Training the Soul Reapers Stationed in the World of the Living (4)
Tōshirō Hitsugaya slowly drew his Zanpakuto from his back. A faint chill emanated from the blade of Hyōrinmaru, making the surrounding temperature seem to drop slightly.
Their gazes met in mid-air, and an invisible fighting spirit began to permeate the air.
As their Zanpakuto were drawn, their Reiatsu began to rise slowly. Liu Ziyun controlled his Reiatsu, keeping it synchronized with Reiatsu of Tōshirō Hitsugaya. He was observing and probing, trying to see where the young captain's limits lay.
Tōshirō Hitsugaya's Reiatsu grew stronger and stronger, quickly reaching its peak. A glint flashed in his eyes, and he suddenly sprang into action, rushing towards Liu Ziyun like an arrow released from a bow.
Liu Ziyun also activated at the same time, and the two met in the center of the Training Ground.
"Clang!"
The two Zanpakuto clashed, sparking dazzling flames. The immense impact spread outwards, creating waves of air.
Tōshirō Hitsugaya's swordsmanship was sharp and swift, each strike carrying a chilling aura. Wherever the blade passed, fine ice crystals condensed in the air, shimmering with a crystalline light.
However, Liu Ziyun's swordsmanship was even more unpredictable and varied. Every move he made perfectly neutralized Tōshirō Hitsugaya's attacks, as if he could predict his opponent's every action. The two moved swiftly and agilely in the Training Ground, their swords flashing and sparks flying, the aftershocks of their battle causing the entire space to tremble slightly.
Tōshirō Hitsugaya grew increasingly alarmed as the fight progressed. He discovered that his prized Zanjutsu was utterly ineffective against Liu Ziyun. No matter how he changed his moves or increased his speed, Liu Ziyun could always handle them with ease, and even launch counterattacks while parrying.
What he didn't know was that Liu Ziyun's Zanjutsu had been personally trained by Retsu Unohana. Retsu Unohana, the woman hailed as the strongest swordsman before Kenpachi, possessed unparalleled swordsmanship skills throughout the entire Soul Society. Under her tutelage, Liu Ziyun's Zanjutsu had already reached an extremely high level, far surpassing that of a captain of Tōshirō Hitsugaya's age.
Soon, Tōshirō Hitsugaya was at a disadvantage. His attacks were neutralized one by one by Liu Ziyun, and each of Liu Ziyun's counterattacks forced him to fight with all his might. Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and his breathing began to become rapid.
Knowing he couldn't win by relying solely on Zanjutsu, Tōshirō Hitsugaya made a decisive decision to unleash his Zanpakuto.
"Sit upright in the frosty heavens, Hyōrinmaru!"
With the Release Phrase, the Zanpakuto's form abruptly changed. A massive chain of ice crystals extended from the back of the blade, dancing in the air like a silver dragon. A chilling aura emanated from the blade, causing the temperature of the entire Training Ground to plummet, and a thin layer of frost to condense on the ground.
Tōshirō Hitsugaya wielded Hyōrinmaru, and the ice crystal chain, as if alive, attacked Liu Ziyun. The chain swirled and coiled in the air, eventually binding Liu Ziyun's Life-Taker weapon and locking it firmly in place.
"Got him!" Tōshirō Hitsugaya was overjoyed. He conjured an ice-type Kidō in his other hand, preparing to deliver a fatal blow to Liu Ziyun.
However, at that moment, Liu Ziyun did something he never expected.
With a flick of Liu Ziyun right hand, another Zanpakuto appeared out of thin air in his palm! The style of that sword was slightly different from the Life-Taker, exuding a heavy and steady aura.
Liu Ziyun his knife with his right hand, striking the Life-Taker ice crystal chains that were binding them. With a crisp "crack," the chains snapped. Ice shards scattered, turning into sparkling specks of light in the air.
Tōshirō Hitsugaya stared blankly at the scene, at the second Zanpakuto in Liu Ziyun's hand, and for a moment forgot to continue his attack.
"Two... two Zanpakuto?" he murmured incredulously.
Liu Ziyun gave him no time to think. With a flick of his left hand, Life-Taker broke free from the severed chains. Holding a sword in each hand, he charged towards Tōshirō Hitsugaya once more.
Seeing Liu Ziyun's twin swords hurtling towards him like a storm, Tōshirō Hitsugaya could only grit his teeth and retreat. His footsteps left two deep marks on the floor of the training room as he tried to create distance and reorganize his defense.
However, Liu Ziyun gave him no chance to breathe, almost touching his body as he lunged forward, his Life-Taker tracing a strange arc, aiming straight for his throat.
Tōshirō Hitsugaya was terrified. He knew that in his current state, if he were hit by this blade, he would be severely injured even if he didn't die. In the nick of time, he swung Hyōrinmaru, his Reiatsu surging wildly. A huge ice dragon roared out from the blade, baring its fangs and claws as it pounced on Liu Ziyun.
The ice dragon was crystal clear, with distinct scales, and it spewed out a chilling breath, causing fine ice crystals to condense in the air wherever it passed. It opened its huge mouth, as if it wanted to swallow Liu Ziyun whole.
Seeing this Liu Ziyun had no choice but to withdraw his attack, crossing his twin swords in front of him and slashing at the ice dragon head-on. With a loud "crack," the ice dragon shattered, turning into countless ice shards that scattered in all directions. Liu Ziyun was also forced to stop in place by the impact, his body covered in glistening frost.
Taking advantage of the opening Tōshirō Hitsugaya steadied himself, panting heavily, and said, "I didn't expect... you actually have two Zanpakuto?"
In the history of Soul Society, only a handful of Soul Reaper have ever possessed two Zanpakuto simultaneously. Each Zanpakuto is a manifestation of a Soul Reaper's spirit, and to possess two at the same time signifies that this person's soul power far surpasses that of ordinary people, and that their potential is unfathomable. Tōshirō Hitsugaya never imagined that this seemingly ordinary man before him would harbor such a secret.
Liu Ziyun off the ice shards from his clothes, a meaningful smile appearing on his lips, "That's why you revealed a weakness. Don't judge your opponent based on your own preconceived notions, because you never know what trump card they might play under what circumstances."
His voice was calm yet powerful, as if stating a perfectly ordinary truth. "In a life-or-death battle, habitual thinking is a fatal weakness. You assume your opponent can only use one knife, so when you see a second knife, you'll hesitate. That momentary hesitation is enough for me to kill you ten times over."
Tōshirō Hitsugaya fell silent. He knew that what Liu Ziyun said was true; if Liu Ziyun had really wanted to kill him, he would have been dead already. Such a weakness exposed in battle would have unimaginable consequences if he were facing an enemy like Aizen.
He took a deep breath, calming his turbulent emotions. After a long while, he raised his head, his eyes filled with gratitude and a hint of understanding. "I've learned a lot."
Before he finished speaking, he swung the Hyōrinmaru again. This time, his attack was more ferocious and more cautious. One ice dragon after another roared out from the blade, rushing towards Liu Ziyun in an endless stream. These ice dragons, some large and some small, some charging straight ahead and some circling, attacked from all angles at the same time, almost blocking all of Liu Ziyun's escape routes.