"Sorry for being a little late..."
Upon hearing this voice, the elder members seated on both sides of the room immediately bowed slightly. "Captain Shunsui Kyōraku."
The one who arrived was none other than Shunsui Kyōraku, captain of the 8th Division and the Court Guard Overseer.
Kyōraku greeted them with a smile, "I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long."
After saying this, he took a seat and looked down at Segawa Shigure.
"Yo, Segawa!"
"Captain Kyōraku," Shigure responded with a slight bow.
"Ah, you really gave me quite a scare..." Kyōraku chuckled. "If I hadn't personally witnessed your spiritual pressure, I would never have believed that someone could apply for graduation just two weeks after enrollment."
Two weeks ago, when Kyōraku saw the condensed spiritual pressure and exceptional control exhibited by Shigure, he immediately recognized his uniqueness. In his heart, he gave Shigure a very high evaluation.
In fact, when reporting to Genryūsai Yamamoto, Kyōraku confidently declared, "Segawa Shigure can graduate within two months."
But now, he realized he had underestimated him.
The elder on the far left spoke up, "Captain Kyōraku, now that all the members of the oversight council are present, may I ask when the assessment will begin?"
Kyōraku nodded and looked down at Shigure.
"Segawa, are you ready? The assessment is quite rigorous."
Shigure smiled, "Don't worry, I've made all the necessary preparations."
"Haha, still as confident as ever," Kyōraku chuckled, slightly raising his chin. "Then, let's begin."
As soon as he finished speaking, the elder on the far left raised his right arm and announced loudly, "The assessment begins!"
With a wave of his arm, twelve individuals suddenly rushed out from the four corners of the training hall, surrounding Shigure.
They wore black, tight-fitting outfits different from the standard Soul Reaper uniforms. Their hair was tied back, and their faces were covered. They looked more like ninjas than Soul Reapers.
Shigure squinted slightly, immediately recognizing their identity.
The Stealth Force of the 2nd Division.
The elder on the far left continued, "Segawa Shigure, the first assessment is for footwork and hand-to-hand combat. Use of sword techniques and Kidō is strictly prohibited."
"You have six minutes. If you can defeat all of them, you pass the assessment!"
"The medical team outside is ready, so please don't hold back and show your full strength!"
Upon hearing this, Shigure understood. The graduation assessment required him to fight against Soul Reapers who were already part of the Gotei 13. No wonder even prodigies like Gin Ichimaru took a year before applying for graduation. Without mastery of Shunpo and hand-to-hand combat, one might not even pass the first assessment.
At this moment, Kyōraku spoke from the high platform.
"Segawa, be careful. The Stealth Force of the 2nd Division excels in Shunpo and hand-to-hand combat."
Shigure took a deep breath, calming his mind.
"Begin!"
As the elder's voice fell, all the Stealth Force members attacked Shigure without hesitation.
They clearly had a well-thought-out plan. Some leapt into the air for a downward strike, while others crouched low, aiming for Shigure's lower body. Meanwhile, the rest encircled him, using hand-to-hand combat techniques to trap him. Their strategy was designed to block Shigure's Shunpo routes, forcing him to rely on hand-to-hand combat to break through.
Seeing this, Kyōraku smiled mysteriously.
"So... how will you respond?"
The reason Kyōraku was late was not because he arrived slowly but because he had gone to the Central Chamber to alter the first assessment. Initially, only six Stealth Force members were assigned to test Shunpo and hand-to-hand combat. Now, there were twelve.
The difficulty brought by doubling the numbers was far more than twice as challenging. Kyōraku made this change because he felt Shigure's hidden strength was far greater than it seemed. He wanted to see his true capabilities.
Feeling the pressure from the Stealth Force members' hand-to-hand combat techniques, Shigure smirked. He instantly understood their tactical intent.
Clenching his fists, he bent his knees slightly and stepped forward.
Hand-to-Hand Combat: Breakthrough Technique – Hundred Waves!
Boom!
As Shigure stepped forward, a gust of wind erupted around him, blocking the two Stealth Force members attempting to flank him from the sides, preventing them from advancing further.
His target was the two attackers in front of him.
The two showed no signs of fear, charging straight at Shigure with unwavering determination.
But suddenly, Shigure disappeared!
"What?!"
Someone exclaimed in surprise.
Shigure's figure reappeared behind the two front attackers. Without hesitation, he kicked them in the back.
Caught off guard, the two were sent flying and lost consciousness.
It was Shunpo!
The surrounding members immediately realized what had happened. Shigure had used the gust of wind not to engage the two front attackers but to create an opening for Shunpo. By doing so, he reached the backs of the two attackers and executed his strike.
In other words, Shigure not only spotted their strategy but also rendered their Shunpo blockade entirely ineffective!
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