Chapter 34: Dragon Nest Flash
Suoh in the midst of battle immediately felt the difference. After each blade collision, the rebounding impact became increasingly intense.
The pressure on his hands suddenly increased. His breathing began growing heavy, fine beads of sweat seeping from the corners of his forehead, but his eyes grew increasingly bright.
Soon, Suoh felt his offensive had reached a limit.
His mind raced, forming a plan. He retreated and assumed his stance.
"If a single strike won't work, then use even faster, more vicious consecutive attacks!"
"Dragon Nest Flash!"
A fierce shout filled with determination rang out. Hazy Night in Suoh's hands transformed into black fangs through high-speed swings.
At this moment, his focus was unprecedented. Every ounce of physical strength was mobilized. Knowledge and experience related to kendo fused together in his mind in an instant.
This technique was Suoh smelting together all his current skills, using his own Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu for the first time in actual combat.
"Good!"
Facing this suddenly explosive fierce assault, Saitou Yuuichi's expression brightened with delight. His eyes burst with unprecedented brilliance.
No longer blocking in place with his sword, his footwork for the first time in battle began swift forward movement.
The wooden swords in both their hands danced before them into an impenetrable blade net.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
A series of clashing sounds rang through the dojo. The two differently colored wooden swords in the air seemed like two dragon heads baring fangs and biting at each other. The sound was rapid and dense.
Suddenly, all sound in the field ceased abruptly.
At that very instant, the chaotic blade shadows in the field dispersed. Saitou Yuuichi's wooden sword tip steadily pointed before Suoh's throat.
"Good lad! That 'Dragon Nest Flash' was quite interesting."
"The offensive was fierce enough, fast enough, but at the moment of withdrawing, it was still a bit slow."
"This should be your first time using this technique in combat, right? It still needs tempering."
"Both fundamentals and technique have no problems. Just continue practicing along this path."
Saitou Yuuichi slowly withdrew his sword, looking at the black-haired youth before him whose breathing was slightly labored from full exertion, but whose eyes remained bright and carried excitement.
He stepped forward and forcefully patted Suoh's shoulder, revealing an extremely satisfied smile.
"Saitou-sensei, thank you very much for your guidance!"
Suoh panted heavily, sweat dripping along his jawline onto the wooden floorboards as he bowed in thanks.
Not a trace of unwillingness at defeat showed in his eyes—only excitement and joy.
Honestly, before this, Suoh had originally felt he'd never been any kind of martial arts fanatic.
In the boring Soul Society, aside from a meal that suited his taste bringing happiness, only daily training could make him feel enjoyment.
To him, while growing stronger also brought joy, it was more a pursuit based on survival.
Until today. After this thoroughly satisfying guidance match, he'd become completely and genuinely fascinated by growing stronger and combat itself from the bottom of his heart.
That feeling of completely condensing body, spirit, and will to a single point, breaking through oneself under pressure.
It made his heart race, blood boil, his spirit ignited like fire.
The thrill and satisfaction all this brought far exceeded what he'd imagined, completely intoxicating.
"Good! Keep working hard!"
Saitou Yuuichi took in all the excitement and gratitude in the youth's eyes.
Looking at his back that remained ramrod straight despite exhaustion, he heavily patted Suoh's shoulder again, his words full of expectations.
"Today's class ends here. All first-years, clean up the training ground, then dismissed!"
Withdrawing his hand and surveying the entire field, he shouted toward those students still immersed in recalling that intense match just now.
Receiving the order, students began moving, collecting wooden swords and cleaning the area.
During their movements, their peripheral vision unconsciously drifted with awe and admiration toward that black-haired youth who'd just displayed astonishing ability.
...
Noon, dining hall.
Suoh still carried a tray piled mountain-high with food to his usual spot and sat down.
Just after setting down his tray, another tray with much smaller portions landed across from him.
Hitsugaya Toshiro followed and sat before him.
"Thanks for the meal."
Both voices rang out almost simultaneously. They then fell into familiar wordless eating.
Compared to previous days, this time their fellow students no longer pointed and whispered about his food portions. Instead, quite a few people unconsciously began imitating his behavior.
Those who'd originally only eaten one bowl of rice silently added another half bowl.
People who'd previously complained about the dining hall food's taste also began chewing with gusto.
An invisible force in the air, centered on that table by the window, quietly changed this area's atmosphere.
Due to the morning match's aftershocks, it carried a sense of quieter calm different from before.
Strength often held more persuasive power than any words, and could more subtly change rules.
On the path back to the small courtyard, sunlight stretched both their shadows long.
"Suoh, how did you train that technique?"
Beside Suoh, Hitsugaya rarely took the initiative to speak first.
"You want to learn?"
Suoh's voice was steady, revealing no emotion.
Hitsugaya pressed his lips together, not answering immediately, but those eyes staring intently already said everything.
"Yes."
A moment later, Hitsugaya nodded his head heavily in acknowledgment.
Dragon Nest Flash's power was beyond question. Though the boy held pride in his heart, he also understood how to respect this strength Suoh had obtained through countless trials.
"I can teach you, but I don't recommend it."
"It's not about being stingy. My school isn't suitable for you. The requirements for basic physical attributes are too high."
Suoh looked at Hitsugaya's serious appearance, his tone frank.
Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu was originally only suitable for people with large builds, with strict requirements for height and arm length.
And after he'd modified it himself based on knowledge from his memories, this Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu was even more suited only for himself.
Suoh was very clear he had no experience teaching people. With such enormous physical differences between Hitsugaya and himself, he really had no confidence he could teach well.
"Your personality leans toward calm. You're better suited for zanjutsu that grasps timing."
"What I can teach you is only how to use food to condition your body and the most basic parts."
"The rest can only depend on yourself."
"Starting tomorrow morning, train with me."
His tone paused briefly. His gaze fell on Hitsugaya as he analyzed from an objective angle.
"Mm, I understand."
"Thank you, Suoh."
Hearing this, Hitsugaya turned his head to look at Suoh beside him who was considerably taller, understanding dawning.
Suoh's blade momentum was like his appearance—beneath seemingly calm blackness surged a scorching crimson.
And he'd never doubted Suoh's words. After all, from the very first day of formal acquaintance, he'd sensed a different kind of radiance from Suoh.
Suoh's words also awakened him. True strength wasn't blindly imitating others, but finding the path most suitable for oneself and developing one's own advantages.
"Don't mention it."
The two said no more, walking side by side on the path back to their small courtyard.
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