Fighting Aizen Again (4)

Ichigo Kurosaki's pupils suddenly contracted! Before he could even think, his body instinctively raised his short sword, Zangetsu, to block in front of him!

Clang--!

A deafening clang of metal clashing!

The Kamishini no Yari, powerful enough to pierce through anything, stabbed fiercely into the blade of the short sword, Zangetsu!

The immense impact sent Ichigo Kurosaki sliding backward! His feet carved two deep furrows in the ground, sending pebbles flying at his feet!

He gritted his teeth, desperately resisting the terrifying force emanating from the blade, but his body still uncontrollably retreated!

He suddenly raised the White Long Sword in his right hand, placing it behind the short sword, the two swords crossed, desperately blocking the wildly extending Kamishini no Yari!

Finally--

The blade stopped.

Ichigo Kurosaki gasped for breath, his hands trembling violently from the exertion. Cold sweat trickled down his forehead, and disbelief gleamed in his eyes.

Gin Ichimaru stood at a distance, watching this scene, his fox-like smile growing even wider. He clapped his hands lightly, his tone carrying a hint of praise, "Oh dear, it was blocked so easily."

He paused, his smile growing even more meaningful, "You really are... a terrifying little brat."

The moment he finished speaking, he subtly moved his arm, assuming a stance as if carrying a knife.

The Kamishini no Yari, which had stretched for an unknown distance, instantly contracted!

It was unbelievably fast! So fast that Ichigo Kurosaki couldn't even see its trajectory!

In an instant, the blade that could pierce through thirteen kilometers had transformed back into an ordinary short sword, only the length of a dagger, which Gin Ichimaru casually slung over his shoulder!

Ichigo Kurosaki's pupils contracted sharply: [When... did his sword shorten?]

His mind raced, trying to piece together what had just happened: [Was I distracted by something that prevented me from noticing?]

He shook his head, dismissing the idea: [No! I've been watching his knife the whole time, my eyes have never left it! It's impossible that I didn't notice the shortening! But...]

He stared at the dagger-like blade slung over Gin Ichimaru's shoulder, a chill running through him: [But it really did shorten, and I... didn't even notice! How is that possible?!]

Gin Ichimaru seemed to read his mind and said with a smile, "Alright, so what exactly happened?"

He casually and lazily shook the short sword on his shoulder. "Now that my Bankai has been blocked by you... I have no choice but to fight the normal way."

The moment he finished speaking, he vanished!

The next moment, he was already standing in front of Ichigo Kurosaki!

The short sword in his hand was thrust fiercely towards Ichigo Kurosaki's throat!

Ichigo Kurosaki's reaction was incredibly fast! He suddenly turned to the side, simultaneously swinging his short sword Zangetsu to parry the fatal thrust!

Clang--!

Swords clashed, sparks flew!

The two figures clashed instantly, a continuous barrage of flashing swords!

Ding ding--!

Every collision sparks blindingly! Every clash is fraught with danger!

As Gin Ichimaru swung his sword, he said with a grin, "Your sword is really impressive... My sword feels like it's about to break after that one strike."

His tone was relaxed and casual, as if he were not engaged in a life-or-death struggle, but rather having a casual chat over tea.

Ichigo Kurosaki gritted his teeth, parrying his attacks while coldly replying, "Is that so? Then hurry up and break it!"

But in his mind, a frantic thought was running through his head: [If I'm not mistaken... this guy's sword has only shortened, it hasn't deactivated its Bankai! That means it can extend again at any time!]

His gaze was fixed on the short sword in Gin Ichimaru's hand: [If that blade is pointed at me, I'm finished!]

The instant he thought of this—

Gin Ichimaru pulled half a step away from him!

That half step was just right, creating a tiny gap between the two of them!

And the blade in his hand was already pointed at Ichigo Kurosaki!

Ichigo Kurosaki's pupils suddenly contracted! Without any hesitation, he abruptly leaned to the side, preparing to dodge!

Almost simultaneously, the blade in Gin Ichimaru's hand extended!

Quick!

It was unbelievably fast! It was faster than the limits of vision!

That blade of light, like a venomous snake, stabbed straight towards Ichigo Kurosaki's heart!

Ichigo Kurosaki his head!

The blade whistled past his cheek!

However, a strange smile crept onto Gin Ichimaru's lips.

The extended blade suddenly pressed down in mid-air!

What was originally a stab aimed at the heart instantly transformed into a downward slash! The blade came crashing down towards Ichigo Kurosaki's shoulder!

Ichigo Kurosaki's pupils contracted again! He didn't have time to completely dodge!

At the critical moment, he suddenly pulled back and swung his short sword, Zangetsu, to strike the side of the descending blade!

Clang--!

With a sharp crack, the blade was deflected, narrowly grazing his shoulder! The blade tore his clothes but did not wound his flesh!

