Dust and smoke billowed through the hall, and the once-glittering banquet hall instantly became filled with murderous intent.
"Cough, cough... Is everyone all right?" Ichigo swung the Zanpakuto in his hand, the resulting gust dispersing the haze before him.
"Protect Lady Rurichiyo!" Kenryu shouted, drawing the Zanpakuto at his waist and stepping in front of Rurichiyo.
Behind him, Enryu stayed close to Rurichiyo herself, protecting her.
Amid the dust and smoke, the retainers scattered and fled the hall from every direction.
"Heh heh heh, what a bunch of tender little morsels."
A hunched figure slowly emerged from the dust and smoke.
Everyone frowned slightly and gathered together, watching the dust and smoke warily with their backs to one another.
Four figures slowly closed in from the four corners through the dust and smoke.
Ichigo gripped the Zanpakuto with both hands before him, his expression solemn. "Everyone, watch out. It's dangerous."
"Stop looking around, Substitute Soul Reaper." Guanjing Banzuo stepped out of the dust and smoke, holding a weapon identical to the mirror Ichigo had encountered before—the one that could immobilize a person's consciousness. "Inside this barrier, no one can save you."
Four people?
Ichigo's eyes swept back and forth twice before finally locking onto Guanjing Banzuo directly ahead.
"Then let's see who falls first!"
Ichigo's figure flashed. He unleashed Flash Step and closed in on Guanjing Banzuo.
The decisive battle erupted in an instant.
Elsewhere, a green spiritual-pressure slash scattered the dust and smoke and swept toward the group.
Yasutora Sado leaped forward. His right arm had already transformed into the Black-and-Red Giant's Right Arm. He punched toward the green spiritual-energy slash, sending a blue spiritual-energy shockwave crashing into it and successfully destroying it.
"A human can actually withstand my attack?"
Yan Ya slowly emerged from the dust and smoke,