"It is precisely because this Zanpakuto is too powerful that it has never been mastered by a Shinigami."
Hearing Unohana say this, Isane's mind became confused.
'Aren't Zanpakuto born from a Shinigami nurturing their own soul with the spirit within an Asauchi?'
'When a Shinigami dies, the spirit within the Zanpakuto naturally perishes, causing the Zanpakuto to revert to the form of an Asauchi.'
'So, what is the deal with Sokyoku?'
'Whose Zanpakuto is it?'
'Is its master still alive?'
'If the master is dead, what kind of existence is it?'
For a moment, the multitude of questions popping into Isane's head made her feel like her head was swelling.
Unohana shook her head slightly and did not continue.
Things without power have no power.
When Yhwach had his name erased by Ichibe'e, he lost his power.
Given the name 'Black Ant', he truly only possesses the strength of an ant.
It's just that Unohana can voluntarily switch between Unohana Retsu and Unohana Yachiru, so it can be said they are one person.
Unohana Retsu is the gentle and kind Captain of the 4th Division.
Unohana Yachiru is the legendary great villain.
'If Isane were to find out that Asauchi are all forged from the souls of Shinigami or Hollows, she might never use a Zanpakuto again, right?'
'It was better to let Isane retain a bit more of her innocence.'
But nowadays, the Zanpakuto is the most important component of a Shinigami's strength.
Furthermore, the thousand-year deadline is approaching, and even Unohana doesn't know if she will survive.
Causing Isane's mentality to falter and her strength to greatly diminish under such circumstances, potentially leading to her death on the battlefield, is something Unohana would never forgive herself for.
Just as Yamamoto has protected the Seireitei for a thousand years in the name of 'protection', transforming his killer's heart into a heart of protection-
Unohana Yachiru laid down her sword, practiced Kaido, and presented a gentle and kind side for hundreds of years. Who can say that Unohana Retsu is still the great villain of the past?
In the Bleach World, 'names' have power.
Yhwach also opened his eyes and used [The Almighty] to reclaim his name before he gained the ability to ignore Ichibe'e's powers.
Screech-
After letting out one cry, the flame phoenix formed by Sokyoku spread its wings and charged towards Miyako, who was hanging from the torii gate.
"Miyako!"
Seeing this, Kaien could no longer hold back. He rushed out from behind Ukitake.
Drawing his Zanpakuto, Kaien immediately completed its release.
"Rage Through the Seas and Heavens … Nejibana!"
Kaien's Zanpakuto, Nejibana, is a water-type Zanpakuto, very similar to the ability of the Tres Espada, Tier Halibel, possessing the ability to transform his Reiatsu into ocean waves and manipulate them.
Swoosh-
Rumble-
In an instant, the Zanpakuto in Kaien's hand transformed into a trident. As Kaien swung it, it brought forth slashing waves like ocean surges, crashing towards Sokyoku.
The next moment...
Screech!
Under Kaien's horrified gaze, the waves he had unleashed were directly broken through by Sokyoku.
Turning its head to glance at Kaien, even others seemed to see contempt in Sokyoku's eyes, as if it was saying:
'With just this level of skill, you want to block my attack?'
'Did you really think my destructive power equivalent to a million Zanpakuto was just talk?'
After breaking through Kaien's attack, Sokyoku did not stop, continuing its charge towards Miyako.
"Getsuga… Tensho!"
Boom-
Just as despair appeared in Kaien's eyes, a white crescent slash shot from the distance, striking Sokyoku's neck, knocking its head askew and causing its charge to veer off course.
Screech!
Sokyoku's body grazed the torii gate, crashed into the ground of Sokyoku Hill, directly piercing through the hill's surface and flying out from the cliff face on the other side.
Furious, Sokyoku flapped its wings and soared into the sky, rising over the other side of Sokyoku Hill, preparing to charge again at Miyako on the torii gate.
At this moment, Ichigo was already standing on the torii gate, completely ignoring Sokyoku's attack. He directly thrust his Zanpakuto towards the torii gate restraining Miyako.
The white slash directly pierced through the torii gate, breaking the Kido restraining Miyako, causing her to fall from the torii gate's crossbeam into Kaien's arms.
Boom!
"This Ryoka, he looks so much like Kaien!"
The moment they saw Ichigo, the Shinigami on Sokyoku Hill couldn't help but glance at Kaien.
Indeed, apart from being younger and having different hair color, Ichigo's appearance was almost an exact copy of Kaien's.
Screech!
Sokyoku was furious.
Its duty here was to pierce and kill all criminals bound to the torii gate.
But now, while the criminal had fallen from the torii gate, Ichigo was still standing on it!
Furthermore, if not for this person attacking it, its previous attack would never have missed!
Just as Ichigo prepared to use Bankai to resist, Kyoraku's figure suddenly appeared beside Ukitake.
"Finally made it!"
Currently, he held two large scrolls in his hands. After throwing one scroll to Ukitake, Kyoraku and Ukitake immediately stood beneath the torii gate and released the seals on the scrolls-
Whoosh whoosh whoosh-
In an instant, dozens of white sealing strips flew out from the scrolls in Kyoraku and Ukitake's hands, wrapping around Sokyoku in mid-air layer by layer.
