NOVEL NEXT Chapter 16: Chapter 16
The moment Shihōin Yoruichi landed, Uehara Shiroha turned around abruptly, his eyes filled with surprise.
"Did you do something just now?"
Yoruichi's expression grew serious as she murmured, "An illusion?"
But she quickly shook her head, dismissing the thought. If it were merely an illusion, it wouldn't allow the opponent to lock onto her position so precisely—every single time. A simple trick couldn't achieve that level of accuracy.
Despite the strange situation, Yoruichi didn't show any frustration. Instead, her eyebrows arched, and a playful, aggressive smile appeared on her face.
"It's been a long time since I've come across someone like you… Interesting!"
As soon as she spoke, her spiritual pressure surged, condensing and compressing around her.
Uehara Shiroha, however, remained unfazed. He simply shook his head and replied, "That's a rather crude attempt at provocation… but fine. Let me show you the Otsutsuki Clan's 'God-given Magic Weapon.'"
With that, he took out what appeared to be a simple pair of gloves and calmly slipped them onto his hands.
[Death Gloves]
Level: D-rank Growth Item
Type: Extraordinary Equipment
Abilities: Absorbs spiritual pressure and converts it into flexible flames. Can fuse with spiritual energy particles to evolve and unlock advanced modes. Currently in Normal Mode.
Introduction:
Also known as the X-Gloves, these gloves originate from the world of Katekyo Hitman Reborn! and were the signature weapon of the Tenth Vongola Boss, Sawada Tsunayoshi. They were created by Reborn's pet, Leon.
Obtained as a reward for completing [Special Mission 2 - Enroll in Maou Spiritual Academy].
"These are just ordinary wool gloves!" The despairing cry of the Tenth Vongola Boss.
At a glance, the gloves seemed unremarkable—merely a pair of woolen gloves without any apparent power. That was why they were only classified as D-rank items. However, when infused with spiritual pressure, their true potential was unleashed, granting formidable combat capabilities and a unique growth potential.
Seeing Uehara Shiroha put on those seemingly ordinary gloves, Yoruichi couldn't help but laugh.
"Hah! These are just wool gloves! You're calling this a 'God-given Magic Weapon'? Do you think I, the Head of the God-given Weapons Fan, would take this seriously?"
The Shihōin Clan, one of the five noble families of Soul Society, possessed numerous legendary weapons, earning them the title 'God-given Weapons Fan.' To bring out a so-called 'God-given Weapon' in front of her was akin to showing off a cheap trick to a master.
But Uehara Shiroha only smirked. Spiritual pressure condensed in his hands, and suddenly, the gloves emitted a dazzling glow.
In an instant, the once woolen gloves transformed into gleaming steel. A large "D" appeared, engraved on the back of his right glove.
Then, Uehara Shiroha vanished.
The sudden burst of movement left Yoruichi momentarily stunned, but she quickly recovered. Seeing him reappear within striking distance, she smirked.
"I won't lose to anyone in a game of hide-and-seek. And your attack path is far too obvious—I can see right through it."
With a fluid motion, she thrust her palm forward, unleashing a powerful blast of spiritual energy.
"Lightning Strike!"
A surge of electric-blue spiritual power erupted in front of her, crackling wildly as it tore through the air. The sheer intensity of the attack ionized the air itself, sending arcs of electricity dancing in all directions.
Since Shinigami only move in a straight line after using Shunpō, there was no way her opponent could avoid this.
But just before the lightning connected, Yoruichi's pupils shrank in shock. The figure before her vanished in an instant—faster than her own attack!
Her instincts screamed danger. Without hesitation, she kicked off the ground, twisting her body mid-air to deliver a counterattack, but—no one was there.
That was when she felt it.
A scorching heatwave descended from above!
At the very last second, she arched her back, narrowly dodging an incoming strike. A burning palm smashed into the ground where she had been standing just moments ago, leaving behind a charred, smoldering imprint.
Looking up, Yoruichi saw Uehara Shiroha floating effortlessly in the air, his hands still ablaze. He grinned.
"How do you like my Heavenly Palm Strike?"
Yoruichi narrowed her eyes at the scorched ground, realization flashing in her gaze.
"Spiritual pressure… transformed into flames?"
That alone was surprising enough. But more importantly, his movements—that wasn't normal Shunpō.
Her sharp golden eyes locked onto the gloves now brimming with power.
"His Zanpakutō ability isn't fire-based… so it must be those gloves. But such an artifact—there's no way it appeared out of thin air."
"Otsutsuki Clan… Does such a thing really exist? What kind of king does this man claim he will become? Could he truly be my king—?"
She immediately shook off the last thought.
"Impossible. Absolutely impossible."
Meanwhile, Uehara Shiroha, still airborne, taunted her with a smirk.
"What's wrong? Why the hesitation? Where's that confidence in your speed, Yoruichi Shunshin?"
The instant he finished speaking, Yoruichi vanished.
The moment she disappeared, Uehara Shiroha instinctively tilted his head, barely dodging a blow aimed at his face. Yet, her movement still disrupted his hair.
Without missing a beat, he waved his right hand, and a flower of invisible flames bloomed before him.
It looked as if Yoruichi had been completely engulfed by the fire—until she reappeared, unharmed.
She was faster than the flames.
The two clashed again. Each time Uehara Shiroha thought he had her, his strike missed.
But he wasn't fazed.
In the blink of an eye, they exchanged ten blows. Their speed escalated until even Vice Captain-level Shinigami would struggle to follow their movements.
Yet despite her overwhelming speed, Yoruichi couldn't land a decisive hit.
Uehara Shiroha wasn't just fast—he was precise.
Not only did he use the flames from his gloves to adjust his movement trajectory, expanding his attack range, but he also reacted to her instantly, as if he could predict her every move.
Even when she was too fast to be seen, he still evaded.
"This guy… he's an enigma. He reminds me of that man—Aizen."
"Unfathomable mind. Unfathomable strength."
At that moment, even as they fought at high speed, Uehara Shiroha still had the audacity to comment.
"Your Shunpō is impressive! But… you know, speed isn't everything. No matter how fast a cat moves, it can only catch small fish and shrimp."
Yoruichi's expression darkened slightly.
Unfortunately, he wasn't wrong.
Although she was born into a noble family, she lacked the centuries of accumulation that ancient Captains had. She didn't possess a ridiculous natural talent like some monsters either.
Her speed was her pride—but in the world of Bleach, speed alone wasn't enough.
Without overwhelming spiritual pressure or a broken ability, all the flashy tricks in the world meant nothing.
And that was why, throughout Soul Society's history, Yoruichi's greatest victories had always been against weaker opponents.
==============================================
Support me at [email protected]/goldengaruda and check out more chapter of this or more early access chapter of my other fanfic translation.
==============================================