52 Chapter 52: Kaien Shiba

Upon seeing the newcomer, Yamahiko recalled a name and exclaimed, "Vice Captain Kaien!"

The person who had appeared behind Yamahiko was indeed Kaien Shiba, the Vice Captain of the Thirteenth Division.

Kaien Shiba said with a touch of annoyance, "You're Yamahiko, right? Why are you causing a destruction here? I still need to do my training, here."

Training?

Yamahiko suddenly remembered that this was Kaien Shiba's training ground, where he often came to practice alone.

While the Shiba family had been removed from the ranks of the Five Great Noble Families, they still had considerable prestige due to their legacy, especially the Kakaku Taihō, a device used to launch the Kagizaki. Even if the Shiba family eventually found themselves in Rukongai, the Zero Division (Royal Guard) would still need the Kakaku Taihō to transport them to the Soul King's Palace.

Furthermore, the Shiba family possessed considerable strength. The head of the main family, Kaien Shiba, served as the Vice Captain of the Thirteenth Division, and his wife, Miyako Shiba, held the position of the third seat in the same division. Their family member, Kaien Shiba's Uncle, Isshin Shiba, served as the Captain of the Tenth Division.

Before the untimely demise of Kaien Shiba and Miyako Shiba, the Shiba family was still active within the Gotei 13.

Realizing this, Yamahiko quickly apologized, "Vice Captain Kaien, I had no idea this was your training ground. I'm truly sorry."

Kaien waved it off, saying, "Never mind."

He looked at the trenches on the ground and the fallen trees, then commented, "But your Zanpakuto is impressive. I could see the explosion from quite a distance, and it has such destructive power."

Yamahiko smiled and replied, "Vice Captain Kaien's Zanpakuto is quite remarkable as well."

Kaien Shiba's Zanpakuto was one of the few elemental-based Zanpakuto. In its Shikai state, it took the form of a trident, known as "Nejibana." It had the ability to create waves and crush enemies using its spear thrusts and water waves.

If Kaien Shiba had lived, his strength would undoubtedly be remarkable, at least on par with the Captain who have mastered Bankai like Byakuya Kuchiki.

Kaien Shiba chuckled and said, "Enough about that. I heard you have a good relationship with Rukia Kuchiki?"

Yamahiko answered, "When I was in Rukongai, it was Rukia who saved my life. I've heard her mention that you, Vice Captain Kaien, have taken good care of her. I'm truly grateful for that."

Now, Rukia Kuchiki was a member of the Thirteenth Division, and Kaien Shiba took great care of her.

Kaien Shiba casually remarked, "She's my subordinate, of course, I'll look after her. But she's quite clumsy, you know? She hasn't even mastered her Shikai yet."

Yamahiko chuckled and said, "Believe me, she will unlock her Shikai, and when she does, it will be incredibly powerful."

Rukia takes a relatively long time to master her Shikai, but its abilities are powerful. Firstly, the tip of her Zanpakuto releases cold air that can freeze objects. Secondly, she can lower her own body temperature, even reaching absolute zero, but she can only remain active for four seconds under these conditions.

Rukia's Bankai is even more potent; Upon release, a pillar of cold mist rises up into the air from where Rukia is, freezing all objects within its range. However, Rukia's Zanpakuto abilities are powerful but highly taxing on her body, and one slight mistake could put her in a life-threatening situation.

"Let's hope for the best," Kaien Shiba looked at Yamahiko and said, "If you intend to continue training here, it's better to do so on that mountain peak over there. There are no trees, and most of it is rocky, so the destruction won't be as severe."

Yamahiko smiled and said, "Thank you, Vice Captain Kaien."

Kaien Shiba drew his Zanpakuto and said, "Then be on your way; I need to continue my training."

Seeing Kaien Shiba's Zanpakuto, Yamahiko licked his lips and suggested, "Vice Captain Kaien, how about we have a little sparring match?"

"You want to spar with me?" Kaien Shiba was taken aback and then said, "Although I'm reluctant to admit it, you were able to hold your own against Captain Zaraki, so I might not be a match for you. Plus, your abilities are a strong counter to mine. We don't need to spar to know the outcome."

Yamahiko's Zanpakuto had the power of lightning, while Kaien Shiba's ability was water-based. In a battle between the two, Kaein would be at a disadvantage.

Yamahiko shook his head and suggested, "What if I don't use my Zanpakuto?"

"Not use your Zanpakuto?" Kaien Shiba raised an eyebrow and asked, "You mean we won't release our Zanpakuto and only compete with swordsmanship and unarmed techniques?"

Yamahiko smiled and said, "Vice Captain Kaien can use his Zanpakuto, but I won't."

Kaien Shiba narrowed his eyes and chuckled, "You're underestimating me."

Yamahiko inquired, "What does Captain Kaien think about this?"

"As you are underestimating me so much, how can I refuse? Let's do it."

Kaien Shiba drew his Zanpakuto and began to chant, "Surge, Water and Heaven, Nejibana!"

As he chanted, his Zanpakuto transformed into a long trident. The trident was considerably long, and Kaien Shiba, who stood at 183 cm tall, was still dwarfed by its height. The overall length was at least three meters.

