Chapter 193: line with translation of chapter title

"Damn it, I didn't expect this guy Gengmu Jianba to adapt to my Soul-Cutter Sword ability so quickly! He's practically a beast, a monster born for battle……"

Pingzi Zhenzi watched as Gengmu Jianba, erupting with astonishing spiritual pressure like a beast, broke out in fine sweat on his forehead; this guy Gengmu is really too strong.

"Pingzi Zhenzi, are you using your full strength against the enemy?"

Yihu glanced at Pingzi beside him and questioned.

"I heard you, Pingzi Zhenzi, were also a captain of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads a hundred years ago, but you don't look all that now?!"

Ribangu Dongshilang, after hearing Yihu's words, agreed.

"Don't you get it? Pingzi and the others are just old-timers eliminated by the times!"

At that moment, Xiumu Baizai delivered the final blow.

"Hey! Hey! Hey! It's fine if others doubt me, but I, Pingzi Zhenzi, shouldn't even be in line to be doubted by you, Heiqi Yihu, right? Just so you know, I just saved your life! Besides, you others are really talking without feeling the pain—the enemy is Gengmu Jianba, so it's only natural his ability isn't normal, right?!"

Pingzi, after hearing Yihu's words, loudly complained.

"As for whether I'm giving it my all, I'll tell you clearly: I've already exerted my utmost effort~even surpassed my usual performance. You know, I took advantage of the moment when that guy Jianba was facing off against Yihu to completely invert his senses—up/down, left/right, front/back, his sense of gravity, his eyes' perception of light, and his skin's sense of temperature."

"I suppose you two young, smug brats, as captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, should know what it's like when your senses are completely inverted by an enemy. If you disagree, I can let you try my ability, but I hope you'll still be able to stand and talk to me like you are now."

Next, Pingzi explained his Soul-Cutter Sword ability to Xiumu Baizai and Ribangu Dongshilang, while, as a senior, he gave them a round of criticism and education; even now Pingzi felt somewhat displeased and petty, planning to, after everyone's fight with Jianba ends, give these two slightly talented but directionless guys a good taste of the feeling of having their senses dominated by his Soul-Cutter Sword's inverse touch~

"As I just said, if a normal person's visual, skin, and bodily information is completely altered and inverted in an instant, then forget about speaking to us while standing like this guy— they wouldn't vomit from the information overload and collapse on the ground, totally losing combat ability; that would already be not bad~"

"But this guy's adaptability— you must have seen it— after being inverted by my Soul-Cutter Sword's inverse touch, in less than a minute he fully adapted to my ability. Honestly, it makes my hundred years of exile in the living world, my relentless development of Soul-Cutter Sword abilities, seem utterly pointless~"

Pingzi's words revealed utter helplessness.

"Hey! Gengmu, you guy, please just cut me some slack— even if it's for the sake of this old face of mine that's worked with you for nearly a hundred years, after feeling my new ability, you should at least take a few minutes to adapt before breaking my capability."

"The way you instantly broke my ability is indeed cool, but it makes the technique I spent a hundred years to master look weak, and it embarrasses me in front of these juniors—they might think my strength is pathetic."

After Pingzi Zhenzi finished complaining to Yihu, he then glared at Gengmu Jianba standing opposite him and loudly vented. Pingzi now felt the day was utterly terrible— being questioned by a bunch of juniors really made it impossible to feel happy.

"Huh? But you're just weak yourself~"

Gengmu Jianba, upon hearing Pingzi's words, raised his eyebrows slightly and replied truthfully.

"Damn……"

Pingzi, upon hearing that, felt his heart take a ten-thousand-point critical hit— he felt his defenses breaking! As the saying goes, lies don't hurt; the truth is a swift blade!

"Gengmu Jianba, I don't have time to play combat games with you; I just have something to ask Heiqi Yihu, and once I get the information I want, I'll leave right away……"

Ribangu Dongshilang didn't want to get involved with Heiqi Yihu and the others' troubles; he first explained to Gengmu Jianba, hoping Gengmu could give him some time.

"Hah? What's it got to do with me?"

However, what Ribangu Dongshilang didn't expect was that, upon hearing his words, Gengmu Jianba first tilted his head slightly, then spoke with a face of disdain.

"You guy……"

Ribangu Dongshilang, upon hearing that, twitched the corner of his eye; he didn't expect that, despite all being captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads and thus colleagues, Gengmu Jianba would actually give him no face.

"You're called Ribangu, right? I heard you used to be my father's subordinate?"

Before Ribangu could say more, Heiqi Yihu quickly went to Dongshilang's side, greeted him, and asked.

"Call me Captain Ribangu!"

Dongshilang, upon hearing that, first emphasized his identity so as not to be at a disadvantage in his conversation with Heiqi Yihu……

Next, Ribangu continued: "I really was your father's former subordinate, but we were the unit you abandoned! Heiqi Yihu, let me ask you again— is your father Shibo Yixin? That's correct, right? Actually, that title isn't quite accurate now; if my information is right, I should now call him Heiqi Yixin. In fact, your father isn't an ordinary mortal—he's a Soul Reaper! To be precise, he's one of the 'Soul Society's Five Great Noble Houses', the head of the Shibo family branch, and also the former captain of our Tenth Division—my direct superior."

"If you mean Heiqi Yixin, then that's my old man."

Yihu nodded, acknowledging what Ribangu had said.

"Tell me, where is Heiqi Yixin now? I need to see him; I have some questions I've still been unable to answer, and I need to ask him……"

Ribangu asked Yihu.

"In short, you just want to see my old man, right?"

