Chapter Four: Fire and Thunder

Impossible!

Chojirou's eyes were wide with disbelief. He couldn't accept it—even if Yamamoto was the strongest Soul Reaper, even if Yamamoto was someone beyond reach—how could he withstand Chojirou's Bankai without moving, and emerge completely unscathed?

“What’s wrong?”

“!”

Yamamoto’s sudden words broke Chojirou’s train of thought. “Have you lost your will to fight?”

“How could I… I just lost my composure for a moment, Master Yama-jutsu.” Chojirou forced an awkward smile, then raised his left hand. This time, he extended three fingers.

“It may be a bit difficult, but I’ll give it a try.”

A crackling chain of lightning formed between his three fingers, flashing briefly.

“Go! Radiant Palace of Severe Thunder!”

Thunder boomed. Though his Bankai had failed to harm Yamamoto, a Bankai was still a Bankai. Three bolts of lightning, each with a subtle difference in timing, shot toward Yamamoto.

Boom! Boom!

Yamamoto dodged the first two bolts easily. For someone who had just mastered Bankai, controlling three bolts at once was taxing; the lightning’s aim was noticeably off.

But not entirely.

!

The third bolt was perfectly executed. After dodging the first two erratic strikes, Yamamoto relaxed for a moment—only to realize the third lightning bolt was coming at him with pinpoint accuracy!

Huff!

Unable to evade, he had no choice but to take it head-on. Flames surged along the blade of Ryujin Jakka as Yamamoto swung his fiery sword toward the lightning of the Radiant Palace.

Fire and thunder collided!

A thunderous roar echoed as Yamamoto blocked Chojirou’s lightning with a blaze, but he had made a critical error.

Another thunderous crash.

Chojirou suddenly flicked his left hand, extending his index finger.

Snap!

The lightning that had clashed with the flames seemed to lose its support and vanished, and the fire, deprived of its opposition, soared into the sky.

But it wasn’t over yet. As Chojirou extended his index finger, a fourth bolt of lightning struck from behind, aiming at Yamamoto.

!

He tried to resist, but it was too late.

Lightning is always faster than fire.

Bang!

The bolt struck Yamamoto directly from behind.

“Not enough…” Even though his lightning had hit Yamamoto squarely, Chojirou knew it wasn't enough to cause any real harm.

Crackle.

So Chojirou extended another finger; a flicker of electricity danced at his fingertip.

Thunder boomed. Another bolt shot toward the already-struck Yamamoto.

Huff… huff… huff…

Controlling five bolts in succession pushed Chojirou to his limits. Both mentally and physically, he was spent. He was, after all, a human who had only just arrived in the world of Soul Reapers, unfamiliar with their ways of battle. To achieve this much with no experience was remarkable.

He wiped the cold sweat from his face and took a deep breath. He could still maintain his Bankai, but he no longer had the strength to attack.

“…Is that all?”

!!

Impossible!

His surprise attack, followed by a second strike, yet Yamamoto could still speak so casually?

“I told you, this Bankai is mere child's play. As expected, it's only of this level.”

A deep scar crossed Yamamoto’s forehead, intersecting with a previous wound to form a cross-shaped mark. Chojirou’s attack had left a new scar, blood staining half of Yamamoto’s face.

“…Ha… haha…”

Initially shocked and a bit disheartened, Chojirou couldn’t help but laugh upon seeing Yamamoto wounded.

“Master Yama-jutsu says my Bankai is child’s play? That’s exactly right.” Chojirou smiled sincerely. He never expected to actually harm Yamamoto, and was quite satisfied with this outcome.

Crackle, crackle.

The lightning behind Chojirou slowly faded into the air; the storm clouds above dispersed as the lightning lost its source.

“So in the future, I’ll stake my life on honing this Bankai, so it might one day be useful to you, Master Yama-jutsu.”

Chojirou spoke from the heart. As he had said before, he respected this ancient man who had lived for countless millennia, who always protected the Soul Society alone, regardless of who was at his side.

!

Yamamoto paused, not even bothering to wipe the blood from his face.

Unwavering—

Yamamoto stared into Chojirou’s eyes.

So clear, so upright…

Not spoken to flatter, nor for any ulterior motive…

Were these truly the words of his soul?

What kind of child was this?

Yamamoto closed his eyes.

Caring nothing for himself, thinking only of others—what purity of heart was this?

“Hmph… If you don’t cause me trouble, that’s already more than enough.” Yamamoto wiped the blood from his brow and turned away.

“Yes, sir!!”

Upon hearing this, Chojirou knew exactly what Yamamoto meant—he was permitted to remain by his side.

He sheathed his sword, now returned to its normal form, and scratched his head awkwardly. “Um… Master Yama-jutsu.”

“What is it?”

“Could I ask you… to teach me the basics?”

Thunk…

A vein pulsed on Yamamoto’s forehead. Basics? What did that mean? Had he just been wounded by someone who hadn’t even mastered the basics? Had he just accepted as his right-hand man someone who couldn’t even handle the fundamentals?

This brat…

“You fool!!”

“I’m… I’m terribly sorry!”

Of course such a request would anger Master Yama-jutsu.

Chojirou sighed helplessly. But there was no helping it—he had crossed over into this world, and though his body had learned the basics, he himself couldn’t use them smoothly. Swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, demon arts, flash step—these fundamentals were best taught by someone as powerful as Yamamoto.

Even if it meant being scolded.

But Chojirou clearly underestimated just how furious the old man could get.

“You idiot! What do you think you’re doing? Have you any respect for me at all? You imbecile!!”

As he berated Chojirou, Yamamoto repeatedly slammed his sword against the ground.

…

Chojirou hung his head, but don’t mistake him for a meek child who would simply accept punishment.

So the old man’s habit of banging his cane when agitated wasn’t something he picked up with age after all—