The two traded blows at high speed, demonstrating the fundamentals of "strike" and "step" to a level that left the students below in awe.
Though neither had released their Zanpakuto, and both had kept their Spiritual Pressure low, the combat wisdom, timing, and control of strength on display were more than enough to keep these fledglings learning for a long time.
The intense battle continued for about fifteen minutes, with the two exchanging hundreds of blows.
At last, after a lightning-fast crossing slash, they retreated in unspoken agreement and came to a stop several yards apart.
"That's enough of 'strike' and 'step,'" Liu Chuan said first, his voice steady.
"Ha! That was a blast!" Isshin Shiba exhaled, his fighting spirit still burning in his eyes, though it had given way to deep admiration and curiosity. "Brother Liu Chuan, you've been hiding quite the swordsmanship! You weren't this sharp a while back. Looks like you've been working hard lately!
"All right, next it's time to open the youngsters' eyes—with Kido!"
As soon as he spoke, the entire venue fell silent. Everyone held their breath and watched Liu Chuan expectantly.
Everyone knew that Liu Chuan excelled above all at his uncanny Kido.
Liu Chuan didn't keep them waiting. He raised his right hand and casually pointed forward with his index finger, without even chanting.
"Hadō #4: Byakurai."
A slender bolt of blinding white lightning shot toward Isshin Shiba like an arrow loosed from a bowstring.
It was extremely fast, but to someone Captain-level, its power was only normal for a low-level Hadō.
"Bring it on!" Isshin Shiba merely leaned slightly to one side, intending to dodge it with ease thanks to his experience.
A straightforward, low-level Kido like this posed no threat to him.
But just as the white bolt was about