"Since you've awakened such an ability, ordinary moves are meaningless. How about we play a few games and relive the fun of childhood?"
Kyōraku Shunsui, a seasoned veteran, had already deduced the nature of Uehara Shiroha's ability. However, he chose not to voice it aloud, nor did he probe for any details regarding its mechanics. A power of such magnitude must be kept confidential.
Although Uehara Shiroha had carefully set up barriers around the area, preventing conventional surveillance methods from spying on them, Shunsui still maintained his usual cautious demeanor. Years of experience had ingrained in him a habit of vigilance, and such instincts weren't easily abandoned.
However, it was precisely because Uehara Shiroha's ability was so overwhelming that no amount of strategy or skill could allow Shunsui to pressure him effectively. Even if he used all his abilities, he still couldn't push Uehara Shiroha into a corner.
In other words, without unleashing his Bankai, he didn't even qualify to serve as a sparring partner.
For a brief moment, Kyōraku Shunsui found himself at a loss. His mind wavered, struggling to process the sheer disparity in strength between them. When he looked at Uehara Shiroha, his expression unconsciously shifted into one of astonishment.
It had taken him over a thousand years to reach his current level of power, yet here stood Uehara Shiroha—someone who had been a Shinigami for how long exactly?
Not to mention, this kid had never appeared to train particularly hard.
Was the gap in talent really this absurd?
"That's not a bad idea," Uehara Shiroha responded, his tone carrying a hint of curiosity. He was eager to witness Katen Kyōkotsu's Shikai in action.
During their previous sparring sessions, both of them had held back, never pushing each other too far. Despite this, Uehara Shiroha had gained valuable insights and steadily improved his strength.
But now, things were different.
His mastery of top-tier Observation Haki, coupled with his ability to foresee the future, was simply too suppressive. It was almost impossible for Kyōraku to perform at his best under such conditions.
The battle would only become truly interesting after Shunsui unleashed his Shikai. It would also serve as the perfect test to gauge the power of his perfected Observation Haki.
Seeing Uehara Shiroha nod in agreement, Kyōraku Shunsui wasted no time and raised his twin Zanpakutō.
"The Flowery Winds Become Disturbed, The God Of Flowers Sings, The Heavenly Winds Become Disturbed, The Devil Of Heaven Sneers —Katen Kyōkotsu!"
The moment the words left his lips, a powerful surge of spiritual pressure erupted from his body, enveloping the entire battlefield in an invisible force.
Katen Kyōkotsu's Shikai had been activated.
At first glance, its effects resembled a Kidō-type ability. However, in truth, it was closer to a domain of rules, an ability that manipulated reality itself. More importantly, it wasn't a targeted ability—it affected everyone within its range indiscriminately.
The same applied to its Bankai.
Normally, Kyōraku Shunsui didn't need to chant the release phrase to activate his Shikai. But this time, given the rare opportunity to truly enjoy himself in battle, he had indulged in the formality. It was only fitting to make the moment feel special.
For the first time in a while, excitement flickered in his eyes.
Up until now, the overwhelming gap in power had left him frustrated, unable to mount any real challenge. But now, with Katen Kyōkotsu in play, he had a fighting chance.
After releasing his Zanpakutō, he took a moment to introduce its abilities in his usual, leisurely manner.
"Katen Kyōkotsu's Shikai is based on children's games. Each game has its own set of unique rules. If you understand and use these rules well, you can gain an advantage. However," he smirked, tilting his head slightly, "I get to decide when to switch between the games. That means I hold the initiative."
His expression turned playful as he continued, "Now then, let's have some fun."
"Bring it on," Uehara Shiroha responded without hesitation, his lips curling slightly in anticipation.
He was eager to see if his ability to foresee the future could keep up with the unpredictable nature of Katen Kyōkotsu's Shikai.
He wasn't unfamiliar with its mechanics.
After all, he had sparred with Kyōraku before. The real challenge lay in the fact that his opponent could change the game at any moment—an ability that mirrored the whimsical nature of a child, constantly shifting the rules whenever the odds weren't in their favor.
This granted Kyōraku an undeniable advantage.
Even so, Uehara Shiroha wasn't concerned. As long as he relied solely on Observation Haki and his refined combat instincts, he was confident he wouldn't lose.
At that moment, Kyōraku Shunsui made his move.
Taking a step into the air, he vanished in an instant, reappearing at a higher vantage point.
