Chapter 11: Soi-Fon's Awakening

All eyes were locked onto Sui-Fon, a formidable captain of the second division and the commander-in-chief of the secret mobile team, as she stood immobilized on the field. Shock and disbelief rippled through the audience, struggling to comprehend what they were witnessing.

A symbol of authority and prowess in the Soul Society, Soi-Fon had been utterly stifled by a seemingly young and unassuming boy. His dominance over her was not achieved through exquisite swordsmanship, intricate Kidō techniques, or even blistering White Hits. Instead, it was the elegant art of Shunpo.

Su Li's command of timing transcended the boundaries of belief. He struck when Soi-Fon's attack wasn't at full throttle—subtle instances that were nearly imperceptible. The battlefield became a dance, his steps mirroring Soi-Fon's movements, effectively immobilizing her. Retreat, counterattack, everything was nullified.

Soi-Fon found herself trapped within this intricate web, her frustration growing with each thwarted attempt. She couldn't escape the invisible shackles that Su Li's Shunpo had woven around her. The frustration of being outmatched, the inability to anticipate his next move, and the feeling of helplessness combined to stir within her a despair she had never experienced before—not even when facing her mentor, Yoruichi.

In this moment, Soi-Fon's mind raced, a storm of self-doubt clouding her thoughts. The realization hit her that Su Li's mastery of Shunpo surpassed even that of the "Flash Goddess Yoruichi."

A Shunpo technique stronger than Yoruichi's? The incredulity of it all hung in the air, questioning the boundaries of reality itself. Could this young man's talent truly be so astounding?

Inside her internal struggle, Soi-Fon's confidence wavered. Jūshirō, a fellow captain, observed the situation with growing concern. "We must act swiftly. At this rate, Soi-Fon might lose her fighting spirit before she loses the battle."

Komamura Sajin, his visage partially visible behind his mask, grappled with a mixture of awe and complexity. "To weave the battlefield itself into a prison using Shunpo, reminiscent of Bakudō techniques. Who is this enigmatic individual capable of devising such a unique combat strategy?"

Ichimaru Gin, known for his deceptive smiles, adopted a serious demeanor. His assessment held admiration as he remarked, "His sensitivity to combat dynamics and control over the battlefield rivals even my own."

Kyoraku Shunsui, the carefree captain known for his nonchalant demeanor, watched with an amused glint in his eyes. "He's truly trapped Captain Soi-Fon in quite a predicament. To break free, she'll have to resort to that trick."

As Su Li's display of Shunpo prowess continued to captivate and confound, the battlefield bore witness to an unprecedented clash of talents and strategies, leaving even the most skilled Shinigami in awe of this young boy's exceptional abilities.

When Nanao heard his words, her expression changed drastically, and she shook her head again and again.

"No, no! If Captain Soi-Fon resorts to that technique, the barrier won't hold! This place will crumble to ruins! This can't happen!"

Kyoraku Shunsui chuckled softly, a touch of gravity in his gaze as he turned his head slightly, whispering words meant only for his ears.

"It's beyond our control..."

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Soi-Fon's cheeks flushed with a mix of frustration and helplessness. The sensation of being trapped, unable to advance or retreat, was a profound source of irritation. The presence of Su Li seemed inescapable, his influence felt in every direction.

Despite unleashing her Shikai and channeling her mightiest Reiatsu, she remained utterly suppressed by his presence. The sensation gnawed at her, fueling her resentment and frustration, bordering on madness. She yearned to shatter the confining restraints, to breathe freely once again. She sought to break the shackles that bound her, to reveal her true prowess before the world, regardless of the fact that Yoruichi had imparted her with such sharpness.

But such thoughts mattered little in her mounting desperation. The agony of being stifled was unbearable, and she couldn't bear it any longer.

"Boom!"

A surge of formidable Reiatsu erupted from Soi-Fon's form, the surrounding air trembling and quaking, much like Su Li's own earlier display.

"It's happening!" Kyoraku Shunsui's eyes widened in shock, his face a mask of surprise. Similar astonishment rippled across the faces of the other captains.

The frenetic energy in the atmosphere collided violently against the surrounding barriers, causing them to vibrate and shudder with intense force. Kyoraku Shunsui and Jūshirō sprang into action, working to stabilize the barriers. Unohana Retsu and Komamura Sajin joined them in their efforts.

Yet, even with their combined efforts, the barrier continued to tremble under the overwhelming pressure of Soi-Fon's unleashed Reiatsu.

Finally, Su Li's form materialized slowly, his eyes lighting up as he observed Soi-Fon's reaction.

At long last, Soi-Fon was deploying her trump card, the technique he had been waiting for.

