Bankai! X4

"Captain! It, it was my mistake! I carelessly let this guy slip in... I'll help drive him out right away!"

Rather than fearing the unknown power, Renji seemed more afraid of his captain's authority at this moment.

I'll drive this guy out immediately!

But before he could do anything, Byakuya had already blocked Renji's path without explanation.

"Have some judgment."

The Squad Six Captain's tone was calm as he quietly observed his opponent, slowly reversing the hilt of his sword in his hand.

Senbonzakura, like waves, rolled in the air, like gusts of blowing wind, infusing the atmosphere of confrontation between the two with an unspoken sense of deadliness.

"This guy is not the type you can handle."

Being publicly disdained definitely doesn't feel good.

If it were Ichigo Kurosaki "speaking nonsense" here, Renji would be furious to the point of jumping with rage...

But when it was his own captain speaking, such emotions seemed to have no outlet.

"But, but Captain..."

"Renji Abarai."

Interrupting with a decisive tone.

Byakuya's silhouette didn't appear tall, yet like chains imprisoning a criminal, it completely locked down Renji's protests.

Lightly flicking the sword hilt in his right hand, the well-dressed head of the Kuchiki family took measured steps, turning his posture and stance.

Until he faced the enemy directly.

Byakuya's gaze was cold and resolute.

"You are a man worthy of my respect, so at a time like this... don't do something that makes things difficult."

As Squad Six Captain, this was Byakuya's battlefield.

"You have more important matters to attend to, right? Then don't hesitate."

Rukia, in Squad Thirteen, her safety couldn't be confirmed, and Renji needed to go assist her at this time.

Even without analyzing these things openly, the two members of Squad Six already completely understood.

But...

Should he leave his captain behind?

"Captain, I..."

The howling Senbonzakura, like a curtain on a stage, completely blocked their line of sight, leaving no connection whatsoever.

Leaving no room for any further objections, this was Byakuya's "attitude."

Gritting his teeth, Renji turned and rushed towards a place outside Squad Six.

But he soon stopped in his tracks.

Because the scene that met his eyes gave the Squad Six Lieutenant a feeling of trembling in his liver and gall.

"What... is this?"

In the newly built Seireitei, billowing smoke rose to the sky.

The rusty smell of blood, the echo of screams... what he saw were black and white camps fighting each other, the air began to boil where fingertips touched, with a warmth that made one's throat tighten.

The five senses captured various information in the air, accurately conveying the fact of "crisis" to Renji's heart.

Is this the crisis mentioned in the captains' meeting before?!

It could only be said that even with mental preparation, people still find it hard to accept such a degree of "reality."

Just as an ant cannot imagine the scene of an elephant being trampled under its foot.

For Soul Reapers born in peaceful times, the idea of Seireitei being invaded by Quincies... seemed as exaggerated as an after-dinner joke.

But the current reality was undeniable, no longer allowing for any doubt.

"Lieutenant Abarai! What, what should we do now?"

Squad Six members gathered around him.

Seeking help, the outline of responsibility rose in his heart, forcing Renji to calm himself.

I need to settle my subordinates first.

This is also the reason why the captain asked me to stand here!

Renji tightened his grip on his Zanpakutō, and after brief consideration, the lieutenant gave clear instructions.

"First, gather the wounded, then find a way to contact members of other squads..."

"Priority should be given to assisting members of Squad Four and Squad Five, ensuring the safety of medical professionals - they are our lifeline!"

"Be careful during mission execution, as for the rest..."

After a moment of silence, Renji's gaze became extremely cold.

"Kill any enemy on sight."

Not a contest, certainly not a friendly match.

This was a war, a life-or-death struggle that wouldn't stop until one side's blood was completely drained!

...

Bang bang bang bang bang bang!

Short, continuous sounds came one after another as Byakuya stood in place, watching his Senbonzakura unable to break through the cone-shaped objects surrounding his opponent.

Although his expression didn't change, it was enough to make a further judgment.

"Hiding your strength, is it interesting?"

"..."

No answer, the other merely half-turned his head, as if making a somewhat puzzled gesture.

Byakuya didn't have a preference for answering questions, but in this situation, it was just to delay a little more time, allowing him to further analyze the other's behavioral logic and abilities.

Lightly waving his right hand, commanding the flower-like sea of Senbonzakura to roll and attack fiercely.

Byakuya's voice disappeared in the boundless blades, cut into fine, bubble-like powder.

"You could have easily killed the members of my squad, but you didn't."

"Is it mercy? Impossible... because I can't see that kind of kindness in your face."

"So, is it for some unspeakable purpose?"

It seemed to have touched a sensitive spot.

The thin man with a mask and long black hair slightly bent over at this moment, emitting a giggling laugh.

His voice was extremely hoarse, with strong pauses when speaking.

Like a toddler learning to walk, conveying a sense of rawness inside and out.

"Heh, heh... very impressive, ah. Is this, what they call, a captain?"

Byakuya watched as he raised his right hand, slender fingers slightly spread, placed against his face, showing a quite intoxicated expression.

"Because, I prefer... to see, the fearful expression, of people."

Mere killing had no meaning.

Simply depriving, extracting life, had no entertainment value whatsoever for Äs Nödt.

He wanted to see something further.

For example...

"First cut off, hands and feet. Then slice the flesh bit by bit..."

"Very scary, right? With just a little care, these Soul Reapers can even see their own... beating organs."

"Finally, when drilling through the head... the expression freezes."

Äs Nödt's lower face wasn't visible.

