Chapter 178 Why is it so difficult to have a proper fight? (Please subscribe)
The fog spread throughout the execution square in an instant, obscuring the vision of countless people.
What is the current state of the battle?
The vice-captains, protected by Retsu Unohana, huddled together, back to back, warily surveying their surroundings.
"It's unclear. The Spiritual Pressure Spiritual Pressure Captain-Commander Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai, as well as Captain Shunsui Kyōraku and the others, all vanished without a trace just as the mist dissipated."
Chōjirō Sasakibe squinted, sensing the Spiritual Pressure above the plaza through his intuition. After a moment, he shook Chōjirō Sasakibe head helplessly. Perhaps the mist had the effect of concealing Spiritual Pressure, but being in this thick fog, even his senses seemed to be covered by a layer of fog, becoming incredibly dull.
" Captain Kyōraku."
After hearing what Chōjirō Sasakibe said, Nanao Ise's expression changed slightly. She was very worried about her captain's safety.
Although she had full confidence in Shunsui Kyōraku's strength, and knew that... Shunsui Kyōraku was not fighting alone, but had four powerful Captain-level figures by his side: Jūshirō Ukitake, Kaien Shiba, Kūkaku Shiba, and Hōshō Ryo,... this still couldn't make Nanao Ise feel at ease, simply because the person Shunsui Kyōraku Shunsui Kyōraku the others were challenging was Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai, who was known as the strongest Soul Reaper in a thousand years.
"Don't worry, Nanao Ise!"
"Even if you lack confidence in Captain Shunsui Kyōraku, you can completely trust Captain-Commander Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai! I believe that no matter what happens, Captain-Commander Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai will make proper arrangements. Even if Captain Shunsui Kyōraku truly betrays Soul Society, Captain-Commander Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai will capture Captain Shunsui Kyōraku and the others, and then punish them according to the laws of Soul Society."
Chōjirō Sasakibe, seeing the flustered and uneasy Nanao Ise beside him, kindly offered words of comfort.
"But..."
Nanao Ise still felt uneasy. Her expression was conflicted and hesitant. She wished she could help Shunsui Kyōraku at this time, but she was too weak. She was so weak that she trembled and could not stand up just by feeling the Spiritual Pressure emanating from the captains.
" Nanao."
"Believe in Kyōraku, believe in yourself."
Just as Nanao Ise was secretly blaming herself, Retsu Unohana gently took Nanao Ise Nanao Ise's hand and gave her a warm smile.
Retsu Unohana, the captain of the Fourth Division of the Gotei 13 (Medical Squad), not only possesses superb medical skills that can heal the wounded, but also a sweet smile that can cure all heartache.
Countless Soul Reaper, afflicted with Menos Grande after going to the battlefield, were roused again by Retsu Unohana's smile, charging back into the frenzied battle against the Menos Grande...
"Thank you, Captain Retsu Unohana!"
I feel much better.
Feeling the boundless kindness from Retsu Unohana, Nanao Ise's worries lessened somewhat. Just as Retsu Unohana had said, she had to trust Captain Shunsui Kyōraku, and at the same time, trust... herself who trusted Captain Shunsui Kyōraku.
"That's good..."
Retsu Unohana looked at Nanao Ise, who had stopped trembling, and smiled slightly. Nurturing a young seedling to grow strong and healthy is also the work of a doctor...
Meanwhile, as the entire battlefield was shrouded in mist, the battle between Byakuya Kuchiki and Sajin Komamura, who were unable to gain the upper hand over each other, continued.
The cherry blossom rain ignored the clouds and mist, relentlessly bombarding the tall Mingwang, creating dazzling sparks.
" Byakuya, your Bankai is Bankai by mine. Even if you hide yourself in the clouds, you cannot defeat me."
Sajin Komamura was tormented by the cherry blossom rain coming from all directions. Although he hadn't suffered any damage so far thanks to the thick skin of his Bankai, he hadn't been able to harm Byakuya Kuchiki either. His Bankai had formidable strength and defense, but lacked agility. Byakuya Kuchiki, on the other hand, had no weaknesses. Whether it was his Zankensōki, his Zanpakuto abilities, or his development and use of Zanpakuto skills, any one of these skills alone could reach the Captain-level. He was known for his versatility within the Gotei 13.
