Chapter 33: Foresight Slash?
Gilgamesh's step seemed to land directly in everyone's hearts, making them involuntarily hold their breath.
But just as Gilgamesh took that step, Abarai Renji shouted, "I'll go first!"
With that, Abarai Renji excitedly stepped forward, ready to take the test.
However, before Renji could take two steps, Gilgamesh stopped him.
Under Renji's bewildered gaze, Gilgamesh spoke in an undeniable tone, "Renji, if you go first, you'll suffer greatly."
"I'll go first; you just watch carefully."
Abarai Renji dared not disobey Gilgamesh's words and could only stop his steps dejectedly.
He just didn't understand why Gilgamesh said he would suffer greatly if he went first.
Kano Miho also turned her gaze over at this moment, and upon seeing Gilgamesh, who seemed to have a halo around him, her eyes behind her black-rimmed glasses narrowed slightly, and she thought to herself, 'He must be the examinee the teacher specifically mentioned.'
'Captain-level Reiryoku talent, tenth-tier Kido talent; he is indeed a true genius.'
'I hope your Swordsmanship talent doesn't disappoint me.'
After a few steps, Gilgamesh arrived at a nearby sword rack.
The swords used by the examinees were specially made unsharpened Asauchi, similar in weight to the bamboo sword Kano Miho wore, but more comfortable to use.
Gilgamesh picked up an Asauchi, lightly weighed it, then walked in front of Kano Miho and smiled slightly, "The test can begin."
Upon hearing this, Kano Miho took off the bamboo sword from her waist and, holding it in one hand, smiled gently at Gilgamesh, "You go first."
"Because you are the first examinee to voluntarily take the test, I'll give you a special reminder."
"Remember not to hold back; you must give it your all from the very beginning."
Up in the pavilion, the captains watched this scene with great interest.
Some of the captains couldn't help but start discussing.
Kyōraku Shunsui asked with interest, "How many moves do you think Gilgamesh can last against Miho?"
Shiba Isshin pondered, stroking his chin, "Teacher Kano's Swordsmanship is extremely aggressive. I guess no more than ten moves."
Sosuke Aizen said with a gentle smile, "I have high hopes for Gilgamesh. I believe he will give us a surprise."
"Hmm, I'll guess he can last a hundred moves against Teacher Kano."
Normally, Shiba Kaien would also join the discussion, but at this moment, he seemed preoccupied and did not participate.
In the arena, after hearing Kano Miho's words, Gilgamesh nodded lightly in response, "I understand."
With that, Gilgamesh directly swung his sword at Kano Miho.
This slash was ordinary, with nothing remarkable about it.
Kano Miho saw this and, without thinking, directly raised her bamboo sword to block the attack.
But at the moment the two swords met, an astonished expression suddenly appeared on Kano Miho's face.
Under everyone's surprised gaze, Kano Miho actually took a step back involuntarily.
The examinees present did not know what was happening, but the captains observing the test noticed something unusual.
They noticed that Kano Miho's right hand, which held the sword, began to tremble slightly.
This scene made Ichimaru Gin, whose eyes were always narrowed, unable to help but speak, "I didn't sense any Reiryoku, and that slash just now had no trick to it; it was just an ordinary swing."
As he spoke, Ichimaru Gin's eyes opened slightly, revealing a sliver of his pupils reflecting Gilgamesh's figure, and he continued, "This is pure strength."
The other captains agreed with Ichimaru Gin's analysis.
However, they knew very well that mere strength could not deal with Kano Miho.
At the same time, they were also very curious about how much strength Gilgamesh possessed, enough to make Kano Miho retreat voluntarily.
At this point, only Gilgamesh and Kano Miho knew best.
Gilgamesh's Strength attribute reached C-rank, which translates to roughly 4 tons of force.
Although Kano Miho is a Shinigami, and her strength is greater than that of ordinary people, female physical strength is inherently inferior to male physical strength.
According to Kano Miho's own estimation, Gilgamesh's physical strength was about 3 times her own.
Of course, physical strength is only the foundation; in a real battle, Shinigami can unleash power far exceeding their physical strength with the amplification of Reiryoku and spiritual energy.
However, this was not a real battle, but merely an entrance test for Swordsmanship talent, so Kano Miho naturally would not use her true power.
In a moment, Kano Miho adjusted her state and looked at Gilgamesh, who had not continued to move after his first slash, her eyes narrowing slightly as she asked, "Why didn't you continue your attack just now?"
"Was it humility? Or arrogance?"
As she spoke, Kano Miho raised the bamboo sword in her hand and actively launched an attack towards Gilgamesh, her gentle words mixed with a hint of coldness, "Let me teach you a good lesson."
"When you gain an advantage in battle, whether it's humility or arrogance, it's utterly foolish."
"The correct approach is to continuously attack, continuously suppress, and not give your opponent any chance to breathe."
Kano Miho's sword was very fast, so fast that some of the examinees present couldn't even react.
Facing Kano Miho's sword, Gilgamesh directly raised his sword and blocked the attack.
Gilgamesh not continuing his attack earlier was not out of humility or arrogance, but rather had his own strategy.
For the Swordsmanship talent test, Gilgamesh naturally wanted to achieve the best results.
Although he himself possessed some Swordsmanship skills, after all, his exclusive Noble Phantasm was Ea.
But to be honest, Gilgamesh's close-combat ability was not strong, and he disliked close combat.
This is also why Gilgamesh's class in the Type-Moon World was not Sword Knight, but Archer Knight.
Because the Swordsmanship talent test was a highly subjective test.
So, even if Gilgamesh was confident in his own Swordsmanship talent, he couldn't guarantee achieving the best results.
To ensure the best results, the safest approach was to defeat Kano Miho in the Swordsmanship talent test.
And Gilgamesh's confidence and reliance came from his permanently active Noble Phantasm—the All-Knowing and Almighty Star.
Under the illumination of the All-Knowing and Almighty Star, Gilgamesh could perceive Kano Miho's thoughts.
Just like now.
'This slash will aim for his right arm.'
After perceiving Kano Miho's thoughts, Gilgamesh raised his sword and blocked in front of his right arm before Kano Miho even unleashed that slash.
Clang!
This heavy collision sound struck Kano Miho's heart, making her feel uncertain and surprised.
'Was that a coincidence just now?'
'Or, can he foresee my slashes!?'