Kaien's Challenge

"Senior Wang Xun!"

His voice was loud, drawing the attention of those around him.

Long time no see!

Wang Xun smiled too.

"Long time no see, Kaien."

Kaien walked up to him and looked him up and down.

"I heard you were transferred to the Fourth Division?"

Wang Xun nodded.

"Yes, that was a few months ago."

"The Fourth Division..."

A thoughtful look flashed across Kaien Shiba's face.

"With your skills, why didn't you focus on developing your abilities in the Second Division? Why did you go to the Medical Division?"

Wang Xun smiled upon hearing this.

"Captain Unohana personally requested this person. Actually, the medical squad is quite good; they can save lives and fight as well."

Kaien looked at Wang Xun in surprise, then nodded.

He stood beside Wang Xun, watching the students sweating profusely on the training field.

"Senior, I'm applying to graduate early this year."

Kaien suddenly spoke.

Wang Xun looked at him.

"Ready?"

"Um.

Kaien nodded.

"I want to join the Gotei 13, preferably the Thirteenth Division. Captain Ukitake is someone I admire, and I hope to work under him."

Wang Xun looked at him, a hint of approval in his eyes.

You will do it.

Kaien smiled.

"How are you doing now? Are you settling into the Fourth Division?"

"Not bad, Captain Unohana is very nice to me."

Kaien nodded, remained silent for a moment, and then suddenly spoke.

"Speaking of which, you should be even stronger now, right?"

"Want to have a match?"

Wang Xun looked at him.

"A contest?"

"Um."

Kaien gripped his Zanpakuto, a glint of fighting spirit flashing in his eyes.

"I've improved a lot, and my Zanpakuto has already Shikai."

"I wonder if your skills have declined since you were in the Fourth Division?"

Wang Xun looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and then smiled.

"Great, this is a good opportunity to stretch my legs."

Then, the two walked to the center of the training field.

Those around who witnessed this stopped training and gathered around.

Kaien is the strongest among the second-year students, with top-notch swordsmanship and Reiatsu. I heard he's about to apply for early graduation.

Wang Xun was recognized by some as a senior who had graduated early and was now serving in the Gotei 13.

No one around wanted to miss this competition.

Kaien stood opposite Wang Xun, gripping her Zanpakuto.

"Senior, be careful."

Wang Xun nodded, but did not draw his sword.

He simply stood there, holding his unsheathed Zanpakuto, his posture composed.

Kaien frowned slightly.

"Not drawing your sword?"

Wang Xun smiled.

"Let's see how much you've improved."

Kaien didn't speak, a heavy look flashed in his eyes, and his figure suddenly disappeared from the spot.

His Shunpo is much faster than it was a few months ago.

But at this moment, in Wang Xun's eyes, Kaien's movements were full of mistakes.

The blade flashed from the side, carrying a sharp Reiatsu.

Wang Xun merely turned slightly to the side, and the blade grazed the hem of his clothes.

Kaien's eyes were filled with surprise. In the next instant, his second strike arrived, this time slashing down from the front.

Wang Xun simply stepped aside, dodging the attack.

Kaien saw that Wang Xun was standing still, barely moving.

His expression was calm, as if he were doing something completely ordinary.

How could this be...?

Kaien had no time to think it through; she gritted her teeth and launched another fierce attack.

His attacks grew faster and faster, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

However, even though Kaien Shiba had exerted all his strength, he couldn't even touch the hem of Wang Xun's clothes.

The person before me seemed to be standing in another dimension, seeing through all my attacks.

This makes all his actions seem both powerless and ridiculous.

The gap is enormous, like a chasm.

Upon realizing this, Kaien abruptly stopped.

He stood frozen in place, breathing heavily, staring at Wang Xun in utter shock.

But Wang Xun simply dodged casually, neutralizing all of his attacks.

Strolling leisurely, as if in a deserted place.

Those around were stunned by what they saw.

They knew Wang Xun strong, but they didn't expect him to be this strong.

Kaien Shiba was the strongest among them, but in front of Wang Xun, he was like a child who had just learned to walk.

Kaien's forehead was covered in fine sweat, and her pupils trembled slightly.

He looked up at Wang Xun, his eyes filled with disbelief.

"How is that possible..."

The gap is so huge...

Wang Xun remained silent.

He simply stood there, watching the Kaien.

Kaien remained silent for a long time.

Then, he steadied himself and Zanpakuto tightly.

"Senior Wang Xun, I didn't expect you to have improved so much in such a short time."

"But don't you even have the right to ask me to draw my sword?"

Kaien Shiba raised her head and looked directly at Wang Xun.

"Draw your sword, senpai."

Let me show you the difference between you and me.

Wang Xun looked at the stubborn look in Kaien's eyes and remained silent for a moment.

Then he nodded.

Wang Xun reached for his waist and drew his Zanpakuto.

The moment the blade was drawn, a sharp Reiatsu erupted from the sword and spread outwards.

Those around involuntarily took a step back, finding it difficult to even breathe.

The next moment, Wang Xun's figure slowly disappeared from the spot.

Kaien's pupils contracted slightly.

That was... an afterimage.

Wang Xun's Shunpo speed was so fast that it left an afterimage.

But Kaien didn't even see when Wang Xun activated Shunpo.

The sound of something cutting through the air came from behind, Kaien turned around.

As soon as he turned his head, Blade was already in front of him.

That cut was very slow.

It was so slow that Kaien could see the trajectory of the blade and the Reiatsu flowing along its edge.

But he couldn't escape it.

The force of that strike had already blocked all his escape routes.

He felt like prey being watched by a predator, with nowhere to hide and nowhere to escape.

The blade fell, accompanied by a chilling killing intent.

Kaien felt as if she had been split in two.

In the instant the blade fell, he witnessed the ultimate terror between life and death.

Endless darkness, coldness, and nothingness.

Kaien's body froze on the spot, her mind went blank, and she even forgot to breathe.

I don't know how much time passed.

He felt someone pat him on the shoulder.

Kaien suddenly came to her senses, panting heavily, like a fish out of oxygen.

Sweat streamed down his face, soaking his collar; his hands and legs trembled.

When he recovered, he turned around and saw that Wang Xun was already far away.

The white-haired young man sheathed his sword, turned his back to him, and walked out of the training ground.

His pace was leisurely, his posture relaxed, as if he were taking an afternoon stroll to digest his food.

Just then, Wang Xun's voice came from afar.

"I'll be waiting for you in the Gotei 13."

Kaien stood there, staring blankly at the departing figure, remaining silent for a long time.

The people around them remained silent.

They stared in the direction Wang Xun disappeared, speechless for a long time.

Although they didn't face that knife directly, they don't know what Kaien went through.

But they felt it too.

That Reiatsu, that oppressive feeling, that suffocating power.

These were all things they had never experienced before.

After a long while, Kaien lowered his head and looked at the Zanpakuto in his hand.

He then gripped the hilt of his knife, raised his head, and looked in the direction where Wang Xun disappeared.

He was stunned for a long time.