"Yūshirō… you're going to fight Urahara? "
Yoruichi blinked, caught off guard by her brother's words.
"Please, sis! " Yūshirō pressed his palms together and bowed deeply. "I really want to spar with him! Don't worry—I won't break him. I'll even make sure he unlocks his Bankai."
"Yoruichi…"
Urahara whispered her name with deep emotion. Something in his gut told him Yūshirō had bad intentions.
"…Fine. But you'd better hold back."
Yoruichi trusted her brother's skill. She nodded lightly.
"Relax, sis! "
Yūshirō straightened, giving her a formal salute.
"Kirinji's palace has a special restorative hot spring. No matter how bad the injury, one soak and you're good as new! " Yūshirō added quickly, worried Yoruichi might object, then turned to Tenjirō Kirinji. "I'm right, aren't I? "
"Of course! Unless you're completely dead, my hot spring can bring you back to life. No doubt about it."
Tenjirō grinned, giving a proud thumbs-up.
"Then I'm relieved."
Yoruichi smiled faintly.
"No, I am not relieved." Urahara shook his head violently. "He's clearly planning to beat me half to death! "
"What are you saying, Urahara? " Yūshirō slung an arm around his shoulders, flashing a friendly grin. "I'm doing this for your own good! A few hits now will save you from taking blades later."
"He's right," Yoruichi added with a nod. "Better to bleed in training than on the battlefield. So let's both give it our all! " She folded her arms, voice calm but firm. Then she turned to Kirinji. "Shall we begin? "
"Oho~ So eager? Fine, let's start. But don't say I didn't warn you—my training is brutal. If you die, it's on you."
"Relax, sis! " Yūshirō patted Urahara's shoulder with a sly grin. "If you get so much as a scratch, I'll kill him… and then destroy Kirinji's palace to avenge you."
"…Wait. If I get hurt, do I die too? "
Tenjirō frowned. "That's hardly fair."
"No, you've got it easy. I'm the unlucky one! " Urahara raised a hand like a student asking a question. "I came here to train, and somehow my life's on the line! "
"What are you talking about, dear consort? Isn't it your duty to follow your master even into the next world? "
Yūshirō patted his shoulder solemnly, trying to "comfort" him.
"Consort?! That's already insane."
Urahara shook his head, smiling bitterly.
"Don't worry, sis. I know the Royal Guard's secrets. As long as Tenjirō is tied to the Soul King, he can revive infinitely. So after I kill him, I'll smash Kirinji Palace and force the monk to cut his link to the king."
Yūshirō ignored Urahara's protests and spoke seriously to Yoruichi.
"…You're a demon."
"You're not just killing me—you're digging my grave too?! "
"If that's your plan, I quit! I don't train fragile vases! "
Tenjirō backed away two steps, scowling.
"Don't mind him. I'm not that fragile."
Yoruichi's eyes blazed like stars. Her short hair framed her face with sharp, commanding beauty. She looked every bit the warrior princess.
"Yūshirō, this is my fight. If I die, it only proves my lack of strength. You will not avenge me. Return home and take your place as head of the Shihōin Clan. That's not a sister's request—that's the family head's command."
"…Understood, Clan Head."
Yūshirō bowed his head slightly, acknowledging her order.
"Master Kirinji, let's begin."
As Yoruichi turned to Tenjirō, he chuckled softly.
"Now I see why the little monster likes you so much, big sis. Damn, I want an older sister too…"
He stroked his chin with a dreamy look, then waved her off toward the training ground.
"Don't worry, kid. Your sister's built for a bigger stage than this. She won't die here."
Tenjirō gestured for Yoruichi to move, then tossed a parting remark to Yūshirō.
"That's all I needed to hear."
Yūshirō exhaled slowly… then grabbed Urahara by the collar.
"…Huh?"
A cold premonition crept up Urahara's spine.
"Our fight starts now."
With that, Yūshirō hurled him into the rocky training field.
"Awaken… Benihime! "
Midair, Urahara released his Zanpakutō, twisting through the air before landing smoothly on solid ground.
"Oh?"
Yūshirō's eyes narrowed, impressed. Urahara had handled his sudden strike without missing a beat.
"Look, if it's Bankai training you want, I've got an invention that could—"
"No need. Real combat is the best teacher."
Yūshirō cut him off without even asking what it was.
"…Hahaha. Figures."
Urahara scratched his head with a bitter laugh.
"Enough talk, Urahara. Didn't you come here to get stronger? This is your chance. Go all out—and try to catch me. A weakling can't protect anyone."
Yūshirō crooked a finger, beckoning him forward.
"…Alright then. Watch closely, Yūshirō! "
The instant Urahara spoke his name, he moved.
"Cry… Benihime! "
A crimson beam erupted from his blade, roaring toward Yūshirō like a Cero.
"Well, that's a surprise."
Yūshirō tilted his body slightly, letting the searing blast roar past him.
BOOM!
The explosion shook the ground, dust and debris rising behind him.
"Ara~" Urahara smiled slyly. "I still can't control Benihime's power perfectly. So you'd better be careful, little brother. If you get hurt, how will I explain it to Yoruichi? "
His voice was light—but his eyes were sharp and cold.
"Using provocation, huh? "
Yūshirō saw through him instantly. If you can't beat your opponent head-on, you use tricks. Clever… and it worked.
Shut up!
In the blink of an eye, Yūshirō vanished—then reappeared behind Urahara, his foot driving toward his rear with deadly force.