Chapter 129: Chapter 129: Muguruma Kensei’s Clever Move

A wind-thread grazedKobane Jin’emon’s left shoulder, leaving a cut, but no blood came out.

The patterns onKobane Jin’emon’s Zanpakutō were turning increasingly red.

"Your Reiatsu has gotten stronger. Is this your Zanpakutō’s ability?"Muguruma Kenseifrowned.

He had sensed a clear spike inKobane Jin’emon’s Reiatsu. Though Kobane’s Reiatsu had originally been weaker than his, now it was just about on par.

"Yeah. MyOnikirimaruboosts my Reiatsu by burning my blood. But it’s still not enough, I’m still not fast enough to catch the wind!" saidKobane Jin’emonas his Reiatsu surged again.

"That’s a ’hurt your enemy a thousand, lose eight hundred yourself’ kind of ability..."Muguruma Kenseilooked surprised. He could feelKobane’s Reiatsu had now surpassed his own.

Still,Kobane Jin’emon’s face had turned pale, clearly, he’d already burned through a lot of blood.

"Let’s see how strong you are now!"Muguruma Kenseiswung his dagger, unleashing two wind-threads from its edge.

Whoosh,Kobane Jin’emonevaded the twin attacks. The threads struck the ground, carving a deep cross-shaped gouge into it.

The spike in Reiatsu had significantly boostedKobane’s Shunpo speed, enough to barely dodge the threads.

Kensei’s dagger released another thread, three wind-threads came slashing at once.

Kobane Jin’emonleapt back, but couldn’t dodge completely. One of the threads pierced through his right shoulder.

Splurt, but again, not a drop of blood flowed from the wound.

On the contrary,Kobane’s Reiatsu surged again.

Ignoring his injury, he pressed forward to attack.

His face was now drained of all color.

KobaneShunpo-stepped to a spot several meters behindMuguruma Kensei, sheathed his sword, and assumed a ready stance.

Onikirimaruwasn’t suited for prolonged battles, this would be his final strike!

Katori-ryu: Shunpo Iaido!

"A dagger doesn’t mean I can’t use sword techniques, Kobane!"Kenseigrinned. His left hand, unnoticed until now, lifted slightly, his sleeve sliding down to reveal his forearm.

Strapped to it was a tiny sheath, just the size of a dagger.

It was made specifically forKensei’s Shikai form!

OnceTachikazeentered Shikai, it took the shape of a dagger. So he had equipped a dagger-sized sheath just for it.

He quickly returned the dagger to its sheath. The moment he turned, he began pouring Reiatsu into it, using the sheath as a container to compress Reiatsu. Once the dagger was sheathed, the compression was nearly instantaneous.

Short blades had their advantages!

They compressed Reiatsu over ten times faster than standard-length swords.

And they were far easier to control.

Kenseidrew the dagger in a flash, slashing forward with a burst of light.

Katori-ryu: Flowlight!

Kobane Jin’emon’s eyes widened as the flash neared, it was already too late to halt his Shunpo and block. His abdomen was pierced instantly.

To those fast enough to trackKobane’s movements, it looked like he’d walked straight into the slash.

When the blade light faded,Kobanecollapsed.

"Muguruma Kensei wins!"Nanatsukiannounced, stepping forward to checkKobane’s condition.

"Kobane’s okay, right? I didn’t hit any vital spots..."Kenseisaid uncertainly.

"The blood loss is a bigger problem than the abdominal wound... He passed out from excessive bleeding,"Nanatsukifrowned.Kobanehadn’t collapsed from the slash itself, but from pushing himself too far.

It had been sheer willpower that kept him going, and after unleashing the Shunpo Iaido, his body gave out.

Nanatsukimade a mental note to test the exact effects ofOnikirimaruin the future, he couldn’t allowKobaneto recklessly use it again. The consequences might be worse next time.

Thinking back toKensei’s earlier move,Nanatsukicouldn’t help but praise him:

"Kensei, that was a clever idea, making a tiny sheath and strapping it to your arm."

"Hehe, I only thought of it yesterday. Went straight to the smith to get it custom-made."Kenseiscratched the back of his head. "Picked it up this morning after eating Sensei’s golden fried rice. First time trying it out... Good thing it worked, otherwise, I might’ve lost just now."

"A shorter blade makes execution easier. Less time to compress Reiatsu, but also shorter reach and reduced power. You’ll need to thoroughly test it to avoid mistakes in actual combat,"Nanatsukiadvised.

"Got it! I’ll analyze it properly when I get back!"

AmongNanatsuki’s disciples, onlyChijō Kanahad previously masteredFlowlight, but nowMuguruma Kenseihad developed his own dagger-style version of it. A path of his own.

Meanwhile, in the VIP stands, after witnessingKuchiki Sōjun’s earlier shocking defeat, the captains thought they couldn’t be surprised again.

But today, they saw yet another Academy student reveal their Shikai.

"This makes six now, right? This class has six students who’ve unlocked Shikai already..."Kuyashiki Kenpachistroked his chin. "ThatKobane Jin’emonwould fit in great with Squad 11."

He’d heard howKobanehad askedKenseito go all-out, earning his respect.

"Kobane Jin’emonhasn’t even graduated yet. Captain Kuyashiki, are you planning to poach him from the Academy already?"Kotetsu Ayanechuckled.

"With that skill level, he should graduate early. Not just him, the other five Shikai users too. They’re ready,"Kuyashiki Kenpachireplied.

"Kuchiki Ginreisaid: "My son will graduate next year.""

Vice-captainŌmaedaof Squad 2 added, "Ōmaeda Kishinosukewill also graduate next year."

Ōmaedahimself would retire in two years, just in time for his son to take over.

"Let’s consultKatori-senseilater. If his disciples are graduating next year, we can assign them a mission as a practical graduation exam,"Kotetsu Ayanesuggested.

OnNanatsuki’sStatus Interface, two rewards were waiting:

[Guided Kobane Jin’emon through Shikai Training – Reward Settled]

[Received: 10,000 General Ability EXP]

[Received: Reishi Shell Formula]

[Disciple Muguruma Kensei mastered the sword technique "Flowlight"]

[Guided Muguruma Kensei through sword technique training – Reward Settled]

[Received: 5,000 General Ability EXP]

[Received: Sword Technique – Windchase (Beginner)]

He had already receivedWindchasethree times at the beginner level, and its proficiency had now advanced toSkilled.

"Reishi Shell Formula?"Nanatsukiblinked at the reward.

His current Reishi body was the product of aReishi Shellfused with theShadow of the Soul King, so Reishi Shells were something he’d long been curious about. Unfortunately, his access level hadn’t allowed him to view the sealed files.

But now, the system had handed it to him directly, saving him a lot of trouble.

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