An Unexpected Opponent

At midnight, Suotuo City's Great Soul Arena should have been at its liveliest.

Yet everyone entering Suotuo City's Great Soul Arena frowned involuntarily at the sight of the vast arena, where barely anyone was present.

Battles between Soul Masters could only be watched here, making them immensely popular among the wealthy.

They would spend fortunes on the Soul Masters they favored.

But now, Suotuo City's Great Soul Arena was so deserted that even the attendants at the cashier counters had begun dozing off.

Just then, they saw two familiar figures walking out.

Retsu Unohana and Grimmjow.

When Grimmjow saw Aizen, he casually greeted him.

Then he swept his gaze over the people behind Aizen.

Aizen asked why Suotuo City's Great Soul Arena had become like this.

Grimmjow glanced at Retsu Unohana before answering Aizen.

"Isn't it all because of Retsu Unohana's handiwork?"

Aizen could not help looking at Retsu Unohana in confusion.

Retsu Unohana wore a satisfied expression, as though she had just enjoyed a delicious feast.

"Retsu Unohana temporarily joined a Level 50 seven-on-seven team battle just now. She went on a killing spree and hacked all seven opponents to death. The scene was too horrifying, so all the spectators and contestants fled. They probably won't come back until tomorrow," Grimmjow continued.

The reason the Great Soul Arena was so deserted was actually because Retsu Unohana's battle had been too terrifying. What exactly had she done to drive everyone out of the Soul Arena?

"What are you here for? To watch our match? It already ended," Retsu Unohana said with a smile.

"No, we're here to find opponents and earn soul coins," Aizen answered.

"Then you can leave. You won't find any opponents here anymore," Retsu Unohana said lightly, shaking her head.

"What do you mean?" Aizen did not understand.

Grimmjow snorted. "Isn't it because Retsu Unohana went too far? Whenever an opponent appeared, she challenged them. She never showed mercy in any battle, and whenever she had the chance, she killed them. Now, as soon as contestants see Retsu Unohana appear, they immediately withdraw from the match, terrified that she will come after them. She wasn't originally allowed to participate in that team battle just now, but that Soul Master team had connections behind them and directly got Retsu Unohana in. That boss must have made a fortune, but the Great Soul Arena probably won't see anyone for quite a while."

Retsu Unohana did not care in the slightest. "Since there are no opponents left in Suotuo City, then let's go to Heaven Dou City. It should have the largest Soul Arena and better opponents."

At the same time, she looked at Aizen and the others and asked, "Have you given up on enrolling?"

Aizen nodded and replied with certainty, "Yes. The plans changed. There is no value in staying there."

After thinking for a moment, Retsu Unohana said, "Suotuo City's Great Soul Arena is no longer of use, and you will not remain here either. Will you be going to Heaven Dou City or Star Luo City?"

Aizen thought for a moment. "Heaven Dou City."

Once Retsu Unohana understood, she said, "Then I'll leave as well. Level 40 meets the graduation requirements. Once I graduate, I'll go to Heaven Dou City and find you."

Grimmjow chimed in as well. "Sigh, I'll go too. This place is still too boring."

Before long, everyone reached the same decision: they would regroup in Heaven Dou City.

Three months passed.

During this time, a group of terrifying masked people appeared in Heaven Dou City's Great Soul Arena.

Different patterns were carved into their masks.

Leopards, skulls, ripples, crimson markings, flames, and more.

Their combat strength made people tremble. They participated in one-on-one, two-on-two, and seven-on-seven matches.

And in every match, they would inevitably take at least one life from the opposing side.

When they fought together, their team was called Soul Reapers.

Tonight was the night the Soul Reaper Battle Team would win the Gold Soul Badge for team battles.

The Soul Reaper Battle Team, whose members were all above Level 40, would face the Royal Fight Team from Heaven Dou Royal Academy, whose members were likewise all above Level 40.

