“Hadō Number Eleven, Tsuzuri Raiden!”
Rin struck first, channeling Tsuzuri Raiden directly into the ground.
Brilliant arcs of lightning instantly spread across the arena, transforming the entire battlefield into a crackling sea of electricity.
The destructive power of Tsuzuri Raiden itself was not especially impressive.
Originally, Kaien had intended to simply rely on his superior Spiritual Pressure to force his way through it.
However, just before stepping into the lightning, an intense sense of danger surged through him.
Without hesitation, he immediately used Hohō to evade.
His figure flashed repeatedly, landing precisely within the tiny gaps between the countless streams of electricity, carefully avoiding even the slightest contact with the crackling current.
Such caution caused Rin to raise an eyebrow.
He wasn’t sure whether Kaien had discovered something…
Or whether his combat instincts were simply that extraordinary.
After all, the lightning itself was never the real threat.
Rin had secretly added a little “seasoning.”
He hadn’t simply drunk Lieutenant Seinosuke’s recovery potion earlier without making use of it.
The reason that medicine was reserved exclusively for Fourth Division seated officers was simple.
Its medicinal properties were extremely difficult to metabolize.
Without advanced Kaidō, the lingering side effects would remain inside the body.
Lieutenant Seinosuke had only entrusted Rin with one because he already possessed sufficient Kaidō proficiency to deal with those residual effects.
As for the trap…
It was actually very simple.
The lingering side effect of the medicine temporarily suppressed the generation and circulation of Spiritual Pressure.
Using Kaidō, Rin had quietly infused those residual medicinal properties into the lightning itself.
If Kaien had stepped into the current carelessly…
Those side effects would have invaded his body.
Even a brief disruption in his Spiritual Pressure would become a fatal flaw during the remainder of the battle.
Unfortunately…
Kaien had completely avoided the trap.
Fortunately…
Rin had anticipated that possibility.
“Hadō Number Thirty-Two, Ōkasen!”
With only a shortened incantation, another Kidō formed instantly.
Countless yellow spheres of light descended from the sky like a meteor shower, bombarding the battlefield below.
The barrage perfectly covered every safe gap left between the lightning.
Because electricity naturally conducted through the ground…
The lightning and meteor-like explosions intertwined together.
In the blink of an eye…
An invisible web completely enveloped Kaien.
With such overwhelming coverage…
Escaping with Hohō alone was no longer possible.
Kaien naturally realized this as well.
Taking a deep breath, he firmly called out.
“Surge and swirl…”
“Nejibana!”
Without hesitation, he released his Zanpakutō’s Shikai.
Water instantly materialized from the surrounding atmosphere.
The rushing current swept away portions of the surrounding lightning while spiraling around him.
As Kaien continuously swung Nejibana…
The flowing water gradually condensed into a rotating defensive curtain.
The incoming Kidō bombarded the water barrier one after another.
Yet each attack merely created ripples before dissolving harmlessly.
At the same time…
The Spiritual Pressure erupting from Kaien caused Rin’s expression to become much more serious.
This…
Was where the real difficulty began.
A released Shikai greatly amplified a Shinigami’s Spiritual Pressure.
Originally…
Kaien’s Spiritual Pressure had already reached approximately the Fifth Seat level.
After activating Shikai…
It surged directly into the realm commonly associated with vice-captains.
Among lieutenant-class Shinigami…
Such Spiritual Pressure was already considered outstanding.
As expected…
The moment Nejibana was released…
Every representative seated upon the viewing platform immediately focused their attention on Kaien.
Only now…
Did everyone truly begin evaluating him as a future lieutenant.
After all…
His current strength was already sufficient.
All he lacked were experience and official achievements.
Becoming a lieutenant would only be a matter of time.
Furthermore…
If his Spiritual Pressure one day reached captain class and he mastered Bankai…
Ascending to captain would almost certainly become inevitable.
After all…
The current Captain of the Tenth Division, Shiba Isshin, also came from the Shiba Clan.
If one day the position were passed to Kaien…
No one would find it surprising.
Viewed from that perspective…
Kaien possessed extraordinary potential.
Establishing a good relationship with him in advance would certainly be worthwhile.
However…
The three captains and two lieutenants present seemed more interested in another matter.
Namely…
Nejibana itself.
After quietly observing for a while…
Shunsui Kyōraku suddenly turned toward Aizen.
