Kyoraku Shunsui, Jushiro Ukitake, and Unohana Yachiru, standing amid the crowd, all sensed this subtle change in Ronglin at the same time. The three of them instantly heightened their perception of Spiritual Pressure, watching every minute change in Ronglin. Unfortunately, Ronglin's charge-up took only an instant, and he had already withdrawn his Dojutsu.
"Fire Style: Flame Python!"
Flames suddenly surged around Ronglin's body. A gigantic python wreathed in blazing fire burst from the flames with a howl, its massive body over three meters thick and of indeterminate length.
The dozen or so guards were terrified out of their wits and scattered in all directions, fleeing desperately. The nobles watching nearby were also thrown into panic, screaming as they retreated in every direction.
The flaming python coiled and rolled its enormous body across the ground. In an instant, three slower guards were crushed flat beneath it. Sweeping flames lashed out, and as the python's body churned, fierce winds rose around it, waves of scorching heat shoving through the crowd.
Six or seven guards who had just begun to flee were struck by the python's sweeping tail. Blood sprayed from their mouths, and their bodies flew away like kites with snapped strings, vanishing beyond the horizon in an instant.
Another five or six people saw that they could not escape. Though the python's body was enormous, it was incomparably swift and agile, blocking their path in an instant.
The six of them raised their Zanpakuto and began their Shikai, intending to make a desperate stand.
"Kidō #62: Hyapporankan!"
However, Ronglin had no intention of standing aside and watching. He raised his hand and cast another incantationless binding spell. With a flick, a beam of white light shot from his palm, splitting into several prismatic rays in midair and pinning the guards who