Facing the invitation, Gin Ichimaru's lips curled upward, his narrow eyes slightly squinted, making any change in his gaze impossible to discern.
"Captain Su Feng, please go easy on me!"
There was not a shred of sincerity in his hypocritical words.
"Well, shouldn't you be the one going easy on me?"
Su Feng stretched lazily. "Embarrassingly enough, despite being a captain, I still haven't mastered Bankai."
"Relying on Shikai alone is somewhat of a stretch."
As they spoke, their figures flickered from the platform, and they appeared simultaneously in the center of the dojo.
At that moment, the dojo was completely empty. Even the Shinigami and academy students who had been watching earlier had been moved to the spectator stands at the side.
At the same time, a Kido Barrier had been erected above the dojo to prevent any adverse effects from an eruption of spiritual pressure.
"Lieutenant Gin Ichimaru, please display your full strength in this Assessment Battle. The captains will determine whether you are qualified to serve as a captain based on your performance."
"If necessary, you may release your Zanpakuto's Bankai!"
Chōjirō Sasakibe's words represented Yamamoto Genryusai's will, as well as the conclusion reached after discussion among several captains.
"The assessment begins!"
"Captain Su Feng, please instruct me."
Gin Ichimaru's smile faded somewhat as his expression turned serious. "You'd better be careful!"
"Shoot to kill, Shinsō!"
He began with Shikai. A dazzling streak of white light flashed across the dojo, and the air filled with the intense heat produced by high-speed friction.
Clang—
Only when the razor-sharp blade was about to touch Su Feng did the sound of the sword arrive belatedly.
Su Feng used Shunpo to retreat, drawing the Zanpakuto at his waist with a backhand motion and holding it horizontally before him.
Clang!
A crisp