Chapter Fourteen: The Challenger

"Fight you?"
Chojirou scrutinized the unexpected visitor before him.
Hmm… His physique seems impressive, and his spiritual pressure is no less formidable. He could be a troublesome opponent…
Truth be told, Chojirou felt uneasy. His strength had yet to reach the true level of a captain; he could barely hold his own thanks to his Bankai. If faced with a genuinely powerful adversary, victory was far from assured.
But what worried him most was the seal Yamamoto Shigekoku had placed upon him.
His alternate personality was locked deep within his heart, along with a portion of Yanlingmaru's power.
It was that other personality which could unleash most of Yanlingmaru's strength. Now, with it sealed, Chojirou could not fully wield its true might.
"I'm coming."
"Wait a minute!"
Seeing his opponent about to draw his sword, Chojirou quickly raised his hand to stop him.
"What? I'm busy, you know."
"If you're so busy, how do you have time to pick a fight with me?"
Chojirou was losing his composure—the man before him was not someone he could calmly contend with.
"Tch, you talk too much. What do you want to know?"
The Soul Reaper curled his lip, clearly annoyed by Chojirou's attitude.
"Your name, your rank, your purpose! There’s too much I need to know!"
"Third Seat of First Division, Di Chun Ichino. I heard you’re strong—I came to challenge you."
So, a typical Kenpachi-type…
Chojirou inwardly rolled his eyes, then picked up his Zanpakuto.
"Let’s be clear: any property damage is your responsibility."
"That’s something we’ll discuss after the fight. Come on!"
Swish!
In a flash, he drew his blade and, relying on years of combat-honed techniques, charged straight at Chojirou.
"Let’s take this elsewhere… Tch…"
He had hoped to minimize damage to his home, but it was clear the other cared nothing for such things. Left with no choice, he raised his sword to meet the attack.
Clang!
The clash of blades rang sharply through the empty courtyard.
Ugh…
The tremendous impact nearly made Chojirou lose his grip.
His arm went numb, his body trembled, and he was forced to retreat.
Teeth clenched, Chojirou persisted.
Just a single exchange in close combat had nearly crushed him. Was this man really only a Third Seat?
Bang!

With one hand bracing Chojirou’s blade, Di Chun raised his other arm and struck Chojirou’s face hard!
Grh…
The stalemate was broken.
Chojirou halted his retreat, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth.
His opponent’s swordsmanship and hand-to-hand prowess surpassed his own, and he hadn't even had the chance to release his Zanpakuto…
He was powerful.
Perhaps things would be different in the future, but right now Di Chun was undeniably several levels above him.
"Is that all you’ve got?"
Weighing the Zanpakuto in his hand, Di Chun lifted his chin, his contempt for Chojirou plain.
"Binding Spell Twenty-One: Red Smoke Escape!"
Suddenly, a thick cloud of smoke burst from Chojirou’s palm, enveloping him.
Swish!
Utilizing Shunpo, he appeared behind Di Chun, swinging his Zanpakuto at Di Chun’s neck.
Slap.
Without even turning, Di Chun caught Chojirou’s wrist.
!
"Too weak."
The voice was cold, utterly different from his earlier battle-ready demeanor. Chojirou's weakness was wearing Di Chun's patience thin.
"This level of basic combat could actually harm Yamamoto Shigekoku? I find it hard to believe…"
Turning, he stared icily at Chojirou, his gaze chilling Chojirou to the bone.
"Could Yamamoto Shigekoku be nothing but an empty name?"
"Shut up!"
The repeated insults enraged Chojirou; he didn’t care that his wrist was caught, his spiritual pressure exploded from within.
"Pierce him! Yanlingmaru!"
Twisting his rapier, he forcibly broke free from Di Chun’s grip and, using the momentum, thrust the tip toward Di Chun’s skull.
…
With swift agility, Di Chun ducked, dodging the slash, then reversed his blade and stabbed toward Chojirou’s abdomen.
Slap.
Once more, relying on an imperfect Shunpo, Chojirou narrowly avoided a fatal wound.
The importance of Shunpo struck him; he resolved to master and perfect this technique.
"Heh, that’s still not enough…" Di Chun raised his sword. "Return all to nothingness—Chaos Flame!"
Whoosh!
The blade itself did not change, but the black flames crawling along its edge made Chojirou tense.

Unlike Yamamoto Shigekoku’s fire, these flames exuded a chilling darkness, like a bottomless pit threatening to devour everything.
"Since you’ve released your blade, there’s no need for further concealment, is there?"
Di Chun gave a savage smile, then swung his blade at Chojirou.
Fwoosh!
A crescent-shaped wave of black fire surged toward Chojirou’s feet!
The shape was somewhat reminiscent of the Crescent Moon Blast… Wait, did he steal the Crescent Moon Blast, or did the Crescent Moon Blast steal his attack?
Now was not the time for such thoughts!
He pushed off hard, barely evading the black flames.
Boom!
The black fire struck the ground, exploding like fireworks into countless sparks that vanished into thin air.
So they’re not adhesive flames…
Steadying himself, Chojirou shook Yanlingmaru in his hand.
"Descend!"
He raised his sword high, lightning crackled along the blade, shooting skyward and then crashing down toward Di Chun.
The speed of lightning was unmatched—even captains would find it hard to dodge completely, let alone someone who seemed only just to have reached captain level in Chojirou’s eyes.
Heh…
Di Chun gave a strange smile, calmly pointing his sword to the sky.
Whoosh!
A surge of black fire erupted from the blade, meeting Chojirou’s lightning head-on.
What happens when fire and lightning collide?
Devouring.
The dazzling bolts were slowly consumed by the black flames, and ultimately both vanished in midair.
!!
As if they had never existed, all was erased.
"My world has no need for anything else."
Di Chun turned his head, black hair partially veiling his murderous gaze, making Di Chun Ichino appear even more sinister and terrifying.
"These flames devour everything but me."
"Tremble in fear as I tear you apart, Chojirou, Captain of the Sparrow Division."