Ichigo Kurosaki was fast asleep.
Lately, he’d been attending classes during the day, cleaning up Hollows at night, and occasionally getting kicked out of bed by Rukia.
His mental state was already at its limit.
Until a thud came from the bathroom.
Bang!
Ichigo jolted awake, grabbed the bedside lamp, and pushed open the bathroom door.
“Ughhhh!” Kon’s mouth was taped shut, his limbs bound tightly, only able to wriggle back and forth on the floor.
Ichigo froze.
“What is this?” Kon’s eyes widened, nearly dying of anger on the spot.
After tearing off the tape, he hurriedly shouted, “Rukia’s been kidnapped by the Soul Society!” Ichigo’s sleepiness vanished instantly.
He grabbed Kon and shoved his hand directly into the doll’s mouth.
“Wait, wash your hands first…” The Soul Candy was pulled out.
Ichigo swallowed the candy, his spirit immediately leaving his body.
He grabbed his Zanpakutō and then dialed Yoriichi’s number on his phone.
“Yoriichi, Rukia is missing.” There was a half-second silence on the other end of the line.
“I understand.” “Her Reiatsu is moving.
Head to the south of the city.” Ichigo hung up and jumped out of the window.
South of Karakura Town.
Several blue and white arrows streaked across the street, shooting towards Renji from different directions.
Renji gripped his sword with one hand, slashing repeatedly, shattering all the Reishi arrows.
“A mere Quincy dares to obstruct the Sixth Division’s official duties?” Uryu Ishida didn’t answer, drawing his Reishi bow again.
However, the next moment, Renji had vanished from his spot.
Uryu’s pupils contracted, and just as he was about to turn around, the hilt of Renji’s sword slammed heavily into his chest.
Bang!
Uryu flew backward, crashing into the wall, his glasses falling to the side.
He struggled to get up, but his body was already powerless.
“Ishida!” A black figure leaped down from the rooftop.
Ichigo landed in front of Uryu, placing his massive Zanpakutō between Renji and Rukia.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni followed closely behind, quietly landing beside Rukia.
He glanced at Uryu, confirming that the other was not in mortal danger, before looking up at the battlefield.
Renji sized up Ichigo, quickly revealing a cold smile.
“So it’s you?
The human brat who stole Rukia’s Shinigami power.” “So what if it is?” “You don’t even know the name of your Zanpakutō, yet you dare wield a Shinigami’s blade?” Renji slung his Zanpakutō over his shoulder, his tone utterly disdainful.
“Even if you train for another two hundred years, you’re still not worthy to fight me.” Ichigo gripped his Zanpakutō with both hands.
“I won’t let you take Rukia away.” “If you want to capture someone, you’ll have to get over me first.” The two charged forward simultaneously, their blades clashing head-on, the resulting gusts of air sending dust flying to either side.
Renji’s swordsmanship was incredibly steady; after a horizontal slash, he immediately followed with a diagonal cut, each step blocking Ichigo’s retreat.
Ichigo, on the other hand, was the complete opposite.
His strength was immense, but his techniques lacked any discernible pattern.
Every swing was delivered with full force, and if an attack missed, his body would reveal obvious openings.
In just a few exchanges, Ichigo already had several wounds on his shoulder and side.
“That’s the difference.” Renji deflected the Zanpakutō with a single slash and kicked Ichigo back.
“Your sword is just big, but you don’t understand how to use Reiatsu at all.” “Ichigo, stop!” Rukia finally couldn’t hold back any longer and shouted, “You’re no match for him!
Get away!
This is my fault alone, you don’t need to bear it!” Ichigo didn’t turn around.
He charged at Renji again, but was struck in the chest by a sword, collapsing to his knees.
His Zanpakutō flew from his hand, embedding itself in the ground several meters away.
Renji slowly walked over, raising his Zanpakutō.
Rukia rushed forward, tightly embracing his right arm.
“Kill me if you must, don’t hurt him!” “Rukia!” Renji gritted his teeth, ultimately not swinging his sword, only using his Reiatsu to repel her.
“How long are you going to protect this human?” “Because he stole your power, you were sentenced to the death penalty!” Rukia’s face paled, but Ichigo stood up again.
Renji looked at him, a vein throbbing slightly on his forehead.
“Since you refuse to give up, then I’ll make you see reality for what it is.” He raised his Zanpakutō horizontally, his Reiatsu erupting violently.
“Howl, Zabimaru!” The blade instantly split, transforming into multiple segments connected by chains.
Renji swung the sword fiercely, and Zabimaru immediately extended, wrapping around Ichigo’s wrists and ankles.
The sharp blades continuously sliced across Ichigo’s limbs, leaving more and more wounds on his body.
“Do you understand now?” Renji tightened the chains, saying coldly, “Give up resistance, and I might spare your life.” Ichigo lowered his head, reaching out to grasp the hilt of his Zanpakutō.
The next moment, a powerful Reiatsu erupted from his body, the surrounding ground trembling, the swirling air forcefully pushing Zabimaru away.
Renji’s expression changed.
Ichigo abruptly broke free of the restraints, instantly appearing before him.
The Zanpakutō fell, and Renji hastily parried, his entire body being forced back several steps by the impact.
Yoriichi watched this scene unfold.
Ichigo was gradually adapting to the battle between Shinigami.
Each time Zabimaru extended, it needed to retract its blade and recharge.
Ichigo clearly noticed this as well; he stopped attacking recklessly and instead focused intently on the moment the blade retracted.
Renji swung Zabimaru again.
Ichigo dodged to the side, severing a section of the chain in the process, then pressed forward relentlessly, giving Renji no chance to create distance again.
The roles of offense and defense were completely reversed at this moment.
“This guy’s Reiatsu…
how is this possible?” Renji’s hands went numb, and for the first time, astonishment appeared in his eyes.
“I don’t know why this power is surging out.” Ichigo raised his Zanpakutō high, concentrating all his Reiatsu on the blade.
“I only know that I absolutely cannot let Rukia be taken back and executed!” The massive blade crashed down.
Renji had no time to dodge.
Just as the Zanpakutō was about to strike him, two figures appeared simultaneously.
Byakuya Kuchiki raised two fingers and pinched Ichigo’s Zanpakutō between them.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni stood between them, his Zanpakutō still sheathed.
However, he used the scabbard to press against Byakuya’s throat.