The two fighters had fundamentally different combat styles and approaches. The moment the battle began, Ikkaku decisively chose close-quarters combat, avoiding the kidō arts he was unfamiliar with. He used rapid flash steps (shunpo), darting in a cunning, unpredictable trajectory straight toward Asano Kiyoshi.
But Asano had already anticipated Ikkaku's intent and wasn't about to let him succeed. Although Asano had undergone a period of intense training under Yamamoto, it still paled in comparison to Ikkaku's years of accumulated battle experience.
So, seeing Ikkaku charging in, Asano quickly decided to use kidō to create distance and control the battlefield. He executed shunpo repeatedly to keep his range, preventing Ikkaku from engaging in close combat.
The key to making this tug-of-war work was Asano's proficiency in kidō — and fortunately, with the aid of his Zanpakutō, he had already mastered this art impressively.
Moonlight broke through layers of dark clouds, casting silvery rays on Asano's slightly raised arm. A streak of white lightning surged at his fingertips, crackling with wild arcs of energy, dancing and leaping restlessly before he launched it forward with calm precision:
"Hadō No. 4 — Byakurai!"
With that incantation, a fierce lightning serpent shot forth, aiming directly at Ikkaku's chest. However, its power was clearly restrained. Even if Ikkaku didn't dodge, the attack wouldn't pierce him — it might scratch him up a bit and leave him woozy, but nothing serious.
After all, this was just a friendly spar, not a duel to the death. There was no need to go all out.
Still, anyone with a decent eye could tell Asano was holding back — and of course, Ikkaku noticed. He knew the difference between a spar and a kill-or-be-killed fight, so instead of capitalizing on Asano's weakened kidō, he respectfully dodged it, veering off course instead of breaking through.
This detour, though, cost Ikkaku time. Just as he was adjusting from the brief stiffness caused by his flash step, Asano launched another kidō — this time straight at Ikkaku's shiny bald head!
"Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges, march on to the south! Bakudō No. 9 — Hōrin!"
Golden light coalesced at Asano's fingertip, forming a thick chain as wide as a grown man's wrist in mere seconds. It shot toward Ikkaku like a whip.
Ikkaku, grinning with excitement, slashed horizontally with his Zanpakutō. With a harsh metallic screech, he shattered the golden chain — deflecting the fully incanted bakudō with brute force alone.
This was no small feat. That spell had been cast at full power, backed by Asano's level 40 kidō skill — and Ikkaku just smashed through it.
Sweating but still bursting with raw energy, Ikkaku looked as fierce as ever. Asano grew more serious. He knew now — holding back would be an insult to Ikkaku.
So, Asano flash-stepped twice to open up space. As he turned back, Ikkaku raised his head at the same time. Their eyes locked — and all that passed between them was fire.
As if on cue, both shouted:
"Fade away in the radiance of heaven — Yomi!""Extend — Hōzukimaru!"
The eruption of their spiritual pressure turned the very air viscous. The ground beneath them buckled slightly under the weight of their raw power.
This level of reiryoku release couldn't go unnoticed in the Seireitei. However, friendly bouts among Shinigami weren't unusual — and as long as the 12th Division could verify the participants through surveillance, most fights were left alone unless someone died.
But this fight was different.
Their duel happened to coincide with a Captains' Meeting of Squad One. And as fate would have it, Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi was wearing a portable monitor linked to surveillance feeds.
He had taken a special interest in Asano — not only was he the new disciple of the Head Captain, but he also wielded a rare domain-type Zanpakutō. Ignoring the Head Captain's disapproval, Mayuri eagerly displayed the feed at the meeting.
Yamamoto had been about to scold him — but the scene on screen made even him go silent, watching the youth intently.
And so, due to this perfect storm of timing and circumstance, Asano Kiyoshi and Ikkaku Madarame were now putting on a spectacle for all of Soul Society's captains.
Watching the fierce battle, Captain Ukitake coughed a few times, his face reddened with anxiety.
"Captain Kurotsuchi, please stop them through the surveillance system. They're still recovering patients — how can they be fighting like this?"
Mayuri looked back at Ukitake, then turned away, scratching his ear. His face, painted like a nightmare, twisted into a smug expression.
"Huh? What's that, Captain Ukitake? I can't hear you."
The others weren't surprised — they were used to this behavior. Ukitake, however, remained worried and looked hopefully toward Yamamoto. But seeing even he was watching intently, Ukitake could only sigh and hold his forehead.
Well, if even his teacher wasn't stopping it… maybe it was best to let them fight it out.
All the captains had gathered, the atmosphere was fired up, and not letting these two brawl now would just feel wrong.
Still, reactions varied widely:
The Head Captain, Gin Ichimaru, and Unohana squinted — it was unclear if they were interested or indifferent.
Soi Fon had her usual scowling tsundere face (｡•ˇ‸ˇ•｡).
Aizen smiled cheerfully behind his glasses, giving real-time commentary on the fight like it was a sports broadcast.
Byakuya was stoic as ever (≡•̀·̯•́≡).
Komamura, under his iron helmet, gave no visible expression.
Kyoraku giggled like a goofball (⊙_⊙).
Tōsen, being blind, had to listen to Shiba Kaien describe the action to him.
Zaraki Kenpachi was visibly thrilled, the bells on his hair jingling with excitement, irritating Mayuri to no end.
Ukitake was still coughing, busy taking medicine. Please don't bother him.
In short, the captains' meeting had turned into something more like a chaotic market.
But once those two shouted their Zanpakutō release phrases, the room suddenly went quiet again.
Something serious was about to go down.
T/N: For up to 20 chapters ahead on all my translations, become a p@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle
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