As Kai spoke in a soft tone, the Zanpakutō in his hand dissolved into particles.
A translucent blue panel materialized in the air before him, suspended at a slight angle, exuding a futuristic aura.
The panel’s upper section featured two rows of card slots, each containing five slots, totaling ten. A black circle on the upper right represented a graveyard, while the lower right held a card deck, and the lower left displayed a timer.
This was the released form of Kai’s Zanpakutō, reminiscent of the Yu-Gi-Oh game from his previous life. Yet, as a Zanpakutō of his own creation, it differed vastly in its intricacies.
With a soft hum, five cards with black backs slid from the deck in the lower right corner, aligning neatly in the lower section of the panel before Kai.
Rule 1: Upon activating Shikai, the wielder could draw five cards immediately. Every minute, as indicated by the timer, one additional card would be drawn automatically, with a maximum hand size of twenty cards.
Across from him, Pivitt stared at the floating panel with surprise. This was his first encounter with Kai’s Zanpakutō in its released state.
The unique nature of this liberation demanded caution.
After all, Kai’s Zanpakutō was renowned as the most nonsensical and extraordinary in history. Despite such rumors, details were scarce, offering little beyond its reputation.
But Pivitt remained undeterred. His own Zanpakutō, Disaster Wind, was Soul Society’s strongest wind-type blade.
He was confident—mostly—that he could not lose to his teacher.
"I’ll begin, Teacher," Pivitt announced, observing Kai as he examined his cards.
He didn’t wait for a response.
Having never been outwitted by Kai before, Pivitt had learned his lesson: never let the teacher act first.
With a quick salute, he raised his blade, surrounded by swirling air currents, and swung it toward Kai.
Strike first to gain the advantage; hesitate and face defeat. Kai had taught him that.
Streams of air gathered on the blade before bursting forth, forming a series of wind slashes that sliced through the air with a faint rustling sound, racing toward Kai.
The Shinigami spectators watched intently. Pivitt’s title as the wielder of the strongest wind-type Zanpakutō piqued their interest, but Kai and his mysterious Zanpakutō were equally compelling.
Though Kai often appeared publicly, his true strength remained enigmatic. Those who had faced his Zanpakutō were tight-lipped, possibly due to his rumored high status or seniority.
This secrecy only fueled the Shinigami’s curiosity, and now, with the chance to witness it, they observed eagerly.
On the battlefield, Kai faced the incoming wind slashes with a calm smile.
"My turn," he said softly.
As the words left his lips, the slashes dissolved into a harmless breeze upon reaching him.
Pivitt’s eyes widened in disbelief as his attack vanished without a trace.
What was this ability? How could it nullify his strikes?
Unconvinced, Pivitt attacked again, unleashing a barrage of wind slashes.
Yet each one dissipated instantly upon nearing Kai.
Rule 2: Every minute, as marked by the timer, the wielder had a thirty-second turn. By declaring "My turn," they entered this phase, gaining temporary invincibility and the ability to place cards in the slots.
Ignoring Pivitt’s relentless assaults, Kai placed two of his five cards onto the panel—one face-up in the first row, the other face-down in the second.
He made no further moves.
Rule 3: The wielder could place two cards initially, with one additional card permitted each minute. If no cards were placed in a given minute, the wielder could accumulate placements for the next turn, up to a maximum of ten cards.
"Little Pivitt, stop struggling. You’ll only tire yourself out," Kai said with a teasing smile, watching Pivitt’s persistent attacks.
At Kai’s words, Pivitt paused. The turn’s invincibility had just ended, leaving Kai vulnerable until the next minute ticked over.
Had Pivitt attacked then, he might have landed a hit.
But he was unaware of the mechanics, believing only that he needed to exert every ounce of strength.
The battlefield was nearly upended by his efforts, yet Kai remained unfazed, as if the attacks were mere breezes.
Pivitt began to question his reality.
The watching Shinigami were equally baffled. How could Vice-Captain Kai completely negate Captain Pivitt’s attacks?
Murmurs spread among them. Was this neutralization or outright immunity? Kai’s shihakusho barely stirred, suggesting an almost unfair ability.
"Teacher, why? Why don’t my attacks work?" Pivitt asked, his student’s instinct to seek answers overriding his shame, especially from his mentor.
"Silly boy, you must learn to solve problems yourself," Kai replied. "Now, face my next move."
Pivitt fell silent. Asking directly was a habit from his student days, but as the acting captain, soon to be eligible for a full captaincy with his Bankai, he was no longer just a learner at the Spiritual Arts Academy.
His gaze fixed on the panel before Kai, where the card in the first row began to glow.
A figure materialized in front of Kai.
Pivitt stared curiously, noting horns, eyes, and an upright body. Was this a beastman? No—a tauren seemed more fitting.
The word struck him as appropriate.
Kai spoke. "Tauren, use your innate skill."
"Moo!" The tauren let out a thunderous bellow.
The Shinigami and Pivitt looked on in astonishment as green light erupted, nearly blinding them.
A terrifying aura surged forth, and Pivitt sensed an overwhelming anger emanating from the creature.
In the next instant, a roar shook the air.
Blood sprayed from Pivitt’s mouth, gleaming like rubies in the air. He felt as though he had been struck by a charging Sea King, his body sent flying.
Then came a booming cry: "Charge for Love!"
( End of this Chapter )