Among the Crowns Ten, Mitarashi Anko was undoubtedly the most low-key.
Even back when she was part of the Seven Crowns, there had been little news about her.
Unlike Kakashi and Hakumen, who were widely recognized, Anko remained relatively obscure.
However, due to the immense fame of the Crowns Ten, she naturally attracted curiosity.
Various imperial magazines often described her with words like "mysterious" and "unfathomable."
To have been promoted so early to the Crowns Ten—and even ranked fourth—meant she was undoubtedly exceptional.
Combined with her delicate yet striking beauty, she had even garnered a quiet following of admirers.
Of course, Anko herself cared little for any of that.
In truth, she wasn't sure what she cared about anymore.
Her life had become idle and aimless.
When Makoto occasionally assigned her missions, she would pick and choose at will—going only if she felt like it.
Fortunately, Makoto never forced the matter.
Wealth, status, privilege—none of it mattered to her.
What she had truly desired had been lost long ago.
"Do you have a Nichirin Blade as well?"
In the arena, Soi Fon posed the question.
Kakashi's weapon had clearly caught the attention of the Shinigami.
Anko's expression remained indifferent. "I don't have that kind of thing."
"Is that so? What a pity."
"It's just a match. Let's get it over with quickly."
Anko's complete lack of concern made Soi Fon frown inwardly.
She felt as if she were being looked down upon, and her impression of Anko instantly worsened.
As soon as Sasakibe Chojiro finished announcing the rules, the seventh match officially began.
For a brief moment, the two stood in silent confrontation.
Soi Fon was fully focused and prepared, while Anko stood there, her posture riddled with apparent openings.
Shff!
In the end, Soi Fon made the first move.
Renowned for her mastery of Shunpo, she vanished in an instant and reappeared right in front of Anko.
For a split second, Anko found herself startled—her field of vision suddenly filled with Soi Fon's figure.
BAM!
A powerful kick shot straight toward Anko's face.
She managed to block it with both arms, but the sheer force still sent her staggering several steps backward.
Soi Fon pressed her advantage, using Shunpo once more to appear behind Anko, just as she was about to strike—
But in that instant, Anko reacted.
She twisted her body swiftly, delivering a counter kick that collided solidly with Soi Fon's shin.
"Your speed is pretty good," Anko remarked. "I underestimated you."
Soi Fon merely sneered in response, her expression filled with cold disdain.
She leaped back, her speed increasing even further, leaving behind a residual afterimage where she had just been.
A moment later, the number of afterimages multiplied.
From Anko's perspective, the entire battlefield was now filled with Soi Fon's flickering figures.
It was impossible to distinguish which was real.
This was the pinnacle of speed—so fast that even the eye struggled to keep up.
In the spectator seats, Itachi turned to Shisui and remarked, "This fighting style looks a lot like yours, Shisui."
Shisui smiled faintly. "It only looks similar."
Creating afterimages through high-speed movement to deceive opponents—he had once favored such techniques himself.
Back in the arena, Anko remained composed as she observed the scene.
The Crowns Ten often sparred among themselves—after all, at their level, it was difficult to find suitable opponents elsewhere.
She had already experienced this kind of technique before, from Shisui.
So Soi Fon specialized in speed?
Her previous kicks weren't particularly powerful.
In that case, finishing this quickly seemed like the best option.
With that thought, Anko's short black hair began to flow on its own, as if stirred by an invisible breeze.
A mysterious airstream suddenly formed around her, and dark markings started to surface on her skin.
On her cheek, a single character took shape—"肆" (Four).
Boom!
A massive surge of chakra erupted from Anko's body, radiating outward in a blazing blue aura that crackled like visible flames around her.
Meanwhile, the countless afterimages of Soi Fon closed in rapidly—it was her attack in motion.
From all directions, dozens of figures rushed toward Anko, moving in a chaotic blur, making it impossible to discern where the real strike would come from.
Swish!
Soi Fon suddenly appeared at Anko's side, delivering a whip-like kick that struck her squarely on the face.
Yet, for some reason, Anko didn't even flinch.
She didn't dodge, didn't block—she simply stood still and took the hit head-on.
A dull thud echoed from the impact of flesh against flesh.
For a brief moment, Soi Fon's eyes widened in shock—Anko remained unmoved, her gaze locked onto her.
"That hit… did nothing?!"
Realizing the danger, Soi Fon instantly leaped backward, attempting to retreat—
But Anko had already moved.
BAM!
A single punch, delivered with devastating force, sent Soi Fon flying backward.
Yet before the momentum of the blow had even finished carrying her away, Anko's figure flashed—
Appearing behind Soi Fon in an instant.
Shadow Dance! (Kage Mai!)
With a well-placed strike to the waist, Soi Fon's body was forcibly launched into the air, completely out of her control.
"Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu!" (Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!)
The scorching flames surged skyward, and the massive fireball quickly engulfed Soi Fon.
Sparks rained down from the sky, but with a thunderous boom, a powerful gust of energy burst outward, dispersing the flames.
A shadow shot forth like a beast unleashed from its cage, streaking through the air with a white aura of energy.
In the blink of an eye, Soi Fon appeared right in front of Anko, her speed so blinding that ordinary seated officers couldn't even perceive her movement.
But Anko saw it clearly.
Without so much as a step back, she simply raised her arm, effortlessly blocking Soi Fon's lightning-fast punch.
BAM!
This was no ordinary physical strike—Soi Fon's fist carried immense reiatsu, and the impact triggered a violent explosion between them.
This was Shunko, the fusion of Hakuda and Kido, enhancing each attack with the destructive power of Kido.
As the explosive force dissipated, Anko remained standing—completely unscathed.
Soi Fon's expression flickered with unease.
She hadn't held back on that punch—yet it didn't even scratch her opponent?!
"Is that all the strength you've got?" Anko asked, her voice calm.
Among the Ten Crown Guards, in terms of sheer physical toughness, she was second only to Might Guy.
Tsunade might possess incredible healing, but Anko's body never even needed that kind of regeneration—
Because she hadn't been injured in a very, very long time.
This body—
It was a gift from Lord Orochimaru.
Soi Fon gritted her teeth.
Without hesitation, she launched another relentless assault, her figure flashing across the battlefield.
Fists and kicks blurred into countless afterimages, striking from all directions with terrifying speed.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Explosions erupted with each hit, shockwaves rippling outward, the very air trembling from the force of her strikes.
Yet, when Soi Fon finally retreated a few steps, breathing slightly heavier—
Anko remained standing.
Completely untouched.
With an almost mocking gesture, Anko casually dusted off nonexistent dirt from her clothing.
"Looks like…" she said, her tone indifferent.
"You've reached your limit."
Hearing those words, Soi Fon's expression darkened.
Her hand instinctively rested on the Zanpakuto sheathed at her lower back.
Her blade possessed a unique ability—it was designed purely for killing.
She hadn't wanted to use it in a mere exchange match, but if she held back now… she would lose face.
Even in her Shunko state, she hadn't been able to land a single effective hit on Anko!
Her only remaining option—was her Zanpakuto.
Anko noticed her hesitation and smirked.
"So, you've already decided to surrender."
"Sting all enemies to death—Suzumebachi!"
With a soft whisper, Soi Fon unsheathed her blade.
Her short sword morphed, shrinking into a tiny, delicate stinger resting against her fingertip.
It looked far too small and ornamental to be lethal—but appearances were deceiving.
Lowering her gaze, Soi Fon locked eyes with Anko.
Her Shikai ability was Two Strike Kill.
If she struck her opponent, a black butterfly-like marking—the Homonka—would appear on the point of impact.
If she struck the exact same spot again—
The target would die instantly.
That was Two Strike Kill.
But to a professional assassin, needing two strikes to kill was already an embarrassment.
Not every opponent would give you the chance for a second blow.
Anko's posture remained as arrogant as ever, making no attempt to dodge.
To Soi Fon, this was the perfect opening.
After a brief pause, she finally spoke.
"My Zanpakuto is called Suzumebachi… its ability is Two Strike Kill."
She revealed the full ability of her Zanpakuto to her opponent.
This act made Anko subtly reevaluate her impression of Soi Fon.
If Soi Fon had chosen to keep silent, Anko would have completely ignored her attacks, dismissing them as nothing more than harmless scratches.
Two Strike Kill... Could such a power really exist?
Her gaze flickered with intrigue before she finally spoke.
"Soi Fon, is it? I'll remember you."
Raising one arm, she added with a smirk,
"If you can hit me twice in the exact same spot, then I'll admit defeat."
Even now, she remained as arrogant as ever.
Soi Fon let out a cold laugh.
Now that she had revealed her ability, she felt no more hesitation.
"Then you'd better pray... because if I don't miss, you won't live to regret it."
Swoosh!
The moment Soi Fon finished speaking, Anko suddenly flashed right in front of her.
Her speed—so impossibly fast—sent a shockwave through Soi Fon's mind.
She prided herself on being the fastest.
She had dedicated her life to surpassing the God of Flash (Shunshin).
Yet now—
Was there actually someone whose speed she couldn't even follow?!
For an instant, an old figure surfaced in her mind—
The black markings on Anko's face deepened, becoming even darker—until only the glowing "Four" symbol remained clear and visible.
The Ten Crown Guards...
Soi Fon's throat felt dry.
For the first time in a long while—she stared at her opponent, and in her eyes—
Only Anko's imposing figure remained.
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