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"The Quincy? What a hindrance."
Byakuya Kuchiki cast a cold glance at Ishida Uryū. The arrow fired moments before had revealed it without question—the boy wielded Quincy power. Two centuries ago, the Quincy had been eradicated by Soul Society. That any remnant survived was an annoyance.
"Ishida, get out of here quickly. This is not a battle you can involve yourself in!" Rukia cried, her voice tight with panic.
She knew the truth. Against Shiraha and Byakuya, Uryū stood no chance. Even Renji alone could crush him without effort.
"Student Kuchiki, don't underestimate me," Uryū said, smiling faintly. "I'm far stronger than I appear. More than enough to deal with a few Shinigami."
His arrogance was born of ignorance. He had no understanding of the Captain system, no sense of the gulf between divisions and rank. He had measured their spiritual pressure as if it were within his grasp, never realizing what true captains concealed beneath the surface.
"Shinigami," he said firmly, setting down the plastic bag he carried. "My name is Ishida Uryū. Allow me to demonstrate."
Shiraha's lips curved. "You wish to fight me? A fledgling Quincy dares such words?"
"Hah!" Renji barked, throwing his head back with laughter. "Do you even hear yourself? Challenge Captain Shiraha? You really don't know the meaning of fear!"
In truth, Renji almost admired the boy's bravado. But admiration would not save him. Shiraha's reputation was legend—graduating from the Academy after a single month, defeating Komamura Sajin on the very day he joined the Seventh Division, seizing the captain's haori in victory. Later, stationed in the Human World, he had slain a Vasto Lorde—a Menos of the highest order, powerful enough to rival captains. Even the great Yamamoto himself had once acknowledged Shiraha's strength as peerless.
How could a mere Quincy hope to oppose him?
"Ishida, you fool!" Rukia shouted desperately. "Leave now! My brother's strength is beyond anything you can imagine!"
"Captain Shiraha, allow me to handle this arrogant boy," Renji growled, resting Zabimaru on his shoulder, grinning.
"Captain?" Uryū adjusted his glasses, calm and unshaken. "So you're the leader then, red hair?"
"Renji. Stand down," Shiraha said evenly, raising a hand. He stepped forward, his smile faint but cold. "It seems I must show him the difference between us."
Uryū narrowed his eyes. "Gaps can be bridged. That's what makes them interesting."
His words faded into the night as reishi gathered in his palm, forming a sleek black-and-white bow. He drew, conjuring six glowing arrows of condensed spirit particles.
The string sang. Six arrows tore through the air with deadly speed.
Shiraha did not move. A flare of reiatsu burst outward, violet tinged with blue. The arrows shattered in midair, dissolving into sparks.
Uryū's eyes widened. Before he could react, Shiraha's spiritual pressure descended like a crushing mountain. His mind went blank. His bow fractured into motes of light, collapsing under the weight of that force. His knees buckled, body pinned to the pavement. Blood spilled from his lips, organs straining under the pressure.
And Shiraha had released only a fraction.
"This, Quincy, is the gap between you and me," Shiraha said softly, drawing back his reiatsu.
Had he unleashed his full power, Uryū would already be dust—and the souls of Karakura itself might have shattered beneath the weight.
"The gap… it's… so vast," Uryū gasped, eyes wide with disbelief. The Captain had not even drawn his blade. Pure reiatsu alone had broken him.
"My lord, this has nothing to do with Ishida! Please—spare him!" Rukia cried, rushing forward.
"Rukia. Have you abandoned your identity as a Shinigami completely?" Byakuya's voice cut through the night, cold and sharp. His eyes fixed on her, devoid of warmth.
"Brother Byakuya…" She trembled beneath his gaze, but still she knelt beside Uryū.
"Ishida, you fool," she whispered, gripping his shoulder.
"Student Kuchiki…" Uryū coughed, blood on his lips but resolve in his eyes. "I can't collapse here… I have to stand… If Kurosaki sees me like this… he'll never let me live it down…" His body quaked as he tried to rise, though every muscle screamed in protest.
"Renji. Finish him." Shiraha's tone was final.
He had already sensed the reiatsu racing toward them. Ichigo Kurosaki, clad in his borrowed ShihakushĹŤ, was closing in fast.
Renji grinned, hefting Zabimaru. "Understood." His spiritual pressure surged outward, freezing Rukia in place. She could only watch as he stalked toward the fallen Quincy.
"Boy!" Renji's grin widened. "Remember my name before you die—Abarai Renji! Engrave it as the name of the man who cut you down!" He raised his blade high, ready to strike.
The ground split with a sudden crack, a glowing blue slash carving through the street before him, scattering dust and stone. Renji staggered back, eyes wide.
"Who's there?!"
As the haze cleared, a figure stood tall. A black ShihakushĹŤ fluttered in the night breeze, a massive ZanpakutĹŤ gleaming in his hand. His orange hair caught the streetlight like fire.
Kurosaki Ichigo had arrived.
"Renji. The one who'll defeat you is me," Ichigo said, his voice steady, his eyes burning.
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