"Thanks to Angel Eyelash for the monthly vote, and thanks to user 187****6481 for the support."
"Don't get carried away."
Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto let out a cold snort.
With a casual lift of his walking cane, he blocked Ezra D. Vale's slash.
Crack!
The surface of the cane shattered, revealing the true blade hidden inside. It was Ryujin Jakka.
Ezra raised an eyebrow. This was the first time he had ever encountered another Ryujin Jakka.
"Don't get distracted."
Yamamoto's voice pulled Ezra back into focus.
In the same instant, the old man's right fist was already driving forward.
"First Strike: One Bone!"
Ezra's mind instantly cleared. Using his core strength, he twisted midair, sheathing Ryujin Jakka at the same time and throwing a counter punch.
"First Strike: One Bone."
BOOM!
Their fists collided head on.
A massive shockwave exploded outward from the point of impact, flattening everything in the surrounding forest.
A flash of surprise crossed Yamamoto's face, but it disappeared almost immediately.
"You are still far too weak," he said coldly.
He stepped back, creating distance between them, and casually placed Ryujin Jakka back at his waist.
"Show me your hand-to-hand combat skills."
"Gladly."
Ezra responded calmly.
In the next instant, both of them moved again.
Clash. Block. Counter. Advance. Feint.
Their figures blurred under Shunpo, too fast for the eye to follow. Only the constant explosions of impact could be heard.
Ezra soon realized something was off.
"This old man's hand-to-hand combat is insane."
At that exact moment, Yamamoto's fist slammed into his abdomen.
Boom!
Ezra's body was sent flying, crashing hard into the ground.
"Boy, do not waste time thinking during battle," Yamamoto said, frowning slightly.
Ezra pushed aside the smoke around him and stared at the old man with a serious expression.
"Again."
In an instant, he shot forward once more.
This time, he was fully focused.
"First Strike: Extreme Bone!"
Multiple afterimages of his fists erupted simultaneously.
Yamamoto's eyes widened slightly.
"What?"
Boom!
The barrage of strikes landed directly on him, sending his body flying backward instead.
Ezra steadied himself in the distance, watching the dust rise.
Then Yamamoto's figure slowly reappeared.
"Old man, don't get distracted during combat either," Ezra said with a faint smile.
Yamamoto snorted in dissatisfaction.
"Your hand-to-hand combat and Shunpo are acceptable."
Ezra raised a brow.
Acceptable? Did that mean he still had to go through swordsmanship, kido, and everything else?
Yamamoto raised his hand.
"Hadō #33: Blue Fire, Crash Down."
A burst of blue flames shot forward.
Ezra responded instantly.
He raised his hand as well.
"Hadō #33: Blue Fire, Crash Down."
The two identical flames collided and canceled each other out.
"I am not someone who enjoys taking hits," Ezra said calmly.
Reiatsu surged violently from his body.
"Bakudō #30: Beak Binding Three Flash."
Three piercing light spears shot forward, attempting to pin Yamamoto in place.
"Too weak."
Yamamoto's voice was calm.
"Hadō #63: Thunder Roar Cannon."
A massive bolt of lightning exploded outward, instantly melting the restraints and continuing forward.
"Hadō #63: Thunder Roar Cannon."
Ezra countered again with the same technique, dispersing the attack.
For a moment, the two of them exchanged rapid-fire Kido attacks. Binding spells and destructive spells filled the sky, neither side gaining an advantage.
Eventually, Yamamoto stopped.
"That is enough for Kido."
Ezra exhaled lightly.
Constantly casting spells was not particularly draining for him, but it was still mentally taxing.
He looked up.
"So hand-to-hand, movement, and Kido are done. Next is the real test, right?"
Yamamoto slowly drew Ryujin Jakka from his waist.
"Next is swordsmanship."
Shunpo.
In an instant, he appeared in front of Ezra and swung down.
"Blade Pressure!"
A massive slash of compressed spiritual energy erupted forward.
Ezra adjusted his breathing, gripping Ryujin Jakka.
He stepped forward, body slightly leaning, crimson eyes flashing.
"Draw Slash."
In a flash, his blade moved.
A speed and force beyond imagination erupted from the strike, breaking Yamamoto's attack apart.
The old man's eyes narrowed.
Without hesitation, he mirrored the same stance.
"Draw Slash."
Another overwhelming slash exploded forward.
BOOM!
The collision of spiritual pressure tore a massive crack through the sky itself.
The entire island began to collapse.
The ocean around it churned violently as waves rose into the air.
In just seconds, everything in sight was destroyed.
There was no island left.
Only endless sea remained.
Ezra and Yamamoto stood facing each other above the water.
"Boy… it seems you have not wasted my inheritance," Yamamoto said.
Ezra smiled faintly.
"I paid a heavy price for it."
Yamamoto's eyes showed a trace of approval, but his expression remained stern.
He raised Ryujin Jakka once more.
"Then let me see how well you truly understand it."
"Bankai…"
"Zanka no Tachi."