But Ichigo Kurosaki didn't give Gin Ichimaru any chance to catch his breath!

In the instant he deflected the blade, he pushed off with his feet, and like an arrow released from a bow, he charged toward Gin Ichimaru!

He rushed in front of Gin Ichimaru, raised his White Long Sword high in his right hand, and with the force of splitting mountains and shattering rocks, fiercely slashed down towards Gin Ichimaru's head!

However, Gin Ichimaru simply raised the short sword in his hand, casually holding the shortened Kamishini no Yari horizontally in front of him.

Clang--!

Swords clashed, sparks flew!

Ichigo Kurosaki's all-out attack was effortlessly blocked by him!

Using the force of the strike, Gin Ichimaru withdrew and retreated, creating distance between himself and Ichigo Kurosaki.

He stood not far away, still smiling, as if the perilous battle just now was merely a fun game.

Ichigo Kurosaki stood there, panting heavily, a thoughtful glint in his eyes.

He stared at Gin Ichimaru, and slowly spoke, his voice low and resolute. "I was right after all."

Gin Ichimaru's brow twitched slightly, but the smile remained on his face.

Ichigo Kurosaki continued, his tone growing increasingly firm. "Your Bankai ability... its most terrifying aspect lies not in its length, nor in its destructive power."

He paused, his gaze sharpening further. "It lies not in its... retraction speed."

He looked at Gin Ichimaru, his eyes gleaming with a knowing light. "What you said before... the length of a hundred Zanpakuto, the extension of thirteen kilometers... those were just smokescreens. You deliberately showed those exaggerated numbers to make me focus on the 'length' and thus ignore what's truly terrifying... that unbelievably fast extension and retraction speed."

He took a deep breath and said, word by word, "Those attacks just now, each one of them was so fast that I couldn't even see it extend or retract. If I hadn't been constantly on guard, I probably would have been pierced long ago."

Gin Ichimaru listened quietly, his smile unchanged.

Ichigo Kurosaki looked at him without speaking, his brows furrowing slightly, and asked, "Isn't that right?"

Upon hearing this, Gin Ichimaru finally opened his squinted eyes a little.

He grinned, revealing a meaningful smile, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness as if saying, "I really can't do anything with you," and an undisguised... admiration. "You really are terrifying."

He shook his head slightly, a gesture that carried a hint of self-mockery. "Since you've seen through me... there's nothing I can do."

He paused, tucked the knife under his arm, and clapped his hands together lightly, making a crisp "snap" sound, "I'll tell you... the true speed of the Kamishini no Yari."

His eyes were wide open, a strange light gleaming in his narrow pupils. "How was it? Five hundred times stronger than that last one?"

Ichigo Kurosaki's pupils contracted violently!

Five hundred times?!

Just now, he couldn't see anything at all! If it were five hundred times faster—

Seeing his shocked expression, Gin Ichimaru's smile deepened, "The Kamishini no Yari... is not the longest Zanpakuto, but the Zanpakuto."

He tilted his head slightly, a movement elegant and composed, yet carrying an indescribable, playful air, as if saying, "What can you do about it?": "Even if you know... you can't escape it."

Just as Ichigo Kurosaki and Gin Ichimaru were facing off in a tense standoff.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Three deafening explosions rang out almost simultaneously! The sound was so loud it seemed as if the sky were falling and the earth was splitting, causing the entire battlefield to tremble violently!

Ichigo Kurosaki and Gin Ichimaru turned their heads at the same time, looking in the direction of the sound.

That one glance caused Ichigo Kurosaki's pupils to shrink to the size of pinpoints!

Kisuke Urahara, the intelligent man who always wore a green hat and remained calm and composed, lay in the ruins, covered in blood, his chest heaving violently, the Benihime lying limply beside him.

Yoruichi Shihōin, the "Flash Goddess" whose agility and speed were unparalleled in Soul Society, also fell among the rubble. Her limbs were twisted at bizarre angles, clearly indicating that she had suffered severe injuries. Her once sharp, eagle-like eyes were now half-open and half-closed, her consciousness blurred.

His father, Isshin Kurosaki, the man who had always concealed his identity and silently protected him, also lay in a pool of blood. The wound on his chest was so deep that the bone was visible, and blood gushed out like a spring, staining the ruins beneath him. His lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but he could only utter weak breaths.

Three people, three once incredibly powerful figures, now all lay dead before Liu Hao.

Liu Hao remained standing there quietly, his hands resting on the now completely black Imperial Sword, staring expressionlessly at Aizen.

He made no move.

He didn't even glance at the three companions lying in front of him.

He stood there like a statue, like an old tree that had been ravaged by a storm but still stood firm.

Ichigo Kurosaki's heart almost stopped beating for a moment!

Without any hesitation, he unleashed a burst of Reiatsu from beneath his feet, transforming into a black streak of light and instantly appearing beside Liu Hao!

"Liu Shu--!"

