Chapter 2

"Operation Mille-Feuille" is a huge success!

Okay, what the hell is that?

Seeing as how I'm feeling generous, I'll tell you our secret.

First, I used my Haineko to create multiple thin layers of ash...

Then, the Captain covered those layers with a very thin layer of ice. Then 3, 2, 1, meow!

Finally, I turned just my Haineko back into a sword, and...voila! A beautiful mille-feuille of ice with vacuum layers!

Well, actually, no. It's more like a...

It works the same way as a thermos bottle, with the vacuum layers preventing the heat from getting through.

Of any captain's Zanpakuto, my Hyorinmaru is probably the one with the least difference between its Shikai and Bankai powers.

As a result of this, the amount of ice that I'm able to produce has been drastically reduced.

To compensate, I've been diligently training myself to fight with less ice. It seems I'm able to block flames of your level. But then, that isn't really saying very much, is it?

Cocky bastard!

Huh!

We told you, it won't get through.

And now... I'm going to shred you with a blade of vacuum-ice.

I'd say we've just proven that we can go toe-to-toe with any Quincy, even without our Bankai!

That Spiritual Pressure... Captain Soi Fon must've been successful, too.

Captain... Shouldn't we go and assist the others?

Whoa, hey now. What's with the cold shoulder? You're not seriously thinking of leaving, are you? We're still just feeling each other out here. I've got news for you, frosty, I'm just getting started!

So you think you've trained yourself well enough to "block flames of my level."

You know, I wish you did have your Bankai right now... Then I could have shown you that one finger of mine would be more than enough to defeat your pathetic Bankai ice.

Huh!

I don't feel a thing.

We need to regroup! Fall back, Rangiku! I'll hold him off with Ryojin Hyoheki!

Right!

A wall of finely woven ice, huh? None of your little ice tricks will do you any good. All I need is this one finger...

Burner Finger One!