On a quiet afternoon, Kōga brought a heavy clay pot of premium sake to visit Kazuma at the Seventh Division.
"Master, it's been a while," Kōga said, offering a small smile as he set the pot on the low wooden table.
"I came by today to have a drink and catch up."
"Perfect timing," Kazuma replied smoothly, pulling out two ceramic cups. "I was just thinking the barracks were entirely too quiet today."
The two men sat comfortably in the sunlit courtyard, drinking the rich sake and chatting idly.
After a few cups, Kōga's expression turned serious.
"By the way, Master, there's a delicate matter I'd like to discuss with you."
"Oh?" Kazuma asked, pouring himself another serving. "What is it?"
Kōga cleared his throat. "It's about Rukia's placement after she graduates from the Academy. I plan to use my political influence to draft her directly into your Seventh Division."
Kazuma was so shocked he nearly inhaled his sake.
He coughed, then quickly waved his hands.
"No! Absolutely not! Are you out of your mind?!"
"Huh? Why not?" Kōga asked, genuinely puzzled by the harsh rejection.
"Look at the current lineup of my Division," Kazuma said, pointing toward the barracks. "My Vice-Captain, Tetsuzaemon, sleeps all day! My Third Seat, Hiyori, has a temper fiery enough to burn down a building. My Fourth Seat, Jirōbō, is a constantly grinning idiot who isn't the least bit reliable. My Fifth Seat, Sajin, is a giant wolf who takes himself too seriously! Plus, there's Saitō, who's completely unhinged. This chaotic environment is absolutely not suitable for nurturing a young girl's growth. Send her to a normal Squad!"
Kōga sighed, conceding the point with a low murmur. "That is a fair assessment. Alright, I'll reconsider her placement. But since you firmly believe she isn't suited for your chaotic barracks, where do you think she should go?"
"Hmm… let me think," Kazuma said, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "Rukia has solid talent and has a genuinely kind heart. She would probably thrive in the Thirteenth Division under Ukitake, or maybe the Fourth Division with Unohana. The atmosphere in both of those Squads is relatively supportive and relaxed, which would be infinitely better for her long-term growth."
Kōga nodded slowly. "Alright, I'll follow your advice. I'll open discussions with Ukitake and see if we can arrange a direct assignment to the Thirteenth."
"Good," Kazuma said, taking a sip of his sake. "She'll develop much better under a Captain who actually wants to teach."
Kōga offered a sly smile, then suddenly admitted, "Actually, Master… I have another idea regarding her education."
"Oh?" Kazuma asked, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. "What idea?"
"I want Rukia to learn Zanjutsu directly from you," Kōga requested, his tone turning completely serious.
"After all, your foundational sword technique is the most flawless in the Seireitei."
Kazuma groaned and rubbed his temples, realizing he had walked right into a trap.
"So that's what you were really getting at! But Kōga, Rukia's raw talent for swordsmanship is incredibly lacking. I can't guarantee I can turn a Kidō-focused prodigy into a master of the blade."
"That's fine," Kōga countered happily, brushing off the concern. "I believe that with your strict guidance, Rukia will at least learn how to survive a real fight. I'll thank you on her behalf in advance."
Kazuma glared at his smirking disciple.
"You rascal! I should've known better than to accept free alcohol from a noble."
He sighed in defeat before adding, "Fine. I can teach her the basics. But she must pass my entrance test first."
"What test?" Kōga asked, suddenly looking a bit nervous.
"It's simple," Kazuma stated calmly, his eyes turn hard. "She will do exactly what you used to do. She must execute two thousand sword-draws a day."
Kōga's eyes widened in shock.
"Master, isn't that condition too harsh for a young girl who just starting out?"
"Kōga, if a Shinigami lacks talent in Zanjutsu, diligence is the only way to compensate it," Kazuma explained earnestly, refusing to budge on his standards.
"If she can't even manage the bare minimum of dedication, I won't teach her. I refuse to tarnish my reputation by training a slacker."
Helpless against his Master's stubborn logic, Kōga nodded in defeat.
"Alright, then. I'll go back to the manor and explain the harsh reality to her."
Watching Kōga's departing figure, Kazuma took another drink, secretly hoping Rukia would back down once she realized the sheer physical torment involved.
'I really don't want to take on another disciple right now. It's too much of a hassle.'
...
A few days later, Kōga returned to Kazuma's office.
"Master, Rukia has formally agreed to your terms," Kōga announced, bowing slightly.
Kazuma blinked in surprise.
"What? She actually agreed to two thousand daily draws?"
"Yes," Kōga replied, a distinct hint of familial pride flashing in his dark eyes. "Rukia said she is willing to endure any hardship to become stronger."
Kazuma fell silent for a long moment, drumming his fingers against his desk before finally sighing.
"Fine. Since the girl is determined, I'll instruct her in Zanjutsu. But let me make this clear upfront: if she gives up halfway through the regimen, I won't go easy on her pride."
