"Raaaahhh!!!"
Renji roared, swinging Zabimaru down with all his might. His spirit pressure flared, muscles straining as he unleashed everything he had.
But the incoming black-red shockwave smashed against him like a colossal fist. His feet skidded back, carving trenches in the ground.
And then—
Boom!
Renji was blasted away again, smashing through several walls before finally staggering back, face burning with shame.
"I'm sorry, Captain Byakuya…"
He had thought he could handle things without Byakuya even needing to act. But just one human had beaten him down. It was humiliating for Soul Society.
On the rooftop, the Visoreds commented freely.
Hiyori kicked her legs, yawning. "Pathetic. Even holding back, that was way too weak. Are all vice-captains this useless now?"
Shinji shook his head. "Not exactly. That human boy's arm packs ridiculous power. Even I felt it."
Kensei leaned forward, eyes gleaming at Chad's black-red arm. "What is that? Not Soul Reaper, not Quincy… it's more like a Hollow."
Love glanced at Kisuke. "Kisuke, what kind of power is this kid using?"
Kisuke's mouth twitched. He knew Orihime and Chad had awakened because of the Hogyoku's influence. But what those powers were? Even he wasn't sure.
Yoruichi swished her tail, smiling. "Enough chatter. The vice-captain's down. If they want results, Byakuya has to fight personally."
Everyone perked up with excitement.
They hadn't stayed up all night just for Renji to lose. What they wanted to see was Byakuya himself, that cold, arrogant noble, getting knocked around.
"Step back."
Byakuya's cold order made Renji flush with shame.
"...This guy…"
Chad clenched his massive arm tighter. He knew this opponent was different.
"Chad—" Cole started, but Chad had already thrown a punch.
Boom!
The black-red blast surged forward, but Byakuya vanished.
"What!?"
Chad's face paled. He raised his shield just in time.
"You trust your arm too much," Byakuya's voice came from behind.
His zanpakuto flashed down.
Orihime gasped, her shield too late.
Chad braced, blood spraying—
But the blade stopped.
Zangetsu and Cole's golden staff had crossed in front of it.
"Chad, fall back. This isn't like that weakling before." Cole's voice was calm.
Ichigo nodded coldly. "Leave him to us."
Chad retreated to Orihime and Uryu. He knew it himself — this man in white robes was far beyond him.
Byakuya's gaze flicked to their weapons. "So these are your zanpakuto…"
Ichigo snarled, muscles straining as he forced Byakuya's blade back.
The captain flickered, steady once more. Then he calmly raised a hand and caught a blue arrow.
"Quincy."
His gaze landed on Uryu, who calmly drew another.
"Against a captain, three against one isn't unfair, is it?"
"You bastards!!!" Renji roared, lifting his blade—
Only for Chad's fist to smash him into the rubble again.
"Your fight is with me," Chad said firmly.
"And me." Orihime's fairies circled her head.
Byakuya looked at the three. "Numbers mean nothing against a captain. You don't yet know what true power is."
He lifted his blade. Spirit energy surged like a storm.
"Scatter, Senbonzakura (Thousand Cherry Blossoms)!"
The blade dissolved in their shocked eyes — scattering into countless pink petals, drifting like spring blossoms.
Beautiful, elegant… deadly.
Ichigo stared. "What is this? A zanpakuto that turns into… cherry blossoms?"
Rukia's face went white. "Be careful! Each petal is a blade!"
On the rooftop, Shinji and the others grew solemn.
Kensei muttered, "So this is his zanpakuto… with his reiatsu, he's grown strong."
Hiyori smirked, thrilled. "Finally! This is more like it. I want to see him clash with Cole!"
Byakuya silenced Rukia with a glare. "You talk too much."
He pointed his hilt forward.
The petals swirled into a storm, crashing down on the three.
"Getsuga Tenshō (Moon Fang Heaven-Piercer)!" Ichigo roared, slashing a blue wave.
Boom!
It collided with the petals, the impact rattling the street.
Uryu fired volley after volley, blue streaks flashing in the storm.
Together, they barely held the storm back.
And in that moment, Cole appeared before Byakuya, laughing.
"Byakuya, your blade turned to petals — how will you block this!?"
His golden staff smashed down.
On the rooftops, jaws tightened. Kisuke muttered, "That brat… baiting him even now."
Hiyori grinned. "I like him even more."
"Brother, watch out!!!" Rukia cried.
Byakuya lifted his hilt, calm as ever.
"Don't underestimate a captain."
The petals reformed into a silver blade, clashing against the staff.
Boom!!!
For the first time, Byakuya's eyes widened.
"Impossible… this power…"
And then he was sent flying, smashing through walls like a cannonball.
"Captain Byakuya!!!" Renji shouted, horrified.
Distracted, he was punched flying again by Chad.
"Don't look away in battle," Chad said firmly.
On the rooftops, Hiyori howled with laughter. "Did you see that!? Mr. Cold Noble got smacked around!"
The others chuckled too.
Yoruichi licked her paw, smiling. "Byakuya's too young. In battle, you always fight with full strength — even against the weakest opponent."
Kensei boomed, "Will he lose his cool and use bankai now?"
Shinji shook his head. "Even if he does… Cole won't fall so easily anymore."
Byakuya, buried in rubble, rose with icy fury.
"Lieutenant Renji… stand."
Renji scrambled up, shivering. Somehow, he'd ended up sprawled across his captain's lap.
"Captain…"
Byakuya's gaze froze the air itself.
"That boy's zanpakuto…"
Even in shikai, its crushing weight was overwhelming.
Renji grumbled, "That bastard only got you because he ambushed you during shikai—"
Byakuya's cold glare silenced him instantly.
Only Byakuya knew the truth. Even with Senbonzakura released, he hadn't been able to withstand that strike.
(End of Chapter)
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