Chapter 249: A Transaction, Equivalent Exchange

The Rasengan, containing a mixture of wind-attribute and spiritual particle energy, traced a curve through mid-air, emitting a faint blue glow.

It struck the artificial rockery not far away.

"Boom!"

Upon contact with the rockery, the stability of the Rasengan changed due to the impact.

From its original spherical form, it dispersed directly into incredibly explosive wind blades.

Countless powerful wind blades instantly sliced the rockery into sand and rubble, scattering in all directions like rain falling from the sky.

Watching everything before her, Orihime Inoue was extremely astonished, her mouth forming an "O" shape:

"This is just too magical!"

"I never expected that even a glove could possess such powerful destructive force."

"Even an ordinary person like me can achieve such results; this is just too easy to use!"

As Orihime Inoue exclaimed, she also found herself unable to put down the Vortex Glove.

Senju Hoshiya smiled slightly and asked, "How is it? Do Itachi like it? With this amplification glove, your power will be enough to help your friends fight against the enemy, right?"

Orihime Inoue nodded repeatedly: "I like it, I like it, I like it so much. But shouldn't this glove be very precious to Itachi? I can't take it away."

Although she said that, Orihime Inoue’s gaze remained lingering on the glove with reluctance.

Senju Hoshiya’s lips curled into a smile as he watched: "This thing isn't precious to me at all. I told Itachi, this is a very common item in my hometown. I don't even look twice at this level of power."

This wasn't Senju Hoshiya just being polite; he truly didn't think much of the power of the Vortex Amplification Glove.

Even if there were countless attacks of this level, they wouldn't be able to shake a single hair on Senju Hoshiya.

After all, he was a being who had awakened the Six-Tomoe Rinnegan; this was no different from an Otsutsuki, already qualifying as a demigod.

However, Orihime Inoue did not know all of this and only thought Senju Hoshiya was being polite.

"Brother Hoshiya, really, there's no need. I cannot accept such a precious gift."

Looking at the hesitant Orihime Inoue, Senju Hoshiya had no interest in continuing to tangle with her and asked directly:

"Don't Itachi want to save your friends? Itachi should know that your friends fought against captain-level opponents just to cover for Itachi."

"Itachi haven't forgotten, have Itachi? Didn't Ganju Kukaku Shiba and Kukaku Kukaku Shiba warn Itachi all?"

"What did they say? If Itachi encounter a captain-level existence, Itachi must run away at the first opportunity, otherwise, Itachi will definitely pay with your life, right?"

With Senju Hoshiya’s reminder, Orihime Inoue suddenly fell into a dilemma.

Discovering that Orihime Inoue was wavering, Senju Hoshiya prepared to strike while the iron was hot, continuing to press her: "Are Itachi going to disregard your friends' lives just to be polite to me?"

"Itachi know they are risking their lives for Itachi; are Itachi really not planning to go save them?"

Orihime Inoue finally made up her mind, gritted her teeth, and said: "Brother Hoshiya, Itachi are right. No matter what, I should not abandon my friends. No matter what price I have to pay, I must go save them."

Hearing this, Senju Hoshiya finally breathed a sigh of relief: "Itachi finally figured it out. It wasn't in vain that I went through so much trouble with Itachi."

While speaking, Senju Hoshiya stroked the Vortex Amplification Glove in his hand, looked at Orihime Inoue with a wicked smile, and couldn't help but ask: "Miss Orihime Inoue, since Itachi have already made such a resolution, I cannot help but ask the question from earlier: what reason do Itachi think I have to give Itachi the glove?"

"Or rather, what kind of equivalent exchange condition can Itachi offer?"

Orihime Inoue bit her lip lightly, truly unable to think of any equivalent exchange condition: "Brother Hoshiya, I don't have any money right now, and I don't know what I can do for Itachi. If Itachi can help me save my friends, I will definitely be very grateful to Itachi."

As she spoke, Orihime Inoue’s tone sounded very sincere, yet the meaning behind her words made Senju Hoshiya feel a bit impatient.

Is she really stupid, or just pretending to be?

"What is a woman's greatest asset, besides bearing children?" Senju Hoshiya was not prepared to continue playing riddles with Orihime Inoue and stated his purpose.

However, Orihime Inoue seemed completely caught off guard, her expression showing great surprise: "Brother Hoshiya, how can Itachi say that? I’ve been treating Itachi like a brother!"

Senju Hoshiya shook his head: "What Itachi treat me as is not important; what matters is whether Itachi are willing to save your friends or not."

"This was none of my business to begin with; it was your friends who were willing to sacrifice their lives to buy Itachi space to escape."

"Your friends are willing to sacrifice their own lives to give Itachi a chance at survival, and what can Itachi do for your friends?"

"Now that there is clearly a way to save your friends, are Itachi unwilling to pay even a small price?"

After listening to Senju Hoshiya’s words, Orihime Inoue was clearly shaken.

From confusion, to hesitation, and then to a firm expression once again.

Orihime Inoue finally made her decision.

