Another two days passed. After Isane Kotetsu finished the daily treatments, both Rangiku Matsumoto and Soifon finally removed the bandages wrapped around their bodies.
"Rangiku, let's spar a bit before we're discharged."
Soifon performed a few simple joint stretches, the popping sounds of her bones cracking echoing sharply through her limbs.
It wasn't that Soifon wanted to bully a weaker opponent; rather, she hadn't quite figured out the trigger mechanism for the system's missions. She hoped that by sparring with Rangiku, she might be able to snag some mission rewards.
Of course, she also wanted to see exactly what Rangiku Matsumoto's current strength was. This would help her judge the progress of Sōsuke Aizen's experimental Great Hollows.
"Can I say no...?" Rangiku Matsumoto took a half-step back, covering her ample chest. "Miss Soifon, I don't want to be hospitalized again."
During their time as roommates, Soifon had repeatedly insisted that Rangiku drop the formal title of 'Vice-Captain Soifon.' However, Rangiku felt that calling her by her name alone was a bit too forward, so she had compromised with 'Miss Soifon.'
"It's not a formal match," Soifon said, softening her tone slightly to make the proposal sound more reasonable. "I simply want to give you some guidance, Rangiku, so we don't end up meeting in the Fourth Division again next time."
Rangiku Matsumoto looked at Soifon suspiciously, carefully racking her brain to remember if she had done anything to offend the other woman during their days as roommates.
After some deep thought, Rangiku couldn't come up with anything. Soifon had been consistently kind and pleasant over the past few days, never showing any of the arrogance typical of a high-ranking Vice-Captain.
Hiss...
Thinking of this, Rangiku took a sharp breath. Could it be that she was judging others by her own standards? Perhaps Miss Soifon really was just being kind enough to guide her?
"...You really won't use Vice-Captain level spiritual pressure to crush me?" Rangiku confirmed.
"It's just guidance in Zankensoki."
"Besides, I want to confirm just what level of strength it takes to keep you from reacting."
"Don't worry, it won't take up much of your time," Soifon added with a nod.
So, I'm just a combat power measurement unit, then.
Rangiku Matsumoto understood; this reason was enough to persuade her.
"Well... alright then." Rangiku Matsumoto let out a sigh, her hand resting on the Asauchi at her waist. "Please go easy on me, Miss Soifon."
Just as Rangiku finished speaking, another voice chimed in.
"Um... Vice-Captain Soifon, 7th Seat Matsumoto."
The two turned to see Isane Kotetsu standing there, clutching a ward round clipboard. She had clearly been listening for a while.
"If Vice-Captain Soifon intends to guide 7th Seat Matsumoto, why not move to the Fourth Division's private training ground?"
"It's usually empty and quiet there, so you won't disturb the other patients' rest."
Isane Kotetsu looked at Soifon with a trace of respect hidden in her eyes.
Aside from her own Captain, Unohana Retsu, the Seireitei hadn't seen a female Captain in a long time. This naturally caused her to develop a sense of admiration for Soifon.
As for the other two female Captains who had appeared in the last few centuries, they had already been promoted to the Zero Division.
*
The three arrived at the private training ground behind the Fourth Division barracks. The area was indeed vast and quiet; even the ground showed almost no signs of cracks or wear.
As expected of the Fourth Division, they really know how to slack off in style.
"Please guide me, Vice-Captain Soifon."
Rangiku Matsumoto took a deep breath, standing at the other end of the field as she drew her Asauchi.
Though she knew the gap between them was immense, the chance to receive guidance from a Vice-Captain was rare, and she didn't want to look too pathetic.
"You attack first."
Soifon stood still, not even drawing her blade. She merely quietly coated the surface of her body with spiritual pressure.
"Yes! Then, please excuse my rudeness!"
Rangiku Matsumoto's expression turned solemn. Her eyes didn't blink as she stared at Soifon's seemingly opening-riddled stance. In a flash, her figure blurred, leaving a faint afterimage behind.
The next moment, she appeared behind Soifon's flank. Her Asauchi traced an arc through the air, delivering a vertical slash toward Soifon's right shoulder.
Her Shunpo speed wasn't slow, and her angle of attack was quite tricky. For a Seat Officer, it was a top-tier move.
Clink—
With a light sound, Rangiku Matsumoto's eyes widened in shock, as if she were seeing something impossible.
Soifon had simply turned her body slightly and raised her right hand. Using only her index and middle fingers, she had accurately and effortlessly pinched the sharp edge of the Asauchi.
Rangiku Matsumoto gripped the hilt, feeling the immovable, steady strength emanating from the blade. Her heart sank.
She... actually couldn't overcome Miss Soifon's two fingers.
A massive wave of frustration washed over her. She knew the gap was big, but she hadn't expected it to be this insurmountable.
Soifon released her fingers, and Rangiku Matsumoto lowered her arm dejectedly, biting her lower lip.
"Are we done? Rangiku, you haven't released your Shikai yet, have you?"
Taking a step back, Soifon's voice carried a hint of guilt. Had she accidentally shattered Rangiku Matsumoto's confidence?
I shouldn't have mimicked Aizen's famous 'two-finger blade catch.' It's all Sōsuke Aizen's fault!
In any case, she decided to shift the blame first.
Rangiku Matsumoto visibly withered, her orange hair seemingly losing its luster.
She lowered her head, her voice muffled: "No, Miss Soifon. No matter how many times I try, it'll be the same... As expected, a half-baked person like me shouldn't have become a Seat Officer..."
Seeing this, Isane Kotetsu sighed softly and stepped forward.
"7th Seat Matsumoto..."
"Please don't be so discouraged. Vice-Captain Soifon is actually going to be promoted to Captain in a few days. It's only normal for her to be this powerful."
Afterward, Isane Kotetsu stole a glance at Soifon—her eyes clearly saying, 'Vice-Captain Soifon, bullying a weakling like this isn't very nice.'
Soifon read that exact message from the look.
Soifon stood to the side, feeling a bit awkward. She truly hadn't intended to crush the girl's spirit, but while she didn't mean it subjectively, she had objectively dealt a heavy blow.
As Isane Kotetsu pulled Rangiku Matsumoto aside to whisper some words of comfort, Soifon summoned her system panel.
[Mission Triggered: The Unsportsmanlike Noob-Stomping Spar]
[Mission Completed]
[Mission Reward: Spirit Body Strengthening]
Spirit Body Strengthening... what is that?
In the face of 'Power,' Soifon chose to ignore the mockery in the mission's name.
A ripple shimmered before her eyes. The text on the mission panel dissolved and reformed, finally transforming into invisible spiritual energy fragments that merged into Soifon's body.
"Phew..."
Soifon exhaled a puff of white mist carrying a hint of heat.
She felt as though her entire person were soaking in a hot spring. A warm sensation spread through her entire body, and she felt much lighter, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders.
The Spiritual Pressure / Reiatsu within her body became much more condensed. From that moment, the world in her eyes became clearer, her spiritual sense grew sharper even with her eyes closed, and her ears could even pick up the discussions of medical staff in the nearby barracks.
Is this... the world of the truly strong?
"Please cheer up, Miss Rangiku!"
Isane Kotetsu's hushed conversation with Rangiku Matsumoto naturally couldn't escape Soifon's ears now.
"Even though you lost the battle, didn't you win against Vice-Captain Soifon in terms of figure?!"
"Vice-Captain Soifon has one win, but Miss Rangiku also has one win. That makes it a draw!"
_____
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