"You'd be wise not to provoke me. Stop acting like you're above everyone else." Suì-Fēng gripped the hilt of the short blade at the small of her back. "The one who now commands the Onmitsukidō and the Executive Militia is me."
2nd Division, the Onmitsukidō.
They were responsible for executing and assassinating Shinigami who violated Soul Society's laws, as well as conducting reconnaissance and surveillance against Hollows.
If the Gotei 13 were the forces that operated in the open, then the Onmitsukidō were the secret troops that worked in the shadows.
Among them, the combat-focused unit responsible for executions and assassinations was the First Division, the Executive Militia.
And as the Commander of the Executive Militia, the moment Suì-Fēng drew her blade signaled the beginning of an execution.
Anyone who opposed the commander was marked for death.
Even if that opponent was the former Commander of the Executive Militia.
"Your era…" Suì-Fēng drew her Zanpakutō. "has already ended, Yoruichi Shihōin!"
Figures dressed in black appeared soundlessly from the forest. The moment Suì-Fēng raised her hand, they moved together, launching an attack on Yoruichi Shihōin.
Yoruichi Shihōin's figure vanished instantly, splitting into several afterimages. By the time she reappeared standing where she had been before, the members of the Executive Militia had only just landed on the ground around her.
"Don't underestimate me. I may have abandoned the title of commander…" Yoruichi's ponytail swayed lightly. "But there's another title I never gave up."
"Goddess of Flash… Yoruichi," Suì-Fēng murmured softly.
She possessed the fastest speed in Soul Society. Even Byakuya Kuchiki, who excelled at Shunpo, could not catch up to her.
Or rather, the reason Byakuya Kuchiki became so skilled at Shunpo was because he wanted to catch up to Yoruichi Shihōin.
As two of the Four Great Noble Families, the Shihōin and Kuchiki clans had always maintained a good relationship.
One of Yoruichi Shihōin's favorite pastimes had been snatching away Byakuya Kuchiki's Kenseikan, slowing down just enough for him to catch up, and then speeding up again to leave him behind.
Whenever Byakuya Kuchiki disappeared, it was almost certain that Yoruichi Shihōin was involved.
"I see… Then you can't blame me." Suì-Fēng tore off the sleeve of her Shihakushō, loosened her belt, and removed her Haori. Her arms were revealed, clad in black arm sleeves, while her Shihakushō tightened around her neck and left her back exposed. "I'll take that title from you myself!"
"The execution battle attire of the Executive Militia commander…" Yoruichi Shihōin's gaze swept over Suì-Fēng's smooth shoulders. "That battle uniform really brings back memories."
"Feeling nostalgic already?"
"A little."
"No need to hold back. Go ahead and reminisce." Suì-Fēng bent her knees slightly. "Then we can fairly compare who is more qualified as a warrior, you or me!"
The distance between them closed in an instant.
In the span of a heartbeat, fists and kicks collided several times. When they separated again, a swollen red bruise had already formed on Suì-Fēng's shoulder.
Blood spilled from the corner of Yoruichi Shihōin's mouth.
"So you've grown this strong already, Suì-Fēng."
"This… strong?"
Suì-Fēng suddenly appeared behind Yoruichi Shihōin, the short blade in her hand resting against Yoruichi's neck.
"Sting All Enemies to Death, Suzumebachi!"
A golden, striped metal bracer appeared on Suì-Fēng's wrist. A golden chain extended from it, connecting to a finger guard fitted with a sharp blade on her middle finger. The pointed tip gleamed like the venomous stinger of a hornet.
Yoruichi Shihōin flashed away instantly, pulling back to create distance.
But Suì-Fēng pursued like a shadow. Her fingertip struck Yoruichi squarely in the chest.
"Why would you assume that was my full strength?" Suì-Fēng did not continue the chase. "You thought I would hold back against you, didn't you? That's why I told you not to keep acting like you're above everyone else. I surpassed you a long time ago. Just now, I was the one holding back."
Yoruichi Shihōin glanced down at her chest.
A black butterfly-shaped mark had spread its wings there.
"Hōmonka…"
That was Suzumebachi's ability.
The first strike engraved a mark of death on the target. If Suzumebachi struck that mark again, the target would die without exception.
This technique was known as Nigeki Kessatsu.
Yoruichi Shihōin made her decision immediately and turned to flee.
Suzumebachi grazed past her shoulder.
A new Hōmonka appeared.
"Turning your back on the enemy and running in all directions… you really look pathetic, Yoruichi!" Suì-Fēng swung her hand across Yoruichi's back, leaving another fresh Hōmonka mark. "The price for retreating from the front lines a hundred years ago… experience it through death!"
Yoruichi Shihōin suddenly accelerated.
She remembered clearly that the Hōmonka Suì-Fēng planted would normally disappear after half a minute. If she could just create a little more distance…
"It's useless!" Suì-Fēng saw straight through Yoruichi Shihōin's plan. "My Hōmonka now exists together with my will. It will never disappear!"
Yoruichi Shihōin swung her long legs, wrapped in tight black pants. Several short blades shot toward Suì-Fēng.
"Pathetic!" Suì-Fēng raised her arm, blocking them with the metal guard of Suzumebachi.
Taking advantage of the moment, Yoruichi Shihōin closed the distance. One foot stomped onto Suì-Fēng's wrist while her other leg lifted high and came crashing down.
Suì-Fēng grabbed Yoruichi Shihōin's foot, twisting her wrist to lock it in place. Then she spun her body and kicked Yoruichi Shihōin's ankle, stopping the downward strike.
Fists and kicks collided again in a dazzling flurry.
They separated.
The Hōmonka mark on Yoruichi Shihōin's face spread its wings, like a bewitching black tattoo.
"This is the difference between us now." Suì-Fēng stood completely unharmed. A violent wind surged behind her as powerful Reiatsu gathered around her shoulders and back in an exquisitely controlled flow. "Surprised? First time seeing it, right? This is a combat technique that combines Hakuda and Kidō. I created it myself."
Wild winds roared around Suì-Fēng's arms.
"You should feel honored. I only finished mastering this technique a few days ago. This is the first time I've used it in real combat. I haven't even had time to name it yet—"
"This technique is called Shunkō."
Yoruichi Shihōin cut her off.
"The reason the battle uniform leaves the back and shoulders uncovered is because when Shunkō is activated, highly compressed Kidō gathers at the user's back and shoulders. By detonating that energy outward, the Kidō is driven into the limbs, allowing it to be used in combat."
Violent lightning burst from Yoruichi Shihōin's shoulders and back, tearing apart the cloth there.
Her sleek, panther-like body, wrapped in a tight suit, was revealed. Lightning spread behind her, and the extending arcs of electricity lashed wildly at everything around them.
"I never planned to use this technique against you…"
Yoruichi Shihōin raised a hand.
"You should be careful, Suì-Fēng."
Furious lightning roared forward, blasting apart the ground and nearby trees.
When the destruction settled, a massive trench stretched across the battlefield.
Looking at Suì-Fēng standing beside the enormous chasm, Yoruichi Shihōin smiled lightly.
"When I use this technique… I still can't control it perfectly."
"N-No… impossible!"
Suì-Fēng lunged at Yoruichi Shihōin, her arm wrapped in violent wind.
"I clearly already—"
"Stop."
Yoruichi Shihōin placed her hand against Suì-Fēng's palm. Using a reverse-spinning Kidō of equal strength and nature, she neutralized the Kidō gathered in Suì-Fēng's hand.
"It's still too early for you to use this move."