As Yusuke and Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai's battle commenced, the others refocused their attention on their respective opponents. A
As Yusuke and Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai's battle commenced, the others refocused their attention on their respective opponents.
Apart from Kisuke Urahara and Sousuke Aizen, who continued their seemingly casual verbal sparring, Ichigo Kurosaki and Mirai Saru, Suì-Fēng and Yoruichi Shihōin, and Byakuya Kuchiki and Gin Ichimaru were locked in intense and ferocious combat.
Of these, the most captivating duel was undoubtedly that between Byakuya Kuchiki and Gin Ichimaru.
Both were contemporaries, prodigies among Shinigami, revered as idols by the younger generation of the Seireitei, and frequently compared.
However, due to Byakuya Kuchiki's lineage from the illustrious Kuchiki clan, he was generally considered superior in strength.
Their actual confrontation, however, revealed the terrifying power of Gin Ichimaru, the man with the ever-present, serpentine smile.
His Zanpakutō, Shinsō, appearing and disappearing unpredictably, extending and retracting at will, was a deadly weapon.
It relentlessly attacked Byakuya Kuchiki's vital points from impossible angles. Byakuya Kuchiki's Senbonzakura, in its Shikai state, proved too slow to counter Gin Ichimaru's speed.
Furthermore, the dispersed Senbonzakura blades offered no effective defense against Shinsō's exceptionally piercing attacks, leaving Byakuya Kuchiki reliant on Shunpo for evasion.
As the saying goes, a prolonged defense inevitably creates openings. Constantly on the defensive, Byakuya Kuchiki was bound to be caught off guard by Gin Ichimaru.
His body was already marked with numerous wounds, his captain's haori torn and tattered.
Continuing at this pace, Byakuya Kuchiki knew his death at Gin Ichimaru's hands was only a matter of time.
Dodging a lightning-fast Shinsō strike, Byakuya Kuchiki instantly activated his Bankai. The hundreds of cherry blossom petals previously floating in the air multiplied a hundredfold; tens of thousands of Senbonzakura blades surged towards Gin Ichimaru, shifting Byakuya Kuchiki from defense to a relentless offense.
"My, my, Captain Kuchiki's Bankai. Quite a spectacle!"
Faced with the countless Senbonzakura blades attempting to encircle him, Gin Ichimaru continuously evaded, while simultaneously delivering sarcastic, taunting remarks.
Byakuya Kuchiki, however, remained focused, his right hand constantly in motion, skillfully manipulating the Senbonzakura blades to create a multi-directional encirclement of Gin Ichimaru.
"Got you!" A glint of determination flashed in Byakuya Kuchiki's eyes.
His precise control finally managed to trap Gin Ichimaru, seemingly leaving him no avenue of escape.
Yet, Gin Ichimaru's expression remained calm and composed, devoid of any hint of panic.
"Sentan Hakuja"
A strange spiritual pressure fluctuation emanated from Gin Ichimaru, his body transforming into a white light that instantly repositioned him beside Byakuya Kuchiki.
Sentan Hakuja was a unique technique developed by Gin Ichimaru, allowing for spatial displacement using spiritual pressure.
This technique was not only useful in combat but could also, under specific circumstances, facilitate long-range teleportation, even carrying others with him.
Witnessing Gin Ichimaru's incredibly unpredictable maneuver, Byakuya Kuchiki was startled, immediately using Shunpo to create distance, but he was still a step too slow.
"Shoot to kill, Shinsō!"
Gin Ichimaru's Zanpakutō once again extended several meters with impossible speed, its blade piercing Byakuya Kuchiki's shoulder as he attempted a lateral evasion. Blood spurted forth.
"My, my, Captain Kuchiki, to react to an attack like that. Impressive," Gin Ichimaru remarked with a smile.
Byakuya Kuchiki's expression was grave. His opponent possessed exceptional offensive capabilities, coupled with incredibly deceptive speed and agility, making him an exceptionally difficult opponent. A single lapse in concentration could easily prove fatal.
"Captain Ichimaru, your strength currently surpasses mine. I never anticipated that even now, you haven't even released your Bankai," Byakuya Kuchiki stated coldly.
Gin Ichimaru paused, slightly surprised that the ever-proud Byakuya Kuchiki would openly admit his inferiority.
"Captain Kuchiki, our spiritual pressure is comparable, but your privileged upbringing has clearly prevented you from truly understanding the nature of combat," Gin Ichimaru said calmly.
As he spoke, Gin Ichimaru deftly manipulated his Zanpakutō, attempting to use the blade already piercing Byakuya Kuchiki to sever his body.
However, in a move that utterly surprised Gin Ichimaru, Byakuya Kuchiki, instead of retreating, pressed forward, moving along Shinsō to close the distance, simultaneously seizing Gin Ichimaru's wrist with both hands.
This action came at a significant cost to Byakuya Kuchiki.
The already grievous wound on his shoulder was torn even further, becoming mangled and bloody, his collarbone nearly severed by the blade.
Despite this, he successfully managed to temporarily restrain Gin Ichimaru, preventing him from evading his attack.
"You!"
Gin Ichimaru's usually narrowed eyes widened in surprise. He never expected a noble like Byakuya Kuchiki to exhibit such ruthless determination.
Byakuya Kuchiki looked at Gin Ichimaru, who was now within arm's reach, and said calmly, "Does this count as not understanding combat, as you claimed?"
Gin Ichimaru grinned. "It seems I underestimated you."
At that moment, both Byakuya Kuchiki and Gin Ichimaru unleashed their spiritual pressure, launching their final attacks simultaneously.
"Sentan Hakuja!"
"Hadō #63. Raikōhō!"
Gin Ichimaru raised his left hand, unleashing a sharp white beam of energy at Byakuya Kuchiki's chest.
The beam pierced directly through Byakuya Kuchiki's chest, exiting from his back, leaving a massive wound.
Byakuya Kuchiki, in turn, unleashed the countless Senbonzakura blades, engulfing Gin Ichimaru. After the Senbonzakura dispersed, Gin Ichimaru lay unconscious in a pool of blood, his body riddled with countless wounds.
However, Byakuya Kuchiki's injuries were no less severe; blood poured from his wounds.
"My own strength is truly insignificant! Senior Yusuke, Rukia's fate rests with you."
Byakuya Kuchiki's eyes glazed over, and he fell unconscious beside Gin Ichimaru.
From a distance, Rukia Kuchiki saw her gravely injured brother fall unconscious. She desperately wanted to rush to his side, but Mirai Saru still stood between her and Ichigo Kurosaki.
Ichigo Kurosaki was also on the defensive, his situation equally dire.
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