Bleach: From the moment I was invited by Squad Zero.

"The wine was good, and the conversation was quite pleasant," Kyoraku Shunsui said with a smile, setting the empty sake bottle aside and casually clapping his hands.

"However, just drinking and chatting feels like something's missing. Lord Stark, it's a rare treat to have such a fine day, and you seem to be in good spirits..."

He paused, a hint of amusement and inquiry flashing in his eyes. His tone remained relaxed, yet carried an unmistakable seriousness.

"Interested in... stretching your muscles a bit? Let me see how the legendary Vastord fights."

Of course, it was just a friendly exchange, nothing more, nothing less.

His suggestion to exchange ideas was not a spur-of-the-moment decision.

Observation should not only focus on daily routines, but also on critical moments, especially during combat.

The most authentic basis is the opponent's reaction, the way they use their power, their fighting style, and even their hidden instincts.

Mr. Yamamoto's mission was not just to chat and drink.

There was no surprise or resistance in Stark's eyes, as if it made little difference to him whether the other party suggested "sunbathing together" or "sparring".

Finally, he slowly put down the empty wine glass he had been toying with and replied:

"……it is good."

Kyoraku Shunsui's smile deepened. Just as he was about to say something more and finalize the location and method of the sparring match, a familiar voice suddenly came from the direction of the courtyard entrance:

"A friendly spar? That's a good suggestion."

Liu Chuan appeared there at some point, his hands casually in his pockets, a look of interest on his face.

He strode over, his gaze shifting between Kyoraku Shunsui and Stark before finally settling on Kyoraku Shunsui's face:

"What a refined taste the Peking Opera band leader has! He's just arrived for a visit, and he already wants to spar with my 'guards'?"

"Oh dear, Captain Yanagawa, eavesdropping isn't a good habit," Kyoraku Shunsui said calmly, even joking with a smile.

"But since you've caught me, there's nothing I can do about it. So, Captain Yanagawa, are you interested in being a referee? Or... want to join in and have a go?"

His second half of the sentence was a test, as if he wanted to see Liu Chuan's attitude.

Liu Chuan shook his head: "I won't participate, but if you want to spar, it might not be convenient here."

He pointed to the surrounding courtyards, saying, "Making too much noise could easily cause unnecessary misunderstandings and disturbances."

He paused, looked at Stark, then at Kyoraku Shunsui, and suggested:

"It just so happens that the Ghost Path Clan has recently completed the expansion and reinforcement of an underground training ground, which was originally intended for high-level Ghost Path experiments."

There is enough space there, and the protective barrier is strong enough to isolate most of the spiritual pressure impact and energy leakage.

No matter how intense the fight is inside, you can hardly hear it from outside. It's perfect for friendly sparring, what do you say?

Kyoraku Shunsui raised an eyebrow, a look of interest on his face. "Oh? There's such a wonderful place? That would be exactly what I'm looking for. What do you think, Lord Stark?"

Stark nodded indifferently; to him, it didn't matter much where he fought.

"Let's go then." Liu Chuan didn't waste any more words and turned to lead the way.

Kyoraku Shunsui put his straw hat back on and followed.

However, shortly after they left the courtyard for the underground training grounds, one of the team members "accidentally" let it slip, and it quickly spread throughout the Ghost Path Clan:

"Captain Kyoraku Shunsui of the 8th Division will be fighting against Lord Stark, the Vasto Lordship guard brought back by Captain Yanagawa, at the Kido Clan's newly built underground training ground!"

"Captain-level versus Vasto Lorde?!"

"My God! Really?!"

“Absolutely true! I saw with my own eyes Captain Kyōraku and Lord Stark together, following Captain Yanagawa to the underground training grounds!”

"Hurry! You'll miss it if you're late!"

The members of the Ghost Path Clan were the first to erupt in excitement, whether they were training, resting, or handling official business.

Unless they had an urgent task at hand, almost everyone put down what they were doing, called their friends, and rushed towards the entrance of the underground training ground.

So, shortly after Yanagawa led Kyoraku Shunsui and Stark into the vast underground training grounds...

Outside the powerful protective barrier emitting a faint blue light at the edge of the training ground, a dense crowd of people had gathered.

The members of the Ghost Path Sect craned their necks, and countless gazes, like searchlights, focused on the two people inside the barrier.

Kyoraku Shunsui: "..."

Even with his extensive experience and thick skin, he couldn't help but twitch his lips slightly at this moment.

His original intention was to have a private and low-key "exchange and observation", how did it turn into a public exhibition match in the blink of an eye?

Judging from this, it seems that most of the Ghost Path followers have come. How did the news leak out so quickly?

Liu Chuan seemed somewhat surprised as well. He glanced at the crowd outside the barrier, then at the fleeting helplessness on Kyoraku Shunsui's face, and shrugged, indicating that he didn't know what was going on either.

However, a hint of amusement flashed in his eyes, as if he was not averse to the unexpected "audience" that had emerged, and even... somewhat pleased with it?

Stark completely ignored the noise and stares outside the barrier.

He remained indifferent, as if being surrounded by ten thousand people or being completely alone had no effect on him.

