Kyoraku Shunsui, the captain of the 8th Division, usually appears carefree, indulging in drinking and behaving frivolously.
However, his strength is undoubtedly among the top tier of all captains.
Among those present, perhaps only Yamamoto and Aizen surpass him.
After Yamamoto's death, he was the one who succeeded him as Head Captain.
Hyuga Hakumen, the emperor's most trusted and capable guard, had his most dazzling achievement in his youth when he defeated the renowned Yellow Flash.
For all the spectators, this battle reinforced their belief that their respective side would emerge victorious.
This was also a fight that would reveal which was stronger—the power of ninja or the power of Shinigami.
The two stood face to face at the center of the arena, watched by countless eyes.
"Hakumen-kun, you're not using any weapons?" Kyoraku asked, noticing that his opponent was unarmed.
Hakumen smiled. "Ninja combat is quite flexible. My fists are the most fitting weapons for me."
Hearing this, Kyoraku slightly raised an eyebrow.
Due to the differences in power systems, he couldn't gauge the opponent's strength through reiatsu alone, so he remained cautious.
The 1st Division's lieutenant, Sasakibe Chojiro, acted as the referee for the exchange and briefly reiterated the rules.
"Let the spar begin!"
Whoosh—
The entire open-air arena fell into complete silence, with only the wind rustling their clothing.
Surrounding them were towering white walls, forged from seki stone, a material that suppressed reiatsu.
At the edges of the arena, all the seated officers sat upright, their gazes locked intently on the battlefield below.
"Captain Kyoraku," Hakumen kindly reminded.
"I'm about to begin."
Hearing this, Kyoraku's eyes narrowed slightly.
Then, in an instant, Hakumen's figure vanished from his sight.
Such incredible Shunpo… No, that was the ninja's Body Flicker Technique!
Kyoraku's reaction was swift.
With a sharp zing, his Zanpakuto flashed out of its sheath, slashing decisively toward the space behind him.
The cold gleam of the blade streaked past Hakumen's waist in a horizontal arc.
Boom!
Just as the blade passed, Hakumen's palm strike followed immediately.
Kyoraku blocked it with a bent arm.
However, the moment their limbs made contact, a piercing pain shot through Kyoraku's forearm.
Shocked, he swiftly leaped backward to create distance.
"Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!"
Boom!
Before Kyoraku could even land, a powerful shockwave blasted toward him.
"Bakudo #8: Repulse!"
Kyoraku raised a single hand, summoning a small barrier of condensed reishi to intercept the attack.
Though the barrier absorbed the blow, the sheer force still pushed him back several meters.
Seeing his opponent use a special ability, Hakumen narrowed his eyes slightly.
It seemed that his Gentle Fist acupoint strikes weren't as effective against Shinigami.
Kyoraku gently rubbed his aching forearm, letting out a wry chuckle.
"That really hurt… I didn't expect you to hit so hard."
Hakumen replied calmly, "It's not that I'm physically strong. My striking technique is just unique—it targets the body's meridian system."
Kyoraku mused, "I see."
His opponent was openly explaining his own abilities, which aligned well with the spirit of this exchange event.
Hakumen continued, "Captain Kyoraku, why don't we both fight with our true strength? I'm genuinely eager to experience the power of a Shinigami."
Kyoraku pondered briefly before nodding. "Alright."
Without wasting any more words, he drew the shorter blade from his waist.
Then, in a low voice, he began chanting:
"The winds grow chaotic, the gods wail."
"The heavenly winds are in disarray, the demons sneer."
"Heavenly—"
"Katen Kyokotsu!"
As his incantation ended, the twin swords in his hands transformed, shifting from their original long-and-short form into two identical curved blades.
"It's been a long time since I last saw his Shikai," Yamamoto suddenly remarked from the chief seats.
His tone carried an implication—Kyoraku's strength was formidable enough that few situations ever required him to release his Zanpakuto.
Makoto, seated beside him, chuckled. "It looks like today, Head Captain, you might witness many Zanpakuto being released after a long time."
Yamamoto cast a sidelong glance at Makoto and replied, "No. More than them, I'm far more interested in the Emperor's ninja."
