Chapter 4: A Duel in the Soul Society
The sun cast a warm glow over the Seireitei as Link wandered the winding streets, taking in the sights and sounds of the strange realm he now found himself in. He still felt out of place, but there was a quiet wonder in exploring something so foreign. The white-walled buildings stood in neat rows, and Shinigami walked by in groups or alone, each with a sword at their hip. Link's thoughts drifted between his adventures in Hyrule and the new challenges he would face here.
His hand brushed the hilt of the Master Sword as he strolled, the familiar weight of it grounding him. Even in a place as strange as the Soul Society, there was comfort in knowing his trusted weapon was by his side—and that it would protect him when needed.
As he rounded a corner, Link heard the clash of steel and the sound of footsteps moving in sync. Curious, he followed the noise to a training ground. There, he saw a large group of Shinigami practicing various stances and techniques, their movements precise and disciplined. A few pairs sparred with each other, their blades flashing in the sunlight.
Link's gaze sharpened as he watched, the thrill of battle stirring in him. Though he tried to appear calm, he could feel his pulse quicken at the sight of the duels. There was something exhilarating about the challenge of combat, of testing one's skills against another.
Suddenly, a small voice interrupted his thoughts.
"You look like you want to join."
Link turned and found himself looking down at a small boy with snowy white hair and piercing teal eyes. Despite the boy's young appearance, there was a sharpness in his gaze that hinted at someone far more experienced. The boy wore a captain's haori over his black robes, marking him as someone of importance.
"I'm Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya of Squad 10," the boy said, his expression serious despite his youthful features. "Are you interested in training with us?"
Link raised an eyebrow, impressed by the boy's authority despite his size. "Captain, huh?" he said, offering a small smile. "I wouldn't mind joining, if you're okay with it."
Tōshirō crossed his arms, studying Link with a thoughtful expression. "You look like you've seen your share of battles. I saw the way your eyes lit up while you were watching the fights."
Link chuckled softly. "I guess I can't hide that."
Tōshirō gave a small nod, then tilted his head slightly. "So, what do you say? You want to give it a try?"
Link's smile widened as he rolled his shoulders, feeling the tension leave his muscles. "Do you have any rules? Just swords, or can I use other things too?"
The corner of Tōshirō's mouth twitched in what might have been the ghost of a smile. "We usually stick to swords, but if you've got other tricks up your sleeve, I don't see a problem. Just don't go too hard on anyone."
Link's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Deal."
The young captain turned and called out to the gathered Shinigami. "Alright, everyone! We have a guest joining us today. Make sure you give him a proper welcome."
The other Shinigami looked over curiously, some whispering among themselves, but they quickly formed a circle around the training area. One stepped forward—a broad-shouldered man with a confident smirk and his hand on his sword.
"I'll take him on first," the man said, drawing his blade with a flourish.
Tōshirō gave a curt nod, then glanced at Link. "Whenever you're ready."
Link stepped into the center of the circle, loosening his limbs as he prepared for the fight. He left the Master Sword sheathed at his back for now—this wasn't the kind of fight that called for its power just yet. Instead, he reached into his pouch and pulled out a familiar tool: the Boomerang.
The Shinigami watching blinked in confusion as Link gave the wooden tool a quick twirl, testing its weight.
"Seriously?" his opponent scoffed. "You think that's going to help you?"
Link only grinned. "Let's find out."
The man lunged forward with his sword, aiming a quick slash at Link's side. But before the blade could connect, Link flicked his wrist and sent the boomerang spinning through the air. It flew in a graceful arc, catching the Shinigami's sword arm and forcing him to pull back to avoid getting hit.
The crowd murmured in surprise, and Tōshirō watched with interest, his sharp eyes following every movement.
Link didn't let up. As the boomerang returned to his hand, he dashed forward, drawing his Hookshot in a fluid motion. With a metallic click, the chain shot out, wrapping around his opponent's sword hilt and yanking it from his grasp. The man stumbled back, caught off guard, as his sword clattered to the ground.
Before the Shinigami could recover, Link had closed the distance, a playful grin on his face. He gave the man a light shove with his shield, sending him sprawling to the ground—not out of malice, but as a friendly gesture to end the bout.
The crowd erupted in cheers and laughter, impressed by the unconventional tactics. Even Tōshirō's stern expression softened slightly, a flicker of amusement crossing his face.
"That was... different," Tōshirō said, stepping into the circle as the defeated Shinigami picked himself up. "You've got some interesting tricks."
Link shrugged, slipping the Hookshot back into his pouch. "You use what you've got."
Tōshirō nodded approvingly, then gestured toward the other Shinigami. "Anyone else want to try their luck?"
Before anyone could step forward, Rangiku's voice called out from the edge of the crowd. "Come on, Tōshirō! Don't hog him all to yourself." She stepped into the circle, tossing her long hair over her shoulder. "I've been looking for a good spar all day."
Tōshirō sighed, rubbing his temple. "I knew this would happen..."
Link chuckled as he took his place again, this time readying both his Shield and Master Sword. "Alright," he said, locking eyes with Rangiku. "Let's see what you've got."
