Mashiro Kuna's strength was astonishing. Over seventy years ago, she served as the lieutenant of the 9th Division under Kensei Muguruma — a position of prestige and authority. Even though Kaname Tōsen once occupied the same post later on, Mashiro's raw power far exceeded his. Her strength had multiplied tremendously since her transformation into a Visored.
Mashiro could instantly destroy Gillian-class Hollows with a single blow. Her power was such that she once obliterated one of Wonderweiss Margela's monstrous partners — the giant, one-eyed Hollow that had assisted Aizen's escape from Soul Society. That creature, Fleur, was an enormous abomination whose claws alone were fused with fragments of Hollow masks. Fleur could blow apart a city with a single breath — even one protected by Captain Yamamoto's Ryūjin Jakka flames — and could summon legions of Gillian-class Hollows from its maw.
Yet, Mashiro Kuna kicked it to death in a single strike. That alone spoke volumes of her terrifying combat ability.
Mashiro fought purely with Hakuda and Hollowfication, never relying on her Zanpakutō. Kurotsuki Renya, watching from the opposite end of the training field, didn't even know if she still remembered how to use one.
Renya's eyes sharpened as he stood up. His form blurred instantly, vanishing from his position. The air split with a sharp crack as he appeared behind Mashiro in an instant and swung a punch with all his strength.
Mashiro leaned forward smoothly, evading the blow, and countered with a swift upward kick.
"Too fast—!"
Before Renya could react, her heel struck him squarely in the guard. The impact was massive — a thunderous boom echoed across the training hall as Renya was sent flying backward.
"Tch… such power…" he hissed, landing roughly and rubbing his forearms, which were already throbbing from the impact.
Before he could recover, Mashiro dropped from above like a meteor — her long leg descending in an axe-like motion. Renya recognized the move instantly. It was the same Super Kick technique she'd used to destroy Fleur — a devastating Hakuda strike amplified by Hollow energy.
Renya narrowly dodged, leaping aside, but the sheer shockwave blasted him midair, throwing him across the ground.
When he rolled to his feet and turned, he saw the ground split open — a crater several meters long and at least a meter deep.
"That kind of destructive power…," Renya muttered, his breath shallow.
Mashiro's Hakuda in her Hollowfied state was monstrous — stronger even than Hiyori Sarugaki's full Hollowfication. Hiyori's hybrid combat form couldn't compare to Mashiro's natural instinct and monstrous control.
I can't beat her with Hollowfication alone… Should I use Shunko?
Renya clenched his fists. No — not yet. My Hollow form isn't stable enough to blend with Shunko's output. If I rely on power instead of technique, I'll never grow stronger.
Mashiro blurred forward again, fists flying. Renya met her strike head-on. Their fists collided — the impact echoing like a cannon blast. Though he was pushed back several steps, Renya wasn't injured this time. His skin and muscles, reinforced by his spiritual field manipulation, absorbed much of the blow.
But then Mashiro's feet touched the ground again — and she immediately launched another flying kick.
Renya couldn't block it head-on. Her legs, already powerful, were further enhanced by her Hollowfication. He dropped suddenly, sliding under her trajectory, and as she passed over him, he reached up, grabbed her leg mid-motion, and used her momentum to hurl her over his shoulder.
CRASH!
Mashiro smashed into the ground, leaving a massive crater surrounded by a storm of dust and debris. But before Renya could celebrate, pain exploded through his chest — Mashiro had planted her hands on the ground mid-fall and used the rebound to kick him squarely with her free leg, sending him flying into the training barrier.
"Damn… she's fighting purely on instinct," Renya groaned, clutching his ribs. Just like a wild Hollow.
His Hollowfied speed, enhanced by Shunpo, was technically faster than Mashiro's, but her instincts and reflexes were sharper. She moved like a predator — perfectly in tune with her raw power.
Renya collapsed on his back, gasping. The pain told him clearly — at least one of his ribs was broken.
"Liza! Heal him!"
Yadomaru Lisa shouted from the observation platform.
Hachigen Ushōda immediately stepped forward, his hands glowing with the energy of his Kido barrier healing technique. Within seconds, Renya's spiritual pressure stabilized, and his wounds began to close.
Mashiro tilted her head with mild annoyance.
"What's the matter, Renya? You done already?"
Renya scowled. "Do you even realize how strong your kicks are? You could kill a Gillian with one hit!"
Mashiro grinned under her mask. "Then you should be honored you only broke a bone."
Within moments, Hachigen's golden light faded — Renya's chest completely healed. The large Visored smiled softly.
"You're good to go. But remember, my field isn't absolute. For major injuries like Hiyori's dismemberment, even I can only stabilize it. You'd need Captain Unohana or Orihime Inoue for full recovery."
Renya nodded, stretching his arms. "Alright then. Let's go again."
Mashiro cracked her knuckles, eyes gleaming. "Don't hold back this time. Why don't you use that flashy blue light thing? You know, your Shunko."
Renya smirked faintly. "No need. If I can't match your strength with my own control, then relying on power is meaningless. My goal isn't to suppress my flaws — it's to overcome them."
Mashiro leapt back into position. "Fine then, genius boy. Come at me!"
Renya vanished with a sonic boom, reappearing beside her, punching fast and clean — but Mashiro's foot was already there, intercepting him with blinding reflex. It felt like he'd thrown his own fist into a steel wall.
They exchanged a storm of blows — fists, elbows, and kicks colliding in rapid bursts. Sparks of Reiryoku filled the air, each impact shaking the barrier walls.
Renya gritted his teeth, sweat flying. It was like fighting his own inner Hollow again — raw instinct versus calculated precision. His mind raced for an opening, but Mashiro's rhythm was unpredictable.
Strategy won't work here… not against someone who doesn't think — only reacts.
A dark whisper echoed in his mind.
"If you can't win… then let me take over."
Renya's eyes widened beneath his mask. "No…!"
He tore the Hollow mask from his face just in time, panting heavily. A faint black mist faded around him as his consciousness steadied. Had he hesitated for even a second, his Hollow self would have seized control.
Mashiro placed her foot lightly on his shoulder, tilting her head. "Already giving up? That was barely ten minutes."
Her control — her ability to ride the edge of Hollowfication without losing herself — was far superior.
Renya sighed and rubbed his head. "Guess I still have a long way to go."
Lisa crossed her arms. "You've improved, Renya — but yeah, Mashiro's mastery is still above yours. Rest up, recover your Reiryoku, then we'll go again."