Chapter 163 How can brothers be so ruthless? (Please subscribe)
Ichigo Kurosaki and Renji Abarai stood facing each other, surrounded by a crowd of onlookers.
Everyone... okay! No, not everyone.
Only Sōgo was filled with anticipation for the battle between the two.
"Go for it! Ichigo Kurosaki, don't disgrace our noble family!"
"Don't lose! Renji Abarai! Don't disgrace your civilian Soul Reaper!"
Sōgo was loudly cheering for both of them, which was really confusing. Was he on Ichigo Kurosaki's side, Renji Abarai's side, or was he just enjoying the drama...?
"This..."
Perhaps because he had been sitting for too long, Ichigo Kurosaki felt his body was unusually heavy and stiff. His face was ashen, and his mouth was slightly open. He wanted to say something, but he was not sure what he should say in this situation.
"Black... cough cough... um..."
"My throat feels a little uncomfortable."
"Some were speechless."
"I don't feel like I'm in the right frame of mind today."
Renji Abarai had lived in Soul Society for a long time, so his situation was a little better than Ichigo Kurosaki's. At least he knew how to find a reason to make himself less embarrassed in this awkward situation.
"Is... is that so?"
Upon hearing Renji Abarai's hint, Ichigo Kurosaki Kurosaki's eyes lit up. He finally understood Renji Abarai's point and inwardly gave Renji Abarai a big thumbs up.
"Since you're not feeling well and aren't in the right state of mind, there's nothing we can do!"
"Even if I beat you now, it wouldn't be glorious. I'll just wait until you're back to your best."
"It's never too late for me to fight!"
Ichigo Kurosaki looked quite helpless as he spoke to Renji Abarai.
Hehehe...
"Once I'm better, I'll give you a good talking-to, young man."
Renji Abarai let out a cold laugh after hearing Ichigo Kurosaki's words.
"Hmph! We'll settle this once and for all."
Ichigo Kurosaki smiled slightly. Since things had come to this point, this matter should now be considered closed.
"Ah... there's no need to wait."
Sōgo spoke, a dazzling light shone from his hand, enveloping everyone present.
Ah~
"Hmm~"
"This feeling..."
"That was so awesome..."
Why did this happen?!
Everyone present, enveloped by the light and feeling the powerful life force emanating from the emerald green glow, all wore expressions of pure bliss.
If this group of people were to accidentally rip their clothes right now, they could easily go work on the set of that food-themed TV drama next door.
"How was it? Did you enjoy it?"
"I created my own 'Great Health Care Kidō,' which instantly maxes out both of your abilities. Simply put, it's pure bliss."
"Now that you've both reached your peak condition, you can fight with all your might, right?!"
Sōgo Shihoin's lips curled slightly. He looked at the two people in front of him, who were giving each other a way out and trying to fool them about the battle they had just talked about, with a slight smile.
What a pity~
Sōgo Shihoin isn't so easily fooled here.
Since the two of them have said they want to fight, how can Sōgo Shihoin, who is always happy to help others, likes to do good deeds, and loves to fulfill the wishes of others, not grant their request?!
"This bastard's serious?!"
Can I hit him?
"Calm down, even if we all join forces, we still can't beat him!"
Ichigo Kurosaki and Renji Abarai both had dark expressions on their faces and were exchanging glances.
Do you two have an eye condition?
Although Sōgo Shihoin was wearing a cool eye patch on his cheek, he could still see Ichigo Kurosaki and Renji Abarai, who were making exaggerated facial expressions, and he asked a question out of great curiosity.
"..."
When faced with Sōgo Shihoin's question, Ichigo Kurosaki and Renji Abarai were completely speechless, as Sōgo Shihoin's question put them in a very difficult position.
"Actually, it's alright."
Renji Abarai, and after a long pause, he Sōgo Shihoin with just one sentence.
"Oh, that scared me to death."
I thought you weren't feeling well.
"It's so good that you're alright."
"In that case, you two should hurry up and start fighting!"
"I'm getting impatient waiting any longer."
Sōgo Shihoin to persuade the two people in front of him... "Don't let go of the hatred in your hearts. Since you said you were going to fight, you have to keep your word. We can't not fight today."
"What to do?"
Ichigo Kurosaki lowered his voice and asked Renji Abarai.
"You're asking me? Who should I ask?"
