No one would get hurt because of it?
Realization struck Chizuru. No wonder Teacher Yuko had mentioned cutting off heads earlier. So that was how it worked?
"Then come on."
Purple Reishi gathered in Shinobu's palm, and she gripped a Dark Purple Zanpakuto.
"Don't worry about how to defeat me. My teaching methods are different from that idiot's over there," Shinobu explained. "Just focus on showing me what you do best."
As Shinobu finished speaking, a tremendous boom came from the black chasm in the distance, accompanied by Ichigo's shrill scream.
Chizuru swallowed. Why did the gentle woman before her suddenly seem so sinister? Was she secretly ruthless?
Orihime didn't read that much into it. She clasped her hands before her chest, and the Six Flowers hairpins at the ends of her hair glimmered.
The light became several tiny figures floating beside her.
They were the Six Flowers, manifestations of Orihime's power: self-aware beings much like sprites.
"Um, Miss Butterfly." Orihime glanced at the Six Flowers, then asked uncertainly, "The Shun Shun Rikka I usually summon... What exactly are they?"
"They're manifestations of your will, Orihime." Shinobu cut her off with a smile and stepped forward gracefully, Zanpakuto in hand. "Come. Show me the defense you're most familiar with. How would you stop my next swing?"
Shinobu made no sweeping motion. She merely flicked the Dark Purple Zanpakuto lightly upward. A purple crescent formed from pure Reishi shot out, skimming the ice with a howl.
"Hinagiku! Umegan! Lily! Three Days Shield, I reject!"
Orihime chanted the words by instinct. The three tiny sprites immediately positioned themselves before her, forming a golden triangular shield in midair that protected everyone behind it.
Shinobu narrowed her eyes. Truthfully, Orihime's ability was more than mere defense, healing, or attack. It was something far more