Success!”
The thought had barely crossed Nanao’s mind when her expression suddenly changed.
The moment she remembered that the person standing opposite her was Rin…
The color instantly drained from her face.
Oh no!
She hadn’t properly controlled the power of Raikōhō.
If the attack really landed…
Rin could be seriously injured.
Just as everyone began worrying about him…
A transparent barrier suddenly appeared before Rin.
Several spectators on the viewing platform couldn’t help exclaiming in surprise.
“Dankū?!”
“When did he cast that?!”
Unlike the Bakudō used earlier…
Bakudō #81, Dankū possessed truly overwhelming defensive power.
Among Kidō practitioners, it was regarded as the dividing line between ordinary experts and true masters.
Many Shinigami spent their entire lives unable to master this technique.
Its effect was straightforward.
An absolute defensive wall capable of completely blocking any Hadō below Number Ninety.
The brilliant Raikōhō crashed against the barrier before completely dissipating.
After neutralizing Nanao’s attack…
Rin casually waved one hand toward her.
A sense of danger immediately surged through Nanao’s instincts.
Without hesitation, she prepared to use Hohō and retreat.
Unfortunately…
She discovered far too late that countless white chains had somehow appeared beneath her feet.
They instantly wrapped around her body.
“Bakudō Number Sixty-Three…”
“Sajō Sabaku?!”
“When…”
“When did he cast it?!”
She was genuinely shocked.
She hadn’t sensed the slightest fluctuation.
Even more astonishing…
There hadn’t been any incantation at all.
It was simply unbelievable.
The chains not only restrained her movements…
They also continuously interfered with the circulation of her Spiritual Pressure.
Every attempt to break free became sluggish.
Her movements lost their usual smoothness.
At that exact moment…
Rin disappeared with Hohō.
The next instant…
He was already standing directly before her.
His Zanpakutō rested lightly against her throat.
Nanao smiled helplessly before lowering her head.
“I lost.”
Thunderous applause instantly erupted throughout Shin’ō Academy.
Such a battle was far more convincing than any rumor.
From this day onward…
Neither of them would remain unknown students.
Many underclassmen even began dreaming of one day possessing strength like theirs.
On the viewing platform…
Lieutenant Aizen Sōsuke also applauded gently.
Smiling warmly, he praised them.
“How wonderful.”
“The students have truly surpassed their teachers.”
“You both possess remarkable talent.”
“Compared with a lieutenant like me who only knows how to process paperwork…”
“You are far more outstanding.”
His modest words immediately caused Lieutenant Sarugaki Hiyori, who stood nearby, to roll her eyes.
“Hey!”
“Enough with the fake humility, Baldy!”
“They’ve got talent.”
“I’ll admit that.”
“But talent doesn’t replace experience.”
“Don’t make it sound like becoming a lieutenant is worthless.”
Only then did Aizen appear to realize there were other lieutenants present.
He immediately smiled apologetically.
“No, no.”
“After serving under Captain Hikifune for so long…”
“How could she possibly be ordinary?”
Hearing her captain praised…
Hiyori merely clicked her tongue.
Although she still looked dissatisfied…
She chose not to continue arguing.
Meanwhile…
The battle below had officially concluded.
However…
The graduation demonstration wasn’t over yet.
The battlefield had suffered considerable damage during the intense Kidō exchange.
In order not to delay the next match…
The Lieutenant of the Kidō Corps personally stepped forward once again to repair the arena.
The short break also provided Rin an opportunity to recover.
Reaching into his pocket…
He removed a small bottle of medicine.
After hesitating briefly…
He frowned before drinking it in one gulp.
This medicine had been specially developed by Lieutenant Yamada Seinosuke for the seated officers of the Fourth Division.
As the division responsible for rescue and medical support…
Its members often found themselves treating patients continuously without adequate opportunities to rest.
To solve that problem…
Seinosuke had developed this recovery potion.
Because Rin had studied directly under him…
He had also received one.
The medicine’s effects were excellent.
It could refresh one’s mind while restoring a considerable amount of Spiritual Pressure.
Unfortunately…
Its taste was unbelievably bitter.
Every swallow made one feel nauseated.
However…
Lieutenant Seinosuke had always insisted on one principle.
