The white blade bent and elongated in the air, resembling an inverted crescent moon. At the same time, the hilt in Kōe's hand also lengthened, connecting to the crescent moon to form a long-handled scythe.
"I see. So that's how it is." The smile on Aizen's face had completely vanished. He finally understood why Kōe believed he could remain in the Seireitei even after being associated with him. Two Zanpakutō. Any suspicion would be rendered meaningless.
*However, he is the only one who can always bring me surprises.* The smile reappeared. Aizen was pleased. Kōe was still that aloof and arrogant man, using Aizen to pave his own way—audacious, yet impossible to be truly angry with.
Sōkyoku Hill was completely dead silent. Ichimaru Gin looked at Kōe, who seemed to stand upon a crescent moon, exuding an indescribably mysterious aura. Even Gin's breathing subconsciously became cautious.
The release of a Zanpakutō was not merely about acquiring various abilities; it was a crucial method for a Shinigami to elevate their Reiatsu to another level.
Because of this, for a typical Shinigami—Captains included—their Reiatsu would become much more oppressive after releasing their Zanpakutō. But Kōe was different right now. Instead of increasing, his Reiatsu actually felt slightly weaker in Gin's perception.
Like an ocean without a single ripple? Yes, that was exactly how Gin felt right now. An ocean without any ripples was inherently abnormal. While monstrous, crashing waves were terrifying, a deathly stillness was far more suffocating.
Suddenly, Kōe's narrow eyes shifted toward him. "I'll start with you."
*Retreat!* A voice in his mind seemed to scream, but Gin's body moved like a well-wound machine, operating according to a predetermined set of actions.
It was completely unknown. Not just the abilities of this Zanpakutō named Getsuren Reikiri, but even Shihouin Kōe himself. Possessing two Zanpakutō—his strength, speed, and everything else had become an unknown.
If there was one thing that remained unchanged, it was his opponent's habits! Kōe, who excelled at predicting and manipulating his opponent's psychology, couldn't possibly have failed to consider that, faced with the unknown, Gin would choose to retreat and observe.
Gin raised his right hand. It was hard to tell whether his Shinsō pointed at Kōe first, or if Kōe appeared in front of him first. He simply felt that the other party wouldn't give him much time to react and would instead attack head-on. Strictly speaking, this was a gamble.
Fortunately, he bet right. Although Kōe might have also anticipated a frontal counterattack, if Kōe gained the upper hand on the first strike, it would unleash an offensive that even Zaraki Kenpachi would struggle to parry. Gin certainly didn't think he could block it himself.
Therefore, taking the initiative to attack might not guarantee victory, but it was the method least likely to result in defeat! "Shoot to kill, Shinsō." In front of Shihouin Kōe, the more one defended, the more dangerous it became.
However, Kōe seemed willing to take a blade rather than let him go. The scythe in his hand twisted slightly, slashing diagonally upward at Gin?
Even if the scythe managed to strike Shinsō and alter its trajectory, given Shinsō's speed, the target would merely shift from Kōe's heart to his throat.
*It must be the other blade, the one that can transform into a black robe with astonishing defensive power.* Perhaps most people would have their attention completely captivated by Kōe's sudden reveal of a second Zanpakutō, but Gin never dared to forget the first.
As long as Kōe defended, the force of Shinsō would still be enough to knock him back. At the same time, Gin could use the recoil to retreat, widening the distance between them as much as possible. If Kōe didn't defend, it would just be trading injuries. With Aizen and Tōsen watching like tigers waiting to pounce, such an approach would be utterly foolish.
*It should be safe.* Yet, Gin felt a faint sense of unease in his heart, though he couldn't pinpoint the reason.
"Habit."
The bright, moon-like scythe did indeed strike the extended Shinsō. However, Shinsō's trajectory didn't change. Like an incorporeal phantom, the scythe passed right through Shinsō.
"What!" Gin paled in shock. The tip of his blade had already pierced Kōe's Shihakushō, but it suddenly reverted to its short sword form. His Shikai had actually deactivated on its own without his command!
*Retreat!* That voice had never disappeared, and this time, it truly took control of his feet. But it was too late. The crescent moon that Kōe had once stepped upon had already pierced into his body...
"Gin!"
Tōsen Kaname was just about to help, but Aizen blocked him, keeping him behind. That massive scythe had indeed passed through Gin's body, but there was no blood. Gin wasn't physically injured.
However, what was that white smoke-like substance pouring out of Gin's body? In terms of perception, it felt like Reiryoku?
It was indeed Reiryoku. Gin felt absolutely terrible at this moment. The Reiatsu inside his body was uncontrollably leaking from the wound—no, he didn't even have a wound. His Reiatsu was simply dissipating from the exact spot where Kōe had slashed him.
An unstoppable sense of weakness rapidly spread from his upper body. Even though his consciousness felt perfectly clear, he was gradually losing control of his body. Like a paralyzed patient who could only keep his eyes open, he slowly collapsed to the ground.
"When facing the unknown, habit is the most terrifying thing of all, Ichimaru." Kōe rested the scythe on his shoulder, looking like a god encircled by a bright moon. "Shinsō's properties mean you barely move when you attack. You've grown far too accustomed to this ease of advancing and retreating, and ultimately, it was bound to be your downfall."
"Take your time and savor the despair Rukia felt just a moment ago. This is where you belong." As Kōe spoke, he suddenly looked toward Tōsen Kaname not far away. "The same goes for you."
Rukia held the blood-soaked Kuchiki Byakuya, Kōe's anger-laced voice echoing in her ears. Her tears flowed uncontrollably. Neither of the two men she called her older brothers had given up on her, but...
He finally understood what kind of eyes Ichimaru Gin had just looked into. They were completely dead and silent; within them, you could only see your own face covered in a fine layer of sweat, except...
"Chō... Chōzuka..." Komamura felt his sword-gripping hand go numb. He spoke haltingly, his voice tight with tension, "Tōsen is... behind you!"
"I..." Kōe spat out the first word in a deep voice, his shoulder twitching slightly at the same time. The same choice was now presented to Komamura: should he run? Or should he attack?
"...know!"
A sudden gust of wind brushed past, lifting the brown hair in front of Aizen's eyes. The expression on his face remained calm, but his dark pupils contracted inward. This was probably the closest he had come to showing panic in hundreds of years.
"Looking at your expression," Kōe turned his head, "it seems you aren't scared."
"Aizen-sama!" Tōsen Kaname shouted. He had originally intended to sneak attack Kōe while Aizen-sama activated Kyōka Suigetsu. Who could have expected that, despite clearly looking at Komamura, Kōe would use Shunpo to instantly appear in front of Aizen on the other side?
"Relax, it's not you this time."
"Step back, Tōsen!"
Before Tōsen could react, Kōe dashed right in front of him. Tōsen subconsciously delivered a vertical slash. Kōe ducked under the descending blade, spun around, and rested the scythe against his collarbone. The long silver shaft twirled across his chest, striking the back of Tōsen's blade.
Tōsen stumbled forward from the force. Just as he was about to stand up, Kōe slithered behind him like a snake and planted a foot squarely on his back. At this moment, Tōsen looked exactly like a condemned prisoner kneeling at the execution block.
A crescent moon was slowly raised into the sky by Kōe—the guillotine blade that was destined to fall upon his head.
"I told you, you're next."