Chapter 748

In midair, Aizen and Kenpachi Zaraki's zanpakutō continuously clashed; to them, each other was the perfect opponent, so defeating the other was their ultimate need.

Watching the two, Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo was somewhat puzzled—he had not expected that people from the Bleach World fought with such brutal, close-range strikes.

But for the Six Paths Sage, Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo, this was not a major issue; after all, he had encountered such battles before.

In that era before ninjutsu had fully emerged, before ninja existed, warriors fought by exerting every single muscle in their bodies.

Even when they possessed chakra, chakra's role was merely a special enhancement to amplify their strength; in truth, for warriors, the most important thing was still to cut down an opponent's body with their Wu Shidao.

So seeing the somewhat archaic combat of the Shinigami, Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo was surprised—he had not expected that in a world possessing magic far more convenient than chakra, such people would still exist.

Aizen's reiatsu continuously intensified; even now, Aizen had not used any ability of his zanpakutō, Kyōka Suigetsu, because he knew such abilities had no effect on Kenpachi Zaraki's current state.

Moreover, Aizen now desired nothing but a fight; Kenpachi Zaraki's fighting style could help him break through faster.

"Almost there, almost there—only such a battle can make you keep breaking through, right, Hōgyoku? If so, even if I have any plans, they cannot be realized, correct?"

"Is what I lack the beastlike instinct in battle? Is this what I truly desire?"

In his battle with Kenpachi Zaraki, Aizen continually questioned himself, for he knew he had no way to defeat Kenpachi Zaraki—but he needed Kenpachi Zaraki to reveal even greater strength.

Finally, amid Kenpachi Zaraki's relentless attacks, Aizen underwent a transformation into a stronger state; if previously Aizen in Hōgyoku Form Five had been his strongest form, now Aizen had surpassed Hōgyoku Form Five and reached a new realm.

All the grotesque traits of Aizen's former Hōgyoku Form Five vanished, and Aizen seemed to have returned to the man who could simultaneously wield his power and tactical command in battle.

Watching Aizen's change, Kenpachi Zaraki's expression did not darken like Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo's; instead, it became utterly ecstatic.

"Aizen, is this your final form? Strong—excellent—worth killing you!"

Seeing Aizen's appearance, Kenpachi Zaraki grew even more excited—and at that moment, he activated his Shikai, which he had never used before.

"Shikai, devour, Yachiru!"

Under Kenpachi Zaraki's nearly frenzied gaze, his zanpakutō, previously in the shape of a normal Wu Shidao, instantly transformed into a massive blade that inspired profound confusion.

This transformation gave Aizen a bad premonition, for a zanpakutō in this form clearly was not meant for any normal human—there was only one truth: Kenpachi Zaraki's long-unattainable Bankai had finally been perfected...

"Aizen, you are the first to experience my Bankai—let me show you just how terrifying my Bankai truly is."

"Those of you not involved in battle, do not come near—my Bankai is not Kebushi Society; it won't make me lose my sanity, but you might still get killed by me."

Seeing Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo and Naruto, Kenpachi Zaraki's face revealed a bloodthirsty smile; without a word, his physical form began to change.

As Kenpachi Zaraki began his Bankai, his will also grew hazy—and at this moment, he transformed into a monster more terrifying than a Hollow.

Seeing Kenpachi Zaraki's appearance, Aizen was greatly surprised—he had never seen a Shinigami's Bankai turn the user's body into a beastlike form.

But now Aizen himself faced immense pressure; facing Kenpachi Zaraki's Bankai, he had no idea how to counter it.

The enormous zanpakutō, combined with the monstrous physique—everything made Aizen feel Kenpachi Zaraki was far from easy to handle.

"I didn't expect you to have such a form, but you yourself said this form of yours has no reason—or any ability to distinguish allies—so all I need to do is guide you toward your comrades, and that will be enough."

Watching Kenpachi Zaraki, Aizen's face curled into a faint smile; if Kenpachi Zaraki still possessed will, he might be extremely hard to defeat—but without will, he became easy to handle.