Su Li's face froze in shock.
He didn't expect Yamamoto to attack so suddenly and had no time to react—
But his Ultra Instinct kicked in before thought could.
His body instinctively took a small step back, avoiding the vital point.
Before he could fully retreat, Yamamoto's sandbag-sized fist halted mid-air.
Seeing Su Li's precise retreat, Yamamoto's eyes flashed with approval.
"Not bad. Even under a sneak attack, you remain vigilant. Your character is better than I imagined," he said with a faint smile, slowly withdrawing his fist. The look in his eyes was calm but filled with pride.
Only then did Kyoraku Shunsui and the others react.
"Oi oi! Old Man Yama still pulling that trick after all these years?!" Kyoraku shouted.
"Little Junior Brother is incredible, he actually reacted to that..."
"When Shunsui and I were his age, we got knocked flat by Sensei's sneak punch," Jushirō said, his voice full of nostalgia and admiration.
"Captain-Commander hasn't changed. Still playful beneath that stern face."
Chōjirō Sasakibe smiled and shook his head. Having served Yamamoto the longest, he understood the man behind the title.
Su Li let out a breath and calmed himself.
If Ultra Instinct hadn't saved him, he'd probably be splattered on the floor.
Yamamoto may have held back, but the pressure from that one punch made his heart pound.
This is the strongest Shinigami in a thousand years...
Even a simple jab carried more force than Sui-Feng's entire Bankai.
"That move's called One Bone," Yamamoto said, stroking his beard. "A unique technique I created after hundreds of years, synthesizing the essence of all major boxing styles."
He paused, then asked, "So, do you want to learn it?"
Su Li's heart surged with joy.
Want to learn? That's not even a question!
If you pass on this, you might as well be dead!
He had Ultra Instinct and the Eight Gates—but mastering One Bone was standing on the shoulders of a giant.
"Please teach me, Master!"
Su Li bowed deeply, sincerity written all over his face.
"Hahaha! Good." Yamamoto chuckled with satisfaction. "Though it took me a century to perfect it, with your talent, ten years under my guidance should suffice."
Su Li's expression stiffened.
"...Ten years?"
Yamamoto's eyes narrowed in displeasure.
"Cultivation is endless. I took a hundred years, and you think ten is long?"
Kyoraku and the others laughed.
"Haha! Junior Brother, relax. This is Old Man Yama's top technique—it's not some casual move you learn in a month."
"Shunsui and I haven't even mastered it. Ten years for you? You should be grateful!" Jushirō added with a chuckle.
Su Li managed a bitter smile. He couldn't argue with that logic.
Taking a breath, he composed himself and entered full learning mode.
---
"The essence of One Bone lies in strength—pure, absolute strength," Yamamoto began.
"Focus all energy into the fist. Every motion must strike forward, straight and unstoppable."
"Like a mountain falling, like a tiger descending. That's the spirit behind it."
"Those with deep cultivation will produce a crisp, sharp sound from their joints when punching."
"Just like this—"
Yamamoto thrust a punch into the air.
BOOM—the dojo trembled.
A crackling pop rang out—the sound of knuckles snapping crisply through the air.
The wind burst from his punch sent Shunsui and the others ducking and gripping their hats.
"Alright. Your turn."
Su Li nodded, closed his eyes, and focused.
He visualized every word, every movement.
Then, he opened his eyes and punched.
WHOOSH—
A gust of wind stirred inside the dojo.
"Sususususu..."
A clear, bone-snapping sound echoed.
Yamamoto blinked.
Kyoraku stared.
"I-Is that... am I hearing things?"
"I thought I heard it too," Jushirō murmured in disbelief.
Even Sasakibe looked shocked.
Yamamoto coughed. "Punch again. Let's see."
Su Li inhaled deeply and clenched his fists again.
Yamamoto squinted, focused.
The three senior Shinigami stood, eyes wide, ears sharper than ever.
BOOM!
The second punch thundered forth, the wind swirling like a cyclone in the dojo.
Yamamoto's pupils contracted.
Kyoraku and the others' expressions twisted in shock.
"Sususususu..."
The clear, brittle ring bone sound echoed again.
No mistake this time.
It was real.
That sound... only occurred when One Bone reached a profound realm.
Everyone was stunned.
Su Li—who had just started training—had triggered ring bone!
Did this mean his mastery already surpassed beginner level?
Monster.
No... this couldn't be called genius anymore.
Yamamoto's expression darkened with awe.
"Ten years?"
That estimate was completely shattered.
Meanwhile, Su Li stared at his fist in confusion.
"Uh... is this supposed to be that easy?"
The dojo fell silent.
And then—everyone's expressions changed dramatically.