Chapter 97

But such an attack was far too straightforward for Byakuya.

Byakuya easily blocked it, and with a single counter, he forced Renji to retreat.

However, Renji, always the master of quick thinking, detonated the Higa Zekko (Crimson Fire Cannon) in front of him.

Byakuya, calm and composed as ever, prepared to continue his assault on Renji, but unexpectedly, Renji used the smoke from the explosion to swiftly appear behind him!

"Bakudō #4: Hainawa (Crawling Rope)!"

But how could such a low-level binding spell pose any threat to Byakuya?

With a mere swing of his Zanpakutō, Byakuya shattered Renji's Kidō. Not stopping there, he raised his hand toward Renji and unleashed Hadō #4: Byakurai (Pale Lightning)!

The blast pierced through Renji midair, knocking him to the ground.

Meanwhile, the battle between Sode no Shirayuki and Senbonzakura wasn't going well either.

Even though Sode no Shirayuki had two physical manifestations, they couldn't suppress the overwhelming power of Senbonzakura's Shikai!

The two quickly retreated into the 6th Division hallway, luring Senbonzakura in. Once inside, Zabimaru unleashed its Bankai!

"Bankai! Hihiō Zabimaru!"

"Ribs Cannon!"

Facing the incoming red cannon blast, Senbonzakura remained unshaken, calmly dropping his Zanpakutō to the ground.

"Bankai: Senbonzakura Kageyoshi."

A surge of overwhelming spiritual pressure completely nullified the Rib Cannon's attack!

With just a single wave of Senbonzakura's hand, Hihiō Zabimaru was sent flying!

On the other side, Rukia, having recovered slightly, saw Renji and Sode no Shirayuki knocked down and shouted, "Renji, are you alright?!"

Renji, his eyes closed, was clearly knocked unconscious by Byakuya's earlier strike.

Ichigo drew his Zanpakutō and pointed it at Byakuya, shouting, "Byakuya! What the hell are you doing?! Don't you know your actions are violating the laws of the Soul Society?!"

But Byakuya ignored Ichigo's words and instead turned to Rukia.

"Rukia, I'll say it once more. Do not interfere with what's about to happen."

At that moment, Fūshirō and the other Zanpakutō spirits appeared beside Byakuya.

Seeing the defeated Zabimaru and Taimatsu, Fūshirō asked, "What? You're not going to kill them?"

Byakuya looked at Fūshirō with an expression that seemed to say, "Are you an idiot?"

"With Kurosaki Ichigo here, if you think you're capable, then go ahead and try."

Fūshirō, completely dismissing Ichigo, swung his Zanpakutō and sneered.

"Hmph, I don't believe Kurosaki Ichigo is as strong as you make him out to be!"

Just as he finished speaking, his expression suddenly twisted in pain.

At that moment, Suì-Fēng arrived with her Onmitsukidō squad, surrounding Byakuya and the Zanpakutō spirits!

She wasn't alone—accompanying her were 11th Division's 3rd Seat Ikkaku and 5th Seat Yumichika, as well as 3rd Division's Vice-Captain Izuru Kira.

"Took you long enough, Suì-Fēng!" Ichigo shouted.

"Finding this many high-level fighters in such a short time wasn't exactly easy!" Suì-Fēng replied. With a wave of her hand, the battle between Shinigami and Zanpakutō spirits resumed once again!

Izuru Kira faced off against Fūshirō, while Ikkaku and Yumichika took on their respective opponents.

Suì-Fēng, on the other hand, took on two captain-level Zanpakutō spirits—Gonryōmaru and Tenken—on her own.

And Ichigo? Naturally, he was up against his old nemesis, Senbonzakura, and Byakuya!

Last time against Hōzukimaru, Ikkaku had been utterly crushed, unable to fight back. But this time was different. As soon as the battle started, Ikkaku regained the strength of his Shikai, unleashing his Zanpakutō and going toe-to-toe with Hōzukimaru.

Not only that, he even managed to break through the entryway.

