Madarame Ikkaku only paused his movements when the dragon-shaped groove on Dragon Crest Hozukimaru was fully saturated, releasing an attack imbued with Squad Captain-level Reiatsu toward Zaraki Kenpachi.
Meanwhile, Kenpachi, not one to underestimate his opponent, slowly removed the eyepatch over his right eye.
In an instant, a massive golden Reiatsu surged into the sky, colliding with Ikkaku's red-infused spiritual pressure, causing the barrier capsule around the Training Grounds to tremble violently.
Raizen Kō, observing from the edge, felt a headache coming on from the overwhelming force.
"Demons and monsters, all things, gods and saints, turn to dust, Annihilation God!"
"Annihilation God: Ultimate Technique Four Directions Realm!"
A grey-black square barrier, over ten meters in width and length, materialized within the original capsule barrier, encapsulating Kenpachi's overwhelming Reiatsu.
This was Raizen Kō's newly mastered Shikai ultimate, the Four Directions Realm. Its effect:
Within the barrier, Raizen Kō and any allies he permits gain enhanced speed and strength.
Enemy Reiatsu, strength, and speed are suppressed proportionally; ordinary Squad Members would find movement almost impossible. Against opponents with comparable Reiatsu, speed and strength can be reduced by roughly thirty percent.
The higher the opponent's Reiatsu, the weaker the suppression, though this effect scales with Raizen Kō's spiritual growth.
Shockwaves within the barrier are amplified, and it moves in tandem with Raizen Kō.
Casting the Four Directions Realm at Squadron Captain-level Reiatsu, Raizen Kō instantly contained the clashing spiritual forces of Ikkaku and Kenpachi.
"Clang!"
The collision rang loudly. Without the timely intervention of the Four Directions Realm, the outer capsule barrier would likely have shattered under the shockwave.
Ikkaku's fully-charged Bankai was parried effortlessly by Kenpachi with a single hand and his sword.
"Is that all the strength you've got?"
Ikkaku initially froze in disbelief, then laughed carefreely.
"Heh… as expected of the Captain! I knew you'd be tough!"
He immediately retreated, acknowledging the vast gap between his power and Kenpachi's, even with Bankai.
Just as Ikkaku was about to sheath Hozukimaru and end the duel, Kenpachi growled:
"Too boring to stop now. Hey, Raizen Kō, you and Ikkaku, attack me together!"
Raizen Kō blinked in surprise, then looked at Ikkaku.
"Little Raizen, then we'll join forces. Since the Captain asked, we can't disappoint him!"
Ikkaku's eyes gleamed with resolve. Raizen Kō, previously worried about intruding, realized he had overthought it.
Transforming from spectator to participant, Raizen Kō rushed onto the Training Grounds, infused with battle spirit, fighting alongside Ikkaku against Kenpachi.
"Annihilation God: First Style Tremor!"
"Wah!"
The shockwave erupted. Kenpachi had been prepared to endure Ikkaku's strike, but the combined amplification from Raizen Kō's Four Directions Realm far exceeded previous impacts, dislocating Kenpachi's internal organs.
He spat a large mouthful of blood. Minor injuries from earlier clashes with Ikkaku were reopened, bleeding profusely.
"Captain Kenpachi, be careful! The shockwave is doubled within my Four Directions Realm!"
As Raizen Kō entered the fray, the buff enhanced Ikkaku's speed and strength while applying restrictions to Kenpachi.
Ikkaku felt an instant thirty percent boost. Kenpachi noticed a slight dampening of his speed and strength but remained composed.
Squatting and still reeling from the shock, Kenpachi spat blood but then surged his spiritual pressure, forcibly resetting dislocated organs and halting bleeding from superficial wounds.
"I knew it!"
Raizen Kō admired Kenpachi's raw power. Even restrained by the Four Directions Realm, Kenpachi exuded unmatched combat presence. Compared to him, Aizen Sōsuke and Kurosaki Ichigo's full potential were almost inconceivable.
Seizing the moment, Raizen Kō flung Annihilation God forward, gripping the iron chain extending from its tail. Ikkaku leapt high, descending with Dragon Crest Hozukimaru.
"Clang!"
Kenpachi raised his left hand, sword in grip, intercepting Ikkaku's axe while his right hand yanked Annihilation God from Raizen Kō's throw.
The increased shockwave and palm cut barely registered against Kenpachi's sheer Reiatsu; he effortlessly pulled Raizen Kō closer.
"Holy crap!" Raizen Kō realized that, even with the Four Directions Realm buff, Kenpachi's raw strength far exceeded his. He went with the momentum, maintaining control as best he could.
Close to Kenpachi, Raizen Kō thrust his left hand forward.
"Hado #4: White Lightning!"
The bolt narrowly grazed Kenpachi's arm as he shifted, leaving a bloody streak. Raizen stabilized himself on the ground, then used Shunpo to reposition behind Kenpachi, slashing at his back.
Kenpachi countered, raising his sword to block, then spun around, colliding head-on with Raizen Kō. Even with the Four Directions Realm buff, the clash numbed Raizen's hands.
Ikkaku stepped back, spinning Dragon Crest Hozukimaru again, pushing the attack to its limit.
"Hmph, still charging?"
Kenpachi dashed forward, intending to interrupt Ikkaku's charge.
"Annihilation God: Third Style Mustard Net!"
A small black dot appeared on Annihilation God, rapidly expanding into a dense, dark net, ensnaring Kenpachi from behind. Blood smeared along his body as the net constricted.
Ikkaku's Bankai reached full charge, descending with mountain-crushing force.
As the axe blade neared Kenpachi, he switched his sword grip to two hands and swung with brutal precision.
"Bang!"
A golden shockwave erupted, shattering the Mustard Net, and sweeping Ikkaku mid-air and Raizen Kō behind him.