Soi-Fon's body tensed, her Reiatsu surging across her form in an electrifying dance.

This was her moment to unleash her most formidable strength to the world, to prove herself against the odds. The battlefield was a canvas, and she was prepared to paint it with her unyielding spirit and power.

"Shunko!"

Soi-Fon's head lifted slowly, her eyes revealing a newfound edge.

"Open!"

Boom!

The air surged forth with a relentless fury, colliding against the surrounding barrier. The enchantment could staunch Reiatsu, but it proved powerless against the rush of air. Kyoraku Shunsui's hat was promptly whisked away, while Unohana Retsu clutched her collar in a futile attempt to keep it steady. Komamura Sajin chose to shield himself by burying his head against his chest. Jūshirō fared no better, his already frail form further assaulted by the howling gusts, as if his very soul was being swept away.

Audience members felt the force of the runaway airflow too. Some were even caught in its whirlwind, resembling a makeshift human windmill.

The aftermath of the tempest left the area in disarray, but as the chaotic winds subsided, all eyes returned to the stage. The sight that greeted them was harrowing—a mere taste of the airflow's ferocity. The question lingered, if this was the air escaping, what kind of monstrous Reiatsu lay inside the barrier? What force did the young man face within its confines?

Yet, defying this turbulence, the boy stood unshaken, garbed in pristine white, his smile untouched by the chaos he had unleashed.

"Previously, I underestimated you," she continued, raising her hand and pointing at Su Li.

"However, that's where it ends."

She paused, her gaze unwavering as it met Su Li's own.

In this moment, it became apparent to Soi-Fon that the young man before her was far from an inexperienced novice. He was a true force to be reckoned with. Her previous tactics had been misguided, born from the arrogance of a seasoned warrior accustomed to dealing with the weaker foes. Against the strong, there was no room for complacency.

For so long, she had held the mantle of authority and power, and that privilege had perhaps clouded her judgment. In facing a genuine adversary, such carelessness was an indulgence she could ill afford.

The collective gaze of the spectators shifted from Soi-Fon to Su Li, the atmosphere heavy with anticipation. The stage was set, the moment primed for the clash between two formidable forces—one a respected captain and the other an enigmatic young prodigy.

Su Li's smile was tinged with a hint of intrigue. His legs gradually parted, his stance poised and deliberate. His hands formed a crossing gesture over his chest, and one hand extended forward.

A hushed curiosity filled the air as onlookers tried to anticipate Su Li's next move. His actions were enigmatic, his intentions unclear. Then, he took a deep breath, his finger extended, and a resounding roar pierced the surroundings.

"Come!!"

The words echoed across the arena, leaving everyone in a state of bewilderment.

"You... you audacious brat!!" Soi-Fon's fierce disposition wavered for a brief moment, overtaken by confusion.

Flushed with a mix of shame and anger, she launched herself at Su Li, unleashing her speed to the fullest upon entering the state of "instant open." Her every move exuded augmented swiftness and power.

On the other side, Su Li, in an unprecedented twist, met Soi-Fon's assault head-on. This moment marked the long-awaited direct confrontation between the two titans of power.

With Soi-Fon attaining the "Shunko" state, her attacks surged with unparalleled speed and might. The very sky seemed to fracture under the barrage of punches, their swiftness eluding even the seasoned captains' eyes.

Each strike was infused with a chilling, destructive energy, threatening to obliterate anything it came into contact with. Observers couldn't help but suspect that even the slightest touch would result in devastation.

Amidst this relentless onslaught, Su Li's demeanor remained oddly composed. His steps were fluid, his motion akin to a stroll through a garden of thorns, where not a single prick could reach him.

Su Li refrained from active defense or retaliation, choosing instead to nimbly evade each of Soi-Fon's assaults. His movements flowed with seamless grace, as though guided by an innate instinct rather than conscious thought.

Soi-Fon's apprehension grew with each passing second. Her opponent was right before her, yet every blow she unleashed failed to find its mark. She couldn't even brush his clothes, a mere wisp of air trailing behind him.

The frustration of powerlessness she had felt earlier resurged, clouding her thoughts. Hadn't she engaged the "shunko" state? Shouldn't she be showcasing her sharpest prowess?

Despite her best efforts, she couldn't even come close to striking him. Her maneuvers shifted ceaselessly, her heart growing heavier with every dodge.

"Is he a monster...?"

"His evasion is so precise, as if it's second nature..."

"Captain Soi-Fon, fully immersed in the 'shunko' state, can't even graze him..."

"This is utterly absurd..."

Captains below the stage gazed in amazement, their astonishment mounting. The scene before them defied all reason.