diff --git a/sw-block/.private/phase/phase-13-cp6-retention.md b/sw-block/.private/phase/phase-13-cp6-retention.md
index 5d2624e00..8e2c536d8 100644
--- a/sw-block/.private/phase/phase-13-cp6-retention.md
+++ b/sw-block/.private/phase/phase-13-cp6-retention.md
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ All 3 retention tests rewritten from placeholder/PASS* to hard-assertion proofs:
 | Test | Was | Now | Hard assertion |
 |------|-----|-----|----------------|
 | `TestWalRetention_RequiredReplicaBlocksReclaim` | PASS (log-only, no assertion) | PASS (hard assert) | `checkpointLSN <= replicaFlushedLSN` — flusher did not advance past retention floor |
-| `TestWalRetention_TimeoutTriggersNeedsRebuild` | PASS (log-only, no assertion) | PASS (hard assert) | `s.State() == NeedsRebuild` after 1ns timeout evaluation |
+| `TestWalRetention_TimeoutTriggersNeedsRebuild` | PASS (log-only, no assertion) | PASS (hard assert) | `s.State() == NeedsRebuild` + `checkpointAfter > replicaFlushedLSN` (hold released) |
 | `TestWalRetention_MaxBytesTriggersNeedsRebuild` | PASS* (logged "not implemented") | PASS (hard assert) | `s.State() == NeedsRebuild` after lag exceeds 8KB budget |
 
 ## Proof Promotion
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ All 3 retention tests rewritten from placeholder/PASS* to hard-assertion proofs:
 | Test | What it proves |
 |------|---------------|
 | `TestWalRetention_RequiredReplicaBlocksReclaim` | Flusher checkpoint does not advance past `replicaFlushedLSN` while recoverable replica is behind |
-| `TestWalRetention_TimeoutTriggersNeedsRebuild` | Timeout budget evaluation transitions shipper to `NeedsRebuild` (verified via `State()` assertion) |
+| `TestWalRetention_TimeoutTriggersNeedsRebuild` | Timeout budget → `NeedsRebuild` (State assertion) + checkpoint advances past replicaFlushedLSN after flush (hold-release assertion) |
 | `TestWalRetention_MaxBytesTriggersNeedsRebuild` | Max-bytes budget evaluation transitions shipper to `NeedsRebuild` (verified via `State()` assertion, uses actual `BlockSize` from volume config) |
 
 ## What CP13-6 Does NOT Close
diff --git a/weed/storage/blockvol/sync_all_protocol_test.go b/weed/storage/blockvol/sync_all_protocol_test.go
index a0390fac0..35ac45c3e 100644
--- a/weed/storage/blockvol/sync_all_protocol_test.go
+++ b/weed/storage/blockvol/sync_all_protocol_test.go
@@ -391,12 +391,8 @@ func TestReconnect_GapBeyondRetainedWal_NeedsRebuild(t *testing.T) {
 // ---------- WAL retention ----------
 
 // TestWalRetention_RequiredReplicaBlocksReclaim verifies that the flusher
-// does not reclaim WAL entries that a required replica still needs for catch-up.
-//
-// Currently EXPECTED TO FAIL: WAL reclaim is driven only by checkpointLSN,
-// not replica progress.
-// TestWalRetention_RequiredReplicaBlocksReclaim verifies that the flusher
-// does not advance the WAL tail past entries a recoverable replica still needs.
+// does not advance the WAL checkpoint past entries a recoverable replica
+// still needs for catch-up.
 //
 // CP13-6 proof: retention floor from MinRecoverableFlushedLSN blocks reclaim.
 func TestWalRetention_RequiredReplicaBlocksReclaim(t *testing.T) {
@@ -850,12 +846,18 @@ func TestWalRetention_TimeoutTriggersNeedsRebuild(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("CP13-6: expected NeedsRebuild after timeout, got %s", st)
 	}
 
-	// After NeedsRebuild: WAL hold should be released (MinRecoverableFlushedLSN
-	// skips NeedsRebuild shippers). Verify by flushing — checkpoint should advance.
+	// Hard assertion: WAL hold released after NeedsRebuild.
+	// Record checkpoint before flush, flush, assert it advances past the old floor.
+	replicaFlushed := s.ReplicaFlushedLSN()
+	checkpointBefore := primary.flusher.CheckpointLSN()
 	primary.flusher.FlushOnce()
 	checkpointAfter := primary.flusher.CheckpointLSN()
-	// Checkpoint should advance past the old replica flushedLSN since the hold is released.
-	t.Logf("CP13-6: timeout triggered NeedsRebuild, checkpoint=%d (hold released)", checkpointAfter)
+	if checkpointAfter <= replicaFlushed {
+		t.Fatalf("CP13-6: checkpoint should advance past replicaFlushedLSN %d after hold released, got %d",
+			replicaFlushed, checkpointAfter)
+	}
+	t.Logf("CP13-6: hold released — checkpoint %d→%d (past replicaFlushed=%d)",
+		checkpointBefore, checkpointAfter, replicaFlushed)
 }
 
 // TestWalRetention_MaxBytesTriggersNeedsRebuild verifies that when the