Su Li and Sui-Feng clashed relentlessly.
If earlier their battle resembled a cat-and-mouse chase, now it was a duel on the edge of life and death. Sui-Feng's strikes were swift, ruthless, and unrelenting, yet Su Li evaded each one with impeccable precision, moving effortlessly at the last possible moment. In just minutes, they exchanged hundreds of blows, neither gaining the upper hand.
Behind the crowd, Aizen spoke gently, his voice calm amidst the chaos. "The Art of War says: to win, one must first become invincible."
Kyoraku Shunsui chuckled. "Oh? Captain Aizen, always quoting classics. Come up front and share your thoughts!"
Aizen nodded graciously. "On the surface, it looks even, but in truth, the outcome is already decided."
The captains turned with surprise.
"How can you tell?" asked Kyoraku, curious.
Aizen pushed his glasses and explained, "Sui-Feng's strikes are fierce, but none have landed. Meanwhile, Su Li, though seemingly passive, remains untouched. In battle, the one who cannot be hit has already gained the upper hand. The attacker consumes more stamina. Eventually, Sui-Feng will tire, and Su Li's victory will become inevitable."
The captains listened thoughtfully. Aizen's analysis was precise. As an attacker, Sui-Feng was burning through her stamina, while Su Li, defending smartly, conserved his. Once the balance tipped, the match would be over.
Kyoraku clapped in admiration. "As expected of Captain Aizen. Those glasses aren't just decoration."
On the field, the prediction was already unfolding. Sui-Feng's speed began to wane. The Instant Open state, a fusion of Hakuda and Kidō, consumed her rapidly. Even she couldn't maintain it forever. Gradually, her body betrayed her limits.
Su Li noticed it too. Like Aizen said, this was a matter of endurance. What Aizen didn't know was that Su Li's Ultimate Freedom also drained stamina. It was a high-maintenance state unless fully mastered. Now, both combatants were locked in a war of attrition.
Whoever faltered first would expose a weakness.
Su Li didn't have to wait long.
Sui-Feng stumbled. The barrage of fists faltered for half a second. That was all it took. Her forehead glistened with sweat. Her face was pale, eyes laced with exhaustion and frustration.
Su Li smiled faintly. The moment had arrived.
He lifted a hand calmly. "Hakuda, finger strike—improvise."
Clack!
His middle finger flicked her forehead.
A red mark bloomed between Sui-Feng's brows.
In a blink, she fell to the ground.
The entire audience froze.
Even Sui-Feng lay stunned, blankly raising a hand to her forehead as the Instant Open state faded like mist. Silence fell. No one could believe such a powerful form had been undone by a mere forehead flick.
Suddenly—
"Wahahahahaha!!"
Kyoraku burst into uncontrollable laughter, even snorting from his nose. Nanao ducked away in disgust.
"Are you a kid?! You won with a forehead flick?!"
"Hahahaha this is priceless!!"
Kyoraku's laughter brought tears to his eyes.
Nanao rolled her eyes. "She's sixteen. Not everyone's an old man like you!"
Shock rippled through the crowd. None of the captains had anticipated such a ridiculous end to such an intense battle. Yet, it was irrefutable. Even in her strongest state, Sui-Feng couldn't touch Su Li. Once she returned to normal, how could she possibly win?
The match was decided.
Though Su Li's finishing move lacked dignity, it underscored his overwhelming control. Sui-Feng had lost. The audience—examiners, instructors, captains, and squad members—finally relaxed. Conversation and laughter returned.
But this time, there was no doubt left.
Su Li had proven himself. He was worthy of becoming the next Second Division Captain.
Yet on the stage, something stirred.
Sui-Feng was getting up again.
Only Su Li noticed.
He tilted his head, confused. Something seemed off in her demeanor—but he assumed it was just frustration from the loss. He didn't act.
That was a mistake.
"Su Li… how dare you…"
Sui-Feng lifted her head. Her eyes were bloodshot, overflowing with rage. Her voice shook with fury.
"Do you know how important a girl's face is?! You left this stupid mark on my forehead!!"
"I'll kill you!!"
"Bankai! Jakuhō Raikōben!!"
Her scream split the sky.
Kyoraku's expression shifted in horror. "No—she's lost control! Stop her!"
Jushiro turned pale. "If that Bankai fires, the entire academy will be destroyed!"
The other captains bolted toward the stage, panic on their faces. Squad members followed suit.
Too late.
Jakuhō Raikōben had already materialized.
"Die, you jerk!!" Sui-Feng roared, aiming the weapon.
Faces twisted with despair. Her Bankai could level a mountain—how could the worn-down academy withstand it?
Su Li tensed, ready to dodge, already calculating escape paths. "Explosions now?"
But the blast never came.
An old hand rested gently on the golden weapon.
It was not any ordinary hand.
It belonged to Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13.
"Enough." His voice was calm, absolute.
The flames of Bankai vanished in an instant.
Even Sui-Feng's rage dissolved under his overwhelming spiritual pressure.
The crisis was over.
Captain Yamamoto had intervened.