The early spring chill still clung to the Soul Society. Standing in the stands, Sōrin—little Soi Fon—hugged the Zanpakutō nearly as tall as she was, her breath streaming out in pale mist.
"Lord Shuuichi…"
On the field, the battle between Yoruichi Shihōin and Higashi Shuuichi had reached its boiling point.
Yoruichi, having had her Shunpo briefly suppressed by Higashi's clever techniques, welcomed the ensuing close-quarters clash with visible delight. She made no effort to break free from the restraints, instead choosing to respond with her superior mastery of hakuda.
But even with her holding back, the difference in skill and combat experience was still wide. Gradually, the fight tipped in her favor.
As a member of the Onmitsukidō under the Second Division, Sōrin should've been cheering for her captain.
And yet, each time Higashi took a hit—each time he was thrown back—Sōrin unconsciously tightened her grip around the sword in her arms, silently praying for him.
Boom!
Once more, Higashi was sent flying by a brutal kick from Yoruichi, crashing into the stone wall at the edge of the field. The impact shattered the rock, sending shards into the air.
"Lord Shuuichi!"
Sōrin couldn't help crying out, earning puzzled glances from nearby Onmitsukidō members. Under normal circumstances, she'd have glared back defiantly—but not today. Her thoughts were wholly consumed by the man on the field.
It was as if he'd heard her call. Embedded deep in the cratered wall, Higashi grit his teeth as reiryoku surged through his limbs. Channeling kaidō to stabilize himself, he pulled free from the rock, his movements shaky—but not broken.
Then came the chant.
"...Merge, repel, extend to the earth—know the powerlessness of your own self. Hadō #90: Kurohitsugi!"
Yoruichi froze mid-charge, her eyes narrowing. "When did you finish the incant—"
She didn't even get to say the word 'chant' before the massive obsidian coffin rose from the ground beneath her feet, swallowing her whole. Dozens of black reiryoku crosses pierced the surface, and the entire training ground darkened beneath the suffocating spiritual pressure.
"Cough… Just now, when I was flying through the air from your kick."
Higashi's hands pressed against the shattered wall as he slowly dragged himself free and dropped back to the ground, staggering slightly as he landed.
Yoruichi hadn't held back on that last blow—he'd honestly thought she meant to kill him.
Fortunately, his training in kaidō paid off. Years of quiet effort had raised it to a decent level. He could still fight. Barely.
But that kick... it pissed him off.
He'd assumed she'd hold back more, given he was only "Vice-Captain level" on paper. But now it was clear—she wasn't trying to win.
She was trying to break him.
Well then.
He was going to give her some intensity in return.
Logically, there was no point—she'd still win. But something inside him refused to accept being completely overwhelmed.
"At the very least, I won't go down like a joke…"
He spat a mouthful of blood to the ground and glanced up at the stands, where little Soi Fon hugged his sword tightly, eyes wide with worry.
So that's what this feeling is.
He let out a low chuckle, bitter but amused.
So this was what it felt like to be someone's hero.
Just then, a crack ran down the center of the black coffin. It split open with a deafening sound, revealing Yoruichi's toned figure, wrapped in lightning and breathing hard—her Shunko barely disrupted.
She didn't seem the least bit bothered by her disheveled appearance. On the contrary, she looked exhilarated.
"Hahahaha! Higashi Shuuichi, you're so damn interesting!"
"Maybe I've got a few more surprises."
Higashi wasn't shocked she broke free so fast. Their spiritual pressures weren't even close. A spell like Kurohitsugi could only truly restrain someone if the caster's reiatsu rivaled the target's.
"Bakudō #21: Sekienton!"
Thick red smoke exploded outward from beneath his feet, engulfing the entire battlefield in moments.
If a head-on fight didn't work—then blind both of them.
"That won't help, Shuuichi!"
Yoruichi's voice came from behind him, cutting through the haze like a blade.
"Raikō Ken!"
Even without sight, a Shinigami could track reiatsu. It was fundamental to combat. In a blur of motion, a storm of punches rained down on Higashi from within the smoke, each one striking true.
But something was wrong.
Yoruichi narrowed her eyes. Higashi… wasn't retaliating.
That wasn't his style.
Was he—waiting?
"Bakudō #8: Seki?"
She caught a glimpse of the small reiryoku shield he had raised over his forearms, cushioning the blows—but barely. It was already splintering.
This isn't his plan.
She needed only a few more strikes to shatter the shield—and force his real move.
But he made the first move instead.
Suddenly, thick chains of glowing reiryoku coiled from his arms like serpents, latching onto her limbs.
"Bakudō #63: Sajō Sabaku!"
"You know that won't hold me—!"
Yoruichi's eyes narrowed. She flared her spiritual pressure to break the chains instantly.
But then—
"Bakudō #75: Gochūtekkan!"
Five massive iron pillars fell from the sky, crashing down to pin them both. And at the same time, Higashi yanked on the chains—
—dragging himself against her.
"Bakudō #79: Kuyō Shibari!"
The two of them were now chest-to-chest, his breath fogging against her cheek. The instant he cast the ninth sphere, they were locked together—surrounded by nine black reiatsu anchors, frozen in place.
"It's pointless," Yoruichi muttered, spiritual pressure surging. "I'll just—"
Too late.
The five pillars struck.
Pinned.
And with his body sprawled over hers, Higashi's eyes burned with madness.
He whispered the chant.
"Hands of a thousand—that cannot touch the darkness,Archers of the sky—that cannot find the moonlight,Path of glory, swept by wind—gather without hesitation,Obey my will.Eight bodies.Nine paths.Celestial law.Sacred treasure.Great wheel.Gray turret.Aim far, andvanish in radiance—
Hadō #91: Senjū Kōten Taihō!"
Brilliant light rained down the length of the iron pillars.
And then—
the entire Second Division training ground was consumed by the roar of the blast.
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