"Heavenly Manifestation..."
Feeling the changes in the surrounding environment, a thought suddenly emerged in Aizen's mind.
'If my Zanpakuto, like Ryujin Jakka, could help me temporarily break the Shinigami's limits after Bankai, what would happen?'
In the end, Aizen shook his head again.
For him, such temporary limit-breaking offered no essential improvement to his own existence.
What Aizen wanted was to permanently reside in a higher dimension, thereby reaching a state like the [Soul King].
Therefore, no matter what his Zanpakuto was like, he would ultimately walk this path.
A Shinigami's battle is a battle of Reiatsu!
Only Reiatsu reigns supreme above all else!
Additionally, the Zanpakuto's release phrase, to some extent, represents its characteristics.
'Sit Upon the Frozen Heavens' symbolizes that Hyorinmaru is the pinnacle of ice-type Zanpakuto, standing at the summit of countless Zanpakuto alongside Ryujin Jakka!
Clang-
Hitsugaya pointed the Zanpakuto in his hand at Aizen.
"Guncho Tsurara!"
Leaping high, Hitsugaya swung his Zanpakuto at Aizen.
Instantly, numerous ice spikes appeared in the sky, attacking Aizen like a flock of birds.
If they were just ordinary ice spikes, not to mention Aizen, even for ordinary Captains, it wouldn't be considered a powerful technique.
However, these ice spikes also gleamed with a white sharp aura.
Hitsugaya had added Great Swordsman-level slashes to the Guncho Tsurara, greatly enhancing this technique's power.
Perhaps this technique could also be called… Guncho Tsurara Zan!
It was a powerful technique that posed a threat even to Captains!
Seeing this, even Aizen's expression couldn't help but become somewhat more solemn.
Boom boom boom boom boom...
These ice spikes rained down. Whether walls or tall buildings, nothing could hinder them in the slightest.
The ground seemed to be struck by countless small meteorite impacts. Like experiencing a minor earthquake, the ground churned, and houses collapsed.
Hitsugaya's gaze didn't turn towards the ruins below but shifted to the right.
"What? Captain Aizen still hasn't released his Zanpakuto? Do you think you can withstand my attacks in your current state?"
Aizen's figure appeared within Hitsugaya's line of sight.
Compared to his earlier calm composure, the current Aizen looked slightly disheveled.
He had a few scratches on his face, and his Captain's Haori was also damaged.
Hearing Hitsugaya's words, Aizen frowned.
Indeed, according to general combat patterns, after Hitsugaya released his Zanpakuto and forced him into a disadvantage, he should also release his own Zanpakuto to fight Hitsugaya.
Unfortunately, Hitsugaya wasn't a Shinigami of the Seireitei's Gotei 13 and hadn't seen the Shikai of Aizen's Zanpakuto, Kyoka Suigetsu. His five senses weren't under Aizen's control.
Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu ability was very powerful.
Anyone who had seen Kyoka Suigetsu's release, allowing Aizen to complete the hypnosis ritual, could thereafter have their five senses manipulated by Aizen anytime he wished, simply by releasing his Zanpakuto.
After all, Aizen had publicly revealed his Zanpakuto's ability in the Seireitei.
After the Zanpakuto was released, those whose five senses were controlled by Aizen would, under his control, see the dense fog manipulated by Kyoka Suigetsu and have their perceptions disturbed.
But for those not controlled by Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu, they simply couldn't see any changes when Aizen released his Zanpakuto.
Kyoka Suigetsu's ability was strong, but similarly, the hypnosis ritual wasn't that simple either.
Seeing the moment of Kyoka Suigetsu's release.
It's the 'moment'!
A Zanpakuto's release symbolizes a Shinigami's initial use of their Zanpakuto's ability, some Zanpakuto change form after release.
Depending on the Zanpakuto's ability, the duration of this change varies.
Some last only a brief moment, while others continue for a few seconds.
Unfortunately, Kyoka Suigetsu's release duration was only an instant.
