Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō

Two days later...

Masatsuki, dressed in a clean school uniform and carrying Banshō Senran, arrived at the 1st Division's captain's lounge, only to find Yamamoto sitting comfortably, sipping tea with a warm smile.

It was obvious—he was in a great mood, fully expecting Masatsuki's arrival.

Masatsuki chuckled. Being well-received had its perks.

"Good morning, Captain-Commander," he greeted.

"Good morning. Go to the dojo and get your sword," Yamamoto replied with a smile before standing up and heading into the Zanjutsu dojo. He pulled a bamboo sword from the rack.

"Oh..."

Masatsuki shuddered slightly as he grabbed a bamboo sword of his own.

"Just... don't hit my face..."

He took a defensive stance, raising the bamboo sword in front of him—primarily to shield his face.

"Ahhh!!!"

A dozen moves later, Masatsuki let out a pitiful scream as he was sent flying several meters, landing flat on his back.

Yamamoto slowly lowered his bamboo sword, his expression tinged with disappointment.

He hadn't even used much force. This kid had been training under him for almost half a year, yet he still couldn't take a hit properly.

Not that Yamamoto felt any sympathy. Considering how often this brat tested his patience, the fact that he hadn't outright crushed him was a testament to his years of self-restraint.

After thinking for a few seconds, he nodded. "I have a general grasp of your situation."

"In less than half a year, you've reached a lieutenant-level Reiatsu. Not bad."

"I had high expectations already, but your talent still surpasses what I anticipated."

"Your Zanjutsu has improved rapidly. There's nothing more I can teach you about swordsmanship. From now on, I'll be teaching you how to integrate your Zanpakutō with your Reiatsu in combat."

Masatsuki Aozaki sprang up in one fluid motion.

"Wait, Captain-Commander! I just broke through to the fifth rank of spiritual pressure yesterday! If you're not going to congratulate me, fine—but I'm lying here injured, and the first thing you think of is giving me a lesson?"

Yamamoto's forehead twitched as he looked at Masatsuki—completely unharmed.

"I even brought you a gift, and this is how you treat your student? Truly heartbreaking."

Masatsuki Aozaki sighed, rummaging through his clothes before pulling out a cloth bag.

This old man was way too hot-tempered. Being his disciple was a real challenge.

Yamamoto took the bag with a stoic expression, but when he peeked inside, his brows lifted slightly in surprise—it was filled with tea leaves.

His favorite tea leaves.

Clearing his throat, he casually placed the bag on the table, as if it didn't matter. "Since your Zanpakutō is a direct attack type, we'll start with a technique similar to Kidō."

"Shinigami and Hollows alike possess special abilities to some degree."

"Unless you have a body as strong as mine and a Reiatsu just as powerful, engaging an unfamiliar enemy in close combat is a reckless approach."

"Captain-Commander, I know you're strong, but isn't it a bit much to brag so openly?"

Under Masatsuki's watchful gaze, Yamamoto swiftly raised his bamboo sword and brought it down in a single, powerful strike.

A silver-white wave of energy erupted from the blade, sweeping past his side and streaking toward a training dummy reinforced countless times by Kidō.

The next moment, an incredible sight unfolded—

The dummy was sliced cleanly in two, the cut perfectly smooth.

"Did I miss?" Yamamoto smacked his lips in disappointment.

Masatsuki was startled by the scene. "Captain-Commander, don't scare me like that! Also… was that Getsuga Tenshō just now?"

"Getsuga Tenshō?"

Yamamoto gave him a slightly surprised look. "I didn't expect you to know the Shiba family's technique. Seems like you're quite close with them. But no, that wasn't Getsuga Tenshō."

"It's just business—strictly business," Masatsuki waved his hand dismissively. "You know how it is. Kūkaku is still young, juggling family responsibilities while looking after her little brother. It's not easy. I was just lending a helping hand, out of the kindness of my heart."

"Our relationship is purely professional."

Yamamoto let out an exasperated snort.

He knew exactly what kind of person this kid was. In some ways, he was like a more troublesome version of Kyōraku Shunsui—except even more insufferable.

If he didn't have real strength, he'd have been cut to pieces in Rukongai long ago.

Slowly, Yamamoto said, "The technique you just saw is called Sword Pressure."

"It's a common combat skill among Shinigami, where you release Reiatsu through your Zanpakutō to strike an enemy."

"I'll explain the method now. Pay close attention."

Yamamoto took his time explaining the intricacies of using Sword Pressure.

"Got it all?"

"Yes!"

Masatsuki immediately dropped his playful attitude and answered respectfully.

Yamamoto nodded in satisfaction.

This was why he was willing to teach Masatsuki Aozaki.

The kid was usually carefree and lazy, but when it came to training, no one was more focused or hardworking than him.

Masatsuki tried a few times, successfully channeling his Reiatsu into his Zanpakutō.

However, no matter how many times he swung, all he managed to do was make Banshō Senran glow brighter and leak Reiatsu from the blade. He couldn't get it to release an actual cutting wave.

Yamamoto simply told him he was already doing well—no one could master this move right away—and instructed him to keep practicing.

"You can leave now. You have one week to learn it. If you don't, I'll personally make you experience the taste of a shattered bone."

Masatsuki, however, didn't move. Instead, he walked over to the tea table and poured a cup, his tone suddenly turning fawning.

"Sensei..."

"Spit it out," Yamamoto said, accepting the tea.

Whenever this brat called him 'Sensei,' it meant trouble.

"What now?"

"As expected, I can't hide anything from you, Sensei. Actually, I wanted to mention the Tsunayashiro Clan. Lately, they've been harassing me, and I've heard whispers that they might be involved with the rebels. I'm worried..."

"Masatsuki, don't spout nonsense. How could the rebels be connected to one of the Four Great Noble Clans?"

Yamamoto gave him a casual glance.

"Understood."

"But the rebels are indeed becoming more aggressive... Fine. Go back. The Gotei 13 will handle this matter."

"Many thanks, Sensei. Don't worry, I'll never forget your kindness. A hundred years from now, I'll personally take care of you in your old age."

As he spoke, Masatsuki tilted his head slightly, his expression full of emotion.

Surely, Yamamoto would be touched beyond words, knowing he had such a devoted and sentimental disciple.

Yamamoto took a deep breath—then roared, "Get lost! Or I'll make sure you experience what it's like to have two broken bones right now—"

Before Masatsuki could say another word, Yamamoto sent him flying out of the dojo.

Bang!

Masatsuki stared at the closed doors of the Zanjutsu dojo, shaking his head in disappointment.

This old man… he had wasted his pure and heartfelt sincerity.

During the Thousand-Year Blood War, he definitely wouldn't be the one to send him off.

Just as he was about to leave, Masatsuki's expression suddenly changed.

A voice sounded right beside his ear—

"Masatsuki-kun, care to explain what happened to my tea tree?"

"What tea tree? I have no idea."

Masatsuki tensed in shock.

Turning his head, he saw a middle-aged man with white hair and a small mustache, smiling at him.

"Ah—"

(40 Chapters Ahead)

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