A square, dark-gray barrier enveloped the tranquil stream, sealing the area with oppressive Reiatsu. From the outside, nothing could be seen; even spiritual fluctuations were completely suppressed.
Inside the Four Directions Realm, the density of Reishi had increased dramatically.
"I didn't expect the Four Directions Realm's amplification properties could be refined to this extent…"
Under the realm's enhancement, Ito Makoto's movement speed, reaction time, and Reiatsu output were all sharply elevated. His Shunpo became nearly imperceptible, and the pressure radiating from his body intensified with every step.
Tamura Yao struggled to maintain her footing.
The moment the realm stabilized, she felt as if she were submerged in deep water. Every swing of her Asauchi required greater effort. Her breathing grew heavy.
"This pressure… so this is Makoto-kun's true Reiatsu output within his Shikai…"
Ito Makoto stepped forward again.
"Yao, adapt to it. Don't resist the pressurecirculate your Reiryoku through your limbs. Control it."
He vanished.
In the next instant, the blunt end of his sheath struck her blade. Sparks scattered.
Tamura Yao staggered but did not fall this time.
"Good," Ito Makoto nodded. "You're learning."
The Four Directions Realm did not merely amplify raw speed; it distorted spatial perception slightly, compressing distance within the barrier. To an untrained opponent, Ito Makoto's attacks appeared instantaneous.
Tamura Yao clenched her teeth and released her own Reiatsu in response.
Two spiritual pressures clashed within the sealed space, rippling the stream's surface.
Half an hour later, Tamura Yao was kneeling, drenched in sweat, her Reiatsu nearly depleted.
"Is this… Makoto-kun's Reiatsu at only Shikai…?"
She was astonished. Even without drawing his blade fully, his spiritual pressure was overwhelming.
Ito Makoto rolled his shoulders.
"You're improving. Again."
Despite exhaustion, Tamura Yao forced herself upright.
"Makoto-kun… I won't fall behind."
She used Shunposloppy, but faster than before.
Ito Makoto met her head-on.
For the next two hours, the barrier echoed with the sound of steel clashing and Reishi dispersing. Tamura Yao gradually adjusted to the pressure inside the realm. Her breathing became steadier. Her blade movements sharpened.
By the end of the session, she could finally exchange several blows without being disarmed instantly.
When the training concluded, both stood breathing heavily, Reiatsu slowly settling.
"Training inside your Shikai… it accelerates adaptation," Tamura Yao said weakly, collapsing onto the grass.
Ito Makoto gave a small nod.
"The Four Directions Realm compresses the environment. If you can endure this, normal combat will feel lighter."
At the Same Time Outside the Barrier
Not far from the stream, a petite woman with sharp eyes approached.
Short black hair framed her face, straight bangs resting above focused golden eyes. Her sleeveless Shinigami uniform exposed her back, the standard design of the Commander of the Onmitsukidō.
It was Suì-Fēng, Captain of the Second Division and Commander-in-Chief of the Stealth Force.
"Even without Yoruichi-sama… I will master Shunkō."
Her voice was low but resolute.
"I will not remain beneath you forever."
She clenched her fists. Kidō-based energy surged around her body. Lightning-like currents of condensed spiritual power flickered across her shoulders and back.
The unstable aura flared
Then collapsed.
"Tch… still unstable."
Shunkō, a fusion of Hakuda and Kidō, required perfect control. Without complete mastery, the energy dispersed violently.
As the energy faded, her sharp senses caught something.
Above the stream stood a square, dark-gray barrier.
"…What is this?"
In an instant, Suì-Fēng vanished with Shunpo and reappeared before the structure.
"This isn't a standard Kidō barrier."
Her brows narrowed. As former head of the Punishment Force, her knowledge of barrier techniques was extensive.
"It resembles neither Bakudō nor Hadō constructs… nor any documented Captain-class Bankai."
Her eyes sharpened.
"Suspicious."
Without hesitation, she stepped forward.
Inside the Realm
Just before Suì-Fēng entered, Ito Makoto sensed a faint yet refined Reiatsu approaching.
Extremely controlled.
Assassin-class concealment.
"A Captain," he muttered.
The moment Suì-Fēng touched the barrier, the Four Directions Realm transmitted feedback to its wielder. The Reiatsu signature was unmistakableCaptain-level, disciplined, razor-sharp.
The barrier parted slightly.
Suì-Fēng stepped inside.
Her gaze swept the area immediately, analyzing both combatants in a single glance.
"You are… Fourth Seat Ito Makoto of the Eleventh Division."
Her tone was cold.
She glanced at Tamura Yao but focused primarily on him.
"What are you doing releasing such a structure within Seireitei?"
Ito Makoto exhaled slowly.
"Captain Suì-Fēng. We're conducting Shikai training."
Her eyes flickered.
"Central 46 strictly prohibits unauthorized Bankai releases within Seireitei."
She studied the barrier carefully.
"This scale… don't tell me this is your Bankai."
Ito Makoto almost laughed.
"Bankai? Hardly."
With a flick of his hand, the Four Directions Realm dissolved into drifting Reishi particles.
"This is my Shikai."
The oppressive pressure vanished.
Suì-Fēng's expression shifted slightly.
"Just Shikai…?"
Even as a Captain, she recognized the refinement in his control. To produce that level of spatial compression without destabilizing Seireitei's Reishi balance required precision.
"You waste talent," she said sharply. "A genius who rose to Fourth Seat upon enlistment should devote himself fully to strengthening Soul Society."
Ito Makoto stretched lazily.
"I was strengthening someone. That counts."
Her expression darkened.
"You treat your power too lightly."
He smirked faintly.
"And you take everything too seriously, Captain."
Silence.
He tilted his head slightly.
"Still chasing after Shunkō?"
Her pupils constricted.
"…You noticed."
"The fluctuation was unstable."
That single remark irritated her more than mockery would have.
She turned slightly.
"Mind your own affairs."
Ito Makoto's lips curved upward.
"Or what? You'll silence me?"
Her hand moved to her Zanpakutō instantly.
"You speak far too casually for someone beneath me in rank."
He raised a hand, beckoning.
"Then demonstrate the difference."
That was intentional.
A provocation.
Suì-Fēng's temper, tightly restrained until now, snapped.
She drew her blade in a fluid motion and vanished with Shunpo
Appearing directly before Ito Makoto as her sword descended in a precise assassination strike.
The air split with killing intent.
And the clash between Captain and Fourth Seat began.