"The first game is called Takaoni!" His voice echoed through the battlefield as he raised his twin blades. "The rule is simple—the higher you are, the stronger your Zanpakutō becomes!"
With that declaration, he slashed downward.
A massive wave of spiritual energy surged forth, cutting through the air with devastating force. The sheer power behind the attack was far greater than anything he had unleashed before.
But Uehara Shiroha had already foreseen it.
In the brief instant before impact, he chose the most efficient countermeasure.
Raising his Sword, he struck upward with flawless precision.
His perfected White Album stand provided him with an immense well of life energy, reinforcing both his body and his attacks. Vitality translated into overwhelming physical strength, and when combined with his spiritual pressure, it transformed into something akin to divine might.
His counterattack manifested as a terrifying slash, one that collided with Shunsui's attack head-on.
BOOM!
The battlefield trembled as the two monstrous forces clashed.
A deafening roar erupted as shockwaves ripped through the air. The sheer impact fractured the ground beneath them, sending cracks spreading like spiderwebs. The surrounding air pressure distorted, creating visible ripples, while even the barriers encasing the battlefield shuddered under the force.
At that moment, Kyōraku Shunsui's voice echoed from above:
"Kageoni —once the game begins, stepping on your opponent's shadow means defeat. Additionally, both players can hide within their enemy's shadow, and attacking an opponent's shadow will directly damage them."
As soon as he finished explaining, he vanished from sight, using a well-timed Shunpo to slip behind Uehara Shiroha.
Then, he disappeared completely.
This wasn't just a normal Shunpō or a simple concealment technique—his figure, spiritual pressure, and even his breath had utterly vanished, as if he had been teleported to another dimension.
For three full breaths, the battlefield remained eerily silent.
Then, without hesitation, Uehara Shiroha suddenly pivoted and slashed at the shadow behind him.
A second later, Kyōraku Shunsui emerged from the darkness. However, before he could react, the devastating slash was already upon him, its sharp edge gleaming with a deadly glint.
Despite the imminent threat, Shunsui remained composed. At the very last moment, he called out:
"Irooni —White!"
The blade struck him.
But instead of being torn apart, Shunsui remained unharmed.
Using Shunpo, he quickly retreated to a safe distance, his expression calm but slightly wary.
Then, he casually added another rule to the game:
"The third game is called Irooni —after one of us names a color, both players can only be injured if they are hit in an area covered by that color.
"For example," he continued with a grin, "I just said 'white.' That means if your attacks land anywhere on my pink clothing, they won't do a thing. But if I had chosen 'pink,' my entire body would become a weak point. However, the tradeoff is that my slashing power would increase significantly.
"In short, the fewer colors on your body, the harder it is to hit you, but at the same time, your attacks become weaker. On the flip side, if your vulnerable color is exposed and you take a hit, the damage you suffer will be multiplied."
"Got it." Uehara Shiroha nodded in understanding, his interest piqued.
He was already well aware of these three classic games. After all, Shunsui had used Irooni to take down Starrk, the strongest of the Espada.
Back then, Shunsui had set the color to black. By removing his pink robe and revealing his black shihakushō, he had maximized his attack power. Meanwhile, Starrk, dressed in a white coat, had only a small weak point—his Hollow hole, which was black.
But that alone had been enough.
With all the buffs stacked in his favor, Shunsui had delivered a decisive strike, sending Starrk to his end in an instant.
However, this time, things were different.
Unlike Starrk, Uehara Shiroha had the ability to foresee the future. To him, this battle was like playing a game with a permanent wall-hack—he could see through every trick and move in advance.
As a result, no matter how many times Kyōraku Shunsui switched between the three games, no matter how much he tried to throw him off, Uehara Shiroha remained completely unscathed.
On the contrary, it was Kyōraku Shunsui who found himself repeatedly on the verge of being outplayed.
Even with his clever mind and unpredictable fighting style, he simply couldn't overcome Uehara Shiroha's foresight. Every move he made was countered before it could even take shape.
No matter how unpredictable a game was, how could it work against an opponent who already knew the outcome?
Even Uehara Shiroha had to admit that facing Kyōraku Shunsui after his Shikai activation was a true test of skill.
Before Shunsui had released Katen Kyōkotsu, their base combat abilities—Zankensoki and Reiatsu—were roughly on par. There hadn't been a noticeable difference between them.
