A moment later, a terrifying spiritual pressure surged from the North Rukongai's 80th district, then vanished as quickly as it appeared. Kyō
A moment later, a terrifying spiritual pressure surged from the North Rukongai's 80th district, then vanished as quickly as it appeared. Kyōraku Callum's senses immediately locked onto it.
"The tracker is going wild!" Suì-Fēng exclaimed, her voice urgent and laced with shock. "An incredibly powerful spiritual pressure appeared and disappeared in the North Rukongai's 80th district! Kyōraku Callum, we need to go there now!"
"No need. They're already here," Kyōraku Callum replied, his gaze fixed straight ahead, his expression turning serious. Suì-Fēng also sensed the shift in the atmosphere.
Drip, drip.
"It's raining?" Suì-Fēng looked up at the sky, shrouded in a heavy, grey cloud cover.
Countless spiritual particles fell as rain, soaking their haoris.
Tap, tap.
Heavy footsteps approached from a distance. A tall figure gradually materialized before Kyōraku Callum and Suì-Fēng. A spiritual pressure on par with a Captain's began to fill the area.
Only now did Suì-Fēng realize the opponent's spiritual pressure had been completely concealed.
If not for the imminent battle causing its release, she likely wouldn't have detected it.
Black armor covered its slender form; a strange white substance filled the Hollow hole in its chest.
A ferocious bull-headed mask adorned its face, its numerous, tightly packed teeth creating a disturbingly dense effect.
"It's the Hōgyoku," Kyōraku Callum confirmed instantly upon seeing it.
However, he chose not to announce this openly; some information was best kept from Suì-Fēng.
Suì-Fēng's voice suddenly became calm and resolute. "Target acquired. Eliminate it, and the mission is considered a success.
Suzumebachi, let's go!"
Before Kyōraku Callum could stop her, Suì-Fēng released her Zanpakutō and charged forward alone.
Hum— A mountain-like spiritual pressure pressed down, instantly slowing Suì-Fēng's speed. The Hōgyoku's arms were as sharp as blades, capable of seemingly tearing through space with each movement.
"Bakudō #33. Sōkatsui!" Realizing her reduced speed, Suì-Fēng attempted to restrain the Hōgyoku with Kidō, simultaneously releasing her own spiritual pressure to counter its immense power.
But the Hōgyoku, a masterpiece of Aizen's creation, was not so easily bound.
With a swift slash of its arm, the yellow, inverted-triangle Kidō was instantly dispelled into spiritual particles.
Kyōraku Callum sighed. "You're no match for it. Let me handle this." He intended to suggest Suì-Fēng observe from a safe distance.
However, his words inadvertently sparked Suì-Fēng's competitive spirit.
"I can handle it!" Suì-Fēng gritted her teeth, refusing to back down. Concentrated Kidō energy instantly enveloped her back and shoulders, reducing her Captain's haori to ash.
Her speed increased dramatically.
The Hōgyoku tilted its head slightly, seemingly surprised by this sudden burst of speed.
In the next instant, Suì-Fēng was before it.
Her limbs pulsed with immense Kidō power, her speed and strength amplified beyond imagination.
Suzumebachi struck towards the Hōgyoku's chest.
The Hōgyoku didn't even attempt to evade the attack; it raised its arm, the blade slashing towards Suì-Fēng!
In that split second, Suì-Fēng's speed surged again; Suzumebachi grazed the black armor, leaving a faint, distinctive mark. The blade struck!
Suì-Fēng used the recoil to propel herself away at even greater speed.
A faint black butterfly pattern, almost imperceptible, remained on the armor.
A hint of triumph flickered across Suì-Fēng's face. "Next, a killing blow!"
The Hōgyoku remained stationary, showing little reaction.
The rain steadily soaked the ground, turning it muddy.
Suì-Fēng prepared to strike again, aiming for the same mark.
However, at the very last moment, a red glow suddenly flashed in the Hōgyoku's empty eyes. Its arm, wielding the blade, moved with a speed many times faster than before!
Suì-Fēng was in imminent danger!
The clash of steel echoed through the desolate Wasteland. Suì-Fēng's eyes were squeezed shut, bracing for the impact, but the expected blow never came.
"Observe," Kyōraku Callum's voice reached her ears. Suì-Fēng opened her eyes, meeting his gaze. "The enemy is far too powerful for you to handle alone."
Suì-Fēng's cheeks flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and frustration.
As a Captain, she was being protected by a vice-captain.
However, the reality was that she should have remained on the sidelines.
The seemingly irrational Hollow had feigned weakness, launching a fatal counterattack at the precise moment Suì-Fēng was about to land a decisive blow.
Its battle instincts were clearly superior.
Kyōraku Callum's Zanpakutō intercepted the Hōgyoku's blade, allowing Suì-Fēng to safely retreat. This seamless exchange of opponents didn't seem to trigger any significant reaction from the Hōgyoku.
The red glow in its eyes intensified, fixing its gaze firmly on Kyōraku Callum. The spiritual pressure that had previously enveloped the area began to coalesce, also targeting Kyōraku Callum.
"It seems I'm the target," Kyōraku Callum mused, a shrewd glint in his eyes.
He suspected Aizen had orchestrated this incident to once again gauge his capabilities. A thoroughly understood pawn was, after all, a far more useful pawn.
The Hōgyoku's exposed teeth suddenly snapped open, red light flashing within, spiritual pressure gathering in its mouth with blinding speed.
Taking advantage of the momentary stalemate, the Hōgyoku launched another attack.
Cero!
Time acceleration! Kyōraku Callum didn't possess the same resilience as a Hollow. At such close range, a direct hit from a Cero could easily end his life.
Shihōin Stealth Techniques. Utsusemi!
His black haori remained in place as Kyōraku Callum vanished, evading the Cero's devastating blast.
The explosive force instantly consumed his haori and continued its destructive path, tearing a deep, bottomless crater into the ground.
The Hōgyoku's gaping maw remained open, the red light flashing once more.
Spiritual pressure continued to gather, and a relentless barrage of Ceros locked onto Kyōraku Callum's position.
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