A crimson streak cut through the air as Sui-Feng was launched from the arena.
Spinning mid-air, she barely managed to stabilize herself, blood trailing from her lips, her stance shaky, and her face frozen in disbelief.
Defeated—by a recent graduate?
Unthinkable.
Hovering above the stage, she stared at the young man below, her sharp eyes filled with astonishment. This boy, Su Li—his power was unreal.
His Shunpo outpaced hers with ease, and his strikes were impossibly fast.
They had attacked simultaneously, yet her blow had landed slower—by more than half.
One punch. That was all it took to knock her back and cause real damage.
His strength wasn't just refined—it was overwhelming.
Could this man actually possess captain-level power?
Sui-Feng's mind reeled, her breath shallow. She couldn't regain her composure.
At the center of the arena, Su Li stood silently, an air of quiet regret on his face.
"A shame..." he murmured. "Ultra Instinct doesn't boost raw power much. Sure, I've improved a lot compared to before, but the gains are mostly in reaction and speed."
He paused, thoughtful. "Makes sense. It's not meant to raise attack power. But Ultra Ego... now that's different."
Su Li's voice faded into introspection.
Below the stage, the audience was shell-shocked.
"Is this real? Captain Sui-Feng got punched by a graduate?!"
"No way... Was it an illusion? Dammit, how?! She's my favorite captain—how could she lose?!"
"My god—Su Li is insanely strong—and handsome too! Someone propose to him already!!"
"He took down two from Division Two—a captain and a vice-captain—with one punch and one kick! Brothers, I'm numb!"
The candidates buzzed with admiration, eyes glued to Su Li. Excitement ran through the crowd.
In the stands, the Gotei 13 officers were even more animated. Unlike the rookies, they'd clearly seen every nuance of the clash.
To them, Su Li's performance—his superior Shunpo, instantaneous reactions, and the calculated punch that halted mid-strike—was masterful.
Aside from Division Two, the rest of the Gotei 13 leapt to their feet, applauding wildly. Some even whistled.
"Kong Jin! Let me go—I need to fight him! That guy belongs in Squad Eleven! I'll make him join if it kills me!"
Madarame Ikkaku's blood was boiling, ready to charge the stage, but Ayasegawa Yumichika clung to him tightly.
"Please wait for Captain Kenpachi! I can't stop you alone!"
Veins popped on Yumichika's forehead as he held Ikkaku back with visible effort.
Their excitement was understandable.
A fresh graduate holding his own against a seated officer was one thing—but overwhelming an active captain?
That went far beyond potential. That was captain-class strength in full.
What squad wouldn't want a powerhouse like Su Li in their ranks?
Even Division Two, though visibly displeased, showed no hostility in their eyes—only awe.
Because to a Shinigami, strength commands respect.
And Su Li had proven himself with confidence, without arrogance—facing the powerful head-on, exactly as a warrior should.
Then, Su Li looked up at the sky and smiled.
"Captain Sui-Feng, please go all out. If you hold back, you'll lose badly. So fight me—with your Zanpakutō."
His calm tone rang out across the arena.
He hadn't used his full strength yet. This challenge wasn't arrogance—it was a test.
He wanted to know just how far he could push himself.
But the moment those words left his lips, the atmosphere changed completely.
Gasps echoed across the grounds.
That was exactly what Sui-Feng had told him before the match.
Now, with roles reversed, Su Li had thrown her own words back at her—like a slap to the face.
And not everyone could tolerate that kind of provocation—especially not a high-ranking captain.
The mood in the Second Division turned dark. Their admiration shifted instantly to fury.
The rest of the squads froze, mid-applause.
"Insane... This kid's insane... I love it!" Ikkaku roared with laughter, eyes blazing.
Yumichika, sweating bullets, pulled out his communicator.
"Captain Kenpachi, where are you?! If you don't get here soon, something's going down!"
Even the candidates felt the tension. Their excitement was replaced by dread.
No one dared speak.
Because Sui-Feng answered.
"Fine, you brat. Fine."
Each "fine" carried thunder beneath it.
Her voice was quiet, but her fury was deafening. Her face darkened to a stormy black.
She was livid.
Since ascending to captaincy, no one had ever mocked her so brazenly. Not even Lady Yoruichi had humiliated her.
And now, before a full crowd, a rookie had done just that.
Good. Very good.
Without a word, she drew her Zanpakutō.
Her Reiatsu surged, wild and crushing.
She was done holding back.
Sui-Feng was truly angry.
"Crazy woman..." Ikkaku muttered, slowly retreating a step.
In the stands, the Gotei 13 officers stood frozen as her pressure expanded.
The sheer weight of her spiritual energy sent the students sprawling across the field. Only a few could stay upright.
"Sting all enemies to death—Suzumebachi!"
With a glint of steel and fury in her eyes, Sui-Feng released her Shikai.
The force of her Reiatsu intensified, surging through the field like a tidal wave.
This time, every student collapsed, pinned to the grass by the gravity of her power.
They stared upward, trembling, as Sui-Feng hovered above them—fierce, divine, terrifying.
A war goddess in the flesh.
Meanwhile, in the First Division barracks, Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni opened his eyes, startled.
"Sui-Feng's Reiatsu... She released her Zanpakutō? What's happening?"
He turned to his lieutenant. "Chōjirō. Go. Find out what's going on."
"Yes, sir."
Chōjirō bowed and disappeared.
Far away, in the quiet dormitory of the Fifth Division, Aizen Sōsuke looked up, gaze fixed on the distant horizon of the academy.
His expression was unreadable—calm, calculating, and quietly intrigued.