With his Zanpakuto now released, Kyoraku's entire aura shifted, his presence becoming distinctly more intense.
Across from him, Hakumen's expression gradually grew serious.
"So this is Captain Kyoraku's Zanpakuto?"
"That's right. It's been a while since I've fought with it, so you'd better be careful, Hakumen-kun."
"Bushogoma!"
Kyoraku's eyes sharpened as he swung his twin blades forcefully, unleashing a whirlwind that spun like a top, surging toward Hakumen.
However, Hakumen did not attempt to dodge.
He stood still, watching as the fierce gust rushed toward him.
Boom!
A far greater storm of energy erupted from Hakumen's body, instantly dispersing Kyoraku's attack.
Black markings slowly spread across Hakumen's face, his robes and hair fluttering wildly as a rotating blue energy swirled around him.
Kyoraku had no time to be surprised before he saw Hakumen slightly crouch, taking a stance.
"Shijuushin Kuugeki!" (Forty God Air Strike!)
Boom!
The attack resembled the earlier shockwave, but this time, its range expanded exponentially, carrying a dazzling white radiance.
Kyoraku's eyes widened in alarm—this light carried an overwhelming force, enough to obliterate anything in its path.
If he were struck directly, he would likely be reduced to dust!
"Bakudo #81: Danku!" (Splitting Void!)
Boom!
The white energy wave slammed into a massive transparent barrier that had materialized in front of Kyoraku.
A powerful shockwave rippled outward, but the pure energy clash produced no dust or debris—only light.
The blinding white radiance momentarily dazzled everyone's vision.
The spectators gasped.
The battle had escalated suddenly from mere probing strikes to an intense clash of sheer power.
They were equally astounded that Kyoraku had instantly cast a high-level Bakudo #81 without an incantation.
However, the colossal transparent barrier barely held for an instant before shattering completely.
The Shijuushin Kuugeki surged forward, crashing into the distant Sekki Stone Walls with a thunderous boom.
The walls, known for their extreme durability, now bore a web of cracks!
Where was Captain Kyoraku?!
The entire audience scanned the battlefield, but Kyoraku Shunsui was nowhere to be seen.
Even though the Danku's strength was significantly weakened without an incantation, the sheer power of Hakumen's attack was beyond astonishing!
Many captains in the audience were visibly shocked.
After the deafening explosion, an eerie silence followed.
Hakumen's veins bulged around his eyes as he suddenly snapped his gaze downward—toward the shadow beneath his feet.
"Rotation!" (Hakkeshou Kaiten!)
His body spun rapidly, generating a powerful whirlwind of chakra that formed a dome-like barrier around him.
Hidden within Hakumen's shadow, Kyoraku had been preparing to strike, but his heart jolted in alarm.
Realizing the danger, he swiftly revealed himself and retreated.
Strange!
Too strange! This style of combat…!
After successfully forcing Kyoraku back, Hakumen instantly ceased his Rotation and followed up with another palm strike.
"Shijuushin Kuugeki!" (Forty God Air Strike!)
The same technique—again!
Kyoraku held his breath, focusing his spirit energy as his Reiatsu erupted without reservation.
The overwhelming pressure bore down on the seated officers watching from the sidelines, making them feel an immense weight on their shoulders.
This was precisely why only seated officers had the privilege of spectating this exchange—ordinary Shinigami simply could not withstand the reiatsu of a Captain-class battle.
If the fight escalated too much, weaker individuals might pass out just from the residual shockwaves.
Kyoraku did not attempt to evade.
Instead, he locked eyes with the approaching Shijuushin Kuugeki (Forty God Air Strike), standing his ground.
"Bakudo #81: Danku!" (Splitting Void!)
Once again, he cast the same Kido spell, this time with greater composure.
BOOM!
The Shijuushin Kuugeki struck the Danku barrier, unleashing a brilliant explosion of light and a chaotic storm of dispersed Reishi particles.
This time, Kyoraku successfully stopped the attack—but the Danku barrier was visibly fracturing under the immense force.
Yet, he paid it no mind.
Instead, he raised one hand high and began chanting:
"The crest of turbidity, seeping out. An insolent vessel of madness…"
"Hado #90: Kurohitsugi!" (Black Coffin!)
