A Friend of the Lamb Is Also a Friend of the Lion

The friends of the Lamb are the friends of the Lion.

--William Blake, Jerusalem (c. 1804–1810)

The battle in the dense forest had been going on for a long time.

The moonlight was fragmented by the layered canopy of trees, leaving only a few faint silvery-white spots on the ground. But even these spots were barely visible at this moment—the dust and broken leaves swirled in the air, and the flames of light that erupted when Reiatsu collided rose and fell, turning the entire dense forest into a chaotic sea of light.

With a single slash, Fon Shaoling repelled the Suzumebachi that was attacking from the front. She then lightly touched the thick branches of the ancient tree with her toes, flipped backward, and landed on another tree a few steps away.

Her chest heaved rapidly, and her backless black outfit was soaked with sweat, clinging tightly to her skin.

Her left arm, right shoulder, cheek, and back were covered in Bee-Crest Flower, like colorful paintings blooming on porcelain, spreading one after another across her skin.

Deep within the dense forest surrounding her, the sounds of clashing Onmitsukidō and Zanpakuto echoed incessantly. The sharp whistling of blades cutting through the night sky, the thud of Zanpakuto striking flesh, and the occasional low growls and muffled groans formed a tightening net, enveloping the battlefield.

Under the cover of the Onmitsukidō, the Inner Court Corps team withdrew from the encirclement. With their rear secured, the Onmitsukidō began to dictate the pace of the battle.

"It's about time to wrap this up." Fon Shaoling made this judgment as she listened to the sounds of the battle between the Onmitsukidō around her.

Immediately, Fon Shaoling feigned an attack on Suzumebachi from the front, aiming directly at the opponent's left flank. Suzumebachi's figure retreated rapidly to the right rear, leaving a very thin trail of golden light in the night.

This retreat allowed the Suzumebachi to enter its designated position.

Two dark figures attacked from behind the Suzumebachi from both sides. They were two Onmitsukidō who had been lying in wait for a long time. They struck at the same time with short swords, one horizontal and one vertical.

"Ha, what a lack of sincerity!" The Suzumebachi hovered in mid-air, not even bothering to glance at the two Onmitsukidō.

Two figures dressed differently rushed out from the side. One wielded a long-handled naginata, while the other's arms transformed into bone blades. The naginata swept horizontally, and the bone blades thrust forward, blocking the two Onmitsukidō.

"The core concept of the Onmitsukidō's Martial Arts Training is to rely on teamwork to outnumber the enemy, prioritizing efficiency and ensuring a single, decisive strike." Suzumebachi hovered in mid-air, arms crossed, looking down at Fon Shaoling. "These tactics might work against others, but they're useless against us!"

The tiny golden dot, no bigger than the palm of a hand, swayed up and down, her two long brown braids bobbing gently with her movements. "We're all too familiar with your tactics. Every formation, every change of formation, every starting move of a combined attack—we Zanpakuto have been watching you for decades, even centuries."

The sparks from the clashing blades illuminated the two calm faces. The next second, the two Zanpakuto unleashed their power simultaneously, the immense pressure of the blades blasting the two Onmitsukidō away from the shadows of the trees.

Fon Shaoling tried to help, but was knocked back by a devastating attack from Suzumebachi.

The golden speck of light from the Suzumebachi moved slowly, landing two steps in front of Fon Shaoling. Tilting its head, its small face was filled with undisguised mockery. "In the end, all these tactics are based on the premise that 'the enemy is unfamiliar with you.' Once that premise is broken, everything will become empty talk."

She raised her right arm, the golden finger sheath blade gleaming coldly in the moonlight.

"Your defeat stems from that weak heart that always places its hopes on others!" The Suzumebachi's voice suddenly rose, and a golden light shot out like a stream of light, heading straight for the Fon Shaoling -Bee-Crest Flower.

That thrust was as fast as thunder.

But something was faster than her.

A black and red shadow pounced from the side, actually using its tail to block the Suzumebachi's attack.

"Oren!" Fon Shaoling was quite surprised, but what surprised her even more was yet to come!

Suddenly, black and red particles emanated from Oren's body, like a gust of demonic wind gushing forth from the abyss.

"Bang--!"

A dull thud echoed through the dense forest.

Before the smoke and dust had even cleared, the figure of the Suzumebachi flew out of the smoke and dust, tumbling more than a dozen times in the air before barely managing to steady itself.

Her eyes were filled with disbelief as she looked down and saw her right arm, which had just swung, trembling slightly.

The smoke and dust slowly dissipated, revealing a huge, slender figure in front of Fon Shaoling.

It was a shadow leopard, completely black, its body covered with black and red particles. These particles flowed slowly across its surface like living things, or like a coat of mist being constantly blown by the whistling wind.

Its body was a full size larger than that of an ordinary leopard, with an arched back and muscle lines that were faintly visible amidst the swirling particles. Its tail was like a long steel whip behind it, with a few clusters of black and red light particles flicking at the tip.

