Nanao Ise stood on the edge of the rooftop, still clutching a thick file.
Ahead of her, Shunsui Kyōraku lowered his straw hat, his right hand already resting on the hilt of his sword.
“Nanao, move a little further away.” Shunsui Kyōraku looked down at Yoriichi Tsugikuni, his tone still languid: “This guy looks strong; he must be the Captain-level Ryoka the Twelfth Division mentioned.” Nanao Ise adjusted her glasses.
“Captain, please don’t speak as if you’re about to run away.” “Why would I?” Shunsui Kyōraku sighed: “I’m just worried about damaging the barracks.
The repair costs will be deducted from my salary.” “Then please be serious.” “Nanao-chan is so strict.” With that, Shunsui Kyōraku leaped from the rooftop, his wide haori unfurling in mid-air before he landed smoothly in front of Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni stopped.
The two stood ten paces apart, neither drawing their swords immediately.
“Young man, you trespassed into the Seireitei.
Since you haven’t hurt anyone, I can let you go back.” Yoriichi didn’t answer.
“It seems you don’t agree.
Are you planning to continue?” “Yes.” “Your answer is so straightforward, it really puts me in a difficult position.” Shunsui Kyōraku scratched his head: “If you’d like to sit down and have a drink, perhaps we can have a proper talk.” “I don’t drink.” “Then how about tea?” “I’m in a hurry.” “…” Shunsui Kyōraku’s smile froze for a moment.
Yoriichi drew his sword, Kakuyō, from his waist, gripping it with one hand.
The next moment, his figure vanished instantly.
Clang!
The blades clashed head-on, spiritual pressure spreading outwards, the stone slab beneath their feet instantly cracking.
Shunsui Kyōraku flicked his wrist, his blade grazing Yoriichi’s, aiming straight for his shoulder.
Yoriichi took a half-step back, his longsword rising to block the attack.
Then, he stepped forward.
Without any apparent preparation, the blade was already aimed at Shunsui Kyōraku’s chest.
Shunsui Kyōraku’s pupils contracted, and his body immediately leaned back.
The tip of the blade grazed his straw hat.
Half of the brim fell to the ground.
“That was dangerous, that was dangerous.” Shunsui Kyōraku retreated several meters away, glancing down at his straw hat: “This is one of my favorite hats.” Yoriichi didn’t respond, reappearing before him.
Blades flashed repeatedly.
Shunsui Kyōraku drew his second sword, the two blades clashing, deflecting all the attacks.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
In just a few breaths, the two had exchanged blows more than ten times.
Nanao Ise stood at a distance, her expression gradually becoming serious.
She knew very well her Captain’s strength.
This man, though usually unserious, was more than worthy of his position as Captain of the Gotei 13.
But now, Shunsui Kyōraku, wielding dual swords, hadn’t gained the slightest advantage.
More accurately, he was on the defensive the entire time.
Such energy from a young man makes this old man look useless, Shunsui Kyōraku thought.
He blocked Yoriichi’s horizontal slash, then suddenly thrust out his left-hand short sword.
Yoriichi sidestepped, his blade grazing past his Shihakushō.
Simultaneously, his wrist snapped down, the back of his blade striking Shunsui Kyōraku’s short sword, forcibly changing the direction of his attack.
Then, he stomped on the ground.
BOOM!
Shunsui Kyōraku slid backward more than ten meters, leaving two deep tracks in the ground.
He raised his head, the smile on his face fading considerably.
The young man before him possessed a terrifyingly precise judgment of distance.
Each strike landed precisely where the boy’s defenses were most vulnerable.
If it were merely a swordsmanship contest, he had no confidence of victory.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni did not pursue.
“This fight is pointless.” He lowered his sword to his side and calmly said, “Let me pass.
I have no ill intentions towards Soul Society; I only wish to save Rukia Kuchiki.” Shunsui Kyōraku remained silent for a moment.
