Chapter 7: Kill the enemy! Suzumebachi!

With a trail of crimson tracing her trajectory, Soi-Fon's form was sent hurtling out of the arena.

Her mid-air somersaults eventually granted her some semblance of stability, but she remained suspended in an awkward posture. Her lips were stained with blood, and her expression mirrored her shock and disbelief.

Had she really been knocked out of the arena by a mere graduate?

The thought was incredulous.

As she glanced back at the youth on the field, her eyes registered profound astonishment. Su Li had proven himself unbelievably potent.

He surpassed her in Shunpo, bested her in speed, and now, even in brute strength.

The realization struck her like a lightning bolt—could this young man truly possess the might of a captain?

Soi-Fon's thoughts whirled, and the shock refused to abate. Her mental turbulence left her speechless.

Meanwhile, Su Li, who stood at the center of the Yanwutai, appeared somewhat disappointed.

"I'm a bit regretful..."

"Ultra Instinct doesn't majorly enhance power, so there's still room for improvement in that aspect."

"While my strength has undoubtedly seen significant growth compared to my previous self, it pales in comparison to the leaps in speed and reaction time."

"Yet, it's understandable—Ultra Instinct isn't primarily designed to bolster offensive capabilities..."

"Ultra Ego, on the other hand..."

Su Li muttered softly to himself, a contemplative expression crossing his features.

Underneath the platform, spectators were left flabbergasted.

"Is this real? Captain Soi-Fon was defeated by a graduate?!"

"Could this be an illusion? How is this possible? Captain Soi-Fon, my favorite, defeated?!"

"Unbelievable! Su Li is incredible! So impressive! Marry me already!"

"This is beyond belief! One punch, one kick, and he defeats both the captains and the vice-captains of the second division!"

The resounding astonishment in the crowd was palpable. Su Li's unparalleled performance had struck a chord of awe in everyone who bore witness.

The candidates were a whirlwind of excitement, gazing up at Su Li on the stage with admiration and awe.

In the stands, the members of Gotei 13 were even more electrified than the candidates.

During the recent battle, these seasoned squad members had a clearer view than the audience. To them, it was evident that Su Li had wholly dominated Soi-Fon in terms of Shunpo's speed and his instantaneous reaction capabilities.

The sudden halt of his punch was nothing short of ingenious.

With the exception of the second team's members, representatives from every other squad stood up and erupted into excited applause. Some even let out exuberant whistles.

"Yumichika, let me go! I want to take on that guy!! He's a perfect fit for our eleventh team!! I've got to recruit him!" Madarame Ikkaku's eyes blazed with fervor. He was so charged up that he nearly rushed onto the stage, only to be restrained by Ayasegawa Yumichika.

"Senior, wait until Captain Kenpachi gets here. This situation is tough for us to handle!" Ayasegawa Yumichika's face contorted with strained effort as he clung to Madarame Ikkaku, trying to hold him back.

And it wasn't surprising that the squad members were so animated. A fresh graduate who could hold his own in a one-on-one battle against an active captain, even forcing the captain to struggle, was a sight to behold.

This level of prowess transcended mere potential. It indicated a genius who was already on par with seasoned captains.

Such talent would be a monumental asset in any squad, potentially elevating the team's strength to new heights.

The members of the second team, even though their expressions weren't overly friendly, didn't harbor animosity toward Su Li. Rather, their eyes gleamed with a fervor ignited by his display.

In the world of Shinigami, strength was honored above all. They didn't interpret Su Li's actions as an affront. Instead, his display of courage, showcasing his strength and challenging a formidable adversary, exemplified the demeanor of a robust individual worthy of respect.

Amidst this charged atmosphere, Su Li on the martial arts stage grinned faintly and directed his gaze toward Soi-Fon suspended mid-air.

"Captain Soi-Fon, why not unleash your full might? Let's see if you can turn the tides."

