"So fast…"
Yoruichi's eyes widened at the slash.
Ichigo's bankai blade was so small, yet its attack was monstrous—its speed rivaled Gin's Shinso, which could strike at ten times the speed of sound.
Cole's golden staff shimmered as he swung it, smashing through the blue wave of Getsuga Tenshō in an instant.
But Ichigo was right behind the blast, Tensa Zangetsu's blade slamming down at Cole's shoulder.
"Hoho, huh?" Yoruichi muttered in surprise.
Sloppy though it was, his speed exceeded even Soi Fong's.
Cole laughed.
"Too slow! That won't touch me."
His staff met the black blade with a resounding clang, hurling Ichigo away like a bolt of dark light. Yet Ichigo steadied himself midair, darting back again and again, clashing with Cole in a storm of black and gold.
Yoruichi grew serious.
"His power, speed, reflexes… dozens of times stronger than before. But why is a physical-type bankai this small…?"
The duel ended with one final clash, Ichigo sent flying once more. Cole grinned.
"Not bad, Ichigo. With bankai, you can almost spar with me. Almost."
Before bankai, one strike sent Ichigo two miles away. Now, with effort, he could still do the same.
Ichigo flexed his numb hands, scowling.
"Your staff is too heavy. Even with bankai, I can barely hold up against it. Don't tell me you haven't achieved bankai yet?"
Cole smirked, planting the golden staff into the ground.
"No more. I should check on Rukia, before your cheat-level growth breaks her spirit."
At once, Ichigo felt the crushing gravity descend from all directions. His body slowed to a crawl, speed cut by two-thirds.
"…Forget it. I'm done." Ichigo sighed, releasing his bankai. Tensa Zangetsu stretched back into the giant cleaver as he flopped to the ground. "I'll nap until the next fight."
Three days and nights of training had left him exhausted. Sleep claimed him instantly.
Cole stepped in a flash of golden light to the frozen expanse where Rukia struggled.
She fought desperately, swinging blade after icy blade against the materialized spirit of Sode no Shirayuki. Each shattered after a single clash.
"Rukia, half an hour left," the snow woman murmured. "You don't have the time."
Rukia bit her lip, frantically searching for the true blade among countless fakes.
Cole called from a ridge, "Calm yourself. You're the mistress of ice. Only by being calm can you wield its true power."
But the thought of failing gnawed at her—Ichigo had already achieved bankai. If she failed here, she might never succeed.
Cole sighed. Anxiety only drove her farther from success. Ichigo could remain calm at the breaking point, a trait likely hammered into him by his father's constant ambushes.
Still, Rukia pressed harder, wielding two blades at once in desperation. Even Sode no Shirayuki shook her head.
"You'll never find me like this. You must understand your zanpakuto's heart."
As despair welled, Cole cupped his hands and shouted,
"Rukia-chan, even if you fail, I'll take care of you for life!"
Her face flushed crimson.
"Idiot! I don't need you to support me forever! I'll show you—I'll master bankai right now!"
Her heart calmed. And in that stillness, she felt it—a chill resonance calling her from atop a distant ice peak.
"There…" She spotted the true Sode no Shirayuki, crystal clear and gleaming.
She dashed forward, but the snow woman shook her head.
"Too late. The Tenshintai's three days are up. I must return."
The icy realm faded. The spirit's form flickered—yet did not vanish.
"…Why am I still here?" she whispered, staring at her hands.
Cole laughed from atop a golden pillar. Behind him, his staff had expanded to colossal size, pinning the entire realm in place like a pillar between heaven and earth.
"Go, Rukia! While I hold her here—take your blade!"
Tears welled in her eyes as she nodded, sprinting toward the crystalline sword.
But fury sparked in Sode no Shirayuki's eyes.
"You dare interfere?"
She raised her blade.
"Some no Mai, Tsukishiro (First Dance, White Moon)!"
A circle of light spread beneath Cole, erupting into a pillar of pure ice. He shattered it with a twitch.
"Tsugi no Mai, Hakuren (Next Dance, White Ripple)!"
A storm of frost engulfed him, coating his hair, lashes, and clothes in ice. He shook it all off with a sigh.
"You're only testing her, aren't you? Why fight me like this?"
But she gritted her teeth.
"I refuse to harm my master. But you… you I can strike."
She hacked at him furiously, sparks flying from his body like steel on steel. Cole let her, bored but unharmed.
When she suddenly lunged lower, his eyes widened.
"Not there!"
Her blade narrowly missed, freezing the mountain instead. Even Cole paled.
"You trying to leave your master a widow!?"
Sode no Shirayuki smirked, "I should cut off the source of your sins. You've no right to touch my mistress, you womanizing fool—always clinging to Orihime too!"
Cole's smile vanished as he stepped toward her, dark-faced.
"You think you can lecture me? Even your mistress doesn't scold me like this. Do you know what happens when you misbehave?"
She faltered.
"I-I'll just return to the inner world! You can't touch me!"
Cole grinned.
"Try it. See if you can leave."
She tried—and failed. The golden pillar's suppression bound her here.
"…Wait, Cole-kun, calm down! Hurting me hurts my master too!"
He waved dismissively.
"I won't hurt you."
Her face paled as his hand closed around her wrist.
"W-wait! What are you—ah! Don't spank me!"
"Smack!"
"You pervert! I'm not Rukia—hit her if you must!"
"Smack!"
"I give up! I was wrong! Just don't let my master see this—please, Cole-sama…"
…
At that moment, Rukia's voice rang out as she clutched the real blade, eyes shining.
"Sode no Shirayuki—I found you!"
(End of Chapter)
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