Crack—!
As the one directly involved, Shiba Kaien felt the pressure far more intensely than anyone else.
Moments ago, he had been brimming with confidence—but now, his face had gone pale.
When he looked at Bai Chen, his eyes were filled with unmistakable wariness.
Crack—!
As the freezing cold swept through the arena, the sound of moisture crystallizing rang out with chilling clarity.
Before anyone could react—
Even though Bai Chen had only just finished casting his Kidō, the interior of the five-layer Kidō barrier instantly transformed into a frozen wasteland.
Kaien's all-out Flowing Water–type Kidō attack was completely neutralized, turning into three massive ice sculptures, frozen midair. Under the sunlight, they gleamed like crystal.
That single scene felt as though time itself had been frozen.
The entire training ground—every Shinigami of the Thirteenth Division—stood motionless, as if they too had been trapped in ice.
Only Bai Chen, standing calmly within the frost, remained completely unaffected. From beginning to end, the corners of his lips were slightly raised, radiating effortless confidence.
"Was… that it?"
"The Kidō clash ended just like that?"
"That wasn't a contest at all—it was pure domination!"
The Thirteenth Division members stood stunned, frozen in place—until the biting cold seeped through their skin, snapping them back to reality.
They shivered violently as they stared up at the three lifelike ice sculptures suspended in the air, their expressions filled with disbelief.
No one could accept that Shiba Kaien's full-powered attack had been shut down so completely—and so cleanly.
"Bai Chen…"
"I really didn't expect this."
"You can wield Kidō of completely different attributes with such mastery…"
"I have to admit—your level of Kidō proficiency is genuinely awe-inspiring."
Kaien wasn't the type to refuse defeat.
He knew very well that his Flowing Water Kidō had been enhanced by the special nature of his Zanpakutō—yet even then, he had been utterly crushed in the exchange.
This result left him with no resentment.
Only sincere admiration.
From the bottom of his heart, Kaien acknowledged Bai Chen's overwhelming ability in Kidō.
To freely command multiple elemental attributes, and unleash them at full power in an instant—
That kind of control required terrifying precision over spiritual power.
It was nothing short of monstrous.
"Vice-Captain Kaien, thank you for holding back," Bai Chen said calmly with a gentle smile.
"Your Kidō is impressive as well."
"If it had been anyone else, they'd probably already be bleeding all over the ground."
There was no arrogance in his voice—only quiet composure.
To Bai Chen, the ice-based Hadō that had stunned everyone moments earlier was little more than a casual display.
If not for the imposed spiritual pressure restriction, his Hadō #85 could have frozen the entire Thirteenth Division compound in an instant.
Watching Bai Chen stand effortlessly amid the snow and ice, Kotetsu Kiyone stared wide-eyed.
"So humble…"
"Is this what true geniuses are like?"
"Strong, calm, and completely unpretentious…"
For a fleeting moment, her heart fluttered.
But just for a moment.
What truly struck her was the realization that Bai Chen's reputation as the strongest prodigy was no exaggeration.
He genuinely possessed the strength to stand against any Captain.
At that moment, Ukitake Jūshirō spoke:
"Bai Chen. Kaien."
"Since the Kidō exchange has already determined the outcome…"
"Let's move on."
"Show your true strength."
His gaze shifted to the Zanpakutō hanging at their waists.
Nejibana.
Wood Dragon.
One was the strongest Zanpakutō of the Flowing Water system.
The other, an obscure Wood-type Zanpakutō that had suddenly emerged from obscurity.
Two rare categories—possibly even mutual counters.
Ukitake's eyes burned with anticipation.
He desperately wanted to know—
Between forest and tide, which would reign supreme when spiritual pressure was equal?
Inside the five-layer barrier, the moment Ukitake finished speaking—
"Awaken—!"
Kaien immediately drew his blade without hesitation.
The Zanpakutō Nejibana slid free of its sheath.
Though it appeared to be an ordinary katana, faint blue patterns shimmered across its surface, and from certain angles, it reflected a wave-like azure glow.
More importantly—
"The humidity is already changing…?"
As Nejibana descended, the frozen ground beneath began to melt visibly.
Ice and snow dissolved into water, submitting to its pressure.
"So this is the legendary strongest Water-type Zanpakutō…"
Bai Chen narrowed his eyes, his expression finally growing serious.
Once Nejibana was released, it would transform into a trident, its every movement—spin, thrust, or sweep—accompanied by roaring waves of spirit-infused water.
With sufficient spiritual power, those waves could strike like real blades, sweeping entire areas.
A Zanpakutō with terrifying potential.
The title Strongest of the Flowing Water System was well deserved.
"If nothing goes wrong…"
"My Wood Release won't just counter it."
"It should be able to absorb its power directly."
Bai Chen's eyes glinted with anticipation.
He hadn't challenged Kaien for the Vice-Captain seat.
Fighting ordinary officers held no excitement.
He wanted an experiment.
If Wood Dragon absorbed Nejibana's power, would the forest it summoned grow even stronger?
That was his true goal.
"Let the waters of heaven surge—Nejibana!"
Kaien's spiritual pressure exploded like raging tides.
The ice shattered instantly, turning into torrents of water.
Crash—!
Waves battered the Kidō barrier, shaking the entire battlefield.
In a flash of blue light, the katana transformed into a majestic trident, like the weapon of Poseidon himself.
Spectators were left speechless.
"For just a Shikai…"
"This pressure is unbelievable…"
Kaien stood tall, trident in hand, gazing down at Bai Chen.
"Well?" he asked confidently.
"Does Nejibana meet your expectations?"
Bai Chen frowned slightly.
"I don't like looking up at people."
In response, he released his own Zanpakutō.
"Wood that pierces the heavens. Earth that trembles beneath.
Wind of nature. Forest that moves the clouds."
"Release the power of nature—Wood Dragon!"
Without delay—
"Suppress them. Tree Binding Eternal Burial."
The blade dipped toward the ground.
The earth split apart.
Vines erupted violently.
Towering wooden tendrils surged upward, intertwining with the raging water.
Kaien's expression changed instantly.
Something was wrong.
Before he could react, the wooden mass surged skyward, dragging water and man alike.
From outside the barrier, the Thirteenth Division members turned deathly pale.
Anyone could see it—
Kaien had no time to escape.
He was about to be buried alive, crushed beneath the colossal tree… possibly even reduced to its nourishment.
"The reversal was too fast…"
Ukitake swallowed hard, cold sweat forming on his back.
"…Is Bai Chen planning to drain Kaien's spiritual power completely through the tree's roots?"
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