East Rukongai, Rizan
The wind on the mountaintop, sharp as ice blades, scraped across bare rocks, kicking up fine sand and stones in a wailing whistle.
Pale moonlight poured over the two figures facing each other, stretching their shadows across the rugged terrain.
"I didn't expect it would be you calling me out!"
Ichimaru Gin's captain's haori flapped loudly in the frigid wind. He leaned slightly forward, hands casually tucked into his sleeves, posture as relaxed as a man admiring the moon.
Yet the playful smile that usually graced his face was gone, replaced by icy indifference. His narrow eyes, silver pupils gleaming in the shadows, fixed on his opponent like a snake locking onto prey.
"Surprised?"
"Why would I assume it wouldn't be me?"
Senya's face bore a casual, teasing smile, yet his gaze swept over Ichimaru Gin with a calculating interest. He stamped his foot against the cold ground to shake off some of the chill.
"Captain Ichimaru, usually you wouldn't bother with a small fry like me," Senya drawled, sarcasm lacing each word.
"How about it? Quiet spot, isn't it? No one to disturb our… 'heart-to-heart'?"
He emphasized the words 'heart-to-heart' with a provocative smirk.
Ichimaru Gin, quick-witted from early graduation at the Shino Academy, masked his surprise immediately. Probing first was always best.
"Oh my?" His voice stretched silky, elusive, yet the trailing tone carried a subtle chill. "Senya-kun really likes… stimulating date spots, doesn't he?"
He tilted his head, silver eyes glinting dangerously under the moonlight.
"Too bad the letter was sent to the wrong person. Everyone in the Seireitei knows my… relationship with Lieutenant Matsumoto isn't exactly friendly."
As if recalling a minor amusement, Ichimaru added with a faint, deceptive smile:
"I heard Lieutenant Matsumoto isn't too fond of you either. Someone confessed yesterday and got rejected, apparently."
Senya's smirk froze. A flicker of exasperation crossed his eyes at being struck where it hurt, but he quickly straightened, his tone dripping absurd self-superiority:
"Ichimaru Gin, you are truly uninteresting and narrow-minded! Love is free—it is vast! My admiration and pursuit of Rangiku-chan come from sincere adoration, a resonance of Souls! Everyone knows I, Uchiha Senya, am a universal lover."
The wind grew colder, matching Ichimaru Gin's tone.
"Universal lover?" Gin's voice deepened, losing its slippery quality. It was now hard, as cold and sharp as grinding ice.
Slowly, he drew a hand from his sleeve, fingers resting on the hilt of his Zanpakuto.
"Senya-kun, your 'universal love'… is nothing but exploiting your wife's inability to control you. Flirting with everyone, hiding behind twisted ideas of freedom to harass a woman uninterested in you?"
He stepped forward, gravel crunching beneath him.
"Your nonsense about Soul resonance only makes me feel… disgusted."
Senya's composure shattered. Furious and embarrassed, he barked:
"What right do you have to judge me? Coward! Only lurking in shadows like a poisonous snake! Do you even deserve someone as bright as Rangiku-chan?!"
Ichimaru Gin, knowing words alone wouldn't solve this, allowed a faint twitch of a smile—cold, calculating. Aizen's plan would soon begin, and defection was imminent. In the chaos of the Ryoka invasion, ordinary Shinigami deaths were trivial.
"Seems you know a few messy things," Gin murmured. His lips curved into a thin, chilling arc. Fingers tightened on Shinsō.
Suddenly, a vast, oppressive Spiritual Pressure erupted like a caged beast. Snow and gravel beneath their feet were swept away by the violent airflow, forming a circular domain around Gin.
"At least… before I leave, I'll help Rangiku clean up an annoying fly."
Invisible pressure slammed toward Senya like a tangible hammer. Senya's eyes widened; he prepared to counter with his own Spiritual Pressure.
"Shinsō!"
The silver blade vanished in an instant, streaking through the night sky with lethal speed toward Senya's throat.
Too fast. Beyond vision.
"Clang—!"
Senya reacted, parrying with a sword strike. The metal rang, impact numbing his fingers. He slid backward several meters, gouging the rocky ground.
"Bakudo 63, Sajō Sabaku!"
Chains erupted, coiling like giant pythons around Gin.
But Gin was calm. A flicker of Shunpo, and Shinsō became a silver blur, striking the chains at precise points. "Pop! Pop! Pop!" Chains shattered instantly.
"I didn't expect you to dodge Shinsō's thrust." Gin stepped forward, insincere praise dripping from his tone.
"However… it's time to end this boring farce."
Shinsō rose again, tip pointing at Senya's heart. The intent to kill radiated so strongly it chilled Senya to the bone.
"Wait!"
Senya's voice cracked, desperation evident. He produced a small metal disc. "Ichimaru Gin! Look at this!"
Gin paused, eyes narrowing at the device—a Spiritual Pressure Resonance Interference Device!
"How… how is this possible?!" Gin's control over Shinsō's Spiritual Pressure suddenly slowed, his connection disrupted.
"All's fair in war!" Senya roared, charging in a suicidal strike, sword slicing toward Gin's face.
Cold light flared in Gin's eyes. Despite interference, combat instincts kicked in. Shinsō angled upward, parrying the deadly strike.
"Clang—!" Sparks flew under the moonlight. Senya's blade grazed Shinsō, slicing Gin's captain's haori across the chest.
"Haha! Captain Ichimaru."
"You wouldn't want Rangiku-chan herself to know about your secret crush on her, would you?"
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Merry Christmas Everyone!