Inside the Seireitei, explosions and roaring thunder rose one after another.
Most of the blade spirits had already sensed their masters' Spiritual Pressure and initiated attacks on their own, leaving only a scattered few with no fighting spirit standing in place.
"Wait, Kyōka Suigetsu, why are you still here?!"
Suzumebachi suddenly reacted; it seemed this invasion operation hadn't gone according to plan from the very beginning.
What happened to the agreed-upon Complete Hypnosis of all Shinigami?
"I am waiting for Sōsuke." Kyōka Suigetsu turned her head with a beaming smile. "Besides, I don't like Kōga Kuchiki, so I don't really want to help him."
After all, it was Suzumebachi who had said those words; Kyōka Suigetsu had never agreed to them, nor had Muramasa or Kōga Kuchiki asked.
"Is that so... then you'll probably have to wait a good while."
Suzumebachi scratched her head. After all, she hadn't sensed Soifon's arrival yet.
In truth, Suzumebachi wasn't entirely unaffected by Muramasa; otherwise, she wouldn't have materialized and left the Zanpakutō.
Probably back when Soifon was still working part-time as a teacher at the Shin'ō Academy, Soifon had found Tōshirō Hitsugaya, who was still a commoner. Since that day, Suzumebachi felt her connection with Soifon had become even tighter.
As long as they weren't separated by worlds, they could sense each other's existence.
"I say, two... Big Sisters..."
"I also want to go teach that guy Marechiyo Ōmaeda a lesson. I don't know..."
Beside them, Gegetsuburi, with his tall stature and fawning expression, rubbed his hands together.
"Marechiyo Ōmaeda?" Suzumebachi pressed the blade of her right hand against her chin. "Fine, you go then, Gegetsuburi. You aren't needed here."
"Oh! Thank you, Big Sister Suzumebachi!"
Having received the leader's permission, Gegetsuburi disappeared from the spot with a *whoosh* using Shunpo, heading straight for the Seireitei. His speed was completely mismatched with his massive body.
At the same time, a terrifying tremor erupted from the direction of the Kuchiki Clan grounds, and dazzling pink petals soared into the sky.
So far, in this invasion battle of the Seireitei, only the battle at the Kuchiki house was one of life and death.
"Forget it. Even if Sōsuke hasn't come yet, I should go take a look at the Kuchiki house..."
"We can't let Kōga Kuchiki be killed. If that happened, wouldn't we have materialized for nothing?"
Sighing, Kyōka Suigetsu took a step forward, seemingly intending to truly start taking action.
Noble District, Kuchiki Clan Manor.
Byakuya Kuchiki knelt on one knee, his silvery-white kenseikan scarf stained with blood and dust, and the Captain's Haori on his shoulder torn open.
Kōga Kuchiki stood on the rockery. Beside him, Muramasa stood in the air, flanked by Senbonzakura surrounded by cherry blossoms.
"Tch, what a boring battle."
"I'll use this move to send you on your way, Byakuya Kuchiki."
Kōga Kuchiki seemed tired of playing. He raised his sword, condensing a cold, frosty Reiatsu.
"Hyōga Seiran—!"
The roar echoed through the courtyard as the tip of Kōga Kuchiki's blade unleashed a torrent of extreme frost.
Instantly, Byakuya Kuchiki's pupils constricted. At this distance, he couldn't dodge it at all!
"Bakudō #81: Dankū."
Just as the frost was about to devour Byakuya Kuchiki, a calm female voice fell from the sky.
A transparent wall of Reiatsu erected itself out of thin air in front of Byakuya Kuchiki. The Hyōga Seiran slammed viciously against the barrier but couldn't break through in the slightest, eventually exploding into a sky full of ice crystals with a muffled thud.
Then, two figures landed lightly on the corridor eaves that had not yet collapsed.
"How wretched, Byakuya Kuchiki." Soifon's lips curled up. "If Hisana saw you looking like this, I'm afraid she'd faint from worry, wouldn't she?"
Beside her, Sōsuke Aizen stood with his hands in his pockets. "As expected, after losing the Zanpakutō's ability, even a Captain is nothing more than this."
Hearing their words, Byakuya Kuchiki's fingers gripping his sword tightened. Finally, he stood up stubbornly.
"Hisana has already been settled by me; there is no need for you to worry."
He only answered Soifon's question, choosing to ignore Aizen's mockery.
On the other side of the courtyard, Kōga Kuchiki quickly recovered his composure after a brief moment of astonishment.
No rush. Suzumebachi and Kyōka Suigetsu were on his side. For now, a tactical retreat was in order.
Suddenly, the sky full of cherry blossoms erupted without warning, attacking the trio of Soifon, Aizen, and Byakuya.
*Boom—!*
Astonishing Spiritual Pressure erupted from Soifon's body. The cherry blossom blades were forcefully washed away and torn apart by the Reiatsu the instant they neared the three.
When vision cleared again, the rockery was empty.
Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the Seireitei.
Kyōka Suigetsu, who was about to take a step, suddenly paused. A trace of an indescribable smile spread from the corner of her lips.