So in the end, it became Sajin Komamura Bankai Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō, which countered Kuchiki Byakuya's less powerful Bankai Senbonzakura Kageyoshi Byakuya Kuchiki. However, Sajin Komamura's lack of mobility and Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō were also countered by Byakuya Kuchiki, a master of Shunpo. In the end, after they canceled each other out, the two became locked in a stalemate, with neither able to gain the upper hand for a short period of time.
But the more this happened, the more anxious Sajin Komamura became. His Bankai was a powerful, Bankai type, and once he was locked in a stalemate with his enemy, it turned into a contest of Spiritual Pressure. This was the only thing that... Sajin Komamura had no confidence at all when facing Byakuya Kuchiki.
Byakuya Kuchiki's Bankai is more Spiritual Pressure- efficient than Sajin Komamura's Bankai. In addition, Byakuya Kuchiki's Spiritual Pressure Spiritual Pressure much stronger than Sajin Komamura's. If this continues... Sajin Komamura will eventually be worn down to death by Byakuya Kuchiki.
" Byakuya Kuchiki, come out here!"
" Byakuya Kuchiki, is hiding in the shadows and afraid to come out, only daring to ambush from the dark, what you Five Great Noble Clans are proud of?"
" Byakuya Kuchiki! If you have the guts, come out and fight me head-on!"
Sajin Komamura kept shouting, hoping his provocation would work on Byakuya Kuchiki.
Unfortunately, Sajin Komamura's shouts were just wishful thinking on his part. He was still surrounded by an endless sea of cherry blossoms, and as for Byakuya Kuchiki... he didn't reply to Sajin Komamura at all.
"Coward!"
"Coward!"
" Byakuya Kuchiki, you coward!"
Sajin Komamura cursed angrily, but he was completely helpless against Byakuya Kuchiki, who refused to show himself. He could only wildly swing his sword, hoping to hit him by sheer luck.
"..."
Byakuya Kuchiki stood calmly amidst the clouds, dealing with Sajin Komamura was incredibly easy for him. Sajin Komamura, that simple-minded fool, was completely bullied by Byakuya Kuchiki and had no chance to retaliate.
"Boring!"
Byakuya Kuchiki slowly shook his head. He could feel the Senbonzakura petals he was controlling dancing in the sky, and he could also feel the shockwaves caused by the constant collisions between his Senbonzakura and Sajin Komamura Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō. He could also feel that Sajin Komamura was already at his limit.
"Hateful..."
Sajin Komamura felt his physical strength and Spiritual Pressure being constantly depleted, and he clenched his teeth. He was now relying entirely on willpower to hold on. In fact, he had long felt the emptiness in his body. The Myōō behind him was also constantly shifting between illusion and reality due to the instability of Spiritual Pressure.
However, the cherry blossom rain manipulated by Byakuya Kuchiki showed no signs of weakening and remained as turbulent as it had been at the beginning!
"I lost..."
Having reached this point, Sajin Komamura already knew he had lost. Faced with the rain of cherry blossoms, the Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō, which kept flickering and could no longer maintain its physical form, was eventually submerged in the endless cherry blossom petals along with its master Sajin Komamura. With the Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō's decline, the battle finally came to a conclusion.
Sajin Komamura's Bankai, Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō, is undoubtedly an extremely excellent Bankai, possessing almost overwhelming offensive and defensive power. However, an excellent Bankai cannot be directly translated into combat power. In the end, the battle between Soul Reaper is still a battle of Spiritual Pressure. The difference in Spiritual Pressure between Sajin Komamura and Byakuya Kuchiki meant that even though Sajin Komamura was Bankai against Dabai, he was still on the defensive and ultimately lost.
"..."
Byakuya manipulated the cherry blossoms, cleaving through the endless mist that enveloped the two of them, creating a clear passage between Sajin Komamura like a wall blocking the mist.
Byakuya Kuchiki watched in silence as Sajin Komamura was swallowed by the cherry blossom rain, and walked step Sajin Komamura step toward him, standing face to face with Sajin Komamura.
"..."
You are very strong.
Byakuya Kuchiki carefully examined Sajin Komamura before him. After a moment of silence, he gave his assessment of Sajin Komamura Byakuya Kuchiki, admitting that Sajin Komamura was strong and a worthy opponent.
