Facing Shiro-chan (1)

Just as the tension between Liu Hao and Tōshirō Hitsugaya had nearly solidified, a gentle yet unquestionable voice came from the entrance to the Training Ground:

"Captain Hitsugaya, please withdraw your Reiatsu."

Unohana walked over slowly, her white Captain's Haori swaying gently in the breeze. Her usual gentle smile was on her face, but her eyes were sharp as blades as they swept over everyone present.

"Come with me." Her voice was calm, but carried an authority that brooked no objection. "I'll give you an explanation."

With that, she turned to Liu Hao. "Liu Hao, come with me too."

"Yes, Captain," Liu Hao replied at once, his manner respectful.

Tōshirō Hitsugaya looked at Unohana, then at Liu Hao, and finally began to withdraw the Reiatsu he had released. The icy aura gradually dissipated, and the temperature in the Training Ground began to rise.

"Rangiku," Tōshirō Hitsugaya said to his Vice-Captain, "go back to the Tenth Division first."

He meant to speak with Unohana and Liu Hao alone.

But Liu Hao spoke up at that moment. His tone was flat, but his words were shocking. "Captain Hitsugaya, if we really wanted to harm you, there would be no need to change locations. Here, or anywhere else, the result would be the same."

His words were blunt, even a little provocative.

Unohana frowned slightly. "Liu Hao, show Captain Hitsugaya more respect."

Though her tone was gentle, the rebuke in her words was clear. Liu Hao lowered his head and said no more.

Unohana looked back at Tōshirō Hitsugaya and pondered for a moment before speaking. "No, Vice-Captain Rangiku should come too. There are some things... you both need to know."

Hearing this, Liu Hao said quietly to Unohana, "Captain, some 'eyes' are following us. Besides, given the strength of these two, knowing too much would only make them cannon fodder."

He had not spoken loudly, but everyone present heard him clearly.

"Who are you calling weaklings and cannon fodder?!" Tōshirō Hitsugaya glared at Liu Hao, his ice-blue eyes almost spitting fire.

As the youngest captain in the history of the Gotei 13, Tōshirō Hitsugaya hated nothing more than being looked down on because of his age and strength. Liu Hao's words had struck him right where it hurt.

Unohana did not immediately respond to Hitsugaya's anger. Instead, she looked thoughtfully at Liu Hao. "So... someone deliberately steered Captain Hitsugaya and Vice-Captain Matsumoto into coming to see you today?"

"Probably." Liu Hao nodded in confirmation. "Ever since Captain Shiba last came to the Fourth Division, they've been watching us noticeably more often. Captain Hitsugaya had barely arrived today when those 'eyes' followed him right over."

Unohana gave Liu Hao a look that said, "See what you've done," and said calmly, "I see."

Liu Hao sighed, seeming to make a decision. "Fine, I'll go take care of it."

Before the words had left his mouth, he vanished from where he stood.

Shunpo.

It was not an ordinary Soul Reaper's Shunpo, but a speed akin to a spatial leap. Tōshirō Hitsugaya had not even seen Liu Hao move. He felt only a breeze brush past, and Liu Hao was gone.

Rangiku Matsumoto looked around in surprise. "Where did he go?"

Unohana did not answer, merely waiting in silence.

After about ten breaths, the space at the edge of the Training Ground rippled slightly, and Liu Hao reappeared. This time, he had a man in his grasp—a terrified man wearing an ordinary Soul Reaper uniform.

Liu Hao casually tossed the man onto the ground in front of Unohana and the others, as easily as if he were throwing away something unimportant.

"This is the one," Liu Hao said flatly. "He's been watching us on the sly. Whenever someone important comes to the Fourth Division, he's always somewhere nearby."

The captured man lay on the ground, trembling and afraid to look anyone in the eye.

Unohana stepped forward and looked down at him, her voice gentle but carrying a bone-chilling coldness. "What are you doing in the Fourth Division? Who sent you?"

The man trembled even harder, but he clenched his teeth and refused to say a word.

Unohana did not press him. She merely said coldly, "Go back and tell whoever is behind you that, although we don't know who he is yet, if we truly wanted to investigate, we could find him. If he continues these unnecessary actions, we won't mind going to war with him in earnest."

Her words were calm, but carried an immense threat.

As if granted a pardon, the man scrambled to his feet and fled the Fourth Division Training Ground without looking back.

Liu Hao watched him flee in a panic, a hint of pity in his voice. "Is it really all right to let him go like that?"

"Didn't you say it yourself?" Unohana replied. "For now, we shouldn't enter into a direct confrontation with them. Sending him back with a message is both a warning and a... probe."

Tōshirō Hitsugaya had stood to one side, witnessing everything. His brow furrowed deeply as he keenly sensed that something was amiss.

