"Don't slack off! Stand up! The enemy on the battlefield won't give you time to rest." Yamamoto didn't give Yamabuki Haruto any chance to breathe, throwing a hook punch straight at his stomach.
Haruto was forced to unleash his legendary secret technique — the Lazy Donkey Roll!
He narrowly avoided the Captain's punch.
Since this old man was pushing him too far, Haruto decided not to hold back. He rushed forward with all his strength—
—And was promptly defeated in seconds.
"As long as you can push me back even one step, I'll consider you qualified," Yamamoto said calmly. "Your movements may be fast, but your strength is too dispersed. You need to concentrate all your force on a single point to deal real damage."
Haruto thought back to the martial arts instructional videos from his past life. Why was the "Lightning Five Whips" the most common thing he'd seen? Wasn't there anything more respectable? He couldn't exactly use that against the Captain.
"Remember, in boxing, the force starts from the legs, then the waist, then the shoulders, and finally the fists," Yamamoto instructed.
Starting from his legs, Haruto kicked off the ground, sending power through his waist and shoulders into his fist. He threw a fierce punch—Yamamoto blocked with his arms.
Bang!
The collision echoed like a cannon blast through the training grounds. Yamamoto's body didn't budge, but there was a flicker of surprise in his eyes. That was almost vice-captain-level strength… and Haruto had just learned the technique.
"My vision was right. You're a genius. Now, the ultimate physical technique—Double Bone!" Yamamoto announced.
Haruto felt an overwhelming pressure and could only throw up his arms to block.
Boom!
The impact turned his mind blank. The next thing he knew, his body had been launched through two walls before finally skidding to a stop.
"Captain… you're going to kill someone!"
"Stop panicking. You're not dead yet. Heal yourself," Yamamoto replied calmly. "Once you're patched up, we'll move to the Way of the Sword."
Lying on the ground, Haruto began healing himself. Maybe it was from using Kaidō so much, but he realized his spiritual pressure had actually grown stronger.
Three minutes later, he was back on his feet, grinning.
When it came to swordsmanship, Haruto brimmed with confidence. His system had gifted him mastery-level skill, and after several battles, he knew he could hold his own.
"Come on! Attack!" Yamamoto barked.
"Hmph! I'm getting back all the face I lost just now. Regret it, old man!"
Haruto launched forward with Shunpo, letting the burst of speed drive the force of his wooden sword. Yamamoto casually deflected it.
"Much better than your fists and feet," Yamamoto admitted. "In swordsmanship, you're second to none in the Gotei 13—except me."
Haruto wisely didn't respond.
He darted in again, aiming at Yamamoto's shoulder, but Yamamoto met his strike with a two-handed grip that knocked Haruto's wooden sword away entirely.
"A one-handed style is more flexible, but two hands carry far greater power," Yamamoto said. "You can pick it up quickly."
After a few more exchanges, Yamamoto nodded. "I've got a clear sense of your abilities. That's enough for today. I just happen to have a task for you."
Haruto instantly tried to Shunpo away. He was battered enough for one day.
Unfortunately, Yamamoto's flash step was faster. He caught him by the collar.
"The Gotei 13 may be established, but our new recruits are still weak. I want you to serve as their instructor—teach them Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō basics."
"Captain," Haruto said with a strained smile, "wouldn't Captain Shihōin or Captain Saitō be better suited? They don't have much going on, and I'm—"
"If you don't want to… that's fine. We're friends. I'd never force you. Starting tomorrow, you can just train with me for eight hours a day."
Haruto snapped to attention. "Our Gotei 13 has just been founded! Training the recruits is my solemn duty. Leave it to me, Captain—I'll whip them into shape within a month!"
Yamamoto smiled faintly. "That's the spirit. Also, I have two calligraphy banners for the training grounds."
Haruto read them aloud:
"A soldier shall die for the Gotei!"
"Anyone who harms the Court Guard must die!"
Perfect intimidation material for tomorrow's lesson.
"Then I'll head out—" Haruto began.
"Oh, and one more thing," Yamamoto said, tightening his grip on Haruto's shoulder. "Shin'ō Academy is short on instructors. You'll be filling in as a teacher there as well."