Roar, Zabimaru.
Abarai Renji gripped his Zanpakutō tightly in his right hand, brushing the back of the blade with his left. In the next moment, his sword transformed into its released state—segments of jagged, blade-like vertebrae connected by a steel cord. The serrated spine stretched outward like a serpent ready to strike.
With a firm swing, Renji sent Zabimaru lashing toward Kurotsuki Renya.
Renya tapped the ground with the tip of his foot, vanishing with Shunpo to avoid the strike. He reappeared behind Renji, but before his feet could fully touch the ground, Zabimaru extended again—its blade-segments shooting forward in a snapping whip, slicing toward him with deadly precision.
Renya twisted his body slightly, avoiding the strike, but the segmented spine suddenly coiled around him. Zabimaru wrapped itself into a circular cage, three blade-sections converging to crush him in the center.
Just before the blades touched his skin, Renya disappeared with a burst of speed, reappearing above. From midair, he pushed off the rising spine of Zabimaru with the lightest step, then in a blur of movement, appeared at Renji's side—his own Zanpakutō poised across Renji's neck.
"I lost…" Renji muttered, lowering his weapon. Zabimaru retracted, returning to its sealed katana form.
Renya smiled faintly. "Not bad. To achieve Shikai after only two years in a division—that's impressive."
Renji let out a wry grin. "Even so, my Shikai can't even graze your clothes."
Renya shook his head. "Zabimaru is powerful, but it has a drawback—you can't extend it more than three times in succession before retracting. That pause creates an opening, which I exploited."
Renji's eyes widened. "How did you figure that out? I've only used it once in front of you."
Renya shrugged, concealing the truth. "Because during the rhythm of your strikes, you didn't encircle me after the third extension. I guessed you couldn't continue."
"I see…" Renji nodded in understanding.
"Alright, my turn."
From the edge of the training grounds, a familiar voice called out. A tall, bald man stepped forward, resting his scabbard casually on his shoulder.
"Renya, it's been a while since we crossed blades," Madarame Ikkaku, 3rd Seat of the 11th Division, said with a grin.
Now twenty years old, Renya had been with the Gotei 13 for six years, balancing his duties in the 11th Division with his training under the Onmitsukidō. Renji too had already graduated two years ago, forging his own path as a seated officer.
But even now, Renya's Zanpakutō still hadn't revealed its name. Despite his Shunpo mastery, Hakuda training, and Kido skill, his sword remained silent. It weighed on him like a shadow, but he pressed on.
Ikkaku smirked, drawing his blade. "Roar, Hōzukimaru!"
The katana transformed into a spear, which he immediately split with a snap of the shaft. "Crush—Hōzukimaru!" The weapon became a three-sectioned staff, one end fitted with a gleaming blade.
Renya answered by drawing his own sealed Zanpakutō, vanishing in a burst of Shunpo. In the blink of an eye, he appeared directly in front of Ikkaku.
"So fast…" Ikkaku narrowed his eyes, swinging the tail end of his staff to intercept the strike.
Clang! Steel clashed as Renya's blade struck the weapon. Ikkaku immediately countered, thrusting the bladed section at Renya's face.
Renya didn't flinch. He twisted his Zanpakutō, deflecting the thrust with a sharp parry. Sparks flew as the blade screeched against steel.
With both hands, Ikkaku pressed forward relentlessly, alternating staff strikes and blade thrusts. Renya, however, calmly blocked and redirected every strike, his movements sharp but economical—his footwork carrying him through the storm.
For over a hundred exchanges, the two clashed evenly, neither gaining ground. Finally, Ikkaku broke away, lowering his weapon with a chuckle.
"Damn it. Still can't beat you."
Renya exhaled lightly. "But I can't defeat you either, Senpai."
"That so?" Ikkaku grinned, sheathing his Zanpakutō. "Six years ago, you forced me to reveal Hōzukimaru's spear form with your dual-sword style—and lost. Two years ago, you pushed me into my three-section staff form—and we tied. Now? You've reached the point where even my full strength isn't enough to overpower you. If you used two blades again, I'd already be done for."
Renya stayed silent, though his heart carried no joy. Despite his growth in speed, Hakuda, and Shunpo—his Zanpakutō remained sealed.
Why won't you speak to me? he thought bitterly. Renji has Shikai. Hisagi has Shikai. Even others of my generation… yet I'm still waiting.
Ikkaku must have noticed his silence, because he muttered, "Maybe when your Shikai comes, it'll be something incredible."
"…I hope so," Renya replied quietly, though discouragement gnawed at him.
Before he could leave, Renji clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Don't go sulking. Come drink with me tonight—it's on me."
Renya smiled faintly and shook his head. "Not today. I've got work to finish."
"Suit yourself," Renji laughed. "Next time, then."
Renya turned toward the exit—only to find his path blocked by a towering shadow.
"Oi, brat."
The air grew heavier. Zaraki Kenpachi loomed over him, one hand gripping his massive sword, a vicious grin splitting his face. His single visible eye gleamed with bloodthirsty excitement.
"I hear you've surpassed Ikkaku already."
Renya kept his composure, bowing slightly. "Captain Zaraki, I only fought him evenly. Nothing more."
"No. You're stronger than him." Kenpachi's grin widened. "Which means… you're my opponent now."
Renya's blood ran cold. Kenpachi? As my opponent? Impossible. Even if I combine Hakuda, Kido, and my incomplete Hakuda-Shunpo fusion techniques… I can't win.
"Captain, surely you jest—"
But his words caught in his throat.
Kenpachi's killing intent exploded like a crushing storm. His blade rose high above his head, and with a savage laugh, he brought it down.
"You're not my opponent? Then die here!"
The massive sword fell toward Renya's skull.
____________
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