Renji Abarai looked at Ichigo Kurosaki speechlessly, wondering what to do next.
"It seems we're completely out of options..."
Ichigo Kurosaki felt somewhat helpless. He felt that ever since he became stronger and thought himself invincible, he had been constantly getting humiliated, getting humiliated again and again, getting humiliated repeatedly.
"At this point, there's no other way..."
Renji Abarai muttered to himself, "The situation is dire. We can't afford to keep cheating. Only by going all out can we have a chance."
" Ichigo Kurosaki, listen up. I have a solution here, a flimsy one, but it desperately needs your cooperation."
Renji Abarai grabbed Ichigo Kurosaki's shoulder and spoke earnestly and seriously.
"Gulp~"
"Is every option a solution?"
Sensing the seriousness emanating from Renji Abarai beside him, Ichigo Kurosaki nervously swallowed and repeated Renji Abarai's words.
"That's right!"
"The only solution, which isn't really a solution, is for us to actually fight, just like we said before."
Renji Abarai nodded slightly and spoke earnestly.
"Are you crazy?!"
How can we really fight?
"We're comrades!"
Ichigo Kurosaki looked intently at Renji Abarai. His power was born to protect, and he could never harm his own comrades.
" Ichigo, let me finish!"
Renji Abarai interrupted the emotionally charged Ichigo Kurosaki and continued speaking earnestly.
"Of course... although we say it's a fight, it's really just a friendly spar... When the time is right, I'll naturally choose to lose to you, so you won't lose face." Renji Abarai explained earnestly, " Ichigo Kurosaki, have you ever watched a boxing match? You should have heard of exhibition matches, right? It's when two people look like they're fighting hard, but in reality, they're just acting according to a script, and the champion is already predetermined."
"I understand! It's a match similar to WWE in the US, right?!"
Ichigo Kurosaki's eyes lit up; he finally understood what Renji Abarai.
"That's right!"
Renji Abarai nodded slightly. Although he didn't know what WWE was, it didn't prevent him from understanding what Ichigo Kurosaki meant.
"Actually, if I hadn't been forced by circumstances, I wouldn't have resorted to this method, but for the sake of our friendship, I'm willing to give up my victory..."
Renji Abarai pressed his right hand tightly against his chest, looking as if he would do anything for his brother, even risk his life.
" Renji!"
Ichigo Kurosaki admitted that he was truly moved. With brothers like these, what more could one ask for?!
Ichigo!
Renji Abarai whispered Ichigo Kurosaki's name.
" Renji!"
Ichigo Kurosaki's eyes were filled with affection; his glasses were brimming with pure friendship.
" Ichigo..."
"Cough cough cough..."
Sensing the atmosphere was getting off track, and noticing that the action-packed scenes were increasingly veering towards BL (Renji Abarai), Renji Abarai promptly thwarted this misguided course, which was veering further and further off course from its original goal of becoming a kindergarten.
" Ichigo, listen to me. Since it's all just an act, there's no need for us to use our full strength. Just use a little bit to fool them."
Before the fight, Renji Abarai gave Ichigo Kurosaki some very serious instructions.
Don't worry, Renji Abarai!
"I know what to do!"
Ichigo Kurosaki patted his chest, indicating that he knew what he was doing.
"In that case... I'm relieved."
After hearing Ichigo Kurosaki's words, Renji Abarai revealed a sinister smile, but he was very good at keeping his expression in check, at least he didn't let Ichigo Kurosaki notice.
" Captain Sōgo, please set up a barrier for us! We don't want our duel to be disturbed or to hurt anyone."
After receiving a response from Ichigo Kurosaki, Renji Abarai felt much more at ease. He turned to face Sōgo Shihoin and bowed slightly as he spoke.
"Good."
Sōgo nodded slightly and casually opened a transparent barrier.
This seemingly random barrier contains incredibly powerful Reishi; even if two Vasto Lorde- level Hollows were to bombard it with their Menos Grande force, they would be unable to budge it in the slightest.
"So, I admit it, Ichigo Kurosaki."
Renji Abarai drew his Zanpakuto from his waist and smiled slightly at Ichigo Kurosaki.
"The same to you."
Ichigo Kurosaki returned Renji Abarai's smile with a bright, sunny grin and drew the large cleaver strapped to his back.
Bankai! Baboon King Zabimaru!
" Bankai! Tensa Zangetsu!"
