Time seemed to stretch infinitely, each second becoming incredibly slow.
The moment Tsugikuni Yoriichi emerged from the Black Cavity and his feet touched the ground, the battle on the other side began.
Whoosh—!
A surging wind howled, and the surrounding trees rustled.
Tsugikuni Yoriichi's ponytail was blown wildly by the strong wind; he reached out and gently smoothed it, a grave expression on his face.
Before he could catch his breath, due to the sudden shift in the tense atmosphere, he immediately focused his gaze on the source of the spiritual pressure explosion.
Although he didn't know what exactly was happening over there, judging by the surging spiritual pressure fluctuations, it seemed two groups were engaged in a fierce battle…
This time…
This place…
He slowly looked around, and as expected, this was likely the rear area of Rukongai.
How could a battle of second-grade spiritual power erupt in a backwards, remote area?
Had a Vasto Lorde invaded?
No, that's not right.
Both groups were Shinigami…
Internal strife?
A word suddenly surfaced in his mind, causing Yoriichi to fall silent.
He tightly gripped the Zanpakuto at his waist, a grave look gradually appearing in his eyes.
Hiss…
A faint wisp of air escaped from his lips.
Click.
With the clinking of the sword guard, Yoriichi quickly walked towards the direction of the battle.
After a short while, he arrived near the battlefield.
The surrounding air became extremely viscous, as if walking through a swamp.
Through the dense bushes, from afar, he saw two people flying and crossing paths in an open space, their sword lights dense and chilling.
One person was followed by a giant elephant; every movement caused the surrounding ground to tremble a few times, a truly majestic sight.
The person directly opposite him was extremely elegant; each sword swing pulled forth a water-like silver radiance, like a dreamlike reflection formed on the water by a meteor streaking across the night sky.
Although his appearance was somewhat aged,
He still exuded a faint sense of dignity.
However, this dignity was slightly diluted by his opponent's continuous attacks.
Faintly, one could see fine beads of sweat on his forehead, clearly indicating he was struggling to parry.
"A noble?"
Tsugikuni Yoriichi's gaze swept past him and saw another person.
The Kenseikan worn by Kuchiki Sōjun was so eye-catching, shimmering with a unique light under the sunlight.
If he remembered correctly,
This should be a unique hair ornament of the Kuchiki Clan.
Moreover,
Only direct descendants could wear it.
Although he didn't recognise Kuchiki Sōjun, since he was wearing a Kenseikan, he must be a relative of Kuchiki Ginrei…
Yoriichi had met Kuchiki Ginrei before; he had left a very good impression and was unlikely to betray Seireitei.
But now, a group of people was attacking them.
If it wasn't the former, then it could only be the latter; they had been betrayed…
…
Just as Tsugikuni Yoriichi was carefully assessing the situation, the battlefield changed in an instant.
Leaving aside Kuchiki Ginhui, who was almost suffocated by the pressure of the Myriad Elephants, Kuchiki Sōjun's side alone could make one feel immense pressure.
Despite numerous enemies, he didn't flee.
Coupled with his relatively poor physical constitution,
Even with Captain-level spiritual pressure, facing dozens of Seat Officers, it should have been a crushing victory, yet he seemed somewhat overwhelmed at the moment.
Clang!
Kuchiki Sōjun held his sword to block a downward slash, feeling a tingling numbness in his hand, as if countless ants were gnawing at his palm.
He retreated a few steps, the high-speed, continuous sword movements causing his body to fall into severe fatigue.
If not for the firm will of a noble supporting him, he would probably have dropped his sword and gasped for breath by now.
"Hmph…"
He tried to find an opportunity to break through the encirclement, yet his body's instincts consistently failed to keep up with his consciousness.
Thus, after barely parrying a few slashes, his torso was already bleeding.
This blood seemed to provoke the attackers; they seemed to see the dawn of victory.
Remembering the mission's reward and the merits they could gain, their attacks became even faster, and their coordination even more perfect.
Their sword swings instantly transformed into a dense web of blades, surrounding Kuchiki Sōjun, leaving him no escape in any direction!
Not far away, Kuchiki Ginhui, realising this, had his eyes wide with fury.
"Young Master!"
He stomped his foot, attempting to break through the enemy's defences to rescue Kuchiki Sōjun, but was completely blocked by the powerful impact of the Myriad Elephants.
"Kuchiki Ginhui!"
"You stay right here!"
Boom! Throwing a punch forward, endless strong winds enveloped his body, and the black-clad man shouted:
"The death of Lord Sōjun is inevitable; if he doesn't die, we will!"
"Accept your fate!"
Rumble!
The ground cracked with countless fissures, and rocks shattered inch by inch, as if the earth itself was trembling.
The moment his words fell, Kuchiki Ginhui was sent flying by a punch, able only to watch helplessly as he drifted further and further from Kuchiki Sōjun.
The giant elephant's stomping only added insult to injury, as if a mountain was pressing down on him.
—Damn it!
Mid-flight, he suddenly clenched his fists, hating his own weakness and powerlessness, while at the same time, a trace of regret grew.
If only he had been able to persuade Young Master Sōjun before the operation.
Knowing the danger beforehand, if only he had brought a few more Captain-level combatants.
That way, even if they encountered danger, they wouldn't be in their current predicament.
Unfortunately…
There was no 'if only.'
—Boom!
Suddenly crashing through several large trees, Kuchiki Ginhui couldn't help but cough up two mouthfuls of blood.
He tightly gripped his Zanpakuto, and the surrounding dust flew up, forming a yellow mist.
Through the swirling haze, he looked towards Kuchiki Sōjun's location.
He had expected to see only a corpse, but unexpectedly, a blurry figure suddenly appeared in front of Kuchiki Sōjun.
This person held a sword and easily blocked the slashes of those people.
The clanging sounds were incessant and somewhat familiar.
He couldn't see clearly through the vast dust, but once the dust settled, he saw it clearly.
—Red hair, markings…
Isn't this the Shinigami that the Master once tried to recruit?
Kuchiki Ginhui's pupils suddenly dilated.
Of course, he knew this wasn't the time to delve into such matters, so after a brief moment, he collected himself and looked back at his opponent.
However…
When his gaze swept over the black-clad man, Kuchiki Ginhui noticed.
The black-clad man's gaze was no longer on him, but on the newly appeared Shinigami…
"You fellow!"
Watching his subordinates being knocked flying one by one, some even falling to the ground unconscious, the black-clad man gritted his teeth, suddenly sensing that things were going awry.
The surroundings were already sealed by a high-level Kido barrier.
Non-Captain-level combatants couldn't break it, and even if they did, it would cause a commotion. How did this guy get in?
They were just a hair's breadth away from killing Kuchiki Sōjun and then escaping unscathed; why did a meddler suddenly appear?
And it seemed this meddler was quite strong.
He could send a Vice-Captain flying with a single blow.
At least third-grade spiritual power.
Damn it!
He cursed inwardly, the sense of urgency stemming from his soul causing his anger to surge; he hated this feeling of things spiralling out of control.
Because every time it happened, it meant an increased probability of failure.
It was a sure-fire situation, but it was ruined by this guy who suddenly appeared!