Death's Hidden Mobile

Madarame Ikkaku sheathed his Zanpakuto, sighed, and said, "Five and a half years ago, you challenged me and forced out my first Shikai form with your two-sword style, and you lost. Two years ago, you forced out my three-section staff form with your two-sword style, and we fought to a draw. But now, you can fight me to a draw with a single sword at full strength. If you use your two-sword style, I am no match for you."

Even without using Kido and Dual-Sword Style, Xia Yan's current strength is already comparable to that of Madarame Ikkaku.

This is thanks to Xia Yan's weekly special training with Captain Soi Fon. His white-hand fighting skills have become stronger and stronger, and his mastery of the Instant Step, which the Hidden Mobile Force excels at, has become even more refined. Among all the vice-captains, no one can compare with Xia Yan in terms of movement speed and attack speed.

Compared to Shinigami like Ikkaku Madarame, who excels in head-on combat, his speed gives him a significant advantage.

Furthermore, Ikkaku Madarame's Zanpakuto is a direct attack type, unable to be imbued with power or speed, and is even less versatile than Renji Abarai's Shikai.

If Natsuhiko were to face Matsumoto Rangiku's Shikai Gray Cat, even with his current performance, he would have a hard time dealing with it, even if he used dual swords.

Even the later Shikai of Kira Izuru, Shiba Kaien, and Sasakibe Chojiro present some difficulties for Natsuhiko.

Xia Yan said to Madarame Ikkaku, "But I haven't mastered Shikai yet."

Madarame Ikkaku smiled and said, "Perhaps your Shikai is exceptionally powerful."

"I hope so."

Xia Yan felt somewhat downcast. He knew that his strength would rise to another level once he fully mastered the Instantaneous Roar technique.

However, Shunko is an extension of Hakuda techniques, and what Natsuhiko hopes to do is to master Zanpakuto.

However, after seven years, having possessed the Zanpakuto for seven years, he was still unable to unleash its Shikai, and Natsuhiko was extremely discouraged.

With a spiritual pressure of level six and strength at the vice-captain level, why is he still unable to gain recognition?

Renji Abarai mastered Shikai, and Shuhei Hisagi mastered Shikai, so why can't I do it?

Thinking of this, Xia Yan felt somewhat discouraged. He bowed to Madarame Ikkaku and said, "Ikkaku-senpai, if there's nothing else, I'll head back now."

Renji Abarai walked over and put his arm around Natsuhiko's shoulder, saying, "Don't go, let's go for a drink later, it's on me."

Xia Yan waved his hand and said, "Let's call it a day. I have to go back and handle some official business."

"Ok."

Renji Abarai nodded and said with a smile, "Then next time we meet, I will be even stronger."

"Ah."

Xia Yan was full of anticipation. After saying goodbye, he walked to the door and was about to leave when a figure blocked his way.

"Little brat, your strength has already surpassed that of a horn?"

Kenpachi Zaraki looked down at Natsuhiko, a sinister smile playing on his lips.

Xia Yan replied modestly, "Captain Zaraki, I barely managed to draw with Ikkaku-senpai."

"No, you do indeed possess greater strength than him."

Kenpachi Zaraki grinned and said, "So, today I will be your opponent."

Kenpachi Zaraki becomes his own rival?

What was Captain Zaraki saying? How could he possibly defeat him? Even with an incomplete Shunkaku, he couldn't win.

Xia Yan quickly said, "Captain Zaraki, how could I possibly be your match? Please..."

Xia Yan had to stop speaking before he could finish, his face showing fear.

Before Xia Yan, Kenpachi Zaraki raised his sword high, a sinister smile on his lips, and said, "Hypocritical brat, since you're no match for me, then you can only die here."

As Kenpachi Zaraki spoke, the longsword in his hand suddenly fell, slashing towards Natsuhiko's head.

Chapter 46: An Invincible Opponent

boom.

The ground trembled, and dust rose up. When the dust settled, a trench more than a foot deep stretched into the distance inside the training room.

Not far away, Xia Yan stood there, holding a knife in his hand, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.

In the split second of the attack, he used Shunpo to dodge, and after dodging, Kenpachi Zaraki left a deep trench in the ground with just the wind pressure.

Such power made Xia Yan wonder if it would split him in two if it fell on him.

But what terrified him was not the other's swordsmanship, but his desire to kill him.

That's right.

He wanted to kill himself.

Kenpachi Zaraki didn't want to spar with himself, nor did he want to experience the joy of fighting by fighting himself.

Instead, he wanted to kill himself.