"You two..." he began slowly, confusion and inquiry in his voice. "Do you know who the mastermind is? Is Captain Shiba's disappearance connected to this person too?"

Liu Hao turned to Tōshirō Hitsugaya, his tone flat but blunt. "Captain Hitsugaya, although you're already a captain, there's no denying that you're still too 'weak.' Knowing about some things would only put you in more danger, so you don't need to know."

The word "weak" wounded Tōshirō Hitsugaya's pride once again.

He clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white, the anger in his eyes almost ready to burst forth.

Unohana interrupted their confrontation at just the right moment. "All right, come with me."

She turned and walked deeper into the Fourth Division, her pace unhurried, without looking back.

Liu Hao followed immediately, keeping a step behind Unohana and appearing respectful and obedient.

That left Tōshirō Hitsugaya, who had just drawn his Zanpakuto and was about to lash out, somewhat at a loss. He had already drawn his blade, but Liu Hao had simply walked away?

Rangiku Matsumoto came to his side and gently placed a hand on the one holding his sword. "Shiro-chan, don't be rash," she urged quietly. "Let's follow them and see. Maybe... Captain Unohana really does have something important to tell us."

"Don't call me Shiro-chan!" Tōshirō Hitsugaya corrected her irritably, though he sheathed his sword. "Call me Captain!"

"All right, all right, I know, Captain Hitsugaya," Rangiku Matsumoto said with a reassuring smile, then pulled him along after the others.

The group passed through the corridors of the Fourth Division Barracks and arrived at the familiar wooden door to Unohana's Private Training Space.

When they pushed the door open, the sight inside made Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Rangiku Matsumoto pause.

It was a completely separate space, with ground as flat as a mirror and a soft, milky-white sky that stretched endlessly, creating the illusion of being removed from reality. At its center was a standard circular training ground, with the patterns of a Kidō barrier faintly visible around it.

"Outside, you can't fight as you please." Unohana turned to Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Liu Hao. "But here, you can fight to your hearts' content. As long as you don't damage the barrier, it won't affect the outside world."

She paused, her gaze settling on Tōshirō Hitsugaya. "Captain Hitsugaya, if you can defeat Liu Hao, we'll tell you the truth about Captain Shiba's disappearance, along with everything else we know."

Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Rangiku Matsumoto were both stunned.

Deciding whether to reveal the truth through a fight? It sounded... a little frivolous, but it was also in keeping with the Gotei 13's usual style. Strength was often the most persuasive language.

Liu Hao smiled faintly, excitement flashing in his eyes. "Since that's what the captain wants, I'll gladly accept. To be honest, I've been looking forward to fighting a captain of the Gotei 13 too. Opportunities like this don't come often."

Tōshirō Hitsugaya took a deep breath, determination filling his eyes. "All right. If I win, please keep your promise and tell me everything. If I lose..."

He paused, then said word by word, "I won't ask about Captain Shiba again, or involve myself in anything between you."

"Shiro-chan, you..." Rangiku Matsumoto hurriedly grabbed his arm, trying to stop him.

But Tōshirō Hitsugaya gently pulled free of her grasp, his voice calm and firm. "It's all right, Rangiku. Like they said, if I can't even defeat Lieutenant Liu Hao right now, then even if I found Captain Shiba, I might only cause him trouble."

His words were reasonable, but carried a hint of unwillingness.

Liu Hao looked at him appreciatively and nodded. "Then, please, Captain Hitsugaya."

The two walked to the center of the Training Ground and faced each other, about ten zhang apart.

Unohana turned to the side. "Isane, activate the barrier."

"Yes, Captain." Isane Kotetsu, who had been silently following them all along, responded and formed hand seals.

As she moved, a transparent barrier appeared around the Training Ground. It quickly took shape, completely enclosing the entire Training Ground and forming a separate space.

Rangiku Matsumoto watched, somewhat puzzled. "Captain Unohana, why activate the barrier? An ordinary sparring match doesn't need to be this formal, does it?"

Unohana did not turn around, her gaze fixed on the two in the arena. "Without the barrier, how can they fight to their hearts' content?"

The deeper meaning behind those words made Rangiku Matsumoto's heart tighten.

Fighting to their hearts' content meant that the coming battle might not be an ordinary "sparring match."

In the arena, Liu Hao and Tōshirō Hitsugaya had already begun to clash with their Reiatsu.

Two utterly different currents of Reiatsu intertwined and rubbed against each other in the space. Liu Hao's Reiatsu was heavy and majestic, carrying the oppressive presence of an emperor; Tōshirō Hitsugaya's was cold and sharp, like a winter wind.

"Let's skip the probing." Liu Hao suddenly broke the silence. "Let's get straight to it, Captain Hitsugaya."

Before he had finished speaking, he vanished.

