'This brat is so strong!'
This was the third time Sui-Feng lamented Ichigo's strength in her heart.
She never expected that even after using Shunko, she still couldn't match Ichigo.
One must know, a technique like Shunko is comparable to a Bankai for Shinigami.
Bankai is the fusion of a Shinigami's Reiatsu with the Zanpakuto's Reiatsu, allowing one's own Reiatsu to be enhanced and enabling the full use of the Zanpakuto's abilities.
Shunko, on the other hand, is the fusion of a Shinigami's Reiatsu with Kido Reiatsu, causing one's own Reiatsu to transform and gain elemental empowerment.
The Shunko Sui-Feng activated now was the first stage, using lightning-type Kido Reiatsu to greatly increase her speed.
Even so, compared to her Bankai, Sui-Feng preferred Shunko.
After all, in her view, her Bankai was just too flamboyant.
But now, it seemed that without Bankai, she was simply no match for Ichigo.
No, even with Bankai, she probably still couldn't win!
Ichigo's speed was just too fast!
If she distanced herself and used Bankai, Ichigo could completely escape her Bankai's attack range before it reached him.
And if she used Bankai at close range, it would only result in mutual destruction for both her and Ichigo.
For a moment, Sui-Feng felt she had it too tough...
When Kyoya appeared on Sokyoku Hill, what he saw was Sui-Feng being miserably beaten and sent flying all over the place by Ichigo.
"Kyoya-sama!"
The first to discover Kyoya was the 1st Division's Lieutenant, Sasakibe Chojiro.
Although Kyoya had now left the Gotei 13 and was no longer a Captain-
As Yamamoto's right-hand man, Sasakibe was aware of some cooperation between Yamamoto and Kyoya.
In Sasakibe's view, whether as a Captain of the Gotei 13 or as the leader of the [Revolutionary Army], Kyoya was an existence of equal status to the Captain-Commander.
As Yamamoto's adjutant, although Sasakibe's strength was in no way inferior to the other Captains, he still placed his own status below that of the many Captains.
Therefore, upon seeing Kyoya, Sasakibe immediately saluted him.
"Haha, Lieutenant Sasakibe, the Captain-Commander has you cleaning up the mess here again."
As the wielder of the strongest lightning-type Zanpakuto, Sasakibe's strength was among those Kyoya would classify in the second tier among the Captains.
Kyoya raised his hand to greet Sasakibe, teasing him.
With Sasakibe watching, the fight between Ichigo and Sui-Feng definitely wouldn't have any problems.
"Kyoya-sama, the Captain-Commander simply hasn't seen Captain Kyoraku and Captain Ukitake for too long, so he's somewhat happy and wants to see if the two Captains have been slacking in their recent training."
Although Sasakibe also knew that what Kyoya said was correct, as he was left here precisely so Yamamoto could have him keep watch and prevent the situation from getting out of control, Sasakibe couldn't say that in front of Kyoya.
He had to maintain the Captain-Commander's dignity.
Even if it meant lying!
Anyway, the one lying was him, Sasakibe Chojiro, and it had nothing to do with the Captain-Commander!
Kyoya naturally also knew Sasakibe's character… this guy was very serious about matters related to the Captain-Commander.
"Alright, you're right about everything."
Therefore, Kyoya didn't continue joking with Sasakibe.
"Kyoya-sama, aren't you going to stop them?"
After all, judging from the current fight between Ichigo and Sui-Feng, it was estimated that before long, if Sui-Feng didn't use Bankai, she would probably be defeated by Ichigo.
Seeing Kyoya just watching from the side, Sasakibe couldn't help but ask curiously.
And as for Sui-Feng's Bankai-
Well, to a certain extent, it could be considered an upgraded version of Two-Hit Kill… a One-Hit Kill!
In terms of attack strength and range, Sui-Feng's Bankai could rank among the Captains.
Well, excluding its flight speed.
If Sui-Feng hardened her heart, Ichigo and Sui-Feng might end up mutually destroying each other.
"Wait a little longer."