“Young man, I believe you have no ill intentions.” “But unfortunately, I cannot let you pass.” He raised his twin swords, his spiritual pressure rising, causing the pebbles on the ground to tremble slightly.
“It seems you won’t stop until you unleash your true power.” Shunsui Kyōraku’s expression became completely serious.
“The flower wind is wanton, the Flower God weeps, the Heavenly Wind is chaotic, the Demon of Heaven sneers.” The twin swords transformed, becoming two broad, black curved blades.
Katen Kyōkotsu.
A heavy spiritual pressure pressed down on the surroundings, forcing Nanao Ise back a distance once more.
Shunsui Kyōraku looked at the dark gray blade in Yoriichi Tsugikuni’s hand.
The sword remained unchanged.
“Young man, I’ve already released my Shikai.
Aren’t you going to release your Zanpakutō?” “There’s no need for now.” “That’s a really hurtful thing to say.” Shunsui Kyōraku raised his long sword, and the next moment, he vanished from his spot.
“Then let’s play Onigokko.” A voice came from above.
Yoriichi looked up, and Shunsui Kyōraku had already appeared in mid-air, his black blade slashing down.
He blocked with his own sword, but sensed something was amiss the instant they made contact.
The power of this attack was much stronger than before.
BOOM!
The ground beneath Yoriichi’s feet collapsed.
Shunsui Kyōraku used the momentum to leap up, regaining his high position, and his second strike followed.
Yoriichi didn’t take the hit head-on; instead, he activated Shunpo, appearing on a nearby rooftop.
Shunsui Kyōraku followed closely.
But before he could land, Yoriichi leaped to a higher position, slashing downwards with his long sword.
Shunsui Kyōraku immediately raised his twin swords to parry.
The immense force sent him plummeting from mid-air, crashing directly into the courtyard wall.
Dust settled.
Shunsui Kyōraku rose from the rubble, brushing the dust off his haori.
“You understood the rules of Onigokko after just one look?” Yoriichi looked at the twin swords in his hands.
“Your Zanpakutō is a rule-based Zanpakutō, isn’t it?” Although the question was phrased as a question, the tone was unequivocal.
“Just now, after you called out ‘Onigokko’, you placed yourself in even more dangerous positions in the air with each attack.
That’s because after the rules are applied, being high up is no longer a disadvantage, but an advantage.” “Because once the rules are in place, the person standing higher gains increased attack power.” “I see.” Shunsui Kyōraku smiled again: “Looks like ordinary games won’t stump you.” He stepped into the shadow cast by the wall.
His entire body vanished instantly.
“Then, Kageoni.” A cold blade pierced from beneath Yoriichi’s feet.
Yoriichi dodged to the side, slashing at the shadow on the ground.
Shunsui Kyōraku immediately emerged from another shadow, but before he could even regain his footing, Yoriichi had already turned and slashed.
Clang!
Shunsui Kyōraku blocked the blade, a clear look of surprise appearing in his eyes for the first time.
“Young man, you seem to know my Zanpakutō quite well.” Yoriichi didn’t answer.
Shunsui Kyōraku leaped backward, his twin swords changing direction again.
“In that case, let’s change the game.” The surrounding spiritual pressure rules shifted accordingly.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni frowned slightly.
He could see the spiritual pressure of Katen Kyōkotsu and quickly judge the rules of the game.
But the one who decided what game to play was always Shunsui Kyōraku.
Onigokko, Kageoni, Irooni.
The rules kept changing, and the attack methods were completely different.
Knowing the rules was one thing; being able to maintain the advantage was another.
A black blade swept past his side, leaving a tear in Yoriichi’s sleeve.
He stepped back, glancing down.
Although he could forcefully maintain the situation with his raw strength, continuing to fight would inevitably lead to injury.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni gripped the hilt of his sword.
It seems that relying solely on the unreleased Kakuyō is no longer enough to get through here.