Genryūsai Yamamoto's spiritual pressure began to erupt.
Its sound and force were so exaggerated that it was enough to affect all of Soul Society.
As if the entire world was shaking at this moment, pressure powerful enough to make everyone tremble swept in, causing many who were engaged in combat to stop their movements.
The first to react was Squad Two Captain, Sui-Feng.
Looking at the Quincy before her, who had been bombarded by Suzumebachi and now showed no signs of life, she deactivated her Zanpakutō.
The Squad Two barracks had nearly reached the point of collapse, not just from the enemy's attacks, but also from Sui-Feng's own techniques...
Nothing could be done about it.
Suzumebachi was just that kind of thing.
Nearby, Ōmaeda was preparing to habitually flatter her, but Sui-Feng predicted his intention and directly turned to give orders.
"Don't just stand there, gather the remaining wounded people, bring them together, and get them to safety!"
"What about you, Captain?"
Sui-Feng was silent for a moment.
Her injuries were definitely not serious, just some spiritual pressure damage and minor wounds from brief combat.
She could absolutely go support other squads.
But before that... Sui-Feng couldn't help but reflect.
...
"This medicine is unexpectedly effective."
Tōshirō looked at Cang Du lying on the ground before him with a disgruntled expression, his own face quite reflective.
Earlier at the captains' meeting, Shunsui had forced everyone to take the medicine, with many opposing or reserving judgment.
But from the results, the Captain-Commander had made no misjudgment.
"Because of this Shadow Infiltration Drug, you can't steal my Bankai... that's what it means, right?"
With flowing milky-white waves crawling over his body, Tōshirō still maintained his Bankai posture.
The ice wings behind him fluttered slowly, extracting the liquid from the air, freezing it, until it became strands of invisible crystals, then falling from within.
Though Cang Du had already used Vollständig.
But now he was still restrained at the throat by Hyōrinmaru.
In a literal life-and-death crisis, which also meant he had undisputedly been defeated.
"Do you... have anything to say?"
Silence was the best response.
However, Tōshirō did not immediately deal the killing blow, he just tightened his brow, swinging the Zanpakutō in his hand.
Hyōrinmaru completely cut and froze the tendons in the other's hands and feet.
The wound site inhibited blood flow, not only making the opponent lose mobility, but also maximizing their suffering.
"Rangiku, take him away and lock him up first!"
Tōshirō, having deactivated his Bankai, saw Rangiku running toward him and stepped back half a step.
...
With the backward movement.
Byakuya completely withdrew the Bankai state of Senbonzakura.
"Captain!"
Renji's voice came from behind, and Byakuya gathered his gaze, turning to look.
"What is it, why are you still here, Renji Abarai?"
His tone had no fluctuation whatsoever, and his expression remained cold and serious.
As if the fierce battle that had just occurred had no cost to him at all? Such thoughts had just emerged...
When in the next moment.
Intense coughing involuntarily erupted from Byakuya's mouth.
"Cough, cough, cough, cough..."
His once straight spine slightly bent, Byakuya's eyes narrowed, his brows tightly furrowed.
"Captain..."
"Cough, don't come over... it's just, some minor wounds, that's all."
Even without having his Bankai stolen.
The strength of the Sternritter members was already quite formidable.
Especially among them, there would also be individuals of extraordinary power, creating a gap with other members.
Äs Nödt's power was one of the more troublesome types.
Even with the enhancement of the Shadow Infiltration Drug, the opponent still displayed exceptional fighting spirit.
He could even use Vollständig to provoke the most fearful part deep within one's heart.
Mental attacks were the most difficult to counter.
If it had been a normal fight... Byakuya might not have been a match for this guy.
Thanks to external help.
But at this point, Byakuya definitely wouldn't fixate on these considerations.
The victor is king.
Just knowing this central idea was enough now.
However...
When the fear deep within his heart was drawn out.
After crossing Hisana and Rukia, that other figure deeply hidden inside his heart...
Truly made Byakuya 'fearful' at this moment.
He wasn't afraid of facing death.
Even more than dying in battle and gaining noble honor, what he feared more was facing that man who had once been kind to him again.
He had made the wrong judgment, and he was one of the principal offenders who had forced him to his death.
Now the Quincy invasion had completely confirmed this point.
So what should he do?
If before he could still use avoidance to try not to delve into these things, now these thoughts drawn out by the opponent's power...
Were no longer reasons he could ignore.
Byakuya fell into silence at this moment.
Until Renji continued to softly call his name beside him, only then did he slightly come back to his senses, half-turning his head.
Before him was his lieutenant showing a concerned expression, also his deeply trusted deputy, and someone to whom he could entrust Rukia...
After a brief silence.
Byakuya seemed to make a certain decision.
He took a deep breath, and now slowly began to speak.
"Renji Abarai..."
"I'm here, Captain!"
"I have something I want to entrust to you, tell me... are you worthy of my trust?"
Although not knowing the reason, such a solemn opening at this time would always make one's heart tighten.
Renji's voice began to tremble uncontrollably.
"If, if it's the Captain's order... I'll definitely do my best!"
"After this war ends, marry Rukia."
"...???!!!"
The sudden 'elder's declaration' almost made Renji, who had been wearing a serious expression, lose composure.
Big brother, what are you doing? Is this the time to talk about such things?!
Though wanting to retort, with Byakuya's serious image in front of him, even if Renji wanted to make a comment, he couldn't find appropriate words at the moment.
It was during this awkward moment.
That the other continued to output his views.
"After that, you will be the Squad Six Captain... although as an outsider, but by marrying into the Kuchiki family, all these issues can be resolved."