Those silver leopard eyes surged with the purest, most primal killing intent.

"Oren...?"

Fon Shaoling was stunned. She stared at the completely black shadow leopard in front of her. The little guy who always liked to perch on her shoulder and rub his furry head against her chin now stood in front of her like a ferocious beast that had stepped out of hell.

The shadow leopard didn't turn around. It lowered its body, its massive frame pressed against the tree trunk beneath its feet, its silver eyes fixed on the Suzumebachi, and a low, deep threatening growl escaped its throat.

"Is that the real form of the Suzumebachi? It's so small and exquisite."

A voice came from the shadows of the trees not far behind Fon Shaoling. Fon Shaoling turned around sharply and saw a young man who was so thin that he was almost skin and bones walk out of the darkness. A Blue-Violet Raven was perched on his shoulder, and he held a jet-black cane in his right hand. The tip of the cane touched the gravel and made a very soft and delicate sound.

On his arm, the butterfly and feather-like tattoos gleamed faintly in the night.

"I finally made it." Sylvan walked to Fon Shaoling, who was kneeling on one knee, and extended his hand to her. "Are you alright?"

Fon Shaoling looked up, and moonlight filtered through the gaps in the tree canopy, falling on Sylvan's thin and serene face. The moment their eyes met, her heart skipped a beat.

"This Reiatsu... this feeling..."

It was as if someone had thrown a pebble into the stagnant pool deep in her memory, and the ripples spread silently, layer upon layer.

But a voice from the side brought her back to her senses.

"Leader!" An Onmitsukidō emerged from the shadows, landing beside her and reporting quickly in a low voice, "This man is named Sylvan. He was the one who first provided Captain Kyōraku with the information regarding the method to Zanpakuto. He is currently assisting the Gotei 13 in their battle; he can be trusted."

Fon Shaoling nodded, suppressing her inappropriate emotions, and stood up.

"I am Soi Fon, the Second Division Captain." After standing up, she shook Sylvan's hand, showing friendliness as a captain. "Judging from your attire, you must be from the Western Branch Bureau. Thank you for the information you provided and for arriving in time to help."

Sylvan looked at her businesslike demeanor, his hands empty, and his heart empty as well. He had revealed this disguise many times before, when he didn't want to, but this time, precisely when he most wanted it to, it didn't. "Um... nice to meet you, Captain Soi Fon."

At this moment, Oren and the Suzumebachi were already locked in a fierce battle.

The Suzumebachi flashed by, its golden light like a shooting star, constantly changing direction in the dense forest, while Oren followed closely behind, his four claws treading on the tree trunks as if walking on flat ground, his slender body weaving through the trees, maintaining an astonishing synchronization with the golden light.

Oren lunged forward, Suzumebachi easily dodged. "How could such an attack possibly hit me!"

However, Oren's forepaws unleashed several streams of black and red particles, like five claw marks spreading through the air, heading straight for the Suzumebachi.

"What!?" The Suzumebachi stopped abruptly in mid-air and turned back. The scratch marks that appeared in the air grazed her forehead, brushed past the tip of her nose, and stuck into the trunk of the ancient tree behind her, leaving five deep scorch marks.

The next second, the black and red particles re-converged, and Oren emerged from the particles, directly blocking the path of the Suzumebachi. The big cat lowered its body, its tail swaying slowly, and a layer of mocking light floated in its silver leopard eyes.

"What is that beast looking at? That look... that look!" Suzumebachi's face flushed crimson, an indescribable sense of shame welling up inside her. "Are you toying with me?"

Oren flicked his tail and paced slowly around her, his steps carrying the rhythm unique to large felines toying with their prey.

"How dare you humiliate me!" The Suzumebachi shrieked, and a golden light shot towards Oren like a bolt of lightning, the finger-gloved blade pointing directly at its left eye.

This attack was even faster than all the previous surprise attacks.

The golden light pierced straight through Oren's skull.

"Oren!" Fon Shaoling exclaimed, taking a step to rush forward, but was stopped by Sylvan.

"Captain Soi Fon, don't panic." Sylvan's hand steadily blocked her path. "Oren isn't someone who can be taken down so easily."

He tilted his head slightly and nodded his chin in Oren's direction. "Don't believe me? Look."

Just as Fon Shaoling was about to retaliate, she saw that Oren, whose skull had been pierced, had not fallen. His body was glowing with an eerie red light, and the black and red particles were surging violently on his surface.

The next second, Oren's entire body exploded as if shattered, turning into a pool of black and red liquid that poured onto the tree trunk.

The smugness of the Suzumebachi's successful attack had barely begun when she saw the pool of liquid rapidly spreading down the tree trunk, chasing her shadow like a living thing at an astonishing speed. The liquid constantly changed shape as it flowed, and several times, black and red stingers shot out from it, forcing the Suzumebachi to retreat repeatedly.