Yihu asked Ribangu.

"Exactly so."

Ribangu always felt Yihu was scheming something, but he still lightly nodded.

"If that's the case, then this is simple: as long as you, Captain Ribangu, help me beat that guy over there, I'll figure out a way for you to meet my old man!"

Heiqi Yihu stroked his chin and spoke to Ribangu.

"This guy actually dares to threaten me?"

Ribangu froze for a moment, then furrowed his brows.

"This isn't a threat, just a trade……"

"Besides, as my father's former subordinate, if you just stand by and watch his child— your former superior's son— die before your eyes, you'd feel troubled too, right? Captain Ribangu, you wouldn't want, after years apart, your first meeting with your former superior to be marked by a gift that's nothing but his only son's ashes, would you?"

Heiqi Yihu smiled and spoke to Ribangu.

"You guy……"

Ribangu, upon hearing that, broke out in a cold sweat on his forehead.

Needless to say, Heiqi Yihu, being a minotaur himself, after using the minotaur's sayings, directly unleashed 120% of their power— it was practically a critical hit on the young Ribangu!

"Hehe……"

Yihu looked at Ribangu, sweat beading on his forehead, knowing he'd easily gotten the upper hand; he then turned his head to gaze at the icy Xiumu Baizai nearby, next planning how to get a hold of that guy.

"Xiumu Baizai, are you planning to kill me personally to avenge Luqi ya?"

"If that guy kills me, you won't be able to avenge me personally— is that really okay? Doesn't that go against the pride you uphold?"

Yihu directly found Baizai's weakness and chuckled.

"No need for you to say! Whether it's you, Heiqi Yihu, or Gengmu Jianba—I'll take care of them myself……"

Baizai couldn't be bothered with Yihu, directly drew his Soul-Cutter Sword, reversed his grip to point it at the ground, then lightly loosened his hold— the hand that tightly gripped the hilt.

"Swish!"

As Byakuya's Soul-Cutter Sword touched the ground, the ground suddenly rippled like a stone dropped from the air breaking the calm lake surface, sending out endless ripples.

"Swastika Release! Thousand Cherry Blossoms: Severe View!"

Byakuya wasted no words, directly releasing his Soul-Cutter Sword's Swastika Release; suddenly, huge blades rose one after another, towering into the clouds from his sides, each blade seeming to reach the heavens, and the moment he finished speaking, they scattered into countless cherry blossom petals, attacking everyone.

As Byakuya said, his targets were Ichigo Kurosaki, Shinji Hirako, Toshiro Hitsugaya, and Kenpachi Zaraki—four people! Everyone present seemed to become the object of his attack, and he chose not to join anyone's side.

"Madman!"

Hirako Shinji watched the cherry blossoms falling like a storm from the sky, his expression slightly changing; he hated this kind of wide-area AOE skill the most—no matter up, down, left, right, or front and back, there was nowhere to dodge.

Likewise, Hirako Shinji didn't hesitate, placing his right hand on his head and pulling down firmly; a mask resembling an Egyptian pharaoh, made of white bone-like material, appeared on his cheek.

"Roar!!"

After that mysterious mask appeared on Hirako Shinji's face, his spiritual pressure surged exponentially, shifting from the stable pressure of a Soul Reaper toward that of a Hollow, becoming wildly violent and filled with an ominous presence.

"Swastika Release! Great Crimson Lotus Ice Ring!"

Facing the endless cherry blossoms falling from the sky, Toshiro Hitsugaya hesitated little, likewise releasing his Soul-Cutter Sword's Swastika Release; in the Soul Society, only a Swastika Release can counter another Swastika Release, yet that is common knowledge among Soul Reapers.

After Hitsugaya's Swastika Release, his Soul-Cutter Sword suddenly transformed into a gigantic ice dragon that lunged to engulf him.

The next second, the ice dragon's belly split open, its body covered in armor of frozen ice, and Toshiro Hitsugaya, as if fused with the ice dragon, appeared before everyone.

See, Hitsugaya's hand gripping the Ice Ring transformed into an ice-made dragon head biting tightly onto his Soul-Cutter Sword; his other hand, not holding the blade, became a sharp dragon claw, as did his feet; meanwhile, ice twin wings unfolded behind him, beneath which a swaying dragon tail hovered above the ground.

"Huu~"

After Hitsugaya's Swastika Release, facing the endless cherry blossom rain falling from the sky, he merely exhaled a breath of cold air; the cold air floated and finally met the blossoms in midair, instantly freezing each blossom in place, preventing them from approaching him even a fraction.

"Oh no……"

On the other hand, compared to Toshiro Hitsugaya, who likewise possesses a wide-range skill……

Ichigo Kurosaki's Swastika Release merely boosted his strength and speed; facing the endless cherry blossoms, he could only keep swinging his Soul-Cutter Sword, using slashes to cut down the blossoms one after another, but the number of Byakuya's Thousand Cherry Blossoms reached a hundred million, and despite Ichigo's swordsmanship surpassing sound, he could not block them all; eventually, blossoms slipped through the gaps where he could not counterattack, drifting toward his body to slice him.

"Hum!"

Then Ichigo's body glowed with a purple light; Byakuya's Thousand Cherry Blossoms were indeed sharp, but could not penetrate the defense attached to his skin.

"Heh, it doesn't hurt!"

Seeing this, Ichigo also didn't bother to swing his sword, since Byakuya's ordinary Thousand Cherry Blossoms could not break through his surface defense at all.

"Boom!"