The next second, Renji Abarai and Ichigo Kurosaki, who had agreed to go easy on each other, never take the competition seriously, and promised not to use their full strength, showing each other deference and acting like brothers, simultaneously unleashed their Bankai! They released all their Spiritual Pressure at once.
Those who know them understand that they are brothers who have gone through thick and thin together; those who don't might think they are long-lost enemies, the kind with a blood feud...
"Null!!"
Two incredibly powerful Spiritual Pressure clashed and intertwined, vying for absolute control of the sky and earth, their respective territories...
" Ichigo Kurosaki, you're being naughty~"
Renji Abarai stared at Ichigo Kurosaki, who was wielding a black, sharp blade and dressed in a black trench coat. His Spiritual Pressure and overall presence had noticeably increased. Ichigo Kurosaki paused, then chuckled softly. It didn't seem like Ichigo was going to hold back or put on an act. But then again, it seemed Renji had no right to say anything...
Hehehe...
How dare you say that to me?!
Ichigo Kurosaki stared disdainfully at the hundred-meter-long giant bone snake and Renji Abarai, who was wearing a red fur coat. Renji Abarai... Heh, what a despicable person...
All that talk about not using all your strength for your brothers, or being willing to admit defeat for your brothers, is utter nonsense...
He knew that old bastard Renji Abarai planned to lull him into a false sense of security with words, and then immediately unleash all his power, intending to take advantage of his carelessness to ambush and finish him off...
How ridiculous, how ridiculous, utterly ridiculous! Does he really think Ichigo Kurosaki doesn't know what kind of shameless little bitch Renji Abarai is, and what kind of despicable behavior she has?!
"Those two idiots."
Standing behind the barrier, Uryū Ishida watched Ichigo Kurosaki and Renji Abarai unleash their full power, those two goofballs, and sighed as he rubbed his forehead.
Even a fool could figure out what those two idiots were thinking—they were just trying to take this opportunity to kill each other.
" Ichigo Kurosaki, my brother!"
"For you, I'm willing to suppress half of my power. There's no other way... this is brotherly love."
Renji Abarai brandished the giant bone snake, a slight smile playing on his lips, and at the same time... his Spiritual Pressure rose even higher.
" Renji Abarai, my brother!"
"I won't take advantage of you. Since you've willingly used only half your strength for my sake, then I'll only use ten percent of my strength. Today's victory is yours..."
" Getsuga Tenshō!!!"
Ichigo Kurosaki meticulously imitated Renji Abarai's way of speaking, and finally unleashed his strongest Getsuga Tenshō yet!
A hundred-meter-long, jet-black crescent moon was released from Zangetsu in Ichigo Kurosaki's hand, its powerful force shaking the heavens and earth, carving a deep trench in the ground.
"Day..."
Renji Abarai stared at the enormous crescent moon that seemed to be about to burst through the roof of the training ground, and couldn't help but utter the first character of the name of Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya of the Tenth Division.
" Ichigo Kurosaki, are you serious?!"
Renji Abarai hurriedly coiled up his giant bone snake and charged towards the giant crescent moon that Ichigo Kurosaki had slashed out.
Just as the tongue was about to approach the crescent moon, it suddenly opened its mouth, spewing out a Cero, ethereal red light.
"Boom!"
The red light collided with the crescent moon, stirring up waves of emotion that shattered the training room floor. Countless sharp fragments of floorboards transformed into arrows, hurtling towards the onlookers, including Orihime Inoue.
"Pat-a-tat-tat..."
The fragments struck the transparent barrier as if hitting an indestructible diamond wall, producing countless clattering sounds before finally turning into dust particles that were barely visible to the naked eye.
A few minutes later, when the dust settled, Renji Abarai, who had taken a direct hit from Ichigo Kurosaki's Getsuga Tenshō, was already panting heavily. He wasn't like Ichigo Kurosaki, that minotaur with seemingly inexhaustible Spiritual Pressure...
He's just a newbie whose strength is close to that of Muguruma warrior and who has only recently mastered Bankai...
"This can't go on!"
Renji Abarai looked at Ichigo Kurosaki with some distress.
"Continue! Continue!"
Just as Renji Abarai was lost in thought, searching for a solution, Sōgo Shihoin, standing outside the arena, cheered on the two of them as if he were enjoying the spectacle even more.
(End of this chapter)