As the trident appeared, it created concentric ripples of splashing water that enveloped Kaien Shiba.

Yamahiko witnessed this scene with an expectant look.

His Shikai granted him combat abilities on par with captain-level Shinigami, but he was constrained by his reiryoku. If his attacks were blocked, it was challenging to secure victory.

But if he were to abandon his Zanpakuto, what would his strength be like?

He wouldn't require Shunko, and he could fight Shinigami like Ikkaku Madarame in their Shikai forms on equal footing.

However, how would he fare against formidable vice-captains like Kaien Shiba?

Yamahiko brimmed with determination, and in the next moment, his body emitted strands of blue light, gathering around his legs and right arm.

"What is this?" Kaien Shiba was surprised as he noticed the changes in Yamahiko's body. He had initially thought Yamahiko was making empty boasts and underestimating him, but this energy technique suddenly made Kaien Shiba feel pressure.

Boom!

Yamahiko's figure vanished in an instant, while waves surged around Kaien Shiba.

Bang!

Yamahiko's Zanpakuto pierced through the water splashes, aiming at Kaien Shiba's back.

"So fast!" Kaien Shiba was astonished by Yamahiko's speed, but the water splashes acted as a warning system even if they formed a barrier.

As Yamahiko's Zanpakuto landed on the water splashes, Kaien Shiba had already turned his body aside and utilized the twisting motion to strike at Yamahiko's head.

However, due to the obstruction of water splashes and the continuous waves pressing in, Yamahiko's speed decreased.

Boom!

Yamahiko's Zanpakuto tilted slightly to block Kaien Shiba's strike, but immediately, towering waves surged toward him.

The high-intensity waves held immense power, capable of crushing a person directly. However, before the waves could converge, Yamahiko had already vanished. In the next moment, he appeared above Kaien Shiba.

Yamahiko was hanging upside down in mid-air, his Zanpakuto aimed straight at Kaien Shiba's head. Then, he kicked off using a point of platform created by reishi, swiftly descending.

There were waves all around in the ocean, but directly above their heads, there were none. Yamahiko seized this opportunity.

With his speed, Kaien Shiba couldn't react in time.

But as he moved forward slightly, the trident had already materialized in front of him, pointing directly at himself.

Any forward movement would result in being pierced by the trident.

What was this?

Kaien had anticipated that the attack would come from above, or no, he was too naïve?. He had deliberately left this opening above, wasn't that an invitation for someone to attack from there? So he could stay and wait for the opponent.

Yamahiko had to halt his movement, turning his body sideways just in time to evade the thrust, then continued to descend, moving towards Kaien Shiba.

Kaien Shiba swung the trident, bringing it down diagonally toward Yamahiko.

An exchange of injuries?

Yamahiko could strike Kaien Shiba, but he would inevitably get hit in return. Although his injuries might be more severe, it was all part of their sparring.

When neither side could damage the other, simply threatening the opponent was considered a draw.

So Yamahiko had no choice but to retract his Zanpakuto, making a sideways slash to parry the trident.

The immense size of the trident brought forth formidable force. However, Yamahiko's strength, enhanced by his Shunko, managed to withstand the strike.

But in the very next moment, Yamahiko found himself enveloped by a massive wave that began to crush and twist him.

This was Kaien Shiba's ultimate move.

Everything he had done was to limit Yamahiko's mobility, leaving an opening above to attract him into this trap.

Then, he used the trident to force himself to block and halt his movement, only to reappear when executing his ultimate move.

This was Kaien Shiba's fighting style, much like the waves of the sea, pushing layer by layer until they break you.

The waves converged, forming a water sphere.

BOOM!

A massive explosion resounded, and in the next moment, a figure shot out of the water, appearing some distance away, looking a bit disheveled.

In the final moments, he had used the explosive power of Shunko to break through the waves, escaping Kaien Shiba's vicinity.

However, his clothes had been soaked, making him appear quite bedraggled.

Though he had not been injured, there was no doubt that he had lost. Because he couldn't figure out any way to break through Kaien Shiba's waves. As soon as he got close, he was trapped in Kaien's territory.

So, Yamahiko withdrew his strength and said, "Kaien-senpai, I've lost."

Kaien Shiba looked at Yamahiko and said, "I couldn't harm you either, let's call it a draw."

Actually, Kaien Shiba was also quite surprised. The opponent, in that strange state, had speed, strength, and reflexes far beyond his own. If it weren't for his Zanpakuto's ability, he might have been killed instantly on contact.

Being defeated by a little guy who didn't even use his Zanpakuto like this, Kaien Shiba couldn't admit that he had won.

Yamahiko nodded and said, "Thank you for your time today, Kaien-senpai."

Leaving these words behind, Yamahiko prepared to leave. This fight had revealed his shortcomings and he wanted to find a way to overcome them. So, he planned to return and think about it more thoroughly.

However, at this moment, a voice sounded from behind, "If you want someone to spar with, you can come find me."

Yamahiko heard this and looked at Kaien Shiba, who was smiling and said, "I just thought that practicing alone can be a bit dull, having an daily battle isn't a bad idea."

"Alright, I'll come find Kaien-senpai," Yamahiko said with a smile and quickly flew away.

  ~End of the chapter~

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