As for Kenpachi Zaraki on the other side, he appeared even more composed; unless Byakuya concentrated the power of his Thousand Cherry Blossoms, they could not pierce his Spiritual Pressure Armor. Zaraki casually released his inner spiritual pressure, blasting all the blossoms away; facing Byakuya's Swastika Release, Zaraki didn't even bother to swing his blade.

"Boom!!"

With the final roar, Byakuya's Thousand Cherry Blossoms finally all fell down!

After the barrage of Byakuya's Swastika-Released Thousand Cherry Blossoms: Severe View subsided, everyone present seemed to have a chance to catch their breath……

Among them, Zaraki Kenpachi, Ichigo Kurosaki, and Toshiro Hitsugaya had expended little, merely standing in place, facing each other.

In contrast, Hirako Shinji fared poorly; after Byakuya's Thousand Cherry Blossoms had completely fallen, the mask on his cheek had mostly dissipated, his clothes were torn and ragged, making him look extremely disheveled.

"That's why I said I hate enemies with wide-range attack methods the most."

After Hirako Shinji caught his breath for a moment, he spoke softly.

Hirako Shinji has always had a dream: that all enemies capable of fighting in all directions and possessing wide-range AOE should go to hell!!

"Hey! Your abilities have probably been fully shown by now, right?"

"Now it should be my turn, right?"

At that moment, Kenpachi Zaraki lightly stretched his stiff neck and spoke to Byakuya Kuchiki, Toshiro Hitsugaya, Ichigo Kurosaki, and the others.

"Huh?!"

Upon hearing that, everyone instantly turned their gaze to Kenpachi Zaraki.

"Swish……"

Hitsugaya merely blinked lightly; when he opened his eyes again, Zaraki's figure had vanished from his sight.

At that moment, Hitsugaya's mind blared with alarm, and he thought to himself, "Oh no!"

"First……"

Without giving Hitsugaya time to think, the vanished Zaraki seemed to flash, appearing directly above Hitsugaya's head; Zaraki gripped his blade with one hand and slashed at Hitsugaya's sword-wielding hand—if that hand were cut, Hitsugaya would surely lose it.

"Clink~"

At that critical moment, Ichigo Kurosaki, having reacted, stepped in front of Hitsugaya to block Zaraki's strike.

Unfortunately, Ichigo's thinking was too simple; the instant his blade clashed with Zaraki's, golden spiritual pressure erupted from Zaraki's blade like blazing flames, hurling Ichigo away and also blasting Hitsugaya, who stood behind him, into the air.

"I miscounted—there are two."

Zaraki said, then turned his gaze toward the distant Byakuya Kuchiki.

"……"

Byakuya remained silent, silently directing the fallen Thousand Cherry Blossoms into a sea of flowers that surged to engulf Zaraki.

"Ha!!"

Zaraki gazed at the endless sea of cherry blossoms, letting out a fierce roar from his throat; the wave's roar merged with his spiritual pressure, directly carving a path through Byakuya's flower sea straight to him.

"Huh?!"

Seeing this, Byakuya felt a chill run down his spine.

Before Byakuya could think further, Zaraki's form turned into a bolt of lightning, piercing the flower sea and appearing before him.

"Ultimate Scene White Emperor Sword!"

Byakuya, seeing Zaraki approach, hesitated not, directly activating the final form of his Thousand Cherry Blossoms; at the moment he unleashed the White Emperor Sword, his hand grasped a sharp Soul-Cutter Sword again, countless cherry blossoms wrapped around him forming howling wings, the remaining blossoms clung tightly to his surroundings, forming an armor capable of crushing any who neared him, and Byakuya now resembled a true heavenly emperor.

"Hehe……"

Zaraki looked at Byakuya, who had unleashed the White Emperor Sword, and finally showed a faint smile; he had to admit that Byakuya in his ultimate mode was at least barely worth looking at……

Next, Zaraki showed no hesitation; facing Byakuya, he grabbed the White Emperor Sword in Byakuya's hand with his free hand, the unusually sharp blade piercing Zaraki's palm, causing blood to seep out continuously, yet Zaraki didn't care; he simply smirked at the nearby Byakuya and said, "Got you~"

Huh?!

Bai Zai looked at the ferocious beast before him, his pupils constricting slightly.

Swish!

Bai Zai had no time to think; as a cold light flashed across his chest, countless crimson blooms like roses burst forth, drifting up onto the azure sky of the Soul Society……

After taking a strike from Gengmu, Bai Zai dropped to his knees, his knees covered in countless dirt; even as strong as Bai Zai, facing Gengmu's sudden slash, he directly lost his combat ability; the fallen Bai Zai involuntarily released the Final Release of his Soul-Cutter Sword, and fell into deep doubt about his own strength.

The last one……

After cutting down Bai Zai, Gengmu casually stuck the White Emperor Sword he had snatched from Bai Zai's hand—that is, Thousand Cherry Blossoms—into the ground before Bai Zai, then immediately looked toward the last person in the sky, Pingzi Zhenzi.

Buzz!!

Pingzi Zhenzi showed no hesitation, forcing himself to endure the wounds inflicted by Bai Zai's Thousand Cherry Blossoms, forcibly restoring his Hollowfied mask and condensing a Hollow Flash.

Yes, because Pingzi Zhenzi's Soul-Cutter Sword is not adept at combat; his strongest attack method is actually the Hollowfication ability granted by Lanran, which brings forth the Hollow Flash.

Boom!

Gengmu leapt into the sky, first smashing Pingzi Zhenzi's condensed Hollow Flash with a punch; then, without retracting his fist, he directly slammed it into Pingzi's face.

