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Seireitei, Aozaki's underground training ground.
"Let's get this straight first, this match is only to determine victory and defeat, not life and death."
Aozaki Reiji looked down at Unohana, whose braided hair was undone and flowing freely, and said with a smile. The scar just below her collarbone was striking.
"Are you afraid of losing your life here? You weren't like this before, or has years of comfortable living made you lose your former drive?"
Unohana frowned, her eyes growing cold, asking with a hint of disappointment.
"I just don't want to lose you, that's all, so I'm telling you in advance."
Even someone with low emotional intelligence would know that Unohana was angry at this moment, but her cold face couldn't sway Aozaki Reiji's thoughts.
Unohana was stunned. "You are indeed much bolder than before." She shook her head and said with a smile, "I can agree to that. There's no need for us to fight to the death."
"If I were to kill the Captain-Commander's beloved disciple, the Captain-Commander would probably come after me with his life."
"However, you know my ability. Ordinary injuries can be healed as long as there's still a breath left, so you must use your full strength."
"Even if you lose this time, with your talent, you can continue to grow. We can keep fighting forever!"
As her voice faded, Unohana's expression suddenly changed, a bizarre smile appearing on her face, chilling like a demon from hell.
"Ah! That's right! Let's fight for all eternity!" Aozaki Reiji grinned, his handsome face beginning to twist wildly. "Make me happy, Unohana!"
"You truly… are still the man I saw! Finally… finally… this day has come!"
Unohana, unable to wait, drew her Zanpakuto, her face flushed with excitement, her eyes filled with intense exhilaration and fighting spirit.
Hearing her words, Aozaki Reiji couldn't help but smile.
He had to admit she was a crazy woman, but she was very much to Aozaki Reiji's liking.
"Come on."
Everything unfolded as the two expected; no more wasted words were needed.
Unohana raised her long, curved katana, which contained a chilling glint and endless killing intent.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Unohana's figure instantly vanished from her original spot. Her entire body, propelled by Reiatsu, erupted with terrifying speed and strength. Wherever she passed, there were fleeting tearing sounds in the air, giving rise to ripples of spirit particles.
Facing a "monster-like genius" even Yamamoto acknowledged, Unohana had no reason to hold back, nor was she qualified to show mercy.
With her Reiatsu magnified without reservation, her speed even surpassed that of Yoruichi, whose title of "Flash Goddess" had already been acknowledged by Old Man Yamamoto!
Her speed was so fast that even ordinary Captains like Kensei Muguruma of the Gotei 13 would likely struggle to track Unohana's movements.
Aozaki Reiji felt a sudden gust of strong wind Attack, carrying a sharp momentum.
He fearlessly met her head-on, his eyes fixed on the gradually clearing graceful figure, while simultaneously swinging the long sword in his hand, ready to receive the incoming blade.
Clang!
In an instant, a crisp collision echoed all around.
Shinra Bansho and Minazuki clashed fiercely, stirring up a wave of spirit particles.
These spirit particles spread rapidly from the blades like ripples, forming a powerful gust of wind that ruffled both their long hair, letting it fly wildly.
Aozaki Reiji exerted force in his hand, and Unohana, under the impact of this immense force, involuntarily took a step backward.
She quickly changed her grip on the sword, using both hands to tightly hold the hilt, only then barely managing to steady herself.
A look of surprise appeared on Unohana's face.
She clearly couldn't understand why, despite their Reiatsu being equal, she was at a disadvantage in a pure contest of strength.
She had absolute confidence in her own strength, but everything happening before her left her feeling confused and surprised.
Only at this moment did Unohana truly realize that the young man standing before her was no longer the same.
The child who sometimes used to be timid in front of her had now grown into a true powerhouse.
If it were any other Captain whose strength was slightly inferior, taking this blow from Aozaki Reiji without releasing their Zanpakuto at this moment would likely have unimaginable consequences.
Minor injuries at best, instant death at worst!
However, she was the unprecedented great villain in the history of Soul Society, one of the strongest Shinigami in the Gotei 13.
"Indeed… very strong…"
This power.
It's simply as strong as a monster!
Unfathomable, and incomprehensible.
She simply couldn't understand why this young man could unleash such terrifying power.
Unohana came back to her senses, the smile on her face growing wider, her fervent excitement and thrill impossible to conceal!
Only when someone is strong enough is there joy in fighting. What's the point of trampling on the weak?
"Truly worthy of being the man I acknowledge!"
"Reiji, only a man like you is worthy of being my lifelong opponent!"
As her voice faded, visible blue Reiatsu emanated from Unohana's body.
Slash!
Still a slash!
Continuous!
Unohana paused slightly, looking around, then held her sword horizontally in front of her with both hands, slowly descending with blue Reiatsu mixed in.
More sword lights came hacking over. Unohana no longer had time to distinguish between feints and real attacks, just like that lesson decades ago, when she was the teacher and he was the student.
And now they stood at the same height.
Without hesitation, and without wanting to consider any outcome, the storm of blades was unleashed again.
What is fighting? Just swing the sword in your hand!
Aozaki Reiji did not retreat. Instead, he took a step forward into the storm that was right in front of him.
The long sword in his hand was like a phantom, dazzling to the eye.
Heavy, swift!
Unohana let instinct control her body. Without needing excessive thought, the long sword in her hand moved.
Completely in a state of ecstasy, Unohana was like an elegant dancer, Minazuki whistling as it cut through the air.
At close quarters, Aozaki Reiji blocked every sword light, from every angle.
This man is indeed different from that child.
Unohana felt a stinging sensation from the wound on her chest again.
If that child was a mad and dangerous beast, then this man was a swordsman just like herself.
Her body was gradually unable to keep up with his rhythm. Logically, she had fought for hundreds of years before sealing her sword, and her swordsmanship was honed from endless blood and pain. She shouldn't be inferior to this young man in front of her.
But the fact was, no matter how she struck, she would be blocked, and no matter how tricky the angle, it would be seen through.
More bloodstains appeared on her body, but there was no fatal injury, clearly indicating that this young man was holding back.
But how could this be? A fight should be fearless of life and death, whether it's one's own or the opponent's.
"This isn't enough. Do you want to conquer me?" Unohana said as she swung her sword.
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