Pride of the Shihoin: Iron Will vs The Future

Contrary to her prediction, Chidori remained poised as she chose to diligently go on the defensive. She had at least improved in controlling that aspect of her emotions. With both of their swords in hand, Rio mused at how she always dreamed of consistent spars with her older sister.

Not with Zanpakuto but bokken, cultivating their skills together as they walked towards a future together. She had admired her more than she could've imagined and yet now they stood on shaky ground even after reconciling their differences for Yushiro's sake. There was still an awkwardness about the two that neither could shake.

Rio's fierce gaze bore down on Chidori like a pair of fangs. Placing Tetsumaru - still within its sheath - on her left shoulder, Rio utilized flash step to appear before her within the space of a few seconds. In a swift motion, Rio quickly executed a strike with Tetsumaru towards Chidori's shoulder. If she moved back to evade the initial strike, Rio would swiftly execute a follow-up, striking towards one of her legs.

If Chidori could not dodge in time, the contact made between Tetsumaru and her shoulder - or even her leg - would become heavily apparent as Rio decided to utilize one of its sealed abilities to compromise her mobility.

For, when still housed within its sheath, Tetsumaru boasted an iron touch. Rio could transmute an object and turn it into iron or in the case of physical flesh, encase the enemy within a shell to bind them. Of course, she did not seek to encase Chidori's entire body. Only one of her limbs. If the plan worked, Rio would waste no time in following up her crafty pursuit with a display of martial prowess.

Either way, her aim was to draw out Chidori's best with everything she had to offer. She would hardly waste the opportunity.

The one thing Chidori had on her side going into this fight would be that she knew about Rio more than Rio knew of her. She remembered back to a point in time where Rio unlocked her shikai and everyone around her made a big deal about it, mainly because it happened before Chidori. Chidori couldn't not know about Rio and her shikai because for a moment it was everything that she heard. That was a rough week for her.

Anyways, from what she could recall, Rio's zanpakuto was bad if it hit you. Moreso than a normal sword because it didn't just cut you, it would fuck you up. For how long? Chidori couldn't say, but she did know that very vital point of information going into this fight. Which explains why when she saw her sister disappear, she immediately prepared herself for a counter-attack. Where she had no hope in trying to avoid getting hit, she could at least land an attack and make it an even playing field. She tensed up and braced herself for the attack coming down on her, but if Rio was going to commit to that then Chidori was going to commit to the sword slash she had planned.

Zanpakuto at her hip, the moment that Chidori could see her sister again she would draw her sword and slash 180 degrees, left to right. Sacrificing the movement of her left arm due to getting it turned to iron, the Shihoin was proud of herself for landing a move.

"One thing he taught me was to always have an attack ready, always have a plan. If you can't draw your sword, use your fists. If you can't use your fist, use your head. Then your teeth, then your tongue. You are the greatest weapon in your arsenal..." She tried to roll her neck and shoulders, clearly struggling with her left side. "No matter the condition." Her tone was cold and serious, not a word was wasted, not a beat was missed.

It would be clear to anyone watching that this wasn't the same old Chidori. While she may still act immature, when the situation called for it she can lip like a switch, becoming what the true Shihoin head should be like.