Bleach: From the moment I was invited by Squad Zero.

"However, protection requires power, and the acquisition of power requires a path."

The path that Soul Society has bestowed upon you is the teachings of the Shinigami Academy, the guidance of your Zanpakuto, and the legacy of the Gotei 13. This is the destiny of the vast majority of you.

He paused, his gaze seeming to deepen:

"But the world is vast, and the sources of power are far more than this. Everything in the world contains infinite mysteries and possibilities."

The audience gradually quieted down, captivated by the grand vision he painted in his words.

He swept his gaze across the room: "Don't be completely bound by established frameworks, don't lose your true self because of the opinions of others, and don't become complacent because of temporary strength or weakness."

Yanagawa concluded, his voice regaining its composure.

"May you all, on the road ahead, while upholding what you have protected, also maintain a spirit of continuous exploration, daring to question, and unwavering determination."

After speaking, he took a step back.

silence.

Absolute silence lasting several seconds.

immediately--

"boom--!!!"

The cheers, applause, and shouts were ten or even a hundred times more enthusiastic than when Shiba Isshin finished his speech, like a volcanic eruption that shot straight into the sky!

The entire training ground seemed to tremble with the sound waves!

Liu Chuan's speech was devoid of empty slogans and simple encouragement; instead, it was delivered in a more sophisticated and essential way.

It opened another window for them to see power and the path, greatly inspiring their yearning for a higher realm and their reflection on their own potential.

In particular, the line "Don't be completely bound by established frameworks" really resonated with many young Grim Reapers.

"Senior Yanagawa!!"

"Well said!!"

"Is this the magnanimity of the Zero Division?!"

The cheers continued for a long time, and even many teachers on the viewing platform showed expressions of deep thought or admiration.

Shiba, watching the electrifying scene below the stage, glanced at Yanagawa beside him, who had calmly returned to his seat. He touched his nose, clicked his tongue, and whispered to Matsumoto Rangiku next to him:

"Tsk, Brother Liuchuan's popularity... is truly enviable."

I talked for ages about grand principles, but it wasn't as effective as a few words from him.

Matsumoto Rangiku covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

"Captain, yours was practical advice, while Mr. Liu Chuan's was... well, a lower-dimensional attack from a higher level. The audiences are different, after all."

She looked at Liu Chuan with admiration in her eyes, "You really have a way of winning over young people, Captain. You've been overshadowed."

Shiba shrugged helplessly. The opening ceremony, amidst the fervor sparked by Liuchuan, moved on to the next stage.

"Next, we will proceed with the traditional ceremony segment—the captains' martial arts demonstration!"

The dean's voice resounded throughout the arena via amplification, instantly drawing everyone's attention to the center of the training ground.

"The purpose of this demonstration is to show you the four fundamental elements upon which the Grim Reaper stands: 'slashing,' 'fist,' 'movement,' and 'demon'! Please observe carefully and try to understand them!"

As the dean finished speaking, a light blue, semi-transparent barrier rose around the training ground, which could both isolate the aftershocks of energy and not affect the view.

Yanagawa and Shiba Isshin had already entered the arena and were standing ten meters apart.

"Brother Liuchuan, let's get this straight first, my skill level is just so-so, and yours is probably about the same."

Shiba Isshin grinned, his hand on the hilt of his sword, and crimson spiritual pressure began to slowly rise, carrying a scorching aura.

"Let's not embarrass ourselves with our 'fist' techniques. Let's focus on showing the students how our 'slash,' 'walk,' and 'ghost' techniques are?"

"Okay." Liu Chuan nodded slightly in agreement.

"Then... let's begin!"

Almost the instant the dean made the announcement, the two figures in the center of the training ground suddenly blurred!

"So fast!"

"I can't see anything at all!"

A gasp rippled through the audience. Most students only saw two blurry shadows suddenly intersect, followed by a series of loud clanging sounds!

That was the sound of Zanpakuto clashing violently at an extremely high frequency!

Instead of unleashing sweeping, sweeping strikes, Yanagawa and Shiba Isshin combined the essence of "slashing" with the profound meaning of "moving" to the extreme.

Their figures appeared and disappeared in the training ground, each instant step accompanied by several or even a dozen slashes so fast that only afterimages remained.

The two used the Instant Step technique to an unparalleled degree, not simply pursuing straight-line speed, but performing ultra-high-speed short-distance movement, change of direction, sudden stops, and reversals within a small space.

Combined with exquisite slashes, it perfectly showcases the sharpness of the "slash" and the agility of the "movement".

Shiba Isshin grew increasingly alarmed as the fight progressed. He knew of Yanagawa's formidable strength and had witnessed the terror of his demonic arts.