"..."
Sajin Komamura did not respond to Byakuya. He stood there silently, or rather, he had no choice but to remain silent, because he was no longer able to answer Byakuya Kuchiki's words. Having continuously pushed himself to his limits and maintained his Sajin Komamura, Sajin Komamura Sajin Komamura collapsed and fainted after his Bankai Spiritual Pressure was exhausted.
"Goodbye."
Byakuya Kuchiki did not continue to attack the unconscious Sajin Komamura. He silently turned around and walked towards Ichigo Kurosaki's direction, leaving with him along with countless beautiful cherry blossom petals floating in the area.
These petals drifted silently on the wind to the scabbard at Byakuya Kuchiki's waist, where they coalesced into a beautiful samurai sword within the simple wooden sheath.
After the battle, Byakuya Kuchiki also ended his Bankai, allowing the beautiful cherry blossoms that were fluttering in the wind to transform back into his Zanpakuto, Senbonzakura, a sword as beautiful as his name, yet incomparably sharp.
Byakuya Kuchiki frowned as he sensed Ichigo Kurosaki's unrestrained release of his Spiritual Pressure, as if he wanted everyone to know where he was. He then proceeded step by step towards Ichigo Kurosaki 'Ichigo Kurosaki location.
"Null!"
Even before Byakuya Kuchiki arrived, he could already feel the vibrating Spiritual Pressure in the air and the constant noise of the crowd.
" Ichigo, come play with me!"
Kenpachi Zaraki, like a seasoned philanderer, Zanpakuto, cutting through the endless clouds in the air, and landed precisely on Ichigo Kurosaki Ichigo Kurosaki, sending him flying.
How did you know I was here?
Ichigo Kurosaki scrambled to avoid Kenpachi Zaraki's attack, his eyes filled with confusion and resentment, like a virtuous young wife who had been wronged.
"Because of intuition!"
Kenpachi Zaraki grinned as he answered Ichigo Kurosaki's question.
At this moment, Kenpachi Zaraki is like a bandit leader forcing a woman into prostitution.
He kept pressuring Ichigo Kurosaki, forcing him to fight Ichigo Kurosaki Kenpachi Zaraki!
"God-level intuition."
After hearing Kenpachi Zaraki's explanation, Ichigo Kurosaki retreated repeatedly, at a loss for words.
Kenpachi Zaraki's beast-like fighting instincts are like...
"It's a fighting instinct."
Kenpachi Zaraki showed no intention of letting Ichigo Kurosaki. He pressed forward relentlessly, determined not to give up until Ichigo Kurosaki had Shin'uchi with him.
Kenpachi Zaraki spoke, he brandished his Zanpakuto and swung it heavily at Ichigo Kurosaki.
Damn it, there's no escaping it now.
Ichigo Kurosaki's expression changed drastically as he watched the Zanpakuto straight toward his head.
"Ding~"
However, in the next second, a Zanpakuto appeared in front of him, blocking Kenpachi Zaraki's fatal blow.
"Tsk~"
" Tōshirō Hitsugaya! May I take that you're planning to join our battle?"
Kenpachi Zaraki looked at the man who had blocked his attack and felt a slight displeasure.
"I just don't want you to kill this idiot!"
Facing Kenpachi Zaraki's battle-ready gaze, Tōshirō Hitsugaya showed no fear and spoke coldly.
"Thank you, Little Hitsugaya."
Ichigo Kurosaki got up from the ground, gently wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and thanked Tōshirō Hitsugaya.
Call me Captain Hitsugaya!
After hearing Ichigo Kurosaki's words, Tōshirō Hitsugaya's expression changed drastically, and he looked at Ichigo Kurosaki.
"Also, don't thank me. I didn't do this to save you! I just didn't want to see anyone die in front of me. Besides, Captain-Commander Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai hasn't given the order to kill the Ryoka, so after my assessment, I think it's more appropriate to capture you alive."
Tōshirō Hitsugaya, as if afraid that Ichigo Kurosaki might misunderstand something, kept explaining.
"Thank you, Hitsugaya. You're such a kind and gentle person."
I was wrong about you before.
