Yamamoto couldn't help but think of his young disciple, that guy who was a Shinigami but ridiculously strong.
He had miraculously broken through the restraints of a Shinigami, reaching a realm no Shinigami had ever touched, and perhaps he truly could find a way to deal with the current crisis.
No, even if there was no way, a way had to be found; he could only believe this.
As long as there was a glimmer of hope!
Now, he must block these bothersome bastards!!
Yamamoto looked at the long sword in his hand, a ruthless glint appearing in his eyes.
Blazing Hell!
He swung his sword towards the sky.
Flames soared into the sky, forming a pillar of fire connecting heaven and earth, instantly engulfing over a dozen Hell monsters and Togabito.
"Very good, Captain-Commander, just like that."
"But with your aged body, even without using Bankai, how long can you last?"
"So... please don't die!"
With an incredibly sunny smile, Shihoin Chika adopted a drawing stance.
Looking at his opponent, Yamamoto was slightly startled, feeling a little dazed.
Then, he revealed a confident smile.
"You should be the ones to be careful! I will personally send you bastards back to Hell!"
Amidst the chaotic battle, their eyes met, and then they charged at each other.
Fierce Reiatsu exploded and spread!
As they moved, the surrounding space began to twist and deform, as if unable to bear such immense power.
Yamamoto's gaze became even more resolute, gripping the long sword in his hand, an unparalleled aura emanating from his entire body.
Shihoin Chika still wore that sunny smile, but a sharp glint flickered in his eyes.
He flashed, turning into a streak of light, charging towards Yamamoto with astonishing speed.
The distance between them rapidly shortened, about to collide.
Just then, Yamamoto swung his sword fiercely, and a scorching flame sword reiatsu roared out, heading straight for Shihoin Chika.
Shihoin Chika showed no fear; he dodged the sword-reiatsu sideways, while the blade in his hand glowed faintly, slashing fiercely at Yamamoto.
Yamamoto snorted coldly, raising his long sword to block Shihoin Chika's attack.
Their weapons collided, emitting a harsh metallic clang.
Immediately after, they engaged in an intense close-quarters combat.
Every collision between blades and fists would unleash dazzling sparks and powerful Reiatsu fluctuations.
At the same time, the other First Generation Captains also launched their attacks, attempting to break through Yamamoto's defenses from all directions.
However, Yamamoto displayed extraordinary combat skills and reaction ability; he wielded Ryujin Jakka, which no one dared to directly confront, deflecting their offensives again and again.
In this fierce battle, Yamamoto gradually gained the upper hand.
His swordsmanship became increasingly sharp, each strike containing immense power, making it difficult for the enemies to resist.
But Shihoin Chika and the others did not give up.
Their bodies were constantly injured and then repaired, charging forward fearlessly.
For a time, the battlefield fell into a stalemate, with neither side giving way, and neither able to easily defeat the other.
...
Kensei Muguruma, Hirako Shinji, and a host of other Captains stood not far away, their expressions grave as they watched the front.
Their figures, clad in white, stood out especially in the dim environment.
The battlefield was filled with a tense and fierce atmosphere, the opposing gazes meeting, as if sparks could fly.
In this tense atmosphere, Shunsui and Jūshirō Ukitake exchanged glances, a tacit understanding seeming to pass between them.
Jūshirō Ukitake nodded slightly, and Shunsui unhesitatingly charged towards the direction of the Gotei 13 melee.
The others, knowing their limits, remained where they were and did not join the fray.
Are you kidding me!
Those First Generation Captains, empowered by the forces of Hell, had significantly increased their strength.
The admission ticket to the melee was First Class Reiatsu!
If ordinary Captains like them rushed in recklessly, they would only die in vain.
Kensei Muguruma stood still, looking at the swarms of monsters, his brows tightly furrowed.
These monsters varied in form; although they lacked the masks of Hollows, their appearance bore some resemblance to Hollows, making them unsettling.
A strange aura emanated from them, sending chills down one's spine.
"What exactly are these things? They look like Hollows, but the position of their Hollow Holes is too strange."
Kensei Muguruma muttered to himself.
Hirako Shinji replied with a serious expression:
"Don't let your guard down. Although we can't sense their Reiatsu, judging from the Hell Jailers who invaded the Captains' meeting earlier, these guys should also be beings whose Hollow Holes are 'distorted' outside their bodies."
After speaking, he slowly drew his Zanpakuto, its blade shimmering with dazzling light.
"Heh, they don't seem strong, it shouldn't take too long. Let's finish them quickly, then go help the Captain-Commander!"
Kensei Muguruma confidently swung his Zanpakuto, his figure rushing like a gust of wind towards the group of Hollow-like monsters.
"Be reduced to ashes, Tachikaze!!"
He roared, instantly releasing his Zanpakuto.
Seeing this, Hirako Shinji said no more and also swung his sword to meet them.
However, just a few minutes later.
Kensei Muguruma's tattered body flew like a cannonball into a pile of rubble, making a loud noise, directly smashing through several walls.
Watching this scene, Hirako Shinji's mood was somewhat complex.
These Hollow-like monsters didn't seem to be Vasto Lorde, yet their strength was so astonishing.
One or two were still manageable; Kensei Muguruma could barely cope after activating his Shikai.
But with three to five attacking together, he couldn't hold out at all.
Hirako Shinji knew clearly that the strength of this group of guys definitely reached Captain-class.
They must have been at least top-tier Adjuchas in their lives.
If his Zanpakuto, Sakanade, wasn't a rule-based type that could reverse the enemy's sensory perception, he would probably have met the same fate as Kensei Muguruma.
As he was thinking, suddenly, a red light illuminated his face.
Hirako Shinji looked at the few guys in the distance.
Those bastards were wide-mouthed, facing him, constantly condensing powerful Reiatsu in their mouths.
"Damn it, these guys... are Cero! Have they seen through me because I've used my ability too much?"
Hirako Shinji cursed inwardly.
His Sakanade ability's medium was the unique scent emitted from the blade.
If the enemy couldn't smell this scent, they wouldn't be affected by Sakanade's ability.
Five dazzling light cannons whistled and shot towards Hirako Shinji, their immense energy making the air tremble.
Just then, in front of Hirako Shinji, a figure instantly flickered and appeared.
Jūshirō Ukitake held his twin swords, his left sword steadily aimed at the incoming light cannons.
The dark red light was actually absorbed little by little by the Zanpakuto in his hand.
Immediately after, Jūshirō Ukitake quickly raised his right hand, and the Zanpakuto in his hand released all the absorbed energy.
With a violent explosion, Jūshirō Ukitake turned his head and gave Hirako Shinji a gentle smile:
"Captain Hirako, are you alright?"
"Of course I'm alright, tch... You're still so energetic, thanks."
Hirako Shinji recalled the Thirteenth Division Captain who was always sickly, then looked at the vibrant Jūshirō Ukitake in front of him, and couldn't help but grin.
Is this a retaliatory burst of energy from lying in a sickbed for too long?
Aren't you tired?
With a helpless sigh, Hirako Shinji raised his sword and met the charging monsters.
☰