"Shijuushin Kuugeki!"
Both combatants unleashed their techniques almost simultaneously—but Kyoraku's incantation finished first.
A pitch-black, coffin-like construct materialized around Hakumen, completely enveloping him.
A massive black rectangular prism appeared in the center of the arena, resembling its namesake—a pitch-black coffin.
BOOM!
Meanwhile, the previously clashing white light and Danku barrier finally reached their limit.
The Shijuushin Kuugeki once again shattered the defense, but its trajectory had shifted—missing Kyoraku and instead shooting toward the distant Sekki walls.
Kyoraku panted lightly, his fluttering robes now settling as the winds died down.
From the captains' seating area, Hitsugaya Toshiro swallowed hard.
He had long known that Kyoraku Shunsui, as his senior, possessed unfathomable strength—but he never expected it to be to this extent.
Casting high-level Kido spells in rapid succession, without incantation, and with such precision—this was beyond ordinary mastery!
After a brief moment of dead silence, the seated officers were just about to erupt into cheers when—
Crack…
Fractures began spreading across the enormous black coffin.
A dazzling white light shone through the cracks.
"…What—?!"
Kyoraku's expression stiffened as he watched the fissures spread at an alarming rate.
Finally—
SHATTER!
A blinding surge of light burst forth as the Black Coffin was obliterated.
A lone figure hovered midair, his upper garments tattered, revealing a well-built physique now covered in black markings.
A symbol—"壱" (One)—had appeared on his chest and cheek.
Seeing this, Kakashi and the other Crown Guards froze in shock.
"Hakumen… since when could he fly?" Kakashi turned to Guy, who also shook his head in confusion.
"Did His Majesty teach him?" Shisui couldn't help but ask.
In the Empire, they had always believed that only His Majesty possessed the ability to fly.
Above, Hakumen stood in midair, raising one hand in a half-circle motion.
In an instant, dozens of golden orbs materialized around him.
The next moment, they rained down toward Kyoraku, striking the ground and triggering a series of violent explosions.
Kyoraku had no choice but to continuously evade, weaving through the golden barrage.
The technique Hakumen was using originated from the Otsutsuki clan on the moon.
After Makoto inherited all of the Otsutsuki's legacy, it included their techniques—once used by the moon's inhabitants.
He had first chosen Hakumen to learn them.
Kyoraku seized an opening, leaping high into the air, charging toward Hakumen.
"Bushogoma!"
A whirlwind surged from his twin blades, slashing toward Hakumen.
But Hakumen was far more agile than Kyoraku had expected—he effortlessly dodged midair, while Kyoraku, upon reaching a certain height, began to fall back down.
Shinigami could fly, but only under certain conditions.
By gathering Reishi beneath their feet, they could stand in midair—but this ability was limited to the Living World, where Reishi was scarce and easy to manipulate.
However, in the Soul Society, a world entirely composed of Reishi, the density of spiritual particles was immensely high.
Above the Seireitei, a Kekkai barrier (Shakanmaku) existed to block external Reishi interference.
Thus, flying in the Soul Society was nearly impossible for ordinary Shinigami.
Only beings of the highest caliber, such as Yhwach or Ichibe Hyosube, were capable of true flight in this realm.
..............
As Kyoraku dodged the golden energy barrage, he couldn't help but feel a growing sense of frustration.
Hakumen's strength had far exceeded his expectations.
If he didn't use Bankai, defeating Hakumen would be incredibly difficult.
Yet, Kyoraku's Bankai was… special.
Before the exchange battle, the Head Captain had granted permission for captains to use Bankai in their duels.
But Kyoraku had always been reluctant—his Bankai had severe limitations.
Once activated, it became a battle to the death—something neither the Shinigami nor the Ninja wanted to see in a friendly duel.
Maybe I should just surrender…
The thought flashed through his mind.
At that moment, however, Hakumen suddenly halted his attacks from the sky.
He slowly descended to the ground, locking eyes with Kyoraku.
"What's wrong?" Hakumen asked.
"Captain Kyoraku… you seem uninterested in fighting anymore."
