Making an Example × Trouble on the Horizon
He didn't even draw his Zanpakutō...
Kitahara Kaiichi's anger had already been stoked to a certain point.
A Zanpakutō was the foundation of a Shinigami's strength. For most Shinigami, the vast majority of their combat power came from their Zanpakutō.
The exceptions were Shinigami in the Stealth Force or the Kido Corps.
So when Kira Izuru faced him with bare-handed Hakuda instead of drawing his Zanpakutō, Kitahara Kaiichi thought he was being looked down on.
Then let me teach you a proper lesson!
Kitahara Kaiichi used Shunpo and instantly closed in on Kira Izuru. His sharp slash swept forward, the force of the wind lifting Kira Izuru's bangs.
A straightforward slash...
Kira Izuru calmly watched the incoming blade, anticipating what kind of Shikai ability might come next.
It doesn't look like a Kidō-type Zanpakutō.
Generally speaking, Zanpakutō fell into two categories: Kidō-type and direct-attack types.
As the name suggested, direct-attack Zanpakutō focused on straightforward attacks. Their abilities were usually simple, with few variations, but they were more powerful.
Kidō-type Zanpakutō, on the other hand, were more versatile or focused on elemental attacks.
Kira Izuru and Renji Abarai's Zanpakutō were direct-attack types.
Ryūjin Jakka and Hyōrinmaru, meanwhile, were Kidō-type Zanpakutō.
Kira Izuru watched the incoming blade and leaned aside, dodging it by a hair's breadth. Just as he extended his arm to counterattack—
"Hm?!"
A stinging pain came from his back. The fabric there was instantly sliced open, as if an invisible blade had cut through it.
The sudden turn of events startled Kira Izuru, and he hurriedly pulled away.
"Confused?"
"You clearly dodged the slash..."
"...so why were you still hit?"
Kitahara Kaiichi began explaining from the other side.
"That's the ability of my Shadow Spy..."
"Clone Slash."
"After its Shikai release,