A Man Like a Beast

"Yes, I see!"

Yoruichi Shihōin watched Shadow for a while, then turned away without probing any further out of curiosity. She believed him. One day, he would tell her himself. Yes, she believed him. She had always believed him.

A faint smile curled Shadow's lips.

"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! Haha..."

In the lifeless street, a childish shout and clear laughter suddenly rang out, tearing through the decaying avenue.

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

His body and face were drenched in blood, yet that crimson could not conceal the madness in his eyes—a madness like that of a beast.

As expected, the battle ended quickly. Before a beast, people were still only people. Especially in Zaraki District.

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

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

Stopping the little girl who was about to run over, the man walked forward step by step. Fresh blood still stained his face, and he radiated a chilling 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. Staring at Yoruichi Shihōin and Shadow, he laughed wildly. "Come and fight me!"

"You..."

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

Without saying a word or making any visible movement, a bloodthirsty curve appeared on Shadow's lips as well. The coldness in his eyes was replaced by ferocity, and killing intent surged from him like crashing waves.

"Ah!"

As though he did not care about the overwhelming killing intent at all, the man let out a wild roar, raised the chipped blade in his hand, and pounced like a beast. His lips carried a crazed, savage smile.

The instant the blade came down 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 splashed onto the ground, but Shadow did not even glance at it. His black eyes remained fixed on the man, as if it were not his blood that was spilling.

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

Shadow laughed, his laughter somewhat unrestrained. Joy gleamed in his flickering eyes.

"Aren't you afraid of death?"

"Death!" The man laughed madly and roared, "Whether you live or die, it's no big deal! Battle means not fearing 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 bleak wind swept up the dust on the ground, sending it swirling through the air. The sun's heat beat down upon the ruined earth.

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

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

The man's sword had no form or pattern. Driven by a beast-like madness, he only attacked and slashed. He was powerful and fast, and that crazed smile never left his lips.

Shadow was the same. He used no Swordsmanship, did not evade, did not defend. There was only attack after attack. His disordered strikes were swift, accurate, and vicious, carrying the momentum of one who would never turn back until death. His lips curved upward, cold and bloodthirsty, fierce and sharp.

Neither of them used even a trace of Reiatsu. They fought only with raw strength and speed. Both were equally fearless of death, equally... like beasts.

The only difference was that the man's blade was wild and brutal, while Shadow's was bloodthirsty, cold, and restrained. Yet both of them possessed hearts made for slaughter.

"Lady Yoruichi!"

Kisuke Urahara, who had just arrived, stared blankly at the two fighting men. Looking at Yoruichi Shihōin, who was quietly watching from the side, he asked, "What's going on? Is he an enemy?"

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

"Huh?" 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."

Thwack!

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

"That hurts!"

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

"Shadow... is very happy."

"Huh?" Kisuke Urahara froze, then raised his head in astonishment to look at Yoruichi Shihōin.

"You see, that's just how 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 crisp ring, and the force of the impact sent both men sliding backward.

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

"You haven't gone all out yet, have you?" The man panted heavily and grinned.

"Yeah," Shadow answered.

"You know, you remind me of someone. A woman who once defeated me!" Excitement surged through the man. He felt every cell and every drop of blood in his body leaping as he roared, "Use your full strength!"

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

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

"Ah!"

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

The man roared wildly, and immense golden Reiatsu swept through everything around him. The pillar of light formed by that sky-piercing Reiatsu seemed to punch through heaven and earth.