Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kuchiki, hearing this, immediately rose and helped Renji Abarai, who had been pinned beneath them, to his feet. Ho
Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kuchiki, hearing this, immediately rose and helped Renji Abarai, who had been pinned beneath them, to his feet.
However, before Rukia Kuchiki could introduce Ichigo Kurosaki and Renji Abarai, a young man with lifeless eyes and a perpetually sleepy expression blocked their path.
Standing before Ichigo Kurosaki and his companions was none other than Mirai Saru, acting on Aizen's orders.
Having never displayed any exceptional abilities within the Seireitei, and possessing an appearance that suggested a perpetually drowsy and unremarkable youth, Ichigo Kurosaki and his companions dismissed him as a threat.
"Please hand over Kuchiki Rukia," Mirai Saru stated in a monotonous tone.
Renji Abarai laughed heartily. "Lieutenant Mirai Saru, you're a researcher; don't involve yourself in this mess. It would be unfortunate if you were to be injured."
As the lieutenant of the Twelfth Division, Mirai Saru, who possessed no remarkable combat skills, was widely regarded as a gifted researcher.
In reality, he had never conducted any research, simply dozing off beside Aizen during his various experiments.
Hearing Renji Abarai's words, Mirai Saru slowly drew his Zanpakutō. "If you refuse to surrender Kuchiki Rukia, I will be forced to act."
Seeing Mirai Saru's serious demeanor, Renji Abarai abandoned his playful attitude and drew his own Zanpakutō.
Fixing Mirai Saru with a stern gaze, Renji Abarai stated, "Lieutenant Mirai, once a Shinigami draws his Zanpakutō, it becomes a serious battle. Allow me to test your skills!"
As he spoke, Renji Abarai charged towards Mirai Saru, but in the blink of an eye, he lost sight of his opponent.
"Watch out!"
Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kuchiki's voices rang out in warning, but before Renji Abarai could react, a searing pain erupted in his back, and he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Mirai Saru stood behind him, the blade of his Zanpakutō dripping with blood.
Seeing Renji Abarai defeated so easily, Rukia Kuchiki was shocked.
While Renji Abarai had not yet attained the rank of lieutenant, Rukia Kuchiki knew he possessed lieutenant-level combat skills.
She never expected him to be defeated so swiftly by this seemingly unremarkable young man!
"Renji!" Rukia Kuchiki cried out, rushing to assess Renji Abarai's injuries.
However, Ichigo Kurosaki firmly restrained her with his left hand, preventing her from falling into the enemy's grasp.
"Rukia, he's not in immediate danger. Allow me to defeat this opponent first!" Ichigo Kurosaki stated firmly.
Rukia Kuchiki retorted, "Don't be ridiculous! How could you possibly defeat someone so skilled?"
Unaware of Ichigo Kurosaki's recent progress, Rukia Kuchiki did not believe he could defeat Mirai Saru, who had defeated Renji Abarai with a single blow, but Ichigo Kurosaki's spiritual pressure swiftly convinced her otherwise.
Before Rukia Kuchiki could finish her sentence, Ichigo Kurosaki unleashed a spiritual pressure comparable to that of a captain-level Shinigami, the tangible force of his spiritual energy exceeding Rukia Kuchiki's comprehension.
"How can you possess such spiritual pressure?" Rukia Kuchiki asked in astonishment.
Ichigo Kurosaki drew Zangetsu from his back, smiling. "Because only with this power can I save you!"
As Ichigo Kurosaki and Mirai Saru faced off, the battle between Suì-Fēng and Byakuya Kuchiki had already commenced.
The two captain-level Shinigami, relying on the extraordinary Shunpo techniques learned from "Flash Goddess" Yoruichi, engaged in a dazzling display of speed and skill.
Even lieutenants, let alone ordinary Shinigami, struggled to keep pace with their movements.
As the rapid exchange of blows continued, Suì-Fēng gradually found herself at a disadvantage.
Her spiritual pressure and strength were already slightly inferior to Byakuya Kuchiki, and lacking expertise in swordsmanship, she was no match for Byakuya Kuchiki in unreleased Zanpakutō combat.
As Byakuya Kuchiki's blade threatened to strike her, she executed a technique she had learned from Yoruichi Shihōin, the "Utsusemi" (Cast-Off Cicada Shell).
In a flash of shadow, Byakuya Kuchiki's blade only managed to sever Suì-Fēng's captain's haori, while Suì-Fēng used the opportunity to shed the cumbersome garment and create distance between herself and Byakuya Kuchiki.
"Sting all Enemies to Death, Suzumebachi!"
Suì-Fēng, clad in a tight-fitting combat uniform beneath her haori, released her Zanpakutō, transforming it into a venomous stinger gauntlet.
Fixing Byakuya Kuchiki with a murderous gaze, Suì-Fēng stated coldly, "Captain Kuchiki, I am no match for you with a sword. However, with Suzumebachi, this becomes a battle to the death!"
Byakuya Kuchiki held his sword before him, intoning the release command: "Scatter, Senbonzakura."
Byakuya Kuchiki's actions conveyed his resolve, as his blade dissolved into hundreds of beautiful yet deadly cherry blossom petals.
Witnessing the clash between Suì-Fēng and Byakuya Kuchiki, Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai commanded the other captains, "Assist Suì-Fēng in subduing Kuchiki Byakuya!"
"Captain-Commander, since transferring to the Fourth Division, I have sworn off the sword of battle, and now only focus on medical duties. Isane, attend to any casualties on the battlefield and begin treatment immediately," Retsu Unohana, captain of the Fourth Division, stated calmly.
Her lieutenant, Isane Kotetsu, immediately responded, "Yes, Captain!"
Clearly, the captain and lieutenant of the Fourth Division had no interest in Rukia Kuchiki's execution.
When Retsu Unohana transferred to the Fourth Division, Yamamoto Genryūsai had agreed to allow her to abstain from combat.
Yamamoto Genryūsai could not fault her for her stance, and turned his gaze towards Kyōraku Shunsui and Jūshirō Ukitake.
At that moment, Jūshirō Ukitake was seized by a violent coughing fit, his already pale face turning an alarming shade of green, as if he were on the verge of death.
Seeing this, Kyōraku Shunsui, tears welling in his eyes, embraced the staggering Jūshirō Ukitake, exclaiming with exaggerated emotion, "Jūshirō, Jūshirō, are you alright! Stay strong! What would the Thirteenth Division do without you!"
After calling out to the seemingly expiring Jūshirō Ukitake several times, Kyōraku Shunsui looked up at Yamamoto Genryūsai with a panicked expression. "Captain-Commander, Jūshirō's illness seems to have flared up. I must take him back to rest! If I delay, it might, it might be the end!"
Without waiting for Yamamoto Genryūsai's approval, Kyōraku Shunsui scooped up Jūshirō Ukitake and fled towards the Thirteenth Division barracks.
Their respective lieutenants, Ise Nanao and Kaien Shiba, exchanged glances, then bowed respectfully to Yamamoto Genryūsai and followed their captains, departing from Sōkyoku Hill.
"Jūshirō, your performance was a bit over the top today, not your usual subtle style," Kyōraku Shunsui said with a chuckle to Jūshirō Ukitake, who was resting in his arms as they made their way to the Thirteenth Division barracks.
His face still pale, Jūshirō Ukitake replied weakly, "I-I wasn't acting… Hurry and get me back… the medicine is on my bedside table."
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