"What is this thing?!" The Suzumebachi desperately tried to dodge, but the angles of the stingers became increasingly tricky. One of them grazed the hem of her clothes, tearing a hole in the yellow and black patterned garment.

"Tch!" The Suzumebachi gritted its teeth, a flash of golden light, and it suddenly rose several meters into the air, hovering there, looking down at the still churning pool of dark red liquid below. "At this height, can you still catch up?"

The liquid did not answer her, but leaped up, like a fish leaping out of the deep sea, or like a waterfall cascading backwards, except that this "fish" had huge barbs and sharp blades on its tail.

"What!?" The Suzumebachi narrowly dodged, its tail blade grazing her calf and cutting a shallow gash.

Oren's shadow leopard body coalesced within the black and red particles in the air, leaping back and forth among the trees. Each stomp created a black and red ring in the air, which floated in mid-air like stepping stones, flashing for only a moment before being left far behind.

It was as if it was climbing an invisible staircase, forcefully catching up with the Suzumebachi suspended in mid-air. Black and red particles surged on a huge leopard paw, and it slammed the paw squarely onto the Suzumebachi.

"Bang--!"

The Suzumebachi was slammed down from the air like a marble, smashing through several layers of branches before finally crashing into the ground, raising a cloud of dust.

As she struggled to her feet, her vision was filled with countless black and red thorns.

In the sky, Oren's body exploded, transforming into a vast array of black and red thorns. Hundreds of these thorns, carrying destructive force, bombarded down, shattering rocks and sending soil flying. Patches of land were plowed up, and amidst the flying debris, the Suzumebachi only had time to rush to the side at top speed, but she was still injured by the edge of the storm. A series of small wounds cut open her body, and even the golden light dimmed a bit.

"What the hell is this thing..." The Suzumebachi landed on the ground, a hint of fear finally appearing on her little face.

The black and red storm gradually subsided, and Oren's figure re-emerged from the particle center, elegant in posture, his tail swaying gently, his silver eyes looking at the once arrogant Zanpakuto, letting out a low, extremely oppressive breath.

"You've let your guard down, Suzumebachi."

Just as the Suzumebachi's attention was entirely focused on Oren, a deadly sound suddenly came from behind.

As if struck by lightning, the Suzumebachi turned around, and a jet-black cane came hurtling through the air, its shaft enveloped in a ghostly blue light, striking her heavily on the side of her waist.

"Click--!"

The Suzumebachi flew out like a kite with a broken string. Sylvan's figure was like a black and red afterimage, constantly switching between trees and shadows. Each time he flashed, he appeared right next to the Suzumebachi. His cane was like a sword, slashing and striking. Several whistling sounds and fluctuations of Reiatsu hit the Suzumebachi one after another.

"Despicable!" Suzumebachi shrieked, and before she could adjust her posture, she was slammed into the side by Oren's shadow leopard body and sent flying again. She suddenly burst into speed as she tumbled in the air, golden light blazing brightly, and her whole body rapidly ascended into the air.

"Trying to run? It's not like you can only fly!" Rain spread his wings, several magical runes lighting up on his Blue-Violet feathers. His beak slightly open. "Hadō #33 - Sōkatsui!"

Azure flames erupted from its mouth, a beam of light intertwining extreme cold Reiatsu and intense heat, crashing down upon Suzumebachi.

"The final blow must be delivered by the owner of the Zanpakuto." Sylvan flicked his cane and turned to Fon Shaoling, gesturing for her to follow.

Without hesitation, Fon Shaoling Shunpo forward, her toes tapping the air several times, her entire body like a black lightning bolt as she chased after the downed Suzumebachi.

Zanpakuto high, its blade reflecting her golden pupils and the countless black and red particles filling the air.

"It's over, Suzumebachi!"

The blade slashed down.

"Ahhh--!"

The Suzumebachi's scream pierced the night sky as her body plummeted to the ground like a golden meteor, crashing heavily into the soil.

When the smoke cleared, she lay paralyzed in the middle of the rubble, her right arm cleanly severed from her shoulder. The golden finger-shaped blade rolled a few steps away, and Fon Shaoling stood in front of her, the tip of the blade pointing at her brow.

"... Really." The Suzumebachi lay on her back, her small face covered in wounds, but suddenly laughed. "You've gotten stronger."

Fon Shaoling looked at her but didn't reply.

"In the past, you would just foolishly chase after Yoruichi by yourself." Suzumebachi's gaze shifted from Fon Shaoling's face to her severed right arm. "But now, you have comrades-in-arms... those who are willing to protect you."

"You've changed," the Suzumebachi said softly. "Then I should change too."

Golden light burst forth, covering the entire dense forest.

As the light faded, a ball of light, no bigger than a fist, floated in mid-air before transforming into a stream of light and falling into Fon Shaoling's hand.