Snap~

Only the sound of his mask shattering came from Pingzi Zhenzi's face; his whole body, like a broken doll, fell from the sky toward the ground.

You really are weak.

Gengmu looked at the fallen Pingzi, his brows slightly furrowed, speaking dissatisfiedly.

Gengmu never feels dissatisfied because an enemy is strong; he only feels greatly dissatisfied when an enemy is too weak!

In Gengmu's view, even a fodder that can't withstand a single strike of his dares to call himself a captain of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads?!

Pfft……

Pingzi Zhenzi seemed to have heard Gengmu's words, spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood.

Who knows who Gengmu learned this from—killing someone and still wanting to condemn their heart?!

It's over.

After doing all that, Gengmu instantly felt bored; he descended from the sky, walking toward Heiqi Yihu lying on the ground, who had turned into a carpet-like figure.

Gengmu had not forgotten Heiqi Yihu's status as a travel calamity; he decided to take Heiqi Yihu away, imprison him in jail, awaiting Huangmu's judgment.

Click……

However, just as Gengmu Jianba approached Heiqi Yihu, his feet suddenly stuck to the ground by something, unable to move forward.

Huh?

After noticing the abnormality in his legs, Gengmu Jianba looked down with a hint of confusion; when he lowered his gaze, he realized his feet weren't stuck by something but were frozen in place by ice emitting endless chill. In the vast Soul Society, only one person in his knowledge possessed such ability; combined with those present, everything went without saying.

Moon Fang…… Heaven-Piercer!

Just as Gengmu was excited that Rifangu Dongshilang hadn't been taken down by him, the Heiqi Yihu who had lain on the ground turned carpet-like somehow now held his Soul-Cutter Sword and arrived above Gengmu Jianba's head.

Ha?!

Gengmu turned around, and what greeted him was a point-blank Moon Fang Heaven-Piercer!

Boom!!

The pitch-black moon fang directly sent Gengmu Jianba flying, along with the ice beneath his feet; even the forest behind Jianba and the distant mountains hundreds of meters high were reduced to ruins under Heiqi Yihu's charged point-blank Moon Fang Heaven-Piercer.

Huff! Huff! Huff……

After finishing all that, Heiqi Yihu sat down on the ground, began gasping heavily; obviously the exertion of that slash was enormous for him as well.

Hey! Rifangu, are you alright?

Heiqi Yihu sat on the ground, asking the likewise recovered Rifangu Dongshilang behind him.

Huh! I'm a captain of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads—how could I possibly be taken down so easily?! That strike didn't hurt or itch at all……

Rifangu Dongshilang, upon hearing Heiqi Yihu's words, instinctively rolled his eyes.

Hahaha, as long as you're fine~ Heiqi Yihu gave a light laugh, then continued: "If my father knew that the junior he once valued was injured in the Soul Society, he'd surely be worried, right?!"

Hmph~

Upon hearing that, Rifangu Dongshilang's handsome face flushed slightly.

Even though Heiqi Yihu couldn't fathom why Rifangu Dongshilang was blushing……

Now then, even that monster ought to have been taken down, right?!

That was basically gambling with nearly all of my spiritual pressure to unleash my strongest strike! If this move fails, then I really……

Heiqi Yihu said, suddenly turning around, he looked at the endless dust and smoke, chuckling; obviously he was full of confidence in that slash he'd just delivered.

Boom!

However, before Heiqi Yihu's words even finished, the dust and smoke kicked up by his Moon Fang Heaven-Piercer suddenly, amidst a howling, tore open a huge gap; a figure with shoulders bare, a bloody streak still bleeding on his chest, resembling a hellish demon, grinning widely, appeared before Heiqi Yihu and Rifangu Dongshilang.

You're kidding, right?

Heiqi Yihu looked at the demon before him, his pupils slightly constricting.

The comer was none other than Gengmu Jianba, who had been blown away by Heiqi Yihu's charged sneak-attack Moon Fang Heaven-Piercer earlier; although Gengmu Jianba's appearance looked utterly disheveled, his inner spiritual pressure was surging high, without a doubt he could still fight, and grew stronger the more he fought.

Watch out!

The Rifangu Dongshilang who had originally stood behind Heiqi Yihu suddenly changed expression; with a wave of his hand, an ice wall instantly appeared before Gengmu Jianba.

Click~

Unfortunately, the moment the seemingly indestructible ice wall touched Gengmu, it was shattered outright by the spiritual pressure clinging to his body.

Hahaha……

At this point, no matter how you look at it, it's already too late……

Gengmu burst into manic laughter, swinging his sword at Heiqi Yihu.

Ding~

However, the scene everyone imagined of Ichigo Kurosaki being cut down by Kenpachi Zaraki with a single blow did not appear; as Kenpachi's blade was about to strike Ichigo, countless cherry blossom petals formed a wall of flowers, blocking the Soul-Cutter Sword in Kenpachi's hand.

Boom!

Kenpachi's eyes flickered with a hint of surprise; before he could think further, he felt the ground beneath his feet loosen, and his body involuntarily sank into the earth. As Kenpachi lost his balance, he saw countless flower petals floating up from beneath his feet—those petals had actually hollowed out the soil under him while his attention was wholly on Ichigo.

Byakuya Kuchiki, thank you……

Ichigo looked at the petals protecting him, a flicker of joy crossing his eyes. He turned his head and saw a disheveled figure using expensive silver-white wind-flower gauze as bandages, having bound his own wound to staunch the bleeding—Byakuya Kuchiki, his face pale, standing not far from Ichigo, continually attacking Kenpachi Zaraki with Thousand Cherry Blossoms.

