Chapter 34: Her Name Is… Retsu Unohana!
On the pavilion next to the sword talent test.
Sosuke Aizen suddenly reached out and adjusted his glasses, a hint of surprise flashing in the eyes hidden behind them, though he didn't show it.
It wasn't just Sosuke Aizen; the other Captains also sensed something unusual.
Among them, Shiba Isshin couldn't help but say, "Did I see that correctly? How did I see Gilgamesh already preparing his defense before Kano Miho's attack?"
No one responded to Shiba Isshin's question.
Because Kano Miho launched another offensive.
This time, Kano Miho's offensive intensified again, unleashing two slashes in a brief instant, striking Gilgamesh from different directions.
She did this to confirm her conjecture.
The strength Kano Miho displayed in these two slashes had already exceeded the scope of the sword talent test; the examinees present couldn't even discern the trajectory of the slashes.
Yet, Gilgamesh remained unperturbed.
Because Kano Miho's thoughts had already been seen through by him.
'This slash is aimed at his right foot.'
'This slash is aimed at his left hand.'
Gilgamesh, with an air of effortless grace, simply raised his Asauchi to block Kano Miho's two slashes.
Clang!
Clang!
Two collision sounds occurred almost simultaneously, merging into one in the ears of the examinees present.
This caused their expressions to change dramatically.
Although they couldn't see the trajectory of Kano Miho's slashes, they knew she had delivered two slashes.
But both slashes were blocked by Gilgamesh, and the sounds occurred almost simultaneously, indicating how short the interval between the two slashes was.
It was also their first time witnessing a glimpse of Kano Miho's power, and their expressions couldn't help but turn flustered.
What they were thinking now was, surely the sword talent test they were about to take wouldn't be this intense, would it?
Abarai Renji's expression turned slightly pale.
He finally understood why Gilgamesh wouldn't let him go first.
Forget Kano Miho's two consecutive slashes; he couldn't even block Kano Miho's first slash.
As for Gilgamesh being able to block Kano Miho's slashes, he wasn't surprised.
After all, in his mind, Gilgamesh possessed Captain-level strength.
No matter how strong Kano Miho was, she couldn't possibly be stronger than a Captain of the Gotei 13, could she?
Rukia, who was nearby, thought the same.
While feeling uneasy internally, a look of anticipation also appeared in her eyes.
She saw hope and a future in Kano Miho.
She also wanted to be as strong as Kano Miho.
In her mind, Rukia had even begun to fantasize about the scene of her rampaging after acquiring Kano Miho's swordsmanship.
Kano Miho's offensive continued, and it continued to intensify.
But no matter how much Kano Miho's offensive intensified, it was ultimately blocked by Gilgamesh.
Although Kano Miho's swordsmanship was unfathomable.
However, Gilgamesh's overall aspects, such as physical strength, reaction speed, speed, temperament, and willpower, were clearly stronger than Kano Miho's.
Most importantly, Kano Miho had already confirmed that Gilgamesh could predict her slashes.
After another failed slash, Kano Miho did not launch another attack but instead retreated on her own.
This time, Kano Miho's face had lost its usual gentleness, her gaze fixed intently on Gilgamesh.
An invisible aura, without her realizing it, descended, enveloping the examinees present, making them feel a sense of trepidation and heaviness.
The Captains who had been observing this battle couldn't help but change their expressions as they watched this scene.
Even Kuchiki Byakuya, who was usually aloof and whose expression was like eternal ice, showed a change in his expression at this moment.
Kyōraku Shunsui spoke at this moment, his tone no longer frivolous as before, but revealing seriousness as he said, "I really didn't expect Gilgamesh to bring us such a big surprise."
"Although his swordsmanship is not as good as Miho's, without using spiritual pressure and spiritual power, Miho cannot defeat him, who can predict slashes. This battle will probably end in a draw."
Tōsen Kaname couldn't help but speak at this moment, "How exactly did he do it? Why can he predict Kano Miho's slashes?"
Sosuke Aizen heard this and responded, "It's still unclear, but it should be related to individual talent. I guess it might be an extremely strong battle intuition, just like Captain Kenpachi."
In his heart, Sosuke Aizen secretly thought, 'Gilgamesh, I am becoming more and more interested in you.'
Ichimaru Gin, who was nearby, had completely opened his eyes at some point, staring at Gilgamesh like a fox, and exclaimed, "Oh my, it seems that Soul Society is truly about to see an unimaginable genius this time."
Shiba Isshin couldn't help but speak at this moment, "Let me say this first, our Tenth Division wants Gilgamesh. I'll directly cultivate him as a Captain candidate!"
Komamura Sajin, the Captain of the Seventh Division, who had been silent, wearing an iron mask to conceal his head, couldn't help but speak when he heard this, "Such a talent, this old man is also greatly tempted. I also want to contend for him."
Subsequently, except for Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni and Shiba Kaien, the Captains of the other divisions all joined the scramble for him.
Even Kuchiki Byakuya was no exception.
Initially, he paid attention to Gilgamesh because of Rukia.
But now, Gilgamesh's talent truly shocked him.
If Gilgamesh could be brought into the Kuchiki family, then in the future, the Kuchiki family would undoubtedly gain another Captain-level powerhouse, and one who was even among the top tier of Captains.
During the scramble for him, Shiba Isshin inadvertently noticed Shiba Kaien.
He was stunned, because he saw Shiba Kaien looking at Gilgamesh with trembling pupils, his expression filled with surprise and disbelief.
This appearance was too unusual.
Shiba Isshin knew that Shiba Kaien must know something.
This scramble among the Captains was not seen by anyone else; otherwise, it would have caused an uproar.
Ultimately, this scramble for him stopped with the intervention of Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.
In the field, Kano Miho took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to strike again, and tried her best to restore her expression to normal, then said, "Alright, your test is over."
Gilgamesh was stunned for a moment.
He was confident of victory in this battle, as the All-Knowing and Almighty Star's ability had not yet been fully unleashed.
Through the illumination of the All-Knowing and Almighty Star, he had seen through Kano Miho's thoughts and knew how much she yearned to fight him with all her physical strength right now.
In all these years at the Central Spiritual Arts Academy, Kano Miho hadn't encountered an evenly matched opponent in who knows how long, let alone fallen into a bitter struggle.
Moreover, Kano Miho still had trump cards she hadn't used.
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's swordsmanship was not suitable for Kano Miho.
With Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's help, Kano Miho met a person, and this person influenced her swordsmanship and was the object of her lifelong pursuit and imitation.
Kano Miho could never forget that day.
As Kano Miho's thoughts flickered, a figure with a braided ponytail, exuding monstrous killing intent like a murderous ghost, suddenly appeared in Gilgamesh's mind.
Her name is… Retsu Unohana!