The two clashed, figures glowing from the light of the moon. Guilt permeated Kisuke`s mind. His thoughts lingered at the idea that the person he knew to be Ichigo was no more than his enemy.

　　"You`re distracted," Silas said, brandishing his sword. The impact crashed into Benihime, sending Kisuke back a few yards.

　　In Karakura Town, hardly any time passed, and yet Silas`s strength had already surpassed his! Kisuke`s grip tightened on the hilt of his weapon. Across him, Silas stood in a mockery of grace, not having released Zangetsu`s true power yet.

　　"Ichigo, if that`s your answer, I won`t hold back."

　　Silas lunged, not with violence, but with a horrifying fluidity that portrayed his inhuman speed. Kisuke met him, Benihime screaming against Zangetsu. Steel tore through the air. Blade danced against blade. There was no bravado, just a honed desperation in his defense, a means of biding time to analyze Silas`s movements.

　　Kisuke was barely able to keep up. One parry failed, then another. Silas`s might pushed him back. Each blow became harder to evade. Then, he stumbled, and in that stumble came a sliver of space. Silas carved multiple slashes on his body, finishing his onslaught with a single horizontal swing to his torso!

　　Anger filled Kisuke`s countenance. Suddenly, he smiled.

　　"Something amusing?" Silas asked.

　　"Its just& for a second there, I thought you were gonna aim for my neck," he replied, panting.

　　"If you want to die that quick, why don`t you beg?"

　　As Kisuke rushed at him, the edge of Benihime`s blade was only inches from taking Silas`s head off. His movements had changed. He was using tsuppane again. Unless Silas changed his striking patterns, he wouldn`t be able to touch him again.

　　The two exchanged several more blows. And for the first time, Silas faltered. He fell back, the fluidity of his attacks broken by Kisuke`s relentless assault. The former captain`s movements were calculative and aggressive, easily pushing Silas back. There was no room for error, no space for hesitating. Victory seemed fleetingly tangible.

　　"Kirisaki, Benihime!"

　　A crimson shield formed in front of Kisuke. Then a barrage of energy bullets launched at Silas, producing a whistling noise similar to fireworks. This technique was never shown in the animated series; it was only in a video game and in a movie!

　　Although interested in this new move, he scoffed at it. "Pierce the heavens, Zangetsu." With a blur of motion, he met the energy bullets head-on, parrying each shot with effortless precision, deflecting them into harmless sparks that fizzed out against the night sky.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

　　When the technique ended, he said, "I`m& disappointed, Kisuke." He then gave a cold frown upon noticing something strange in their surroundings. Around them was an invisible barrier! Based on the level, only Tessai could have created it. And had Silas not released Zangetsu, he might not have sensed it.

　　Whatever this barrier was for, it was likely to contain their fight. That or a different purpose.

　　"You`re not gonna try and destroy it now, are you?" Kisuke asked with a smile.

　　"You come first."

　　"I`m honoured, Mr. Kurosaki."

　　Now that he was aware of a barrier meant that he didn`t need to hold back. Power rippled outward from him, causing cold sweat to cover Kisuke`s face. The air thickened with killing intent.

　　Silas then lunged right at the shopkeeper, clashing his lengthened blade into Benihime. He hadn`t changed his movements; his speed and strength just increased. Kisuke was being overwhelmed to the point that he could no longer evade despite knowing the attack was coming.

　　Another relentless swarm of attacks was hurled at him. Each one that landed was a cruel reminder of how far outmatched he truly was. He faltered. Then came the blinding pain, the sickening sound of steel piercing flesh. Every time he stepped back was a victory for Silas.

　　Kisuke then gritted his teeth, stabbing himself with a syringe. The wound was gradually healing, but Silas wasn`t going to give him the chance. Going for another attack, Kisuke, called upon the depths of his strength. "Bankai!"

　　From his ZanpakutM, Benihime, bloomed a colossal woman, her red robes billowing like storm clouds. Her features were obscured by a shadow, yet an ethereal light emanated from her, casting an eerie glow on the buildings below. Her giant fists clenched, ready to recreate everything at Kisuke`s command.

　　"Kannonbiraki Benihime Aratame& It`s my first time using it outside the Soul Society, but you don`t seem surprised to see it," Kisuke wondered.

　　Silas might not have shown it but he was indeed astounded to witness it used in person. To think that it would be used on him in a fight like this!

　　"You prepared well& Kisuke Urahara. But you had one fatal flaw: forming a barrier only benefits me&"

　　As meticulous as the smartest character in Bleach was, there was something he had considered but wasn`t sure of.

　　Although there wasn`t much spirit particles in the air to draw from, if Kisuke could do it, so could Silas. The words were smoothly said, sending goosebumps on the shopkeeper. "Bankai&"

　　A shift in the release alerted Kisuke. His eyes snapped up to see maelstrom of white spiritual pressure spiraling around Silas`s body. The moonlight, previously filtered through Benihime`s red robes, now seemed to emanate from him, revealing a new blade protruding out of the light.

　　With one swing of his blade, Silas`s transformation was complete. The angelic figure on Zangetsu`s hilt reflected against his slick white garment. The blade itself looked as if it was forged from the finest silver, matching the otherworldly glow his eyes gave.

　　Kisuke`s surprise was evident, not from fear, but from the sheer unexpectedness of it all. For the thing he wasn`t sure of was whether or not Silas had achieved his Bankai!

　　The shopkeeper stood in the sudden quiet, breathing ragged, an unknown feeling twisting in his head. Silas himself was mute, unable to speak. Their eyes` met, one filled with a weary determination, and the other a swirling abyss of silver might. Kisuke`s playful glint was replaced by a flicker of genuine concern. The person standing in front of him, cascaded like the moon itself, was unlike anything he`d ever witnessed.