Byakuya Kuchiki narrowed his eyes as he studied the stick-like Zanpakutō in Shiraha's hand, unable to hide his surprise. Though Shiraha had remained mostly secluded within the Kuchiki estate, Byakuya had witnessed his solitary training more than once—relentless, disciplined, and without fanfare. Each time Byakuya returned home, he saw Shiraha alone beneath the banyan tree, repeating silent movements with unwavering focus. Yet even with that consistency, he hadn't anticipated a Reiatsu of such magnitude—one rivaling a captain's—erupting from his younger brother.
"I didn't expect this," Byakuya said slowly, his voice laced with quiet disbelief.
Shiraha turned, his expression showing faint frustration. "So you still don't believe in my strength, even after all that?"
Byakuya, momentarily caught off guard by his brother's tone, allowed a rare smile to curve his lips. "That's not what I meant. Don't misunderstand."
A flicker of pride crossed his otherwise impassive face, the acknowledgment unspoken yet understood between them.
With the tension easing, Ichimaru Gin stepped forward, his ever-present smile in place. "Captain Kuchiki. Captain Yinling. Since everything's been explained, I suppose my work here is done."
Just as he turned to leave, Shiraha's system voice rang clear in his mind:
Sign-in Task: Challenge Ichimaru Gin and remain undefeated for fifteen minutes.
Reward: Fujitora's Smile Template progress increased by 10%.
The moment hung still as Shiraha processed the task. To him, Ichimaru Gin wasn't an opponent he could defeat, but the objective wasn't victory—only endurance. With Gin's Bankai sealed, and with his current strength, lasting fifteen minutes didn't seem impossible.
He stepped forward, blocking Ichimaru's path without hesitation.
"Shiraha-kun?" Ichimaru's eyes narrowed slightly, curiosity edging into his tone. "Something wrong?"
"I want to challenge you, Captain Ichimaru," Shiraha said clearly, his voice calm and resolute.
Shock passed through the assembled Sixth Division members, while Byakuya moved silently to Shiraha's left. Kuchiki Yinling appeared in a flash, his Shunpo swift, his brows drawn in disapproval.
"Shiraha, this isn't the time for recklessness," Yinling scolded sharply.
Undeterred, Shiraha stood his ground. "I want to test my strength—to see how far I've truly come."
The conviction in his tone held no arrogance, only a quiet desire to understand his limits. Though no one else could hear it, the task given by the system made the challenge too valuable to pass up.
Ichimaru studied him for a moment before giving a small nod. "Well, since you insist, I accept your challenge."
Yinling's voice cut in again, laced with concern. "Captain Ichimaru, I ask that you be merciful."
Despite Shiraha's impressive outburst of Reiatsu, Yinling didn't believe he stood a chance against a seasoned captain like Gin, especially after just awakening his Zanpakutō.
"I understand," Gin said, his smile unchanged.
In a flash, he disappeared with Shunpo, reappearing across the ruined courtyard. Shiraha mirrored the movement with seamless speed, enhanced by Observation Haki, and landed ten meters away, standing firm.
Watching from the distance, Yinling folded his arms. "How long do you think he can last?"
Byakuya's expression remained unreadable as he responded, "If the Reiatsu Shiraha released was genuine, he might be able to hold his ground for ten minutes—assuming Captain Ichimaru doesn't use Bankai."
Yinling gave a low hum. "Don't underestimate him. His Zanpakutō's gravity-based ability may offer more surprises than expected."
On the battlefield, Ichimaru raised a hand, still wearing his easy grin. "Let's begin, then. Shiraha-kun, I hope you won't hold back."
Without chanting, he unleashed Hadō #31: Shakkahō, a crimson fireball forming instantly in his palm and hurling forward like a blazing meteor. But Shiraha, sensing its trajectory with his Observation Haki, shifted effortlessly to the side. The red sphere detonated behind him, blasting a crater more than three meters deep into the scorched ground.
Shiraha didn't flinch, but his mind registered the force of the spell. Even without the chant, the power was dangerous, easily enough to kill a low-ranking officer. The captain hadn't held back nearly as much as his smile suggested.
"You're fast," Ichimaru remarked with amusement. "Guess I'll have to try a little harder."
In a smooth motion, he unsheathed his Zanpakutō—a short blade no longer than his forearm. "Shoot to kill, Shinsō."
The blade shimmered and extended in a white flash, thrusting forward like a lightning bolt. In an instant, it closed the distance between them.
"Five times the gravity," Shiraha muttered, raising the gravity within a ten-meter radius.
As Shinsō pierced the threshold of that field, its speed slowed noticeably, dragged down by the intensified force. Shiraha, focused and composed, used Observation Haki to track its altered motion. Channeling Armament Haki into his right hand, he reached out and caught the blade mid-flight.
Sparks flew as hardened skin met spiritual steel.
Ichimaru's expression finally shifted, a flicker of surprise breaking through his facade as he jerked the blade back. "What?"
Shiraha didn't answer. He released Shinsō only once Ichimaru retrieved it by force, the encounter complete.
Catching a captain's Shikai bare-handed wasn't something Gin had expected. Even among Shinigami with exceptional spiritual pressure, the act was rare. Doing so without flinching—while applying advanced gravity manipulation—meant Shiraha had not only awakened power but mastered control.
If Shiraha had blocked the attack with his own weapon, it would have been impressive.
But this?
This was something else entirely.
As the seconds ticked on, the battle continued. Gin pressed forward, alternating strikes and kidō spells. Shiraha countered with shifting gravity fields, pinpoint observation, and precise bursts of Haki. Neither held back—yet Shiraha remained standing.
He hadn't faltered.
Not once.