"Oh my..."
"You've finally come, Sōsuke."
In the next second, Kyōka Suigetsu's figure dissipated like a bubble on the spot.
"Ah! I sensed Soifon's Reiatsu too! Let's go get them together!"
Suzumebachi directly shattered the ground, sprinting toward the direction of the Reiatsu at a speed bordering on teleportation.
Department of Research and Development, Laboratory.
Unlike the chaotic clamor outside, Mayuri Kurotsuchi's Department of Research and Development seemed untouched by the blade spirit invasion. There was only the sound of various instruments operating.
Under the pale lights of the operating table, Ashisogi Jizō, fixed in place by various restraint devices, lay there quietly, enjoying an infant-like sleep.
Complex needles were inserted into Ashisogi Jizō's body, comprehensively analyzing the various data of the Zanpakutō after materialization.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi threw the syringe in his hand, which was still dripping with pale yellow liquid, into the trash can. Standing before the console, his fingers tapped rapidly on the keyboard. His eyes stared tightly at the data displayed on the screen, the grin on his face widening more and more.
As someone who frequently conducted modification experiments on his own Zanpakutō, Mayuri Kurotsuchi already had several backups of Ashisogi Jizō's data in his database. Therefore, he only needed a slight comparison to discover how the blade spirit differed after being materialized by Muramasa.
"Found it..."
"Interesting... this is truly too interesting..."
A maniacal smile gradually covered Mayuri Kurotsuchi's face. As Muramasa's ability was analyzed by him step by step, Mayuri also gradually thought of a method to resolve this Zanpakutō rebellion.
He turned around and quickly issued orders to 3rd Seat Akon, who was on standby in the corner of the laboratory: "Connect to the Seireitei-wide communication network!"
"Yes!"
Akon immediately began to act.
A few minutes later, Mayuri Kurotsuchi stood before a massive communication device, cleared his throat, and pressed the talk button.
"Ahem, this is Mayuri Kurotsuchi of the Department of Research and Development."
"Regarding this Zanpakutō materialization rebellion incident, after in-depth research by this Director, a solution has been found."
"Please try your best to fight your own Zanpakutō in order to retrieve the power of Shikai."
"All seated officers, Vice-Captains, and Captains, please delay for time as much as possible and circle around with your Zanpakutō to avoid causing irreversible destruction."
The broadcast ended. Mayuri Kurotsuchi placed his gaze back on Ashisogi Jizō's golden body. He rubbed his hands together, then thrust probes emitting a cold glint into the other's body one by one.
"I have modified Zanpakutō many times, but I never imagined you would actively turn into a blade spirit for me to dissect!"
"I am truly too moved! Ashisogi Jizō!"
Immediately following was the sound of sharp blades cutting through the blade spirit's skin; Mayuri Kurotsuchi was disemboweling his own Zanpakutō.
The Second Division had already become a purgatory of ice and fire, with two chubby figures chasing each other across the rooftops.
Tobiume hovered in mid-air, her wide sleeves dancing in the wind. Every wave of the seven-branched sword in her hand brought forth scorching fireballs.
"Too slow, too slow!"
"Momo, your Shunpo used to be much faster than this!"
Tobiume complained with puffed cheeks. Another fireball exploded, grazing the hem of Momo Hinamori's clothes, the splashing sparks burning red marks onto her arm.
The unexpected pain caused a few drops of tears to flow from Momo Hinamori's eyes.
Momo Hinamori rolled to dodge a pincer attack from three fireballs, supporting herself on her knees as she gasped for air.
Sweat dripped from her chin. She raised her head to look at Tobiume in the sky, her eyes somewhat red: "Tobiume... why..."
Seeing this, the dissatisfaction in Tobiume's heart grew even stronger, and the frequency of her attacks became increasingly intense:
"What is with that expression?!"
"What is with those tears?!"
"Can your tears allow you to outrun others in love?!"
On the other side, Sode no Shirayuki gently raised her hand. The moisture in the air condensed into countless ice spikes that shot toward Rukia.
Rukia gritted her teeth and weaved through the ice spikes. Her Shihakushō was already covered in cuts, and an ice prism had grazed her left cheek, drawing blood.
"Truly disappointing." Sode no Shirayuki's tone was filled with regret. "After leaving me, have you regressed to this extent, Rukia?"
Just as this atmosphere of despair pervaded, the broadcast from the Department of Research and Development pierced through the explosions and roars, clearly transmitting to every corner of the Seireitei.
[Please try your best to fight your own Zanpakutō to attempt to retrieve the power of Shikai.]
Momo Hinamori lowered her head, looking at her hands covered in burns and scrapes, then slowly raised her head to look at Tobiume in the sky.
"I understand..."
She spoke softly, then took a deep breath and stood straight again.
Rukia made the same movement. She no longer dodged wretchedly but held her Asauchi horizontally in front of her.
The aura of the two changed, distinct from their wretched appearance just moments ago.
Tobiume and Sode no Shirayuki exchanged a glance, both seeing astonishment in the other's eyes.
Meanwhile, on another battlefield in the Seireitei.