But once Shikai entered the equation, the gap immediately became apparent.
Despite that, Kyōraku Shunsui remained extremely cautious. He refrained from reckless attacks, fully aware of how terrifying it was to fight someone with the ability to foresee the future.
It was an ability that left no room for error.
Against such an opponent, there was no chance for a lucky hit—Uehara Shiroha wouldn't make mistakes, and he wouldn't overlook a single weakness.
This had already been proven throughout the battle.
It was like playing rock-paper-scissors against someone who could predict your choice every time—how could you possibly win?
Kyōraku Shunsui sighed internally.
(Seriously, Brother Shiroha, this ability of yours is way too overpowered... If you used it to pick up women, no cold and aloof beauty would stand a chance.)
But then he paused.
(Wait a second... Brother Shiroha doesn't even need this ability to win over beautiful women, does he?)
A wave of envy hit him like a blade to the chest.
Finally, after a tense and intricate back-and-forth of strategies and mind games, Kyōraku Shunsui heaved a long sigh and accepted reality.
There was no way to win.
Even his best abilities—those that tested intelligence, adaptability, and strategy—were completely ineffective in the face of Uehara Shiroha's sheer cheat-like power.
With a defeated sigh, he made his decision.
"Alright, I give up. GG."
He had no choice but to surrender.
Against such a 'hacker-level' opponent, his mind games had proven to be utterly useless.
"Thank you for letting me win!" Uehara Shiroha said, his face lighting up with satisfaction. The battle had been exhilarating, and he was already itching to go for another round.
This kind of controlled combat, where he could push his limits while maintaining complete control, was exactly the kind of fight he enjoyed.
Even better, the match had further refined his proficiency in future sight. His ability to predict and react had grown sharper with every exchange.
Kyōraku Shunsui, on the other hand, could only let out a bitter chuckle.
"I gave it everything I had, and I still lost..."
Despite his defeat, he couldn't bring himself to feel bitter. Instead, he was left with a growing sense of admiration—and relief.
Because Uehara Shiroha was on their side.
If he had been an enemy, this kind of power would have been a terrifying threat. But knowing that he was an ally instead...
That was a comforting thought.
With this battle, many of Shunsui's previous worries and doubts faded away. He had witnessed firsthand the incredible extent of Uehara Shiroha's predictive abilities, and the sheer potential he possessed.
Shunsui felt himself relax.
"Alright, enough fighting. Let's drink," Uehara Shiroha suddenly said, offering a casual grin.
Shunsui blinked, then let out a hearty laugh.
"Now that is the best idea I've heard all day."
The two of them left the battlefield behind, making their way toward the red-light district.
And so, another night of indulgence and beauty awaited them.
The following night, Uehara Shiroha once again arrived at Tsunayashiro Tokinada's residence, this time wearing a pair of disguises glasses and a mask to conceal his identity.
As soon as Tokinada saw him, his already weary face twisted in barely contained rage. Dark circles framed his eyes, and his complexion was unnervingly pale, a clear sign of stress and exhaustion. His voice was laced with suppressed fury as he spat,
"It's been almost a year, Otsutsuki Naruto. When will you finally fulfill your promise?!"
He gestured around the room, his fingers trembling slightly as he took in the near-empty space.
"Look at this place! You've practically emptied it! Are you still not satisfied?"
Everything was gone.
The once opulent room, adorned with extravagant furniture carved from thousand-year-old red sandalwood, had been stripped bare. Priceless antiques, calligraphy scrolls, and rare paintings had all vanished. Even the exquisite jade inlays embedded in the walls had been pried out, leaving behind nothing but a hollow, desolate space.
It was no longer the grand chamber of a noble; it was nothing short of a ransacked ruin.
But the worst part wasn't the material loss.
For months now, Tsunayashiro Tokinada had been forced into a role he despised—providing Uehara Shiroha with crucial intelligence. Though still a prisoner in name, he had previously enjoyed a life of unparalleled luxury, controlling the Serveilance Hall and possessing knowledge of countless secrets.
Compared to ordinary Shinigami, he had lived like a king.
He had reveled in his power, looking down upon those he deemed ignorant commoners, believing himself superior in every way.
But now…
Now, he was nothing more than a caged beast, shackled by forces beyond his control.
Uehara Shiroha, completely unbothered by Tokinada's grievances, smirked slightly. "Even if your wealth is gone, don't you still have valuable information? You underestimate your own potential."
