Not long after—
Once Yoruichi had changed into her clothes, the system prompt sounded again.
"Congratulations, host. You have successfully summoned former Captain of the Second Division, Yoruichi Shihōin."
"Congratulations, host. You have acquired Yoruichi's Shinigami abilities: Special Combat Technique — Shunkō."
Although Yoruichi rarely relied on her Zanpakutō, her mastery of speed had led her to develop a unique combat style—
Shunkō.
A technique that fused Kidō and Hakuda, wrapping the user's back and shoulders in highly compressed spiritual energy. It exploded outward to enhance close-combat attacks to overwhelming levels.
Even without drawing her blade—
Yoruichi possessed terrifying combat power.
And through the system—
Ren Kuro had perfectly inherited that ability.
"The fastest Flash Step… and Shunkō as well. Lady Yoruichi, you've brought me quite the gift," Ren Kuro said with a faint smile.
"Oh?" Yoruichi raised a brow, her lips curling playfully. "I can sense Byakuya's Reiatsu nearby. So you've summoned that kid too, haven't you?"
"He's part of my crew."
"Is that so?" She stepped closer, her smile widening. "Then you've already earned his recognition, huh?"
Her eyes gleamed with interest.
"In that case… how about we have a little match?"
"A match?" Ren Kuro raised an eyebrow.
"If you want my recognition, it won't come that easily," Yoruichi said casually. "You know my background, don't you? Beat me in Flash Step… and I'll acknowledge you as captain."
Back when she led the Second Division, Yoruichi had also been the 22nd head of the Shihōin Clan.
The Shihōin family traditionally commanded the Stealth Force, much like the Kuchiki family's dominance over the Sixth Division.
Even Byakuya's famed speed—
had been shaped by her teachings.
She had personally trained him in his youth.
Even after a century away from Soul Society—
her Flash Step remained unmatched.
"Lady Yoruichi… you really are something else," Ren Kuro said, slightly surprised.
She was the first summoned character to challenge him directly.
"What? Backing out already?" she teased. "You're the one Byakuya acknowledged. At least show some spirit."
That was simply her nature.
Once Yoruichi made a decision—
she committed to it completely.
She had once abandoned her noble status and position in the Gotei 13 without hesitation, all to save Urahara and the Visoreds.
"Lady Yoruichi," Ren Kuro said after a brief pause, a playful smile forming, "you're right. I am a little worried."
"Oh?"
"I'm worried that if I win…"
"…your title of 'Flash Goddess' might end up being mine."
Yoruichi blinked—
then burst into laughter.
"Hah! What an interesting man. You think you can beat me before we've even started? You remind me of Byakuya when he was younger."
Her gaze sharpened.
"In that case… I'll treat you the same way I treated him."
She disappeared.
No warning.
No signal.
Just—
gone.
"I knew it… you never play fair," Ren Kuro's pupils contracted. Even though he had prepared himself mentally, her speed still caught him off guard.
A chill crept up behind him.
In that instant—
he spun around and grabbed her wrist.
But—
what he caught was nothing but an afterimage.
"…!"
"Ren Kuro… where are you looking? I'm over here."
Her voice came from behind him.
He turned—
only to see her palm already reaching toward his back.
"So fast…" Ren Kuro's eyes sharpened.
"You lose," Yoruichi said with a confident smile.
But—
before her hand could land—
Ren Kuro vanished.
Silently.
He reappeared behind her.
A blade rested at her back.
One step closer—
and it would pierce her heart.
"…?!"
Yoruichi's eyes widened as she looked down.
On the ground—
lay a discarded black cloak.
"…a substitution technique?"
She was genuinely stunned.
She had lost—
using her own specialty.
Ren Kuro withdrew his Zanpakutō, a faint smile on his face.
"Lady Yoruichi…"
"Now you understand why Byakuya acknowledged me, don't you?"
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