"No need for me to intervene, they'll stop on their own."
Kyoya shook his head. If nothing went wrong, the main event was about to begin!
"Lieutenant Shiba, this path is closed off!"
"Captain... Ichimaru..."
Kaien looked at the smiling Gin in front of him and gasped sharply.
Although Kaien was also considered a 'Captain candidate'-
He knew himself that there was still a big gap in strength between him and the real Captains.
He learned this when he was defeated by his younger sister, Kukaku.
"Captain Ichimaru, could you please show some mercy?"
"I will definitely remember your kindness."
Kaien bowed his head and pleaded with Gin.
"Sorry about that, Lieutenant Shiba."
Gin pulled his hands out from his long sleeves. "I'd also like to let Lieutenant Shiba off the hook."
"But unfortunately, Third Seat Shiba was designated by that certain someone..."
"If you put down Third Seat Shiba, I'll consider only taking her."
'What?'
'Who is the 'that certain someone' Captain Ichimaru Gin mentioned?'
'What incident has Miyako been dragged into?'
As a former member of one of the Seireitei's Five Great Noble Families, Kaien knew that however bright the Seireitei was during the day, it was equally dark in the shadows.
Kaien was horrified in his heart.
Once involved, even the former Shiba Clan had fallen into its current state.
Taking a deep breath, Kaien knew this battle was unavoidable.
Gently placing Miyako on the ground, Kaien kissed her forehead. "Miyako, wait for me a moment."
"Kaien..."
The worry in Miyako's eyes made Kaien's heart ache.
But he couldn't give Miyako a reassuring answer.
"It's alright, Miyako."
"Even in death, I will always be by your side."
Perhaps because the seals on her body hadn't been removed yet, Miyako's Reiatsu hadn't recovered, and she felt weak all over, only able to watch her husband step onto the battlefield.
Miyako looked at Kaien's back, hating her own powerlessness.
Taking a deep breath, Kaien drew his Zanpakuto and, immediately, performed its release.
"Rage Through the Seas and Heavens … Nejibana!"
Boom!
"Die!"
Kaien's Reiatsu surged violently, and the Zanpakuto in his hand transformed into a long-handled trident.
Swinging Nejibana in his hand, Kaien rolled up waves dozens of meters wide and charged towards Gin.
"Admirable courage, but..."
Swoosh-
A white flash of light passed by. Kaien's waves, and the Nejibana in his hand, were directly severed.
Kaien himself was thrown far away.
A large amount of blood spurted from Kaien's chest, splattering onto the ground.
"Kaien!"
Kukaku's heart-wrenching cry and the sound of Kaien's body hitting the ground sounded almost simultaneously.
However, such a cry did not stop Gin's steps.
Tap, tap, tap...
Paying no mind to Kaien, Gin walked towards Miyako.
Within Miyako's body lay an object Aizen absolutely needed to obtain.
And for Miyako, this spiritual body of hers had already been tampered with by Kisuke.
If the Hogyoku within her wasn't removed, Miyako's Reiatsu would never recover.
Instead, her spiritual body would devour any recovering Reiatsu, accelerating the death of this spiritual body.
Because, for Kisuke, the [Hogyoku], this object Aizen Sosuke absolutely needed, was far too dangerous.
Kyoya made no judgment on Kisuke's methods.
Hiding it within Miyako's soul, letting it disappear as her soul withered and died, was the best way to destroy the Hogyoku.
After all, in the early days, to create the Hogyoku, Kisuke had conducted numerous experiments using the souls of Rukongai's residents, Shinigami, and Hollows.
Even after staying in the Living World for a hundred years, which gave Kisuke a bit more 'humanity', resolving a trouble caused by the Hogyoku at the potential cost of just one Shinigami's soul was something Kisuke would still do.
However, this wasn't without benefits for Miyako.
After all, Miyako was once the Hogyoku's host, and her body was tainted with its power.
As long as the Hogyoku within her was removed, Miyako's potential could also be significantly enhanced.