He then continued, his gaze sharp.
"I remember… Zanpakuto releases have two stages, don't they?"
"Why don't you use your Bankai, Captain Kyoraku?"
Hakumen could tell that his opponent had yet to go all out—which offended him.
As a warrior, Hakumen had his own pride.
Even if this wasn't a fight to the death, he refused to tolerate someone holding back against him.
Kyoraku grinned and chuckled.
"As for me… let's forget about Bankai. I'm not that proficient in using it."
Such words might fool outsiders like the Ninjas, but the other Captains present were immediately startled.
Why was Kyoraku so unwilling to use his Bankai?
Hakumen's expression darkened slightly.
"Captain Kyoraku… are you looking down on me?"
Kyoraku waved his hands in dismissal.
"Ah, Hakumen-kun, you've got it all wrong. It's just that… my Bankai goes against the spirit of this exchange battle."
"Besides, there's no need for us to determine a clear winner or loser, right?"
"If Hakumen-kun insists, then… just consider this my surrender."
Hakumen's eye twitched slightly.
This guy's words were full of traps.
What did he mean by "if Hakumen insists on winning, he can take the victory"?
Was he making it seem like Hakumen lacked the bigger picture?
Hakumen narrowed his eyes.
"Captain Kyoraku… we Ten Crown Guards share many abilities, but what I've shown so far is only a small fraction of my strength."
"If you surrender just like this, your comrades in the following battles might be at a disadvantage."
Kyoraku, however, burst into boisterous laughter.
"Haha! Friendship comes first, competition second!"
"This exchange battle is meant to deepen our understanding of each other. It will help us cooperate better in handling the Hollows in the future."
"If we suffer some losses, it doesn't matter. As long as we can maintain world stability, it's worth it!"
This sly fox!
Hakumen cursed inwardly.
"However—"
Kyoraku suddenly restrained his laughter, his expression turning more serious.
"If I simply surrender, Hakumen-kun, you probably won't be satisfied either."
"So, how about… we settle this with one final move?"
Hakumen's eyes sharpened.
"Couldn't ask for more!"
The atmosphere in the arena grew tense and heavy once again.
Everyone was eager to see what techniques these two would unleash next.
Hakumen lowered his stance slightly, assuming the same posture as before.
"Sixty Divine Sky Strikes!"
A white light, even more dazzling than before, shot forward.
Yet this time, Kyoraku did not move.
He didn't use Kido to counter it.
Instead, his reiatsu surged explosively, far more terrifying than before!
Is he about to use Bankai?!
The Captains seats were filled with shocked expressions.
They stared, eyes wide open, afraid to miss a single moment.
BOOM!
The white light tore across the battlefield—
Yet Kyoraku's figure was nowhere to be seen!
Hakumen's expression shifted.
He had seen it happen—or rather, he hadn't seen it at all.
His Byakugan had spotted Kyoraku's presence, but it hadn't seen him move.
And now—
A blade rested against his neck.
Its chilling edge pressed against his skin.
A low whisper sounded in his ear:
"Hakumen-kun, there's no need to be so fixated on my Bankai…"
"If I truly used it—"
"One of us would surely die."
Hakumen's throat moved slightly as he swallowed.
His eyes still held a trace of disbelief—how could his opponent be this fast?
Why hadn't he shown this speed earlier?
Kyoraku withdrew his blade and let out a long sigh of relief.
His reiatsu instantly dissipated, like a balloon losing air.
"To be honest, I wanted to surrender at first," Kyōraku admitted.
"But then I thought—I've lived this long… If I lost to someone not even twenty years old, old man Yama would scold me to death."
"Sorry about that, Hakumen-kun."
Hakumen turned to look at him.
Kyoraku had already put on his usual gentle smile.
For a moment, there was only silence between them.
Then, Hakumen finally asked:
"Were you toying with me just now?"
Kyoraku gave a helpless smile.
"Don't put it that way. Maintaining the state of 'almost using Bankai' without actually using it is… pretty difficult, you know?"
"But anyway, this match is over."
"Honestly, from the start, I was hoping for a draw."
Hakumen was silent for a moment before finally speaking:
"…Captain Kyoraku, you win."
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