8-1...

Is running away the only thing you know how to do?

That's enough of this running around. Stop embarrassing yourself. I'm not very fond of chasing rabbits.

(Damn... How can that be?)

(I hit him. I hit him straight on, but I couldn't cut him. What does it mean?)

(No, calm down... Gotta calm down. The only reason I couldn't cut him is that I'm overwhelmed by his Spiritual Pressure.)

(That's the problem. If I calm down and sharpen my Spiritual Pressure, I should be able to cut him.)

(Remember what Zangetsu said. Rid yourself of fear. Focus only on the task ahead.)

?!

Chad's Spiritual Pressure! It's gone!

No... It can't be. Chad's been defeated?

That can't be possible. Chad's too strong to lose.

Chad!

He's alive! It's faint, but I can still feel his Spiritual Pressure.

So then, what am I waiting for?

I can't be afraid. I don't have the time!

So I see you decided to stand your ground at last.

Does this mean that you are prepared to die like a warrior? Or does it just mean you've given up.

The answer is...neither one!

Sorry to say, but I don't feel like dying just yet.

Because if I die, then everyone who was counting on me will be destroyed too.

What is this? You're thinking you can beat me now, aren't you?

Don't let your guard down yet. Stay like that, razor-sharp.

You see, this is where the fun begins.

Now, Ichigo Kurosaki.

That's good. Good reaction! Your concentration is improving.

Dammit. You take me for a fool? I suppose that's also the reason you won't call on your Zanpakuto.

My Zanpakuto doesn't have a name. My sword is completely out in the open. It has never had a sealed form. What you see here is the true form of my Zanpakuto.

Is that so? You probably shouldn't have revealed that.

Because that tells me your sword isn't gonna get any more powerful than it is right now. And in that case...

In that case, what?

In that case, you were going to be able to win? Is that what you were thinking?

Now, you're the one who's taking me for a fool.

You should have thought to ask me why I don't seal my Zanpakuto. It's my Spiritual Pressure. It's so huge that even if I use all of my might, I can't seal it.

So when I fight, I make sure to hold back. I never swing my sword with my full strength.

Do you see why? If I didn't do that, my enemies are so weak, the battle wouldn't last long enough for me to enjoy it.

Ngh...!

Didn't I tell you not to let up on your Spiritual Pressure?

Relaxing just because you found a glimmer or two of hope for victory?

No more, huh. What a boring way for this to end.

Do you want to fight?

Gh...!

Do you want to win?

Or do you just want to live?

Which one?

Just fighting for its own sake is meaningless. And mere survival is not enough of a purpose.

Winning is the only thing!

Very well. I will take you there.