A Troublesome Man

Aizen remained calm and composed when he saw that Kenpachi Zaraki was completely unharmed.

The disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, on the other hand, were talking a big game.

"Haha, a little trick is still just a little trick. It can't even hurt Kenpachi Zaraki. What's the point of learning a move like that?"

"Go, Kenpachi! Defeat him so we can finally leave this damned place!"

Though ugly words filled his ears, Aizen did not care in the slightest as Kenpachi Zaraki's blade was about to fall.

"Bakudo No. 39, Enkosen."

A circular protective shield suddenly appeared in front of Aizen. Kenpachi Zaraki's Zanpakuto struck the shield, only splitting it apart. The tip of the blade that pierced the shield was still some distance from Aizen.

Kenpachi Zaraki tried to pull out his Zanpakuto, only to find that he could not do so for the moment. He realized that the Zanpakuto embedded in the shield had actually frozen over.

"Hado No. 57, Daichi Ten'yō."

The previously flat Training Field began to shake at that instant. With his Zanpakuto lodged in the shield, Kenpachi Zaraki was unable to break free.

Boom!

The earth rolled over as countless stone pillars suddenly erupted from the ground, sending Kenpachi Zaraki soaring into the air.

Pillars of stone continued to burst forth one after another, striking his chest, back, thighs, and arms.

After a wave of earthen spikes, Kenpachi Zaraki rose to his feet, covered in blood. Looking at Aizen, he revealed a long-lost smile.

"Not bad at all."

Aizen smiled faintly as he looked at Kenpachi Zaraki. "You're not bad yourself. I didn't expect I'd need Hado above No. 50 to hurt you. You've grown."

Kenpachi Zaraki wiped the blood from his face and gave a low chuckle. "Let me introduce myself again. Kenpachi Zaraki, Level 52, Power Attack System Battle Soul Master. Martial Soul: Blade!"

Aizen nodded and introduced himself as well. "Aizen, Level 54, Power Attack System Battle Soul Master. Martial Soul: Ice Blade."

Ning Fengzhi was slightly startled upon hearing their introductions.

"Kenpachi Zaraki is already Level 52!"

Ning Rongrong hugged Ning Fengzhi's arm and giggled. "That's right. Grandmaster said Kenpachi Zaraki is a genius rarely seen in a lifetime. Even if Third Brother and Boss Dai teamed up against him, they might not win unless they used their trump cards."

As she spoke, Ning Rongrong glanced at Aizen again, admiration flashing through her eyes.

"I never expected Big Brother Aizen, whom Xiao Wu had been thinking about day and night, to have reached Level 54 too."

Ning Fengzhi smiled calmly. A year ago, he seemed to have only been Level 49. After spending some time with Dugu Bo, his Soul Power had increased so much.

The battle continued.

Seeing that Aizen had put some distance between them, Kenpachi Zaraki spread his arms and threw back his head with a laugh.

"Ahahaha! Ahaha! You really are full of nonsense."

Kenpachi Zaraki's eyes brimmed with excitement. He knew very well that the Soul Power displayed by that previous attack had indeed reached the level expected of Level 54. Yet Aizen's relaxed expression made it clear that had not been his full strength.

"Honestly, for someone like you to reach this level... you've got me too excited. Then I can't neglect you either."

Kenpachi Zaraki raised his Zanpakuto high as powerful Soul Power poured from him without restraint. His clothes fluttered lightly in the surging energy.

"I hope you can ease the loneliness in my heart. Please, Aizen!"

Aizen showed a delighted smile. "It would be my honor."

Then Aizen began chanting aloud.

"Bones of beasts, spire, red crystal, steel wheels. Motion is wind, stillness is sky. The sound of spears clashing fills the empty city of Hollow!"

"Hado No. 63, Raikoho!"

Intense lightning gathered in Aizen's palm. Kenpachi Zaraki sensed that this strike was no trivial matter, and his excitement only grew stronger.

"This Soul Power fluctuation is truly extraordinary!" The moment Ning Fengzhi saw the move, he was certain that this Hado was anything but ordinary.

The power of Hado No. 63 was actually comparable to an ordinary six-ring soul skill.

And Aizen could accomplish this at merely Level 54.

Did that mean a Level 70 Soul Master could unleash a soul skill with the power of Level 80?

Ning Fengzhi was so pleased that he nearly laughed aloud, muttering to himself.

"Those foolish disciples actually called this a little trick. This kind of power is far stronger than soul skills."

The instant Aizen completed his Hado, Kenpachi Zaraki burst out laughing.

"Now this is where the fun begins!"

With that, he swung his blade, standing directly in the path of the Raikoho at close range. The newly released Raikoho twisted under Kenpachi Zaraki's slash, which was imbued with immense Soul Power, and the condensed lightning erupted in an instant.

The lightning was like countless writhing tentacles, engulfing an area ten meters wide. The Training Field cracked continuously beneath its rampage. The disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect hurriedly retreated in terror. Some were even so frightened by the booming thunder that they wet themselves, drawing disgusted looks from their nearby companions.

The disciples standing closest had their hair standing on end, every hair on their bodies bristling as goosebumps covered their skin.

Standing beside Ning Fengzhi, Ning Rongrong was not harmed in the slightest by the overflowing lightning. Seeing how happy Kenpachi Zaraki had looked just now, she could not help but smile.

"Kenpachi seems really happy."

As the lightning dispersed, there was no one in front of Aizen. The sound of bells rang by his ear. Aizen dodged to the side, and Kenpachi Zaraki, his right hand charred black, slashed at the spot where Aizen had just stood.

"Nice reaction."

The Zanpakuto that had struck the ground twisted around, turning its blade toward Aizen before swinging again. A golden slash flew from the sword, the result of condensing Soul Power into the blade and amplifying the cutting force.

Aizen was slightly startled when he saw the move.

"This guy can even imitate Getsuga Tenshō."

"Tch!" Kenpachi Zaraki said in annoyance. "Sure enough, I don't like these long-range slashes at all. Only feeling pure strength can excite me!"

As he spoke, Kenpachi Zaraki charged forward again. The Zanpakuto in his hand thrust straight ahead, its piercing whistle roaring past Aizen's ears.

Aizen repeatedly used Bakudo to restrain Kenpachi Zaraki, only to discover that Bakudo below No. 50 had no effect at all.

Once Kenpachi Zaraki saw through the rhythm of Aizen's Bakudo, a slash came down and nearly struck Aizen.

In his urgency, Aizen used the combination skill from before once more.

With this being the second time, Kenpachi Zaraki would definitely be prepared. Success or failure would be decided in an instant.

Bakudo No. 21, Sekienton, released smoke to obscure his vision.

Combined with Bakudo No. 26, Kyokko, to conceal his body.

In the instant Kenpachi Zaraki was confused, before his sharp eyes could discover Aizen—

"Carriage of thunder, gap of a spinning wheel. With light, divide this into six!"

"Bakudo No. 61, Rikujokoro!"

Six sudden beams of light completely bound Kenpachi Zaraki's arms.

Before Kenpachi Zaraki could break free from the restraints, Aizen pressed an incomplete, chantless miniature Raikoho against Kenpachi Zaraki's face.