Rangiku Matsumoto panted for breath. Her long orange hair was stuck to her neck by sweat, and the sweat flowed down her hair strands into the bottomless abyss.
"I say, Rangiku," Haineko yawned. "Weren't you quite good at fighting before? Why are you dodging my sand dust so wretchedly now?"
Rangiku Matsumoto wiped the sweat from her forehead and smiled bitterly: "Because... I had you helping me before."
Haineko was stunned for a split second.
"However..." Rangiku Matsumoto suddenly smiled with relief. "You're right, I indeed relied on you too much."
She stabbed her Zanpakutō into the ground and raised her hands rapidly: "Hadō #58: Tenran!"
A whirlwind rose from the level ground, rolling up the sky full of sand and dust. Taking advantage of the moment Haineko squinted her eyes, Rangiku Matsumoto pulled the Asauchi from the ground and charged forward.
"Oh? Finally getting a bit interesting, Rangiku..."
Haineko's interest was piqued. The sand dust blade condensed into form in her hand, and the corner of her mouth curled up.
The blades of the two collided, emitting a crisp ringing sound.
Immediately after, an ice dragon that really didn't know how to read the room barged into the battlefield.
Tōshirō Hitsugaya was wretchedly pushed into a house by the ice dragon. The courtyard wall collapsed, and Hyōrinmaru hovered high in the sky, looking down at the ruins below.
"You are still the same as always, Tōshirō." Hyōrinmaru's voice was calm. "You are too impatient during battle; that is why you cannot perfectly master Bankai..."
*Boom—*
Tōshirō's Spiritual Pressure surged, throwing off the rubble on his body. He spat out the grit in his mouth and slowly stood up.
"What do you mean..." Hitsugaya stood in the air again holding his sword. "Cannot perfectly master Bankai—is it not because my Spiritual Pressure isn't enough?"
Hearing this sentence, Hyōrinmaru looked at him: "It seems you still don't understand, that is why I said you are a hothead, Tōshirō!"
Subsequently, Hyōrinmaru raised his hand, waving out a roaring ice dragon that snapped at Tōshirō.
Below, Haineko and Rangiku Matsumoto tacitly leaped backward as the sky full of frost exploded above them once again...
In front of the First Division barracks, the battle had entered a white-hot stage.
"Chōjirō~" Katen executed a backflip to dodge Shunsui Kyōraku's slash. Upon landing, the treasure chest on her chest trembled slightly. "If you don't use a Zanpakutō, you won't be able to catch me, you know~"
Shunsui Kyōraku pressed down on his bamboo hat and smiled bitterly: "Little Katen, you really are... as difficult to deal with as ever."
Not far away, Jūshirō Ukitake was playing games with Sōgyo no Kotowari; no desire for battle could be seen at all.
Only the battle between Chōjirō Sasakibe and Gonryōmaru was the most intense. Lightning and sword shadows collided constantly, and the speeds of both had reached the limit.
"Chōjirō!" Gonryōmaru retreated after a collision, lightning dancing around his body. "You've become weaker!"
Chōjirō Sasakibe did not refute him, gripping the sword handle with both hands and assuming the stance of the [Genryū].
Inside the Fourth Division.
There was no soaring firelight here, nor were there traces covered by frost. The medicinal herb garden in the courtyard remained intact.
Unohana Retsu and Minazuki stood facing each other.
"Yachiru..." Beneath the cloak, Minazuki spoke. "Your blade has become dull."
Unohana narrowed her eyes: "So, you are scolding yourself?"
"Your mouth has become quite sharp." Minazuki took two steps forward. "Did you learn that from that girl named Soifon?"
Unohana tightened her grip on the sword handle: "Captain Soifon? She and I are just sparring partners, nothing more."
Letting out a sneer, Minazuki did not believe Unohana's defense.
"I didn't ask what relationship the two of you have, don't be so anxious."
"Besides, can what you two do now really be considered sparring? Don't deceive yourself, Yachiru."
"If that girl hadn't held back, you wouldn't know how many times you would have died. You only managed to linger on for a while by using our Bankai."
"With just this... you still have the face to say words like 'sparring'?"
With every sentence Minazuki spoke, her eerie figure moved a step closer, finally stopping in front of Unohana.
On the other side of the courtyard.
Isane Kotetsu was swept into the sickroom by Itegumo, jars and bottles of medicine crashing to the floor.
"So amazing..."
She wiped the bloodstain from the corner of her mouth and stood up tremblingly.
"Amazing? Are you talking about me?"
"You have never cared about my power, Isane..."
"All day long, you're either studying Kaidō or running around behind Soifon's butt. Have you ever properly looked at me?!"
Itegumo stood in mid-air; only this way could she barely grab Isane Kotetsu by the collar and lift the other up.
"I'm sorry..."
Isane Kotetsu tightened her grip on the sword handle. In fact, she still had strength to spare. As long as she raised her sword and thrust forward, she could catch her blade spirit off guard and take her down.
"I'm sorry I didn't notice you before... Itegumo."
After hesitating for a while, Isane Kotetsu still couldn't harden her heart.
____
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