It was not Shunpo, but something faster, a movement akin to a spatial leap. When he reappeared, he was already in front of Tōshirō Hitsugaya, the Imperial Sword drawn and slashing down with a whistle through the air.

Tōshirō Hitsugaya's pupils contracted, and he instinctively drew his sword to block.

Clang!

The blades collided, sending out a shower of dazzling sparks. The tremendous force drove Tōshirō Hitsugaya back several feet, leaving two deep furrows in the ground beneath him.

But he steadied himself and struck back, an ice-blue flash of steel sweeping toward Liu Hao's throat.

The battle had officially begun.

The two moved at high speed across the Training Ground, flashes of their blades weaving into a dance of death. Liu Hao's swordsmanship was simple and grand, each stroke carrying enough force to split mountains and shatter rocks; Tōshirō Hitsugaya's was agile and swift, like a winter wind that slipped through every opening.

Their blades clashed without pause, sounding like rain hammering against an iron plate.

As the two fought fiercely, people began arriving outside the Training Ground.

The first to arrive was Eighth Division Captain Shunsui Kyōraku. He appeared silently in the viewing area outside the barrier with his Vice-Captain, Nanao Ise. Shunsui Kyōraku still wore his trademark straw hat and a lazy smile, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's.

Next came Thirteenth Division Captain Jūshirō Ukitake, accompanied by Kaien Shiba. Ukitake looked somewhat pale, evidently not yet recovered from his old illness, but his gaze was just as focused.

Then came Third Division Captain Gin Ichimaru, his eyes narrowed and that inscrutable smile on his face. Vice-Captain Izuru Kira followed behind him, his expression serious.

Fifth Division Captain Sōsuke Aizen also appeared, accompanied by Vice-Captain Momo Hinamori. Aizen was as gentle and refined as ever, as though he had merely come to watch an ordinary sparring match.

Last came the Captain of the Ninth Division, Kaname Tōsen, together with his Vice-Captain, Shūhei Hisagi. Although Kaname Tōsen was blind, he could likewise "see" the battle through his perception of Reiatsu.

In a short time, more than half the captains and Vice-Captains of the Gotei 13 had gathered outside this little Training Ground.

Rangiku Matsumoto grew more and more nervous as she watched them arrive. She could not help clasping her hands and praying silently, Shiro-chan, Shiro-chan, this has gotten out of hand... With so many captains and Vice-Captains here, if you lose, it'll really be embarrassing...

Tōshirō Hitsugaya naturally sensed the arrival of those powerful Reiatsu as well. Losing focus in battle was a grave mistake, but he was young, and with so many captains watching, he could not help being a little distracted.

After one fierce clash, Liu Hao took the initiative to retreat and stopped attacking.

"Captain Hitsugaya," he said calmly, "if you can't concentrate on the fight, let's stop here for today. We can find another opportunity to compete another day."

To Tōshirō Hitsugaya, however, those words sounded like "pity" or "contempt."

He took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. "No need. It's only a sparring match; there's no reason to stop."

With that, he took the initiative to attack, Hyōrinmaru slashing toward Liu Hao with bone-chilling cold.

The two fought again.

This time, Tōshirō Hitsugaya had clearly adjusted his mindset. His attacks grew fiercer and his defense tighter. He unleashed his swordsmanship to the fullest, and Hyōrinmaru's power began to manifest. Wherever the blade passed, tiny ice crystals formed in the air, and frost began to spread across the ground.

Liu Hao responded calmly, the Imperial Sword flashing in his hand as every block landed with precision and force. His swordsmanship seemed simple, yet it always managed to neutralize Hitsugaya's attacks at crucial moments.

After roughly a hundred exchanges, Liu Hao suddenly spoke, approval in his voice. "As expected of someone trained by Captain Shiba. You may be young, but your strength is indeed impressive. You've already reached the threshold of Captain-level."

It was sincere praise. Though Tōshirō Hitsugaya was young, the strength of his Reiatsu, his mastery of Zanjutsu, and his combat awareness had all reached a captain's standard.

Tōshirō Hitsugaya said nothing, but a complicated light flickered in his eyes: pride mixed with unwillingness.

"Then next," he said slowly, his voice cold, "I'm going to get serious."

The moment he finished speaking, he raised Hyōrinmaru high over his head and spoke its release command:

"Sit upon the frozen heavens—"

Every word was clear and powerful, echoing through the Training Ground.

"Hyōrinmaru!"

The instant the release was complete, a change occurred.

A gigantic ice dragon soared from the blade, its body made entirely of crystalline ice and its eyes flashing with a cold blue light. It circled once in the air, then roared toward Liu Hao as Tōshirō Hitsugaya swung his sword.

The force of this strike far surpassed any of his previous attacks. Wherever the ice dragon passed, the temperature plunged, and a thick layer of ice formed on the ground.