However, in his memory, Yanagawa had previously relied more on his powerful Kido (a type of Japanese magic), and pure swordsmanship did not seem to be his most outstanding strength.

However, in this confrontation, Liu Chuan displayed extremely solid swordsmanship skills!

His composure and precision in responding were in no way inferior to that of the veteran captain!

In particular, some of the sword techniques that connected and countered had a peculiar feel that he had never seen before, as if he could anticipate the enemy's moves. If it weren't for his extremely rich combat experience, he would have almost been hit by the attack several times.

"This kid...when did his swordsmanship improve to this level?"

Shiba Isshin sighed inwardly, but showed no mercy, unleashing his swordsmanship, which incorporated years of combat experience, to its fullest potential.

Sometimes as fierce as a raging fire, sometimes cunning, trying to force Liu Chuan to reveal a weakness.

However, Yanagawa remained steadfast. His swordsmanship style was completely different from Shiba Isshin's, lacking some of the wildness and violence, but possessing more calmness and precision.

Every strike seemed to be the result of meticulous calculation, always appearing in the most opportune moment. While neutralizing Shiba Isshin's offensive, he often retaliated, forcing his opponent to defend or change tactics.

His Instant Step was even more unpredictable; one moment he was facing off head-on, and the next he would appear on the flank or behind him like a ghost.

"Clang! Clang! Clang! Sizzle—!"

Swords flashed and shadows darted about.

Chapter 67 The Special Path of Ghosts

The two fighters used a fast-paced style, demonstrating the fundamental skills of "slashing" and "moving" to a level that left the students in the audience in awe.

Although the Zanpakuto was not released and the spiritual pressure was kept at a low level, the combat wisdom, timing, and power application contained within were enough for these fledglings to digest for a long time.

The fierce battle lasted for about fifteen minutes, during which the two sides had exchanged hundreds of blows.

Finally, after a swift exchange of blows, the two retreated simultaneously, standing several feet apart.

"Let's end this with the choice between killing and fleeing," Liu Chuan said first, his voice steady.

"Ha! That was exhilarating!" Shiba Isshin exhaled a breath of stale air, his fighting spirit still lingering, but now replaced by deep admiration and curiosity.

"Brother Liuchuan, your swordsmanship is truly impressive! It wasn't this sharp not long ago, so it seems you've been working hard lately!"

Alright, now it's time to show the little ones something—'ghosts'!

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire room fell silent. Everyone held their breath and looked at Liu Chuan expectantly.

As everyone knows, Liuchuan's greatest skill is the unpredictable and mysterious art of ghosts.

Liu Chuan didn't keep anyone waiting long. He raised his right hand, casually pointed his index finger forward, and didn't even chant.

"Hado No. 4: White Lightning".

A thin bolt of lightning, radiating a blinding white light, shot towards Shiba Isshin like an arrow released from a bow.

It is extremely fast, but in the eyes of a captain, its power is only at the normal level of a low-level breakthrough.

"Good!" Shiba Isshin simply turned slightly to the side, intending to easily dodge with his rich experience.

This straightforward, low-level demonic path posed no threat to him.

However, just as the white lightning was about to graze past the hem of his clothes—

A sudden change has occurred!

That straight bolt of lightning, as if it possessed a life of its own, suddenly made a sharp turn at an impossible angle, defying common sense.

It drew a strange arc, bypassed Shiba Isshin's front, and with lightning speed, slammed into his unsuspecting back!

Snapped!

A soft bang was heard, and sparks of electricity flew across Shiba Isshin's back, though they did not cause any real damage.

But the sudden turn of events and the precise hit plunged the entire arena into a deathly silence, followed by a huge uproar!

"It turned...it turned a corner?!"

"How could Bai Lei turn?!"

"Am I seeing things?!"

"The Ghost Path can even control trajectory?!"

Not only the students, but also many teachers on the viewing platform, and even some well-informed nobles, showed expressions of astonishment.

Can the trajectory of a released demonic path be altered midway? This completely contradicts their fundamental understanding of demonic paths!

Low-level demonic arts, especially linear attacks like White Lightning, should have a fixed trajectory once released!

Shiba Isshin was also taken aback for a moment. He touched his back where he had been hit, turned around, and looked at Yanagawa with surprise and inquiry in his eyes:

"Good heavens! Brother Liuchuan, your White Thunder... is truly extraordinary!"

Liu Chuan remained calm, as if he had only done something insignificant. He offered no explanation, but instead raised his hand again.

"Hado I - Rush".

An invisible shockwave shot out, but during its flight, it split into three thinner shocks, attacking Shiba Isshin from three different angles.

"The fourth of the binding methods: This rope."

Several spiritual ropes flew out, but instead of binding directly, they nimbly weaved and intertwined around Shiba Isshin.