The Royal Fight Team had seven members in total. Four possessed Gold Soul Badges, while the other three possessed Silver Soul Badges.

Captain: Kyōraku Shunsui. Martial Soul: Katen Kyōkotsu. Level 45 Control System Battle Soul Master. Soul rings: one yellow, three purple.

Vice-Captain: Kuchiki Byakuya. Martial Soul: Senbonzakura. Level 43 Power Attack System Battle Soul Master. Soul rings: one yellow, three purple.

Member: Shiba Isshin. Martial Soul: Engetsu. Level 43 Power Attack System Battle Soul Master. Soul rings: one yellow, three purple.

Member: Shihouin Yoruichi. Martial Soul: herself. Level 44 Agility Attack System Battle Soul Master. Soul rings: one yellow, three purple.

Member: Yu Tianheng. Martial Soul: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Level 41 Power Attack System Battle Soul Master. Soul rings: two yellow, two purple.

Member: Dugu Yan. Martial Soul: Jade Phosphorous Serpent. Level 39 Control System Battle Soul Master. Soul rings: two yellow, one purple.

Member: Ye Lingling. Martial Soul: Nine Heart Begonia. Level 37 Auxiliary System Weapon Soul Master. Soul rings: two yellow, one purple.

Seeing this roster, Aizen could not help smiling. Unable to find opponents, were they forced into an internal battle now?

The Soul Reaper Battle Team was the team Aizen had formed.

He was the captain, Yamamoto Shigekuni the vice-captain, and the members were Urahara Kisuke, Kurosaki Ichigo, Ichimaru Gin, Grimmjow, and Retsu Unohana. All of them had registered at the Great Soul Arena as Level 41.

Although only three people could be killed in this battle, whether they could win was still hard to say.

After all, relying only on their apparent combat strength, facing those four would be extremely difficult.

In the Soul Master preparation room on the other side, Kyōraku Shunsui, dressed in clothes covered with flowers, was somewhat surprised after receiving the list of opponents, though he was even more excited.

Since their parting five years ago, they had not met again. This was an excellent opportunity.

"Captain Kyōraku, do we have a chance of winning?" Yu Tianheng, a tall young man with long black hair, asked with slight concern.

After all, the Soul Reaper Battle Team was renowned throughout Heaven Dou City. Without exception, everyone who faced them lost, and several people would be killed or injured as well.

Yu Tianheng was somewhat worried about being assigned such opponents.

"Of course victory is assured, isn't it, Captain Kyōraku?" Dugu Yan said with a smile. She had short purple hair, striking green eyes, and an alluringly beautiful face.

Kyōraku Shunsui chuckled and took a sip of wine. Seeing this, Yu Tianheng could not help feeling relieved.

Since Captain Kyōraku was so confident, victory must surely be within their grasp.

"We have no chance of winning!"

Everyone froze.

For a moment, everyone in the room looked at Kyōraku Shunsui.

Yu Tianheng's mouth twitched as he said with a grin, "Captain Kyōraku really likes to joke around. You said the same thing last time, but didn't we crush the other side with ease?"

Even Dugu Yan covered her mouth and smiled. "Exactly. The other side even had a Level 51 Soul King last time, yet didn't we still win?"

Kyōraku Shunsui smiled, looking surprised. "Oh my, you saw through me. But let me remind you: in this match, victory or defeat will be decided in an instant. If you underestimate the enemy or grow careless on the battlefield, that is a grave taboo!"

By the end, Kyōraku Shunsui's gaze had become exceptionally clear, as though he could see through everything.

When Kuchiki Byakuya and the others saw that look in Kyōraku Shunsui's eyes, they immediately understood that he was not joking this time.

"What kind of opponent could make you take this so seriously?" Shihouin Yoruichi walked up to Kyōraku Shunsui and asked with furrowed brows.

"You'll understand soon enough on the battlefield." After saying that, Kyōraku Shunsui took another sip of wine.