The magnificent silver sand sea was boundless.
Yoriichi watched the two Zanpakuto spirits in front of him, his mood gradually relaxing after expressing his emotions.
There was nothing inherently wrong with power itself.
This was also what the two Zanpakuto spirits believed.
Karma of Evil had not spoken again after saying that sentence.
Karma of Good, after a moment of silence, slowly began to speak:
"Yoriichi, since you have mastered Bankai, you must also know the abilities we each possess."
"I specialise in purification."
"Karma of Evil specialises in slaughter."
"In some situations, our abilities can be fused and reorganised to form new abilities, such as Fury."
"Besides these, there are others. Since you have been recognised by us, I will tell you about our other abilities..."
"Listen carefully..."
...
...
Some time later.
The two Karmas, Good and Evil, disappeared, and Yoriichi resumed his journey.
His expression was as calm as ever, but there was a clear ripple in his heart.
The words of the Zanpakuto spirits echoed in his ears for a long time. For the first time, he knew that the abilities of a Zanpakuto were not immutable.
Their degree of recognition of their master determined the upper limit of the Zanpakuto's abilities, like ordinary Shinigami squad members.
The Zanpakuto had not recognised them, so no matter how hard they tried, they could not unleash the power inherent in the Zanpakuto itself.
At the same time, even if recognised, the power would differ depending on the attitude.
Although Bankai meant complete recognition, it did not mean that the Zanpakuto's upper limit was here.
Through the conversation with the Zanpakuto spirits just now, Yoriichi understood.
Some techniques could only be taught by the Zanpakuto spirits themselves; otherwise, Shinigami would never be able to learn them.
They were not comrades or partners of the Shinigami.
Every blade was an independent entity, with an unpredictable personality and temper.
Because of this.
Some Shinigami, after mastering Bankai, might never be able to advance further in their entire lives.
While some Shinigami would continuously improve after mastering Bankai.
He belonged to the latter category.
With new techniques in hand, Yoriichi tightened the Zanpakuto at his waist, dealt with a few ordinary Hollows along the way, and soon completely left Szayelaporro's sphere of influence.
He could test them anytime.
However.
Only on a Vasto Lorde could the true upper limit of Bankai be tested.
Before encountering them, it was better to hold back, lest some Hollows see his trump card in advance.
In Szayelaporro's base, he had seen several monitoring screens.
It was clear that Hueco Mundo was not a desolate land.
...
...
Underground.
"Ashido!"
An Adjuchas let out an unwilling roar, his eyes bloodshot, his bone armour glowing red.
"You're forcing me!"
"A mere Shinigami!"
With an angry shout, he suddenly opened his mouth wide, rapidly condensing a Cero, and blasted it towards Ashido.
Buzz!
Dense reishi formed a red beam of light, erupting with a powerful air current under immense pressure, pushing everything in front of it away!
The vast spiritual pressure transformed into a boundless ocean, completely enveloping Ashido.
Boom!
A deafening explosion was like thunder.
The rapidly expanding ball of light instantly illuminated the entire space, and the tangible air currents, like changing winds and clouds, turned into a furious storm, rapidly crushing outwards!
Some rocks fell from above, and dust scattered.
However, after the dust dissipated, what was revealed was an unharmed figure.
This sight made the Adjuchas's eyes nearly pop out.
Swish.
Ashido swung his sword, cutting through the air, his calm eyes devoid of emotional fluctuation, completely indifferent to everything in front of him.
A mere fifth-tier Cero... he could have cut it decades ago.
The only thing that concerned him.
Was the Adjuchas in the team who was close to third-tier spiritual power...
He had thought this battle would be very difficult.
Never expected.
Crash!
After he bisected the Adjuchas who had unleashed the Cero with one swing, several black figures suddenly rushed over from not far away.
The spiritual pressure fluctuations were obvious.
They were Shinigami.
Ashido subconsciously looked over.
Seeing them dressed in Shinigami robes, a strange emotion rose in his heart...
How long had it been? Even though he constantly told himself to remain calm, he found it difficult to calm down at this moment.
When they drew closer.
Both sides looked at each other.
And fell silent.
The Hollow also fell silent.
Simply because he found that the fat man opposite Ashido was an opponent no less formidable than himself...
What a disaster.
The Hollow cursed inwardly. If he had another chance, he would have killed Ashido hundreds of years ago.
He had thought this Shinigami would become his food, and the only reason he let him grow was because he was too weak back then.
Even eating him wouldn't increase his own power by half.
And now, because of his continuous indulgence, he had brought about a backlash.
Who would have known that a third-tier Shinigami would suddenly appear one day!
Third-tier spiritual power... Judging by his attire, isn't he a Captain?
The Hollow showed faint signs of breaking down.
Ashido's state, however, was the opposite.
He looked at Gosuke Kenpachi.
He opened his mouth and asked, "Which Division?"
"Eleventh."
Gosuke Kenpachi was concise, "And you?"
"I'm also Eleventh."
"Which generation?"
The conversation between the two seemed to completely ignore the Adjuchas present.
Seeing this situation, the Adjuchas wanted to escape but was suppressed in place by Gosuke Kenpachi's spiritual pressure, unable to move.
Between the fourth-tier and the third-tier, though seemingly only one stage apart, the actual gap was like a chasm.
Knowing that the Adjuchas here could no longer escape, Gosuke Kenpachi withdrew his gaze, his tone gradually becoming relaxed: "Ninth generation."
He looked at Ashido, seemingly waiting for his answer.
If nothing unexpected happened.
This kid...
"Greetings, Ninth Generation Kenpachi."
Ashido nodded lightly.
His thoughts wandered.
So, during his stay in Hueco Mundo, Kenpachi had already reached the ninth generation?
The change of Kenpachi meant the death of the previous Kenpachi.
It seemed...
The Seventh Generation Kenpachi.
Captain Sazoku Kunishi, was no longer in this world.
He sighed silently, and beneath his mask, Ashido's expression was somewhat forlorn.
However, none of these expressions were captured by Gosuke Kenpachi or the squad members beside him.
He sheathed his sword:
"Since the Ninth Generation Kenpachi has graced us with his presence, I shall not show off my meagre skills."
"My name is Ashido. I once served under Kenpachi Kuruyashiki. I wonder how many years have passed since Kenpachi Kuruyashiki's death?"
Gosuke Kenpachi casually crushed the fourth-tier Adjuchas to death. Facing Ashido's question, his gaze darkened...
—Sure enough, it was one of the Eleventh Division Shinigami who fought in Hueco Mundo back then.
Ashido?
He had never heard of him. It seemed he wasn't a Vice-Captain.
Despite the clear difference in status.
But Gosuke Kenpachi thought for a moment.
He still truthfully answered and asked why Ashido hadn't left the Forest of Menos if he hadn't died.
To be able to live in Hueco Mundo for so many years, he must be powerful. It would be good if he could be ret...