In the future, Miyako might even have the potential to reach the initial 3rd-Class Reiryoku.
"Hado #63, Raikoho!"
Just as Gin was about to approach Miyako, an angry roar came from the distance.
Accompanying the roar were dazzling lightning and the roar of thunder!
Boom!
A range of several hundred meters was directly destroyed by this lightning blast.
Within the dust and smoke, Gin's figure appeared again.
This attack didn't cause any harm to Gin.
But it achieved the purpose of stopping him.
"It's you?"
Seeing Kukaku appear before him, Gin wiped the smile off his face.
"Leave!"
"Member of the Shiba Clan, do you know that sometimes the actions you deem 'right' might become choices you 'regret' in the future?"
"Considering your relationship with that man, I can pretend you never came."
"Otherwise, I won't hold back in the upcoming fight!"
Time was almost up, and Ichimaru Gin didn't want to waste time here.
"Is that so? That suits me just fine!"
Kukaku snorted coldly, not retreating half a step.
Swish—
Behind her, Ganju was carrying Kaien on his shoulder, rushing towards Miyako.
"This path is closed!"
Swoosh swoosh-
"Rokushiki Secret Technique - Rokuogan!"
Seeing Gin's figure flicker, Kukaku roared, her Reiatsu erupting. She clenched her fists opposite each other and violently punched out.
Boom!
Violent Reiatsu erupted from the center of Kukaku's fists, forming a pillar-shaped shockwave that blasted out, completely destroying everything in front of her.
Even the destructive power of the Hado #63 Kukaku had released earlier seemed insufficient compared to this secret technique of hers.
Especially since the air vibrated at high frequency under Kukaku's strike, making the shockwave she released even more powerful.
Boom-
Some tall buildings directly collapsed and were destroyed under Kukaku's strike.
In just an instant, the attack released by Kukaku blasted a cylindrical hole over two meters wide through everything within a hundred meters in front of her.
This move didn't actually hit Gin.
Although she unleashed such a powerful attack, Kukaku's face showed no expression of pride.
"Such a terrifying strike..."
After the dust settled, Gin's figure appeared in front of Kukaku.
However, the relaxed smile was now gone from Gin's face, and his eyes held more seriousness than before.
The power Kukaku displayed now could already pose a threat to him.
If he didn't get serious, he might really be defeated!
"It seems I should get serious too!"
Pointing his Zanpakuto at Kukaku, Gin narrowed his eyes, preparing to attack again.
But the next moment, darkness descended...
Pfft-
"How is this possible?"
By the time Kukaku's eyes sensed light again, her first sensation was pain all over her body.
After spitting out a mouthful of blood, Kukaku realized she had several deep wounds on her body, with large amounts of blood flowing out.
In the distance, the 9th Division's Captain, Tosen Kaname, with his dark brown skin, aluminum eyepatch, and dreadlocks, appeared beside Ganju.
And Ganju had already fallen in a pool of blood.
"You're too slow, Ichimaru!"
Sheathing his Zanpakuto, Tosen reprimanded Gin once, then came before Kukaku. With a wave of his hand, a large number of bandages flew out from Tosen's hand, enveloping him and Miyako.
"Yare yare, saved."
In response to Tosen's accusation, Gin didn't reply, instead seeming relieved as if he had been saved.
Taking a step, Gin's figure appeared behind Tosen and waved at Kukaku, who was still stubbornly refusing to fall.
"It seems our battle ends here."
"Bye-bye!"
Whoosh-
With Gin's words, the figures of Tosen, Gin, and Miyako instantly disappeared before Kukaku's eyes.
"Tosen Kaname!"
Kukaku roared.
She never expected that while she was fighting Gin, Tosen, the Captain of the 9th Division, would have the shamelessness to ambush her and Ganju.
"I'll kill you, I will definitely kill you!"
"Rokushiki Secret Technique - Life Return!"
Enraged, Kukaku opened her mouth wide, violently inhaled a large amount of Reishi, and then used the Rokushiki secret technique, Life Return, to recover from her injuries.