Aizen's Success and the Fragile World

The sudden turn of events brought Ichigo to a halt.

Soul Reapers!

As he had come this way, he had vaguely been able to see those people darting through the air, as well as those monsters.

He had not known what they were before, but what he had heard at the Urahara Shop had made him understand what those people and monsters invisible to ordinary people were.

Soul Reapers and Hollows.

And the person blocking Orihime Inoue before him was a Soul Reaper. He had his sights set on Orihime.

Ichigo's thoughts raced as he considered how to break this deadlock.

Then, he saw a pink petal drift past his eyes.

Cherry blossoms?

The thought flashed through Ichigo's mind instinctively.

But this was not the season for cherry blossoms to bloom.

"Scatter, Senbonzakura!"

An icy voice suddenly rang out.

The moment that voice sounded, Kaname Tōsen's calm expression changed. He immediately released his grip and drew his sword.

"Cry, Suzumushi!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Kaname Tōsen released his Zanpakutō.

"Bankai: Enma Kōrogi."

Having released his Zanpakutō, Kaname Tōsen immediately activated his Bankai. Darkness descended.

The vast space around them was swallowed by darkness.

"Hmph!"

Shrouded in darkness, Byakuya Kuchiki snorted coldly. Though his voice could not carry and he could not hear anything, he still reversed his blade.

"Senbonzakura Kageyoshi!"

Massive rows of blades rose up, piercing straight through the darkened space before scattering into countless cherry blossoms.

"Kaname, it's not too late to stop now."

It was Sajin Komamura. Standing outside the enormous dark space, he looked at his friend's Bankai, anger flashing in his eyes, yet he still tried to persuade him.

He knew Kaname Tōsen's Bankai well. Anyone trapped within it would have all other senses blocked, leaving only their sense of touch.

But Kaname Tōsen himself