Soifon awakened as the sun was nearly rising, realizing that it was morning. The petite captain gradually rose from her bed, sitting on the edge and placing her feet on the floor.
She released a yawn and extended her arms, surveying the room to find the other three still asleep. A smile involuntarily formed on her face.
Soifon stood up, making her way to the bathroom. Before waking up the others, she anticipated that Shizune would soon arrive to transport them to the training grounds, so she desired to freshen up.
After a few minutes in the bathroom, Soifon exited and approached Jushiro, who was slowly awakening, making the process easier. "It is time to awaken so that we may proceed to the training grounds," Soifon informed.
Jushiro nodded, sat up gradually, and let out a few coughs while stretching his arms. He then proceeded to the bathroom to prepare for departure.
While the white-haired captain go to the bathroom and why Soifon went to wake Renji 'Rukia, Renji, it is time to wake up,' she said, getting them up.
Soifon observed as Rukia began to stir, while Renji simply rolled over on his side and let out a breath. 'Renji, wake up before I make you,' Soifon ordered, kicking his bed and causing him to fall on the floor.
Soifon heard Rukia laughing as she watched the redheaded soul reaper fall flat on his face. 'She told you to wake up,' Rukia said. Soifon observed Renji picking himself off the ground and letting out a groan as he rubbed his eyes. 'Sorry, captain,' he said, looking up to glare at Rukia.
Soifon nodded as Jushiro walked out of the bathroom. 'Get ready, and then we can head out. Shizune should be here soon,' she said. On cue, there was a knock on the door.
The female captain went to answer the door as the two younger soul reapers started to get ready. Soifon opened the door to see Shizune standing just outside.
"Good morning, Captain," Shizune greeted with a smile once Soifon had opened the door. "Morning, Shizune," the captain responded with a nod.
"Are you all ready to head to the training grounds?" Shizune inquired, to which Soifon nodded. "Yes," she replied as Rukia and Renji joined them with Jushiro once they were ready. "Alright, follow me and we should reach there quickly," Shizune said.
Soifon closed the hotel door after everyone exited the room, and they followed Shizune to the training grounds. "And to inform you beforehand, so you aren't taken aback," Shizune began.
"Kakashi is always late, and he will make up excuses about things, all of which are lies," Shizune stated. The petite captain nodded. "That's good to know," Soifon acknowledged.
Shizune continued leading the soul reapers to the training grounds, explaining everything along the way so they would be aware of a few things. Soifon nodded as she walked with Shizune, while Jushiro, Rukia, and Renji trailed behind them.
After a twenty-minute walk, Soifon and the others arrived at the training grounds. Soifon noticed that Sai, Sakura, and Naruto were standing beside a tree.
The group approached the three ninjas and Soifon noticed Tsunade there with her arms crossed across her chest. 'Morning, Captains Renji and Rukia,' greeted the blond Hokage with a grin. Soifon gave a small nod to the Hokage as she surveyed the large clearing.
'We're only waiting on Kakashi,' Tsunade remarked as she looked at the group. 'We're always waiting on Kakashi,' Naruto replied, rolling his eyes. Kakashi's voice caught the blonde's attention. 'What was that, Naruto?' he asked. 'Nothing, Kakashi-sensei,' Naruto quickly responded.
'You're early for once, Kakashi,' Tsunade observed as she looked at the gray-haired man approaching the group. 'I'm on time when I want to be, plus I'm really interested in how our new friends fight,' Kakashi said with a gleam in his eye.
Soifon gazed at Kakashi, affirming her readiness with a subtle nod. Her hands were firmly clenched at her sides. 'Okay, we can initiate this battle using any means necessary. The first one to fall shall be deemed the loser,' Kakashi declared as he confidently strode towards the center of the clearing.
Following Kakashi's lead, Soifon trailed behind, leaving her captain's coat with Jushiro. She pondered if she would need to unleash her ultimate move during this confrontation.