With a sudden burst of energy, she spun around, gathering her spiritual energy as she prepared to unleash her Shikai
Link gripped his sword tighter, his pulse quickening in anticipation. This was exactly what he had been hoping for—a chance to test himself, to learn more about these strange warriors, and to find out just how far his skills could take him in this world.
And something told him this was only the beginning.
--
As Link squared off against Rangiku Matsumoto, Tōshirō Hitsugaya observed intently from the sidelines, a sharp gaze fixed on the fight. He couldn't detect much spiritual pressure from Link, yet the swordsman's movements were refined, almost instinctual. Each swing of his sword was deliberate, each block perfectly timed. Link fought not with brute force but with technique, honed through countless battles.
"Interesting…" Tōshirō murmured to himself. "This guy might not have the spiritual energy we rely on, but his swordsmanship could rival even the best among us. Maybe even… Kenpachi?"
Rangiku, sensing that her opponent was more dangerous than he appeared, grinned as she launched another swift attack. Her sword flashed in a high arc toward Link, but he met her strike with the Master Sword, the metallic clang echoing across the training grounds. Rangiku gritted her teeth, trying to overpower him, but Link held firm.
"You're good," Rangiku said, her grin widening despite the effort. "Better than I expected."
Link smirked, not out of arrogance but from sheer enjoyment. "Thanks. You're not bad yourself."
But it was clear that Rangiku was the one on the defensive. Every time she tried to break away, Link followed her with relentless precision, delivering swift, well-timed strikes that kept her off-balance. The onlookers murmured in surprise—few had ever seen Rangiku pushed this hard in a sparring match.
Realizing that her sword alone wouldn't be enough to turn the tide, Rangiku narrowed her eyes. "Alright, hero. Let's see how you handle this."
She leaped back, creating some distance between them, and raised her blade. "Scatter, Haineko!"
At her command, the sword in her hand dissolved into a cloud of fine, shimmering ash that floated in the air around them, sparkling like dust caught in sunlight. The ash drifted lazily for a moment before swirling toward Link with alarming speed.
Link stepped back, his sharp eyes tracking the ash as it began to spiral and coil toward him like a snake. He knew immediately that if he let the cloud get too close, it could overwhelm him. The ashes weren't just for show—they were as sharp as blades, ready to cut through anything in their path.
He grinned to himself, feeling the thrill of a challenge. If she was going to bring out her Shikai, it was only fair he showed what he could do, too.
Reaching into his pouch, Link pulled out a small red gem encased in a clear octahedron. He held it up, the sunlight glinting off its facets. "Time to heat things up," he muttered under his breath. He whispered a prayer to the Goddess Din, a familiar warmth spreading through him as ancient power stirred within the gem.
With a flick of his wrist, he thrust the octahedron forward and released its magic.
In an instant, a wall of fire erupted around him, roaring to life with a burst of heat and energy. The flames spiraled outward, blazing in brilliant shades of red and orange as they surged toward Rangiku's ash cloud. The fire met the ash midair, burning through the fine particles and scattering them harmlessly.
The sudden explosion of flames forced Rangiku to shield her eyes, startled by the unexpected power. "What the—?!" she exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief as the ash cloud was dispersed.
Before she could react, Link moved. Using the wall of fire as cover, he dashed forward with incredible speed, the Master Sword gleaming as he closed the distance between them.
Rangiku barely had time to bring her sword hilt up—her weapon was still reforming from the ash—but Link was already there. He angled his blade carefully, tapping the flat of it against her wrist in a gentle but decisive motion. The message was clear: if this were a real fight, it would be over.
Rangiku blinked, surprised but impressed. A slow smile spread across her face as she lowered her hilt. "Well, color me impressed, hero."
Link gave her a small grin and took a step back, sheathing the Master Sword. "That was fun."
The crowd erupted into cheers and laughter, amazed by the unorthodox match they had just witnessed. Rangiku turned to Tōshirō, throwing him a playful look. "Looks like your new friend's full of surprises, Captain."
Tōshirō walked over, his expression thoughtful. "He is. Not many people could handle Haineko like that." He fixed Link with an appraising look. "You've got more than just skill—you've got control. And that fire… it's something else."
Link nodded, the thrill of the duel still fresh in his veins. "You use what you've got."
Rangiku gave him a teasing smile. "With moves like that, I bet you've broken a few hearts along the way, too."
Link's face flushed slightly, but he managed to keep his composure. "Let's just say… nothing's set in stone."
Tōshirō rolled his eyes, though there was a glimmer of amusement in them. "You better be careful around Rangiku. She'll drag you into more trouble than you know."
Link laughed, slinging his shield back onto his arm. "I'll keep that in mind."
The three of them stood in companionable silence for a moment, the crowd slowly dispersing now that the excitement had ended.
Tōshirō gave Link a small nod. "You've got talent, no doubt about it. You don't have spiritual pressure like the rest of us, but with skills like that, it might not matter."
Link gave a humble shrug. "Guess I'll just have to keep proving myself."
Rangiku clapped him on the shoulder, her usual playful grin back in place. "I think you'll fit in just fine here, hero. Just be ready—things in the Soul Society are never boring."
Link chuckled softly, glancing around at the strange new world he had found himself in. There was still so much he didn't understand, but if the rest of his time here was anything like today, he knew one thing for sure:
This was going to be one adventure he'd never forget.