The current Aizen hadn't yet reached the level where he could completely master his Zanpakuto's ability, enabling him to release Kyoka Suigetsu's ability without the Zanpakuto itself.
Precisely because of this, the hypnosis rituals Aizen Sosuke performed over the years were all done at the Shin'o Academy after making the students yearn for Zanpakuto abilities and focus their attention on his Zanpakuto, then he would release his Zanpakuto to complete the hypnosis ritual.
But in his current battle with Hitsugaya, he couldn't be 100% sure that Hitsugaya would see the moment his Zanpakuto released.
If his Zanpakuto's ability proved useless against Hitsugaya, and he uttered the release phrase with no effect, then in Hitsugaya's eyes, he would either be playing tricks on him or acting like a pretentious clown.
"Not at all. It's just that my Zanpakuto's ability offers no advantage in one-on-one combat. Rather than wasting Reiatsu by releasing it, I'd prefer to fight Division Commander Hitsugaya with swordsmanship alone."
"After all, compared to my Zanpakuto's ability, I have some confidence in my sword skills."
Aizen swung the Zanpakuto in his hand and spoke to Hitsugaya.
This statement wasn't entirely false.
Since Kyoya popularized his own swordsmanship, the number of people in the entire Soul Society who could reach the Swordmaster-level didn't exceed three.
And Aizen was confident that he was definitely one of the fastest to break through.
Although he was still far from Kyoya's level, even an ordinary Shinigami reaching the Swordmaster-level could possess strength to contend with a Captain, let alone someone like him?
It could be said that from a combat perspective, Aizen valued his swordsmanship more than his Kyoka Suigetsu ability.
"Is that so?"
Hitsugaya narrowed his eyes.
No one who could become a Captain-level powerhouse was simple.
Although he didn't know why Aizen wasn't releasing his Zanpakuto to fight him, since Aizen was the opponent Kyoya had found for him, Hitsugaya wouldn't underestimate him.
"I hope your ability matches your tone!"
"Otherwise, I won't hold back!"
After speaking, Hitsugaya flashed and appeared in front of Aizen Sosuke, gripping his Zanpakuto's hilt with both hands and slashing down fiercely-
Instantly, Hitsugaya's Reiatsu transformed into ice, attacking Aizen in a fan shape.
"Hyoryu Senbi!"
Aizen quickly retreated, but the ice still caught up to him, freezing the arm holding his Zanpakuto and beginning to spread to other parts of his body.
Boom-
White Reiatsu erupted from Aizen's body, shattering the ice on his hand. Then, Aizen flashed and disappeared from Hitsugaya's attack range.
"Zekku!"
Hitsugaya raised his Zanpakuto, pointing it skyward.
Instantly, a massive ice pillar shot up towards the sky, assaulting Aizen.
Clang-
Aizen Sosuke swung his sword, unleashing a flying slash over ten meters tall that directly cleaved Hitsugaya's ice pillar in two.
Rumble-
The shattered ice pillar fell, causing significant damage to the surrounding ground.
Aizen's slash, after splitting Hitsugaya's ice pillar in two, only reduced in size slightly but still carried formidable momentum as it continued towards Hitsugaya.
Seeing this, Hitsugaya didn't dare neglect it.
A Swordmaster-level flying slash was a realm he hadn't yet reached.
However, unlike Aizen, Hitsugaya's current greatest reliance was still his Zanpakuto, Hyorinmaru!
"Ryojin Hyoheki!"
With a thought, the surrounding moisture was directly drawn by Hitsugaya and condensed in front of him into a defensive barrier composed of countless small ice crystals.
Boom-
The white slash collided with the blue ice wall, erupting in a fierce sound.
It must be said that a Swordmaster's flying slash possessed power rarely matched.
Hitsugaya's ice wall, facing Aizen's slash, wasn't much stronger than steel.
Fortunately, the Ryojin Hyoheki was supported by Hitsugaya's Reiatsu, so even if it was destroyed, it would instantly recover.
