I'm really not the number one slacker in Soul Society.

Movement is unrestricted, but offensive actions are not.

Combine this with the keywords we heard earlier.

contract.

Mi Zhen had a bold conjecture.

“I guess you’re thinking…” He stood there and smiled, “that we’re allies now?”

"You're right!" Lu Qubaiyunzhai clapped twice and smiled approvingly: "This is a principle that applies to all three realms—attacking allies is a bad thing."

"Bad behavior will be punished, right..."

Mizhen lowered her eyes and said silently, "So, senior, that's why you didn't attack first?"

"That's understandable."

Shikato Hakunsai held the Kito-maru horizontally, assumed a horse stance that made him unsteady on his feet, and then a hint of coldness flashed across his warm smile.

"But there is another rule that applies universally."

She slowly pointed the knife at Mima, "When attacked, it's only natural to fight back—"

Mi Zhen felt a slight chill drift across her face.

The next moment...

Shiroku Hakuunzai's figure suddenly disappeared!

Chapter 98: It's that time of the dirty deal again.

There was an almost complete break in my spiritual pressure perception!

It was like... she used Shunpo to create an effect similar to Sora!

In a fraction of a second, Mi Zhen activated the surge to its maximum, then let a weak current flow through his entire body. His dynamic vision instantly soared, and he finally saw a streak of iron light piercing towards his nose.

Remove? Or misalign?

Will not work.

Releasing these two abilities takes about a tenth of a second, and the thrust will pierce his brainstem before that happens. Once that area is destroyed, he won't be able to use any of his great abilities.

"?!"

The barrier was generated with unprecedented efficiency. I dodged to the right while simultaneously thrusting my blade upwards.

Having unleashed his full power without resorting to his trump cards, Mi Zhencai finally managed to lift Liu Yue to his brow before her head was pierced.

Completely blocking it is probably unrealistic, but it doesn't matter. As long as it's not a fatal wound that will kill on the spot, he can heal it by eliminating time.

The trajectories of the thrust and the upward slash are about to intersect!

But the loud metallic clanging sound did not occur the next second.

Because about a meter away from Mima, Shikatori Hakunsai suddenly stopped without warning.

Just as inertia doesn't exist, this supersonic thrust started in an instant and stopped in an instant. Only the violent shockwave and the beads of sweat gradually seeping from Shikatori Hakunsai's forehead can prove that it once existed.

"If you can react to this, then you are indeed qualified." Shiroto Hakunsai breathed heavily for a couple of moments, then smiled calmly and said, "I've already said it, it's just a friendly spar, not a life-or-death struggle."

"Isn't the standard for this sparring a bit too high...?"

An oddly flowing airflow swept up large swathes of grass and gravel, turning this once beautiful place into a scene that looked as if it had been plowed by a bomb. The mist drifting in the distant mountains was also torn apart, clearing the view.

The first captain was indeed extraordinary.

With a complicated expression, Mi Zhen lowered the Flowing Moon that was hovering above her head, then sighed: "Next time, if we need to discuss business, please don't use such a frightening method."

"True character is revealed in times of crisis."

Shikatori Hakunsai leaned Kitomaru on his shoulder and put on an innocent expression: "Besides, you see, neither of us used Bankai. In terms of intensity, this was indeed just a friendly spar."

Mima: "..."

It seems the senior has a strange misunderstanding about us.

Sorry, my Zanpakuto is a bit mischievous and has been refusing to let me use its Bankai.

Bankai is amazing, isn't it? Aren't all four of my Shikai abilities top-notch? My unique technique (referring to the beggar version of Mugetsu) can bring unexpected surprises. Isn't it much more useful than shameful things like Iron Fist Wind Breaker?

"Speak."

Mima, who decisively changed the subject, glanced at Shikatori Hakunsai with a subtle look and said, "Senior, this is a completely unreasonable clause."

"Unfair terms and conditions?"

"When I hit you, I was met with all sorts of resistance, but when you hit me, you weren't suppressed at all?"

"Oh, you said this."

Lu Qu Bayunzhai casually said, "Three times the Ghost Path, four times the Slash Technique—excluding the one just now, you still owe me six debts."

"There's such a thing?" Upon hearing this, Mi Zhen was immediately shocked. "Isn't the effort and reward from both sides far too unequal?"

"A contract is a two-way street. If I attack you first, you can certainly retaliate without any hesitation."

Mima: "..."

He didn't say anything, perhaps because he felt guilty for having done similar things, or perhaps he was simply too embarrassed to voice his condemnation.

The air was quiet for a few seconds.

“Using information asymmetry to deceive others is part of the strategy.” Seeing that he didn’t speak, Lu Qubaiyunzhai continued, “Anyway, not many people will have the opportunity to see my abilities a second time, so this kind of client behavior is of course always effective—by the way, I learned this term from the books in your collection, and I don’t know if I’m using it correctly.”