"Don't worry, Master," Kōga said with a smile. "I know Rukia's character. Once she commits to a path, she gives it her all."
'I hope so,' Kazuma thought to himself, already feeling a headache coming on. 'This is going to be exhausting.'
....
Early the next morning, under the bright sunshine of the Seireitei, Kōga brought Rukia to the Seventh Division's private training grounds.
Kōga knocked on the wooden frame of Kazuma's open office door.
"You're here early," Kazuma noted with a lazy smile, gesturing toward the low table. "Come in. Sit down."
Entering the room, the two nobles sat opposite Kazuma, who immediately focused his sharp gaze on the young girl.
Leaning forward, Kazuma asked softly, "Rukia, has your uncle explained the brutal reality of my requirements?"
A determined expression settled over Rukia's youthful face as she gave a firm nod.
"My uncle has explained everything clearly. I'm willing to accept your harsh conditions, Sensei!"
Hearing the formal title, a pang of unease shot through Kazuma, prompting him to quickly wave his hand.
"Stop right there! I have no intention of taking you on as a disciple just yet. I'm simply agreeing to teach you some basic survival Zanjutsu, nothing more."
Rukia blinked her eyes in confusion, unable to understand why the Captain was so quick to reject such a title.
Sitting beside her, Kōga chuckled softly.
He understood that Kazuma possessed immense confidence in his own abilities and felt no need to stroke his ego by collecting disciples.
At the same time, Kōga knew his Master took the act of teaching seriously.
Kazuma would not accept the lifelong burden of a student easily, but once he committed to passing down his knowledge, he would devote all his efforts to ensuring their survival.
Looking at Rukia's innocent expression, Kazuma could not help but smile.
'This kid is adorable, just like Hisana!'
But since she had agreed to the terms, it was time to begin the actual suffering.
Seeing that Kazuma was ready, Kōga stood and bowed.
"Then I'll head back to the manor. I leave Rukia in your strict care, Master."
"Follow me," Kazuma ordered, leading Rukia out of the office and onto the dirt-packed training grounds.
Employing the exact teaching method he had used on Kōga decades ago, Kazuma decided to start with the foundation: holding the sword.
Drawing his unreleased blade, Kazuma shifted into a basic stance.
His presence blended into the surrounding environment with quiet, unsettling stillness.
"Mimic my posture. Don't ask why."
"Yes, sir!" Rukia responded, though she was clearly puzzled as she drew her own Asauchi.
Wasn't she supposed to be practicing two thousand sword-draws today?
Despite her confusion, she faithfully imitated Kazuma's stance, holding the blade out with a tense grip.
Kazuma narrowed his eyes and adjusted her elbow with the tip of his scabbard.
"Good. Stay like that and do not move a single muscle. You will hold this precise position for one hour."
Rukia blinked in shock.
"Huh?"
Kazuma raised an eyebrow, his tone turning cold.
"Hmm?"
"Oh! I understand!" Rukia quickly corrected herself, locking her joints into place.
As the minutes ticked by, heavy sweat beaded on Rukia's forehead.
Her slender arms began to tremble under the sustained strain, but she clenched her teeth and struggled to maintain the posture.
Finally, an agonizing hour passed.
"Alright. You can sheath the sword and rest for a minute."
Letting out a sigh of relief, Rukia dropped her arms and rubbed her burning shoulders.
"How do your muscles feel?" Kazuma asked, watching her closely.
Taking a deep breath, Rukia replied honestly, "They're burning, and I'm a bit tired, but I can keep going."
Stepping forward, Kazuma gently tapped the scabbard of his Zanpakutō against Rukia's shoulder.
"Stellar Sanctuary, Hokushin."
A wave of localized starlight washed over the young girl, soothing her torn muscle fibers and banishing her physical fatigue.
Rukia's eyes widened in amazement.
"Wow! Sensei, your Zanpakutō's ability is useful!"
Kazuma nodded with a satisfied smirk.
"I told you backthen that my blade is a Kidō-support type, so isn't it normal to possess a healing attribute? Now, enough chatter. We are switching to a defensive posture, and you will hold it for another hour."
Drawing his blade again, Kazuma transitioned into a low guard.
"Memorize the angle of the blade. Keep practicing."
Gritting her teeth, Rukia began another grueling session of isometric torture.
Though her movements were clumsy and her muscles screamed in protest, her attitude remained fierce.
After another hour passed, Kazuma once again applied Hokushin's starlight buff to repair her exhausted body.
"Today, you will learn these two foundational postures, and you will practice them repeatedly until they are carved into your bones," Kazuma stated, setting the goal for her first day.
As the sun began to set over the Seireitei, Kazuma sheathed his sword.
"That's all for today's physical conditioning, we will continue this routine tomorrow morning."
"Ah…"
Rukia let out a long, exhausted sigh and collapsed onto the dirt as the grueling day came to an end!
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