No need to thank me! You don't have to thank me either—I wasn't planning to save you……

I simply couldn't stand looking at that disgusting beast—that's all!

Byakuya remained as ever, all talk and no substance; he casually glanced at Ichigo and then replied indifferently.

Boom!

Unfortunately, before Ichigo, Byakuya, and the others could catch their breath, a golden slash shot up from the ground to the heavens, tearing the entire earth apart. Kenpachi, gripping his Soul-Cutter Sword, unleashed a tsunami-like spiritual pressure and shouted loudly: 'Hahaha! Hahaha……'

Exactly! Yes, exactly!

This is what a real battle is……

If that's the case, I'll also use a bit of my strength……

Kenpachi Zaraki said this, raising his Soul-Cutter Sword high.

Devour, Wild Exposure!

As Kenpachi's words fell, his Soul-Cutter Sword changed form: from an ordinary katana it became a massive axe requiring two hands, its size comparable to a door panel—this was Kenpachi's initial release.

Boom!!

After Kenpachi Zaraki's initial release, the soil beneath his feet began to sink uncontrollably; this was not because Byakuya Kuchiki's Thousand Cherry Blossoms had dug another pit for Kenpachi Zaraki, but simply because Kenpachi Zaraki's Soul-Cutter Sword was too massive, so huge that the earth could barely bear its weight.

Is this the initial release?!

Ichigo Kurosaki stared at Kenpachi Zaraki, who bore the axe like a hatchet capable of cleaving heaven and earth, his eyes wide; in Ichigo's small eyes lay great doubt, he could not fathom why Kenpachi Zaraki could be so strong.

It's over!

Kenpachi roared, launching himself upward; with his powerful legs tensing, his form instantly shot high into the midair, his altitude now surpassing Ichigo Kurosaki and the others.

Kenpachi was confident that with this single strike he could finish off Ichigo Kurosaki……

We're doomed!

Ichigo instinctively gripped his Soul-Cutter Sword, his spiritual pressure surging wildly as he resolved to stake everything and unleash another Moon Fang Heaven-Piercing.

Boom!

However, as Kenpachi descended from the sky, he did not swing at Ichigo; instead, he brought his Soul-Cutter Sword down in the opposite direction.

Boom!

As Kenpachi's Soul-Cutter Sword struck, the entire forest vanished without a trace.

Huh?

Kenpachi picked up his Soul-Cutter Sword and naturally realized he had attacked the wrong target.

Hinamori Momo……

On the other side, behind Kenpachi, Ichigo Kurosaki shouted in delight at the newcomer.

Phew! That was close~

Hinamori Momo, her cheek swollen from Kenpachi's punch, looked at the chaos-ensuing Kenpachi and let out a slight sigh of relief.

Hinamori Momo, isn't your Soul-Cutter Sword ability been deciphered by Kenpachi?

It was also right after Hinamori Momo appeared that everyone breathed a sigh of relief and then questioned her.

So I just didn't use my Soul-Cutter Sword ability~

Hinamori Momo smiled at everyone upon hearing that.

That guy Kenpachi, because he's too strong, adapted to my Soul-Cutter Sword in the shortest time, altering his sense of direction; therefore, after I release my Soul-Cutter Sword ability, Kenpachi should shortly be unable to adapt to normal directions~

Hinamori Momo laughed at everyone present.

As for whether I'll actually use my Soul-Cutter Sword ability next, it depends on whether Kenpachi guessed correctly~

Hinamori Momo, looking at Kenpachi's back, revealed a sly smile.

Since Kenpachi is so formidable, quickly adapting to his Soul-Cutter Sword's ability, there's no blame for him playing a little interesting game~

So then, invincible Kenpachi Zaraki, come on! Guess whether the world you feel has been interfered with by me?!

I see……

Hinamori Momo, it seems you're not as pathetic as I said!

In the sky, Kenpachi Zaraki bore his Soul-Cutter Sword after its initial release, speaking calmly.

I'll just take it as you praising me~

Hinamori Momo, hearing Kenpachi Zaraki's words, wasn't angry; she merely gave Kenpachi a light smile.

Rest assured, I'm certainly praising you……

Kenpachi Zaraki, hearing Hinamori Momo's words, replied calmly.

If you can't distinguish up from down, front from back, nor left from right, then attacking all directions would render your ability ineffective, wouldn't it?

Kenpachi Zaraki sincerely inquired of Hinamori Momo.

Huh?!

Hinamori Momo, who had just been grinning slyly, suddenly had his smile freeze.

Hinamori Momo, why aren't you laughing? Are you born unable to laugh?

Kenpachi, seeing Hinamori Momo no longer smiling, broke into a wide grin.

The smile won't disappear, but it will shift!

I……

Pingzi's face changed; he had never imagined that his Zanpakutō ability would be countered by such a move, but as Gengmu Jianba said, if the opponent blasts all around—front, back, left, right—his Zanpakutō ability would be useless.

"Brothers, I'm done! From now on, this place is up to you……"

Regarding this, Pingzi directly laid it all out to his three comrades—Heiqi Yihu, Baizai, and Dongshilang—saying he, Pingzi, is finished; do not disturb him for now. After saying that, Pingzi began using Shunpo, trying to distance himself from everyone; in a situation where he cannot use his Zanpakutō ability, his actual combat strength isn't necessarily stronger than Quanxi's; anyway, it's just getting beaten~

"This guy, I finally know why he was kicked out of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads—he's just too weak, right?!!"

Rifangu Dongshilang's eyelid twitched slightly, and he spoke unhappily.