After hearing Tōshirō Hitsugaya's words, Ichigo Kurosaki smiled. From that moment on, he finally understood the brat's true nature... He's a tsundere!?
"You..."
"You must learn to call me Captain!"
"This is politeness, and it's also proper etiquette!"
Tōshirō Hitsugaya blushed, somewhat annoyed. He felt he had been fooled. If you really wanted to be fair, he was Isshin Shiba's disciple, but he was like an older brother to Ichigo Kurosaki. An elder brother is like a father! Tōshirō Hitsugaya Isshin Shiba to teach the talkative Ichigo Kurosaki on behalf of Shiba Isshin.
Have you finished talking nonsense?!
Just as Tōshirō Hitsugaya was relentlessly lecturing Ichigo Kurosaki Tōshirō Hitsugaya, a hoarse voice rang in his ears, accompanied by a flash of silver light.
"What?"
Tōshirō Hitsugaya Kenpachi Zaraki's sudden attack. Caught off guard by the unexpected glint of the blade, he forgot to defend himself. If the attack landed like that, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"Ding~"
Just then, Ichigo Kurosaki, who had been mainly dodging, took the initiative to step forward with his sword for the first time. With a crisp clang, Kenpachi Zaraki's jagged blade clashed with Ichigo Kurosaki's incomparably sharp black hunting blade, sparks flying from their friction.
"Haha... Ichigo Kurosaki you've finally decided to fight me?"
Kenpachi Zaraki burst into laughter as he watched Ichigo Kurosaki block his attack. He had finally waited until Ichigo Kurosaki was ready to fight him seriously.
"I just don't want to see anyone get hurt in front of me."
Ichigo Kurosaki Tōshirō Hitsugaya behind him and spoke in a tone that mimicked Tōshirō Hitsugaya's.
"Tsk..."
" Kenpachi Zaraki, are you insane?"
After hearing Ichigo Kurosaki's words, Tōshirō Hitsugaya felt somewhat embarrassed. His face flushed slightly, and he decided to seek out Kenpachi Zaraki to regain his lost face.
"I'm not crazy."
Kenpachi Zaraki gently shook his head, indicating that he was not crazy at all.
"Are you crazy? Why are you attacking me?"
"Our enemy is this guy."
Tōshirō Hitsugaya pointed at Ichigo Kurosaki and spoke seriously.
" Tōshirō, I just saved your life!"
"We've traded our lives for each other, we're practically brothers in arms. For you to call me an enemy like that really hurts me."
Ichigo Kurosaki looked at Tōshirō Hitsugaya with a smug expression, gently stroking his chest as if he were very sad.
"Shut up!"
"You're not some Ryoka; who has ever risked their life for you?"
"I rescued you according to the rules."
"As for why you saved me, that's your own question."
Tōshirō Hitsugaya looked at Ichigo Kurosaki with an arrogant expression. If tsundere had levels, then Tōshirō Hitsugaya would definitely be a king.
"Enough with the nonsense, you two, come and fight me!"
Kenpachi Zaraki brandished his sharp blade and chased after the two.
"Bite!"
However, before Kenpachi Zaraki's blade could touch the two of them, it was stopped by a sword.
"..."
Kenpachi Zaraki stared at his Zanpakuto, which had been blocked once again, and suddenly felt speechless. All he wanted was a good fight, so why was someone always there to stop him?! Why was it so hard to find someone to fight?
" Captain Kuchiki."
Why... are you here?
Tōshirō Hitsugaya frowned as he watched the figure that had stopped Kenpachi Zaraki. Byakuya Kuchiki, who should have been stopped by Sajin Komamura, was now standing before them, which already said a lot... Tōshirō Hitsugaya had to find out Byakuya Kuchiki's intentions.
Where is Rukia?
Byakuya Kuchiki showed no intention of answering Tōshirō Hitsugaya's question; instead, he continued to ask Kenpachi Zaraki's question.
" Rukia Kuchiki, she's right here..."
Kenpachi Zaraki, looking at the white mist behind him, and suddenly couldn't say a word.
Now, there's some bad news: he doesn't know where Rukia has gone either!
Not only that, Yachiru Kusajishi and Renji Abarai have also disappeared...
This chapter continues with another 5,000 words~
(End of this chapter)