As soon as Aozaki, who had started and then abandoned them, returned to Soul Society, Senjumaru and her indignant sisters subjected him to a terrible and unspeakable punishment.
The purpose for Aozaki inviting them, that Captain-Commander uniform, Senjumaru took an unknown amount of time to make, and Kirio Hikifune consequently became a chef in the Aozaki Family.
Aozaki, of course, also spent many years learning textile arts and cooking from the two of them, living a very happy life.
A few years, long or short, were enough for the women to develop the power of mass-produced Hōgyoku.
The Aozaki Family dojo.
Aozaki sat to the side, arms crossed, watching everything before him with a serious expression.
In the center of the dojo, Aozaki Hisana and Aozaki Rukia stood facing each other.
Their gazes met, and the atmosphere became extremely tense.
Rukia's eyes suddenly became firm and sharp.
Without any hesitation, she drew Sode no Shirayuki from her waist and unhesitatingly slashed towards Hisana.
Just as she made her move, Hisana's body sank, and her figure instantly vanished from her original spot.
Then, Hisana, holding a long blade identical to Sode no Shirayuki, rushed over from not far away like a phantom.
A diagonal downward slash, carrying a fierce momentum, cut towards Rukia!
"Clang!!!"
A crisp metallic clang rang out as Rukia raised Sode no Shirayuki, steadily blocking Hisana's blade.
Feeling the chilling aura rushing towards her, she couldn't help but glance at the blade.
Although this blade was extremely similar to Sode no Shirayuki, a closer look revealed the difference—
It wasn't Sode no Shirayuki, nor was it even a Zanpakuto.
This was the Kasumioji Family's latest masterpiece, capable of converting its own Reiatsu into Kido attacks, but it did not possess the ability of sword release.
Hisana, like Nanao Ise, belonged to the type without a Zanpakuto.
At the request of the family head, Kasumioji Rurichiyo, the Kasumioji Family put in a lot of effort to specially develop this kind of blade.
However, this blade could not achieve sword release, which meant it could not fundamentally enhance power.
Moreover, its Reiatsu Exploit efficiency was inferior to that of a true Zanpakuto.
Therefore, the target audience for this blade was very small, and it was basically impossible to recover costs through external sales.
Most people with Shinigami aptitude would have their own Zanpakuto.
If they didn't have a Zanpakuto, they would also put a lot of effort into Kido.
And this blade was specifically prepared for those who possessed powerful Reiatsu but had neither a Zanpakuto nor Kido abilities.
However, such people are even rarer than geniuses!
Boom!!!
Reiatsu fluctuated violently, and black outer robes flapped loudly.
The two figures instantly broke the sound barrier and arrived at the open ground outside.
Rukia's face gradually turned cold, she released Sode no Shirayuki, and then fiercely slashed down with her blade.
Hisana swung the blade in her hand and met the attack.
The huge shockwave generated by the clash of Reiatsu spread outwards!
The sisters watching from all around curiously looked at the two.
Just then, a strong gust of wind suddenly swept across the sky, and everyone raised their hands to shield themselves, but their long robes still flapped uncontrollably.
And at this moment on the open ground, Hisana's arms had turned into a blur, and the long blade in her hand wove an impenetrable net, continuously falling from all directions towards Rukia!
However, facing such a fierce offensive, Rukia remained calm and composed.
She quickly swung her Zanpakuto, skillfully neutralizing Hisana's every attack, and even managed to find time to counterattack.
It should be noted that Rukia had already mastered Bankai seven years ago, and coupled with her perfect fusion with the Hōgyoku, her strength was undoubtedly immense.
Even when facing old man Yamamoto, who was hailed as the strongest Shinigami in a thousand years, whether she could win was another matter, but she had the confidence to fight him.
However, when facing Hisana, Rukia dared not relax in the slightest.
Because she knew well that her sister's talent in combat was not outstanding.
Although Hisana had now fused with the Hōgyoku, her Reiatsu had increased to an incredible degree.
But combat talent is not something that can be improved by Reiatsu alone.
Therefore, in Rukia's view, although Hisana's attacks were fierce and might easily defeat ordinary Captain-class individuals, they were full of flaws in the eyes of her stronger self.
The battle between the two, rather than a sparring match, was more like a one-sided guidance.
More precisely, it was more like Rukia, as a teacher, conducting a strength test for Hisana, her student.
Her sword fighting foundation is solid.
Rukia slightly raised the corner of her mouth, showering her sister with unreserved praise in her heart.
The moment Hisana swung her blade, she also quickly wielded Sode no Shirayuki in her hand.
The snowy white blade tip lightly traced the ground, and a cold chill quietly spread, winding like a snake towards Hisana!
After some probing, Rukia had generally grasped Hisana's strength.
Now, she only needed to restrain her sister's movements, and today's training could come to an end.
Thinking of this, Rukia couldn't help but secretly ponder:
"I wonder what kind of reward Brother Reiji will give me today? Yesterday he let me use Bankai, will he let me summon Sode no Shirayuki today?"
The thought of lying in her "Brother-sama's" warm embrace almost made Rukia burst into laughter.
However, the next moment.
To her astonishment, the long blade Hisana was wielding in her hand suddenly swept through the air.
Suddenly, raging flames ignited, and with a thunderous roar, the flames violently collided with the cold air rushing towards the ground.
"?"
Looking at the ice and snow on the ground, which was being repelled by the heat, Rukia fell into thought.
She had, of course, held back in that last strike.
The opponent was her own sister; she didn't want to hurt her, only to restrict her movements.
She hadn't expected her sister to be able to block her attack in time, which was something that had never happened before.
Her sister lacked combat talent, but after so many years of training, she had grown to the point where she could contend with her!
Rukia couldn't help but feel a little happy in her heart.
"It seems it won't be over so easily for a while."
Aozaki, on the side, watched the two entangled in battle again, while stroking his little cat.
The kitten stretched comfortably, just about to speak, when she saw her husband frown.
Yoruichi looked up at Aozaki with some confusion, seeming to understand that something had happened.
Just then, Bambietta's voice suddenly came to Aozaki's ear:
"Master, can you come to the Human World? We've run into trouble?"
Hearing this, Aozaki was slightly stunned.
Trouble?
They had all fused with the Hōgyoku and their strength had increased greatly, what could possibly trouble them now?
Although he didn't know what they had encountered, judging by her speaking speed, it must be a very urgent situation.
Thinking of this, Aozaki decided to immediately go to the Human World to see what had happened.
Aozaki gave Yoruichi and Unohana a reassuring look, then, like a flash of light, his figure vanished in an instant.
Rukia and the others were instantly stunned, filled with confusion.
Had something happened?
Why did Aozaki leave in such a hurry?
With their hearts full of questions, they decided to temporarily stop and run to their sisters.