On a street in the Seireitei, Jiraiya and Shunsui Kyōraku were fighting at high speed.
But any observer could tell neither was going all out. It looked more like sparring.
Even while fighting, they chatted—about their experiences as writers.
After their conversation, their impressions of each other changed dramatically.
If they weren't on opposite sides, they probably would've sat down for drinks together.
What a shame they'd met so late.
After all these years, to find someone who truly resonated with them.
Different genres, but the collision of ideas gave them both endless inspiration.
In the end, the two middle-aged men stopped fighting entirely and sat on a rooftop, talking and laughing.
Guided by Yachiru Kusajishi, Kenpachi Zaraki—who still hadn't reached the battlefield—happened to pass by.
Seeing the two on the rooftop, he froze.
Had Shunsui Kyōraku defected?
Why was he chatting so happily with a Ryōka?
Yachiru on his shoulder called out, "Kenny, let's hurry! Trust my instincts—this way we'll reach the fight soon!"
Kenpachi grumbled, "You sure this time? I just ran a full lap around the Seireitei because of you."
Yachiru put a finger to her chin, thought a moment, and smiled. "Definitely right this time! All the previous ones were mistakes!"
Kenpachi said nothing more and ran in the direction she pointed.
As for Shunsui—he pretended not to see anything. He wasn't one to meddle.
Shunsui noticed Kenpachi too. He wanted to tell him they were heading the opposite direction from the battlefield.
But he decided against it. They'd find the right way eventually... probably.
Suddenly, the world shook violently.
Shunsui's expression shifted. "That reiatsu—Old Man Yamamoto. The old man's finally made his move."
"Jiraiya, your companions might be in danger. That old man's terrifying."
Jiraiya didn't care. "I'm not worried at all. As long as our Guild Master is there, they'll be fine."
"Oh? You have that much confidence in him?" Shunsui said, surprised.
Jiraiya looked toward the horizon and laughed. "He's practically a god. I've never seen him lose."
Shunsui watched Jiraiya's confident expression and thought: That young man must be something special too.
The question was—who was stronger, him or Old Man Yamamoto?
At the battlefield, Lin Xuan waved a hand and sent Itachi out of the combat zone.
He turned to Yamamoto and sneered. "Old man, you want to touch my people? Did you ask my permission?"
Yamamoto snorted coldly. Spiritual pressure gathered rapidly on his Zanpakutō—Ryūjin Jakka.
Nadegiri!
Reiatsu condensed on the blade's edge. A vertical slash descended—a white blade-light that seemed to cut space itself.
Lin Xuan's long blade erupted with equally powerful reiatsu, sweeping forward.
Boom!
Blades collided with another deafening roar.
Neither stopped. Their weapons lashed out repeatedly, reiatsu crashing again and again.
Razor-sharp blade-light carved through the earth. The ground trembled and collapsed.
Boom!
Finally both burst from the crater and clashed again in midair.
Two figures exchanged blows at astonishing speed. A violent wind swept outward, hurling everyone nearby away.
"So fast—I can't even see their exchange."
"That Ryōka is that strong? He's been fighting Captain-Commander Yamamoto this long without losing!"
Everyone had long since retreated, afraid of being caught in the crossfire.
This level of combat was beyond ordinary Shinigami. Even some captains didn't dare approach.
Not just the Shinigami—the shinobi watching were equally amazed.
"Who is this old man? He's incredibly strong."
"Strange—why isn't the Guild Master using ninjutsu, Haki, or ki? He seems to be using this world's combat power."
"You don't understand. At the Guild Master's level, combat is about challenge. Using unfamiliar power increases the difficulty—that's the point."
Yamamoto's arm veins bulged. He threw a punch at extreme speed. Air compressed around it like a cannon blast toward Lin Xuan.
Lin Xuan's body flickered and vanished.
Boom!
A tall building ahead was pulverized by Yamamoto's fist—showing just how devastating that blow was.
----------
T/N:
You'll also get 5 extra chapters just for being a free member!
Access 60 chapters in advance on my Patreon: [email protected]//allbluestories