Chapter 76: I’m Really Stunned This Time

“Poison?” Saitō Furofushi frowned. Poison in Kidō?

“My Zanpakutō’s power is poison too,” Yamabuki Haruto said smugly. “One nick from Silver Angel, and you’re paralyzed. Regret yet?”

Saitō scoffed, unimpressed.

The other captains lounged around the training ground, some munching snacks, others waving flags, all eager for the show. Haruto and Saitō locked eyes, tension crackling.

“Wanna raise the stakes?” Haruto asked.

“Sure. Lose, and you’re my servant for a month,” Saitō shot back.

“Deal. If you lose, you do one thing I say.” Haruto upped the ante, smirking. Got you.

Zenjōji Arihime waved a flag. “Begin!”

Haruto slammed his hand down. “Bakudō #21: Sekienton!” Crimson smoke flooded the arena. Saitō, recalling his warning, covered her mouth and scanned the haze, wary of a sneak attack.

A cold blade touched her neck from behind. “Game over. You lose,” Haruto said, grinning.

The crowd blinked, confused. Saitō’s eyes widened. “Your Zanpakutō isn’t poison—it’s silent movement!”

“War’s not fair,” Haruto chuckled. “I lied about Sekienton and Silver Angel to drop your guard, then teleported behind you with my spatial ability. Perfect, right?”

“You cheated!” Saitō’s reiatsu erupted, a crimson tornado. She spun, slashing. Haruto met her blade, their captain-level reiatsu clashing, pinning weaker onlookers to the ground.

Saitō’s brows twitched. A month ago, she’d chased Haruto like a monkey. Now, he matched her? As Sixth Division’s first captain, losing to him was humiliating. Her swordplay quickened, a phantom blur, but her aggression left gaps.

Clang! Their blades locked, Saitō’s stopping inches from Haruto’s neck, his blade pressed against her chest. “Can’t lose gracefully, shorty?” Haruto taunted. “No one’s chasing a washboard anyway. Let’s call off the bet.”

“Washboard?!” Saitō glanced at her chest, paling compared to Kano Chiharu’s grandeur. “Die!” She slashed, but Haruto teleported behind her with Silver Angel, blade back on her neck.

“I said the bet’s off. Relax,” he teased.

Saitō threw her Zanpakutō down. “Fine! I’ll do your one thing—even if it’s cutting my throat!”

Haruto beamed. Provoking her was too easy. “I’ll think of something later.”

Yanagi Junrei adjusted his glasses. “He roamed Hueco Mundo and grew this strong? His reiatsu’s raw, but we’d struggle to beat him now.”

Yamamoto watched, nodding approvingly. “Haruto, come here.”

Haruto jogged over. Yamamoto skipped questions about his Quincy powers. “With your strength, you’re captain material. Want First Division’s helm?”

“No way,” Haruto said. “No pay, no captain. Staff officer’s fine.”

“Really?” Yamamoto smiled warmly. “If you change your mind, my door’s open. Vice-captain’s beneath you now. What do you think of Chōjirō and Haru?”

Haruto blinked. “They’re good. Why?”

“Just assigning them to you,” Yamamoto said. “Lead them as you see fit.”

If Haruto had shown distrust, Yamamoto would’ve eliminated Chōjirō and Haru to protect him. He trusted Haruto’s judgment, even if he doubted the others.