Bleach: Cero Devastador

Not too far away from the disciples, in a different spot, there were some more distinguished guests. From noble family members to reputable shinigami and among them, four were wearing white haori with numbers on their backs. 

They watched the stage where Ichimaru Gin was already standing, wearing a fox mask and waiting for his opponent. They also stared at one another keenly, as if wondering was the reason for the other person's attendance and also... their agenda. 

"Of all people who could sponsor him, I didn't expect you... Sosuke-san. You are famous for having a keen eye and catching onto talent from miles away" The female with long brands falling off her chest spoke first, of all four, she had the most solemn aura. 

"That is exactly the reason why I am here, Unohana-san. Gin was the first to tell me about Kamishiro Inuzuri's fighting style and adaptability" The other party was a handsome man with short brown hair and glasses, he gave off a kind and impeccable aura. 

"On the other side, it is odd for the usually busy Unohana Retsu to step out of her office".

"I could also catch a glimpse of talent from the boy. Besides, my division is severely lacking talents compared to yours, so you may do me a favour and try to convince him to come to us, would you?~"

"I will see what I can do~"

Both man and woman giggled, however, there seemed to be an underlying tension beneath the surface. She switched her gaze to the other two captains who were present.

"Kenpachi".

"Huh?" The man with spiky hair stuck a finger in his ear and retorted lazily. 

"Do you come here today with the same purpose?".

"I just wanna see the bastard that trashed Ikkaku that's all. If the results are interesting then... we will see".

"I see~" Unohana giggled with a sharp eyesight and switched to the last individual with a more kind gaze. 

"Shiba-san?".

"The boy and I have a bit of a relationship, I want to see how much he's grown" The man scratched his hair awkwardly, 'I'm just here because Kukaku told me to... that brat is so troublesome'.

...

Ryōma soon walked onto the stage with slow steps amidst clamours, holding Hebimaru and staring at his opponent... feeling a flaring of auras from all sides that gave him goosebumps. 

'If these people all came at me together, what a nice death that would be~'.

He stepped in front of his opponent, a man with short white hair, wearing a fox mask and wielding what looked like a wakizashi, a short sword. Just by the length of the sword Ryoma felt insulted, however... he decided to not rush things and also never to underestimate. 

The man didn't say a word, merely pointed his sword at him, waiting for the start of the match.

"No presentation, huh? Fair enough..." Ryōma smirked and gained his stance. 

Before the match started, five individuals walked around the arena

*WHOOSH!*

Five kido masters surrounded the arena and created a gigantic yellow dome. Ryoma looked at it; there was no exit or manoeuvrability, only a big flat arena. 

"Start!".

*WHOOSH!*

*WHOOSH!*

With the first exchange, the fox-masked young man's eyes opened widely when he used Shunpo and so did Ryōma.

*CLAANGG!!*

The first strike cleared the air and created sparks, the cheers augmented in clamour at both forces standing still in strength.

Ryoma realised that just as he thought, even if it was a Wakizashi, there was a lot of power concealed within. As for Gin, he immediately made some distance flickering away. However, what he saw after that move was Ryoma's sword descending upon him up close from the left side. 

!!!

*CLAANGG!*

*CLAANGG!*

*CLAANGG!*

"Woah!!!" The disciples shouted those eyes that were disinterested gasped and perked up, they couldn't believe what they were seeing. 

"Ugh!" Gin groaned, blocked a strike and felt like a mountain had just fallen on him but he still managed to parry it, deviate the force and flicker away. 

Gin was thrown into a defensive position after a blur of strikes contrary to everyone's expectations, so fast the onlookers couldn't even settle. Ryōma would make one step and disappear, flicker through the stage and leave after images, striking away like a maniac.

It wasn't an even fight.

Kamishiro Inuzuri, a man who wasn't even a shinigami, who had made a name for himself fighting underground fights in Rokungai, a man who hadn't been taught in the academy, was superior!

"I was told to not underestimate you, so I'll go with everything from the start!".

Ryoma struck forward from what he could tell and surprisingly so, Ichimaru Gin's movements were refined but lacking in depth, it was as if he was used to always standing still. He had fallen into a disadvantageous position, but it didn't look like that was unsettling him. Rather, Gin regained his composure quickly.

"You're sure an interesting one yo~" Gin mumbled and licked his lips behind the mask. 

"So you know how to talk?".

*CLAANG!*

The Shinigami knew immediately that he was inferior in many aspects but still didn't lose his calm. He managed to parry one of Ryoma's strikes, the swiftness of his Wakizashi kicked into play and he quickly countered. However, Ryoma was already expecting Gin's sword to clash against Hebimaru's scabbard. 

The young man groaned and planned to flicker away upon a failed counterattack, Ryoma struck, Gin blocked and then Gin found Ryoma sweeping the scabbard on his legs, exactly in the direction in which he was planning to flicker away!

Gin lost his balance and the next thing he felt was a kick square on his chest. 

*BAANGG!!*

His body was shot like a missile, impacting the barrier and creating a small dent and crack on it, Gin spat blood and fell pitifully on the ground.

The arena went silent in shock, only the resonating sound of Ryōma's steps as he walked towards Gin put everyone on high alert.

The battle only finished once either side admitted defeat or they were rendered unable to continue fighting. 

Kurayami crossed her arms and bit her lips, 'He's gotten so damn strong...'

Sosuke Aizen's smile fell.

Unohana Retsu giggled.

Zaraki Kenpachi smirked, inadvertently holding the hilt of his sword.

Isshin Shiba cleaned his eyes, wondering if he was looking at things properly because it just didn't make sense. 

"To be able to defeat Kurayami Shihōin, we expected him to give Gin-kun a bit of fight" Unohana Retsu commented. 

"But for there to be this much disparity..." Isshin followed up. 

...

Ryōma walked up to Gin who was unexpectedly laughing as he recovered. 

"I knew you'd do that. You're an anxious one, aren't you? So quickly to retreat when things don't go your way, like a slippery rat. Were you expecting this to be an easy fight?" 

"I'm not a big fan of fights you see... people like you who love hand-to-hand and Hakuda even more so are a pain in the ass. I thought I would be able to take you down and throw you off your feet with shunpo, but... I guess I'll have to go a bit further".

An explosion of reiatsu flurried out around Gin, Ryoma covered himself from it and watched the energy disperse around Gin's Zampakutō that looked the same... if anything, Ryoma felt it was shorter now. 

"Shikai?".

"That's right~".

Gin pointed his sword at Ryoma and the latter gained a stance. Just then Ryōma felt something dripping off his cheek, he touched it and it was blood.

"... what?"

'I saw something move, but it was so fast I almost couldn't see it!'.

"Next time I won't miss..." Gin licked the edge of his sword while rejoicing at the confused Ryōma who was still trying to decipher what had just happened. 

"The name's Gin. Come at me, Kamishiro~".