When Lan Yan casually claimed that talent was what separated them—and implied that the Kuchiki clan was nothing special—Byakuya's expression turned stiff.
Since childhood, he'd been raised as the heir to the Kuchiki household. The words he heard most often were genius and gifted.
But now, in front of Lan Yan, all of that sounded hollow.
Whether it was the spiritual pressure test or the moment Lan Yan manifested a Zanpakutō without an Asauchi, the gap between them had become painfully obvious.
A massive, unbridgeable gulf in both strength and potential.
"Wait, what's happening?"
"Did Byakuya and Lan Yan start arguing?"
"Man, talk about a glass heart…"
"Well, Lan Yan is a bit cocky, I'll give you that."
"So, what do you think's gonna happen next?"
Yoruichi, Urahara, and the others didn't intervene—in fact, they were enjoying the show. Students from noble houses or otherwise watched from the sidelines, happily eating popcorn with their eyes.
"Talent, is it?"
"Fine then."
"I'd like to see this so-called talent of yours."
"To make you speak so boldly—even mocking the Kuchiki clan..."
Byakuya drew a slow breath.
—Your Kidō talent says: Anyone named Sōsuke must look cool. Fearing your opponent might embarrass you, it's gone ahead and mastered all Hadō and Bakudō from #1 to #60… no incantation is needed.
Lan Yan nearly clapped for his Kidō skill.
Now, that was loyalty—both powerful and considerate.
After all, if you're going to posture, you might as well do it with incantation-free Kidō.
"How would you like to 'witness' it?" Lan Yan asked with a sideways glance, still seated under the shade tree. He raised one hand lazily, palm pointed toward the sky.
That simple gesture alone made the spectators perk up with curiosity.
"We'll settle this the way Shinigami do."
"If you dare belittle the Kuchiki name," Byakuya said coldly, "then we'll have a match—of Kidō."
"As you wish," Lan Yan replied, eyes gleaming.
"Professor Ukitake," Byakuya added, "I'll have you act as referee."
"Unless, of course… you're prepared to lose a student."
"How dramatic," Ukitake said with a sigh.
"Well, all right. If I see that the duel is decided, I'll end it immediately."
Even he knew there was no stopping it. Better to supervise.
Besides—he was curious. Was Lan Yan really just posturing? Or… was his strength simply that overwhelming?
"Whatever." Byakuya turned back, giving Lan Yan a pointed glare. "Well? Get up."
But Lan Yan remained seated, basking in the shade.
"It's a Kidō match, not a sword fight," he replied calmly. "No need to be overly theatrical."
"If your aim was to anger me, well—congratulations. You've succeeded."
Byakuya's expression darkened. Without hesitation, he raised his hand and began to chant rapidly:
"O sovereign of creation! Mask of flesh and bone, fluttering wings of dream! Crowned with a name of man—truth and temperance! Wall of sin unknown, stand alone and silent!"
He started with Hadō #33. The sudden spike in pressure made even the more talented Rukongai students like Tōsen, Komamura, and Kusaka go pale.
Hadō #33, even fully chanted, was far beyond what they could currently perform.
"So this is the Kuchiki clan, the noblest of the Four Great Houses..."
"His starting point is where the rest of us end."
Tōsen's heart sank.
To see someone his age unleash such power… drove home just how wide the gap was between them.
"Hadō #33 – Sōkatsui!"
A cascade of azure fire burst from Byakuya's palm like a tree branch splitting into dozens of burning limbs, all streaking through the air toward Lan Yan.
"You didn't expect this, did you?"
"Even Sōkatsui is effortless for me."
"Don't worry—I'm holding back. This'll hurt, but it won't kill you."
"I want you to kneel. I want you to remember the pain and humiliation and reflect on what it means to disrespect the Kuchiki clan."
Byakuya stood still, his tone as cold and sharp as winter steel.
He never doubted the outcome.
Spiritual pressure was meaningless if you couldn't use it. Without skills, it was just wasted power.
Lan Yan would lose.
And lose badly.
BOOM!
The wave of blue fire exploded violently across the training field, engulfing Lan Yan in a raging blast of force and flame.
"Professor Ukitake, you might want to prep some healing Kidō."
"If you can't, better call Squad 4."
"With spiritual pressure like his, he might still be salvageable."
Byakuya turned his back to the explosion, already writing Lan Yan off.
But—
"Sōkatsui?"
"You should save that for lighting birthday candles, Kuchiki-kun."
The mocking voice rang out from within the smoke.
"…You took a direct hit. How are you completely unharmed?!"
Byakuya spun around.
The smoke cleared.
There sat Lan Yan, still in the shade, completely untouched, wearing a relaxed smile with a hint of disdain.
"Battles between Shinigami are battles of spiritual pressure."
"Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō exist only to maximize that pressure."
"Your spell, fueled by your spiritual pressure? It's beneath me. My pressure alone nullifies it."
As Lan Yan spoke, he raised his hand slightly. Gold light shimmered along his body.
BOOM.
A tidal wave of spiritual pressure erupted from him, expanding in every direction like a golden tsunami.
Byakuya—along with everyone else—was swept up in the wave.
"Is this… is this even spiritual pressure?"
"It's stronger than during the entrance exam!"
"My bones are creaking under the weight!"
"Has he gotten stronger… or was he holding back before?!"
Only Aizen stood calmly beneath the golden downpour, completely unaffected.
Even Urahara Kisuke, who usually played dumb, wore a grim look. It felt like he was being crushed beneath a mountain.
Noble-blooded students staggered, bodies trembling under the pressure.
Those from Rukongai dropped to their knees outright.
Even Byakuya—the pride of the Kuchiki clan—was left gasping, his body trembling, muscles clenched tight as he fought not to collapse.