Chapter 56: Yamabuki Haruto vs. Zenjoji Arihime

Yamabuki Haruto knew one thing clearly—he couldn’t win a war of attrition. If he tried to match raw strength, he’d be crushed. His only chance was skill against brute force.

But Zenjōji Arihime was no simple brute.

With a thunderous stomp, she lunged forward like a cannonball, but this time her rhythm changed. Her right fist hammered with relentless strikes, while her left intercepted, blocked, and grappled with frightening precision. The finesse in her movements was sharp—on par with the Hakuda masters of the Shihōin clan.

Haruto’s eyes widened. What the hell?! Weren’t you supposed to be a reckless brawler? Now you’re fighting with technique?! That’s cheating! Or… were you not even taking me seriously until now?

“Flash Flower!”

He vanished, blade flashing with both hands. But Arihime’s left palm shot out, seizing the Zanpakutō mid-strike. Haruto strained, pouring every muscle into the cut—but it was like trying to move a sword stuck in an iron mountain. It didn’t budge.

Her right fist was already arcing toward him.

Too close—he couldn’t defend. He abandoned his sword on instinct.

“Tch… Old man Yamamoto, I didn’t think your boxing lessons would come in handy so soon! Hakuda secret art—Dual Bone!”

Both fists snapped forward, concentrated force exploding in twin shockwaves.

“Bang!!!”

Two deep craters dented Arihime’s gut, sending her massive body staggering backward.

But the victory was hollow. Haruto hissed between his teeth. She’s too damn tanky!

Repelled, yes—but not harmed.

Back when I played games, the last thing I wanted to fight was a tank. But this? This thing isn’t just a tank—it’s got burst damage, agility, healing, and now boxing skills! How do you even play against that? Can I report her for being unbalanced?

Arihime dusted herself off with a yawn, twirling Haruto’s Zanpakutō like a toy. “This toothpick doesn’t suit me. Here—catch!”

She wound up like she was throwing a shot put and hurled it. The sword tore through the air like a lightning bolt. Haruto’s instincts screamed. If I grab it barehanded, my wrist is gone. Instead, he leapt, booting the back of the blade to redirect its momentum skyward. With the force canceled, he snatched the hilt safely.

But Arihime was already grinning. She pulled a black pill from her robes and bit down.

Haruto’s stomach dropped. Oh no…

Her body swelled, fat melting into corded muscle. Bones cracked, height expanding, flesh becoming iron.

If she had been a raging boar before, now she was a full-grown bear.

“Physical Enhancement Pill—my proudest invention!” she laughed. “Now, bean sprout… game over.”

She vanished. No—not vanished. She moved faster than his senses could track.

“Boom!!!”

The air split with a sonic boom above him. The pressure was suffocating, but under it, his own reiatsu surged again. He was so close now—only a wall separated him from true captain-class.

Arihime descended, arms spread wide, aiming to crush him in a killing embrace.

But Haruto’s sharpened senses finally caught her movement. “Your chest is wide open, fool!”

He thrust at her throat.

The blade pierced skin—then stopped. Her neck muscles clamped like armor, refusing to yield. She only laughed, leaning into the blade.

Haruto’s arms bulged, veins throbbing as he forced both hands against the hilt, but the tip could go no deeper. She’s turned into an invulnerable monster!

“What kind of insane science project IS this?!”

Arihime’s laughter thundered. “Weak! Too weak!”

Her fist descended like a hammer. Haruto dodged back again and again, his reiatsu climbing but never fast enough. Every stat she had—strength, speed, defense—was spiraling higher.

Damn it! Sword spirit! Are you seriously going to sleep through this? If you don’t give me your name now, I’m dead! With your power, we could crush this freak, right?!

Silence. No answer.

“Spacing out in the middle of battle?!” Arihime sneered, her eyes glinting. “You’re looking down on me too much, bean sprout!”

Her speed spiked again. In her eyes, Haruto’s movements slowed to a crawl. With one toe-tap, her massive body blurred behind him.

His nerves screamed—the enemy was there—but his body couldn’t keep up. He turned desperately, too late to block.

If this punch lands, I hope Fourth Division can at least find my body parts…

“Bang!!!”

The fist stopped inches from his skull. Wind blasted his face, flesh warping from the pressure.

Not mercy. Not hesitation.

Two blades crossed before him, intercepting the blow.

Kano Chiharu and  Yanagi Junrei stood firm, holding Arihime’s strike at bay.

Haruto blinked, then grinned with manic relief. “You two… finally! I could almost kiss you right now!”