"Now it's not a matter of whether we're happy or not; the problem now is how to defeat this monster before us……"

Heiqi Yihu said, gripping his Zanpakutō tightly.

"That's right!"

Rifangu Dongshilang broke into a sweat on his forehead, pondering whether to use his trump card.

"I won't let you touch me again."

As for Xiumu Baizai, his face also turned a bit pale; the reason he got cut by Gengmu Jianba just now was still his carelessness—he even forgot to use the secret mobility essence personally transmitted by Yoruichi Shihouin—and if it happens again, he'll definitely show you without a scratch.

"Captain!!"

At the moment the battle was about to erupt, a shout rang out, and a red-haired man with tattoos covering his forehead suddenly appeared amidst everyone's battlefield.

"Asanjing Lianci, what are you doing here?"

Xiumu Baizai looked at the newcomer and asked.

"Captain, I felt your spiritual pressure, so I came to help you!"

"Bankai! Baboon King Snake Tail……"

The newcomer was indeed Asanjing Lianci; as he spoke, he immediately released his Zanpakutō's Bankai—his body was suddenly draped in a half-length cape, and his Zanpakutō transformed into a huge bone snake. Evidently, Lianci has not yet gained full recognition of his Zanpakutō, so he can only use a half-Bankai state.

"Is the enemy really this guy?"

After Lianci joined the battlefield, he immediately commanded the bone snake to attack Heiqi Yihu.

"Lianci, are you crazy?!!"

Heiqi Yihu blocked Lianci's bone snake with his Zanpakutō, roaring.

"Don't call me Lianci; we're not that close!"

Upon hearing that, Lianci roared at Heiqi Yihu.

"Idiot! The enemy is that guy up in the sky!"

Without waiting for Lianci to continue under the guise of protecting his captain Xiumu Baizai, he turned into a Pure Love War God and violently beat the bull-headed Heiqi Yihu……

Unable to watch any longer, Rifangu Dongshilang from the side had already rushed to Lianci's side and kicked him in the monkey face.

"Huh?!!"

After being hit by Dongshilang, Lianci visibly staggered for a moment. He lifted his head and glanced at the fiercely intent Gengmu Jianba, and suddenly seemed to understand something……

After all, Lianci had at least hung out in the Eleventh Division before becoming vice-captain of the Sixth Division, and had even once been the sixth seat of the Eleventh Division, so he naturally knows Gengmu Jianba's personality—once Gengmu goes berserk, no one can stop him.

"Captain Gengmu? Now I see……"

"So Captain Gengmu is also here to help me eliminate Heiqi Yihu?"

However, Lianci pretended not to understand the situation, trying to team up with Gengmu to take down Heiqi Yihu together.

"Idiot, Gengmu has gone berserk! Don't worry about Heiqi Yihu for now—first, figure out how to calm Gengmu down! We'll talk about Heiqi Yihu later."

Rifangu Dongshilang shouted at Lianci.

"Tch~"

Upon hearing that, Lianci first turned his head and pursed his lips.

Since Dongshilang had informed him of the situation, he could no longer pretend~

After Lianci adjusted his mood, he immediately changed his expression and said to Rifangu Dongshilang, 'I understand, Captain Dongshilang, I will stop Captain Gengmu~'

However, although he said that with his mouth, his hands did not stop; one could see him commanding the bone snake to blast Heiqi Yihu again~

"Lianci you bastard, you did this on purpose, right?"

After being attacked several times by Lianci, Heiqi Yihu naturally understood; he rushed up to Lianci, grabbed his collar, and roared.

"Yeah! Right! I am attacking you, you bastard!"

"If it weren't for you, Rukia wouldn't have been locked up!"

"If it weren't for you, none of this would be happening now!"

"Since your father is himself a Soul Reaper, I want you to fight using your own Soul Reaper power from the start, you bastard!"

Lianci likewise grabbed Heiqi Yihu's collar and roared.

"Idiot! If I could use my own Soul Reaper power to fight, I would have done so already; in fact, I only just learned my origins today. If you're unhappy, you can go complain to my Soul Reaper father—he didn't tell me the truth, so how would I know? You annoying, brainless, red-haired little punk!"

Heiqi Yihu, not to be outdone, roared at Lianci.

"You? What are you saying?"

"You wanna fight, huh?"

Lianci also got angry.

"Bring it on! I've wanted to beat you for a while!"

"The day Rukia was taken away, I already wanted to beat you!"

Veins bulged on Heiqi Yihu's forehead as he spoke angrily.

"You're gonna get beaten up!"

Lianci threatened Heiqi Yihu.

"Heh? Then I'm really looking forward to it!"

Heiqi Yihu utterly scorned Lianci's threat.

"Boom!"

Just as Renji and Ichigo were about to start fighting, Byakuya Kuchiki really couldn't stand it anymore; he single-handedly controlled the flower petals in the sky, separating Renji and Ichigo.

"If you want to fight, then get lost outside of Soul Society..."

Byakuya Kuchiki angrily shouted at Renji and Ichigo.

Of course, Byakuya Kuchiki's anger was mainly directed at Renji; after all, although Ichigo looks mature, he's actually just a little brat who's barely fifteen years old—by Shinigami standards, that's practically an infant's age—but Renji's age is already not small; Ichigo Kurosaki is just a child who doesn't know better, but you, Renji, aren't you also clueless?!

"Um, Captain~"

Renji heard that and gave an embarrassed smile.

"Renji, didn't I tell you to watch Rukia 24/7?"

"How did you end up here? Since you're here, who's looking after Rukia now?!"

