[Zanjutsu is the aesthetics of distance.]
This was the first sentence Uchiha Yato's Zanjutsu instructor taught him after he entered Shin'ō Academy twelve years ago.
To this day, throughout his not-so-long career as a Soul Reaper, the young man had kept those words firmly in mind.
So when Aizen exposed him with a single remark and he stepped between Tosen Kaname and Ichimaru Gin, he had already calculated the distance.
Zero point eight strides, at two o'clock. This was the most suitable position for Uchiha Yato to strike from.
Kisuke Urahara, clad in black robes and a black hat, appeared in a surprise attack. For the brief instant Aizen Sosuke was distracted—
Uchiha Yato seized that fleeting opportunity and, following the rhythm of his breathing, drew his blade and slashed sideways!
Though Tosen Kaname was blind, he was a genuine master swordsman with exceptional reflexes. From fluctuations in spiritual pressure alone, he could simulate an enemy's movements in his mind.
That was why the young man did not stir his spiritual pressure. Instead, he swung his blade with nothing but the most direct "muscular strength"!
His Zanjutsu reached its peak at that moment. Without releasing his Soul-Cutter Sword, he discarded every superfluous step and drew the ultimate arc across Tosen Kaname's throat.
Bzzzt— The blade swept past with a ringing hum.
Tosen Kaname felt the chill.
A line of blood spread across his neck like an impossibly thin red thread.
The blind Fifth Seat reached out and touched the fluid that had run down to his chest.
He reached for his Soul-Cutter Sword, wanting to draw it and duel the despicable traitor.
But Uchiha Yato's strike had been too fast, too ruthless. It had severed his cervical vertebrae and windpipe; the strength and spiritual pressure he usually commanded as easily