Bleach: The Fifth Division Captain

Fight Yamamoto?

The thought alone made Seiya Arima take a cautious step back, as if standing before a ticking bomb.

With a tense voice, he asked carefully:

"Uh… Captain-Commander… are you sure you're not misunderstanding something here?"

Could it be…

Has he figured out my undercover mission?

And now he wants to use this so-called "sparring session" as a pretext to kill me?

It's not impossible, is it?!

Yamamoto Genryūsai remained expressionless, his weathered face as still as a stone mask.

Without saying a word, he slowly raised his right hand, clenching it into a fist, bringing it to the level of his brow.

"Why aren't you getting into your stance?"

The silent dojo echoed with a faint breeze, rustling Yamamoto's long white beard and eyebrows as they swayed gently in the air.

"The Genryū Fist is not one for idle words. It is a discipline of spirit, body, and will.

Rather than waste time with empty chatter, I prefer to speak through combat."

Shhkkk...

The sound of Yamamoto's footwear scraping across the polished tatami mats filled the dojo like the grinding of sand.

"Let our fists do the talking."

"No need to worry. This will be a simple sparring session. I won't use any spiritual pressure."

"Therefore… show me. Let me see how much of the Genryū Fist Scripture you've truly mastered."

At this point, Seiya realized he had no choice.

This was effectively a student being tested by the headmaster.

There was no backing out.

Taking a deep breath, Seiya began loosening his muscles, preparing for the inevitable clash.

He carefully mimicked Yamamoto's stance, raising his arms and adjusting his footing, ready to move at a moment's notice.

But before he could fully settle into position, Yamamoto spoke again.

"Take off your clothes."

"...What?"

"The Shihakushō is a sacred uniform, a symbol of the Gotei 13.

To wear it means to uphold your duty and honor.

However…"

Yamamoto's gaze sharpened.

"Here and now, we are not soldiers. We are beasts clashing for personal reasons.

It would be disrespectful to wear it for such a purpose."

Oh… so that's his reasoning?

Seiya couldn't help but think back to the original series.

Yamamoto always stripped down before a serious fight.

At the time, Seiya had assumed it was because Ryūjin Jakka would burn his clothes to ashes.

But now…

"Mountain Lord… did you sneak this rule into the Genryū Fist Scripture just so you could show off your muscles?"

Suppressing his inner thoughts, Seiya obediently removed his upper robe.

At first, he intended to toss it carelessly to the ground like Yamamoto often did.

But…

The old man's gaze sharpened like a blade, silently scolding him.

Fine! I'll fold it neatly.

Once his robe was placed aside, Yamamoto remained motionless.

When he finally spoke again, his deep voice was slow and deliberate, like the rumbling of distant thunder.

"Remember. The only thing that can stain black robes… is the crimson of blood.

If it is your blood, it honors the Gotei.

If it is the enemy's blood, it honors the title of Shinigami."

Damn…

Seiya's thoughts raced.

Since when could Yamamoto say things that sounded so hot-blooded?

In the original timeline, the old man had always been stoic and silent.

Yet here he was, imparting life philosophies like a martial arts master.

As he pondered this, Seiya took a quick moment to check his status screen.

[Slash: 60] [Fist: 55] [Speed: 60] [Kidō: 49]

He frowned.

"Damn… I've plateaued."

Despite training with Yoruichi, Seiya's Speed had surpassed his Swordsmanship and hit 60 points.

But now, no matter how much he trained, his attributes seemed stuck.

"Must be a soft cap."

It was as if he needed a special breakthrough to push past it.

"What occupies your mind?"

Yamamoto's voice snapped him back to reality.

Seiya quickly straightened up.

"Ah, sorry… Captain-Commander, I was just—"

"No need to apologize."

Yamamoto's stance remained firm, but for a fleeting moment, his expression softened.

"Confusion is a privilege of the young.

You are allowed to ponder, hesitate, and seek answers.

Take your time… but in this moment, cast aside your doubts."

The old man's thousand-year wisdom flowed through his words.

His voice carried the weight of centuries.

"Right now, focus only on the battle before you.

Put your thoughts aside. Let your body, your instincts… become the beast within."

Something stirred within Seiya.

He could feel his blood pumping faster, heating his body like a boiling cauldron.

His fingertips began to tingle.

It had been a long time since he felt this alive.

"Alright…"

He took a deep breath, ready to face Yamamoto head-on.

"Let's—"

Before he could finish the thought—

Boom!

Yamamoto vanished.

"Damn, he's fast!"

A wave of killing intent crashed over Seiya like a tidal wave.

The sheer pressure made his eyes sting, forcing him to squint.

And in the midst of that overwhelming aura, he saw it—

A single fist.

Tearing through the air like a cannonball.

"Seiya Arima… this is the First Strike."

What?!

Seiya's mind raced.

There's no dodging this!

And begging for mercy was out of the question.

"Damn it!"

With no other choice, Seiya crossed his arms in front of him, bracing for impact.

BOOM!

The moment Yamamoto's fist collided with Seiya's guard, the air itself seemed to explode.

A shockwave rippled through the dojo, causing the tatami mats to shudder.

Seiya's entire body was thrown backward, flipping several times through the air before crashing to the ground.

"Ugh…"

Pain shot through his left arm, now twisted into an unnatural angle.

"Damn it… I blocked it, but my arm's broken."

The sheer force of Yamamoto's punch had caused severe damage, despite Seiya's best efforts.

But there was no time to wallow.

The next attack was already coming.

A fierce gust of wind warned Seiya of the impending danger.

Yamamoto, his expression still cold and emotionless, was already upon him.

His combined fists were aimed straight at Seiya's chest.

"Seiya Arima… this is the Second Strike."

"Damn it!"

There's no way I can block this in time!

At that moment, Seiya realized—

I might actually die here.

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Powerstones?

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