He simply stared calmly at the open space in front of him, as if waiting for the "sparring" to begin.

Kyoraku Shunsui rubbed his forehead and sighed, but then quickly resumed his lazy smile.

Well, since things have come to this, hiding it would only make me look guilty.

Moreover, having a "friendly sparring session" with Wastodd in front of so many people might, to some extent, send a signal and ease some unnecessary tension.

Although this is certainly not the way Mr. Yamamoto wanted...

He took off his straw hat and casually tossed it to the edge of the barrier. He then unbuttoned his flashy pink jacket, revealing his captain's haori and shihaka uniform underneath.

He stretched his neck and wrists, making a soft "click" sound. He still had a smile on his face, but his eyes had become calm and focused.

"Looks like there are quite a few spectators." Kyoraku Shunsui smiled at Stark, his tone relaxed. "Lord Stark, you don't mind being watched by so many people, do you?"

Stark didn't even lift his eyelids, simply replying with two words: "Whatever."

"That's good." Kyoraku Shunsui nodded, then looked at Yanagawa, "Captain Yanagawa, could you please maintain order, and... perhaps act as a witness?"

Liu Chuan had already retreated to the edge of the training ground, leaning against a support pillar. Hearing this, he nodded and said, "Don't worry, the barrier is very stable. You can do as you please. I'll keep an eye on things."

Kyoraku Shunsui took one last look at the excited and expectant faces outside the barrier, took a deep breath, and slowly let the smile on his face fade.

Instead, he wore a serious expression.

He looked at Stark, his right hand slowly resting on the hilt of the Katen Kyokotsu sword at his waist.

"So, Lord Stark..." Shunsui Kyoraku's voice rang out clearly in the empty training ground, carrying a hint of polite inquiry before a formal sparring session, "Shall we...begin?"

Chapter 105 Flower Heaven Mad Bones

The noise and discussions outside the barrier were shut out by the thick spiritual barrier.

Kyoraku Shunsui rested his hand firmly on the hilt of the twin swords "Katen Kyokotsu" at his waist, his expression calm and focused, no longer the carefree and irreverent person he usually was.

He was a veteran of countless battles and highly experienced, and his vigilance was at its highest level when facing Stark, the pinnacle of Hueco Mundo.

Across from him, Stark slowly raised his left hand and gently placed it on his left eye—the eye that was always covered by a dark suppression mask.

"Click".

The next moment, Stark gently removed the dark spiritual pressure suppression eye patch.

The moment the blindfold was removed, it was as if some invisible gate had been opened.

"boom--!!!"

A terrifying spiritual pressure, far stronger than before, erupted from Stark's body!

Stark's true spiritual pressure is revealed here!

Kyoraku Shunsui was the first to be affected, even though he was mentally prepared and knew that his opponent was the pinnacle of Hueco Mundo.

But when that spiritual pressure truly came crashing down on him, he still felt an unprecedented pressure and... a trace of uncontrollable excitement!

This is Vastod!

However, to Kyoraku Shunsui's surprise, even in the face of such a terrifying burst of spiritual pressure, there was still a light blue protective barrier at the edge of the training ground, personally set up by Yanagawa.

However, the light only shifted slightly and the brightness increased a little before it returned to stability and remained motionless!

The audience outside the barrier only saw that the air around Stark seemed to distort slightly after he removed his eyepatch.

They could vaguely sense a faint, unsettling fluctuation emanating from within the barrier, but they felt no substantial spiritual pressure that would put even captains on high alert!

The barrier set up by Liu Chuan was more effective at isolating than he had imagined!

"A remarkable barrier..." Kyoraku Shunsui thought to himself, gaining a more direct understanding of Yanagawa's mastery of demonic arts and barriers.

This put him at ease, at least he didn't have to worry about the aftermath of the battle affecting the outside world.

He composed himself and focused all his attention on his opponent.

"Well... excuse me!"

Without further hesitation, Kyoraku Shunsui let out a low shout, and his figure vanished from the spot! Instant Step!

As a direct disciple of Captain-Commander Yamamoto and a veteran captain honed through countless battles, Kyoraku Shunsui's fundamental skills were frighteningly solid.

His Instant Step had no unnecessary frills; it was as fast as a ghost, and its trajectory was unpredictable, almost as soon as the sound ended.

Like a blurry gray shadow, accompanied by a chilling wind, it appeared slightly behind Stark's side!

"Clang!"

A swift and fierce diagonal slash! This strike may seem simple, but it actually contains exquisite technique.

By perfectly combining speed, power, and angle, it blocked most of the opponent's evasive space. It was a probe, but also a real attack!

However, Stark didn't even have time to fully turn his head in the face of this lightning-fast attack.

Just before the attack was about to hit, his body shifted to the side very slightly in a way that almost defied the laws of physics!

It's not Instant Step! It's another, even more bizarre way of moving—Sonic Spin! A high-speed movement technique unique to Utsuro!

The slash, accompanied by a piercing sound, grazed Stark's clothes and struck empty air.

Kyoraku Shunsui's attack missed, and he felt a slight chill, but his movements did not stop. His left hand swept horizontally, while his right hand quietly pressed on the hilt of another sword, ready to change his move at any moment.