"Crack, crack…"
The sound of ice freezing echoed one after another.
Kuukaku was shocked to see that under Tōshirō's slash, not only was the entire street frozen, but a massive iceberg had also been created.
At her side, Orihime was startled, staring fearfully at the ice mountain.
Only three meters away.
She would have been frozen inside it.
The six little fairies of the Shun Shun Rikka were restless, all speaking up:
Tsubaki: "Orihime, be careful. This guy's zanpakuto is terrifying, even the Santen Kesshun might not be able to block his attack."
Baigon: "The Santen Kesshun definitely can't stop it."
Lily: "Orihime, hurry and run to Cole. He should be able to deal with this brat."
Ayame: "If you get trapped in that ice, even the Souten Kesshun won't be able to rescue you."
Souten: "This captain is scary… He looks so small, yet he has this kind of power."
Shun'ō: "Idiot woman, run already! He's not someone you can handle. If you run now, I can still try to hold him off a bit."
…
Elsewhere.
On a distant street, Rukia stopped abruptly, staring in shock at the gigantic iceberg rising near the Ninth Division.
"That's…"
"Captain Hitsugaya's…"
"The strongest ice-type zanpakuto, Hyōrinmaru!"
Though her Sode no Shirayuki was also an ice-type zanpakuto, compared to Hyōrinmaru it was like a child's toy, not even worth mentioning.
That was the second most recognized strongest zanpakuto after the Head Captain's.
It was said to have the power to control ice and the heavens themselves.
The Head Captain had even commented on it:
If Tōshirō were ever to fully master Hyōrinmaru, the chill it released would be enough to freeze the entire Seireitei.
Yoruichi's expression grew grave. "Looks like someone has run into Tōshirō. Rukia, we need to hurry over."
Rukia quickly nodded, rushing toward the iceberg.
…
Near the iceberg.
Kuukaku stared at the massive mountain of ice, her eyes serious as she muttered, "As expected of a Seireitei captain… Even the youngest captain's strength is nothing to underestimate."
Hitsugaya showed no pride from the compliment. Holding Hyōrinmaru, his icy gaze fell on Kuukaku. "Shiba Kuukaku, are you still going to resist?"
Because of Aizen's betrayal, his childhood friend Hinamori Momo had been crying endlessly.
Crying or desperately searching for Aizen.
All that anger had been bottled up inside Hitsugaya, and now he was eager to vent it.
Kuukaku pressed Orihime back behind her, saying sternly:
"Orihime, stay behind me. The battle ahead isn't one you can participate in. And don't do anything unnecessary."
Though she was shocked by Orihime's awakened power, she had no faith in her combat strength.
Orihime nodded in shame.
Seeing this, Hitsugaya swung his zanpakuto coldly. "So you really want to resist? Then don't blame me."
In an instant, Hitsugaya's figure flashed, appearing three meters before them as Hyōrinmaru swept down with freezing air.
"Guncho Tsurara! (Flock of Ice Pillars!)"
The water molecules in the air froze instantly, forming countless white ice birds that shot forward like arrows.
The sound of air splitting filled the skies.
White ice birds blanketed the heavens.
Where they passed, the temperature plummeted, sending chills through everyone's bones.
Sensing danger, Kuukaku thrust her hand forward, a blazing fireball appearing in her palm.
"Hadō no Sanjūichi: Shakkahō! (Way of Destruction #31: Red Fire Cannon!)"
The flames shattered dozens of white ice birds.
But countless others still surged forward.
Orihime quickly raised her hands in a triangular shape.
"Santen Kesshun, I reject!"
Three fairies shot out as beams of light, forming a triangular golden shield in front of Kuukaku.
Thousands of white ice birds slammed against it.
Crackling sounds resounded.
The golden shield trembled, cracks spreading across it.
With a boom, the Santen Kesshun shattered.
Tsubaki, Baigon, and Lily flew back weakly.
Tsubaki turned into a dim yellow light and returned to Orihime's hairpin, his voice faint:
"Orihime, it's useless… this kid is too strong. We can't block him."
Before he finished speaking—
Hitsugaya was already upon them, icy air surging.
Kuukaku pulled out her zanpakuto from nowhere and fought back with gritted teeth, but within a few exchanges, she was already being overwhelmed.
"Kuukaku-sama!"
Orihime cried out anxiously.
She could clearly see Kuukaku's hand gripping the blade was now covered in a thick layer of frost.
The cold seeped into her bones, making her pale hand tremble violently, as if she would drop her sword.
"It's over!"
Hitsugaya slashed once more.
The blade struck air, but an iceberg suddenly erupted outward, spreading wildly, ready to freeze the two women into sculptures.
Their pupils widened in terror at the incoming ice.
At that desperate moment, a lazy voice came from the wall behind them:
"Shiba head, that's pathetic. You're supposed to be the leader of your clan, and yet you can't even handle a kid?"
"Bakudō no Hachijūichi: Dankū! (Way of Binding #81: Splitting Void!)"
Before them, a transparent wall like glass appeared, blocking the encroaching cold with a thunderous boom.
White ice birds smashed against it without leaving a crack.
Relieved, the two women turned to look.
Orihime's face lit up with joy as she ran happily toward Cole.
"Cole-kun, you came to save us!"
Kuukaku also saw him, her eyes showing a trace of seriousness.
(End of Chapter)
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