Zaraki Kenpachi never expected that it would be Tsugikuni Yoriichi who stopped him.
Although drawing his Zanpakuto was indeed against the rules… wasn't slaying the enemy the most important thing right now?!
In his eyes, Tsugikuni Yoriichi's calm, placid demeanor was clearly reflected.
Yoriichi's face was serene, as if no words or actions in the world could stir the slightest ripple in his heart.
At this, Zaraki Kenpachi secretly gritted his teeth, the sound a 'grinding' noise, as if venting his inner displeasure.
He swiftly redirected the force, swinging his blade to his side!
Boom!
The magnificent sword pressure destroyed the street, shattered stones flew like rain, and dust billowed, like a thick veil.
The Adjuchas, startled by this sudden turn of events, snapped back to reality, and their survival instinct immediately sent them fleeing.
Zaraki Kenpachi glared at everything, then his gaze shifted to Tsugikuni Yoriichi, his eyes seeming to question why he was obstructing his fight.
Facing Zaraki Kenpachi's angry gaze, Tsugikuni Yoriichi offered no further explanation, simply stating calmly, "They can still be saved."
After speaking, he softly chanted, "Bakudo #61: Rikujokoro."
Several dazzling light blades instantly appeared in the air, like shackles descending from the heavens, firmly binding the Adjuchas in place, rendering them immobile.
Tsugikuni Yoriichi quietly watched these bound Hollow Shinigami, then slowly turned, preparing to use [this rope] to tie them up and take them away.
But just then, Zaraki Kenpachi took a step forward, blocking his path.
"You… you can't leave!" Zaraki Kenpachi's voice boomed like muffled thunder, making the air tremble slightly.
"Fight me, as compensation for interrupting my battle!"
Tsugikuni Yoriichi gave Zaraki Kenpachi a faint glance: "Were you also hypnotized?"
"Hypnotized? What's that? I'm perfectly fine right now!" Zaraki Kenpachi puffed out his chest, his voice deep and powerful.
His clear-minded appearance made Tsugikuni Yoriichi frown slightly.
"Since you weren't hypnotized, why defy orders?" Tsugikuni Yoriichi's tone grew serious. "Zaraki Kenpachi, don't forget, you are a Shinigami."
"So what if I'm a Shinigami?" Zaraki Kenpachi retorted, swinging his sword, the blade cutting a sharp arc through the air.
"Tsugikuni, it's you who shouldn't forget why I joined the Gotei 13."
"These Shinigami, in my eyes, are all weaklings who can't even spark my interest in a fight. You are different."
"Normally, when I seek you out for a fight, you always refuse, but now…"
"Can you still refuse me?" A ferocious smile appeared on Zaraki Kenpachi's face, like a hungry beast spotting its long-awaited prey.
He knew in his heart that this was undoubtedly the best time.
Seireitei had fallen into chaos, and any Shinigami could be an enemy.
If it were a normal Gotei 13 member, they should be providing various forms of support at this time.
But Kenpachi was different; he didn't care what Seireitei became.
He only wanted to fully unleash the battle intent that had accumulated in his heart for so long.
At this, Yoriichi secretly frowned. He had known all along that Kenpachi would one day suddenly make a move, because his personality was incompatible with discipline.
However, what he didn't expect was for that day to arrive so soon…
With a "bang," Tsugikuni Yoriichi threw the several Hollow Shinigami onto the ground.
In his eyes, Zaraki Kenpachi's figure, erupting with spiritual pressure like a ferocious beast about to charge, was reflected.
The moment Zaraki Kenpachi's right hand gripped his sword hilt, his figure suddenly vanished from his original spot.
Immediately after, two voices rang out consecutively.
"Tsugikuni… you'd better not disappoint me!"
"I've been waiting for this day for a very long time!"
…
Rukongai.
As a black coffin materialized in the void, Yamamoto Genryusai was instantly sealed tightly inside.
Aizen Sōsuke slowly lowered his left hand, a composed expression on his face.
He knew this move wouldn't cause Yamamoto Genryusai deep harm, but it was enough as long as it bought him some time.
Before this, he had contacted the Menos Grande in Hueco Mundo.
Because he had anticipated the space being sealed off, a Negación would appear when the time came.
Negación, as a special ability of Hollows, could isolate the effects of space.
