Fifth Division Barracks, Training Hall.
Perhaps it was due to his new Shihakushō, but Naraku Sora felt he was in peak condition today. The moment he lowered his stance, his right hand gripped the hilt of his blade.
As his fingers shifted, a high-pitched creaking of joints rang out, and a violent, scorching heat surged forward as if he had turned into a furnace.
Wisps of blood-red Reiatsu coiled around his arm like lightning, constantly condensing and refining before finally pouring entirely into the blade.
In the next instant.
the razor-sharp edge sliced through the air, carrying unparalleled heat and a spiritual pressure that far exceeded any Soul Reaper of his age. It slashed straight toward Aizen's position.
Facing this aggressive strike, the eyes behind the plain glass lenses grew a bit more serious.
Aizen pulled back his smile. He didn't choose to dodge as he had before, instead mobilizing his vast and heavy Reiatsu.
Pure spiritual pressure flowed from the discharge points on his wrists, gathering and enveloping the back of his hand. It transformed into six slender Kido circuits that entwined with each other, instantly sketching out a simple, fundamental Kido array.
Then, under his skillful manipulation, a brilliant flash of lightning erupted from within.
He lunged forward!
Two figures, trailing brilliant special effects, collided violently. A staggering boom erupted instantly, like a sudden clap of thunder at point-blank range.
Amidst the splashing lightning, a Zanpakutō whistled out, cutting through the fierce wind in mid-air to strike directly at the chest.
The sudden turn of events caused Naraku Sora's pupils to contract to their limit. Instinctively, he performed an upward reverse slash to parry.
However, despite his timely reaction, Aizen's blade still grazed the front of his Shihakushō the moment their blades crossed.
Surprisingly, the garment that should have been torn remained unchanged.
Aizen raised an eyebrow in surprise. That strike just now felt as if it had hit something extremely tough—if he had to make a comparison, it was somewhat similar to the Hierro of a Gillian?
'It seems Naraku has obtained something extraordinary again.'
He immediately thought of the Warden currently in charge of Shino Prison, the one who had changed the course of Soul Reaper history: Shutara Senjumaru.
'But this is good.'
'If there's time, I could borrow that Shihakushō from Naraku to study its secrets.'
'And while I'm at it, I can check if anyone left something on the clothes that shouldn't be there.'
While he was lost in thought, Naraku Sora had already abandoned all reasoning. He erupted with Reiatsu and charged straight at Aizen.
At this moment, his momentum surged.
In a flash, the sparks erupting in the training hall were like a torrential downpour. The clashing of steel became a continuous roar, making one's heart tremble.
Had Aizen not set up a Kido barrier in the training hall beforehand, this vast space likely wouldn't have lasted more than a few seconds before being turned into a field of ruins.
But even so, the ground beneath their feet was becoming battered and covered in cracks due to the dissipating shockwaves.
Naraku Sora grinned. Bracing himself against a Reiatsu far superior to his own, a scorching crimson glow appeared on his silver-white blade. Carrying extreme heat, he slashed down at Aizen.
In the face of the oncoming burning wind, Aizen's expression underwent a subtle change.
He prided himself on having a fair amount of talent in Kido. Not only could he easily master high-level Kido, but he could even expand upon the existing foundations with his own understanding.
But compared to the completely irrational guy in front of him, there was still a gap that was utterly incomprehensible.
Others used Kido by relying on incantations, arrays, and the flow of spiritual energy—things that required both talent and time to master.
But Naraku was different.
This guy was more like he was acting on instinct.
If others needed a moment of preparation before releasing Kido, he didn't need any at all. It was like breathing, without any startup time.
It was as if Kido had been carved into his very bones.
Absurd.
Aizen raised the Zanpakutō in his right hand, holding it horizontally in front of him. His heavy Reiatsu instantly constructed an indestructible defense.
However, in the next moment.
An impact like a volcanic eruption slammed into him, easily crushing and scattering his defense, advancing with unstoppable force.
The moment Aizen's figure was sent flying back, an incandescent sword pressure swept through the air, accurately striking the gap where Naraku Sora's momentum had faded and his new strength hadn't yet gathered.
Rip—
The sound of tearing fabric rang through the hall. The tough new Shihakushō was forcefully cut open by the sword pressure, and blood splattered from the wound.
In the next heartbeat, two figures wreathed in scorching Reiatsu clashed again. The deafening, high-pitched ring of clashing steel echoed throughout the training hall.
In less than half a second, the two had exchanged an unknown number of slashes.
Countless afterimages appeared across the battered ground, adding more scars to the overburdened training hall.
This high-intensity battle continued until Naraku Sora's physical strength was exhausted and his spiritual energy was nearly depleted.
When the roaring finally ceased, both men looked disheveled to varying degrees.
Naraku Sora looked as if he had just been fished out of water. His entire body was soaked in sweat, his heart hammered wildly, and even his muscles and bones throbbed with pain.
His Shihakushō was in tatters, covered in slash marks, and through the gaps, one could catch glimpses of gruesome sword wounds.
The continuous high-intensity combat had nearly drained his bodily functions dry.
On the other hand, Aizen wasn't faring much better. Although he had a natural advantage in Reiatsu, his other stats were slightly inferior.
Consequently, he had sustained several injuries, some of which were deep enough to see bone.
As for the training hall they were in, it was a total mess.
The spirit-iron covered ground, walls, and even the ceiling were covered in scorch marks, with a glowing red heat still visible. The targets that had received special attention had been reduced to puddles of molten iron, leaving nothing behind.
It was comparable to a natural disaster passing through.
And this was even with the protection of Bakudō barriers.
If Aizen hadn't had the foresight, other squad members or even Hirako Shinji would have likely come to investigate the situation by now.
Naraku Sora lay on the ground without any shred of dignity, letting his Reiatsu recover on its own.
Aizen hesitated, but eventually, worrying about being completely influenced by a certain someone, he chose to force himself to stand. He began using the Kaido he had recently mastered to treat his wounds.
Recalling the process of their battle, a hint of complexity flashed in the depths of his eyes. He spoke slowly:
"Thank you, Sora."
Naraku Sora looked up blankly, staring at Aizen with confusion. The plain lenses obscured Aizen's gaze, making it impossible to see his current attitude clearly.
"The method of merging Kido and Zanjutsu has provided me with a lot of ideas," Aizen explained calmly. "The path that was originally stagnant has opened up once more."
Hearing this, Naraku Sora waved his hand dismissively:
"Eh, just think of it as fatherly love like a mountain."
"?"
A terrifying Reiatsu, like the sea flowing backward, once again enveloped the training hall.
...
Finally finishing his day of cultivation, Naraku Sora limped out of the Fifth Division's main gate, not forgetting to greet the guard on his way out.
Watching his battered but determined back, the guard's face was full of admiration.
'As expected of a genius who became a seated officer at such a young age. This spirit of hard work is truly worth emulating for us all.'
Naraku Sora had intended to head straight back to the Shino Prison barracks, but after a few steps, he encountered a familiar figure blocking the path.
"Hey, you're finally willing to come out, Naraku."
Yoruichi, leaning against the wall, waved her hand and flashed a bright smile.
"I've been waiting for you for a long time!"