"Tell me, what do I need to do to get what I want?"

Discovering that Orihime Inoue had finally caught on, Senju Hoshiya patted her golden, smooth hair with satisfaction and praised:

"Miss Orihime Inoue, Itachi really are a kind-hearted good girl. I believe your friends will feel very comforted to have a friend like Itachi who knows how to repay kindness."

For some reason, after receiving Senju Hoshiya’s praise, Orihime Inoue felt very happy.

At this moment, carefully observing Senju Hoshiya’s appearance, Orihime Inoue was suddenly attracted by his handsome looks.

Looking at such a handsome Senju Hoshiya, Orihime Inoue was momentarily dazed, and when she came back to her senses, she suddenly found herself nestled in Senju Hoshiya’s arms.

"Brother Hoshiya, no, Itachi can't."

Although she said "no" with her mouth, her body did not stop wriggling, coupled with her tender, smooth skin.

Senju Hoshiya even suspected he was holding a warm loach.

"Brother Hoshiya, wait a moment..."

That slightly low voice made her already soft and beautiful tone sound even more enchanting, yet Senju Hoshiya did not want to wait any longer.

Meanwhile, at the 11th Division.

Kenpachi Zaraki returned to his barracks covered in blood, his expression looking very disappointed.

"Tch, I thought I could fight to my heart's content, but I didn't expect the opponent to be so weak."

At this moment, Ichigo Kurosaki had already been pierced through the chest by Kenpachi Zaraki, and it was precisely because of this battle with Kenpachi Zaraki that Ichigo Kurosaki, a frog in a well, witnessed true power.

Not only that, but on the verge of death, Ichigo Kurosaki even realized his Bankai.

However, Kenpachi Zaraki did not know any of this yet.

Returning to the barracks, Kenpachi Zaraki looked at the many people gathered at the entrance with a curious expression.

"What are Itachi all gathered here for?"

Discovering that their captain had returned, Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawa were startled:

"Captain, we discovered a Ryoka girl while on patrol, so we brought her back to report to the lieutenant."

"Yes, Captain, Ikkaku is right. We came over to report on our patrol work; we definitely weren't slacking off."

Hearing this, Kenpachi Zaraki looked toward Yachiru Kusajishi.

There seemed to be suspicion in his eyes.

"Since Itachi caught a Ryoka, why don't I see her now?"

"Itachi aren't lying to me, are Itachi?"

Hearing this, Yachiru Kusajishi was not the least bit flustered; instead, she laughed innocently: "Ken-chan, how could they possibly lie to Itachi? Even if they had the guts of a bear, they wouldn't dare lie to Itachi."

"That's right, they did catch the Ryoka girl, but she was transferred to another dimension by the Ryoka 3rd Seat from last time."

Yachiru Kusajishi’s expression was very innocent and cute, but Kenpachi Zaraki was startled.

"The Ryoka 3rd Seat from last time? Itachi mean the current 5th Division 3rd Seat, Senju Hoshiya?"

Yachiru Kusajishi nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, that's him, the current 5th Division 3rd Seat, the Ryoka boy from last time, Senju Hoshiya."

Itachi must know that she is Kenpachi Zaraki’s Bankai, a power so strong that even Kenpachi Zaraki dare not use it easily; he once even fractured his own arm just to wield such power.

As a Bankai with such formidable strength, Yachiru Kusajishi naturally feared nothing, and she had no fear of Senju Hoshiya either.

But Kenpachi Zaraki, after their previous battle, still felt a lingering sense of dread regarding Senju Hoshiya.

It was as if Senju Hoshiya was a mountain he could never overcome in his entire life.

Kenpachi Zaraki, who once only wanted to fight to his heart's content, had actually developed a craving for power for the first time.

At the same time, he also became somewhat fearful because he could not obtain such power.

Hearing that it was Senju Hoshiya who took the Ryoka, Kenpachi Zaraki’s expression clearly showed signs of retreating.

At this moment, Yachiru Kusajishi stepped forward: "Ken-chan, Itachi must not doubt your own strength. If Itachi even start doubting yourself, your heart of the sword will be completely shattered."

Seeming not to have expected such words from a little girl like Yachiru Kusajishi, Kenpachi Zaraki was first slightly surprised.

However, a moment later, he had a sudden realization.

"That's right, Itachi're right. If I doubt my own strength, that kind of blade probably couldn't even cut through tofu."

"Only by believing in one's own strength and putting everything into every strike can one cut everything down."

After thinking it through, Kenpachi Zaraki resolutely made up his mind.

"Battle is about fighting to the death."

"Senju Hoshiya, we didn't finish our fight last time, but this time I will definitely fight Itachi to my heart's content!"

"Ughahahahaha!"

Just at this moment, not far from the 11th Division barracks, a vortex-like flow suddenly appeared in the air.

Seeing the obvious spatial distortion before him, Kenpachi Zaraki immediately guessed what was happening.

"Senju Hoshiya!"

Before the words had even faded, the figures of Senju Hoshiya and Orihime Inoue appeared before everyone.