Instant Opening

Muguruma Kensei eyed Saikyō cautiously. He initially thought Saikyō would hesitate or even refuse his challenge, but to his surprise, Saikyō agreed immediately. This unexpected acceptance shifted the pressure onto Kensei. After all, with the gap in raw strength between them, even if Saikyō lost, no one would fault him. But if Kensei lost, it would be a serious blow to his pride.

"You're not planning to hold back, are you, Captain Kensei?" Saikyō asked confidently, locking eyes with him.

Facing off against someone like Muguruma Kensei in a pure Hakuda battle was a rare opportunity, and Saikyō wanted to ensure that Kensei would give it his all.

"You think I'd hold back, kid?"

Kensei didn't hesitate. His muscular body tensed, veins bulging visibly as he exhaled forcefully. His spiritual pressure (Reiatsu) surged, radiating power and causing the dust and stones around him to stir. The sheer force of his presence was overwhelming.

With no words, Kensei answered through action.

"So, you're going all out right from the start?"

Sensing the pressure from Kensei, Saikyō's expression became serious. Kensei was a seasoned Captain, and any slip in focus could lead to dire consequences. This was no sparring match; Kensei's fists would not be kind.

"Saikyō, I'm done with the warm-up. Now, I'll show you what real hellish training feels like!" Kensei's spiritual pressure climbed to its peak as he lunged forward.

"Fist of the Raging Wind!"

Kensei's punch shot forward with blinding speed, the sheer force of it creating a loud sonic boom as it tore through the air. His Zanpakutō, Tachikaze, was wind-based, and even in unarmed combat, his punches carried an inherent wind attribute.

"I can use wind-attribute Hakuda too!"

As Kensei's fist closed in, Saikyō remained composed. He raised his own fist, his Reiatsu wrapping tightly around it. If one looked closely, they could see the fine blue lines of energy forming a barrier over Saikyō's knuckles. Like Kensei, a small cyclone of wind whirled around his arm, enhancing his strike.

Reiatsu and Hakuda had become one in Saikyō's fists.

"What...?"

In the midst of his attack, Kensei noticed something unusual about Saikyō's fist. He could feel the wind-attribute Reiatsu radiating from it, but it was stronger, more refined than his own.

"A perfect combination of Reiatsu and Hakuda? How did he even figure this out?" Kensei's mind raced. He tried to calm himself, but Saikyō's mastery of such a technique was unsettling.

Indeed, after mastering his upgraded Hakuda skill, Saikyō's punches had evolved into something beyond ordinary. His strikes now carried a force similar to the instantaneous boost of Shunkō, the advanced technique that combined Hakuda and Kidō.

However, Saikyō's punches were a perfect fusion of multi-attribute Reiatsu and double-bone boxing, bringing a unique power that even Shihouin Yoruichi, the famed master of Shunkō, would be impressed by.

"Captain Kensei, you're getting distracted!"

As Kensei's mind wandered for a brief moment, Saikyō seized the opportunity and swung his fist with all his might.

"Double Bone Fist!"

Saikyō's punch carried the full force of his technique, amplified by his unique talents. Although his Hakuda skill was only on par with a typical seated officer, his passive abilities like Superhuman Strength and Heavy Attack allowed him to multiply his power tenfold.

Even Muguruma Kensei, renowned for his strength, had to take Saikyō's punch seriously.

"This kid... no wonder he's so confident!"

Kensei could feel the overwhelming power radiating from Saikyō's punch. The dangerous aura of his opponent's fist made him break out into a cold sweat.

At that moment, Kensei realized why Saikyō had been so willing to fight in a pure Hakuda match. His skill in unarmed combat might even surpass his swordsmanship!

"But..."

"I'm the Captain of Squad Nine. I won't back down!"

Fueled by his pride and fighting spirit, Kensei pushed his limits. The stronger his opponent, the more excited he became, and Saikyō's strength had set his heart ablaze.

BOOM!

The sound of their fists colliding reverberated within the barrier, the sheer force of the impact sending shockwaves through the air.

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

The triple-layered barrier surrounding them began to splinter under the pressure of their combined Reiatsu, cracking like a spider web.

"The barrier is breaking!"

Seeing the damage to the barrier, Hirako Shinji's expression turned grim. He had underestimated Saikyō's abilities. The kid's Hakuda skills were more impressive than he ever imagined.

"It looks like this special training session is over," Hiyori said with a sigh. "Once the barrier breaks, it's too dangerous to continue."

"Oh, what a shame. I was hoping to get some alone time with Saikyō after this," Kuna Mashiro pouted.

"Give it a rest, Mashiro. We all know what's on your mind," Yadoumaru Lisa chimed in, rolling her eyes. "You'd probably spend the entire hour chatting and flirting instead of fighting."

"Shut up, Lisa!" Mashiro retorted, sticking her tongue out.

"Alright, quiet down. We don't know what's happening inside the barrier," Aikawa Love said, silencing the group. His gaze was fixed on the barrier, trying to peer through the thick fog of Reiatsu.

With all the dust and energy swirling around, visibility was low, and none of them could see who had the upper hand.

"Just wait. Their auras are becoming clearer," Hirako Shinji said, his face unusually serious.

After what felt like an eternity, the thick fog finally cleared.

The figures of Saikyō and Muguruma Kensei slowly came into view.

"No way..."

What they saw next shocked everyone.

Muguruma Kensei's Shihakushō was in tatters, especially around his arms, where his muscles were exposed and covered in blood.

It was clear—Muguruma Kensei had been injured in their clash!