illuminate the Ten Thousand Realms, Hikari!"
Tsukasa held the sword in his right hand, letting it hang naturally in front of him as he chanted softly.
There was only one thing he could do: demonstrate everything he had.
With the chant of the release command, the Asauchi in Tsukasa's hand and around his body instantly emitted a gentle and pure brilliance, revealing its slender Shikai form.
The light of the Shikai was not particularly prominent under the current sunlight. The glow was soft, appearing to form a single line with the light projected from the sun above.
"Hikari? What a clear and gentle Zanpakuto!"
Ukitake Jushiro, sitting on the rock with Oboroya across his lap, watched Tsukasa complete his Shikai with great interest. This was his first time seeing Hikari's release. His eyes brightened as he praised it.
Tsukasa gripped Hikari, his gaze stern as he looked at Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni.
He no longer restrained his spiritual pressure. His spiritual power surged in waves, and the erupting pressure collided with the air, kicking up a circle of dust around his feet.
Facing the impending assessment, he was fully poised for action.
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