Chapter 86: Captain-Level Spiritual Pressure? I Have It Too
On the training field, Satoru and Kensei's battle had reached its peak intensity.
Kensei gripped his fist blades like a boxer in the ring, relentlessly throwing punches from all directions.
Meanwhile, Satoru used Shunpo, combined with body movements, to evade Kensei's attacks.
"What's wrong, what's wrong!"
"Are you just going to keep dodging? You can't win by running away!"
Kensei Muguruma shouted loudly, delivering a powerful straight punch.
The moment his spiritually charged fist shot forward, the surrounding air distorted violently.
Each punch seemed to drain the space around them of all substance!
An ordinary Shinigami caught in this distortion would likely find themselves unable to use Shunpo, getting sucked directly toward the fist as if willingly offering themselves up.
Outside the barrier, many Shinigami who had been sitting in the front rows had already begun moving back.
Even through the barrier, Kensei's overwhelming captain-level spiritual pressure weighed heavily upon them.
If they didn't retreat, they'd collapse before the two combatants on the field.
Aizen sat outside the barrier, sipping tea as his mind raced.
An ability that could kill with a single hit—how would he handle it if he were the one fighting?
The simplest solution would be to use Kyōka Suigetsu, of course.
But Kyōka Suigetsu's abilities were unique, and often unsuitable for public display.
If forced to fight head-on, what would be the best approach?
As he watched, Kensei suddenly threw a punch—one he had kept hidden at his waist for several seconds without moving.
If Satoru reacted even slightly slowly, this would be the decisive blow!
A thought flashed through Aizen's mind—
Dodge right!
Almost simultaneously with this thought, Satoru's body shifted slightly to the right.
Kensei's originally rightward-bound fist had to abruptly change direction, launching an uppercut aimed at Satoru's chin!
Any normal person would instinctively dodge backward against such a strike.
Meanwhile, his own jab had already been retracted and readied for another attack.
If Satoru dodged backward, he would charge forward with full force!
Even if Satoru used Shunpo to evade, he was confident he could catch up!
Victory was within reach!
A glint flashed in Kensei's eyes as the corner of his mouth curled upward.
Aizen's pupils rapidly scanned the positions of Kensei's two fists.
Don't retreat—sidestep instead!
His heart leaped into his throat.
And as if hearing his thoughts, Satoru on the field leaned sharply to his left.
Kensei, unable to retract his momentum in time, stumbled forward.
Now's the time for Bakudō!
Aizen's eyes lit up.
But Satoru moved even faster than he'd anticipated.
Facing Kensei's exposed side, Satoru brought two fingers together and swept them horizontally before him as if smoothing something out—
"Bakudō #63: Sajō Sabaku!!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Golden chains shot forth from all directions, wrapping tightly around Kensei in multiple layers.
Aizen couldn't help but marvel.
He'd thought Satoru's spiritual pressure might rival his own, but that in actual combat, Satoru would still fall short.
Yet now it seemed this man's battle instincts surpassed his expectations.
Nature truly is fair—even brutes have their own way of surviving...
Up on the high platform, Shunsui nearly couldn't resist cheering for Satoru.
Damn, what kind of talent does this kid have?
Only half a year at the Shin'ō Academy—how much actual combat experience could he possibly have?
If he can fight at this level just by relying on talent, what would happen if he trained under Old Man Yamamoto for a century or two? He'd probably turn the world upside down!
Ginrei Kuchiki stroked his beard.
Watching up to this point, he finally understood what Yamamoto was doing.
Truly worthy of being the former "Demon of the Sword"... Though he usually seemed like a reclusive old man who stayed out of worldly affairs, when he truly got serious, he was second to none.
After today, Satoru's name would undoubtedly resound throughout the entire Seireitei.
Everyone would know that Genryūsai Yamamoto had gained another sharp blade in his hands.
From now on, anyone trying to use noble connections to pull any underhanded schemes would have to think twice about Yamamoto's retaliation.
Admittedly, Yamamoto's move was quite clever.
The only regret was that this blade wasn't sharp enough.
Defeating Lisa Yadōmaru without releasing his Zanpakutō.
Gaining an advantage against Kensei Muguruma even after his Bankai.
At Satoru's age, achieving this was indeed astonishing and worthy of amazement.
But... no amount of praise could change one undeniable fact.
Satoru was not captain-level.
The gap between Reiatsu Level 4 and Reiatsu Level 3 was as vast as heaven and earth!
A Level 5 might be able to defeat a Level 4 through skill, techniques, or Zanpakutō abilities.
But a Level 4 could never defeat a Level 3!
As if to confirm Ginrei's thoughts, Kensei suddenly roared on the training grounds.
"Grrr, AAAAAHHHH!!!"
He violently spread his arms wide, his chest muscles swelling beneath his shihakushō collar, nearly tearing the fabric apart!
As his physical power erupted, Kensei's spiritual pressure surged in layers—
CRACK!!
Several large sections of the defensive barrier shattered.
A torrent of spiritual pressure burst forth, sending over twenty nearby Shinigami flying uncontrollably!
Several seated officers leaped into the air, catching the thrown Shinigami and directing the crowd to retreat.
On the high platform, Chōjirō flashed to the side of the Kidō Corps members.
He instructed them to open the barrier above, allowing Kensei's spiritual pressure to vent outward.
As the barrier opened, the entire training field was suddenly plunged into an abyssal pressure.
The crushing spiritual pressure made it difficult for many Shinigami to even breathe!
After unleashing his true spiritual pressure, Kensei strained and shattered the restraining Kidō binding him.
Facing Satoru, who stood not far away, he raised his fists into a fighting stance.
"Satoru, just declare me the winner."
"I admit you're strong. Without suppressing you with spiritual pressure, it's hard for me to inflict any real damage."
"But... with this overwhelming difference in spiritual pressure, your speed and reflexes won't be advantages anymore!"
"This is just a spar. I don't want to leave you with irreversible injuries."
"Once you break through to captain-level, we'll fight again!"
On the high platform, Yamamoto watched silently.
Was this the end...?
Though it was a bit disappointing, he had to admit that reaching this point was already impressive.
Both Satoru's "Sōkotsu Twin Impact" and Kensei's "Iron Fist Windbreaker" were techniques with excessive destructive power.
Continuing the fight would only result in the Gotei 13 losing valuable personnel.
Fine. Establishing authority could be done gradually.
With that thought, he prepared to speak and conclude the assessment.
But at that moment, Satoru suddenly spoke—
"Third-level spiritual pressure is indeed strong."
"However, coincidentally, I have it too."
Under Kensei Muguruma's stunned gaze, Satoru's spiritual pressure erupted skyward!
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