Seeing Rangiku and the others suddenly appear, Nukui, though unaware of the reason, had no doubt that the matter of the Bakkoto had been exposed. The Gotei 13 was determined to eliminate them. At this point, the only option was to fight to the death.
Thinking this, Nukui immediately charged at Rangiku.
Rangiku was about to draw her sword to meet the enemy, but Sojiro suddenly flashed and blocked her path.
Clang!
Sojiro's Zanpakuto clashed with Nukui's Bakkoto.
"You! Long time no see. You're the one who led the infiltration of the 10th Division last time and escaped from me, aren't you?"
Sojiro stared intently at Nukui.
"Hmph!"
Nukui snorted coldly, neither admitting nor denying it.
"It's unmistakable. Your Reiatsu doesn't lie."
Sojiro said to Nukui, then spoke with his back to Matsumoto Rangiku: "Lieutenant Matsumoto, leave this guy to me. He got away from me last time. This time, let me settle things with him."
"Then I'll leave him to you, Sojiro."
Rangiku didn't refuse. She knew that if Nukui was indeed the leader of the infiltration last time, she might not be his match.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Figures flashed continuously. Rangiku, Momo, and Ashido each chose an opponent.
Momo faced a bald old man. His Bakkoto resembled a sickle, with a chain connecting the handle to his chest.
"Hehehe... This old man's opponent is one of the 10th Division's Lieutenants? What an honor."
The bald old man said with a sinister laugh.
"Since you know I'm a Lieutenant of the 10th Division, why not surrender immediately!"
Momo gripped her Zanpakuto, ready for battle. She could sense that this bald old man's strength was not simple.
"Hmph, how arrogant. Remember, the one who kills you is named Doko Jinnai!"
The bald old man snorted angrily and immediately charged at Momo, swinging his sickle-shaped Bakkoto.
"Ha!"
Momo let out a delicate shout and swung her sword to meet him.
Rangiku's opponent was a young man with a cold, proud expression. His Bakkoto resembled a spear with serrated edges.
"You're also a Lieutenant of the 10th Division, right? Speaking of which, your 10th Division's Lieutenants aren't worth much, having two of them. But no matter how worthless, you're still a Lieutenant. Using your blood to feed it, my Bakkoto [Shiragiri] will surely be very satisfied, right?"
The cold, proud young man said.
Rangiku ignored his provocation and directly asked, "What is your name?"
"Well, since everything is already exposed anyway and the Kasumioji Clan is doomed, telling you my name won't hurt. Kuzuryu, member of the Kasumioji Clan's assassination squad!"
The young man replied.
"Well then, since I've answered your question, let's not waste time. Let's get started."
Kuzuryu said impatiently.
"As you wish!"
Rangiku suddenly swung her sword at Kuzuryu.
Ashido's opponent was a burly man dressed like a mountain bandit. His Bakkoto had a wide blade with patterns carved on it and serrated edges.
"Ashido."
Perhaps because he had spent several hundred years in Hueco Mundo without speaking to anyone, Ashido rarely talked. Now, facing an enemy, he simply stated his name.
"I, the great Genga, didn't ask your name!"
The burly man shouted loudly and, without further ado, charged straight at Ashido.
Clang!
Swords clashed. The ground beneath their feet cracked, and the violent wind stirred up dust and debris. Ashido and Genga both changed expression.
'This guy's strength is probably stronger than an ordinary Lieutenant.'
Ashido thought in surprise. This strike, though he hadn't used much power, would be difficult for even an ordinary Lieutenant to withstand. Not only did the other party block it, but he seemed completely unharmed.
Facing Ashido's formidable strength, Genga showed no fear. Instead, he laughed heartily: "Hahaha! That's right! This is exactly the kind of power I've been seeking!!"
Then, with a fanatical expression, Genga swung his sword at Ashido again.
While Rangiku, Momo, Sojiro, and Ashido fought, the Onmitsukido's members only dispersed around the periphery, preventing Nukui and his men from escaping. They did not dare approach easily.
They discovered that their opponents' strength was beyond their imagination. Although Nukui's group only had four people, each one, like Nukui himself, had transcended limits and fused with their Bakkoto. Their strength was at least at the Lieutenant level.
Coupled with the bizarre abilities of the Bakkoto, they were no match for the Onmitsukido. Even Rangiku and the others could not subdue them quickly.
…
Meanwhile, in the wedding hall of the Kasumioji Residence.
"Sojiro and the others have already made their move?"
A sharp glint suddenly flashed in Toshiro's eyes.
"It seems it's time for us to move too."
Toshiro signaled to Sui-Feng beside him.
"The ceremony is complete. I declare Rurichiyo-sama and Kannogi-sama officially united as..."
"Wait!"
Toshiro suddenly shouted loudly, interrupting Kumoi.
"Hmm? Hitsugaya-dono, what is the meaning of this? Why are you interrupting the wedding?"
Kumoi demanded angrily.
"That's because this Captain's objective has been achieved. The wedding can stop now."
Toshiro walked step by step towards Kumoi.
"Hitsugaya Toshiro! Don't go too far! For generations, my Kasumioji Clan has forged ceremonial weapons for His Majesty the Soul King. We are upper-class nobles personally appointed by His Majesty. Insulting my Kasumioji Clan like this, even you, the Vice-Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, cannot bear the responsibility!!"
Kumoi, in his anger, stopped calling Toshiro 'Hitsugaya-dono' and addressed him by his full name.
"Heh, Kumoi, you old bastard are merely a retainer of the Kasumioji Clan. You do not represent it."
Toshiro said disdainfully.
Kumoi shouted sternly: "Captain Sui-Feng! Hitsugaya Toshiro dares to disrupt the Kasumioji Clan's wedding. Why don't you arrest him immediately!"
"Kumoi!"
Toshiro suddenly shouted righteously: "You secretly forged Bakkoto and plotted rebellion. The evidence is conclusive. By order of Captain-Commander Yamamoto… arrest the Kasumioji Clan immediately!"
"You... what evidence do you have?"
Kumoi retorted.
"Hmph, you fool. Haven't you realized yet? The assassination squad you sent to hand over the Bakkoto has already been intercepted by my people!"
Toshiro mocked.
"What!"
Kumoi sensed it. Indeed, the Reiatsu of Nukui and his men was fluctuating intensely, as if they were fighting.
"Captain Sui-Feng, make your move!"
Toshiro suddenly said to Sui-Feng.
"Mm."
Sui-Feng nodded and gently waved her hand.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Dozens of Onmitsukido operatives instantly appeared in the hall, taking control of the Kasumioji Clan's members.
"Damn it!"
Kumoi roared in anger, then suddenly reached for Rurichiyo, who was nearby, intending to take her hostage.
However, Toshiro was prepared. His figure flashed and instantly appeared before Rurichiyo.
Bang!
Toshiro kicked Kumoi away.
"Men, arrest Kumoi!"
Toshiro commanded.