If originally he had felt somewhat at a loss, now after hearing such a declaration, Renji had somewhat caught on.
He looked somewhat dazedly at Byakuya in front of him, witnessing him slowly closing his eyes, taking a deep breath.
At this moment, he couldn't help but ask in a trembling voice.
"Then, then if I become Captain... what do you plan to..."
"I want to atone for my sins."
Byakuya lowered his head, letting the blood at the corner of his mouth flow slowly, his gaze becoming somewhat sad, yet now extremely firm.
"I will pay the price for my mistakes."
Since the other had already died.
Then he should rightfully follow.
Repaying with his life, apologizing with his spirit—perhaps on the other side of the legendary hell, he might meet that man who had once been kind to him.
At that time...
Byakuya would express his sincere apologies to him.
"..."
Renji could completely understand his captain's temperament; even without knowing exactly what he wanted to do, once this stubbornness arose, there was basically no room for negotiation.
Need to find a way to work around it.
"Captain, we can talk about what comes after later! We're still in wartime... let's quickly get your wounds treated first?"
Byakuya silently closed his eyes, equivalent to agreeing.
Renji finally looked at Äs Nödt lying on the ground, already completely 'unrecognizable', and couldn't help but swallow.
Hard to imagine such an opponent would be defeated by Byakuya.
The danger within... just thinking about it gave a lingering fear.
...
"Do not fear! Do not retreat!"
Squad Seven Captain, Komamura.
He raised his head, looking toward the direction of the spiritual pressure eruption, now sharply shouting.
"Those who can still move, stand up! Former Captain-Commander Yamamoto is fighting, we absolutely cannot fall here... the will of Squad Seven absolutely cannot stop here!!!"
The Squad Seven barracks had been blown to pieces, though looking quite miserable, the damage wasn't exaggerated to that degree.
Somewhat disheveled squad members with dirty faces rushed over, now seeking Komamura's opinion.
"Captain! That fleeing Quincy, we..."
"Ignore her!"
The big dog now showed full authority, his tone full of sternness and solemnity.
"That one has already been wounded, even if she wants to continue causing trouble, it would be hard to inflict damage... now the mission is to support the former Captain-Commander as soon as possible, don't hesitate, forward!"
This was the responsibility of the Inner Court Troop.
And Bambietta, who should have stolen Bankai and been causing havoc, was now desperately looking for her other companions.
"Gigi! Quickly... quickly help me!"
Seeing their companion who had lost a hand, lost her hat, only left with a miserable appearance, the female group members didn't show any pity.
As if she had 'brought it upon herself', so exaggeratedly.
Liltotto, the leader, frowned as she looked at Bambietta who resembled a defeated rooster, now unable to help but ponder for a moment.
"What's wrong with you? Why did you end up so miserable even with the Stern Medallion?"
Bambietta couldn't help but start crying.
"I don't know either! His Majesty said it would definitely work before we left... but those captains seemed completely unaffected! It even affected my Vollständig!"
The other female group members all gathered around, starting to examine Bambietta's condition.
"Though this girl usually has no filter when she speaks, this time there seems to be some real issues..."
Liltotto keenly detected that Bambietta's Vollständig was in an extremely unstable state.
The spirit particles inside were running wild, swaying chaotically.
Forget using her own ability, even trying to use Blut at this time would be extremely awkward...
Perhaps because of this.
She had been beaten until she fled in such a miserable state.
"So what should we do now?"
Gigi was treating Bambietta's wounds, and the rest looked toward Liltotto. She furrowed her brows tightly, arms crossed over her chest...
As the leader of this small team, she indeed needed to shoulder this part of the responsibility.
But before that.
"Hey! Doesn't your boyfriend have any orders yet, you bitch!"
Although her temper had been ignited, making her current tone extremely unfriendly.
But the person in question seemed completely used to this communication style and didn't pay much attention to the other's tone. Candice just very calmly shook her head.
"No, Seiya's order for us is to standby."
"You've got to be kidding! Look at our casualties so far! If we continue like this, we'll all die!"
Making a shrugging gesture, Candice wasn't affected at all by the other's attitude.
"I can't make decisions for the royal guard... if you can't accept it, you're free to act on your own."
The remaining female group members all looked at her somewhat strangely.
It feels like...
Isn't she particularly strange today?
Gigi, who had helped Bambietta regenerate a partition using the blood and flesh on the ground, moved to Liltotto's side.
His hands pressed on her waist, sticking to Liltotto's back, using a somewhat subtle tone to say.
"Today's Candice-chan seems particularly strange, doesn't she?"
The broken silence became the fuse that ignited everything.
Liltotto took a deep breath, about to say something more, but Candice in front of her suddenly changed expression.
She raised both hands, closing them left and right, hugging her head. Her throat rolled, making some hoarse sounds, as if in pain...
Showing a very painful expression.
The sudden change startled everyone present. Liltotto instinctively moved closer, but saw spiritual pressure dissipating from Candice's head.
This is...
Has someone tampered with her head?
Just as this thought emerged, Candice in front of her pressed her temples, raising her head, showing a very impatient expression.
"...Ah, it hurts, hurts, hurts! What! Who tampered with me?!"
"When I find out, I'll definitely teach them a lesson..."
"Hey! Why are you all staring at me like that?"
The female group members were speechless, only Liltotto, looking at the spiritual pressure dissipating in the air, showed a thoughtful expression.
She seemed to understand something.
But before she could speak.
A spiritual pressure that shook heaven and earth had completely erupted—not Yamamoto's, but another unmistakable spiritual pressure.
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Powerstones?
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