Omniverse: The Martial Artist

BOOM—

Hao's figure was sent flying, crashing into several carts loaded with training gear.

He finally twisted midair and barely managed to land on his feet.

He glanced at the bamboo sword in his hand, silently digesting the intricacies behind the Captain-Commander's last strike.

"That's enough for today, kid.

You've probably come to understand your shortcomings well enough."

On the other side, the Captain-Commander pulled his wide haori back over his shoulders.

He glanced at Hao, who was now covered in wounds.

"If you want to graduate early, you're still not quite there yet."

Hao rolled his aching shoulders and replied:

"I just want to join the Gotei 13 as soon as possible.

I believe only real combat leads to faster growth."

Hearing this, the Captain-Commander paused in his steps as he was about to leave the room.

Turning around, he said:

"So that's your thinking…

But you should know, staying a few more years in the Spiritual Arts Academy would mean a higher position upon graduation."

The students present were stunned.

They hadn't expected the Captain-Commander to be so blunt—

He was basically giving Hao a clear hint.

With Hao's talent, he was already the top in Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō.

If he simply stayed a few more years to raise his reiatsu level, he could graduate directly into a seated position—or even as a Vice-Captain.

But if he tried to skip a grade through this semester's final exam,

his current spiritual pressure would only allow him to become a regular squad member.

At most, his talent might earn him a Captain's personal guidance.

Hao looked directly at the Captain-Commander.

"A fledgling bird must leave the nest—Only in the sky can it learn to fly higher."

A faint smile appeared beneath the Captain-Commander's white beard.

"Very well then.

I'll give you a chance.

If you can impress the 'examiner,' I'll permit your early graduation."

With that, the Captain-Commander left the training hall—clearly, this had been his final lesson with Hao.

Hao walked back into the crowd that had burst into murmurs.

He began using healing kido to treat his injuries.

This was already his third time sparring in swordsmanship with the Captain-Commander.

The strongest Shinigami in history wasn't an empty title—Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, Kidō…

The Captain-Commander had no weaknesses.

Across seven total bouts, including hand-to-hand combat, Hao had yet to score a single win.

Beating a monster whose base stats were in another dimension entirely was no easy feat.

Still, the Captain-Commander hadn't come here simply to beat him down—

He was clearly here to teach.

Throughout their duels, he had deliberately demonstrated a wide range of high-level combat techniques.

This had been immensely rewarding for Hao.

The evidence was right on his stat panel:

His key specialization abilities had all clearly leveled up, each by three levels.

---

Master-Level Swordsmanship Specialization

Level: 23/40 (+3)

Effect: The Explorer has attained great achievements in swordsmanship.

Can be called a master of the blade.

Attacks using bladed weapons deal +46% bonus damage.

---

Master-Level Martial Arts Specialization

Level: 21/40 (+3)

Effect: The Explorer has attained mastery in unarmed combat.

Attacks in hand-to-hand combat deal +42% bonus damage.

---

Master-Level Force Redirection Specialization

Level: 24/40 (+5)

Effect: The Explorer is highly attuned to the flow of force in battle.

Can redirect or disperse incoming force, greatly reducing blunt-force impact damage.

---

Surprisingly, the specialization that Hao had improved the most wasn't martial arts or swordsmanship—

it was Force Redirection.

That was because Captain-Commander Yamamoto was simply too overwhelming.

In their sparring sessions, Hao was constantly on the back foot.

If he wanted to avoid outright defeat, he first needed to become better at taking hits.

Otherwise, against someone whose physical combat stats likely bordered on grandmaster level, he'd be crushed instantly in any direct clash.

"Hao-kun… are you really in such a rush to graduate?"

After class, Aizen walked with Hao toward the cafeteria. On the way, he couldn't help but ask, "Are you really going through with it?"

Hao, still using healing kido to treat his injuries, smiled as he replied,

"What's wrong, Sōsuke? Afraid you'll miss me?"

"Hardly," Aizen said flatly. "I just think you could afford to stay another two years and raise your spiritual pressure a bit. There's no harm in that. Life as a Gotei squad member isn't exactly safe. Once you're stationed in the world of the living, anything can happen. If your luck's bad and you run into a Menos Grande, you're finished."

Hao thought to himself: I'd love to stay here two more years grinding stats, but the Terminal Space doesn't give me that luxury.

The final exams were only two days away, and judging by the timing, the Space had clearly calculated everything in advance. He now had only four days left in this world.

"Sōsuke, you know me well enough. I just want to get out there and feel the thrill."

Hao laughed, then patted Aizen's shoulder. "If you're really that reluctant to see me go, why not graduate with me?"

"Hao-kun, don't joke like that," Aizen said calmly.

"My skills in swordsmanship, hand-to-hand, flash step, and kido are nowhere near yours. What right do I have to graduate early?"

His expression didn't change.

"Besides, from what the Captain-Commander said, I don't know how it's worked in past years, but this time… graduating early won't be easy. If a captain acts as your examiner, you won't be 'qualified'—simple as that."

Aizen had already deduced what was going on.

The Captain-Commander clearly admired Hao, but he didn't want him to graduate too early. He wanted Hao to understand that no matter how strong you are, there's always someone stronger out there. He wanted to hammer this "godsteel" into a blade before tossing it onto the battlefield.

With that in mind, whoever they picked as Hao's examiner would be max difficulty.

Given Hao's absurd skill level in combat techniques, even a Vice-Captain couldn't guarantee a win unless they relied on superior spiritual pressure.

So most likely, the examiner would be an actual captain of the Gotei 13.

Even if they suppressed their spiritual pressure, how could Hao possibly win?

Putting all this together, Aizen believed the Captain-Commander had just found a roundabout excuse to keep Hao from graduating.

There was no way he would actually be allowed to pass.

"But Sōsuke, you've already achieved shikai, haven't you? That's rare for a Shinigami still in the academy. You're a genius too—graduating early shouldn't be a problem."

Hao said as he dropped a giant tray of food onto the table, ready to begin his post-battle recovery.

"Hao-kun, you flatter me. But since your mind's made up, all I can do is wish you luck in passing the Captain-Commander's trial. If you succeed, you'll set a new record for the fastest graduation in Spiritual Arts Academy history."

Aizen said this with a sigh.

Truthfully, it wouldn't be hard for him to graduate early.

There had always been prodigies who finished the academy in just two or three years.

The academy didn't deliberately hold back talents.

If your zanjutsu, hakuda, hohō, and kidō were outstanding, and your spiritual pressure hit the required level, then graduation was allowed.

For example, if a student scored "perfect" across all combat disciplines and achieved a Grade 10 spiritual pressure rating, they could graduate immediately—likely entering the Gotei 13 as a seated officer, even if it were a low-ranking seat.

Aizen himself had already reached Grade 5 spiritual pressure. If he really wanted to graduate, he could do it.

But the problem was Hao. He had stirred things up so much that anyone else trying to graduate early this semester would probably have to go through the same challenge—facing off against a captain.

So whether he looked at his future goals or at the difficulty of early graduation this term, Aizen wasn't going to follow Hao's lead.

He would see him again later, in the Gotei 13.

°°°

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