Crimson-gold light illuminated half of the Seireitei.
On the open wasteland, two almost identical figures retreated at the same time.
The ground had been scorched black by sun reiatsu, and the rubble gleamed dark red where its surface had melted.
Reigai Yoriichi held Hekyō, the smile still on his face.
Yet his right arm was trembling slightly.
On the surface, that head-on clash had looked evenly matched.
In truth, only he knew that the reishi circuits inside his body were already slightly overloaded.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni stood opposite him, Hekyō fiery red in his hand, his Captain's Haori fluttering gently in the heat waves.
His breathing, however, remained steady.
Reigai Yoriichi looked at him and slowly smiled. "Original, you're stronger than the data indicated."
Yoriichi raised his eyes.
"You're weaker than I imagined."
The smile on Reigai Yoriichi's face stiffened slightly.
Watching from a distance, Ichigo's mouth twitched.
He realized that while Yoriichi usually seemed quiet, when he actually opened his mouth to cut someone down, he was no less lethal than a Zanpakuto.
Nozomi Kujō asked quietly, "Is he usually this good at getting under people's skin?"
Ichigo fell silent for a moment.
"Depends on who he's talking to."
"If the other side isn't human, he generally doesn't bother being polite."
Nozomi Kujō looked at Reigai Yoriichi.
Then she nodded.
"That definitely isn't human."
Reigai Yoriichi slowly raised his sword, crimson-gold reiatsu flowing outward along the blade.
"It was only one clash. Isn't it a little early to draw conclusions?"
"I possess all your combat data."
"Your Shikai, your Shunpo, your swordsmanship, the way reiatsu circulates through every one of your techniques-I know it all."
Yoriichi quietly listened until he finished.
Then he asked, "So?"
Reigai Yoriichi's gaze turned cold.
The next instant, crimson light burst beneath his feet.
Nisshun.