Gilgamesh’s step seemed to resonate with everyone, making their hearts race. However, just as he was about to step forward, Renji shouted, “I’ll go first!” and eagerly moved to take the test.
But before Renji could take more than two steps, Gilgamesh stopped him. Seeing Renji’s puzzled expression, Gilgamesh spoke in an authoritative tone, “Renji, if you go first, you’ll have a hard time. Let me go first, and you just watch.”
Unable to defy Gilgamesh, Renji reluctantly stopped, still puzzled as to why Gilgamesh said he would have a hard time.
Miho Kano also directed her gaze at them. Seeing the radiant Gilgamesh, she narrowed her eyes slightly behind her black-rimmed glasses, thinking to herself, ‘He must be the candidate my teacher specifically mentioned. With captain-level spiritual pressure and tenth-level Kido aptitude, he is undoubtedly a genius. I hope his swordsmanship aptitude doesn’t disappoint me.’
Taking only a few steps, Gilgamesh reached the nearby weapon rack. The candidates used specially made, unsharpened asauchi, which were about the same weight as Miho Kano’s bamboo sword but easier to handle.
Gilgamesh picked up an asauchi, tested its weight, and then approached Miho Kano. With a slight smile, he said, “The test can begin.”
Miho Kano unsheathed the bamboo sword at her waist and, holding it in one hand, smiled gently, “You can attack first. Since you’re the first to volunteer for the test, I’ll give you a tip: don’t hold back, give it your all from the start.”
In the loft, the captains watched with great interest.
Some couldn’t help but start discussing.
Shunsui Kyoraku, intrigued, asked, “How many moves do you think Gilgamesh can withstand against Miho?”
Isshin Shiba, stroking his chin, thought aloud, “Miho Kano’s swordsmanship is extremely aggressive. I guess no more than ten moves.”
Aizen Sosuke, with a gentle smile, said, “I have high hopes for Gilgamesh. I think he’ll surprise us. I’ll guess he can withstand a hundred moves against Miho.”
Normally, Kaien Shiba would join in such discussions, but he seemed preoccupied and stayed silent.
In the field, Gilgamesh nodded lightly at Miho Kano’s words, “Understood.” He then swung his sword towards Miho.
The strike was ordinary, nothing special. Miho Kano raised her bamboo sword to block it without much thought. But as their swords clashed, her face suddenly showed a look of astonishment.
To everyone’s surprise, Miho Kano was forced to take a step back.
The candidates were confused, but the captains observing the test noticed something unusual. They saw Miho Kano’s right hand holding the sword start to tremble slightly.
Gin Ichimaru, who usually kept his eyes narrowed, couldn’t help but speak, “There was no spiritual pressure in that strike, and it was a simple swing. Pure strength.”
The other captains agreed with Gin’s analysis. However, they knew that sheer strength alone couldn’t deal with Miho Kano. They were curious about how strong Gilgamesh was to force Miho Kano back.
Gilgamesh and Miho Kano knew the answer best. Gilgamesh’s physical strength was rated at C, translating to about four tons of force. Miho Kano, despite being a Soul Reaper with greater strength than an ordinary human, still had physical limitations as a woman. She estimated Gilgamesh’s strength to be about three times her own.
Physical strength was only a base attribute. In real combat, a Soul Reaper could unleash far more power with their spiritual pressure and energy. But since this was just a test, Miho Kano didn’t use her full power.
Within moments, Miho Kano adjusted her stance. Seeing Gilgamesh not continuing his attack after the first strike, she narrowed her eyes and asked, “Why didn’t you continue your attack? Modesty or arrogance?”
Raising her bamboo sword, she attacked Gilgamesh, her gentle voice tinged with a hint of coldness, “Let me teach you a lesson. In battle, gaining the advantage and not pressing it is foolish. The correct approach is to keep attacking, continuously suppressing your opponent, leaving them no chance to breathe.”
Miho Kano’s strikes were so fast that some candidates couldn’t react in time. Gilgamesh raised his sword to block her attack.
Gilgamesh didn’t continue his attack after the first strike, not out of modesty or arrogance but a strategy. He wanted the best result in the swordsmanship test. Although he was skilled in swordsmanship, as his noble phantasm was the Sword of Rupture, Ea, he didn’t excel in close combat, which he disliked.
This was why Gilgamesh’s class was Archer, not Saber, in the Nasuverse. The swordsmanship aptitude test was subjective. Even with confidence in his skills, he couldn’t guarantee the best result without defeating Miho Kano.
His confidence came from his permanently active Noble Phantasm, Sha Nagba Imuru, which allowed him to read minds. For example, now he knew, ‘Her next strike will aim at my right arm.’
With this insight, Gilgamesh raised his sword to block the strike before Miho Kano made her move.
Clang!
The heavy clash of swords shook Miho Kano’s heart, leaving her puzzled. ‘Was that a coincidence? Or can he foresee my strikes?’
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