Missed, missed again.
In the area guarded by Squad 8, Chad threw continuous punches at Shunsui. The powerful waves of Reiryoku left scars on the ground and walls, yet he simply could not land a hit on that eccentric man.
Every time, he was just a hair away. Even though the man's entire body seemed full of openings, he always managed to dodge the attacks at the exact right moment.
Throwing another punch, Chad's breathing grew ragged. Initially, his mutated right arm could only unleash one full-power strike a day. Later, through Mr. Yoruichi's training, that limit had increased to four. After arriving in Soul Society, it seemed to have grown even further.
However, such growth had its limits. He was already nearing his limit—no, in truth, he had already surpassed it long ago.
"You'd be better off giving up."
Seeing Chad's exhaustion, Shunsui casually leaned against a doorframe and kindly began to analyze the situation for him. "You are indeed quite formidable. You're fast, strong, and your destructive power is easily among the best when it comes to humans. But even so, you still can't hit me. Doesn't that tell you something?"
Were they simply not on the same level? Chad didn't answer. He knew the man wasn't exaggerating. His very first punch had been deflected by Shunsui with a single hand, and ever since, the man had maintained an air of absolute ease. Chad was already half-dead from exhaustion, yet Shunsui still looked like he hadn't even woken up from his nap.
'Is this the strength of a captain?' The person he had defeated earlier claimed to be a third seat. Logically, there was only a three-rank difference between that and a captain, but he never expected the gap to be this incomprehensibly vast.
"The outcome is obvious if you keep fighting," Shunsui concluded with a serious tone. "You should just give up and go home."
What kind of response would he get? Was the persistence of these brats Yoruichi brought along born of ignorance, or were they truly that resolute? Furthermore, Shunsui was quite curious to see just how deep that resolve ran.
"Thank you for the advice, but I cannot back down."
Chad offered a faint smile, clenched his fist, and charged at Shunsui once more. Like a moth drawn to a flame, knowing full well it meant his end, he pressed forward without hesitation.
Why so unflinching? Was it out of ignorance? Shunsui leaned to the left, effortlessly evading Chad's devastating punch.
No, although this kid was straightforward, he was definitely not brainless. He was capable of analyzing his failures and trying to close the distance. It was obvious he genuinely wanted to win, and someone like that should also know when to temporarily retreat.
"You should understand that techniques fall into two categories: those you can't use once you pass your limit, and those you can still force out if you put your life on the line. Obviously, you fall into the latter." Shunsui smoothly pivoted, slipping behind Chad like a swimming fish. Pressing two fingers of his right hand against Chad's back, he gave a light tap, sending the towering teenager flying.
"You've already pushed far past your limits. This is your last warning—go back! If you keep fighting, your life will be in danger."
Even if he didn't want to give up, he could always regroup and try again later. The boy had plenty of options, and more importantly, Shunsui seemed willing to offer him those choices.
Of course, this was also a warning. The kid in front of him was different from the one who had severely injured Kōe yesterday. His goal was clear, his moves were straightforward, and he didn't look like someone hiding a trump card.
Chad didn't answer. Propping himself up with both arms, he struggled to his feet. Such a choice was truly a headache—at least, that was how Shunsui felt. He even suspected that Yoruichi had deliberately sent this guy to persuade him.
"Why are you so stubborn? Risking absolutely everything to come to Soul Society... what is it all for?"
"It's to... save Kuchiki Rukia."
A very decisive answer. Shunsui tucked his hands into his sleeves. It wasn't a surprising answer, but at the same time, it was so textbook that it made him suspicious.
"Save Rukia? Didn't she only go missing in the World of the Living this past spring? With such a short amount of time, your friendship couldn't possibly be that deep, right? It certainly shouldn't be enough to come here and die for her."
Don't talk about Rukia having some innate charm that makes people accept her, and don't bring up the topic of whether her crimes warranted execution.
Why would someone who shouldn't have any real connection to her be worth throwing away one's life? For justice? Out of pity?
No, whether in the World of the Living or Soul Society, there were countless things that shouldn't happen but did anyway. If someone truly held onto such ideals, they wouldn't live long, no matter where they were.
"It's true, I don't know her well at all. Maybe there's no need for me to risk my life for her..."
Was he backing down? No, there was clearly a 'but' coming. Shunsui actually found himself looking forward to it. Acknowledging the truth spoken by others, even an enemy—he liked that kind of premise, at least.
"But, Ichigo wants to save her. And for that, Ichigo has already put his life on the line. That is enough."
'I used to be so reckless. There was no right or wrong. If I didn't like someone, I'd hit them. If I didn't like something, I'd destroy it.'
'If I had kept going like that, I definitely would have become someone who didn't know how to cherish anything, wouldn't I? I definitely would have.'
'It was my Abuelo's teachings that made me understand how to restrain myself. I'm grateful to him, and equally terrified of that reckless version of myself. Because of that, I made a promise to Abuelo: I would never throw a punch for my own sake again. Never...'
'Because of that, I almost made a terrible mistake. If that coin Abuelo left me had been cut that day, my clearly defined self would have reverted back to a state of chaos.'
"Alright, let's do this, Chad."
'A guy I had only just met, who couldn't even get my name right, actually dared to point at me and say those words.'
"You keep sticking to your principles. Don't throw punches for yourself. But, you can throw punches for me."
'That guy was Ichigo, who ended up covered in bruises just to protect a stubborn fool like me.'
"And I'll throw punches for you, too. If there's something you're risking your life to protect, I'll risk my life to protect it too. It's a promise."
'Yeah, we made a promise. Even though I didn't say it out loud back then, since Ichigo has decided to risk his life to protect Rukia, then...'
"That is the best reason for me to risk my life."
'What an irrefutable answer...'
Shunsui pulled down the brim of his bamboo hat, hiding his upturned lips from Chad. 'Sending a kid like this to Soul Society... you really are something, Urahara Kisuke.'
"Since you're so determined, I apologize for my rudeness in trying to persuade you to give up earlier."
As Shunsui spoke, he pulled a sake jug from behind his back and downed it in one gulp right in front of Chad. 'I'm about to do something a bit absurd. Ukitake, you won't blame me, will you?'
"Well then, it looks like my only choice is to..."
The empty sake jug spun through the air. Shunsui slowly drew his Zanpakutō, his lowered hat obscuring most of his face.
"...take your life."
With a crisp shatter, Shunsui glanced at the ceramic shards at his feet. No matter how many times he changed it, the taste was always the same. But was the problem the sake, or the jug?
'As you wish, I'll take this opportunity to get a good look. But...'
'Don't make me regret this. After all, these kids can't afford to pay for this jug.'
'And neither can you, Urahara Kisuke!'