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Boom! A colossal wave crashed down! Countless streams of water filled the surrounding space! Carrying an aura of destruction, they surged towards Aizen!

"Humph!" Ryuken scoffed, crossing his arms and thrusting them forward! The already powerful water flow intensified even further!

Facing this overwhelming Water Style ninjutsu, Aizen showed no panic, only a smirk of interest! Water Style was his specialty too! Ryuken was consuming a massive amount of chakra to maintain this water environment. In the end it was unclear who would have the upper hand!

Aizen offered no resistance, seemingly allowing himself to be dragged into the waves. After a while, his figure completely vanished from Ryuken's sight.

"?!"

Witnessing this inexplicable scene, Ryuken frowned. Although the Water Dragon Bullet Technique was powerful, it shouldn't have been able to kill Aizen so easily. Moreover, he couldn't sense Aizen's presence within the water he had unleashed!

This was strange! Ryuken was on high alert, not daring to lower his guard. He was particularly wary of Aizen's uncanny ability to manipulate the five senses!

Whoosh! Suddenly, several high-pressure water blasts shot out from the water, hurtling towards Ryuken at incredible speed! "This is... Water Severing Wave?!" Ryuken's eyes widened in alarm, and he hastily dodged with his maximum speed! In Aizen's Reiatsu state, this high-level B-rank Water Style ninjutsu was even more potent! Even as a top elite Jonin, Ryuken didn't dare to face it head-on! However, Aizen's attacks were never so simple.

While Ryuken evaded, his defenses inevitably weakened, leaving him vulnerable! This was Aizen's opportunity!

Aizen's figure silently materialized behind Ryuken! Reiatsu surged around him, Shunpo at the ready, and his Zanpakuto poised to strike!

Reiatsu, Shunpo, Kendo! Aizen unleashed over 90% of his power in an instant, concentrating all his might into Kyōka Suigetsu's blade! With Shunpo's incredible speed, he slashed towards Ryuken's waist!

At that moment, Ryuken felt the icy grip of death! "Eight Gates... Gate of Opening, open!" "Eight Gates... Gate of Healing, open!" "Eight Gates... Gate of Life, open!" "Eight Gates... Gate of Pain, open!" "Eight Gates... Gate of Limit, open!" "Eight Gates... Gate of View, open!" 

In a desperate bid for survival, Ryuken resorted to the forbidden Eight Gates Released Formation, instantly opening the Fifth Gate! His skin flushed crimson, and green chakra steam billowed from his body! His body control, strength, and speed drastically increased! Ryuken, now moving at a speed rivaling that of a Kage, narrowly dodged Aizen's lethal blow by stepping on thin air.

Seeing Ryuken's desperate struggle, Aizen opted not to engage directly. His body surged with water-natured chakra as he sank into the surrounding water. Once again, Aizen's presence vanished from Ryuken's perception.

"Water Release: Dance of the Water God!!" Witnessing Aizen disappear into the water, Ryuken gritted his teeth, a dark expression clouding his face, as he uttered the name of this ninjutsu. This technique was a secret Water Style jutsu of the Senju clan! It not only allowed the user to merge with their water-natured surroundings, enabling free movement within the water and complete concealment of their chakra. But it also granted immense immunity to Water Style ninjutsu, making it the bane of Water Style users! This was the very technique Aizen had used to effortlessly counter the Water Dragon Bullet Technique!

However, while this secret technique was incredibly powerful, it was also notoriously difficult to master. Even Ryuken hadn't been able to learn it! And, most importantly, only high-ranking members of the Senju clan's direct lineage were qualified to learn it!

"That traitor Senju Masako must have stolen it from the clan when she left, those damned scoundrels, Aizen, Senju Masako, you sinners, you all deserve to die!!" Ryuken's expression twisted with madness, teetering on the brink of insanity. Aizen's use of the Water Technique had clearly dealt a significant blow to Ryuken's psyche, pushing him towards the edge.

"Eight Gates... Gate of View, open!!" Ryuken bit his lip, drawing blood! The cost and pain of opening the Sixth Gate were immense, even for his Senju body. But no matter the price, he had to kill Aizen here and now! This was a deep-seated obsession and hatred!

"Eight Gates Released Formation: Morning Peacock!" Struggling to maintain his body with the Sixth Gate open, Ryuken leaped into the air, clenching his fists and rapidly pummeling the surrounding air!

Then, the invisible air pressure punches, rubbing against the atmosphere, ignited into flames, forming one explosive air cannon after another! The targets of these flaming projectiles were the lake created by the Water Dragon Bullet Technique!

Boom! Boom! Boom! Countless flames collided with the water, causing massive steam explosions! The water in the entire lake began to dissipate at a visible rate.

Ryuken knew that he couldn't defeat Aizen, who had mastered the Water God Technique, in a water-based environment he himself had created. Therefore, his only chance of defeating Aizen was to destroy the lake! Though, this decision made him grimace as he unleashed the Morning Peacock. Simultaneously, the hatred for Aizen in his heart deepened unknowingly.

After a while, the entire lake finally evaporated, revealing the hidden Aizen.

"Finally found you!" Ryuken's lips curled into a sinister grin, his expression like a man-eating demon! However, he didn't immediately rush in to fight Aizen. Although his physical skills were formidable, even in the Sixth Gate state, strong enough to rival ordinary Kage-level powerhouses. Aizen's Kyōka Suigetsu terrified him, preventing him from confronting Aizen head-on!

Seeing that Ryuken didn't dare to attack, Aizen wasn't in a hurry. Ryuken's prided Water Style jutsu were countered by his own. Trying to fight him in close quarters would be suicidal! Therefore, Aizen remained unfazed. The one who should be panicking was Ryuken.

Looking at Ryuken, who seemed to be searching for an opportunity, Aizen smirked and taunted him disdainfully: "What's the matter? Patriarch of the Senju clan, aren't you eager to eliminate me, the one who tainted your Senju bloodline? What's wrong? Is that all you've got?"

Hearing this, Ryuken remained expressionless and silent. He appeared calm, but his eyes blazed with fury! However, he was rational! He knew Aizen was deliberately provoking him. Trying to agitate him into making a mistake. He nearly lost his composure. But he managed to restrain himself.

However, Aizen's next sentence ignited Ryuken's madness, causing him to completely lose control!

"Ah, but after all, your Senju clan is already on the decline!! Indeed, I can't seem to find anyone worthy."