13 Shikai - Tessaiga  

Outside the training grounds, both Yoruichi Shihōin and Kisuke Urahara were somewhat astonished.

While cognizant that Ailin's confidence towards challenging Vice-Captain Ōmaeda must stem from faith in his Zanpakutō's capabilities, they didn't expect him to be evenly matched against Marenoshin Ōmaeda in Shunpo and swordsmanship before either party had even released their swords!

No, not evenly matched.

Exchanging a mutual glance, what Yoruichi and Kisuke Urahara saw in each other's eyes was incredulity.

With their strength, naturally they could discern that beneath the facade of parity, Ailin instead surpassed Marenoshin slightly in both swordsmanship and Shunpo.

"Damn monster!"

"Clang!"

After a horizontal slash to parry Ailin's blow, Marenoshin instantly flickered away with Shunpo.

Yet in the next moment, Ailin's form materialized ahead to obstruct his path once more, forcing Ōmaeda to unsheathe his blade defensively again.

Despite Marenoshin's bulky physique, he wouldn't have remained Second Division's Vice-Captain for close to two centuries without exceptional Shunpo capabilities. But now in his confrontation against Ailin, Marenoshin Ōmaeda felt completely suppressed everywhere.

Regardless of Shunpo or swordsmanship, he could only meet Ailin's assaults passively. Such sentiments brought Marenoshin back over a century ago when he had crossed blades against Captain Chika Shihōin.

He was equally powerless back then too. Could this Ailin truly wield might rivaling Lord Chika?

"Bang!"

In just the span of a few minutes, Marenoshin's back was already drenched in cold sweat. Comparatively, Ailin was far more at ease.

After wholly internalizing Shin'etsu Kisaragi's experiences, all facets of Ailin's Shinigami arts had obtained tremendous boosts.

Especially for swordsmanship.

One must understand, Shin'etsu Kisaragi was a disciple of Captain-Commander Yamamoto. Naturally, his sword skills cultivated under Yamamoto wouldn't be lacking.

Presently, Ailin's swordsmanship could be considered above average even amongst the Gotei 13 captains.

The disparity between captain-class and those below was akin to a chasm.

Admittedly, Ailin's current Reiatsu was merely at the sixth seat's level, still over ten times removed from the captains.

Via attacking a higher-dimensional construct, Marenoshin was utterly helpless against Ailin despite equivalent Reiatsu on paper.

However, if Ailin went overboard, he would undoubtedly be grinding Marenoshin's face against the dirt.

By then, perhaps every single member of Second Division, including Captain Shihōin herself, would be incredibly displeased.

After all, Marenoshin was Second Division's Vice-Captain for nearly two hundred years now. To a certain degree, he represented their prestige.

Meanwhile as a newly rising figure, Ailin hadn't earned widespread recognition from his comrades yet.

Acting too arrogantly might trigger resentment against him instead.

Hence, despite Ailin clearly suppressing Marenoshin presently, outward appearances made it seem like an evenly contested bout between geniuses of the same era, a fated battle where heroes finally met their matches.

"Clang!"

Ailin and Marenoshin's forms reemerged at the training ground's center, their shapes forming a vivid contrast of small versus large.

"Creak Creak..."

As the battered blade ground against the pristine sword, spiritual power surged from both weapons seconds later, blasting the pair backwards.

"Huff Huff..."

"Huff... Huff..."

Marenoshin's panted heavily as his eyes remained fixed warily on Ailin.

Just how long has it been since he fought so intensely?

Upon this thought, Marenoshin Ōmaeda's eyes flashed icily as towering Reiatsu erupted to envelope both his body and Zanpakutō in resonance.

"Smash him apart, Gegetsuburi!"

Accompanying Marenoshin's bellow, the blade in his hands suddenly expanded into a massive spiked mace over three meters long.

"Boom!"

With Shikai unleashed, Marenoshin's Reiatsu intensified fivefold!

For Shinigami, especially those who have released their Zanpakutō, at minimum eighty percent of their power stemmed from their swords. A Zanpakutō's initial release boosts its Shinigami master's Reiatsu by three to five times. Bankai provides a five to tenfold enhancement.

Despite being unable to touch Bankai's threshold across over two centuries, Marenoshin had developed his Shikai's strength to its utmost limits. The amplification to his Reiatsu peaked at the upper echelons for initial release - five times stronger!

This represented Marenoshin maximum battle state!

While ordinary condition Marenoshin Ōmaeda was no match for Ailin, by manifesting his Zanpakutō Gegetsuburi, he was confident only a scant few vice-captains could exceed his power now!

Ailin had just been in Second Division for thirty years. Judging from equivalent Reiatsu, his Bankai training definitely wasn't complete yet.

Although surpassing himself in Shunpo and swordsmanship, Marenoshin refused to believe Ailin could still maintain the advantage with his Shikai unleashed!

Indeed, despite harbouring assurance towards himself earlier, Marenoshin knew his chances of victory were zilch even now after sensing the monumental pressure exuded from Ailin.

"Releasing your Zanpakutō now?" Sensing Marenoshin transformation made Ailin's expression grow solemn too.

Recently, Ailin had also learned some basic information regarding Marenoshin from Captain Kuta Aokigi.

Supposedly, his Zanpakutō Gegetsuburi was a pure power-type blade. In the past, Vice-Captain Ōmaeda had allegedly obliterated a Menos Grande with one blow before.

A Menos Grande huh. That was a nigh hundred meter tall terrifying existence. Only fifth seat officers who have released their Zanpakutō or stronger Shinigami could confront Menos.

Most average seated officers would need collaborative teamwork from at least three to four others to swiftly eliminate a Menos.

For Marenoshin to instantly vaporize a Menos Grande, his Zanpakutō's offensive potential was certainly formidable.

Facing the fivefold strengthened Marenoshin, Ailin didn't dare underestimate him either.

Instantly, Ailin channeled his Reiryoku into the battered sword in his hand and shouted loudly.

"Tessaiga!"

"Boom!"

Accompanying Ailin's roar, the dilapidated blade in his hands finally revealed its true form. The slender and ragged length expanded into a wide cleaver-like fang sword as overwhelming Reiatsu suffused the immediate area with dazzling radiance.

Naturally, releasing his Zanpakutō boosted Ailin's Reiatsu as well. However, Tessaiga was only semi-finished currently. The increase to Ailin's energies was merely threefold. At present in terms of sheer Reiatsu intensity, Marenoshin occupied the superior position.