After Byakuya Kuchiki separated Renji and Ichigo, he ignored Ichigo and questioned Renji. At this moment, Byakuya Kuchiki's gaze toward Renji carried a hint of hidden anger…

"As for Rukia, Captain, you can rest assured!"

"When I left, Lord Ginrei, Lord Sōjun, and Lord Kōka were all in the family! With them around, Rukia won't be in danger…"

After hearing Byakuya Kuchiki's words, Renji chuckled and said.

"Impossible! Grandfather and Father went to attend the Five Great Noble Families' meeting; they won't be back for a week! Uncle Kōka should currently be in the 1st Division; he definitely won't appear at the Kuchiki Manor…"

Byakuya Kuchiki's face suddenly changed after hearing Renji's words.

At this point in time, whether it's his grandfather, father, or uncle, none of them could possibly be present in the Kuchiki Manor; this is also one of the reasons why he left Renji in the Kuchiki family to protect Rukia…

"Abarai Renji, I'm asking you again: are you sure you saw my grandfather Kuchiki Ginrei, my father Kuchiki Sōjun, and my uncle Kuchiki Kōka in the Kuchiki Manor? If those three cannot possibly be present in the Kuchiki family, then who exactly are the Ginrei et al. that you saw?!"

Thinking of this, Byakuya Kuchiki's eyes had already taken on a hint of crimson light.

"Impossible! I definitely wouldn't mistake them!"

"I wouldn't even fail to recognize Lord Ginrei…"

Renji said up to this point and suddenly froze; he said he had never before seen Ginrei, Sōjun, and Kōka together returning to the Kuchiki Manor—you know, under normal circumstances, everyone in the Kuchiki family is busy, and aside from major events, it's utterly impossible for them to all return to the family at once…

Earlier, after sensing Byakuya Kuchiki's spiritual pressure, he rushed to help without thinking much; now, thinking it over, everything about this is problematic—first, since he could sense Byakuya Kuchiki's spiritual pressure, he doesn't believe Ginrei et al. couldn't sense it; he knows to come help Byakuya, so how could Ginrei et al. not know?!

"Not good!"

Renji's face drastically changed.

At the same time, Kuchiki Manor.

"Long time no see, Rukia Kuchiki~"

Wearing the captain's haori of the 5th Division, Sōsuke Aizen, along with the other captains of the Gotei 13—3rd Division Captain Gin Ichimaru and 9th Division Captain Tōsen Kaname—appeared in the Kuchiki Manor as if no one else were there, and stood before the imprisoned Rukia Kuchiki.

"Captain Aizen, Captain Tōsen, and Captain Gin?"

At this moment, Rukia Kuchiki looked at the three captains before her, her expression utterly bewildered.

Rukia Kuchiki didn't understand why, in the Gotei 13, three captains notorious for their terrible relationship would simultaneously appear at the Kuchiki Manor and come to see her.

"Captain Aizen, could it be that you're also here to look for Ichigo Kurosaki?"

"Even if you kill me, I won't reveal any information about him!"

After Rukia Kuchiki momentarily blanked out, she suddenly realized something, glared furiously at Sōsuke Aizen before her, and shouted at everyone.

Rukia Kuchiki thought to herself that there was nothing about her that could attract attention, yet three captains of the Gotei 13 had graced her with their presence!

If there were, they'd probably be here to ask for information about Ichigo Kurosaki and the like; Ichigo Kurosaki has already plunged deep into the perilous Soul Society for her sake, so she can't reveal anything that would be detrimental to him—she would absolutely never betray her friend.

"Hehe, Rukia, you obviously misunderstood~"

"I'm not here to look for Ichigo Kurosaki~ I'm here to look for you~"

Sōsuke Aizen stepped step by step to stand before Rukia Kuchiki, then spoke to her with a chuckle.

"Looking for me? What could I possibly have that's worth your search?"

"I'm not just a useless waste who's lost his spiritual power……"

Rukia Kuchiki gave a self‑deprecating laugh and asked Aizen.

"Rukia, don't sell yourself short—you certainly have what I need; to be precise, in my eyes, your existence surpasses everything……"

As Aizen spoke, he had already placed his hand on Rukia Kuchiki's shoulder.

"Huh?"

Rukia Kuchiki's body twitched slightly; she always felt that this man harbored ill intentions.

"Take a deep breath~"

Aizen used a gentle voice to softly comfort Rukia Kuchiki.

"Inhale~"

Rukia Kuchiki hesitated for a moment, then, following Aizen's instruction, took a deep breath.

"Pfft~"

Exactly as Rukia Kuchiki was catching her breath, Aizen's other hand had already pierced through her chest.

At this moment, Rukia Kuchiki had an "mmp" in her heart—should she say it or not? She had regarded Aizen as a good person, yet Aizen was digging into her heart?!

"Hum~"

As Aizen withdrew his hand from Rukia Kuchiki's chest, his palm now held a glowing blue gem, while Rukia Kuchiki was flung to the ground by him.

Indeed, Aizen's move was nothing short of that of a scumbag—use and discard!

"Cough cough cough……"

On the ground, Rukia Kuchiki clutched her chest and kept coughing.

However, when Rukia Kuchiki's small hand lightly stroked her own chest, the imagined wound where Aizen had supposedly ripped out a hole did not exist; the area remained smooth and flat, and even now, from head to toe, Rukia Kuchiki didn't feel much pain—she merely sensed that her body seemed to be missing something, not only not uncomfortable, but actually feeling considerably lighter.

"That guy Kisuke Urahara hid such a treasure inside a little girl's body—what a waste! Indeed, the Hōgyoku only unleashes its full power in my hands—Gin, I want; nothing in the world can stop me now!"

