Kyoraku Shunsui's lazy yet anxious shout was like a pebble thrown into a raging sea, instantly swallowed without a trace by the thunderous clashing of steel and the surging Spiritual Pressure.
"Hey, hey! Stop it! If you keep going, the whole field will be torn apart!" Braving the oncoming gales, he pulled down the brim of his hat, trying to make his voice heard over the deafening roar.
However, the two at the eye of the storm—Unohana Retsu and Isayama—were already immersed in a sea of exhilarating combat.
In their senses, there was nothing left but the blood-thirsty blades in each other's hands and the burning battle intent in each other's eyes that could incinerate all reason.
Everything around them, including Kyōraku's shouts and the horrified or fanatical gazes of the many Shinigami outside the Barrier, became blurred and distant.
The invisible chains had already snapped.
Unknowingly, the terrifying Spiritual Pressure emanating from the two had already quietly broken past a certain threshold; it was no longer a Lieutenant-level probe, but had truly soared to the level of a Captain-level of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads!
The air was compressed by this invisible force until it felt like a viscous liquid, emitting a low groan under the unbearable weight.
The Lieutenant watching the battle felt as if a thousand-ton boulder was pressing against their chests, making it difficult to breathe. Some of the weaker ordinary members even retreated involuntarily, their faces pale.
Isayama's flowing black hair was now disheveled by sweat and the turbulent airflow, clinging to her fair neck and cheeks like dancing snakes.
Her eyes, which were usually either charming or cold, now held only the purest heat and ferocity.
Hiroki's low-profile instructions? They had long since been torn to shreds by the majestic power and tossed to the back of her mind!
She only wanted to fight, to fight to her heart's content! She wanted to pour out this pent-up power and hidden edge without reservation onto the unfathomable and powerful opponent before her!
"This is really... a huge mess."
Kyoraku Shunsui stood at the edge of the field, his leisure completely gone, replaced by a genuine headache and unease.
He scratched the back of his head, not even caring that his straw hat was blown askew by the gale.
"I really came up with a terrible idea..." If this out-of-control situation led to any serious consequences, he could already imagine the terrifying sight of Captain Commander Yamamoto's Ryujin Jakka hanging over his head.
The scene of the old man's furious reprimand was already playing out vividly in his mind, making him shiver involuntarily.
The situation on the field grew increasingly perilous.
Every collision between the two figures was like a thunderclap, and the shockwaves of Spiritual Pressure plowed deep furrows into the specially made stone ground.
The blade light was no longer a simple trajectory but had condensed into a literal storm of lightning, wantonly slicing through space.
"This absolutely cannot continue!" Kyōraku's tone was decisive, and for the first time, a look of solemnity appeared between his brows. "This is no longer a spar; they've completely lost themselves in the heat of battle, their bloodlust fully ignited! If we let this go on, someone's going to die!"
Standing beside him, wearing the Fifth Divsion captains haori and glasses, Aizen Sōsuke maintained his ever-present gentle, elegant, and unshakeable calm.
He pushed up his glasses, the lenses reflecting a strange luster under the light of the surging Spiritual Pressure. His voice was as warm and deep as ever: "Oh? Then, how does Captain Kyoraku plan to stop them? Will you go up and intervene yourself?"
"Ahaha..." Kyōraku gave a couple of dry laughs, his expression collapsing as he looked at the world-ending scene in the center. "Well... even if I go up, facing Captain Unohana and Miss Isayama who have both seen red..."
"I'm afraid it would be like throwing a meat bun at a dog—I'd be sucked in instantly and might even get hurt."
He wasn't exaggerating in the slightest.
Whether it was the terror of the first kenpachi, Unohana Retsu, or the power displayed by the mysterious Isayama who could fight her to a standstill, neither was something an ordinary Captain-level could easily intervene in.
A brief silence enveloped the two Captains.
On the distant Barrier, the hum of energy, accompanied by the more intense clashing of swords on the field, beat like war drums.
Aizen's gaze moved slowly over the figures fighting in the field, his voice still steady: "Then... perhaps we could try another method?" He turned his head slightly toward Kyoraku Shunsui. "How about we... go in together?"
Hearing this, Kyōraku's spirits lifted, and a shrewd light flashed in his eyes.
"Eh?!" He clapped his hands, the brim of his straw hat swaying slightly.
"That idea! It seems worth a try!" Although it was a last resort, two veteran Captains intervening together was better than one going up to take a beating for nothing.
No more words were needed; a consensus was reached instantly.
Kyoraku Shunsui and Aizen Sōsuke quickly exchanged a knowing look.
Experienced in battle, they both understood that the opportunity would only last for a split second.
"I'll hold back the senior," Kyoraku Shunsui arranged quickly, his hand already on the hilt of Katen Kyōkotsu at his waist.
"Captain Aizen, I'll leave that Miss Isayama to you."
The "senior" he referred to was naturally Unohana Retsu, spoken with a hint of respect but also highlighting how difficult she was to deal with.
"Fine." Aizen's reply was concise and powerful, beneath his gentle mask lay deep thoughts that no one could perceive.
He likewise gripped the hilt of his Zanpakuto, Kyōka Suigetsu, with an elegant motion.
Timing is like flowing water, fleeting and momentary.
Just after a world-shaking collision between Unohana Retsu and Huangquan, each repelled by the massive force and sliding back half a step, the clash of Spiritual Pressure created a brief, relatively chaotic gap in power!
"Now!"
"Open the Barrier!"
Two figures, like arrows released from a bow, carrying powerful Captain-level Spiritual Pressure, instantly tore through the raging energy turbulence at the edge of the battlefield and charged resolutely into the core of destruction that would cause an ordinary Shinigami to collapse instantly!
Kyoraku Shunsui was like a wild streak of vermilion lightning, his target set directly on Unohana Retsu, who was covered in blood but wore a grim smile;
Aizen Sōsuke, like a quietly flowing mountain stream, flickered and approached Isayama Yomi, whose battle intent was boiling and the blood-red light in her eyes even stronger!
"Hmph!" At almost the same instant, Unohana Retsu and Isayama Yomi, who were in the middle of their fight, keenly sensed the auras of the intruders.
The two turned their heads almost simultaneously, their gazes as sharp as blades accurately catching the figures of Shunsui and Aizen.
Between their brows, they simultaneously displayed the same knitted brow—it was a look of deep displeasure at being disturbed and intense annoyance at having their fun interrupted!