"Kurosaki, have you decided what we're performing yet?" Laxus was still riding the excitement, turning to ask him.
Kurosaki rubbed his chin, muttering under his breath while his mind spun at high speed.
Right now, the only ability he could use with any real confidence was Captain Unohana's. So whatever he performed would have to revolve around that. In his thoughts, Minazuki appeared again, that jade-white short blade wrapped in spiritual pressure that felt gentle on the surface, yet hid a sharp, dangerous edge.
He weighed one idea after another.
Use Unohana's spiritual pressure to form white glowing patterns and write words in the air? That could work. It would show the softness of a healing-type power, and it would look distinctive.
Or he could use basic swordsmanship with spiritual pressure to draw light-blade trails. But Unohana's sword was too sharp. Even her "basic" forms carried the depth of the first Kenpachi. If he failed to hold back and scared everyone, that would be a disaster.
Or he could simply use intermediate healing during the parade and help everyone recover from fatigue, but that felt too ordinary, with no real highlight.
One thing had to be clear.
Unohana's power was never as simple as "healing."
She was the 4th Division Captain of the Gotei 13, and also the first Kenpachi. Her combat strength in Soul Society could be called top-tier, only she had always chosen to hide her edge.
Minazuki's initial form was a smooth, white short blade, elegant in appearance, but able to carry dense spiritual pressure, turning it into a weapon far beyond ordinary steel.
If released, it would transform into a massive flying-fish-like spiritual entity, swallowing wounds for rapid healing while also unleashing spiritual pressure shocks for wide-area attacks.
Unfortunately, Kurosaki still hadn't unlocked that form.
And her hidden power went even further.
The first Kenpachi's core sword art, a kind of ultimate slashing that reached the point where "form" no longer mattered. Without any release or Bankai, sheer swordsmanship alone could crush most captains.
There was also spiritual pressure self-healing, repairing severe wounds through spiritual pressure itself.
And there was precise spiritual pressure control, compressing spiritual pressure into fine glowing patterns, or expanding it into cutting arcs with real destructive power.
After his duel with Laxus, his proficiency had risen again, now at 55%. He had only unlocked intermediate healing, basic swordsmanship, and basic spiritual pressure control. Everything else still required more grinding and time.
After thinking for a long while, he finally answered Laxus.
"Not decided yet. I'll figure it out when the time comes."
Then Kurosaki's eyes sharpened slightly, like a thought had clicked into place.
"Wait, I just got an idea. I need to go out for a bit."
He slammed his right fist into his left palm.
A rough concept had formed. He would use Unohana's spiritual pressure to help record a gentle melody.
It sounded good. It matched the parade's festive atmosphere, and it would show his power without drawing attention to the blade's dangerous side.
The moment the idea came, he sprinted out of the guild like a gust of wind.
"Seriously, running off without even turning your head!" Laxus shouted after him. "I wasn't done talking yet! Don't forget to come back for dinner!"
Kurosaki lifted his right hand high to show he'd heard, but his steps never slowed. While he ran, he thought rapidly.
A parade this lively needs music. I can use Unohana's spiritual pressure and lightly infuse it into an instrument. Spiritual pressure is stable, so it can steady the melody.
That way, even if I can't remember lyrics, and even if I don't know instruments at all, I can still record a gentle, pleasant instrumental piece with spiritual pressure doing the heavy lifting.
It's simple, it's distinctive, and it won't expose Unohana's terrifying hidden combat power.
"Then Grandpa, I'm going to prepare too!" Laxus immediately ran out as well.
Thud.
Bad timing.
Laxus ran straight into Wakaba, who had just come back from outside.
"Ow, that hurts like hell," Wakaba groaned, clutching his stomach. "Laxus, watch where you're going."
He was secretly relieved Laxus was fairly tall. Otherwise, that collision might've hurt even more.
"Sorry. I'm going." Laxus popped up instantly and ran again without looking back.
"Look at that." Makarov watched his grandson sprint away and muttered, "Saying someone else ran off without looking back, and then doing the same thing."
Wakaba sat down at the bar and asked, "Guild Master, where's Laxus rushing off to? And where'd Kurosaki go?"
"They're both busy preparing something for the Fantasia Parade," Macao answered for Makarov.
"Hahaha, young people really are full of energy." Wakaba and Macao threw their heads back and laughed until their tongues were practically out.
"You two aren't much better," Makarov snapped, black lines practically appearing over his head. "You're only twenty-two. Get moving and prepare your own act too!"
"Relax, Guild Master. We've been ready for ages." Wakaba's mouth tilted into a confident grin, like everything was already under his control.
...
Kurosaki jogged along, his mind still working through his plan.
Using Unohana's spiritual pressure to assist in recording music should be completely feasible. Her spiritual pressure was gentle and stable, perfect for pure music that needed a soothing, quiet atmosphere.
And it wouldn't be flashy, which meant it wouldn't attract unnecessary attention. Unohana's hidden combat strength was far too dangerous. If he revealed even a hint by accident, it could bring trouble.
I'm terrible with lyrics, I never remember them, but melodies? Those I know inside out.
All I need is to hum the tune, have someone record it with instruments, and make it instrumental. No lyrics is fine. Pure music might even feel more tasteful.
Then I'll use spiritual pressure to polish it a little. The result should be even better.
Then a cold realization hit him.
Wait. I don't even know where you'd go in Magnolia to do music.
He had run out too fast. Now he had to ask for directions.
So he stopped passersby around town, asking one after another. After a roundabout search, he finally found a music shop.
"Hey there, kid." The clerk at the front desk spoke up the moment Kurosaki walked in, voice friendly and practiced. "What can I help you with?"