The war between Soul Reaper and Hollows completely proves one thing: in a world where Soul Reaper have a high power imbalance, the strong can truly do whatever they want.
Although many formations were set up before the battle, once the battle began, it became clear that they were completely incompatible, and the strong and the weak could not be paired together.
The Soul Reaper has many combined fighting techniques, but this particular technique isn't part of their regular training. It's impossible to expect a group of people who haven't practiced large-scale coordinated attacks to suddenly perform large-scale coordinated attacks using small-scale techniques.
So although the teamwork seemed good at first, the formation immediately broke down after skilled players like Jun and Sōya Azashiro went out to deal with Adjuchas and Gillian. It then turned into small-scale coordination, which was somewhat better.
However, there were simply too many illusions. This small-scale coordination couldn't withstand the Endless stream of illusions, especially with so many Gillian present. As a result, many teams were fragmented, and casualties occurred instantly.
Fortunately, the number of Gillian wasn't large, so the Soul Reaper with their Shikai abilities could hold on. In this situation, a striking figure became particularly eye-catching.
"Wow, Thunder Charge is amazing!"
Isuzu, wielding powerful lightning, felt an unparalleled thrill from unleashing its full potential. Combat can be addictive, especially when you can only bully others and no one can hit you—that's even more addictive.
In martial arts, speed is the ultimate weapon. For agile Shikai like Thunder Charge, speed is the primary attack power. Impact force is calculated as mass x speed. Faster attacks are more lethal; great strength is useless if it's not converted into speed.
So when Isuzu runs at top speed and suddenly kicks a Hollow in the face, it's practically a headshot. Even Gillian couldn't withstand such a powerful attack, provided it avoids Cero.
Furthermore, increased speed naturally allows her to dodge many attacks. Isuzu isn't stupid; she doesn't weave through the battlefield. Instead, she attacks, immediately retreats, and then charges at her target again—a tactic similar to a falcon's hunting technique.
This is what makes a strong person. Yes, Isuzu is already considered a strong person on the ordinary battlefield.
Even stronger individuals, like Jūshirō Ukitake, have already defeated his Adjuchas. His Shikai, Sōgyo no Kotowari Rinne, is essentially Tai Chi, Shikai like Murong Fu from the novel Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, using the opponent's own methods against them.
Regardless of the type of force—whether it's energy or physical impact— Sōgyo no Kotowari's left-hand sword absorbs energy, while his right-hand sword absorbs kinetic energy. The absorbed energy is then added to the other sword and released. As long as this force doesn't exceed several times the limit of Jūshirō Ukitake's Spiritual Flow, it will be reflected back.
This power is incredibly overpowered; in the original work, the First Espada, Starrk, described Ukitake as dangerous. However, Starrk himself was quite effective against Ukitake.
At this moment, Ukitake was sheltering many people, including members of the Thirteenth Division, other nearby divisions, and members of the Kidō Corps. Under his command, they were releasing Kidō. Ukitake himself was darting around, dodging Gillian's Cero attacks and reflecting the energy he received back at them. His performance was truly Kongbu, befitting his reputation as a veteran captain.
Isshin was locked in a fierce battle. The Isshin of today was not yet the powerful monster who could Final Getsuga Tenshō. Isshin was still young; while his strength was considerable, he was no match for a high-ranking Adjuchas- class opponent.
His luck wasn't great; he got this very strong Adjuchas, and coincidentally, it was also a violent, energy-releasing type Adjuchas. One used Getsuga Tenshō, the other Cero, and they exchanged a passionate barrage of attacks, unleashing a frenzy of light pollution.
Chun was right there at that moment. After instantly killing Gillian with a Zanka no Tachi, Chun saw his lieutenant.
"My heart is with you~ Come help me!"
"Hi!"
Asai-nee immediately came to Jun's side, and Jun began her chanting.
"Born with divine spirit, an Undying saint, matched with four, uniquely one. The Azure Dragon of Thunder in the East, the White Dragon of Gale in the West, the Ink Dragon of Dark Water in the North, the Fiery Dragon of Scorching Sun in the South, and the Golden Clawed Qilin in the Center. Wood, Metal, Water, Fire, Earth, Formless or birth, all five elements give rise to life, Undying revolving, while all phenomena perish!"
"Hadō #99: Five Dragon Destruction!"
Five colossal dragons suddenly appeared from behind the Adjuchas, their immense energy obliterating him and all the Hollows in their path. Isshin arrived beside Jun, wiping away his sweat.
"Thank you, Chun. And you still have a heartbeat. Whew~ How's the battle going?"
Just as the two were about to speak, a huge dark shadow descended from the distance.
That is
"That's probably Kuruyashiki Kenpachi technique. It's the first time I've ever seen it. My father has told me about it, but I never imagined it would actually be this spectacular."
"Hmph, is that it?" Chun ignored it. "The situation isn't good. We're still too scattered. This kind of large-scale war isn't suitable for Soul Reaper, at least not for Soul Reaper right now."
"Is that so? Let's help our comrades fighting the Adjuchas- class first. Only when we're free can we save more people."
"I second that."
"Set off!"
Shunsui Kyōraku is confronted by Vasto Lorde that resembles an eagle, with a mask Hollowfication Mask a sharp nose and beak, two enormous wings on its back, and claw-like hands and feet.
Surprisingly, this Vasto Lorde was quite large, so let's call it the Giant Eagle.
The Giant Eagle's fighting style is very similar to Isuzu's, or rather, Isuzu and the eagle are very similar, because the eagle is more skilled. The Giant Eagle's strength lies in its speed, and it also possesses unique characteristics in utilizing wind.
Kyōraku couldn't defeat this thing using his Asauchi, so he had to use his Shikai, Katen Kyōkotsu, but he still couldn't beat it.
