Chapter 324

And in another place.

Keqing was engaged in an astonishing battle with Kyōraku Shunsui.

This time, she unleashed her true full strength.

Majesty.

Divine Arts.

The Five Elements Technique.

Every technique she could use, Keqing executed one by one.

One could say she was now at her peak state.

Although Kyōraku Shunsui had not yet achieved his Bankai, he still felt immense pressure; the seemingly delicate girl before him possessed astonishing combat talent.

He merely offered a few brief reminders.

The opponent immediately grasped the essence of combat.

This even stirred in Kyōraku Shunsui an irresistible desire to take her as a disciple.

"Alright... let's end the fight here. Your strength is recognized. For a human to possess such power is indeed impressive... Your companions have returned."

"Hurry and go..."

Sensing the arrival of Kuchiki Rukia.

Kyōraku Shunsui blocked Keqing’s sword energy.

Forcing her back.

Then he turned and left.

Clearly, today’s battle had gone far enough.

Keqing watched as Kurosaki Ichigo and the others returned, silently sheathing her weapon. Though she wasn’t exactly battered from head to toe.

There were still bloodstains scattered across her body.

Evidently, the earlier battle.

Had inflicted some attacks upon her.

After returning.

Keqing asked: "The mission hasn’t been completed yet?"

"It probably requires escorting Kuchiki Rukia out of Seireitei—only two gates remain... Once we cross this area, it’ll be sufficient!"

Hu Tao voiced her guess.

Rosaline fully agreed.

The group continued retreating.

They quickly arrived at the location where Hokuto and Kenpachi fought.

The place had already turned into ruins.

Both were drenched in blood.

Even Kenpachi bore two new wounds on his body.

In contrast, Hokuto’s injuries were confined to her arm and thigh.

Fortunately.

The wounds weren’t deep.

They wouldn’t leave scars.

At that moment, Yae Miko swiftly approached from afar.

"You’ve come out? Then hurry—leave now..."

"Got it!"

Everyone moved forward together.

Seeing Keqing and the others return, Hokuto understood the mission was nearly over.

So she gripped her long sword and said to Kūkaku Kenpachi: "This is my final strike... Since the person has been rescued, I should now depart..."

"Good!"

Kūkaku Kenpachi shouldered his weapon and laughed heartily.

The previous battle.

Had brought him immense satisfaction.

If so, then let the fight end here.

Hokuto gripped the Dragon-Slaying Sword, gathering light in her hand.

The legendary technique: Shattering Stars.

Was about to be unleashed once more.

But this time, she didn’t intend to kill, so ordinary Shattering Stars would suffice.

Hokuto let out a low shout.

Thunder surged through her body.

She charged directly toward Kūkaku Kenpachi.

At the moment they crossed paths.

Her long sword transformed into countless stars, rushing toward Kūkaku Kenpachi’s body.

Boom.

The two exchanged positions.

Kūkaku Kenpachi looked down at his bloodied chest, coughing while laughing: "A powerful technique... cough... If only you could master your Zanpakutō, it’d be even better..."

Looking forward to our next battle with you.

He had not yet fallen.

But he was already injured.

Even with a resilient body.

It could not withstand attacks as piercing as those from Shisei.

Beidou panted as she arrived before the group, asking: "The mission isn't complete yet?"

"We still need to evacuate Seireitei—less than a hundred meters left... Let's go!!!"

"Yes..."

They moved toward the outer perimeter.

With Yae Miko’s enchantment.

It was easy to gain passage.

···Flowers requested····· ····

Just as they crossed the barrier and landed.

Dozens of Grand Hollows appeared before them.

Keqing frowned and asked: "What are they?"

"Gillian... they're evil spirits!!!"

Black Star Ichigo warned them.

Keqing sneered: "Oh? Souls coming right to us..."

"Then we’ll take them!"

Yae Miko raised her kagura bell.

Rosaline unleashed Hellfire.

And Hu Tao activated her soul-restraining secret art.

In less than a minute.

Twelve Gillian-level Hollows were all eliminated.

All soul crystals were gathered by Tenshi no Kiba.

At that moment, the mission prompt sounded.

【Ding... Congratulations on completing the difficult special mission. Reward: 300,000 mission points.】

【Hint: Points will be divided equally among five people.】

【Hint: You may choose to return immediately or stay a little longer.】

Note: The time you can remain is twenty-five minutes.

"Since the mission is complete, we should head back..."

"Hmm, then we'll meet again... kid in black..."

Everyone bid farewell to Kurosaki Ichigo.

..... ... 0

His body was slowly fading away.

Meanwhile, Kurosaki Ichigo asked, "Hey... who are you people? Where are you returning to..."

Unfortunately, no one answered his question.

But as they were parting... Hu Tao said to him, "Your current strength isn't enough yet. Go learn Bankai... otherwise, the next battle will leave you overwhelmed..."

It will keep you busy dealing with it...

Before he could finish speaking.

Everyone vanished.

Yoruichi Shihō was stunned and said, "Don't you recognize them?"

"What nonsense... how could I know those monsters? Didn't you see just now—those beings blocking even captains were them..."

Under Kurosaki Ichigo's explanation,

The young girl who had granted him Shinigami powers finally understood.

How difficult it had been to save her.

When she heard that Captain Kyōraku Shunsui and Captain Zaraki Kenpachi had both been held back,

She couldn't help but show a shocked expression.

At that moment, within Soul Society.

The old man Yamamoto was troubled over the matter of Yūkina Rukia.

And soon another bad report arrived.

Sōsuke Aizen had betrayed them.

"Truly troublesome matters keep piling up. Has Captain Kyōraku not returned yet?"

Facing Yamamoto's inquiry,

The Shinigami replied, "The captain is on his way to the incident site and has already gone to intercept... However, there's something I need to report..."

The Death God said: "The Captain is already on the way to the location where the incident occurred and has gone to stop it... However, there is something that needs to be reported..."

"According to frontline observers, Yūkina Rukia was rescued, Yūkina Byakuya fought an unknown girl to a draw, and Captain Zaraki Kenpachi and others were all held back...

As for those individuals, after rescuing Yūkina Rukia,

They simply disappeared without a trace.

It didn't seem to be Kidō or Hollowfication. Unknown what power it was... In any case, these people today were all human..."

Hearing his subordinate's words,

Old Yamamoto frowned and said, "Humanity? Now that's quite interesting..."

Humans fighting against Shinigami.

How many years ago was that?

He could no longer remember.

Yet, so much force was deployed just to rescue Yūkina Rukia.

One cannot tell which faction they belong to.

"Investigate them... don't miss any intelligence!"

"Yes, Captain Commander..."

The Shinigami quickly retreated.

And Yamamoto the old man remained deep in thought about what to do next.

And Old Yamamoto was pondering what to do next.