Toshiro and Yamamoto's Reiatsu and presence collided and pressed against each other, reaching a stalemate.
However, after a brief standoff, Toshiro couldn't help but frown. He could feel his Reiatsu and presence gradually being suppressed by Yamamoto, putting him at a disadvantage.
Ultimately, while Toshiro's current level was not lower than Yamamoto's, Yamamoto had been at the Demigod-level for over two thousand years. Although he hadn't broken the Shinigami's limits to become a god-like being, his accumulated depth at the Demigod-level was far beyond what Toshiro, who had just broken through, could compare to.
So, despite being in the same Demigod-level, Yamamoto's Reiatsu was still somewhat stronger than Toshiro's.
At first, Toshiro could match Yamamoto's presence with his own explosive force. But as time passed, Toshiro inevitably fell into a disadvantage.
Of course, although Toshiro was at a disadvantage in terms of Reiatsu and presence, it was only that. They were, after all, existences of the same level. Yamamoto couldn't do much to Toshiro just by Reiatsu pressure alone.
'If I can't gain an advantage in Reiatsu and presence, then I'll have to fight for real!'
Toshiro thought.
Although his Reiatsu was slightly inferior to Yamamoto's, Toshiro's combat prowess had always been exceptional. Not to mention fighting beyond his level, at least within the same level, few could rival him. Even facing an exceptional fighter like Yamamoto, victory wasn't necessarily out of reach.
With this in mind, Toshiro's Zanpakuto left its sheath in an instant as he charged at Yamamoto.
"Here he comes!"
Seeing Toshiro draw his sword and charge, Yamamoto also drew his own Zanpakuto, Ryujin Jakka, which is hailed as the strongest and oldest Fire-type Zanpakuto.
Then he raised his sword to meet Toshiro's strike.
Clang!
As their blades met, white steam actually rose from their Zanpakutos.
Although neither had released their Zanpakuto, Toshiro's Hyorinmaru's blade still carried extreme low temperatures. Similarly, Yamamoto's Ryujin Jakka carried extreme high temperatures.
So when their blades collided, the moment the extreme cold and extreme heat touched, a plume of white steam appeared.
[Shunkuho!]
After one ineffective strike, Toshiro's figure flickered, instantly vanishing, then suddenly reappeared at Yamamoto's side and rear.
Immediately, Toshiro thrust his sword straight, his Zanpakuto seemingly slow but actually piercing swiftly towards Yamamoto's shoulder.
Yet Yamamoto didn't even turn his head. His Zanpakuto moved to an odd angle and thrust backwards.
Clang!
Yamamoto's Zanpakuto appeared precisely before Toshiro's attack, using the back of the blade to block Toshiro's tip.
Then Yamamoto stomped heavily on the ground, simultaneously using his waist to generate force, twisting his body backward.
Toshiro only felt immense power transmitted from Yamamoto's Zanpakuto.
Thud, thud, thud
Toshiro's body was forced back involuntarily.
Seizing the opportunity, Yamamoto instantly closed in, simultaneously delivering a fierce, power-packed slash at Toshiro.
Moreover, Yamamoto's strike carried a special intent, like a raging sea of flames wanting to engulf Toshiro.
Seeing this, Toshiro instantly stomped the ground, halting his backward momentum. Then his Zanpakuto traced a strange arc through the air, carrying boundless chilling intent to meet Yamamoto's attack.
Clang!
The moment their blades collided, both were forced back.
However, Toshiro took more steps back than Yamamoto.
Then, as Toshiro barely steadied himself, Yamamoto attacked again.
Swish swish swish!!
Yamamoto's Zanpakuto moved like lightning, delivering one fierce sword technique after another at Toshiro.
Toshiro also didn't back down, launching his own counterattacks.
Clang clang clang!!
In moments, the two had exchanged countless blows, showcasing an epic duel of swordsmanship.
Toshiro fought with exhilarating freedom, wielding his Zanpakuto without restraint, displaying his swordsmanship's pinnacle, the tenth dan.
However, Yamamoto's swordsmanship had also reached the highest tenth dan. Moreover, in terms of combat experience and other aspects, Yamamoto, having lived for millennia, was clearly beyond Toshiro's reach.
Adding to that, Toshiro's swordsmanship was taught by Yamamoto. Yamamoto understood Toshiro's sword techniques very well.
Therefore, as time passed, Toshiro inevitably fell into a slight disadvantage.
In his sword duel with Yamamoto, out of every ten exchanges, six were defensive, with only four being offensive.
Although he wouldn't be defeated immediately, the situation was still unfavorable for Toshiro.
Victory often accumulates from small advantages. Continuing like this, Yamamoto's advantage would grow larger, and his chance of ultimate victory would increase.
Realizing this, Toshiro immediately decided to employ other means to seize the initiative.
A flash of ice-blue light passed through Toshiro's eyes as he directly used the evolved Dragon's Eye from his breakthrough.
With the Dragon's Eye activated, Toshiro immediately used its analysis and prediction abilities to observe Yamamoto's moves.
'The true attack direction of this move is to the right!'
Toshiro acted decisively, his body instantly dodging to the left.
Just after Toshiro dodged left, Yamamoto's attack belatedly struck where Toshiro had been standing.
"What!!"
Yamamoto couldn't help but exclaim.
In that strike, Yamamoto had initially feinted, with his real attack aimed at Toshiro's right. But he never expected Toshiro to see through his true intent, dodging before his attack even arrived.
While Yamamoto was still shocked, Toshiro instantly closed in, getting right in front of Yamamoto, then delivering a swift slash at him.
Caught off guard by his missed attack, Yamamoto's body froze for a split second, completely unable to retract his blade to block.
Yet, Yamamoto was still Yamamoto. At the critical moment, relying on his vast combat experience, his body instinctively dodged, avoiding a vital hit.
Rip!
A piece of Yamamoto's haori was cut off by Toshiro.
Simultaneously, a thin line of blood appeared on Yamamoto's body.