BOOM—!!!
The hidden base fell into complete silence.
Only the violent tremors in the air remained—
the roaring of wind and lightning,
the crackling sound of spirit particles exploding one after another.
"That's incredible!!!"
"This is the first time I've ever seen Kidō and White Combat fused so perfectly!"
"Captain, we definitely didn't pick the wrong person—though what he said earlier really hurt…"
Ōmaeda stood frozen in place, eyes wide in excitement.
In his dark pupils was reflected Bai Chen's figure—
after continuously activating multiple Kidō techniques, his presence had surged explosively.
Black hair whipping in the wind.
Reiatsu overflowing.
An overwhelming, almost invincible aura.
At his side—
Soi Fon's usually cold, porcelain-like face no longer held its usual chill.
Instead, her eyes were blazing.
Her emotions were clearly shaken.
This—
this—was exactly the result she had longed for.
No.
To be precise—
What Bai Chen had displayed went far beyond her expectations.
Because it wasn't just one elemental Kidō.
He had simultaneously layered wind, lightning, and flame—
Multiple attributes overlapping at once, wrapping around his entire body.
Gales howled.
Thunder roared.
Flames erupted.
The visual impact alone was overwhelming.
Even seeing it with her own eyes, Soi Fon felt as if it were unreal.
She had tried countless times before.
After failure upon failure—
She couldn't even fuse one Kidō successfully.
Let alone stack multiple attributes like Bai Chen had just done.
In comparison—
No matter how proud she was, no matter how unwilling—
Soi Fon had to admit it.
In terms of insight and development of White Combat—
She, the Commander of the Stealth Force,
had been utterly crushed.
Completely outclassed.
After displaying the technique for a short while—
Bai Chen calmly withdrew his reiatsu.
The brilliant light faded.
The surging spirit particles dispersed.
Wind and flame vanished.
The hidden base returned to normal.
"Captain Soi Fon."
"I've finished demonstrating. You should be satisfied now, right?"
"If there's nothing else, I'll continue packing."
Bai Chen stretched lazily and spoke politely.
To be honest—
If she hadn't come all this way herself,
he wouldn't have bothered showing this much patience.
They weren't close.
They had no relationship.
He wasn't going to flatter someone just because they were a captain.
There was no need.
However—
Just as Bai Chen turned toward the stone platform—
Soi Fon suddenly stopped him.
"Bai Chen… wait!"
She took a deep breath.
Beneath her black shihakushō, her slender body rose and fell sharply.
It was clear—
She had made a decision.
Looking straight at Bai Chen, her gaze firm, she spoke.
"I won't deny it."
"Your demonstration just now gave me tremendous inspiration."
"The confusion that plagued me for so long… was instantly cleared."
She first expressed her genuine feelings.
Then—
"…But."
Soi Fon sighed, her expression conflicted.
"Perhaps my comprehension isn't sufficient."
"Even after seeing it with my own eyes…"
"Relying on observation alone, I don't think I can complete the final breakthrough on my own."
She paused.
Then clenched her fists.
Summoning all her resolve, she looked at Bai Chen and made her request.
"So…"
"Bai Chen, I ask you to help me."
"Through combat training, guide me to that final realization."
By the end—
Her teeth were clenched.
She forced the words out with sheer will.
For someone as proud as Soi Fon—
This request consumed nearly all the courage she had.
"Tsk, tsk…"
"I never thought I'd see this day."
"To think Captain Soi Fon—the ice-cold goddess in everyone's eyes—would actually lower her head and ask for help."
Shiba Isshin was dumbfounded.
His expression was priceless.
He never imagined that the aloof Soi Fon could show such vulnerability.
Most importantly—
The one being asked was a student who hadn't even been enrolled for a month.
That alone was absurd.
"If nothing unexpected happens, Bai Chen should agree, right?"
Rangiku smiled knowingly.
Facing the most famous ice-cold beauty in Soul Society—
who had personally cast aside her pride—
Very few men could refuse that.
"Exactly."
"The captain has already lowered herself this much."
"There's no way Bai Chen would reject her… right?"
Ōmaeda grinned.
In all his years, he had never seen anyone openly reject Soi Fon.
However—
Just as all three captains believed Bai Chen would accept—
His next words shattered their expectations completely.
"Captain Soi Fon."
"To be fair, your attitude and what you said were sincere."
"But—"
Bai Chen shook his head.
"I don't think I'm obligated to help you."
"So… sorry. I'll pass on being your sparring partner."
Silence.
Utter silence.
Bai Chen rejected her.
Directly. Cleanly. Without hesitation.
"What?!"
"He refused her?!"
"That's… insane."
Ōmaeda, Rangiku, and Isshin all froze.
Their expressions turned blank with disbelief.
They never expected this outcome.
Bai Chen didn't just refuse—
He did so without sparing Soi Fon's dignity at all.
"…."
Soi Fon stood motionless.
Her delicate features stiffened.
Since succeeding Yoruichi Shihōin decades ago—
Becoming Captain of the Second Division and Commander of the Stealth Force—
This was the first time she had ever been rejected by a man to her face.
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