An overwhelming killing intent enveloped Xia Yan's body, making every hair on his body stand on end.

Xia Yan didn't know why he did this.

"Captain Zaraki, what's in here..."

Xia Yan was about to ask if there was some misunderstanding, but the next moment, Kenpachi Zaraki appeared in front of Xia Yan, raising his sword high.

"Stop talking nonsense."

Kenpachi Zaraki roared and his Zanpakuto fell. Natsuhiko used Shunpo again, trying to escape the opponent's attack.

But when Xia Yan appeared in the distance, his body suddenly trembled.

puff.

A wound opened on Xia Yan's chest, and blood slowly flowed out.

This is?

Xia Yan used Shunpo to escape, but was still hit by the attack, and the opponent's speed actually increased again.

Xia Yan looked at Kenpachi Zaraki with fear in his eyes.

"Xia Yan."

When Renji Abarai saw Natsuhiko injured, he wanted to go and help him, but a figure flashed by, and Renji Abarai felt a pain in his head, fell to his knees, and lost consciousness.

Beside Renji Abarai, Yachiru Kusajishi slowly appeared, smiling as she said, "Kenji, Hikohiko, don't hold back."

"Wait, what is this...?"

Xia Yan stretched out his left hand and pressed it against the wound, trying to ask what had happened.

But before he could finish his sentence, Kenpachi Zaraki charged at him again, delivering another slash.

Xia Yan dodged again using the Instant Step, but upon landing, *poof*, blood spurted out once more.

The second wound appeared on Xia Yan's chest, and it was deeper, proving that the opponent's speed had increased slightly.

"You little brat, all you do is hide?"

Kenpachi Zaraki looked at Xia Yan with displeasure. He stretched his arms, stared at Xia Yan, and said, "But that's not important anymore. The warm-up is over. Next time, you won't be able to dodge it."

After leaving those words, Kenpachi Zaraki revealed a sinister smile, his teeth gleaming white.

The moment that ray of light entered their eyes, Kenpachi Zaraki was already in front of them, his Zanpakuto slashing down.

Faster speed, more terrifying force.

There was no way to dodge it, and this strike was extremely deadly.

Xia Yan instantly realized his situation.

At the critical moment, he raised his sword, and with a clang, Kenpachi Zaraki's blade struck Natsuhiko's sword.

boom.

A gust of air swept outwards, making everyone's clothes flutter loudly.

"Impossible, Xia Yan can't stop him."

Ikkaku Madarame sighed. He didn't know why the captain attacked Xia Yan, but Xia Yan couldn't block this strike and was sure to die.

But the next moment, Ikkaku Madarame's eyes widened in surprise.

After the airflow dissipated, Xia Yan held his sword in his right hand, blocking Kenpachi Zaraki's sword, while his entire right arm was surrounded by blue lightning that kept flowing.

This was the energy from Kido's arm exploding, which enhanced Natsuhiko's arm strength, thus allowing him to withstand Kenpachi Zaraki's slash.

"Oh? It was blocked?"

Kenpachi Zaraki was somewhat surprised, then smiled and said, "Very good, let's do it again."

Kenpachi Zaraki's long sword fell again, but the next moment, Natsuhiko suddenly disappeared.

"Are you still going to hide?"

Kenpachi Zaraki roared, but before he could finish speaking, a wound appeared on his back with a soft "plop," and blood flowed out.

"Hoohoo."

Xia Yan stood behind Kenpachi Zaraki, panting heavily, as his Zanpakuto slashed into Kenpachi's back.

At this moment, Xia Yan's right hand was enveloped in blue light, and even his legs were enveloped in blue lightning.

Instantaneous (remaining)

The true Shun Hong is when the ghostly path blooms on the back and shoulders, and the explosive power is transmitted into the limbs, giving people greater speed and strength.

Xia Yan's Shun Hong simply unleashed the Kido in his arms and legs to increase his power and speed.

Although the increased speed and power cannot compare to a true instantaneous burst, and it puts a great strain on the body, making it unusable for extended periods, it has already elevated one's strength to a higher level.

However, even after his improvement, he could only break through Kenpachi Zaraki's skin, but could not go any further.

He is too strong.

This is him still with his blindfold on.

However, one's own instantaneous attack (or debuff) can give one an advantage and also allow for countermeasures.

Even if you can't win, you can still escape gracefully.

Faced with Xia Yan's slash, Kenpachi Zaraki did not back down at all; instead, he was filled with a strong fighting spirit.

"That's it, come on."

Kenpachi Zaraki roared, gripped his sword tightly, and turned to slash at Natsuhiko.