For a while, Hitsugaya's ice wall and Aizen's slash were locked in a stalemate. Countless ice shards were shattered by the slash, turned into moisture, then controlled by Hitsugaya's ability to condense into ice again and rejoin the defense, cycling repeatedly...
Finally, after advancing over ten meters, Aizen's slash lost its force and was blocked and dispersed by Hitsugaya's ice wall.
This situation surprised Aizen and increased his confidence in his plan's success rate.
That previous slash, aside from not using his true Reiatsu, was already the strongest attack 'Captain Aizen of the 5th Division' could muster.
Even Aizen himself hadn't expected Hitsugaya to defend against it in his current state.
Then, if he fully released his Zanpakuto, how strong would he become?
If he were to die by Hitsugaya's hands, at least until he reappeared before everyone, almost no one would suspect.
Truly, the perfect candidate!
…
"Brat, surrender!"
Komamura looked at Ichigo ahead and said solemnly, "I am Komamura Sajin, Captain of the 7th Division. Following that person's will, I shall protect the Seireitei with my life."
"Although your age seems like that of a child to me, if you choose to destroy the Seireitei, I will definitely not show mercy."
At this point, Komamura paused.
"What are you talking about?"
Ichigo looked at the huge figure covering even their head ahead, a trace of confusion flashing in his eyes.
However, since the other party chose to cover their face, they must have their own reasons.
Putting himself in their shoes, Ichigo wasn't the type to question others based on his own actions.
Therefore, he held no dissatisfaction towards Komamura for covering his face.
"Sorry about this, mister."
"I came here to save Miyako-nee."
Ichigo drew the Zanpakuto from his back and pointed it at Komamura, "I know my actions must have caused you all trouble."
"But, mister, if you release Miyako-nee and guarantee not to hold her responsible, I can promise to immediately leave the Seireitei with my companions."
After all, Ichigo was a high school student who knew right from wrong.
He knew that Miyako giving him her Shinigami power violated the Seireitei's bans.
He also knew that breaking into the Seireitei to save Miyako also violated the Seireitei's bans.
This was like a criminal in the human world and an accomplice in a jailbreak.
It was wrong.
But for Ichigo, compared to breaking the law, he wanted more to save Miyako, who had helped him and saved him and his sister.
What came after was something for his future self to worry about.
What he must do now was save Miyako.
Other matters could wait until after rescuing Miyako.
Until then, all enemies standing in his way would be defeated by him!
Just as Ichigo had told Yoruichi before-
Even if he encountered the Captains of the Gotei 13, he didn't know if he could defeat them, but he had to defeat them to move forward!
"Arrogant!"
Komamura growled.
"Brat, don't think defeating a Lieutenant means you have the ability to match a Captain."
"Let me show you the true difference between a Lieutenant and a Captain!"
Saying this, Komamura drew his own Zanpakuto and uttered lowly-
"Roar, Tenken!"
Boom!
Vast Reiatsu erupted from Komamura's body.
But what shocked Ichigo even more was the several dozen meter long giant weapon that suddenly appeared high in the sky.
Having made his decision, Komamura naturally wanted to capture Ichigo as quickly as possible to provide assistance elsewhere.
After all, from his perception, Reiatsu conflicts were erupting all over the Seireitei, including many Captain-level powerhouses.
Although he didn't know why so many powerful enemies were attacking the Seireitei, as a Captain of the Gotei 13, his duty was to repel all enemies and protect the Seireitei.
"Take this!"
Komamura swung his sword fiercely at Ichigo. The giant Zanpakuto in the sky synchronized with Komamura's movement, slashing down at Ichigo.
"You've got to be kidding me?"
Although Ichigo had seen Jidanbo's Zanpakuto, which was several times larger than those of ordinary Shinigami, at the White Road Gate,
Comparing Jidanbo's Zanpakuto to the one currently chopping at him was like comparing a child's toy.