The challenge begins

The dust had barely settled when Haru spoke, his voice carrying a weight that made Renji and Rei tense.

Haru: "Oi, are you two still good? Can you fight?"

Renji wiped a trickle of sweat from his forehead and smirked. "Yeah, we can."

Rei adjusted his stance, cracking his neck. "Not even tired."

Haru: "Then come at me."

For a brief moment, silence filled the battlefield. The wind howled through the trees, stirring the broken branches and scattered debris left from the previous fight.

Renji and Rei exchanged looks, their brows furrowing. Haru wasn’t one to challenge them out of nowhere, and something about his tone… it wasn’t just a casual sparring request.

Renji: "Hah! Get ready to lose, boss."

Haru: "Come at me anytime."

That was all the invitation they needed.

The Attack