"L" Love

Facing Kurosaki Ichigo and Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō's concern, Hirako Shinji acted as though he had not heard them.

His body, sprawled on the ground like a giant shrimp, wriggled once before he struggled to his feet.

Only when Hirako Shinji stood up did Kurosaki Ichigo and Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō notice that his left arm was visibly twisted and deformed, hanging limply at his side.

Clearly, against Masklin's knee strike, Hirako Shinji had sacrificed his left arm to avoid being severely injured and losing his ability to fight.

"Oh my, as expected of a captain-class Soul Reaper. You're on a completely different level from that fodder who got stomped to bits earlier. You're actually fine."

Seeing this, Masklin spoke with what seemed to be both annoyance and admiration.

Hirako Shinji abruptly raised his head, his reddened eyes blazing with unprecedented fury.

Hirako Shinji knew very well that Masklin was deliberately provoking him!

Whether it was the sneak attack on the weakest, Sarugaki Hiyori, or every pointed, provocative remark he made, all of it was enough to show that beneath Masklin's seemingly reckless and crude behavior lay sinister and despicable intentions!

But...

Hirako Shinji still felt an uncontrollable rage rising in his chest. He did not even dare look in Sarugaki Hiyori's direction.

"Creak, creak!"

Hirako Shinji ground his teeth, producing furious grinding sounds before he spoke.

"Kurosaki Ichigo, Rōjūrō, continue on to support the Seireitei. Leave this enemy to me."

Upon hearing that, Kurosaki Ichigo and Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō stared at Hirako Shinji in shock. It was obviously an impulsive and irrational decision.

As for Masklin, he exaggeratedly cupped a hand to his ear in a listening pose and said,

"Oh, oh, oh, what incredible big talk did I just hear? Facing the great superstar Masklin, you actually dare claim you'll handle me alone?