Once inside a Negación, even if the Royal Guard intervened, they couldn't stop him from leaving.
This was one of the reasons Aizen was so calm.
Bang, bang, bang.
Faint rumbles could be heard from within the Kurohitsugi, like a chain of explosions.
After just one second, with a deafening "boom," the Kurohitsugi instantly shattered, and Yamamoto Genryusai emerged from within completely unharmed.
His Ryujin Jakka, in his hand, emitted a bright fiery glow, and surging flames swept forth, incinerating everything, as if this one strike had shattered the Kurohitsugi.
Seeing this, Aizen Sōsuke nodded slightly: "As expected of the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13."
"Although my Kurohitsugi's power is reduced by 60% without incantation, it is still not something ordinary Shinigami can withstand."
"Speaking of which, how is your right arm?" Aizen Sōsuke's gaze swept over one of Yamamoto Genryusai's arms, a hint of contemplation in his eyes.
Yamamoto Genryusai snorted coldly: "Such pretense, utterly ridiculous."
"Aizen Sōsuke, your hidden depths truly astound this old man, to be able to release Hado above number ninety without incantation."
"It's a pity these have no effect on this old man."
"If you have no other tricks, then don't blame this old man for showing no mercy."
Boom!
Yamamoto Genryusai's patience seemed to reach its limit. The spiritual pressure erupting from his entire body made the scorching aura emitted by Ryujin Jakka even more intense.
The surrounding air twisted and became oppressive, making it difficult to breathe. It was as if one were in a giant furnace.
Aizen Sōsuke remained unconcerned: "Why such a hurry, Captain-Commander Yamamoto? I am right here, and my Kyōka Suigetsu is countered by you, isn't it?"
"Glad you know." Yamamoto Genryusai gave him a cold look, then suddenly swung his sword.
"Ryujin Jakka: Shōmyō."
A wisp of flame instantly erupted, forming a vast tornado in an instant, completely engulfing Aizen Sōsuke.
That cataclysmic pressure bore down on Aizen Sōsuke, as if to burn him to ashes, giving him no room for argument whatsoever!
The surrounding air was incredibly hot, making even breathing extremely difficult, as if his lungs would be burned through.
Aizen Sōsuke chuckled softly: "How decisive, Captain-Commander Yamamoto… no, Yamamoto Genryusai, but do you think this is enough to kill me?"
"I am not your match in a direct fight, and my Kyōka Suigetsu was not created for that purpose, therefore…"
Aizen Sōsuke's voice suddenly appeared behind Yamamoto Genryusai.
"Why do you think I appeared before you alone?"
The appearance of this voice was extremely peculiar, causing Yamamoto Genryusai's pupils to contract slightly.
He abruptly swung his sword behind him.
But at the same time, Aizen Sōsuke's voice appeared to his right again.
"Pointless."
"Yamamoto Genryusai."
"From the moment you appeared before me alone, you had already lost."
"But at the same time, you should be grateful that you came alone, otherwise, those two slashes of yours would no longer be at my illusion…"
With a "boom," as soon as Aizen Sōsuke's words fell, boundless flames swept out in all directions, centered on Yamamoto Genryusai.
These flames seemed to possess life, meticulously searching every inch of the surrounding space.
Even though Aizen Sōsuke was confident he wouldn't be discovered, facing these flames covering a thousand-meter radius, he finally extended his hand: "Bakudo #81: Dankū."
An invisible wall of air instantly appeared, blocking all the flames in front of him.
Behind the wall, Aizen Sōsuke shook his head gently with a helpless expression.
What a brute.
…
At the same time.
Seireitei.
Bang!
Zaraki Kenpachi was sent flying backward like a projectile.
His body cut an arc through the air, stirring up a gust of wind.
Visibly, his body was covered in blood.
The blood stained his clothes, like blooming red plum blossoms.
His tall body scraped a line of blood on the ground, and he flew for tens of meters before slowly rising, spitting, his heavy breathing carrying a fierce edge.
His Zanpakuto remained firmly in his hand the entire time.
Yachiru had left his side at some point, watching him with deep concern.
Her eyes were filled with worry and unease.
Yoriichi watched too.
His voice solemn: "Kenpachi, is this your intention?"
"Even if it means death, you want me to draw my sword?"