In Japanese culture, class and honor hold great importance.
Even if the third seat is only beneath the vice-captain, a level difference is still a level difference.
As the saying goes, an official's rank alone can crush someone beneath it. Renji considered himself Da Shenchen's direct superior.
Moreover, Japanese culture has a deeply rooted wine-table tradition. It's often seen as an unspoken rule that subordinates should toast their superiors as a show of respect.
But the celebration banquet was drawing to a close, and Da Shenchen had shown no signs of coming over to offer a toast.
That alone made Abarai Renji feel deeply disrespected.
Hearing Renji's words, the atmosphere around the table shifted as everyone turned their eyes to Da Shenchen.
Now, even he couldn't pretend not to notice.
"What? Is there a problem?" Da Shenchen casually wiped his mouth, his expression calm.
"Hmph. You really don't know what comes next? Then allow me to remind you," Renji said, curling his finger at him. "Come over and toast. That's the rule."
"Which rule?" Da Shenchen asked in return. "I've never heard of that. Is it written in the team's regulations?"
Renji was momentarily speechless. After all, such unspoken rules were never officially documented.
His face flushed red, more from frustration than embarrassment, and he laughed sharply.
"Fine. So your tail's up now that you've climbed high. Looks like I'll have to teach you the meaning of respect today."
Da Shenchen sighed and replied calmly, "Before that, I'll give you a little advice."
"I didn't go looking for trouble with you. So for your sake, don't go looking for it with me."
Renji became even more enraged. Fueled by alcohol, he didn't even hesitate.
"Such arrogance! You're begging for a lesson!"
Without another word, Renji rose to his feet and reached for the hilt of his Zanpakuto.
"Vice-captain?!"
Gasps echoed through the hall as the other squad members reacted in shock.
No one had expected the situation to escalate this far.
But Da Shenchen remained calm, his tone like frost. "The last man who said he'd teach me a lesson... doesn't speak anymore."
Those words cut through the air like winter winds from the underworld.
The others couldn't help but recall what had happened to Kuchiki Takuto, and even Renji sobered up a bit.
"This is bad... if he attacks, I might really not be able to stop it..."
Cold sweat formed on Renji's back. Still, he couldn't back down now.
"That's enough. End this."
Byakuya Kuchiki spoke for the first time, his gaze brushing across Renji. But that glance made Renji's face darken.
If he backed down now just because of Byakuya's words, it would look like he was being rescued by his captain.
As if even Byakuya thought he couldn't defeat Da Shenchen and intervened to save face.
"Captain, don't worry. We'll just spar."
Renji's eyes flickered, and an idea flashed through his mind.
"We're all members of the Sixth Division. There's no need for a life-or-death duel. So we won't use Zanpakuto for this match."
It sounded noble, as if he was prioritizing safety, but it was really a clever way to handicap Da Shenchen.
Those listening quickly understood his ploy. While they praised his strategy, they also scorned his shamelessness.
"This really targets Da Shenchen's weakness."
"Without that powerful Zanpakuto, Da Shenchen won't be much."
"He'll probably be forced to back down this time."
The squad members held various thoughts, but they all aligned with Renji's. His goal was to make Da Shenchen yield in front of everyone.
After all, without his Zanpakuto, Da Shenchen shouldn't be able to match a vice-captain.
"Fine. Let's begin."
But Da Shenchen's calm response shocked everyone into silence.
Even Byakuya Kuchiki was momentarily surprised. He had expected Da Shenchen to refuse.
"Did he let his emotions cloud his judgment?" Byakuya thought to himself.
Renji was stunned, then thrilled.
If he could defeat Da Shenchen here, no one would ever think the vice-captain was beneath him.
"Not bad. You've got guts."
Renji grinned, clenching his fists.
"Then let's see what you've got!"
With that, Renji charged, unleashing a swift, refined Hakuda move.
But what seemed sharp and precise to Renji was full of openings to Da Shenchen's trained eye.
In a flash, Renji was in close range, and Da Shenchen finally moved.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
With a few swift hand-to-hand moves, Da Shenchen blocked Renji's attacks cleanly.
Then came a punch.
Bang.
The blow tore through Renji's defense and landed squarely on his face.
Pfft.
Blood spurted from Renji's mouth as he was sent flying out into the courtyard.
The crowd erupted in shock. Many leapt to their feet.
"What was that?!"
"Unbelievable!"
"Vice-captain got blown away like that?"
No one could believe their eyes. Even Byakuya's pupils contracted slightly.
He knew Renji's strength very well. As a vice-captain, Renji's Hakuda was top-tier.
Yet against Da Shenchen, his strikes looked like a beginner's flailing.
"From just a few moves, it's clear... Da Shenchen's Hakuda is on an entirely different level."
Byakuya silently evaluated him. Though still a step from captain class, the gap was razor-thin.
In fact, among all the vice-captains of the Gotei 13, Da Shenchen's Hakuda was likely the strongest.
"Damn it. This can't be happening."
Renji stood up in the courtyard, dazed, wiping the blood from his nose.
He stared at Da Shenchen, who walked calmly from the banquet hall, and leapt back into the fight.
This time, Renji went all out, launching a furious barrage.
But Da Shenchen stood unmoved, like a mountain.
Renji couldn't find a single opening.
Instead, Da Shenchen's counters, casual as they were, struck precisely each time, leaving Renji bruised and battered.
Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang.
Blow after blow landed cleanly. Before long, Renji's entire body was covered in wounds.
Meanwhile, Da Shenchen remained composed and untouched.
Bang.
A kick landed in Renji's stomach, forcing him to vomit up everything he'd eaten.
"Damn it all!"
Driven half-mad by the beating, Renji roared and reached for his Zanpakuto.
"Don't disgrace yourself further!"
Byakuya Kuchiki's voice thundered as he appeared beside Renji with Shunpo, placing a firm hand on his shoulder.
"You were about to draw your sword. The match is over. Abarai, you've lost."