“Speaking of which, Vice-Captain Aizen…”
“If I remember correctly…”
“Your Zanpakutō is also water-type, isn’t it?”
“So…”
“How does it differ from Kaien’s?”
Aizen smiled helplessly.
“Captain Kyōraku…”
“From what we’ve seen so far…”
“Kaien’s Zanpakutō specializes in combining spiritual water with the weapon’s own form.”
“The trident increases its attack range.”
“The flowing water expands its offensive methods.”
“It is undoubtedly a Zanpakutō specialized for direct combat.”
“As for mine…”
He paused briefly before continuing.
“It mainly utilizes flowing water to create illusions that assist in battle.”
“So…”
“Although both appear to be water-type…”
“They should belong to completely different categories.”
It sounded as though he had answered the question.
Yet at the same time…
He had revealed almost nothing of substance.
His explanation remained perfectly vague.
Seeing that…
Jūshirō Ukitake immediately smiled apologetically.
“Forgive us, Sōsuke.”
“Shunsui was a little impolite.”
“After all…”
“A Zanpakutō’s abilities are normally considered private.”
“You don’t have to explain them.”
Although he appeared to be smoothing things over…
He was actually giving both sides an opportunity to step down gracefully.
After all…
Publicly asking about someone else’s Zanpakutō ability was already somewhat inappropriate.
Even if Aizen had voluntarily demonstrated it before…
It still wasn’t a particularly polite topic.
As for why Ukitake hadn’t interrupted the conversation immediately…
That naturally reflected the tacit understanding shared between him and Kyōraku.
Now…
The timing was just right.
Kyōraku immediately scratched his head sheepishly.
“Look at me…”
“Sōsuke…”
“You don’t mind, do you?”
“I’ll treat you to drinks tomorrow.”
“Bring Hirako Shinji along as well.”
“Consider it my apology.”
Aizen lightly adjusted his glasses before smiling warmly.
“I understand.”
“Unfortunately…”
“I still have quite a bit of paperwork waiting for me.”
“But…”
“I’ll certainly pass the invitation on to Captain Hirako.”
The moment Hirako Shinji’s name was mentioned…
Sarugaki Hiyori’s eyes immediately lit up.
“Captain Kyōraku!”
“If that bald Hirako is going…”
“I want to come too.”
“You don’t mind, right?”
Kyōraku immediately laughed.
“Of course!”
“Come along.”
“I was actually planning to prank Hirako tomorrow anyway.”
Almost immediately…
The two of them enthusiastically gathered together.
Before long…
They had already begun discussing numerous elaborate prank ideas.
Their enthusiasm for teasing Hirako soon completely surpassed their interest in the battle below.
Watching the two of them…
Captain Ukitake merely smiled helplessly.
Even so…
His attention never left the battlefield.
Prepared to intervene at any moment if necessary.
At that moment…
Captain Unohana quietly spoke beside him.
“Captain Ukitake…”
“Sometimes relaxing appropriately is also beneficial for your health.”
“Once Kaien joins the Gotei…”
“You should gradually learn to let go of some of your burdens.”
“He will become an excellent successor.”
Ukitake gently nodded.
“I understand.”
“I only hope…”
“He can take over sooner.”
Their quiet exchange went unnoticed.
Everyone present had their own thoughts.
Meanwhile…
The battle upon the arena gradually reached its climax.
Ever since Kaien released Nejibana…
The situation had steadily shifted against Rin.
Whenever Rin used lower-level Kidō…
Kaien simply relied upon Nejibana’s flowing water barrier to neutralize them.
If Rin wished to use more powerful techniques…
He required sufficient time to complete the incantations.
Naturally…
Kaien would never allow such an opportunity.
Using his exceptional Hohō…
He steadily advanced forward.
The attack range of Nejibana was already considerable.
As Kaien continued closing the distance…
Rin’s available space to maneuver became increasingly restricted.
If things continued like this…
Defeat would only be a matter of time.
Rin had never even considered clashing swords with Nejibana.
With his pitiful swordsmanship…
The moment their blades collided…
He would already be fortunate if his Zanpakutō wasn’t knocked straight out of his hand.
As a result…
The number of strategies available to him became increasingly limited.
As for releasing his own Shikai…
Anyone familiar with Life Mark understood the problem immediately.
Its authority lay in manipulating life force.
It possessed virtually no direct offensive power.
Activating Shikai now…
Would accomplish nothing.
Unless…
His goal was simply to make everyone laugh.