With an almost teasing motion, he pulled out the Enrakyōten and briefly waved it in front of Tokinada's face before tucking it away again.
It had to be said—despite his twisted nature and unstable mind, Tsunayashiro Tokinada was undeniably talented in intelligence work. Most of the Court Army's undercover agents had been identified by him, proving that his ability to gather and analyze information was no small matter.
If not for the irresistible temptation of the Enrakyōten and the influence of the Mind Stone, a person like Tokinada would never have submitted so obediently.
"You—!"
The instant he caught a glimpse of the Enrakyōten, Tokinada's eyes blazed with unrestrained greed.
That artifact—his family's heirloom—was the source of so much suffering, the root of so many of his ambitions.
It was enough to make his eyes sting with unshed tears.
Yet, no matter how desperately he wanted it, he could only watch as Uehara Shiroha effortlessly reclaimed it, keeping it just out of reach.
It was maddening.
For months, he had tried everything. Every possible scheme, every attempt to locate the artifact or this so-called "Otsutsuki Naruto" had ended in utter failure. Each time he resisted, he had been beaten down so thoroughly that he had nearly developed PTSD.
The artifact was right in front of him, yet he was powerless to take it back.
It was akin to watching the woman he loved fall into another man's arms, knowing there was nothing he could do about it.
The agony was unbearable.
Uehara Shiroha tilted his head slightly, as if amused by Tokinada's barely contained fury. "You still don't understand your position, do you? Why would I ever trust you enough to hand over the Enrakyōten?"
Tokinada was still useful.
Uehara Shiroha needed him to act as a test subject for the Mind Stone's power. Until he had squeezed every last drop of value from him, there was no way he would let him reclaim his so-called "family heirloom."
Tokinada clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms. He felt utterly humiliated, yet he forced himself to suppress his emotions.
"...I understand. I will follow your will," he muttered through gritted teeth.
In his heart, he cursed Uehara Shiroha as a devil far more terrifying than Kyōraku Shunsui.
At first, his goal had been simple—to teach those foolish and ignorant people, especially Kyōraku Shunsui, a harsh lesson.
But now?
Now, his only desire was to seize the throne of the Soul King.
To make the world suffer.
To burn everything to the ground.
Most importantly, to completely and utterly destroy "Otsutsuki Naruto".
Shiroha, however, remained unfazed. He nodded approvingly, as if Tokinada's obedience was the most natural thing in the world. "That's more like it. As long as you behave, the Enrakyōten and the Tsunayashiro family will eventually be yours."
Of course, he was lying.
This was just an empty promise, a carrot on a stick to keep Tokinada in line.
Letting him believe that he still had a future, that there was something to fight for, made him easier to control.
And when the day came that he finally reached for his "prize"—that would be the day he died.
Tokinada lowered his head, hiding the twisted rage in his expression. "When I take control of the Tsunayashiro family, I will serve you even more faithfully," he said, his voice dripping with false submission.
But in his mind, he was already plotting.
Only by playing the role of an obedient servant could he lull "Otsutsuki Naruto" into complacency. The moment the other party let his guard down—that was when he would strike.
He, Tsunayashiro Tokinada, would never allow himself to be anyone's puppet.
Uehara Shiroha observed him for a moment, then casually reached into his sleeve and pulled out several blank sheets of white paper. With an almost lazy motion, he handed them over.
"It's not that I don't believe you," he said with a knowing smirk, "but words alone aren't enough. Write it down—acknowledge your agreement in writing. These are my conditions. If you're willing to abide by them, sign and seal it in the name of the Tsunayashiro family head."
Tokinada frowned, examining the papers with suspicion.
"There's nothing written on them."
"So?" Shiroha replied nonchalantly. "Is that a problem? Just tell me whether you'll sign or not."
Tokinada hesitated only for a moment before tightening his grip on the papers.
"...No problem. I'll sign it."
He lowered his head, the tremble in his clenched fists betraying his barely suppressed fury.
One day—sooner or later—he would pay Uehara Shiroha back for this humiliation a hundredfold.
Shiroha, completely indifferent to Tokinada's simmering hatred, took the signed papers and turned to leave, not sparing him another glance.
To him, the resentment of a defeated man wasn't even worth acknowledging.
After all—why would a king ever concern himself with the bitter complaints of a broken, powerless fool?
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