Battle and Battle (continued)

With a loud bang, the kick landed squarely on Kenpachi Zaraki's abdomen, producing a deafening sound.

The latter's body was immediately slid backward by this enormous force, its feet carving two deep furrows in the ground.

As the distance increased, the two ravines became deeper and deeper until the lower half of his body was buried in the soil.

Tokoyo Misao did not let Kenpachi Zaraki off so easily.

Just as the other person's body came to a stop, with only their upper body sticking out of the ground.

He had already reached above Kenpachi Zaraki's head, gripping his Zanpakuto tightly in one hand and slamming it downwards.

Kenpachi Zaraki immediately raised his longsword to parry.

Boom!

Bang! Bang!

Tokoyo Misao struck three times in succession, each time slamming Kenpachi Zaraki into the ground an inch deeper.

After three blows, Kenpachi Zaraki's head and his raised arms remained above the ground; his entire body had been smashed into the ground.

Tokoyo Misao stepped lightly, then stood quietly in mid-air, a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

"There's nothing wrong with learning Kendo. Good techniques can indeed allow you to unleash your full potential and make strength and combat more interesting. However, being too rigid in your adherence to rules can actually limit your abilities."

Tokoyo Misao's voice was very soft, but the slight disappointment in his tone resonated in Kenpachi Zaraki's ears.

Kenpachi Zaraki did not offer any rebuttal.

A burst of golden Reishi light erupted from his body, instantly blasting everything around him, and he shot out of the ground like a cannonball.

This time, he gripped the knife hilt tightly with both hands, placing it diagonally in front of him, and the smile that had been on his lips gradually faded away.

At this moment, he was somewhat puzzled. He had never felt so constrained when he was studying with Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.

Why do I feel so suppressed and uncomfortable during my battle with Tokoyo Misao?

He pondered for a moment, then assumed a horse stance in mid-air, lowering his body like a sharp spear, descending from the sky amidst waves of golden Reishi.

Tokoyo Misao's eyes lit up; Kenpachi Zaraki's control over his own Reishi was much stronger than before.

At least with this move, it was clear that the opponent was no longer randomly unleashing Reiatsu; they had finally managed to bind it to their own blade.

This offensive has definitely exceeded the limits of previous attacks.

The thought that Kenpachi Zaraki had actually restrained his beastly nature and studied with Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto for so long just to fight him made him realize that he was indeed able to control his rampant Reiatsu.

Tokoyo Misao couldn't help but smile, and decided to repay the other party with all his might.

He slowly exhaled, feeling all the power that had been integrated into his human body.

Each of these Reishi, integrated into the cells, is transmitted through the blood pumped by the heart to the Zanpakuto connected to both hands.

He swung his sword towards the sky, the blade creating a black curtain, like a long brush painting across the space, turning it pitch black.

The blade, like a giant ink-laden brush, swept across the golden paper, obscuring the golden light that had fallen from the sky.

There was no explosive sound, nor any fluctuation of energy from clashing swords or collisions.

As silently as night falls, the gold was completely swallowed up.

After a short while, the darkness in this space finally dissipated.

Tokoyo Misao slowly walked to the body of Kenpachi Zaraki, whose body was completely shattered and blood was gushing out, and said softly:

"Indeed, you have studied Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's swordsmanship very diligently and mastered it well. Your control over your own Reishi has also become more excellent. However, because of this, you have restrained your fighting instincts, causing you to only be able to use your current strongest power."

After these battles, Tokoyo Misao has come to a complete understanding of Kenpachi Zaraki's current situation.

That's absolutely right. Because he learned swordsmanship, Kenpachi Zaraki was able to unleash his full potential.

But because of this, there was no way to awaken his dormant power.

Kenpachi Zaraki's eyes rolled back, and his chest was still rising and falling slightly, but judging from his appearance, he was probably no longer able to fight.

Tokoyo Misao sighed, after all, it was he who had sent Kenpachi Zaraki to learn swordsmanship.

Now that his opponent has returned after completing his studies, he has indeed displayed his strongest combat power, but Tokoyo Misao finds it somewhat boring.

