Apple didn’t even need to use USB C to do this bullshit:

The Lightning receptacle on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (1st and 2nd generation) and 10.5-inch iPad Pro models has 16 pins, as there are additional eight pins on the other side. It supports USB 3.0 (now USB 3.2 Gen 1) at the maximum transfer speed of 5 Gbit/s.

- Wikipedia - Lightning (connector)

For reference USB 1.x/2.x A and B connectors have 4 or 5 pins, while USB 3.0+ A and B connectors have 9 or 10, with USB C having 24. USB 4.0 version 2.0 supports transfer speeds of up to 80 Gb/s. I think the 16 pin lighting connector could support USB 4.0, but this is just my speculation.