But he did not apply more force again, merely watching Mu in silence.
Just then, the cherry blossoms filling the sky came into contact with Mu.
Byakuya's slightly furrowed brows knitted tightly, disbelief written all over his face.
This contact was entirely different from when he had slashed at Mu with his sword earlier.
Back then, he could clearly feel his blade making contact with Mu's body.
But now, the deadly cherry blossom petals passed straight through Mu the instant they touched his body, without any sensation of touching something solid, as though his body had never existed.
This left Byakuya utterly bewildered. He could not understand why this was happening.
The sensation was extremely strange, as though an invisible force were interfering with his perception.
The next moment, that feeling became reality.
He watched as Mu simply strolled out of Senbonzakura's encirclement, as though Senbonzakura did not exist.
Byakuya's expression grew grave. He swept his hand from side to side, wielding the remaining sword hilt as Senbonzakura attacked Mu in an orderly fashion.
Above, below, left, right-Byakuya left no angle or method untried.
Yet no matter how hard he tried, he could not hit Mu.
Mu was like a phantom, beyond the reach of his attacks.
Byakuya froze, his eyes widening in disbelief at everything unfolding before him.
A phantom? He seemed to have identified the technique Mu was using, but the problem was that he apparently could not counter it.
Byakuya gritted his teeth, his heart filled with frustration and anger.
"Bankai: Scatter, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi!" Byakuya growled, deciding to unleash his Bankai.
Gripping the hilt with both hands, he gave it a gentle flick, and Senbonzakura returned to his hands, becoming a complete katana once more.
Then he released his grip, tossing the Zanpakutō into the air. It