With his initial objective accomplished, a new dilemma surfaced.
Shimo furrowed his brows and stared at the teacup before him, falling into thought.
"How do I manage to activate my Zanpakutō release… right here, in Urahara's shop?"
He had worked so hard to gain trust. If he mishandled things now and wiped out all the goodwill he'd earned, that would be a disaster.
"Looks like I'll need a good excuse."
Watching Urahara's retreating figure, Shimo grew solemn.
Saving Hisana wasn't going to be as simple as casting a few healing Kidō.
Most Plus souls, due to their spiritual makeup, could be treated using standard Shinigami methods. But for Hisana, that simply wouldn't work.
Urahara would have to reconstruct the restorative properties of Kaidō through a custom adaptation—something that required immense effort.
And even that might not be enough without Tessai Tsukabishi's help.
The former Kidō Chief's mastery in spiritual arts was, without a doubt, top-tier.
Led by Urahara, Shimo descended into the secret underground chamber beneath the Urahara Shop.
It was vast, filled with complex Kidō constructs—clearly the product of significant time and effort.
"Shimo-kun," Urahara said gravely after multiple calculations, "as a healer, I believe I must meet the patient myself."
Before seeing Hisana, he couldn't guarantee any confidence in curing her.
Shimo paused, then nodded.
"No problem. When the time comes, we'll use the Kuchiki clan's Senkaimon to bring her near the shop."
"…But before that, I need another favor."
Urahara rested both hands on his cane and smiled. "Ask away, Shimo-kun."
Leaping down from a massive stone outcropping, Shimo landed smoothly and said calmly:
"I recently unlocked my Zanpakutō's release… but I still don't know the extent of my current strength."
"So, I'd like to spar with you—to get a clearer sense of my capabilities."
Urahara raised an eyebrow, then relaxed into his usual smirk.
"Of course. That's hardly a problem."
The two stood at a distance, gazes locked as tension built in the air.
Shimo slowly drew his Zanpakutō from his waist, the blade pointed down, eyes fixed on Urahara.
"Before I release it… how about a warm-up?"
Urahara didn't drop his smile. "Sure. Let's see what today's top Shin'ō Academy talent is made of."
Urahara gripped his cane tightly as a sharp burst of spiritual pressure erupted.
Blinding white light surged from the weapon as its disguise fell away, revealing the true form of his Zanpakutō.
Benihime—a modest-looking double-edged blade disguised as a cane, bound with red cord in place of a guard, its hilt curving slightly near the base—stood revealed once more.
Shimo's eyes sharpened.
"Since Urahara-san is ready…"
"Then I won't hold back!"
The instant the words left his lips, he vanished using Shunpo—leaving not even a ripple in the air.
Urahara's heart skipped a beat. He immediately reined in his earlier nonchalance.
Just from that single step, he realized Shimo's Shunpo was already at or above captain level.
Only someone like Yoruichi could confidently outpace that.
Urahara spun his wrist and raised his blade to meet the incoming strike.
The clash of steel rang out in the underground chamber.
Secret Sword: Light Snow!
Shimo's blade rained down like a flurry—each cut delicate as falling snow, each one layered and precise, yet deadly.
Sword after sword—a blizzard of beautiful, lethal strikes.
Divine Dream – Ichito Ryu.
In that moment, Shimo pushed his swordsmanship to its peak.
He seamlessly wove together the two major kenjutsu styles he'd studied, adapted them to his own use, and refined them to deadly perfection.
Urahara grew serious, his entire focus shifting to defense.
Blade glints flashed wildly throughout the chamber, bathing the entire space in sparks and reflected energy.
Realizing the depth of Urahara's strength, Shimo stopped holding back.
Without his Shikai, harming a former squad captain—especially one who subdued Aizen in the original—was not going to happen.
The clash of their Zanpakutō continued unabated.
Though outwardly it looked like a mere spar, the danger was very real.
Even stray bursts of spiritual pressure left deep scars across the reinforced underground floor.
The arena was a wreck in moments.
"…Seems I still can't force out your release at this pace," Urahara said with a chuckle, using Shunpo to retreat. Holding Benihime in one hand, his smile widened.
"I'll get serious, then."
Red energy flowed along the blade, casting crimson arcs of light.
With a single sweeping upward slash, Urahara sent a crescent-shaped red energy wave slicing through the air.
It howled toward Shimo with razor-like precision and explosive speed.
Shimo smirked. "Now that's more like it!"
Limitless Sword: Swallow Return!
Compressed spiritual pressure coiled around his blade—then burst out like a diving swallow, crying sharply as it collided head-on with the red slash.
A massive wave of spiritual pressure erupted, tearing through the chamber and sending shockwaves in every direction.
"Geez… you're quite the terrifying opponent," Urahara muttered, flipping his sword in reverse grip and planting it in front of his chest.
He released another burst of spiritual pressure to form a Blood-Mist Shield, blocking the oncoming force.
But he didn't cancel the shield.
Instead, he transitioned into Benihime's third form.
The moment the words left his lips, hundreds of red-glowing arrows burst forth from the blood mist, surging toward Shimo like a wave that blocked out the light.
But Shimo didn't panic.
"Time, stop—Akatsuki."
*(TL/N - Akatsuki (暁) means 'Dawn' or 'Daybreak')
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