On one hand, it's because the power within his body has already surpassed the limits of Soul Reaper, but his soul hasn't broken through. Kenpachi Zaraki, who is still at the First-Class Spiritual Pressure, naturally couldn't withstand his full-force attack.

On the other hand, since Yachiru Kusajishi is not here, Kenpachi Zaraki may not be able to continue to unleash his original power.

Now that his power is too great, it may be impossible for him to have another exhilarating battle with Kenpachi Zaraki and enjoy the thrill of combat.

Tokoyo Misao turned around and walked step by step toward the center of the Valley of Screams Space.

Once he arrived here, he understood why their battle had been arranged here.

Since we're already here, let's just wreak havoc on this place while we're at it.

Tokoyo Misao planted his Zanpakuto into the ground, the blade transforming into a stream of black information that merged into it.

He slowly closed his eyes, and the black information flow beneath his feet continued to spread outwards.

It was as if night had fallen, about to completely engulf this space.

Meanwhile, in the First Division's reception room.

Yachiru Kusajishi, who was happily eating snacks, suddenly stood up.

She looked up at the sky, not even having wiped the cookie crumbs from the corner of her mouth, and said earnestly:

I need to get to Ken-chan's side right away.

Meanwhile, Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, who was sitting in the main seat, opened his eyes, which had been closed, and looked at Yachiru Kusajishi, saying, "No, let's continue eating."

Upon hearing this, Vice- Chōjirō Sasakibe stood up and stared intently at Yachiru Kusajishi.

"Vice-Captain Kusajishi, we have plenty of snacks here. Just tell us what you'd like to eat, and we'll have someone bring it to you right away."

Yachiru showed no interest or hesitation in the face of delicious food.

She drew her Zanpakuto from her waist with her small hand and spoke earnestly again, "Ken-chan needs me, and he's very unhappy."

Of course, she understood that she needed Captain-Commander Yamamoto's permission to leave, so she turned to Captain-Commander Yamamoto, still holding her sword, and said:

"Ken-chan has studied for so long for this battle, but now he's very disappointed and unhappy. I have to go and help him."

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto certainly understood the meaning behind Yachiru's words.

After all, Kenpachi Zaraki is a powerful Soul Reaper, and since his Zanpakuto is not with him, his soul is essentially incomplete.

How could he possibly unleash his full power in a battle against Tokoyo Misao?

Through years of teaching, Yamamoto had long understood that Kenpachi Zaraki was not suited to be a swordsman.

Learning swordsmanship will indeed make him stronger, but it won't allow him to unleash his full potential.

But all of this was within his calculations.

If Kenpachi Zaraki were to truly transform into a beast, combined with his swordsmanship instincts honed over many years, he could absolutely fight Tokoyo Misao to a standstill.

In the end, he would only end up with two powerful captains and one survivor, which was not what he wanted to see.

The Wandenreich is still threatening Soul Society, and as the Captain-Commander, he certainly cannot allow Soul Society's strength to decline at this time.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto slowly spoke, "No, sit down."

With a whoosh, the Zanpakuto from its sheath.

Yachiru Kusajishi's body emitted a jet-black Reishi energy.

An intense killing intent emanated from that small body like a tsunami, engulfing the entire room.

"I have to get to Ken-chan's place, Grandpa, don't stop me."

"I won't stop you," Captain-Commander Yamamoto said softly, making his stance clear.

But in the next instant, the Vice-Captain Sasakibe also drew his Zanpakuto.

A golden Reiatsu burst forth from his body, transforming into lightning that dispelled the killing intent.

The Zanpakuto in his hand transformed into a Western-style longsword, held upright in front of his chest with one hand.

"Vice-Captain Kusajishi, you cannot fight alongside Captain Kenpachi Zaraki this time. Please continue enjoying your meal."

"Hey, you with the mustache, don't stop me!"

Yachiru Kusajishi drew her Zanpakuto forward, thrusting it straight at Chōjirō Sasakibe with both hands, her killing intent solidified as if it were a tangible force.

