Chapter 2

Whenever I face someone in battle, I have some idea of what they're thinking. Don't get me wrong. I'm not able to read their minds.

But during the battles, I can usually tell why they're really fighting, what they want out of me, and if they think they're stronger than I am.

I usually only realize it once it's over because things get frantic in the middle of the fight.

But after so many battles now, I've come to realize that the stronger my opponent is, the easier it is for me to understand their heart.

Well, my friend, you're quite the poet, aren't you?

Don't change the subject!

With you, it's an entirely different matter. Despite how much I try to read you, almost nothing comes through. Even in the midst of the fight, you weren't completely engaged.

I don't know what you were thinking about, but it wasn't the battle with me.

My Zanpakuto, Shinso. Do you know how far my blade can extend?

I have no idea.

The length of a hundred swords, actually. When I was just a young boy, people were very impressed. They said I carried around a hundred-bladed weapon.

I'm not interested in your tricks.

Really? Do you have any idea how far this blade can extend in Bankai?

Can't say I do, but I didn't come here for a quiz.

You mean you're not even going to venture a guess? That's really a shame. How boring! Well, I'm going to tell you anyway, and I'll explain it in measurements you can understand.

It can extend to 13 kilometers. That must be hard for you to imagine. It seems impossible, right?

Tell you what, I'll demonstrate it for you! All 13 kilometers of it!

Bankai: Kamishininoyari!

So, just as I thought.

The most frightening thing about your Bankai is not its length, and it's not its destructive force either. It's the speed you're able to contract.

............

I was thinking about what you said. Telling me the length of your blade served no purpose. In fact, not telling me about it would've been to your advantage.

Similarly, swinging your sword and slicing up the town served no purpose. Attacking me head-on would've made much more sense, strategy-wise.

I think you showed me those things to distract me. To keep me from noticing how fast your contraction speed really was.

Am I wrong?

Not bad!

(He figured out my strategy from my first attack and was able to apply that knowledge to dodge my second attack.)

(That's frightening. And the chances are he'll improve as the battle goes on. But he's still got a long way to go.)