A square, gray-black barrier shimmered with a quiet, flowing energy, obscuring its inner depths from view. No sound from within could escape into the outside world, isolating everything that transpired inside.
"I didn't expect that the power and speed enhancements of the Four Realms could be used this way..."
Under the amplification of all four forces, Makoto Ito's attack speed had surged dramatically. Tamura, now stripped of her armor and weapons, had been forced into a defensive stance.
Half an hour later, the tense silence inside the barrier was suddenly shattered.
"Puchi!"
"Is this your 'spiritual pressure,' Makoto? It's unbelievably strong!"
Tamura gasped, her face flushed with exertion and awe. Clearly, she was taken aback by Ito's remarkable endurance.
But the battle was far from over. Unsatisfied, Makoto Ito launched into another offensive without hesitation.
"What's wrong, Tamura? Are you giving up already? Show me your limits!"
Makoto roared as he charged again.
"Makoto, I won't let you down!"
Though exhausted, Tamura met his challenge head-on. From initial inexperience to gradually refined technique, she had progressed tremendously during their relentless duel.
Two hours passed.
The battle within the barrier had finally reached its climax, with Makoto Ito holding the upper hand.
"Training with you is always so exhilarating, Makoto..."
Tamura murmured weakly, lying on the ground as she caught her breath.
Meanwhile, outside the barrier.
A petite girl with short bangs and tightly coiled braids walked onto the grass, her delicate frame accentuated by her sleeveless uniform. The unmistakable air of authority surrounded her—she was the commander of the Stealth Force, the leader of the Onmitsukidō's Executive Militia, and the newly appointed Captain of the Second Division: Soi Fon, known as the Swift Sting.
"Even without Lady Yoruichi, I will master Shunko on my own!"
Her voice was resolute, eyes burning with determination.
"I am not weaker than you, Lady Yoruichi… Just watch me!"
With clenched fists, Soi Fon summoned a powerful spiritual force that wrapped around her like an electric storm. The sheer energy burst outward, shaking the very ground beneath her. But just as suddenly as it had ignited, the aura wavered and dispersed into nothingness.
"Damn it! Still not enough?!"
Frustration welled up inside her as she drove her fist into a nearby shrub, leaving a visible crack in the earth.
It was then that she noticed something unusual—a square, gray-black barrier hovering over the once-tranquil stream.
"Huh? Who set up a private barrier within Seireitei?"
With a sharp burst of movement, she vanished from her spot, appearing instantly before the mysterious obstruction.
"This isn't made of kido…"
Her sharp instincts immediately recognized the anomaly. Unlike typical barriers woven from spiritual energy, this one bore a foreign composition. Moreover, those capable of creating such an extensive formation had long since defected alongside Yoruichi.
"If this isn't kido-based, could it be the result of a Bankai transformation? But none of the current captains have a Bankai with this kind of structure..."
Her expression darkened.
"Something's wrong."
Determined to uncover the truth, Soi Fon made her move, dashing forward to break through the barrier.
Inside, Makoto Ito suddenly tensed.
"Someone's coming."
Even though the approaching spiritual pressure was expertly concealed, Ito's heightened senses picked up the disturbance the moment the intruder made contact with the barrier. Through the barrier's feedback, he immediately recognized the signature of a captain-class entity—one with third-tier spiritual energy.
Moments later, his suspicions were confirmed as the newcomer came into view.
"Captain Soi Fon!"
Makoto groaned inwardly. Of all people, it had to be her. A captain-level intrusion meant trouble, but at least their "training" had already concluded.
Soi Fon's sharp gaze swept over the scene, her brows furrowing at the sight of Makoto Ito and the disheveled Tamura.
"Makoto Ito of the Eleventh Division? What are you two doing here—looking so disgraceful?!"
Her voice carried a biting edge of authority.
Instead of answering immediately, Makoto let out a hearty laugh.
"Hahaha! What else? We're training!"
He smirked. "Captain Soi Fon, are you here to join us?"
Tamura's eyes widened in shock. She couldn't believe Makoto had the audacity to tease Soi Fon—the captain of the Second Division, a noble, and one of the most formidable warriors in Soul Society.
"Shameless!"
Soi Fon's face turned slightly red before shifting into an icy glare.
"Central 46 strictly prohibits the use of Bankai within Seireitei. And yet, you dare to activate yours in defiance of that order?!"
"Bankai?"
Soi Fon's words left Makoto Ito momentarily bewildered. It took her a few seconds to realize that Soi Fon had mistaken the Sifang Realm for his Bankai.
"Captain Soi Fon, you're mistaken. This barrier is merely my Shikai!"
With a casual wave of his hand, Makoto Ito dispelled the four-direction barrier. Then, gesturing subtly to Tamura, he signaled her to leave. Understanding his intent, Tamura hurriedly dressed, her face flushed with embarrassment, and quickly exited without looking back. Soi Fon, however, did not stop her, merely watching her departure in silence.
"Just your Shikai?"
Soi Fon's sharp gaze narrowed in disbelief. She had not expected such an oppressive barrier to be anything less than a Bankai.
"Makoto Ito, you are one of the most talented Soul Reapers of the past century. Your abilities should be dedicated to serving the Soul Society, not squandered on trivial pursuits."
Her tone was cold and admonishing, her arms crossed as she regarded Makoto Ito, who remained sprawled lazily beside the stream. Though she looked down on his carefree and irreverent nature, she couldn't deny his prodigious talent. She hated to see such potential wasted.
Smack!
Makoto Ito clapped his hands together in mock appreciation.
"Well said, Captain Soi Fon!" He smirked. "But I already told you—I was training. Why won't you believe me?"
Stretching lazily, he let out an exaggerated yawn.
Soi Fon scoffed and spat at the ground. "Shameless!"
Makoto Ito's expression darkened. "Tch. A woman with a sharp tongue and a flat chest—no wonder Yoruichi doesn't like you!"
"What did you just say?!"
Soi Fon, who had already turned to leave, stopped dead in her tracks. Her body stiffened with fury as she whipped around, her eyes blazing with indignation.
Makoto Ito's lips curled into a smirk. "Oh? Did that strike a nerve?"
He had said it on purpose—baiting her into action. He wanted to provoke the captain of the Second Division into a serious fight, one that would truly test their limits.
With a confident smirk, he curled his fingers in a taunting gesture. "Come at me."
Soi Fon needed no further provocation. In an instant, she drew her blade and lunged at him with deadly precision!
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