Liu Hao did not dodge.

He stood where he was and held the Imperial Sword across his body, its tip pointing at the ground.

The instant before the ice dragon struck him, he snapped his sword upward, meeting its gaping maw with the tip.

Boom!

The ice dragon collided with the Imperial Sword in a deafening explosion. Ice and golden-red Reiatsu clashed fiercely, sending ice shards and flashes of spiritual light flying.

At the moment of impact, Tōshirō Hitsugaya moved.

He used Shunpo and appeared behind Liu Hao in an instant. The chain at the end of Hyōrinmaru's hilt extended and coiled like a living thing, precisely binding Liu Hao's sword-wielding right arm.

The instant the chain made contact, bitterly cold frost spread rapidly, completely freezing Liu Hao's right arm.

Tōshirō Hitsugaya pulled the chain taut with one hand and held his sword in the other, its edge pressed against the back of Liu Hao's neck.

His voice was calm and confident. "It's over."

It was a perfect tactic: first feint with the ice dragon to draw his attention, then use Shunpo to get behind him, restrain him with the chain, and finally deliver the finishing blow.

Watching from outside, Rangiku Matsumoto nearly cheered aloud.

But at that moment, Liu Hao's voice rang out calmly:

"You're celebrating too soon."

The instant he finished speaking, Liu Hao's frozen right arm jerked violently.

Crack!

The hard ice shattered, sending shards flying. Liu Hao's right arm was free again. He forcibly broke out of the chain while spinning sharply, the Imperial Sword in his left hand slashing backward with thunderous force.

Tōshirō Hitsugaya was shocked and hurriedly raised his sword to block.

Clang!

Another violent collision followed. This time, however, Tōshirō Hitsugaya was driven back several zhang, his sword hand tingling.

And Liu Hao's counterattack was not over.

As he turned and slashed, his left hand had already risen, his index and middle fingers pressed together and pointing toward Tōshirō Hitsugaya.

"Hadō #4—"

Liu Hao's voice was calm and quick.

"Byakurai."

A thick bolt of white lightning shot from his fingertips, streaking straight for Tōshirō Hitsugaya's chest faster than the eye could follow.

Tōshirō Hitsugaya's pupils contracted sharply, and he instinctively dodged to the side.

The lightning grazed his body and struck the distant barrier, sending violent ripples across it.

The instant Tōshirō Hitsugaya dodged, Liu Hao opened up the distance between them.

He stood ten zhang away, holding the Imperial Sword upright before him as his left hand gently stroked its blade.

Then he began to recite its release command.

This release command was different from any before—more complete, more solemn, and more... chuuni.

"The Imperial Princess at My Side, bearing the sword aloft—"

Each word struck the space like a heavy hammer.

"The Emperor Grows Wrathful—"

He paused, and the final four words seemed to surge from the depths of his soul:

"Imperial Sword, unsheathe!"

The instant the words fell, the true transformation began.

The blade of the Imperial Sword began to glow—not with ordinary light, but with a golden-red radiance as scorching as the sun. Within that light, the blade began to change shape, transforming into something greater.

The blade grew longer and more slender, and the dragon pattern along its spine came fully to life, swimming across its surface. The dragon head on the guard reared back and roared, as though it might burst free of the sword. The entire weapon radiated an unprecedented majesty, like an emperor holding court.

Even more astonishing—

Behind Liu Hao, the faint, translucent image of a woman slowly appeared.

She wore a long golden-red gown, and her hair cascaded down her back. Her face was breathtakingly beautiful, yet its majesty kept others at a distance. Though she was only an apparition, her imposing presence, as if she ruled over all under heaven, made every spectator's heart tremble.

That was the Imperial Princess—the Imperial Sword's materialized form.

Although she had not fully materialized, her appearance proved that Liu Hao's Shikai had reached an entirely new level.

Tōshirō Hitsugaya's expression grew more grave than ever.

He could feel that the Liu Hao before him was on an entirely different level from the one who had fought him using only basic swordsmanship.

The real battle was only about to begin.

The captains watching from the sidelines each wore a different expression.

Shunsui Kyōraku's lazy smile vanished, and his gaze sharpened.

Jūshirō Ukitake coughed a few times, but his gaze remained fixed on the field.

Sōsuke Aizen adjusted his glasses, the corners of his mouth curving almost imperceptibly.

Gin Ichimaru narrowed his eyes, his smile growing deeper.

Although Kaname Tōsen could not see, his expression also turned serious as he sensed their Reiatsu.

Everyone realized that this "spar" might exceed all their expectations.

Holding the fully released Imperial Sword and feeling the presence of the Imperial Princess's apparition behind him, Liu Hao slowly curved his lips into a smile.

"Then," his voice echoed through the Training Ground, "let's begin the second round."