Yoriichi Tsugikuni held his Zanpakutō in one hand, his expression remaining calm.
“Burn away all impurities…” “Kakuyō.” As his words fell, a blinding pillar of crimson spiritual energy shot into the sky, its immense Reiatsu instantly enveloping the surroundings.
A gust of wind swept through the courtyard.
Nanao Ise raised her hand to shield her eyes, her Lieutenant’s haori fluttering wildly in the wind.
The sword in Yoriichi’s hand had changed.
The once dark gray blade was now crimson, golden-orange flames flowing along its edge, and fine flame patterns appearing on its back.
The surrounding temperature rose rapidly.
Shunsui Kyōraku lowered his hat, his smile fading slightly.
He can even use Shikai.
Moreover, this spiritual pressure far exceeded that of an ordinary seated officer.
“It won’t be as safe as it was before.” Yoriichi looked at Shunsui Kyōraku and said calmly, “Please be careful not to get hurt.” Shunsui Kyōraku was taken aback.
The one wielding the sword was clearly a Ryoka, so why did it sound like the other was worried about him, the Captain?
“Young man, saying that makes me lose face.” “Sorry.” Yoriichi gripped the hilt of his sword with both hands.
The next moment, he vanished.
Shunsui Kyōraku’s pupils contracted, and his Zanpakutō immediately appeared at his side.
Clang!
The crimson blade fell heavily, the ground beneath Shunsui Kyōraku’s feet instantly cracking, and his legs sinking slightly.
So fast.
Not only was his Shunpo fast, but the speed of his sword strike was terrifying.
Even more troublesome was the scorching spiritual pressure emanating from the sword, which was seeping into his arm through his Zanpakutō.
Shunsui Kyōraku sidestepped to absorb the force, then slashed at Yoriichi’s waist with a backhand strike.
Yoriichi didn’t retreat, but simply pressed his blade downwards, blocking the attack perfectly.
The two swords clashed again.
Sparks flew.
“Sun Breathing, First Form: Dance.” A crimson slash swept out, and Shunsui Kyōraku immediately ducked, a clean edge of his hat being sliced off.
He tried to create distance, but Yoriichi had already stepped forward.
No unnecessary movements, no hesitation.
Each swing of his sword aimed directly at Shunsui Kyōraku’s weakest point.
Shunsui Kyōraku blocked several strikes in succession, cold sweat gradually beading on his forehead.
This boy could see through his movements.
“If all the intruders who broke in this time were as strong as you, it would be a disaster for the Seireitei.” Shunsui Kyōraku was still complaining, but his grip on his twin swords didn’t loosen in the slightest.
“I am different from them.” Yoriichi finished speaking and slightly turned his foot.
“Sun Breathing, Fifth Form: Fire Wheel.” A massive, sweeping circular slash erupted, leaving a dense barrage of crimson afterimages that slashed down from different directions.
Shunsui Kyōraku retreated repeatedly, his twin swords constantly parrying.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
In a mere instant, several tears appeared on his haori, and small wounds appeared on his arms and shoulders.
The wounds weren’t deep, but they sent a continuous burning pain through them.
Nanao Ise stood at a distance, gripping the book in her hands tightly.
From the start of the battle until now, Shunsui Kyōraku had been retreating.
Yoriichi, on the other hand, didn’t even show any signs of fatigue.
After another collision, the two separated simultaneously.
Shunsui Kyōraku landed in front of the courtyard wall, raised his hand to touch the wound on his shoulder, and said helplessly, “Young man, you don’t seem like a Ryoka; you’re like a Shinigami who has been immersed in swordsmanship for many years, both in your fighting style and your abilities.” “I’m just an ordinary person who gained special powers.” Yoriichi held Kakuyō at his side.
“After awakening my powers, I haven’t had a chance to confirm my strength.” He paused for a moment, then continued, “I came mainly to rescue Rukia.
I also wanted to know what level I’m at now.” Shunsui Kyōraku looked at him, momentarily speechless.
Using a Gotei 13 Captain as a test of strength—if someone else said that, it would sound arrogant.
But Shunsui Kyōraku believed he had the right to say it.
“Although I hate to admit it, you are indeed very strong.” Shunsui Kyōraku sheathed one of his swords and said seriously, “At least an average Captain would have a hard time stopping you.” Yoriichi nodded.
“Thank you.” Shunsui Kyōraku’s lips twitched.
This kid really took his assessment as a test result.
Just then, a surge of spiritual pressure suddenly spread out, quickly covering the entire Seireitei.
A solemn voice rang in the ears of all the Captains and Lieutenants.
“Attention all Captains and Lieutenants.” Shunsui Kyōraku and Nanao Ise simultaneously looked up, their expressions changing drastically upon hearing the news.
“Fifth Division Captain, Sōsuke Aizen, was found murdered this morning.
The culprit is suspected to be a Ryoka who trespassed into the Seireitei.” “Each division immediately increased its vigilance and is making every effort to capture all Ryoka.” After the news was relayed, the courtyard fell silent.
Shunsui Kyōraku looked at Yoriichi, a scrutinizing glint in his eyes.
“Young man, after entering the Seireitei, where else did you go?” Yoriichi could sense a peculiar spiritual pressure that had enveloped the entire Seireitei.
Shunsui Kyōraku and Nanao Ise had clearly received some kind of message.
“I was nearby when I landed, and I encountered you not far away.” Yoriichi looked at the two and asked, “What happened?” Shunsui Kyōraku did not answer immediately.
“Among the Ryoka who came with you, is there anyone else with your strength?” “No.” Yoriichi answered without the slightest hesitation.
Then he added, “This might be disrespectful to them, but the gap between us is indeed vast.” Shunsui Kyōraku stared at Yoriichi for a moment.
The boy’s expression was frank, his eyes showing no evasion.
This kind of person didn’t seem like someone who would lie.
Or rather, he simply disdained to use lies to conceal himself.
If Yoriichi had encountered them as soon as he entered the Seireitei, then Aizen’s death couldn’t possibly be related to him.
As for the other Ryoka… Even this strongest boy admitted the vast difference in strength; it was virtually impossible for them to silently kill a Captain within the Seireitei.
Shunsui Kyōraku sighed softly.
It seemed someone wanted to use the Ryoka invasion as an opportunity to do something.
“Young man, you’re lucky.” He smiled again and said, “You just happened to run into us, which clears your name.” “Suspicion?” “One of our Captains is dead.
The news just came in; apparently, it was discovered this morning.” Yoriichi was silent for a moment.
It really was Aizen.
The previously chaotic timeline aligned perfectly at this moment.
Aizen had planned everything all along.
The Ryoka caused immense chaos in the Seireitei.
He then feigned death and disappeared into the shadows.
Whatever happens next, the Gotei 13 will first suspect Ichigo and his group.
“It seems things aren’t entirely peaceful within your ranks either.” Yoriichi flicked his wrist, the flames on his crimson sword gradually extinguishing, returning to a dark gray.
He sheathed his Zanpakutō.
Shunsui Kyōraku didn’t object.
Yoriichi looked ahead, his tone still calm.
“So, can I pass now?”