Kage Bunshin

Upper level of the Maggot's Nest.

In the wide cavern, an entire circle of open space was deliberately marked out.

Saikyō and Sui-Feng stood face to face.

After agreeing to Saikyō's challenge, Sui-Feng didn't relax at all, maintaining a meticulous expression as if she had "serious" written all over her face.

"Miss Sui-Feng, I hope you can set aside any hesitation and give it your all." Saikyō urged sincerely.

He didn't want her to hold back because of his special status. If she did, the expected effect wouldn't be achieved, and this sparring session would lose its original meaning.

"You don't need to worry about that. I won't hold back."

"Saikyō-kun, I'm not afraid of disappointing you. No matter how amazing your talent is, you still can't match my speed." Sui-Feng said confidently with her arms crossed.

Her confidence wasn't blind arrogance. In terms of pure speed, only Yoruichi could surpass her, even among the stealth force known for assassination.

Besides, Sui-Feng's proud personality wouldn't allow her to let any chance of victory slip away.

"Miss Sui-Feng, it seems your pride runs deep. Aren't you afraid of losing to me?" Saikyō's expression remained unchanged, already understanding Sui-Feng's character.

To convince her entirely, he would need to prove himself with raw power.

"That won't happen."

Even as she said this, Sui-Feng's figure vanished.

There was no warning, no motion; she disappeared, almost like teleportation.

"Such speed, but it's still insufficient."

Though impressed by Sui-Feng's speed, Saikyō remained calm.

With his recent special training with the Visoreds, he had already adapted to the speed of a captain-level Shinigami and could handle it with ease.

"Scattered beast bones! Crimson crystal towers and steel wheels. What moves is the wind, what is still is the sky. The sound of spears striking resounds throughout the empty city!"

"Hadō #63, Raikōhō!"

As the incantation concluded, Saikyō's entire body was enveloped in dazzling lightning, transforming into a humanoid bolt of electricity.

Anything attempting to approach him would be struck by the surrounding lightning!

"That's a clever response. It seems Saikyō has grown a lot these past three months." Urahara Kisuke, who was observing from the side, gave an objective evaluation.

A fully powered Raikōhō.

In terms of attack range, it was indeed impeccable!

"Sting All Enemies to Death, Suzumebachi!"

In the next instant, Sui-Feng's voice resounded.

Holding her Zanpakutō, Suzumebachi, she suddenly reappeared to Saikyō's left side, aiming for a weak spot.

Clang—

Clang—

Clang—

The arcs of lightning met the dagger, creating crisp sounds.

Within moments, Sui-Feng's confident expression had faded.

During the swing, she felt resistance, as if she were stuck in a quagmire.

Even though she put more effort into the attack, even injecting more of her Reiatsu into Suzumebachi, the resistance only intensified.

"Miss Sui-Feng, the combat habits of the stealth force—Mr. Urahara had long told me about them, and I've seen through your stealth techniques." Shrouded in the lightning, Saikyō's eyes sparked.

With the talent for "Thunder Attribute Affinity," he could fully amplify Raikōhō's power.

And with the talent boost of "Power Multiplier," without activating Shikai, Sui-Feng had no chance of breaking through.

"As expected of Yoruichi-sama's younger brother, you are indeed a formidable opponent, but…"

Halfway through her words, Sui-Feng vanished again.

With her skilled Shunpo, she appeared on Saikyō's other side, trying once more.

Flash—

Arcs of lightning danced, and sparks flew everywhere.

This time, Sui-Feng found a gap, breaking through the outer layer of electricity. Her Zanpakutō, Suzumebachi, was about to hit its mark.

"Saikyō-kun, the reason stealth forces have a prominent role in the Seireitei is because of their unique assassination skills."

"This time, take this as a lesson—your journey is still long."

Sui-Feng preached like a teacher, scolding her student.

But...

The next moment, her expression froze instantly!

"What... how can this be?"

Sui-Feng's widened pupils reflected the scene before her.

The target of her attack, Saikyō, vanished without a trace, leaving only the flashing arcs of Raikōhō, as though he had suddenly evaporated.

"Impossible!"

"I had locked onto his presence. How could he just vanish under my nose?"

Her thrust stopped abruptly, her voice trembling. She looked around but couldn't locate Saikyō.

She thought she was about to win, but suddenly the situation flipped.

No matter how much Sui-Feng replayed every detail, she couldn't find any logical explanation.

How had Saikyō done it?

What about Raikōhō?

Questions filled Sui-Feng's mind!

"Miss Sui-Feng…"

"You must be puzzled, right? You saw everything, even made contact with Hadō, yet I still disappeared."

Saikyō's voice echoed suddenly.

"..."

Sui-Feng remained silent, feeling the presence of Saikyō's thunder-infused hand against her back.

If she moved, the lightning-covered hand would pierce her heart.

She had no chance to resist!

"You win."

Sui-Feng gritted her teeth, reluctantly admitting.

Though unwilling, she wasn't one to be unable to accept defeat.

She lost, but it was a convincing defeat.

"Miss Sui-Feng, I appreciate your acceptance. Your speed is quite remarkable as well." As Saikyō retracted his hand, he offered polite words.

"Defeat is defeat. No need to console me."

Sui-Feng sheathed her Zanpakutō, her pride intact.

"But then, how did you do that just now? Did you leave before I could stab?" Sui-Feng questioned Saikyō eagerly.

"Yes, precisely as you guessed—I acted before you did."

Saikyō responded directly.

"Impossible!"

"Even if your speed can produce afterimages, you couldn't have taken on a Hadō directly!" Sui-Feng's first reaction was disbelief.

"It's not impossible, that's exactly what happened."

Saikyō didn't elaborate further, but he wasn't lying either.

After Shunpo was upgraded to level ten, in addition to the usual "afterimage" effect, it also retained the Reiatsu of the original.

Simply put, each afterimage was equivalent to a "Shadow Clone"!

It was because each clone carried the Reiatsu of the original that they seemed flawless.

This was the special effect after leveling up!