A day in the field [Pvt]

Ichika was confused at first, but Raiden's follow-up with a display of his Zanpakuto's ability explained a lot. Double the range... Her Bankai could technically emulate a sword that long with the same shape, but she wasn't going to use it. After all, she already told him that she didn't have Shikai and she definitely wasn't going to reveal her dual Zanpakuto.

Raiden's accent started to thicken as he spoke, which made Ichika take a bit longer to process his words.

"So basically, it's just a matter of creating and carrying a high-speed momentum."

Hmm, she never thought of such a method until he mentioned it. However, she was a master of the blade, so it wasn't completely unimaginable once her thoughts were pushed in that direction. Zanpakuto knew themselves best, but since they were usually all blades, it would grant a lot of insight on use of it's own form, which was handy since the form in question is a really big sword.

"Something like that would require constant movement of the waist and a twisting momentum. Relying on centrifugal force will be the best bet, then extending the reach out or keeping the handle close to your body to switch between high power and higher speed."

Drawing her sword, she prepared herself to face him.

"Well then, let's see how far you've gotten into that."

Note: At the time of the thread, Raiden has 1.5x advantage strengthwise (Overwhelming Power + Poison Sting) while Ichika has 1x advantage speedwise

Ichika did not have any method to overpower an opponent like that without releasing her own zanpakuto, but she had already told him that she did not have shikai. Raising her blade, she met an invisible force of reiatsu just as he had advertised. Faced with a strength that exceeded hers, Ichika's sword was repelled and opened herself to Raiden's return stroke.

Of course, she would not let that happen.

Activating her zanjutsu technique, her shorter sword returned straight back to meet his stroke again. This time, she had her spiritual pressure augmenting her blade, allowing her to properly clash with the 'sharp piece of metal' as he called it.

SPOILER: Click to show

Name: 燕返し (tsubame gaeshi) Swallow Return
Class: Zanjutsu
Tier: II
Type: Offensive
Range: Sword
Description: A technique that allows a shift in the direction of a large amount of (the user's) momentum. This allows the user to execute a follow-up swing coming from the opposite direction, be able to place the entire body's strength behind it with ease and still be accelerating. It can also completely change the direction of the sword mid-swing. Because it is difficult to force the entire body to change direction while keeping momentum, the user's own spiritual pressure is reversed to pressure one's own body to steer with a directed flow.
Drawback: Despite only being a tier II technique, it is physically taxing when repeatedly used. Can be used a maximum of three times consecutively with a one post cooldown.

Ichika watched on as he struggled with the weight of his sword, managing to bring it up and force it back down on her. She was also studying his movements - after all, he asked for the help, and she wanted a reference if she decided to wield a blade similar to that when she used her Bankai. Technically, she could have used her bankai and fought him directly.

However, that was his zanpakuto - he had the greatest affinity with it, so in the very least it would co-operate with him. As for Ichika who was on the receiving end, her options were very limited. Rather than retreating out of it's reach, she chose to charge inwards. Bringing up her sword, she turned it so the hilt approached the sword. A move requiring utmost accuracy and proving her mastery with the entire sword.

The two would collide, a force ringing out from the hilt of her zanpakuto and travelling into Raiden's. If it was someone of normal strength, they would be paralyzed for a single moment due to this vibrating force. However, Ichika was using the force to counteract the power behind Raiden's zanpakuto while she charged forward. Would he suffer the same effects? If he did, it would likely be on a smaller scale.

Whether he did or did not would not stop her charge. After the collision between their weapons, Ichika shifted her sword to a stabbing position and kept on chasing after his retreat, making full use of her faster movement to close in and stab. Of course, she was not so cruel as to actually plunge her sword into his body. She would definitely stop before that happened - or else she would have trouble answering to all their superiors.

SPOILER: Click to show

Name: 湖面游 (komen yu) [Skimming the Lake's Surface]
Class: Zanjutsu
Tier: II
Type: Binding
Range: Sword
Description: A quick jab with the hilt of the sword that causes single-post stunning as per stun rules.

Ichika wasn't sure why he needed to justify her admitting loss, but she let it be. His style seemed to be physically taxing (which should be the case, as he was doing all this to draw out more power to put behind his sword to begin with), so she ignored commenting on that.

The second part was more amusing: his physical body was not flexible enough to maximise the usage of his new style. Considering his zanpakuto taught it to him, she thought it would at least be suited for his body. Perhaps, what it hoped for was how it wanted the wielder to turn out, rather than what he was right now.

Remembering the fight they just had, she thought about the muscles and tendons he relied on the most. Then, she went through a few stretch routines in her mind. Ultimately, she decided a book would be better than her brain for this kind of situation.

"I suppose you could hit our library for that. Especially the Academy's library, since flexibility is a must for Hakuda, which I believe is pretty optional for you guys."

Since Substitute Shinigami all reached their level of power extremely quickly compared to a regular shinigami, the Gotei 13 allowed as much freedom in the development of their power and gave as much aid as requested. Thus, since they never went through the 7 years of academy, they wouldn't have had the most basic of Hakuda lessons: stretching. Back at the stage where they actually had to before developing a body that was able to spring into action immediately.

Shrugging, she asked: "Any part of your body particularly hurting right now?" Strangely enough, Ichika was the one feeling the least strain despite her being the one who lost. She could easily go for a third round.

...But she'd rather not, now that she had things to think about.