Upon hearing this, Mi Zhen could only exclaim in admiration, "Yes, absolutely right."

"In this way, our alliance will be officially formed."

Lu Qubaiyunzhai said, "The specific details can be discussed later—you have seen my abilities, and betraying me will come at a great price."

"Of course, I have never betrayed my comrades."

As if he had completely forgotten about the Masked Army, Mima made this declaration with righteous indignation, and then extended his hand with a smile.

Rokuto Hakunsai grasped his hand, moved it up and down twice, and returned the gesture with the same kind expression.

"Then let's end this exchange with a simple question."

Suddenly, Shikatoshi Hakunsai changed the subject, took a step forward, and stood only ten centimeters away from Mima, giving him a gentle smile.

...Such a strong sense of oppression.

—This time he was referring to the bust size.

Despite the many speculations, Mima honestly shook her head.

"It can be considered as a senior giving a junior a little tutoring."

After saying that, Shikato Hakunsai suddenly used Shunpo to retreat more than ten meters.

Then, she casually flicked the wooden handle of the Qitongwan, and a burst of light appeared. The nearly 1.8-meter-long slender weapon suddenly disintegrated, transforming into the shape of a slender weapon, and fell back into Shikatori Hakunsai's hands.

Then, she casually pointed the knife at Mijin.

The instinct to fight still dominated Mima's body, so he subconsciously assumed a defensive stance, but he immediately realized the crux of the problem.

Even though the Shikai of Qitongmaru had been released, his movements were not made any easier!

Once hostility is revealed, that suffocating pressure will still descend upon him!

Could it be that……

"do you understand?"

Shikaku Hakunsai casually twirled his sword and said with a gentle smile, like a kind older sister next door.

She... can use her abilities without releasing her Zanpakuto!

But how is this possible? !

This is simply... completely defies common sense!

While it's not entirely unbelievable to use abilities without releasing them, it's exclusive to a very small number of Kido-type Zanpakuto, such as Ryujin Jakka and Hyōrinmaru.

To be honest, that situation might be because the nature of the ability is too simple, and it doesn't require overly complicated operating methods—but even so, that type of Zanpakuto cannot use "techniques" without being released.

Some Zanpakuto with more complex abilities... cannot use their abilities without releasing them!

Mima's Ryugetsu belongs to this category, and Shikatori Hakunsai's Kitomaru is probably no exception—that's what he originally thought.

But now... what's going on?!

Mima exclaimed in shock, "How is this possible?"

"That's what most people say."

Lu Quba Yunzhai shrugged easily: "So far, only Yuan Liuzhai has learned a little bit. People like 'Monk' and 'Knife God' already knew it, but unfortunately they didn't follow the same path as me."

“That’s unheard of.” Mima frowned. “But why did you…”

Mima didn't say what came next, but Shikatori Hakunsai immediately understood. She sheathed the Kito-maru and spread her hands, saying, "Consider this a small token of my sincerity—to express my gratitude for taking me in?"

"I am truly grateful," Mi Zhen said. "Please continue to guide me, senior."

"Hmm...where should I begin?"

Shikatori Hakunsai stroked his chin and pondered for a while, then nodded and said, "Let's start with a common-sense question—junior, who do you think the Zanpakuto's power comes from? Is it the Asauchi sent by the Phoenix Palace, or the Shinigami itself?"

Mima immediately replied, "Obviously, it's the latter."

“That’s right.” Shikatori Hakunsai praised, “Asauchi is just a ‘platform’ used to ‘draw out’ abilities. The Shinigami’s abilities are not bestowed by that thing.”

"Of course, a Zanpakuto is a very useful tool. It can make the originally arduous process of developing abilities very simple." Shikatori Hakunsai laughed. "Shinigami are not like Hollows or Quincy. Without a Zanpakuto or a Spirit Weapon... well, junior, you probably don't know what a Spirit Weapon is. Just think of that as an early version of a Zanpakuto. In short, without the help of these things, Shinigami can basically only fight demons with their fists and their footwork."

“I have thought about these things too,” Mima shrugged, “but it’s hard to verify.”

Shikatori Hakunsai tucked the Kitomaru back into his waistband and said, "But remember one thing: 'ability' comes from the Shinigami himself, not the Zanpakuto. Even without the latter, the Shinigami can still use his ability."

“That’s true.” Mi Zhen also sheathed Liu Yue, then said, “But it doesn’t seem realistic.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Quba Yunzhai shook his head: "That's not entirely true."

Mima asked in confusion, "What do you mean by that?"

Shikatori Hakunsai chuckled lightly: "Junior, are you quite familiar with the Shiba family?"