Chapter 77: Combat Power

After the evening banquet, Yamahiko's life gradually became more stable. With his commitment to Suì-Fēng, he put in even more effort to master Bankai as soon as possible.

However, Yamahiko's current ability in Shikai was still somewhat lacking, and he had not yet reached the level of the seven-level Reiryoku commonly possessed by captains..

In the following days, Yamahiko focused more on training his Reiryoku.

Time passed, and two more years went by.

One day, Yamahiko continued refining his body using magnetic fields while constantly replenishing his spiritual energy.

BOOM!

Suddenly, Yamahiko's aura underwent a dramatic change, and his spiritual pressure(reiatsu) surged outward, reducing the massive boulders in the vicinity to dust.

Yamahiko slowly stood up, gazing at his hands. He had finally achieved it—seventh-class Reiryoku.

With seven-level Reiryoku, he could fire ten Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō(Flying Dragon-Striking Heaven-Shaking Thunder Roars) and generate more lightning for combat.

[Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō - img]

How much time had it taken him?

It took two years to reach the fifth-level Reiryoku, five years to reach the sixth level, and then a full fifteen years to reach the seventh level.

Reaching this level meant he had more powerful combat capabilities, even if his peak combat strength hadn't changed much, staying in the upper-middle ranks of captain-level. It mainly meant he could maintain it for a longer duration.

However, real combat experience was needed, so Yamahiko found himself at 11th Division.

This time, his target for the challenge was none other than Kenpachi Zaraki himself.

Kenpachi Zaraki was the best candidate for assessing Yamahiko's abilities. His reiryoku was extremely high, surpassing that of regular captains. He excelled in slashing techniques, boasting immense strength and speed, along with outstanding durability that could rival an Espada's.

However, his one major flaw was his intelligence. He typically engaged head-on and struggled against abilities that countered his own. Additionally, he seldom dodged enemy attacks, making him a suitable target.

Yamahiko found Kenpachi Zaraki, who was eager for the challenge. Kenpachi said, "Are you finally challenging me?"

"Please, Captain Kenpachi, give me your guidance." Yamahiko replied.

Yamahiko unsheathed his Zanpakuto, and when Kenpachi gripped his blade, he stepped forward and charged at Kenpachi, delivering a powerful strike.

"Kid, not starting with Shikai? You don't need your special moves; be careful not to get killed by one of my strikes." Kenpachi remarked.

With a resounding clash, Yamahiko was sent flying, but in mid-air, he managed to slow down his descent.

"Oh?"

Kenpachi Zaraki's eyes lit up with surprise. He hadn't expected that, even without using Shikai or high-speed movement techniques[Shunko], Yamahiko had enough physical strength to withstand a strike without being cut in two.

Yamahiko flexed his limbs, feeling that there was room for improvement. Over these four years, he had been using the magnetic field to enhance his physical strength, which had improved significantly. However, he still fell short compared to Kenpachi Zaraki.

But if it had been the old him, that strike from Kenpachi would have cut him in half.

Yamahiko shifted his body slightly and a blue light enveloped his right hand and legs. In the next moment, he disappeared.

(Raijin - Shunko) [img]

"Boom."

Kenpachi Zaraki swung his Zanpakuto in retaliation, clashing with Yamahiko's blade. A resounding noise filled the air as both fighters momentarily froze in place.

Then, a series of slashing attacks streaked through the sky.

So fast.

At this speed, Kenpachi Zaraki, who still had his eyepatch on, couldn't avoid them completely. Since he couldn't evade them, he chose not to.

Kenpachi Zaraki snorted and raised his blade to intercept the incoming strikes.

"Spurt, spurt, spurt."

Yamahiko's strikes left two gashes on Kenpachi Zaraki's body, but he quickly retreated, However, he was still struck by Kenpachi Zaraki's sword.

Three streams of blood sprayed from their bodies.

