Bleach : I Need To Rizz To Become Stronger ?!

Tachikawa Shin looked up at the cloaked figure perched on the rooftop, then broke into a smirk.

"Don't tell me... you're Sanada Ryoichi?"

Sanada Ryoichi—Twelveth Division member, prime suspect in the World of the Living internship incident. Still at large.

The figure gave no response. Probably avoiding speech to keep his voice from being identified.

Seeing the man stay silent, Shin began to analyze. Was this just another test of strength? Or was the intent genuinely to kill him?

And more importantly—was Aizen watching from the shadows again?

As Shin pondered, the man suddenly lunged, fast enough that Shin's pupils shrank reflexively.

Clang!

A burst of sparks as their hilts collided.

Shin locked eyes with the enemy now inches away—but beneath that hood, the figure's face was nothing but a void of darkness.

Overhead, storm clouds churned like boiling steel. Waves crashed hard against the shore.

Shiiing!

The sound of metal screaming as the assailant's blade scraped forward—followed by a sudden thrust.

Shin's vision caught the glint of steel coming straight for his face.

Fast.

He twisted his wrist, his asauchi vertical, pressing it against the opponent's flat while driving his elbow into the back of the incoming blade. It veered off by just inches, scraping past his cheek.

Sparks scattered again as their hilts clashed for a second time.

Shin grinned—eyes flashing cold.

Their blades trembled in perfect rhythm. The cloaked attacker kicked off midair and drove a savage heel toward Shin's chest.

Shin didn't block.

He took the hit, rolling backward a dozen paces to absorb the impact. He huffed once, flicking his asauchi.

The enemy was faster, hit harder.

Stronger than a seated officer.

Which meant... Captain-class.

At least two Captains could plausibly be Aizen's pawns.

Gin Ichimaru. Or Kaname Tōsen.

But the cloak concealed all identifying features. And without a Shikai release, Shin couldn't confirm anything.

Still... if the enemy wasn't releasing his Zanpakutō, it meant this wasn't a kill mission.

If a release had come, there'd be no ambiguity—they were here to end him.

Still no signal from the Denreishinki.

Yet, even with no release called, Shin's own Zanpakutō ability hummed faintly through him.

He loosened his stance, twirling his asauchi lazily in one hand—then, in a single movement, sheathed it.

The enemy blinked—surprised—then—

Shiiing!

"Yasha Shunkū!"

As the blade cleared its sheath, a two-meter arc of compressed wind exploded forward like a visible crescent of pressure. The cloaked man flinched, instinct screaming, and flash-stepped away just in time.

BOOM!

The shockwave demolished the entire structure behind him.

No time to breathe—another slash screamed toward him. He turned—

Too late.

Left arm raised in desperation, he roared:

"Bakudō #81: Dankū!"

An invisible barrier blinked into existence before him—

—and shattered instantly.

Splatter!

Blood sprayed skyward.

He barely twisted away from a lethal hit, but his left shoulder was torn open, bone glinting pale white, cloak shredded wide.

Shin narrowed his eyes.

That Dankū hadn't been full power.

Even a real Captain could manage a clean #81, even under pressure.

But this one hadn't.

It clicked.

If he was a current Gotei 13 Captain, he'd be under suppression—the Gentei Kaijō seal reduced their spiritual pressure by 80% in the World of the Living.

Gin Ichimaru was still just a Lieutenant.

But Tōsen Kaname... was already the Captain of Squad 9.

A sealed Captain, unreleased, and still this strong?

He clearly underestimated Shin.

Bleeding and panting, the man still raised his left hand.

Shin didn't hear the incantation—but saw the signs. A Kido chant.

He launched another arc of sword pressure toward the man.

The enemy flash-stepped high, dodging it—then retaliated, firing a yellow blast of spiritual energy.

Hadō #32: Ōkasen?

Shin had anticipated this. He vanished and reappeared easily.

But as soon as he steadied in midair—

Six glowing rods materialized around him, locking him in place.

Dual incantation?

The yellow blast was a feint. The chant had been for Bakudō #61: Rikujōkōrō!

Shin's heart skipped—no time to dodge. The rods pinned him midair.

The cloaked man raised his hand—incantation finished. Lightning surged to his palm.

Hadō #63: Raikōhō!

A full-on thunder cannon.

Another blast followed.

No time. No shield. Still frozen.

The lightning struck—

BOOM!

The cloaked attacker relaxed. No one could block a Raikōhō while trapped by Rikujōkōrō.

But then—

"Hadō #4: Byakurai!"

A voice shot through the smoke.

A white beam exploded toward him. The cloaked figure panicked and flash-stepped again.

"Bakudō #30: Shitotsu Sansen!"

Three glowing fangs of light followed in a triangle formation.

He raised his injured right arm and countered—

"Bakudō #39: Enkōsen!"

The spinning shield of reishi held—barely.

Then—

A voice behind him:

"Bakudō #1: Sai!"

Agony ripped through his body. His already-wounded arms twisted painfully behind his back.

What—Bakudō #1? Just that?!

And yet his limbs locked in place. He spiraled downward, control lost.

Shin raised a finger as he fell.

"Byakurai."

The white lightning pierced his chest.

Thud.

His body crashed into the dirt, kicking up dust.

By the time Shin landed beside him, the man was barely breathing.

"You don't strike me as someone obscure back in Soul Society," Shin said calmly.

The man's face, still shrouded in shadow, shifted slightly—like he was trying to look up at him.

He couldn't understand how Shin had walked through a Raikōhō...

How the earlier Kidō attacks didn't faze him.

Was it his Zanpakutō's ability? But... when did he release it?

Shin grinned, blade leveled at his forehead.

"I don't care who you are. Take your questions... to Hell."

Just as he prepared to strike—

ZZZHHHMMM

A blinding column of light crashed down between them, encasing the enemy in a translucent dome.

A recall barrier?

Shin tilted his head.

"Tch... sore loser."