(T/N: Sometimes, you guys make me feel like a fake fun of bleach really! So again the blades the Kasumioji clan makes are called Bakkōtō, and they are in the original story, and I had no idea. I changed them in the previous chapters. Thanks again for noticing the mistake Fatedouluo666)
That said, credit where it's due—Katori Nanatsuki's resolve to save his student was commendable. But Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto still had questions, and continued probing:
"You were also the one who discovered the forging site, weren't you? How did you find that place? Back then, the Azashiro family hadn't been exposed yet."
"I was still teaching a Sixth-Year class at the Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy. One of the students, Kan no Ki Homura, was killed by a Bakkōtō!" Nanatsuki said in a grave tone. "Before he died, he entrusted me with uncovering the truth!"
"The Bakkōtō that killed Kan no Ki Homura was also recorded in the registry!"
"I deliberately staked out the area, waiting for someone from the Kasumioji family to retrieve the Bakkōtō. In the end, I successfully tracked down the place where it was being forged."
Nanatsuki preferred not to reveal that he could plant "surveillance points" through his Zanpakutō—such a skill was unsettling by nature.
So he intentionally left out the part about Kasumioji Shin's people using bait in the World of the Living.
Yamamoto gave a small nod, feeling this young man was a teacher with a strong sense of responsibility. Not many were willing to go this far for their students.
He now understood why Katori Nanatsuki had brought Kyōraku Shunsui along both times.
The Kasumioji family wasn't some pushovers. They were a powerful noble house, and for Nanatsuki to try and take them on alone was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.
Though he had the backing of Katori Batsu'unsai, the founder of his style, Yamamoto was well aware of Batsu'unsai's current condition—a woman on the brink of death, unable to oppose the Kasumioji family.
Nanatsuki hadn't recklessly barged into the forge or the archive. He had courage and strategy—clearly a promising talent.
Yamamoto had read the recent reports about the Karakura Town incident and knew that Nanatsuki was quite capable for someone his age.
His gaze softened. The Gotei 13 was in need of capable recruits, and someone like Katori Nanatsuki could well grow into a dependable captain one day.
"Very good. Katori Nanatsuki, your dedication to protecting your student is admirable. That is the mark of a true teacher."
He paused, then added, "The Azashiro family trial is scheduled for tomorrow. Kyōraku Shunsui and Katori Nanatsuki, you will attend with me."
"Meeting adjourned. Kyōraku and Katori, stay behind."
The captains and lieutenants began filing out.
As Kuyashiki Kenpachi passed Nanatsuki, he threw an arm over his shoulder and grinned:
"Nice work! I like guys like you who aren't afraid of stirring the pot! Swing by Squad Eleven sometime, eh? Hahaha!"
"I'll be sure to," Nanatsuki replied with an awkward smile.
'Please don't say things like that in front of Captain-Commander Yamamoto!'
'You're making me sound like some chaos-hungry troublemaker!'
As Hikifune Kirio passed by, she eyed him with curious amusement.
"Katori-kun, I hear you're quite the cook?"
Nanatsuki was surprised—his cooking had made its way to Hikifune Kirio?
Before he could respond, she added,
"Shunsui told me. Said your cooking might even rival mine. That got me curious."
Nanatsuki replied modestly,
"Captain Kyōraku was being too generous. He probably just had hot pot for the first time and was overly impressed."
"I heard all about the hot pot from Shunsui. I even tried recreating it myself. What a brilliant idea!" Kirio clapped him on the shoulder, laughing. "Shunsui's a picky eater, so if he liked your food, you must be good. I'm quite the foodie myself—come visit Squad Twelve sometime, let's swap notes!"
"I'd love that. I'm really looking forward to trying your cooking, Captain Hikifune."
Nanatsuki meant it. If he ever got the chance to taste a dish made with Temporary Souls, his Reiatsu could see a massive boost.
It was one of the rare ways in the Shinigami world to enhance Reiatsu with no side effects.
Too bad Hikifune Kirio was still in her beautiful perfect-body form—she likely hadn't developed Temporary Souls yet, or at least hadn't applied them to cooking.
Unohana Retsu was the last to approach. She smiled and said,
"Katori-kun, you're quite the popular one~"
But there was a flicker of heat in her gaze that made Nanatsuki feel like he was being sized up like a dish on a menu.
She continued,
"Your Kidō has improved rapidly. I recall you weren't very good at it before, and now you're casting Hadō #88?"
"I hope your swordsmanship is improving just as well."
She wanted to savor the taste—Unohana hoped his sword would let her enjoy the 'flavor' for longer.
Nanatsuki scratched his head. 'Didn't I study Kaidō under Unohana? Why do I have to prove my swordsmanship now?'
Once the others had left, only Yamamoto, Kyōraku Shunsui, and Nanatsuki remained in the chamber.
"You two, come with me!" Yamamoto turned and walked out first.
"We're doomed. Doomed. We're gonna get our butts kicked," Kyōraku muttered bitterly. He already knew what was coming.
Old Man Yamamoto was clearly dragging them off for sword training!
So much for getting out of this unscathed!
Kyōraku noticed Nanatsuki hadn't realized how bad things were going to get, so he whispered:
"Katori-kun, the old man's sword strikes are insanely fierce. Even with a wooden blade, one hit'll leave you sore for days!"
Nanatsuki's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Really? That sounds thrilling!"
"...?" Kyōraku's expression twisted. He couldn't understand people who ran toward a beating.
Yamamoto led them to Squad One's sword training hall.
Removing his haori, he casually grabbed a wooden sword from the rack and said to Nanatsuki:
"Come. Let's see if the Katori-ryu has declined."
Nanatsuki gave a slow nod and also picked up a wooden sword.
The blades in this hall were shaped just like Zanpakutō, and they fit neatly into his scabbard—perfect for using Iaido techniques.
Seeing Yamamoto standing still and not taking the initiative, Nanatsuki chose to strike first.
Katori-ryu: Senmai-Oroshi!
Swish—
THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP—
In an instant, the training hall echoed with the urgent, continuous clatter of wooden blades.
Nanatsuki had unleashed over a hundred strikes in the blink of an eye!
Yet Yamamoto remained unmoved, like an unshakable mountain.
With a single wave of his hand, he blocked every single blow.
Suddenly, Nanatsuki's form vanished—and four afterimages sprang up around Yamamoto.
Katori-ryu: Quadrant Shun Strike!
All four strikes came from different directions—and all were real!
In that instant, Yamamoto spun, rotating at blinding speed.
THUD!
All four afterimages shattered. Nanatsuki was sent flying, crashing into the sword rack, smashing it to pieces.
Kyōraku looked at Nanatsuki lying on the ground and quipped,
"Should I go get Captain Unohana?"
Nanatsuki kicked away the shattered remains pinning him, rolled his shoulder, and casually popped the dislocation back into place.
Crack—
He picked up his wooden sword again and grinned:
"No need. I can treat light injuries myself."