Yamahiko had sacrificed some of his strength for increased speed, and his enhanced strength only left scratches on Kenpachi Zaraki. In contrast, Kenpachi Zaraki's strikes hit Yamahiko's skin and muscles, leaving significant wounds.

Staring at his bleeding chest, Yamahiko's fighting spirit grew stronger, and he charged once more.

Clang, clang, clang.

Their Zanpakuto continuously clashed, leaving only afterimages in their wake. Kenpachi Zaraki became increasingly excited, slashing his blade faster and faster.

However, Yamahiko's speed kept pace with his opponent's. With his increased physical strength and improved ability to withstand intense attacks, along with his overall speed, he had elevated his combat abilities by a significant margin since their first spar.

Back then, when he had used Shunko, he had only gained a brief advantage before being defeated by Kenpachi Zaraki.

But now, Yamahiko could hold his own against Kenpachi Zaraki without removing his eyepatch, thanks to his enhanced physical abilities and his Shunko.

After exchanging blows for several dozen moves, Kenpachi Zaraki shouted, "Well done. You're worth me using my full power."

Kenpachi Zaraki removed his eyepatch, releasing an enormous spiritual pressure(Reiatsu) that overwhelmed everyone in the training area. 

[Kenpachi Zaraki - img]

However, in the next moment, Yamahiko disappeared with a swift movement, leaving only Kenpachi Zaraki behind.

"Where is he? How dare he run away? I'm going to kill you!"

Kenpachi Zaraki, infuriated by Yamahiko's escape, rushed out of the training area, only to find Yamahiko's presence had completely disappeared.

"Damn it."

Kenpachi Zaraki was seething with anger and swung his Zanpakuto at a nearby wall, causing it to shatter.

At that moment, a figure jumped onto Kenpachi Zaraki's back and said, "Kenny, calm down."

[img]

Kenpachi Zaraki reluctantly put his eyepatch back on and muttered, "This kid only knows how to run."

Yachiru Kusajishi, with a smile, added, "Well, it's not that, but when you take off your eyepatch, Little-Yama can't compete with you. Unless he uses his Zanpakuto, But you don't like to use Shikai,. He doesn't want to fight you with his Zanpakuto abilities."

Upon hearing this, Kenpachi Zaraki suppressed his anger and turned back to the training area.

... 

Yamahiko ran back to the Second Division not out of fear but because he saw no need to continue the fight. After Kenpachi Zaraki removed his eye patch, his strength could increase again. Yamahiko knew that he couldn't battle effectively without using his Shikai, and if Kenpachi Zaraki was to challenge him with his Shikai abilities, it would be a tough fight.

With his Thunder Wings and Lightning Strike, Yamahiko could hold his own against Kenpachi Zaraki without the eye patch. If he used his lightning abilities while Kenpachi Zaraki didn't dodge, Yamahiko could win, and if Kenpachi Zaraki dodged, he could gain the upper hand.

However, once Kenpachi Zaraki used both his hands for swordsmanship, it would be an all-out battle where neither could effectively block the other's attacks. But this wasn't the full extent of Kenpachi Zaraki's abilities; it was just his unarmed combat ability.

Even within unarmed combat, there were sealing techniques. When those seals were removed, how strong would he become? How much stronger would he be in Shikai or Bankai?

Yamahiko needed to continue strengthening his body to reach at least Captain-level strength. With his enhanced Shunko and clashes against Kenpachi Zaraki's dual-wielding, he would need to use Shikai to push his power further, achieving a level of strength beyond Captain-class. 

Only then could he aim to master Bankai and eventually reach a level of power where he could face Captain-class opponents and ultimately, Captain-level opponents like Captain Byakuya Kuchiki and Sosuke Aizen.

As for the Espada, their resurrectión form was already beyond the combined strength of two Captain-class.

Yamahiko couldn't find a reason to defeat the Espada. His main goal was to prevent Aizen from obtaining the Hogyoku from Urahara Kisuke.

[[Hogyoku] - img]

~End of the chapter~

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