In the end, Ikkaku, through sheer willpower, managed to defeat Hōzukimaru, even though the latter was in Bankai form, successfully reclaiming his Zanpakutō!

Of course, it wasn't without a price—he too collapsed to the ground, severely wounded.

Yumichika's situation was completely different. He was utterly crushed by his own Zanpakutō.

For Ryūshirō Kujaku, the fact that he could never fully unleash his power was the most infuriating thing.

And above all, he absolutely despised the name "Fujikujaku!"

Meanwhile, Suì-Fēng's abilities were simply too well-suited for this type of combat.

Even though Gonryōmaru and Tenken were captain-level Zanpakutō, in the face of Suì-Fēng's Shunko state, they were merely strong opponents—nothing more.

But what Suì-Fēng didn't expect was for a very familiar enemy to ambush her!

Feeling the sting of a Suzumebachi mark on her back, Suì-Fēng heard a young girl's voice.

"What a pity! Just one more strike and you would have been dead."

Yes, it was none other than Suzumebachi's Shikai ability—Nigeki Kessatsu (Two-hit Kill)!

But as Suì-Fēng scanned her surroundings, she didn't see her Zanpakutō anywhere.

At that moment, a small yellow dot appeared before her.

"You're... Suzumebachi?"

"Correct, correct, correct~!" The tiny voice buzzed closer.

Seeing such a small and dainty Suzumebachi, even Suì-Fēng was shocked.

"What do you think of this form?" Suzumebachi twirled in the air in front of Suì-Fēng, showing off.

"I've always hated your old-fashioned, boring style. I couldn't wait to break free and create a new version of myself—something fresh and exciting!"

"It feels so good to finally materialize into the real world!"

Seeing Suì-Fēng's dumbfounded expression, Suzumebachi raised her right arm, pointing the weapon at her.

"What's wrong? Don't believe me? If you don't, I'll just hit you again and you'll understand, right?"

Elsewhere, Kira and Fūshirō's battle continued.

Though Fūshirō was among the stronger Zanpakutō spirits, after fighting through the transmission battle, Kira's spiritual pressure, Kidō, hakuda, and even mental state had all improved.

Blocking Fūshirō's attack with his Zanpakutō, Kira smirked darkly.

"Is it really wise to keep attacking me like this? Have you forgotten what my Zanpakutō's ability is?"

None of the Zanpakutō spirits knew who Kira's Zanpakutō was.

They even thought Kira might have already subdued his Zanpakutō—or that maybe his Zanpakutō never betrayed him in the first place!

At Kira's words, Fūshirō's cocky expression faltered. His face grew serious, and sweat began to drip.

Because if Kira really had access to his Zanpakutō's power, Wabisuke's weight-doubling ability would be a perfect counter to Fūshirō!

The longer the fight dragged on, the higher the chance of Fūshirō's defeat.

Seeing Kira's dark, calculating smile, Fūshirō didn't dare take the risk.

He tried tossing his scythe at Kira, but when Kira prepared to unleash his Shikai, Fūshirō quickly retracted it, Shunpo'd toward Kira, and aimed for a close-quarters takedown.

But that was exactly what Kira wanted!

As Fūshirō appeared before him, Kira tossed a hidden explosive from his sleeve, creating a smoke screen. Kira Shunpo'd behind Fūshirō, reaching out to grab him, and chanted:

"Hadō #58: Tenran (Orchid Sky)!"

The massive whirlwind knocked Fūshirō off balance, and Kira followed up with a heavy slash, severely injuring him!

Kira then quickly used Bakudō #63: Sajō Sabaku (Locking Bondage Stripes) to bind Fūshirō tightly.

But just then, a prisoner-like man appeared behind Kira!

It was none other than Kira's Zanpakutō—Wabisuke.

And as the saying goes, like master, like Zanpakutō.

Wabisuke was even more devious and sinister than Kira!

Silently closing in on Kira, Wabisuke's blade struck him four times in an instant!

