"Getsuga Tenshō!"
Like a flash of white light, Ichigo swung Zangetsu in his hand.
A massive surge of spiritual pressure burst forth from the blade!
In just an instant, all the cherry blossom blades it touched were obliterated!
The attack was so fast that even Byakuya couldn't react in time!
The powerful sword pressure scraped past Byakuya's transformed body, directly wounding his left arm!
Drip. Drip.
Blood dripped from Byakuya's left hand to the ground.
"That massive and swift slash just now… was that the ability of your Zanpakutō?" Byakuya's eyes widened in disbelief.
Ichigo, though knowing it wasn't truly his Zanpakutō's ability, still said, "Yeah, this is the power of my Zanpakutō. It releases high-density spiritual pressure along the edge of the blade in a single strike! This is the ability of my Zanpakutō. Its name is Getsuga Tenshō!"
That was only because Byakuya had never seen Shiba Isshin in battle before. Otherwise, he would've recognized it instantly as a secret inherited technique from the branch family of the Shiba Clan.
(The main family likely didn't know it. If Shiba Kaien had this move, there's no way he would've been devoured by a Hollow. One remote Getsuga Tenshō during shikai, and that Hollow would've been toast.)
(Of course, maybe Kubo was just hyped up in chapter 98 and forgot about this setting.)
"Truly a fearsome Zanpakutō," even someone as cold as Byakuya couldn't help but remark.
But he didn't just stand there—he immediately began manipulating his bankai again!
In an instant, the speed of Senbonzakura tripled!
As the cherry blossoms attacked from all directions, Ichigo grabbed the white cloth wrapped around the hilt of his Zanpakutō and swung Zangetsu around like a whip!
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Using this rotating technique, Ichigo actually managed to block Byakuya's wave of attacks!
But in doing so, Ichigo also lost the ability to counterattack!
It had to be said—at this stage, Byakuya was far stronger than Zaraki.
They weren't even on the same level…
At this point, Zaraki might have been the weakest captain in all of the Seireitei…
(Also, I don't get it. If Tōsen really wanted to kill Zaraki, couldn't he just decapitate him after using bankai? Why did he have to rely on that lame backstab thing?)
(I refuse to believe Zaraki would react fast enough to avoid a decapitation on the first strike. Then again, Kubo couldn't afford to let Zaraki be written off like that, otherwise Tōsen's Zanpakutō would've been way too OP.)
"Getsuga Tenshō!"
Ichigo barely managed to blast away the cherry blossoms in front of him again, but this time, the attack did nothing to the now-cautious Byakuya.
In a way, Ichigo's Getsuga Tenshō was also best suited as a surprise attack…
Looking at Byakuya's calm expression, Ichigo shook his head slightly. "As expected, trying to deal with a bankai using only shikai is too difficult. At best, I can manage a draw…"
Yamamoto, Kyōraku, and Ukitake: Excuse me, what did you just say?
"Sounds like you're implying you've already mastered bankai!" Byakuya said, clearly unconvinced.
After all, Renji had just shown off his clumsy bankai not long ago. While the power level was technically sufficient, it was totally impractical in battle.
In fact, that kind of bankai might've been more of a liability than a weapon!
"Ah, that's right. Bankai? It's not that hard. I mastered it in about seven days," Ichigo said nonchalantly, flexing a little.
That only made Byakuya even more certain that Ichigo was bluffing.
He'd never heard of anyone mastering bankai in such a short time!
Seeing Byakuya's doubtful expression, Ichigo didn't argue. Actions speak louder than words.
Ichigo pointed Zangetsu at Byakuya as his spiritual pressure surged rapidly!
This time, the entire peak of Sōkyoku Hill began to cave under the weight of Ichigo's energy!
His left hand supported his right arm, the white cloth around Zangetsu naturally wrapping around his right forearm. At the very peak of his spiritual pressure, Ichigo shouted—
"Bankai!"
A massive burst of spiritual energy engulfed all of Sōkyoku Hill!
Even in distant parts of the Seireitei, people could sense the immense pressure!
Awakened and rushing toward Sōkyoku Hill, Tatsuki sensed the energy and gasped, "This is Ichigo's spiritual pressure?!"
And not just her—elsewhere in the Seireitei, Yamamoto, Kyōraku, and Ukitake also sensed the overwhelming spiritual pressure!
Kyōraku's straw hat had long since been sliced off by Yamamoto. His Zanpakutō was already released into shikai.
"So this is the new disciple Unohana-senpai took in? What incredible spiritual pressure," Kyōraku marveled.
Ukitake chuckled bitterly, "Young people these days really are something. Back when I was his age, my spiritual pressure wasn't even one-twentieth of his!"
(The Soul King's right hand refuses to accept this!)
Even Yamamoto raised a brow slightly.
"You say this is Unohana's disciple? When did she find such an outstanding talent?" Yamamoto couldn't help but feel a little envious.
Look at his two disobedient disciples, and then look at Unohana's prodigy!
But then again, Unohana's new disciple was currently rebelling against the Gotei 13, and Yamamoto's mood immediately soured.
The flames on Ryūjin Jakka flared even more intensely!
"You still have time to be distracted?! Looks like I haven't been putting enough pressure on you!"
Kyōraku and Ukitake exchanged glances, completely baffled by Yamamoto's sudden tantrum. All they could do was refocus on the battle!
As for Ise Nanao… well, the poor girl had been knocked out by the pressure and was safely passed out somewhere.
Below Sōkyoku, Yoruichi—who was currently tangled up with Soi Fon—also sensed Ichigo's spiritual pressure.
"What ridiculous spiritual pressure! Ichigo, are you hiding your power from me?" Yoruichi was annoyed. After everything I've done for you, and you still hide this from me?!
Things were a lot more harmonious on Unohana's end.
"That's Ichigo's spiritual pressure?" Rukia was stunned. She realized that she had never actually seen Ichigo fight at full strength. This man's power really had no bottom!
"As expected of the man I chose. Not bad at all," Unohana's smile turned a bit dangerous.
Back on top of Sōkyoku Hill—
As the dust cleared, Ichigo's appearance had completely changed. He now wore a tight black outfit with a coat resembling Zangetsu's, and his Zanpakutō had transformed into a thin black blade held low at his side.
"Tensa Zangetsu!"
(End of Chapter)
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