Aizen gripped the Hōgyoku, seeming in high spirits; he smiled faintly at Tōsen Kaname and Gin Ichimaru beside him, recounting how he had already secured victory.

"Why?"

Lu Qiya lay on the ground, asking Aizen.

"Kuchiki Lu Qiya, what are you asking why about?"

Aizen lowered his head, looking at Lu Qiya lying on the ground, as if looking at a small insect crawling on the ground, his eyes carrying a hint of divine pity for mortal things.

"Too much! I have too many things I don't know!"

"What is that thing in your hand? Why is it in my body? How do you know it's in my body?"

Lu Qiya asked Aizen.

"This is the Collapsed Jade, developed by Urahara Kisuke over a hundred years ago, the crystallization of Shinigami technology! It is something that can help Shinigami break their limits~"

Aizen smiled at Lu Qiya.

"Collapsed Jade? Urahara Kisuke..."

Lu Qiya froze for a moment, hearing from Aizen's words many things that a Shinigami of her level should not know.

"As for why this Collapsed Jade appears in your body, it is because your soul, Lu Qiya, is a rare resource that can rarely hide the power of the Collapsed Jade~"

Aizen smiled at Lu Qiya,

"I don't understand..."

Lu Qiya seemed to be possessed by Ichigo Kurosaki, speaking to Aizen.

"Hehe, Lu Qiya, you don't need to understand my words! You just need to know that from the moment you went to the 'Living World', everything about you has been under my control, including your meeting with Ichigo Kurosaki, including your loss of Shinigami powers because of that, and including the great Hollow summoned by the bait that Ishida Uryuu used to summon Hollows, which led to your discovery by the 'Soul Society' and forced retrieval……"

Aizen continued speaking to Lu Qiya.

"Still not getting it? Lu Qiya!"

"All your actions are under my control!"

"The purpose is to let me successfully recover the Collapsed Jade!"

After saying that, Aizen didn't even look at Lu Qiya, turned around and left with Shi Yuan Yin and Dong Xian Yao, leaving only a bewildered Lu Qiya behind.

"Is everything about me being controlled by someone?"

Lu Qiya's eyes flickered with confusion as she muttered to herself.

Under Aizen's words, Lu Qiya initially let down her guard.

"Hey! Come look! See who these are!"

"I never expected it to be you few who masterminded everything!"

"Looks like what that guy Pingzi said is all correct."

Just as Aizen, with Shi Yuan Yin and Dong Xian Yao, had recovered the Collapsed Jade from Lu Qiya's body and stepped out of the Kuchiki family manor, a crowd of figures suddenly surrounded the three of them; the newcomers were none other than the Masked Forces who had been lying in wait here for a long time.

Knowing that Urahara Kisuke had long known the enemy was coming for the Collapsed Jade, he had early warned the members of the Masked Forces; after they went to the 'Soul Society', they needed to do nothing but keep watch on Kuchiki Lu Qiya and the Collapsed Jade, and the enemy would show up on its own, just as Urahara said, and indeed Aizen appeared.

"Liuju Quan Xi, Fengqiao Lou Shilang, Aichuan Luo Wu, Yuanxizi Rishi, Shizhuan Wan Lisha, Jiunan Bai, and Youzhoutian Bo Xuan, long time no see; I don't know how you've been living in the 'Living World' during these hundred years of being wrongfully accused and hunted by the 'Soul Society'."

Aizen showed no guilt of being exposed, acting like an old friend of the Masked Forces as he greeted everyone.

"Of course it's as great as it can get!"

Rishi heard this and shouted angrily.

"Haven't you seen Pingzi Zhenzi? How is he doing?"

After scanning the circle, Aizen asked Rishi again.

"He's also mentally not okay!"

Rishi continued.

"Really? Hearing that Pingzi Zhenzi is doing fine, I feel relieved."

"A hundred years ago, he and Urahara took the blame for me! Let me say this to you all: thank you! Over the past hundred-plus years, you've worked hard~"

Aizen smiled at everyone and thanked them from the heart.

"You bastard! So it was really you who did this?"

The Masked Forces, hearing Aizen's words, only felt their gums swell with pain, and they roared angrily at Aizen.

"Oh? You mean that over the past hundred years, you lot have been investigating the truth of what happened back then, yet even now you still don't know who was behind all this, who gave you your Hollowfication powers? Your words really make my heart cold, they really make me sad~"

Although Aizen said that with his mouth, the smile on his face held no hint of sadness. Instead, it carried a touch of mockery, mocking everyone present, none of whom knew the truth of those years, mocking everyone present, being played around by him alone, and before today, these people actually still thought he was a good person—truly foolish beyond measure.

Now he drops the act, he reveals his hand!

Yes, he is the sole mastermind behind the Hollowfication incident back then!

"Aizen!"

Seeing Aizen admit it, Rishi could no longer hold back, she roared and charged toward Aizen.

"Forget it, Rishi."

"You know, to step on ants without hurting them, this amount of force is hard to master~"

Aizen looked at Rishi charging at him, using only spiritual pressure to knock her to the ground; facing the fallen Rishi, Aizen gave a light chuckle, his eyes full of contempt.

"Aizen! A hundred years ago, why did you choose us as test subjects? Why!"

On the ground, Rishi roared at Aizen.

"Hehe, because you are the weakest and easiest to control among the Thirteen Court Guard Squads; besides you, I really can't think of anyone else who would be played by me for a hundred years, unable to guess who the true identity of the player is—I think only you lot."

Aizen's words not only kill but also stab the heart!

"Fourteen thousand, a big chapter!"