Shinji Hirako's zanpakutō ability was unusual. It did not strengthen him, it weakened his opponent.
The method itself was even more troublesome, it completely disrupted the opponent's perception.
Anyone who inhaled the fragrance released by Shinji Hirako's zanpakutō would have their sense of direction inverted. Up became down, left became right, front became back. Every incoming attack would appear to come from the opposite direction.
It was an extreme distortion.
A disruption that went directly against instinct and reflex.
Without specific training, even the strongest fighters would struggle to adapt in a short time. Under that confusion, they would inevitably be overwhelmed by Shinji Hirako.
To a certain extent, this ability shared similarities with Aizen's Kyōka Suigetsu.
The moment Shinji Hirako released his zanpakutō, Ryūjin saw the entire world flip.
Shinji, the Visored, the building, everything appeared inverted.
In reality, nothing had changed. It was simply his perception being tampered with.
Worse still, every attack Shinji launched would also appear reversed.
For most people, it was impossible to deal with.
"Interesting ability," Ryūjin remarked, a trace of approval in his eyes.
Unfortunately for Shinji, it meant nothing.
Ryūjin possessed Observation Haki.
That level of sensory perception was unaffected by Shinji's trick.
Through Observation Haki, Shinji's attack was nothing more than a straightforward strike.
Clang!
Ryūjin casually raised the asauchi in his hand and deflected Shinji's blade with ease.
"Nani!"
Shinji's eyes widened in disbelief. "The Inverted World has no effect on you? No, that has to be luck!"
Hiyori Sarugaki, Hachigen Ushōda, and the others immediately grew tense.
Could Ryūjin Uchiha really see through it completely?
"I don't believe it!"
Shinji snorted and attacked again.
Clang!
Ryūjin blocked him just as easily.
Bang!
Before Shinji could react, Ryūjin followed with a kick that landed squarely on his chest, sending him flying once again.
"The Inverted World really doesn't work on you!"
Shinji climbed back up, his face filled with shock.
At first, he could dismiss it as coincidence. Now, he had no such excuse.
"What the hell is wrong with this guy?"
Mashiro Kuna held her head, completely baffled.
Had Ryūjin trained specifically for this kind of disorientation?
Otherwise, how could he ignore it so completely?
"Shinji's getting crushed. What now?" Kensei Muguruma asked, his voice heavy.
"Crushed? I'm just down by two moves!" Shinji snapped back in irritation.
"At this point, what else is there to do?"
Lisa Yadōmaru stepped forward, her expression cold. In an instant, she vanished.
The next moment, she appeared in front of Ryūjin.
"Crush him, Hagurotonbo!"
Her zanpakutō released instantly, transforming into an oversized iron shovel.
Whoosh!
She swung it down toward Ryūjin's head.
Clang!
Ryūjin flicked his asauchi upward.
The impact felt like a sledgehammer crashing into Lisa. Her body jolted as she was sent flying backward.
The massive weapon slipped from her hands and slammed into the wall with a loud crash.
The entire building shook violently.
Without Hachigen Ushōda's barriers, it would have collapsed.
"What kind of monster is this?"
The Visored could not hide their shock.
"So strong…"
Lisa steadied herself and made a quick decision.
She raised her hand to her face.
A Hollow mask formed.
She Hollowfied.
Her spiritual pressure surged several times over.
Gripping her weapon again, she charged forward and struck.
Ryūjin moved the same way.
Boom!
The result did not change.
Even after Hollowfication, Lisa was blown away just as easily.
"This is ridiculous…"
The Visored were stunned.
That was a Hollowfied Lisa.
Her strength surpassed a typical captain, yet she was still helpless.
"We can't keep holding back!"
Mashiro Kuna stepped forward decisively and Hollowfied.
Reishi gathered rapidly beneath her feet.
In an instant, a dense sphere of energy formed.
Cero.
A technique comparable to a Tailed Beast Ball in destructive power.
Boom!
The blast shot toward Ryūjin, blazing with green light.
The pressure alone made the others uneasy.
This time, surely…
"Finally, something decent."
Ryūjin did not move.
Instead, he raised his hand toward it.
"Is he serious?"
"He's going to take it head-on?"
"He's insane!"
The Visored shouted, anger mixed with disbelief.
Then they saw it.
His eyes changed.
Ripple-patterned pupils.
No one understood what it meant, but it was not meaningless.
"Deva Path."
The Cero struck.
And vanished.
Absorbed completely.
"What!"
"He absorbed it?!"
"That's impossible!"
Shock rippled through the group.
That was a Cero.
"Who the hell is this guy…"
Shinji gritted his teeth, sweat running down his face.
The others were no better.
"Everyone, stop holding back," Mashiro said seriously. "This isn't someone you fight alone."
No one argued.
One after another, they Hollowfied.
"Smash him, Tengumaru!"
"Sever him, Kubikiri Orochi!"
"Reduce him to ashes, Tachikaze!"
Their zanpakutō released in unison.
They rushed forward together.
Facing Ryūjin Uchiha, anything less was pointless.
Ryūjin clapped his hands.
Wood Release.
Crack!
Thick wooden branches erupted from the ground like living serpents, surging toward the Visored.
Each of them was instantly overwhelmed.
They could not even get close.
"What are these branches?!"
"This guy's not normal!"
"Focus! These things aren't easy to deal with!"
The fight shifted instantly.
They had no time to talk.
The branches were relentless.
Forged from Six Paths level chakra, they were far stronger than anything Hashirama could produce.
Under Ryūjin's control, they moved faster, struck harder, and left no openings.
Soon, blood splattered.
One after another, the Visored began to suffer injuries.
Their resistance weakened.
In the end, they were all bound tightly by the wooden branches.
Necks, limbs, torsos, completely restrained.
They could barely move.
"Is this it…?"
"All of us… beaten by one person?"
"Who… is he?"
Their confidence shattered.
Over a century ago, they had all been captains and lieutenants.
With Hollowfication, they had grown even stronger.
Yet together, they were defeated in moments.
And Ryūjin had not even released his zanpakutō.
Now they understood.
If he could do this, defeating Aizen was not unbelievable.
Still, the humiliation stung.
They had pride too.
"Ryūjin Uchiha," Shinji said after a pause, his expression serious. "You're the strongest Shinigami I've ever seen. Even stronger than Aizen."
Then his tone shifted.
"But we're not done."
"You got careless."
"You didn't realize it, but you already walked into a trap."
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