But his eyes slightly curved, squeezed into a crescent moon shape, was enough to indicate that his emotions were continuously rising.

"Seeing people's, fearful, appearance."

"Is my... preference."

"Especially, people like, you..."

Noble, dignified.

Like a pure white flower blooming on a steep cliff, exuding an aura of keeping others at a distance from inside out.

However, this goodness and brilliance could also arouse the destructive desire of others... especially someone like Äs Nödt.

I really want to see.

This guy crying, distorted with fear, finally breaking down in tears, rolling on the ground.

That must be very interesting.

"...I see."

Byakuya didn't seem to be affected by the other's words.

He merely made a slight nodding gesture, and then had no other response.

As if what he had just heard was merely a trivial matter, his gaze was calm, and he said in a tone without ripples.

"You're just a simple, vicious-natured fellow."

Nothing more.

As for what the other said...

For Byakuya, it was extremely regrettable.

"In my heart, there is only responsibility toward Soul Society and hatred toward enemies. Besides these, shame, shrinking back, fear... such things, I've long since cast them all behind."

Being able to make such bold statements was itself supported by his daily rigorous training and personal dignity.

Byakuya was not afraid at all.

In contrast, Äs Nödt's reaction was much calmer.

"No, you will, be afraid..."

A certain tone.

Fear is the emotional root of humans, and absolutely no one can completely resist such a thing.

The so-called "non-existence" is more self-deceptive.

"You are just, using various... things, to decorate your, inner heart."

But, it's fine.

Äs Nödt would patiently strip them away bit by bit.

Until the other revealed the most straightforward and "frank" side.

"This is merely your shallow perception."

Having said this, further conversation had no meaning. Byakuya's eyes narrowed slightly as he raised Senbonzakura in his hand.

The opponent's displayed strength was extraordinary.

Just with Shikai, it would be too difficult to slay him.

"You, will use it?"

Äs Nödt's tone became teasing and playful.

"That thing, called... Bankai?"

—This was also unavoidable.

At this moment.

Not only in Squad Six barracks, but similar situations were constantly occurring in various squads across the new Seireitei.

Within Squad Two.

Ōmaeda, cradling the unconscious siblings, faced the barracks that had become ruins, showing a face full of anxiety.

"Captain! But the Captain-Commander specifically warned us in advance, we can't..."

"Shut up!"

Sui-Feng reached out, completely tearing off the captain's haori on her body.

Her brows were tightly knitted, lips pressed into a line, and her expression was extremely serious.

"This guy isn't something that can be easily dealt with!"

Suzumebachi, after being released, had hit the same spot twice in succession, but the expected poison hadn't bloomed. The opponent could even maintain that freely moving posture.

It was hard to imagine what was going on with this guy... but regardless, in terms of Sui-Feng's current methods, it was definitely not enough to suppress the opponent.

She needed to release her power further.

Inside Squad Seven barracks.

Komamura, with a ferocious expression, looked at the outstandingly beautiful woman before him, fiercely drawing the Zanpakutō at his waist.

"A beautiful appearance, yet extremely cruel! I will slay you here... to repay the blood debt to Soul Society!"

Bambi wore a smug expression, floating in mid-air, looking down at Komamura from above.

"Huh! I didn't expect Soul Society would be interested in keeping pets... Hey, why don't you come to my side? I'll take good care of you!"

After all, this was a talking big dog. If she could bring it back... she, Bambi, would definitely become the most dazzling one in the entire female group!

The person's mood was very simple, but falling on others' ears, it was no different from provocation.

Plus, Bambi's methods were quite cruel. On Komamura's way here, she had already blown many squad members to a bloody mess...

The Squad Seven Captain was now approaching the point of losing reason.

"I will kill you!!!"

A beast-like roar, truly reflecting Komamura's inner heart at this moment.

On the other side, Tōshirō, in comparison, didn't have such an excited mood...

Perhaps because of his Zanpakutō's ability, or maybe due to his personality.

Looking at the Quincy member attacking Squad Eleven in front of him now, Tōshirō merely furrowed his brows tightly, without saying much.

He just glanced at the blade in his hand.

Hyōrinmaru's ability had been activated, but merely at this level, it seemed completely unable to break through the opponent's defense.

What was this guy's origin?

The cold-formed lethality was absolutely fatal to the human body.

But... it seemed to have no effect on the person before him.

"Cap, Captain..."

Rangiku made a weak call from behind.

Tōshirō spoke without turning his head.

"Don't speak, I've already contacted Squad Four members. Until the rescue arrives, hold on... don't faint."

The sudden attack had made Rangiku the first victim in Squad Eleven.

But then again, should it be said that this was expected of a lieutenant-level person?

After all, if it were other squad members, it wouldn't be as simple as having their stomach pierced through.

Cold mist gathered and dispersed in the air.

Tōshirō saw the opponent's clothing completely frozen, shattering like glass.

Then...

Revealing the inhuman outline inside.

"That is...?!"

His pupils involuntarily contracted for a moment, and Tōshirō's breath seemed to stagnate suddenly at this moment.

The white-gold skin that came into view, flashing with an iron-cold undertone like steel.

His name was Cang Du, Schrift ability... "The Iron."

Such scenes were "commonplace" in Soul Society, essentially a targeted attack by the Invisible Empire on Seireitei.

At this point, it seemed there was no other solution except for one method?

Not just Byakuya.

Sui-Feng, Komamura, Tōshirō, all simultaneously made the same judgment at this moment.

"Bankai!" X4

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Powerstones?

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