Hirako Shinji, Yadomaru Lisa, Muguruma Kensei, Aikawa Love, Kuna Mashiro, Otoribashi Rojuro, and Hachigen Ushoda.
The seven Visoreds all turned their eyes toward Tessai.
They couldn't figure it out—how could a human, with only a hundred years of lifespan at most, have pushed Hoho to such a peak?
And Cole didn't even look twenty yet, not even half a normal human's life.
Had he started practicing Hoho in the womb?
Tessai coughed, about to explain Cole's monstrous talent, when a thought struck him.
If these lunatics learned the truth about his potential… would they try to steal him as a disciple?
With that in mind, Tessai brushed off their questions with vague words, then pushed the Visoreds into the warehouse and closed the door.
Meanwhile, Hiyori was still being dragged by her face, Cole carrying her deeper into the warehouse with absurd speed.
The rushing air and the blur of scenery stunned her.
"You bastard…"
She was a former lieutenant of the 12th Division—yet here she was, being dragged by the face for hundreds of meters… by a human.
Rage boiled in her chest. She swung her jagged blade down furiously at his face:
"Don't you dare underestimate me!"
Cole stepped lightly back, dodging with ease, and stopped some distance away.
"This kind of spiritual pressure—I told you, it's better to fight inside the warehouse, isn't it?"
Though it looked like an ordinary warehouse, the reiryoku inside was dense, no weaker than Kisuke's basement.
And with that barrier outside, it was obviously an isolated dimension.
But hearing his words only infuriated Hiyori more.
This boy hadn't even been fighting her—he'd only wanted to push her inside.
What arrogance!
What scorn!
Did he really think her lieutenant's rank was for nothing!?
"Eh? Cole, you came too?"
Inside another section of the barrier, Yoruichi paused mid-step, surprised to see him.
"So you really are pestering Lady Yoruichi?"
Soi Fong glared at Cole like he was her mortal enemy.
"You've got it wrong. I only came here with Uncle Tessai to train in kidō. I'll need you two to clear some space later…"
Before he could finish, Hiyori's furious roar cut him off:
"Slash Him—Orochi Kugiri!!!"
Her reiatsu exploded tenfold, burning red and wrapping her whole body.
Her zanpakuto warped, the jagged blade stretching larger, reshaping into a massive serrated cleaver, taller than she was.
With a furious shout, she became a red flash, lunging at Cole.
Soi Fong snorted coldly: "Still unruly even after defecting from Soul Society. She deserves a harsh lesson."
Yoruichi smiled slyly: "Shouldn't you be rooting for her to beat Cole?"
Soi Fong averted her gaze: "I may dislike Cole, but his zanpakuto is strong. She won't beat him—not with that childish temper."
Yoruichi chuckled softly but didn't argue.
Tens of tons crashing down—few zanpakuto in Shikai could withstand it. Only a Bankai might.
At the same time, the other Visoreds returned, curious to watch.
Mashiro tilted her head: "Why's that human only dodging? Tessai, did you only teach him Hoho?"
Love frowned: "He keeps letting Hiyori attack. Feels like he's got no way to strike back."
Shinji narrowed his eyes at Tessai: "Oi, you weren't just bragging earlier, were you?"
Tessai's mouth twitched.
This brat…
He was still absorbing reiryoku.
Every time Cole dodged, Tessai could clearly see him "taking a bite" out of the warehouse walls.
This wasn't a fight—it was cover for his gluttony.
"Human, all you can do is run!?"
Hiyori roared, swinging Orochi Kugiri again and again, tearing the ground apart until the whole warehouse trembled.
Cole didn't reply—inside, he was thrilled.
Her attacks were the perfect cover, letting him feast on the space's energy without anyone stopping him.
"Damn you!!"
Hiyori's fury reached its peak. She slammed her left hand to her face.
Everyone's eyes tightened.
Especially Soi Fong, whose fingers curled around her zanpakuto, icy killing intent flashing in her eyes.
"That hollow power again!?"
Earlier, she had crushed Hiyori, but Shinji had blocked her.
Though both had only been in Shikai, the moment Shinji donned his hollow mask, he had forced her back.
Even while retaining their will, this corrupted power was intolerable to a Shinigami.
Shinji glanced at Tessai, frowning:
"Tessai, you know her temper. If she hollowfies now, she could seriously hurt that boy."
But Tessai wasn't worried.
What made him sweat was the warehouse itself.
In just minutes, a fifth of the reiryoku was gone.
He coughed heavily:
"Cole, that's enough—take this seriously!"
Cole understood, though reluctantly.
He stopped feeding, raised the Ruyi Jingu Bang, and prepared to strike.
"Shhhhk!"
Red-black light flashed.
A jagged white-and-red hollow mask spread across Hiyori's face, her reiatsu twisting into a violent crimson-black storm.
"I'LL KILL YOU!!!"
...…
(End of Chapter)
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