As Aizen's voice faded, the entire battlefield fell briefly silent.
Hitsugaya looked at Hinamori, so close before him, his fingers still trembling slightly.
Had Yoriichi not stopped him in time, he would have killed the person he most wanted to protect with his own hands.
"None of you should act for now."
Yoriichi released Hitsugaya's wrist and walked forward alone.
"Leave the rest to me."
Kyōraku and the others did not object.
Everyone present had seen Kyōka Suigetsu's Shikai. Continuing to surround and attack Aizen would only let him exploit them.
Yoriichi was different.
He had never seen Kyōka Suigetsu's release.
Yoriichi gripped the hilt and slowly drew his Zanpakuto.
"Breath of the Sun, burn away all Hollow filth."
His breathing grew long and steady, and the surrounding Reishi rapidly gathered toward the blade.
"Hekyō."
The dark gray blade instantly turned crimson. Golden-orange flames flowed along its edge, and intricate flame patterns emerged along its spine.
Scorching Reiatsu spread in every direction.
The rooftop beneath Yoriichi's feet rapidly cracked, its remaining moisture turning to white mist in the intense heat.
Aizen looked at Hekyō in his hand, a trace of interest entering his eyes.
"Every time I see that blade, I find it a pity."
Yoriichi did not answer.
The next moment, his figure vanished.
Clang!
Hekyō collided with Kyōka Suigetsu, and crimson flames erupted where the two blades met.
Aizen held his sword in one hand, a nearly transparent barrier of Reiatsu appearing before him.
The defense formed from a million Reiatsu kept the Sun Reiatsu outside his body.
"First Form: Dance."
Yoriichi turned his wrist, sweeping out a crimson arc of blade light.
Aizen retreated. The blade light skimmed past his body and cleaved through several distant buildings at once.
But Yoriichi had already appeared behind him.
Hekyō