The Battle Heats Up

On the battlefield where Araki and Unohana Yachiru fought.

An endless flurry of blades filled the sky and earth, disorienting countless squad members.

Aside from Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, who had already taken his position on a high platform, silently observing Araki and Unohana's battle from the roofs of the still relatively intact buildings surrounding the battlefield, along with the captains of the Gotei 13 under his command, there were also Soul Reaper squad members from the Thirteenth Division who noticed Araki and Unohana Yachiru fighting to the death.

However, facing Araki and Unohana Yachiru, whose blade energy crisscrossed the area, the squad members of the Gotei 13 wore troubled expressions and stood helplessly in place.

"Damn it! Where did this monster come from?! To be able to fight Captain Unohana, known as 'Kenpachi,' to this extent?!"

"Blast it! Our strength is simply too insignificant compared to the two fighting in the battlefield! There's absolutely no place for us to intervene in this battle…"

The squad members of the First Generation Gotei 13 watched the two battling in the ruins before them, cold sweat beading on their foreheads.

As members of the Gotei 13, they bore the responsibility of protecting the Seireitei. Logically, if someone was fighting within the Seireitei, they should step in to stop it!

But these two fighting right under their noses were on a level completely beyond their ability to intervene; they were monsters whose casual slashes could instantly obliterate them!

"Don't they get tired?!"

A squad member frowned, looking at the overwhelming blade light.

The two continuously fighting seemed like two tireless beasts. The Spiritual Pressure alone, overflowing from their battle, made their chests feel tight and their heads spin! Because of this, the Soul Reaper squad members didn't dare approach the two fighting, only observing silently from the periphery.

"Damn it! Can't retreat, can't advance! What are we supposed to do?!"

One of the squad members, drawn by Unohana and Araki, said helplessly.

Their duty dictated they should step in to stop it, but the Spiritual Pressure was truly too strong, so strong they couldn't even get close. If they pretended not to see anything and retreated, it would seem to violate the squad regulations, leaving the squad members somewhat at a loss…

"Forget it! We don't make much money in a month, so why risk our lives?! Just wait here!"

"This battle is so intense, it even startled us. It's impossible the captains haven't noticed!"

"Even the captains haven't stepped in to interfere with this battle. I say just let them keep fighting."

To this, a more pragmatic squad member remarked.

As long as he was content to coast and never considered promotion, the squad regulations were just hot air to him.

Meanwhile, Araki and Unohana Yachiru's battle gradually entered a heated phase.

"Clang~"

"Sizzle sizzle sizzle~"

Another crisp clang of metal, as Araki and Unohana Yachiru's blades collided! Sending a shower of dazzling sparks flying!

"Take that~"

Facing Unohana Yachiru, who had once again closed in, Araki's arm, which held his blade against hers, immediately tensed with bulging veins. With his superior strength, Araki met Unohana Yachiru's incoming slash and spun with great force!

He directly used his blade like a fly swatter to swat Unohana Yachiru away…

"Thwack~"

Unohana Yachiru was as light as a swallow, slightly floating in the air before regaining her balance, gracefully landing on the ruins about a dozen meters away from Araki.

"No technique, all brute force!"

Unohana stood on the nearby ruins, her delicate brows slightly furrowed as she looked at her hand, which trembled slightly after grappling with Araki.

This distance, for both Araki and Unohana Yachiru, was not far. Their sword pressure could easily break through this range, so it wasn't an effective safe distance!

But it was enough for both to catch their breath for a moment or two, recover some stamina, and strategize their next moves.

"It seems Old Man Yama and the other squad captains are already in position~"

Araki held his Zanpakuto and glanced at the rooftops not far away…

Araki immediately spotted the 'bald head' in the crowd; that was his most revered master, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni.

Cough, cough, of course, the current Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni was still much stronger than his later self, who had not a single hair on his entire head, resembling a living Saitama-sensei.

At least the current Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni was only balding slightly; he still had some hair on the back of his head…

"Hmm?!"

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, who had been watching Araki, suddenly felt a premonition. He seemed to realize that his unruly disciple, whose talent was too exceptional and whose swordsmanship talent was rarely seen in a thousand years but always defied discipline, seemed to be slandering him in his mind again.

"Where are you looking?! Don't forget! Your opponent right now is me…"

Just as Araki's gaze briefly intersected with Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's, Unohana Yachiru, standing not far from Araki, suddenly felt a hint of displeasure.

"You're fighting me, and you still have the leisure to look at other people? What a fickle man."

Unohana Yachiru's eyes fixed on Araki, as if she wanted to cut him into pieces with her gaze.

"No! I'm just observing my surroundings to see if there are any 'external forces' that could threaten our battle, so I can concentrate better on fighting you."

Hearing this, Araki withdrew his gaze from Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni and the captains of the Gotei 13 behind him. He turned to face Unohana Yachiru in front of him and smiled faintly.

"Smooth talker."

Unohana Yachiru's expression grew even colder after hearing Araki's words, and the grip of her delicate hand on her Zanpakuto tightened.

"Huh?!"

Araki raised an eyebrow, looking at the ice-cold Unohana Yachiru.

Indeed, for a woman like Unohana Yachiru, words were meaningless. There was no other way but to defeat her head-on, to conquer her by force…

"Alright, that's enough of a warm-up. It's time for us to get serious."

As Unohana Yachiru spoke, she held her Zanpakuto in one hand, positioning the blade horizontally in front of her. With her other, free hand, she lightly stroked the blade. The sharp edge instantly cut into Unohana Yachiru's fair palm, and blood welled up. As she continued to stroke the blade, she smeared a thick layer of crimson onto its keen edge.

"Huh? But I wanted to play a bit longer~"

Araki looked at the serious expression on Unohana Yachiru's face, his words full of levity. Yet, his eyes were filled with solemnity. His flippant demeanor was merely a pretense to make his enemy relax. If his true self became as frivolous as his outward appearance, then death would truly not be far.

Boom!

Unohana Yachiru didn't respond to Araki with words.

At this moment, the surging Spiritual Pressure emanating from her was the best reply.

"Looks like I really do have to get serious."

Araki shed his flippant expression, his eyes becoming incredibly sharp. The Spiritual Pressure within him poured out relentlessly, as if it were limitless. Araki knew what Unohana Yachiru was about to do, and he, too, was precisely ready to get serious…

The real battle was about to begin.

Meanwhile…

"Hmm?!"

On the rooftop of a nearby building, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, who had been watching Araki and Unohana Yachiru, saw their actions, and a glint flashed in his usually placid eyes.