Raizo initiated the last of his Tendo hand seals and visibly increased his strength, and used the boost to make a move of his own. It was a Zanjutsu technique that had him strike the ground and send ripples of shockwaves in Shuren’s direction. It was a formidable technique, but unfortunately for Raizo Shuren’s strength was on another level than his current one. Imitating the same moves as Raizo had done, the young man raised his sword in the air. The Gudoudama behind him started to circle around his body, as he struck the ground in a flash. His condensed Bankai’s massive cutting power was more than enough to neutralize the incoming threat. Though he didn’t overpowered the technique, simply because he knew Raizo had enough to deal with and he was interested to see which technique of his Bankai he would use. He didn’t even give the possibility of him not releasing his final state a chance, as he thought and knew Raizo was cleverer than that.

And not much later, just like he had anticipated, the head of the Shinoda Clan unleashed his Bankai. His sword shone brightly like the sun and an armor formed over his plain Shihakushou, both buzzing intensely. Although the Captain’s Bankai really was something to see, he still hadn’t resolved his problem. Three tornadoes were advancing towards him. Now, what would he use to counter it? “Probably Kago.” thought Shuren, expecting his friend to use his defensive technique. But that didn’t happen. Instead of observing a defensive stance or anything of that sort, the Vizard Commander started to think of random things. His grip on his sword loosened momentarily and he felt like he was watching himself from third person. Not much later he pulled himself together for a while and figured what was going on. “I see… He went straight for Makuya.” He acknowledged. As he was attacking physically, pushing every boundary one could think of, Raizo was doing the same in the realm of the mind. He needed to be fast and decisive. Or he would remain dull. So he ran, perhaps unlike anything Raizo had seen before. His superior speed being enhanced by his Bankai made him one of the fastest beings alive, almost making him look like he was teleporting back and forth. He started running in circles around Raizo. It helped him remain focused as much as he could and from there on he hoped to figure out what to do next.

*later*

Shuren panted. He and Raizo had been going at it for hours, and the effect of their fight had started to manifest itself as a depletion of his stamina. Even though his Bankai was still active, he could feel that it had run its course. His wounds were tingling in pain. He stared down at his friend with a fierce look, and tightened his grip on his white sword, tainting its pure color with blood. Straightening his back and his posture, he sighed and spat the blood inside his mouth out. That moment, a calm breeze of wind hit his face and helped him relax his muscles. He waited until the pleasant feeling was over and once it was, he charged at Raizo who had been standing some distance away. He roared as he closed the distance, his voice echoing due to his Bankai, and prepared his sword. Aiming for the man’s neck, the Vizard Commander swung his sword downwards diagonally from right to left, using whatever strength that was left in his muscles.