Chapter 30: Sasakibe: Is It Too Late to Go Back to the First Division Now?

Gotei 1st Division barracks training dojo.

It was the most luxurious dojo in the Gotei 13. From the polished wooden floor to the meticulously crafted displays, it was far superior to the rough-and-tumble training grounds of the 11th Division barracks.

However, few 1st Division members were present to train in this vast space. Only one figure stood on the wooden floor, swinging a wooden sword with tireless precision, sweat dripping down their cheeks.

This person was none other than the Captain of the 1st Division and Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni. 

Since Araki had warned him about the dangers of the Quincies a few months prior, Yamamoto had remained in the dojo, constantly honing his skills and conditioning his body for battle.

Suddenly, a chilling spiritual pressure drifted into the dojo through the ventilation windows along with the breeze. Yamamoto, who had been tirelessly swinging his wooden sword, stopped abruptly.

"This reiatsu belongs to Chōjirō and Araki?"

Yamamoto placed his wooden sword down, picked up a towel from around his neck, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and walked to the edge of the dojo. He peered through the ventilation window.

"Did Chōjirō use Bankai? But it's likely that Chōjirō will still lose to that brat, Araki."

"I simply hope Chōjirō can learn something from him."

Yamamoto's eyes burned like torches. He looked towards the dark clouds gathering above the 11th Division barracks and quickly grasped the situation.

While Yamamoto rarely showed his emotions and was extremely strict with everyone, he held a quiet respect for Chōjirō and hoped he would find his own path to greater strength.

Meanwhile, in the open space outside the 11th Division barracks...

After Araki disarmed Chōjirō and took his Zanpakutō, the dark clouds summoned by Chōjirō's Bankai gradually dissipated.

"Do you want to continue?" Araki asked, holding Chōjirō's Zanpakutō.

"No more, no more." Chōjirō replied, shaking his head.

His Zanpakutō had been taken. Without his Bankai, he had no chance against Araki.

"You can't be like this, Chōjirō," Araki said, a hint of disappointment in his voice. "I haven't seen you in centuries, and you're still the same."

Araki tossed the zanpakutō back to Chōjirō, who was still on the ground.

Thump!

The Zanpakutō flipped through the air, drawing a beautiful arc before embedding itself in the soil less than two inches from Chōjirō's groin.

"Araki, be careful! You almost killed me!" Chōjirō exclaimed, his face pale as he stared at the blade.

"It doesn't matter, does it?" Araki replied. "You don't use that thing anyway, so why not cut it off? It might be good for you. You could focus more on improving yourself." He turned and started walking back towards the 11th Division barracks.

"Hey! You lot, you've seen enough. Get back to training." Araki called out to the 11th Division soldiers who had been watching their spar.

"Yes, Captain Araki!" The soldiers, who had been trying to remain unnoticed, scrambled to their feet and bowed deeply.

"Um." Araki nodded and continued towards his office.

"Araki." Chōjirō called out, suddenly anxious. "Our training isn't over, is it?" He still wanted Araki to continue his instruction.

"Chōjirō, you're too weak. Even if I train you, you won't improve much," Araki said, turning back to face the mud-covered lieutenant. "And my fighting style isn't suited for you. If you tried to fight like me, you'd die even faster on the battlefield."

"Really?!" Chōjirō was taken aback. He wanted to argue, to insist he could learn Araki's techniques with enough effort. But then he remembered how he had clearly pierced Araki with his Zanpakutō, only for Araki to emerge unharmed. He swallowed his words. It seemed some things were beyond his reach.

"Chōjirō, I think instead of fighting head-on like the rest of us, you should maximize your Zanpakutō's strengths," Araki advised. "Use its speed to assassinate from behind."

"When the enemy is truly powerful, the 1st Division will be needed. But the battlefield in front of the 1st Division is also Yamamoto's personal stage; if he can handle the enemy, you'd only get in his way. If he can't, even the combined strength of the 1st Division wouldn't be enough."

"So, I think you should take advantage of the time when Yamamoto is drawing the enemy's attention, move like a shadow, and use your Zanpakutō's speed to pierce their hearts and give them a surprise."

Araki analyzed, drawing on his knowledge of Chōjirō's Zanpakutō.

"Like a shadow, attack from behind?" Chōjirō's eyes widened. "I understand! I finally understand!"

Perhaps even Araki didn't realize that his advice, based on his past life's memories, would lead to the development of one of the Soul Society's greatest ambush specialists.

"I'm glad you understand," Araki said, seeing Chōjirō's newfound confidence.

"But Chōjirō, don't neglect your hoho, hakuda, kidō, and zanjutsu just because your Bankai is strong," Araki added. "Yamamoto should have told you that a Shinigami's true strength lies not in their Zanpakutō, but in their mastery of the four basic skills."

"I see," Chōjirō replied, remembering his humiliating defeat when Araki disarmed him. He resolved to improve his fundamentals.

"Araki, could you be my coach for zanjutsu, hakuda, hoho, and kidō? I believe I could improve dramatically with your help," Chōjirō requested.

"I'm not the right person," Araki said. "But I've found you a much better teacher." He gave Chōjirō a slightly playful, yet sympathetic look. "We're good friends, after all. You're welcome."

He turned and left. He was too kindhearted to witness what was about to happen.

"A better teacher than Araki?" Chōjirō wondered. He couldn't imagine anyone in the 11th Division surpassing Araki's abilities.

"Ara~ Isn't this the lieutenant of the 1st Division? What a pleasant surprise," a gentle female voice said from Chōjirō's right.

"You are... Lieutenant Unohana?!" Chōjirō replied instinctively.

Then, realization dawned. Alarm bells rang in his mind.

"Lieutenant Unohana, could you tell me when the coach Captain Araki mentioned will arrive?" Chōjirō asked, already suspecting the truth.

"Ara~ Lieutenant of the 1st Division, you're joking," Unohana replied with a strange smile. "Isn't the person who will train you standing right in front of you?"

Unohana gently untied her long hair, letting it cascade down her neck. Her demeanor shifted instantly. The gentlewoman transformed into a figure radiating a chilling aura.

The one responsible for training Chōjirō in the four basic Shinigami skills was none other than the former Kenpachi, Unohana Retsu.

"Is it too late to go back now?" Chōjirō thought, his eyes twitching as he stared at the bloodthirsty aura emanating from Unohana. He suddenly regretted coming to the 11th Division.

"Come on. Don't die, Chōjirō Sasakibe."

Meanwhile, back in his office, Araki, instead of napping, observed a three-second moment of silence for his friend.

"Thank you, Araki." Chōjirō thought, staring at the metaphorical sea of blood about to engulf him, forcing a weak smile.

==============

And so, we are about to enter the Quincy arc...

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