"That won't do, Vice-Captain Kusajishi."

With his left hand behind his back, Chōjirō Sasakibe moved his right hand slightly and thrust out his rapier with great elegance. The tip of his sword struck the tip of Yachiru's blade and blocked it.

"I told you not to stop me! You stinky mustache!" Yachiru Kusajishi raised his sword and shouted, "Three-Step Sword Beast!"

Suddenly, three faces wearing illusory masks appeared behind her.

Their movements were exactly the same as Yachiru's.

As Yachiru down, the three creatures of varying heights, resembling phantoms, simultaneously swung their greatswords down as well.

"What?" Chōjirō Sasakibe's eyes widened in surprise.

He hadn't expected that Vice-Captain Kusajishi would Shikai Zanpakuto.

However, he is a veteran Grim Soul Reaper who has lived since the war a thousand years ago.

Although he had always served as the vice-captain under Captain-Commander Yamamoto, his strength had long since reached the Captain-level.

The rapier in his hand crackled, and several golden bolts of lightning flashed out, transforming into a golden net that intercepted the attack.

"Vice-Captain Kusajishi, please sit back down."

"Sit on my head! Ken-chan is very unhappy right now." Yachiru Kusajishi roared, swinging her sword repeatedly, and the hollow-looking monster behind her did the same.

Originally Yachiru Kusajishi was short, which limited her attack positions and angles.

But the appearance of the three strange creatures allowed her to launch attacks from four different heights simultaneously.

Without the experience of dealing with multiple enemies simultaneously, the Soul Reaper would probably be quickly struck by Yachiru Kusajishi's attack.

However, Chōjirō Sasakibe, relying on his experience and combat skills, as well as the golden lightning constantly erupting from his Zanpakuto, Gonryōmaru, neutralized all of Yachiru Kusajishi's attacks.

He strode gracefully, leading the other person to dart around the hall, always keeping Yachiru Kusajishi at bay.

Meanwhile, Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, seated at the head of the table, kept his eyes open, scrutinizing the three ethereal-like objects that had Shikai after Yachiru Kusajishi.

The veteran captain of the Gotei 13 had long since seen through Yachiru Kusajishi's true situation.

The opponent is actually the materialized form of Zanpakuto.

They've all figured it out; Yachiru is actually Kenpachi Zaraki's Zanpakuto.

Kenpachi Zaraki, this monster, already possessed power at least at the Captain-level shortly after his birth.

After he found the Zanpakuto in Rukongai, he subconsciously visualized the Zanpakuto, though he didn't really understand it.

In this situation, even the veteran captains understand that only Zaraki can discover it himself; reminders from others are meaningless.

That's why all the veteran captains in the Gotei 13 were so tolerant of Yachiru Kusajishi.

It was understandable that Captain-Commander Yamamoto and Chōjirō Sasakibe could suddenly use what appeared to Shikai power, given that it was Zanpakuto Yachiru Kusajishi, the Zanpakuto.

Zanpakuto originally possessed both Partial Shikai and False Shikai form.

But the sight of her three-headed Hollow form after her Shikai caused Captain-Commander Yamamoto to narrow his eyes.

Kenpachi Zaraki couldn't possibly possess Hollow powers.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto then activated his senses to the maximum, thoroughly examining the three creatures inside and out, his brow furrowing.

The results of the investigation surprised him.

Because those three things were neither Soul Reaper, nor Hollows, and certainly not Quincy powers.

As Kenpachi Zaraki's Zanpakuto, Yachiru Kusajishi is essentially a part of Kenpachi Zaraki's soul. Why then does she possess such strange power?

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto kept recalling the same power aura in his mind, but he never found one.

Is it precisely because of the existence of this power that it is so special?

Kenpachi Zaraki, this beast, defeated Yachiru Unohana even when he was a child, something that even Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto admitted he couldn't do.

There must be a reason why someone is born so powerful; perhaps it's because of this special power.

However, precisely because of this, he couldn't allow Yachiru Kusajishi to go to the Valley of Screams Space and reunite with Kenpachi Zaraki.