NOVEL NEXT Chapter 98: Chapter 98
With a forceful push against the ground, Kaelith pulled his head out of the wooden floor. Slowly standing up, his spiritual pressure surged instantly, shaking off the wood shavings from his clothes and hair.
After doing so, he chuckled, wiped the blood trickling down his forehead, and discreetly smeared it on his clothes.
"Captain-Commander, that's all you've got."
Yamamoto ignored his disciple's delirious comment.
He frowned slightly, as if pondering something.
It was only after hearing Kaelith speak that he looked over.
"Kid, I've noticed a problem with you."
"Is it that my talent is too high, beyond what you can teach?"
"Next week's coursework..."
"I'm sorry, I was wrong!!"
Watching Kaelith bowing in apology, Yamamoto felt his blood pressure rise a bit.
He took a deep breath to calm himself, then slowly began:
"Your swordsmanship has indeed improved rapidly, and every time we spar, I can feel you getting stronger."
"But... from your sword, I can't feel any passion for the way of the sword."
"I've lived for over two thousand years, and it's the first time I've encountered such a peculiar situation."
"A swordsman, if not deeply passionate about the sword, logically shouldn't be able to progress as you have."
"In a sense, your talent for swordsmanship is indeed absurdly high."
Hearing this, Kaelith was slightly stunned.
"Old man, that's purely slander. I spend at least an hour practicing swordsmanship every day!"
In fact, unless he was too busy, he usually practiced more than an hour each day.
Whether it was for style or coolness, swords greatly surpassed Kido.
Like a certain gatekeeper, who, despite only moderate strength, managed to display a master's demeanor through his superb swordsmanship.
One of Kaelith's biggest motivations for daily sword practice was to someday, like that gatekeeper, casually swing a sword amidst a light breeze and in the next moment, have his enemies bleeding and falling. (t/n: This isn't an actual person, it's a hypothetical person, what he imagines how a swords master would act)
How could he possibly lack passion?
Under Kaelith's defiant gaze, Yamamoto wasted no more words.
With a thought, two spirit particle "paintings" appeared beside him.
Both were of Kaelith.
One depicted him neatly dressed, wielding a bamboo sword.
The other showed him half-naked, fighting hand-to-hand.
"This is what you looked like during our fight just now, with no alterations, completely restored."
"Take a look for yourself and see the difference."
Curiously, Kaelith leaned in.
After looking from one to the other, he had an epiphany.
"When clothed, there's an elegant beauty; when unclothed, a wild beauty."
Yamamoto's eyes flashed with a dangerous light.
Kaelith bowed in apology.
Straightening up, he looked again at the two spirit particle images.
When fighting with the bamboo sword, his expression was focused, like a student taking an exam.
When using his fists, however, he wore the smile of a villain… cough, a smile full of positive energy.
Kaelith fell into thought.
Could it be that he preferred bare-knuckle brawling to sword fighting?
Impossible, absolutely impossible.
He, who upheld elegance as a creed and always remembered to be a gentleman in his heart, could not possibly have such a hidden trait!
After thinking it over, Kaelith felt that his swordsmanship was definitely not strong enough yet. Once his swordsmanship improved and felt more satisfying to use, he would naturally be able to feel more intense emotions.
Starting today, he would push Aizen to practice his swordsmanship diligently!
...
After leaving the First Division, Kaelith headed to the Second Division with a clear purpose, going straight to the barracks area.
In the courtyard, a young man with straw-colored, disheveled hair was sitting cross-legged under a large tree, chatting with another person. The one he was talking to was none other than Iwahashi Tetsusai, whom he had met once before.
Upon seeing Kaelith, Kisuke Urahara was momentarily startled.
Before Kaelith could say anything, Urahara quickly said, "I'm not slacking off, just cooperating with an investigation..."
Kaelith ignored him.
Urahara was best known for slacking off; out of ten visits, he would be slacking off during eight of them.
Kaelith was curious about what Iwahashi Tetsusai was doing in the Second Division.
Just as Urahara was about to introduce them, Iwahashi Tetsusai had already stood up and bowed slightly to Kaelith.
"Long time no see, Mr. Kaelith."
"Eh, you know each other?" Urahara was surprised.
Iwahashi Tetsusai nodded, "We've met once before."
After a brief chat, Kaelith understood why these two were together.
Like Kaelith, Iwahashi Tetsusai had also recently taken on a new role.
To better gather information on Kidō from all aspects, Yoruichi had recommended Iwahashi Tetsusai.
After some testing, the Kidō Corps were very pleased with Iwahashi Tetsusai, directly recruiting him as the third seat of the Kidō Corps.
Urahara was teaching him some investigative techniques.
Once Iwahashi Tetsusai had established himself in the Kidō Corps, he would start gathering information for Yoruichi.
Hearing their conversation, Kaelith had an epiphany.
He had been curious why Iwahashi Tetsusai, a servant of the Shihōin family, would later become the Grand Kidō Chief.
Turns out he had infiltrated the position.
This guy had played a "three years undercover, becoming the gang leader" kind of role...
Knowing that the two were busy, Kaelith did not want to disturb them.
Walking on, he reached Yoruichi's office.
At the entrance, Soi-Fong stood guard with a serious expression on her face.
Upon seeing Kaelith, she rested her hand on the hilt of her Zanpakutō.
"Lord Kaelith, please halt! Lady Yoruichi is meeting with an important guest!"
Surprised, Kaelith glanced at her.
Usually, Soi-Fong, when receiving secret reports from her subordinates, wouldn't be so guarded.
What kind of guest was Yoruichi meeting today?
Just as he wondered, Yoruichi's voice came from inside—
"Has Kaelith arrived? Come in, I was just about to send someone to find you."
Hearing Yoruichi's words, Soi-Fong immediately stepped aside, making way for Kaelith.
Kaelith entered the room.
He saw Yoruichi dressed in her punitive military uniform, legs crossed, sitting in the higher seat.
A man wearing a hat and mask stood respectfully below.
As Soi-Fong closed the door outside, Yoruichi lazily said:
"Alright, the person you were looking for is here, go ahead and speak."
The man pulled a letter from his sleeve and respectfully extended it.
"Lady Shihōin Yoruichi, Lord Kaelith."
"Under the orders of our family head, Kuchiki Ginrei, I kindly ask both of you to visit the Kuchiki family."
Hearing this, Kaelith and Yoruichi instinctively exchanged glances.
Both saw a hint of surprise in each other's eyes.
The Kuchiki family... Why would they invite both of them?
Kaelith took the letter, opened it, and saw that it indeed carried Kuchiki Ginrei's spirit energy.
After reading the letter, he handed it to Yoruichi.
While Yoruichi was reading the letter, Kaelith curiously asked, "What does Elder Kuchiki want with us?"
The man bowed and said, "The family head mentioned that he would disclose everything once both of you arrive."
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