"Ugh…"
Urahara felt suffocated, as though drowning in deep water. Endless spiritual pressure poured into his body through every gap, making even the act of breathing a luxury.
"My consciousness… it's fading."
Staggering, Urahara could barely remain standing before Yūshirō Shihōin.
"Urahara Kisuke… go."
"Go and learn your Zanpakutō's true name. If you don't find it within three hours… you really will die."
Just as his mind sank into darkness, those words echoed in his ears, rippling through the depths of his soul.
Deep within Kirinji's Palace
"This spiritual pressure… is it Yūshirō's? "
Yoruichi could feel it. The crushing weight made her instincts scream in terror, her body trembling uncontrollably.
"So the brat's getting serious, huh? " Tenjirō Kirinji smirked as he watched her reaction. "What's with that face? Like you're seeing his true nature for the first time? Scared out of your mind? Can't blame you. Even I shudder every time I sense that kid's reiatsu—it feels like every cell is shaking, like my very soul is wailing. Poor girl, living your whole life beside that monster… Must feel like you've survived a disaster now that you've seen what he really is, huh? Hahahaha! "
"Yūshirō isn't a monster."
Her arms crossed, Yoruichi's voice trembled, but her resolve hardened.
"Huh? What was that? "
"He's not a monster. He's my little brother."
With that, Yoruichi drew her short blade and plunged it into her own palm. Pain tore through her nerves, burning away her primal fear. Standing tall, she looked straight at Tenjirō.
"Yūshirō is the Shihōin Clan's greatest treasure. He's never been a monster. He's always protected me. And I've never done anything for him."
"…Tch. You siblings sure are boring."
Tenjirō scratched his head and sighed. "But hey, you've done plenty. You're probably the only one that kid actually talks to."
"Not enough. As his sister, I should do more. I don't need to protect him. But I refuse to be his burden. That's my goal."
Yoruichi dropped into a fighting stance.
"What? Do you still want to train? Look at your hand—you're bleeding all over the floor."
"This pain is nothing."
"…Fine. But when your brother sees those wounds, don't blame me! "
"No problem."
"Oh? Then let's keep going."
Tenjirō grinned. "Our training's simple: I love being chased by beautiful women. If you can catch me—even touch me—you pass."
"Careful then, old man. I'm head of the Shihōin Clan and a member of the Onmitsukidō. Speed is my specialty."
In the blink of an eye, Yoruichi vanished and reappeared behind him, hand darting for his back.
"Too easy, huh? "
"Easy, you say? "
Her fingers grasped empty air. A mocking voice whispered from behind her.
"What—?! An afterimage?! "
"Bingo~"
"Let me spell it out. Your brother's strong, sure, but the rest of the Zero Division isn't far behind. To you guys, we're all monsters. Catching a beast isn't so easy."
"…Interesting."
Yoruichi grinned instead of flinching, her excitement mounting. Her speed surged as she spun and lunged—only for Tenjirō to vanish and reappear behind her once more.
"Feel it yet, little lady? The gap between you and the Royal Guard? "
"Gaps are meant to be closed. You run, I chase—like a cat stalking its prey. The second you slip, I'll catch you… and take you down."
Her voice was sharp as steel. In a blur, Yoruichi disappeared again, chaining flash steps at blinding speed.
"Oh? Big words."
Tenjirō shadowed her effortlessly, staying exactly one meter behind no matter how fast she moved.
"Not enough. Faster. I need to go even faster."
"She's still accelerating?! " Tenjirō's eyes widened.
Their forms became little more than flickering afterimages, whipping through the training ground like two black phantoms. Wind howled, dust swirled, and the clash became a pure contest of speed.