Wabisuke × Shiro

Four years later.

"Howl, Zabimaru!"

"Clang!"

The now much larger Renji Abarai swung the chain-blade in his hand, Zabimaru instantly extending dozens of meters as it shot forward at tremendous speed.

"Clang!"

Kira Izuru's expression remained calm as he braced his blade, catching Zabimaru's attack.

But the immense impact force from Zabimaru's sudden activation still sent Kira Izuru sliding back several meters, his footing unsteady.

Kira Izuru's visible eye narrowed slightly as he deflected the force, shoving the massive blade resting against him to the side.

Seizing the opportunity, Kira Izuru used Shunpo, instantly creating distance.

"Flying..."

"Slash!"

Kira Izuru swept his blade upward from below, and a visible white Blade Qi erupted from it, arcing through the air toward Renji Abarai.

"It's useless,"

"Kira."

Renji Abarai's smile carried a hint of smugness.

"As everyone knows, a Shinigami's Spiritual Pressure increases three to five times after Shikai."

"And along with Spiritual Pressure, speed and power also grow..."

"Unless your Swordsmanship has reached the level of Mr. Nara."

"Otherwise, there's no way you can overcome my Zabimaru!"

And just as Renji Abarai said, with a slight twist of the hilt in his hand, Zabimaru's lengthy blade rippled like a wave with supple flexibility.

Like a whip, it shattered the airborne Blade Qi slash.

"Tch."

Kira Izuru's expression didn't change, but a hint of disdain crept in.

Having Shikai wasn't everything. Mr. Nara couldn't use Shikai either—or had never used it—yet his strength remained unfathomable.

"It's just that my Swordsmanship level really can't match Mr. Nara's..."

Though Kira Izuru trained with extreme diligence, he wasn't a unique genius in Swordsmanship; he was more of a balanced all-rounder.

Stably releasing Blade Qi with Spiritual Pressure was already an impressive feat.

But there was still a considerable gap between him and the Flying Slash