“Medicine is still medicine.”
“If you become dependent upon it…”
“You might as well never use it.”
“As doctors…”
“You must first possess sufficient self-control.”
Because of that belief…
Each person normally received only one bottle.
Anyone wishing to obtain another required Seinosuke’s personal approval.
When Captain Unohana proposed today’s arrangement…
Rin had already realized he would inevitably need this medicine.
Nanao was already a formidable opponent.
Shiba Kaien…
Was even stronger.
Without the support of this recovery medicine…
He wouldn’t possess even the slightest confidence of winning.
Meanwhile…
On the viewing platform…
Aizen quietly moved closer to Captain Unohana.
“Captain Unohana.”
“The medicine Student Chigusa just drank…”
“That was developed by Lieutenant Yamada, wasn’t it?”
“I’ve heard its effects are quite remarkable.”
“I wonder…”
“Would the Fourth Division consider supplying some to the other divisions as well?”
“I’ve heard many favorable reports about it.”
Captain Unohana simply smiled.
“Oh?”
“You mean that medicine?”
“That was developed entirely by little Seinosuke.”
“Besides…”
“It’s not nearly as simple as you imagine.”
“I’ve personally examined it.”
“Without sufficient Kaidō proficiency…”
“It can easily produce serious side effects.”
“And more importantly…”
“It belongs to Seinosuke.”
“If you truly want one, Sōsuke…”
“You’ll have to ask him yourself.”
Her answer immediately caused Kyōraku, who had been quietly listening nearby, to rub his nose awkwardly.
Such a useful item naturally attracted attention.
Now…
It seemed the research was still incomplete.
The medicine clearly wasn’t something anyone could casually use.
Immediately…
He abandoned the idea.
The others secretly eavesdropping nearby likewise gave up on pursuing it.
Only Soi Fon quietly glanced toward the Fourth Division.
If anyone were to request such medicine…
It would probably have to be Lady Yoruichi.
Even then…
They would first need to verify whether its effects truly lived up to the rumors.
After drinking the medicine and resting briefly…
Much of Rin’s Spiritual Pressure had recovered.
Soon…
The repaired battlefield was ready once more.
Kaien slowly walked over.
“Rin…”
“How about we forget this match?”
“You already fought Nanao.”
“In your current condition…”
“It won’t really be fair.”
His meaning was obvious.
Although the captains had arranged this battle…
The two of them could simply put on a brief performance.
After all…
Rin clearly wasn’t fighting at full strength anymore.
Continuing wouldn’t prove much.
However…
Rin smiled and interrupted him.
“You’re underestimating me a little.”
“Besides…”
“My current condition isn’t much different from before.”
“So don’t worry.”
He smiled faintly.
“Captain Unohana must have had her reasons for arranging this.”
“Or…”
“Do you not trust the Captain’s judgment?”
That single sentence immediately left Kaien speechless.
Indeed.
How could Captain Unohana make such a meaningless decision?
The two silently took their places on opposite ends of the battlefield.
Unlike the previous match against Nanao…
This time…
Rin made the first move.
Strictly speaking…
Nanao had never possessed a Zanpakutō.
Therefore…
Her offensive methods were naturally more limited.
Most of her combat revolved around Kidō, supported by Hohō, while avoiding close-range Hakuda whenever possible.
Kaien…
Was completely different.
Rin already understood him fairly well.
As a direct descendant of the once prestigious Shiba Clan…
Kaien possessed an exceptionally solid foundation.
His Hohō contained unique movement techniques that allowed him to maneuver freely across the battlefield.
His Hakuda was equally distinctive.
Rather than relying heavily on punches…
He preferred powerful kicking techniques.
Among the four basic Shinigami arts…
Kidō was actually his weakest discipline.
Fortunately…
That happened to be Rin’s greatest advantage.
Unfortunately…
Kaien’s overwhelming superiority in swordsmanship meant his threat at close and mid-range far exceeded Nanao’s.
Because of that…
Rin had already settled upon his strategy before the battle even began.
Avoid close combat whenever possible.
The instant the match officially started…
He immediately opened with a relentless barrage of Kidō, using overwhelming firepower to suppress Kaien from a distance.