However, he hadn't finished speaking—

"Quiet..."

A deep, hoarse voice interrupted him.

Liu Hao didn't look up or at him, but said slowly in an almost inaudible voice, "Keep an eye on your father and the others."

Ichigo Kurosaki's hand froze in mid-air. He looked at Liu Hao's extremely tired profile, at his body that was almost collapsing but still upright, his lips trembled slightly, wanting to say something, but found that he couldn't say anything.

He could only silently withdraw his hand, turn around and squat down to check on his father and the other two people's injuries.

Just then, Aizen's voice drifted over. "Oh? Are you still planning to make a move?"

His tone carried a hint of amusement, as if saying, "What else can you do?": "However, your condition... doesn't seem too good, Liu Hao."

As soon as he finished speaking, a startling change occurred on Aizen's face.

The tattered white Hierro covering his face shattered completely at that moment!

The fragments fell like snowflakes, revealing a face beneath—a face that Ichigo Kurosaki knew all too well, yet was so strangely unsettling.

Sōsuke Aizen's face remained handsome, composed, and adorned with that unchanging smile.

But everything is different now.

His hair was no longer the meticulously combed short brown hair of before, but had become a long, deep purple hair that cascaded down to his waist like a waterfall! The long hair shimmered with an eerie luster in the moonlight and swayed gently in the breeze.

His eyes were no longer that deep brown, but had become a pair of pure purple eyes that seemed capable of devouring all light! In those eyes, there was no anger, no murderous intent, only a detached calm, as if looking down upon all living beings.

He slowly raised his hand, looking at his palm covered with a thin white film, and the smile on his lips deepened, "It seems... the time for the Cocoon Basket is over."

He raised his head, his purple eyes meeting Liu Hao's gaze. "My evolution has taken another step forward."

He paused, his smile growing even more meaningful, "Your last chance... is gone."

As he finished speaking, he slowly raised the Kyōka Suigetsu in his hand.

The blade reflected a cold light in the moonlight, a light that shone eerily and beautifully against his purple eyes.

The knife was slowly raised.

However, just as the knife was halfway raised—

A hand gently pressed against the blade of his knife.

Gin Ichimaru.

He had appeared beside Aizen without anyone noticing, and his long, pale hand gently pressed against the back of the Kyōka Suigetsu, stopping Aizen's movement.

His face still wore that fox-like smile, his eyes narrowed into slits. "Lord Aizen..."

His voice was languid, with a hint of coquettishness. "My battle with that brat... isn't over yet."

Aizen turned his head slightly to look at him. A subtle, complex emotion flickered in his purple eyes. He looked at Gin Ichimaru's hand resting on his sword, his tone still calm and unhurried. "That brat isn't important."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Ichigo Kurosaki, who remained in a fighting stance in the distance. His tone was nonchalant, as if he were evaluating an insignificant object. "Even now, having crossed the boundary between Soul Reaper and Hollow... he's not a threat."

He withdrew his gaze and looked back at Gin Ichimaru, his smile widening, "Just take care of that guy who can't move anymore."

His gaze passed over Gin Ichimaru and landed on Liu Hao, who stood motionless in the distance, leaning on his sword with both hands. In those purple eyes, there was an indescribable light, as if he were looking at an interesting riddle.

Gin Ichimaru followed his gaze and saw Liu Hao's swaying yet still upright figure, his fox-like smile growing even more intense.

He nodded slightly, his tone carrying a hint of ease, as if saying "no problem": "No problem."

He paused, his smile growing even more meaningful, "A person who can't move, a naive little brat... I'll take care of it for you."

The moment the words left his mouth, Ichigo Kurosaki's body tensed up instantly!

He gripped the two Zangetsu tightly in both hands, their pure white and jet-black blades intertwined, assuming a defensive stance ready to meet any attack! His left eye shone with dazzling gold, while his right eye was a deep amber, and the Hollow Horn on his forehead gleamed with a chilling light under the moonlight! Around him, Reiatsu surged wildly like boiling magma, poised to unleash his strongest attack at any moment!

His gaze was fixed intently on Gin Ichimaru, not daring to relax for a moment!

Not far behind him, the aged figure who had been standing quietly on the ruins also stirred slightly.

Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai.

His eyes narrowed slightly, and those eyes, weathered by a thousand years of history, gleamed with an unprecedented sharpness. His hand was already gripping his cane with one hand; the movement seemed casual, yet it contained the readiness to unleash a world-destroying power at any moment.

At this moment, the entire battlefield fell into an eerie silence.

Several figures stood silently facing each other.

Liu Hao remained standing, leaning on his sword, motionless.

Ichigo Kurosaki stood in front of him, gripping his twin swords tightly, ready to strike.

Gin Ichimaru stood in front of Aizen, one hand resting on the back of Aizen's sword, watching them with a smile, his Kamishini no Yari casually held in his hand.