Sixteen times the weight increase smashed Kira into the ground!

Seizing the moment, Wabisuke delivered a heavy slash, gravely wounding Kira.

Just then—Kenpachi Zaraki, who had been away traveling, finally returned to the Soul Society with Yachiru Kusajishi!

Sensing Kenpachi's spiritual pressure, several fighters rushed over!

Kenpachi's return was great news for the Soul Society, but terrible for the Zanpakutō spirits!

"Oi, Ichigo, aren't you being too soft with them?" Kenpachi called out.

"Seriously, I leave Seireitei for a few days and this is what happens to the Gotei 13?" Kenpachi grumbled as he strolled over to Ichigo.

At that moment, Wabisuke Shunpo'd behind Kenpachi and slashed at his body!

But... it had no effect!

With his spiritual pressure alone, Kenpachi blocked the attack effortlessly.

"Really now? You swing such a feeble blade at me?" Kenpachi scoffed, grabbing Wabisuke's body.

With a loud tear, he ripped Wabisuke in half and tossed him to the ground.

"Ken-chan! Ken-chan! You're too fast! You didn't wait for me!" Yachiru pouted.

Looking at the surrounding Zanpakutō spirits and the sole exception—Byakuya—Kenpachi grew excited.

"Hahaha! Zanpakutō or whatever, I don't care at all! Byakuya! Now I can finally fight you fair and square!" Kenpachi stared at Byakuya with a crazed grin.

But Senbonzakura stepped in front of Byakuya.

"You should leave. You still have your mission. I'll hold him off."

Byakuya shook his head slightly, about to speak, but—

"Bankai: Senbonzakura Kageyoshi!"

Watching Senbonzakura's spiritual pressure rise, Kenpachi didn't even bother looking.

After all, no matter how strong a Zanpakutō spirit was, they simply couldn't compare to a true Shinigami.

Even if it was the same Bankai, a Zanpakutō's version was no match for the real deal!

So, facing the sea of petals, Kenpachi didn't flinch. He just swatted them aside as if they were nothing!

"All you Zanpakutōs, get out of my way!" His overwhelming golden spiritual pressure swept across the battlefield!

Even the 6th Division barracks were shattered by Kenpachi's outburst!

Only Ichigo and Byakuya remained unaffected.

But to protect Rukia, Ichigo dashed over, scooped her into his arms, and moved her away from Kenpachi and Byakuya.

As the dust settled, Kenpachi let out a breath, putting his eyepatch back on.

"Alright. All the small fry are cleared. Now we can finally have a proper fight!"

Byakuya shook his head slightly.

"Your spiritual pressure has been depleted. Fighting you now feels a bit unfair."

"Oh? A fight's a fight. Who cares about fairness? I certainly don't. What are you whining about, Byakuya?" Kenpachi roared.

Byakuya understood that if he didn't fight Kenpachi, he wouldn't be able to leave.

So he drew his Zanpakutō, pointed it at Kenpachi, and declared:

"Then come at me!"

And so, the two powerful captains clashed, their blades ringing out in the battlefield!

"Scatter, Senbonzakura!"

Byakuya immediately released his Zanpakutō, the cherry blossom blades surrounding Kenpachi in a storm.

But this Shikai form posed no threat to Kenpachi.

Swinging his blade, Kenpachi easily shattered the cherry blossom petals.

With a surge of golden spiritual pressure, he unleashed a mighty slash at Byakuya!

But Byakuya didn't even dodge, calmly intercepting Kenpachi's attack.

At the same time, Byakuya unleashed his signature technique: Senka!

This technique had defeated Ichigo before, a deadly sword style.

But Kenpachi's instincts and combat sense were terrifying.

Even if he couldn't match Byakuya's Shunpo speed, his body reacted faster than his brain!

"Impressive technique. But... it's useless against me!" Kenpachi declared as he swung down at Byakuya.

Yet this chaotic, unrefined swordplay couldn't touch Byakuya.

(End of Chapter)

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