"If fortune favors you, you might just suffer a crushing defeat."

"Thus, let's make this encounter more interesting—fight me with your Zanpakutō!"

Su Li's words flowed with a calm smile.

The aftermath of the recent clash was still palpable, as Su Li had yet to fully unleash his strength in the battle. He aimed to test his limits and gauge his potential by inviting Soi-Fon to wield her Zanpakutō.

However, as these words echoed across the arena, the expressions of those in attendance underwent a swift and dramatic transformation.

Soi-Fon had earlier made a similar suggestion to Su Li during their exchange, and now, his words seemed to be a direct retort, a slap in the face. It was as if he was openly challenging Soi-Fon's authority and skill, casting doubt on her superiority.

Such audacity was something that most people would find hard to stomach, especially for someone of Soi-Fon's rank and status. Yet, Su Li seemed to be delivering a provocation, one that could easily escalate the situation.

The members of the second division, who had initially regarded Su Li with interest, now wore expressions of indignation and anger. What had been a friendly curiosity had turned into a burning resentment.

Across the other squads, reactions varied from shock to discomfort. It was clear that Su Li's words had struck a nerve, and an uneasy tension filled the air. The candidates below the stage were equally taken aback, their hearts pounding in the wake of this audacious exchange.

Amidst this charged atmosphere, everyone fell silent. Soi-Fon's response was swift and cutting.

"Fine, you little brat, fine!"

Her words were layered with sarcasm, a thinly veiled implication that things were far from fine. The grim expression on her face belied her seething anger, a burning rage that was impossible to ignore.

Having held the position of captain, Soi-Fon was not accustomed to being disrespected in such a flagrant manner. Her sense of authority and prestige had been openly challenged by a mere newcomer, an affront she would not take lightly. Even the highly esteemed Yoruichi-sama had never dared to mock her like this.

And now, in front of an audience, this young upstart had the audacity to humiliate her so openly.

The situation was a powder keg, and the tension in the arena was palpable. Soi-Fon's anger burned fiercely, and her eyes blazed with an intensity that threatened to ignite the atmosphere.

Soi-Fon's countenance darkened considerably, her emotions a tempestuous blend of anger and frustration. She methodically drew her Zanpakutō from its sheath, the blade shimmering with a potent energy that filled the air around her.

The release of her Zanpakutō was marked by a surge of overwhelming Reiatsu, a palpable force that rolled off her in waves. This time, Soi-Fon was no longer restraining her power; instead, she allowed it to radiate with fierce intensity, causing an immediate impact on the surroundings.

The sheer force of her Reiatsu was astonishing, causing the entire arena to tremble. The students who were present, both candidates and spectators alike, were brought to their knees by its sheer weight. Only a select few managed to remain on their feet, and even they were struggling to withstand the pressure.

"Sting as much as possible! Suzumebachi!"

With a chilling command, Soi-Fon activated her Zanpakutō's Shikai form. Her Reiatsu intensified yet again, the air quivering with the force of her power. It was as if she had transformed into a deity of war, an unstoppable force that commanded awe and fear alike.

In the distant captain's quarters, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's eyes snapped open in surprise. The typically composed leader was clearly taken aback by the sudden surge of Soi-Fon's Reiatsu.

"Is this... Soi-Fon's Reiatsu? She's released her Zanpakutō."

A touch of concern creased his brow as he pondered the implications of the situation.

"What could be causing this? I must know."

Without hesitation, he summoned Chōjirō Sasakibe, his trusted lieutenant, and conveyed his orders.

"Chōjirō, go to the academy immediately and find out what is transpiring."

Chōjirō Sasakibe nodded respectfully and hurriedly left the room to fulfill his captain's command.

In another corner of the Gotei 13, Aizen Sōsuke, the captain of the fifth division, lifted his gaze with intrigue. His eyes fixed on the direction of the Spiritual Arts Academy, a thoughtful expression playing across his features.