Kyōraku's Shikai, Katen Kyōkotsu, possesses five abilities, which actually correspond to five games.
First, the Takaoni: The one on higher ground wins. This means that attacking from a higher position grants a power boost, calculated from the initial height difference. The greater the difference, the higher the power boost. Of course, if the attack misses, it doesn't count.
Second, Kageoni: The person whose shadow is stepped on loses. After activating this ability, Kyōraku will emerge from the enemy's shadow to launch a surprise attack. However, if this move is detected, the enemy can also use their shadow while Kyōraku is using this ability, although virtually no one can predict it.
Third, the Irooni : The person who catches the color they called out wins. This game involves two people dressed in brightly colored clothes chasing each other, much like a children's game. Each person shouts out the color they want to catch. If the color they called out matches the color they caught, they win; otherwise, they let go and try again.
In Kyōraku's corresponding ability, this game works like this: before attacking an enemy or before an enemy attacks him, Kyōraku declares a color, corresponding to two different situations.
When an enemy attacks Kyōraku, the smaller the proportion of the color Kyōraku describes on the opponent's body, or even if it's nonexistent, the less damage the attack will do, or even no damage Kyōraku all. Conversely, if it's a large proportion, it will be a one-hit kill.
For example, if the opponent is wearing white and attacks Kyōraku, Kyōraku says "black," then being hit won't cause him any damage. However, if he says "white," even a scratch or having a hair cut off will instantly kill Kyōraku.
When attacking an enemy, the greater the proportion of the color Kyōraku describes on his own body, the greater the attack power. This is essentially the same principle as above.
If both sides possess the color stated in the declaration, then the damage will be increased or decreased proportionally.
Another important point is that Kyōraku's abilities are shared by both parties. If the opponent is skilled, Kyōraku can be instantly defeated. The abilities of Katen Kyōkotsu are extremely dangerous; they are very useful for ambushing someone, but also for playing mind games against acquaintances.
These three are single-player games, while the remaining two are group games, although they can also be played individually. In fact, the former can also be used in groups.
Fourth, the roly-poly toy falls over: This game is played by multiple people. One person is "it" and the others run for their lives. If someone is seen moving by "it," that person loses. However, if someone touches "it" before "it" kills them, then "it" loses.
This game manifests in two forms within Kyōraku's abilities. The first is that Kyōraku himself acts as the "demon," and if the enemy being watched by Kyōraku moves, that person will be suppressed, but only suppressed.
The second scenario involves the enemy acting as a demon. If Kyōraku can get close to the enemy, he can suddenly announce that the enemy is a demon, touch that enemy, and then say, "The tumbler has fallen over!" This will instantly kill the enemy.
In this game, if Kyōraku is the Oni (demon), Kyōraku will be instantly killed if touched by an enemy. If Kyōraku identifies an enemy as the Oni, but the enemy sees Kyōraku or a companion moving, they will be instantly suppressed.
Fifth, the Gambling King: This game requires at least four players. The gameplay involves rock-paper-scissors. The winner sings "We're so happy we won!" and then forces the loser to join their side.
Then the losers sing "We're so annoyed we lost," and one of the winners is chosen to play rock-paper-scissors.
The process repeats for both winning and losing until one side is completely wiped out.
In the rules of Kyōraku, this game has two variations. The first variation is that the losing side loses one member, and the game continues until one side is completely wiped out.
The second way to play is the same as children's games, but if you lose and join a side, you're truly a member of that side.
For example, in this current war, if Kyōraku activates the Gambling Demon King, then both sides within Kyōraku's influence will immediately split into two teams to play rock-paper-scissors. If the second option is chosen, and a Vasto Lorde will be on the Soul Reaper's side. Then, the Gambling Demon King will be canceled, and that Vasto Lorde will be unable to attack the Soul Reaper and can only attack Hollows.
But that ability is too childish. If I can kill you, why would I play rock-paper-scissors with you?
Kyōraku's abilities are just that flashy, but this time Kyōraku's met his match. The Giant Eagle's ability is airflow, and none of Kyōraku's slashes can touch it.
Because a slash creates airflow, and the Giant Eagle can utilize this airflow, the force carrying the airflow cannot hit the Giant Eagle.
Some people ask how to kill this thing? Actually, Aizen could easily kill it, Shinji Hirako could too, or you could use Bakudō to immobilize it. As long as you can immobilize it...
Unfortunately, Kyōraku was truly helpless; it was a Vasto Lorde, what kind of Kidō could he use to subdue it? And frankly, letting Kyōraku activate his release here wouldn't be a good thing, because Kyōraku's release would be far more dangerous, something he wouldn't do unless it meant certain death.
Shunsui Kyōraku is really frustrated right now. This opponent he chose is really tricky. He thought the opponent was a super speed type, and he could easily touch or slash them, and then just use a power to instantly kill them. But the opponent is a ki, and he can't touch them no matter what. How can he not be angry?
Angry! Aren't you angry!?
So annoying!! Shunsui Kyōraku must have cursed "mmp" countless times in his mind.
However, at that moment, Kuruyashiki Kenpachi threw his sword. Kyōraku immediately cursed inwardly again, then quickly retreated. The Giant Eagle followed, and then a dark shadow descended.
The Giant Eagle was dumbfounded. At that moment, Kuruyashiki Kenpachi ran over.
"Shunsui, I'm here to help you!"
This shout startled the Giant Eagle so much that it lost its feathers, and then it ran away to Shunsui Kyōraku's astonished gaze.
Ran away
They really ran away.
"Uh, do I really have that much destructive power?" Kuruyashiki Kenpachi.
Kyōraku scratched his head. "I'm probably more angry because I felt looked down upon."
"Haha, I'll treat you to a drink later. Come on, let's go help the next one."
"Hey~ let's go."