Former 12th Division Lieutenant of Soul Society—Hiyori Sarugaki…
Cole recognized the freckle-faced, sharp-tongued girl in red, who looked like everyone owed her money.
Tessai coughed lightly and said: "I came to teach him kidō here. We just need to borrow your barrier for a while, so Soul Society won't notice."
"No way!"
Hiyori refused without hesitation, pointing irritably at the warehouse behind her:
"Yoruichi's already here with someone. They're training inside. There's no space for you."
Tessai froze, surprised that Yoruichi would come here too.
"Cole…"
He turned, ready to persuade him to come back tomorrow. But how could Cole give up this chance? For him, every bit of time mattered. Who knew when Rukia's cold-faced brother would appear?
Thinking that, Cole stepped forward, coughed, and said: "I know Yoruichi pretty well. Let me talk to them—maybe they'll give us some room."
"Human, who said you get a say here?"
Hiyori glared at him, swinging her jagged-edged zanpakuto.
"Get lost before I lose my temper. If you make me mad, not even Kisuke's face will save you. I'll cut down this baldie and you too."
Cole raised a brow, not expecting her to be so hostile.
Just then, a blond youth stepped out of the warehouse. Tessai frowned and asked:
"Shinji Hirako, why's Hiyori in such a foul mood today? Did someone tick her off?"
Shinji sighed, helplessly pointing at two figures training inside the barrier.
"You know her temper, right?"
"Yeah."
Tessai nodded. She was a powder keg—one spark and she exploded.
"And you know Yoruichi's disciple's temper too, don't you?"
"Yeah."
Again Tessai nodded. In his eyes, Soi Fong and Hiyori were cut from the same cloth.
Suddenly he realized, his eyes widening:
"Don't tell me she picked a fight with Captain Soi Fong?"
Shinji nodded quietly: "Took a bad loss. Got stomped—literally. Soi Fong planted a boot right on her face."
But he hadn't noticed that Hiyori had walked up beside him.
Her face flushed red with rage, she kicked him hard and shouted:
"It's not like I lost! I just didn't feel like fighting seriously! If I'd used hollowfication, she wouldn't stand a chance!"
"Bang!"
Shinji went flying.
Cole stroked his chin, finally piecing it together: "So basically, little miss, you got beat up and now you're venting on an innocent human like me?"
Hiyori seethed, gripping her zanpakuto tightly as she stomped toward him.
"Human, you looking for death?"
"Wait a sec!"
Cole raised his hand quickly, smiling: "How about this—if I beat you, will you let me train here?"
Hiyori sneered, swinging the flat of her blade at him:
"A mere human dares to talk big? If you can beat me, forget borrowing the barrier—whatever you want, I'll agree."
Cole smirked, stepping lightly aside to dodge her strike.
"Huh!?"
Hiyori froze, staring at the empty spot where he'd been.
"Hoho?"
Realization hit, and fury blazed in her eyes.
"You bastard! You learned Hoho from Yoruichi too!?"
"Something like that."
Cole nodded slightly. His words made Hiyori snap completely.
First Soi Fong.
Now this human.
Were they all mocking her with Hoho!?
Nearby, the other Visoreds emerged, drawn by the noise, watching Cole's effortless dodges in surprise.
Shinji, returning from where he'd landed, turned to Tessai:
"Tessai, what's with this human?"
Tessai smiled: "This is Cole. A prodigy of kidō, the kind that appears once in a thousand years."
The Visoreds exchanged confused looks.
A kidō prodigy?
Why did it seem like his Hoho was even stronger?
Kensei, the most hot-headed, asked: "So, Tessai, can Hiyori actually win?"
The others also turned to Tessai.
He thought a moment, then said: "Well, let's just say this—Cole once knocked out Captain Soi Fong with one blow. He also smashed Kisuke into a mountain with a single strike."
The Visoreds all sucked in a sharp breath, their eyes gleaming as they looked at Cole.
"This human's that strong?"
Their interest piqued, none of them returned inside. They gathered at the doorway, eager to watch.
Hiyori swung her jagged blade wildly, glaring at Cole in rage:
"Damn brat! Is dodging all you can do? Get into Shinigami form and fight me properly!"
In a human body, a Shinigami's strength was limited. That's why she thought he was mocking her.
Cole easily sidestepped another slash, smiling: "Wouldn't it be better if we took this fight inside? If we let loose out here, won't Soul Society notice?"
Hiyori snorted, slashing again: "It's fine. I'll end you in an instant. They won't sense a thing."
"So confident, huh?"
Cole chuckled, then stepped forward. His soul slipped free of his body, a streak of black light shooting straight at her.
"So fast…"
Hiyori's face twisted in shock. This human, in Shinigami form, was as fast as Soi Fong—the very one who had beaten her.
Instinctively, she raised her blade to block.
But it was pointless.
Cole never even swung his staff. He just pressed his palm to her face.
Then, stepping forward, he shoved her with such speed that the two of them vanished into the warehouse.
The Visoreds' eyes all widened.
Shinji couldn't help but exclaim: "Hey, Tessai! What the hell's with this brat's speed? Isn't that a bit too fast!?"
...…
...
(End of Chapter)
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