Sarugaki hissed in pain as the Hollow's arm raked across her waist, sending her hurtling towards a nearby tree. Just then, she felt herself
Sarugaki hissed in pain as the Hollow's arm raked across her waist, sending her hurtling towards a nearby tree.
Just then, she felt herself lifted into the air, caught in someone's arms.
It was Shinji Hirako, arriving with reinforcements!
Behind him stood Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi, Rabu Aikawa, and Lisa Yadōmaru, but Hachigen Ushōda was nowhere to be seen.
Hirako held the injured Sarugaki under his arm, his right hand drawing his Zanpakutō. He smiled, saying, "Oof, Sarugaki, that looked painful. But why didn't you draw your Zanpakutō and fight back? Just letting the enemy attack isn't like you, is it?"
His tone was teasing, reflecting their close friendship.
Sarugaki didn't find it funny. Tears welled in her eyes as she cried out, "I can't draw my Zanpakutō against that enemy!"
The others turned to look at the towering figure that had attacked Sarugaki. It slowly emerged from the shadows.
It seemed to be a Hollow in human form, clad in white bone armor and wearing a Hollow mask.
But unlike other Hollows, it wore clothing—a Shinigami uniform and captain's haori. Its silver hair and the '69' tattoo visible beneath its open haori revealed its identity.
"What?!"
"Impossible!"
The arriving Shinigami exclaimed in unison, recognizing the Hollow: Kensei Muguruma, captain of the 9th Division.
The fact that their enemy was a Hollow-like Kensei, and the unprecedented nature of this Hollow form, left them stunned and confused.
"This is tricky. If it's Kensei, we can't kill him, and he seems completely out of control," Hirako said, his expression grim.
Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Our only option is to subdue him."
Rabu Aikawa's voice was cold. "Captain Muguruma is extremely dangerous right now. His spiritual pressure is far stronger than usual. Even without killing him, we could sever a limb to incapacitate him."
Hirako, Muguruma, and Ōtoribashi shared a close bond and were hesitant to harm Muguruma. Rabu Aikawa, however, had less of a personal connection and harbored no such reservations.
Her point was well-taken. Muguruma's Hollowfication had drastically amplified his spiritual pressure, surpassing the three captains present.
Fighting cautiously would make subduing him even more difficult, potentially endangering themselves and their companions.
"Then let's all attack. We'll subdue him first. Try not to injure Captain Muguruma, but if we or our comrades are in danger, we can't hold back!" Rabu Aikawa stated firmly.
Sarugaki, still under Hirako's arm, struggled wildly, shouting, "Hirako, you bastard! Let me down! I can still fight! Or are you trying to take advantage of me?!"
Hirako's serious expression faltered; he burst out laughing. "Hah? Who'd want to take advantage of a flat chest like yours?!"
With that, Hirako released Sarugaki, sending her sprawling to the ground.
Sarugaki was about to unleash another torrent of abuse at Hirako, but the now-unconscious Muguruma launched himself at them.
Forgoing his Zanpakutō and typical Shinigami fighting style, Muguruma relied solely on his fists, each blow reinforced by thick bone armor.
Despite this, the drastically increased spiritual pressure of the Hollowfied Muguruma made him even more dangerous than before, overwhelming the hesitant captains.
After a fierce struggle, the captains and lieutenant were all injured, though none critically, but their spiritual energy was significantly depleted.
In contrast, although Muguruma was also injured, his Hollowfication granted him a rapid healing ability, quickly mending his wounds.
Before they could subdue Muguruma, another humanoid Hollow appeared.
By its clothing and hair, they quickly identified it as Mashiro Kuna, the 9th Division's vice-captain.
The appearance of the Hollowfied Hisagi made the battle even more desperate.
Just as they were at an impasse, Hachigen Ushōda finally arrived.
"Bakudō #75. Gochūtekkan!"
With a chantless Kidō, five chained iron pillars descended from the sky, surrounding Mashiro Kuna.
The pillars constricted, trapping Mashiro Kuna firmly.
Having subdued Mashiro Kuna, Hachigen Ushōda gasped, "You all ran off too quickly! I barely managed to catch up."
His considerable size had significantly hampered his speed; Hirako and the others, focused on finding the 9th Division, had proceeded without him. His labored breathing was testament to his frantic effort.
"Impressive, Vice Kidō Captain! A chantless Kidō with such power!" Rabu Aikawa exclaimed in admiration.
Hachigen Ushōda, catching his breath, said, "I'll try to restrain Captain Muguruma."
He extended his hands towards Muguruma and unleashed another chantless Kidō:
"Bakudō #63. Sajō Sabaku!"
A chain of bright yellow spiritual energy shot out, wrapping around Muguruma, binding him tightly.
Seeing Muguruma seemingly incapacitated, Hirako and the others were relieved.
But before they could move to secure him, Muguruma roared and, with a surge of spiritual pressure and raw strength, shattered the spiritual chains.
"What?! He broke free from a high-level Bakudō using only his strength?!" Hachigen Ushōda exclaimed in disbelief.
Seeing the rampaging Muguruma break free, Hirako immediately charged forward with his Zanpakutō, resuming the fight.
Mid-battle, Hirako called out to Hachigen Ushōda, "Hachi, with your Kidō skills, you should be able to use even more powerful Bakudō, right?"
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