Once they both reached the clearing, Soifon and Kakashi positioned themselves on opposite ends, locking eyes with one another. Soifon overheard some murmurs emanating from Naruto.
'How powerful is Soifon?' Naruto inquired Renji, stealing glances at the two combatants. 'Captain Soifon possesses great strength; you must witness her for yourself,' Renji responded, and Rukia nodded in agreement. 'She holds the title of captain for a reason,' Rukia added.
While Naruto and his companions engaged in their conversation, Tsunade approached Soifon and Kakashi, disregarding the others. She attentively observed the two of them and posed the question, 'Are you both ready?' Tsunade's brown eyes narrowed, awaiting their response.
Soifon confidently nodded in affirmation. 'I am indeed ready,' she declared. Kakashi also expressed his readiness. 'I am prepared whenever you are.'
Tsunade acknowledged with a nod, taking a deep breath. 'If you all are prepared, you may commence,' she stated, then proceeded to return to the sidelines, standing beside Shizune and Jushiro. Their attention turned to Soifon and Kakashi, who were positioned across from each other.
Soifon, with her stormy gray eyes fixed on her opponent, awaited her turn. 'You may take the first move,' Kakashi informed her, observing the captain's unwavering gaze. The petite captain nodded, inhaling deeply before launching herself at him.
Kakashi attentively observed her actions, initially expecting an attack from the front, only to be surprised as she evaded his line of sight with a quick flash step and executed a kick aimed at his head. Swiftly, Kakashi positioned his arm to block her assault. Resolute, Soifon followed with a secondary kick, which Kakashi also managed to parry.
Kakashi seized the small captain's foot and hurled her across the field, and Soifon skillfully landed on her feet and swiftly moved a few feet away from the gray-haired man.
Soifon observed Kakashi's movement as he flash-stepped towards her and aimed several Shuriken at her, which she effortlessly evaded with a rapid flash-step of her own.
For approximately five minutes, they engaged in hand-to-hand combat, each landing occasional blows.
"Damn, Soifon is highly skilled," remarked Naruto as he observed Soifon evading his teacher's attacks. "Hand-to-hand combat is her specialty, along with her squad's focus on assassination," added Renji, also watching the battle.
"I believe it's time to take this seriously," declared Kakashi as he gazed at Soifon, who stood opposite him, and she nodded in agreement. "We're not making any progress like this," she concurred.
Soifon moved her hand towards her sword and unsheathed it, her gaze fixed on Kakashi as he performed a series of hand signs. He then placed his hand to his mouth and a fireball emerged from it.
The petite captain had no choice but to swiftly evade the attack and unsheathed her sword. She closed her eyes and whispered, 'Sting all of your enemies to death, Suzumebachi.'
The sword underwent a transformation, turning into a black and gold gauntlet with a small chain connecting it to a stinger-like blade on Soifon's middle finger.
"What on earth? How did that sword become so small?" Naruto exclaimed as he observed the transformation of the second squad captain's sword. "How will she be able to use it?" he inquired.
Renji glanced at the blonde and then back at the ongoing battle. "Captain Soifon's zanpakuto, Suzumebachi, assumes that form," Renji explained.
"But what is its purpose?" Sakura inquired, joining the conversation as she observed the small captain and Kakashi engaging in punches and kicks. To address the pink-haired girl's question, Soifon swiftly pierced Kakashi's shoulder with a needle.
"Just observe," Renji replied with a nod, gesturing towards the butterfly mark beginning to manifest on Kakashi's shoulder. "What does that symbolize?" Naruto queried.
"Captain Soifon's shikai possesses the ability to kill in two strikes, indicating that it is poisonous," Rukia explained, attentively observing the ongoing fight. "Therefore, if Soifon were to strike Kakashi in the same spot, he would be incapacitated."
"However, as this is merely a test, she wouldn't employ such a lethal blow. The initial strike would only serve to slow Kakashi down, and only the captain herself can remove the mark," Renji clarified.