A Man Like a Beast

"Yes, I see!"

Yoruichi Shihōin watched Shadow for a long while, then turned away without pursuing her curiosity any further. She believed in him. Someday, he would tell her himself. Yes, she believed in him. She had always believed in him.

A faint smile curled at Shadow's lips.

"I really have to thank you for believing in me, Lady Yoruichi. Once I've truly thought everything through, I'll tell you. I'll tell you everything!"

"Go, Kenny! Hahaha..."

Amid the lifeless streets, a child's shout and clear laughter suddenly rang out, tearing through the aged, decaying district.

Following the sound one after the other, Yoruichi Shihōin and Shadow turned around a street corner. Before them was a pink-haired little girl of about one or two, sitting atop a stone and laughing as she shouted. Opposite her, a tall man was fighting dozens of people. His vicious gaze and the scar running across his face gave him a wild air.

His body and face were covered in blood, yet the red could not hide the madness in his eyes—a madness like that of a beast.

As expected, the battle ended quickly. Before a beast, humans were ultimately only human, especially in the Zaraki District.

"Yay! Kenny, you won again!" The little girl excitedly jumped down from the stone.

"Wait, Yachiru. Don't come over yet!"

Stopping the little girl as she was about to run over, the man walked forward step by step. His face was still smeared with wet blood, and he radiated an intimidating presence like a beast ready to pounce at any moment.

"You're Bleach, aren't you?"

The man bared his sharp teeth in a wide grin and looked at Yoruichi Shihōin and Shadow. Then he laughed wildly. "Come fight me!"

"You..."

Yoruichi Shihōin flared up and was about to step forward, but Shadow stopped her behind him. "Shadow!"

Without speaking or making any visible move, a bloodthirsty curve appeared on Shadow's lips as well. The coldness in his eyes was replaced by savagery, and the killing intent around him surged out like crashing waves.

"Ah!"

As though he did not care about the overwhelming killing intent at all, the man let out a mad roar, raised the chipped blade in his hand, and lunged forward like a beast. His lips bore a crazed, violent smile.

The instant the blade slashed at Shadow, time seemed to stop. Yoruichi Shihōin's eyes widened in disbelief as she cried out, "Shadow, you..."

Blood flowed from the wound on his shoulder and splattered onto the ground. Yet Shadow did not even glance at it. His black eyes remained fixed on the man, as if it were not his blood that was flowing.

"Good, good! You actually managed to cut me. You can hurt me! Hahaha..."

Shadow laughed, a wild laugh, his eyes gleaming with delight.

"Aren't you afraid of death?"

"Death?" The man laughed madly and roared, "Whether it's life or death, it's no big deal! In battle, you must not fear death!"

"Is that so?" Shadow drew the Zanpakutō from his back. "Then I'll grant your wish!"

"I'll make sure you're satisfied!" The man grinned and raised his chipped blade as well.

A desolate wind swept dust from the ground into the air, where it spiraled beneath the scorching sun over the ruined land.

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

The sound of blade striking blade rang out continuously, scattering showers of sparks.

The man's blade had no form or pattern. Driven by a beastlike madness, he only attacked and hacked. He was immensely strong and incredibly fast, and that crazed smile never left his lips.

Shadow was the same. He used no Swordsmanship, did not dodge, did not defend. He only attacked, and attacked again. His erratic blade was fast, precise, and ruthless, carrying an unstoppable momentum. His lips curved upward, cold and bloodthirsty, fierce and sharp.

Neither of them used even a trace of spiritual pressure. They fought using only pure strength and speed. Both were equally fearless of death, equally... like beasts.

The only difference was that the man's blade was wild and violent, while Shadow's was bloodthirsty, cold, and restrained. Yet both men possessed hearts that longed for slaughter.

"Lady Yoruichi!"

Kisuke Urahara, who had just arrived, stared blankly at the two men fighting. He turned to Yoruichi Shihōin, who was quietly watching beside him, and asked, "What's going on? Is he an enemy?"

"No." Yoruichi Shihōin answered calmly. "You could say he's someone like Shadow."

"Eh?" Kisuke Urahara scratched his head and smiled. "This is the first time I've seen Shadow like this..."

Kisuke Urahara truly did not know how to describe it.

"Is that so?"

"Well, Yoruichi, why have you become so quiet?" Kisuke Urahara looked at Yoruichi Shihōin strangely. "I'm really not used to seeing you like this."

Smack!

Yoruichi Shihōin struck Kisuke Urahara on the head with a hand chop. Without looking back, she said calmly, "Are you used to it now?"

"That hurts!"

Kisuke Urahara clutched his head and squatted on the ground, looking utterly miserable as he endlessly berated himself. Why did I have to talk so much?

"Shadow... is very happy."

"Eh?" Kisuke Urahara froze, then looked up at Yoruichi Shihōin in astonishment.

"Hey, that's all it is. I've rarely seen Shadow fight so freely, without any burdens at all."

Yoruichi Shihōin sniffed, and for a moment, her smile bloomed like a flower.

Clang!

The blades collided with another sharp ring, and the force of the impact sent both men sliding backward.

"Not bad." Shadow shook his head, the fierceness in his eyes growing heavier.

"You haven't used your full strength yet, have you?" The man panted heavily, baring his teeth.

"Yeah," Shadow replied.

"You know, you remind me of someone. A woman who once defeated me!" The man grew excited, as though every cell and drop of blood in his body were leaping. He roared, "Use your full strength!"

"You'll die," Shadow said in a low voice. Even the hand gripping his blade trembled slightly with excitement.

"Tch!" The man roared disdainfully, "I know you're stronger than me, but I already said it—whether I die or not doesn't matter!"

"Ah!"

"Of course! I won't lose so easily!"

The man roared wildly as enormous golden spiritual pressure swept through everything around him. The pillar of light formed by that soaring spiritual pressure seemed to pierce the heavens.