The terrifying Reiatsu of Sokyoku immediately dissipated into nothingness after being wrapped in the white sealing strips.
Even Sokyoku itself, after letting out a few shrill cries, reverted from its released state back into the form of a long spear sealed by white bandages.
Sokyoku, classified by Zanpakuto-level, is also a [Strongest] class Zanpakuto.
Otherwise, it couldn't have survived without a master without perishing along with a Shinigami.
Of course, it's also possible that the master of Sokyoku was the one who ascended to the Royal Guard, the God of the Sword, Nimaiya Oetsu.
However, Nimaiya's aesthetic preference leans towards Zanpakuto that can transform into beautiful women surrounding him. A Zanpakuto like Sokyoku, which can only turn into a flame phoenix, does not fit Oetsu's taste.
So, even though Sokyoku is powerful enough, it was discarded by Oetsu, left in the Seireitei to become an execution tool for judging criminals.
To seal such a Zanpakuto, even Kyoraku and Ukitake needed to request [Heavenly Gifted Armaments] from the Shihoin Family to finally seal it completely.
"Ukitake... Kyoraku..."
Yamamoto's low voice came through, his terrifying pressure instantly bearing down on Kyoraku and Ukitake.
"Disrupting the execution ground, sealing the execution tool... What exactly are you two trying to do?"
"Yare yare, I knew doing this would definitely make the old man angry."
"Sorry, I've dragged you into this, Kyoraku."
Kyoraku's figure instantly appeared beside Ukitake, erupting with his own Reiatsu to face Yamamoto's pressure together with Ukitake.
Ukitake apologized to Kyoraku.
This incident originated from a member of his 13th Division and had nothing to do with Kyoraku.
Even the subsequent invasion of the Seireitei by the Revolutionary Army and the Ryoka from the Living World had little to do with Kyoraku Shunsui.
Yet, after Ukitake spoke up, Kyoraku went to the Shihoin Clan to borrow the Heavenly Gifted Armaments without hesitation.
One must know, the Heavenly Gifted Armaments are the reliance of the Shihoin Clan as a 'Great Noble Family'.
Although the Heavenly Gifted Armaments aren't just a single weapon but dozens of weapons with various functions-
For someone not of the Shihoin Clan, borrowing them is out of the question, and they probably wouldn't even get to see them.
For Kyoraku to be able to borrow the Heavenly Gifted Armament capable of sealing Sokyoku, he must have promised the Shihoin Clan something.
This was a favor Ukitake had to acknowledge.
Kyoraku might not mind, but Ukitake couldn't take it for granted.
"Hey, between the two of us, what is there to say?"
"But the old man looks really angry this time. Can your body handle it?"
Kyoraku's eyes held a trace of worry.
"Without you, I'm afraid I'd get beaten up pretty badly by the old man."
Ukitake straightened his back and said seriously, "Don't worry. I rested well at home the past few days, and that girl from the Living World is very capable. It should be enough to support me through this fight."
"That's good then."
Kyoraku breathed a sigh of relief.
As Ukitake's closest friend, he was most aware of Ukitake's physical condition.
Although he was curious about the 'girl from the Living World' Ukitake mentioned, he knew now wasn't the time for chatting.
"Our fight with the old man will have too large an area of effect. Let's find a deserted place to fight first!"
After saying this, Kyoraku grabbed Ukitake, and their figures instantly vanished from Sokyoku Hill.
"Hmph, you two, no one is escaping today!"
The current Yamamoto seemed to have forgotten about Ichigo, Kaien, and Miyako. His figure flickered as he chased after Kyoraku and Ukitake.
Sui-Feng looked at the departing Yamamoto, then at Unohana beside her. In the end, she stepped forward.
In this situation, as a Captain of the Gotei 13, she couldn't possibly let these criminals who violated the Seireitei's laws escape.
As for Unohana, Sui-Feng didn't dare to actually have her attack these people.
"Omaeda, come with me to capture this Ryoka and the other criminals!"
"Ah? Yes, Captain Sui-Feng!"
Omaeda was momentarily stunned, then followed behind Sui-Feng, drawing his Zanpakuto and charging towards Ichigo.
In Omaeda's view, as fellow Lieutenants, Kaien was the Lieutenant of the 13th Division and was recognized by many Captains as the next Captain of the 13th Division.
Therefore, the current Kaien at least possessed Captain-level strength.
And he was just an ordinary, unremarkable Lieutenant.
If he went to fight Kaien, it would probably be like throwing a bone at a dog… gone forever!
Thus, it was better to choose Ichigo, who is standing on the torii gate.
Hmm, as for the fact that Ichigo had earlier slashed and diverted Sokyoku's attack and then broke the Sokyoku's seal with one sword strike, Omaeda selectively forgot about that.
Whoosh-
Ichigo's figure flashed, instantly appearing in front of Omaeda and kicking him in the stomach, sending him flying.
The next moment, Ichigo appeared in front of Sui-Feng again, slashing with his sword to repel her.
"Hey, black hair! Quickly take Miyako-nee and go! I'll hold them off here!"
Kaien was stunned for a moment, then glanced at Miyako in his arms. After nodding to Ichigo, he immediately left Sokyoku Hill with Miyako.
"Don't think about escaping!"
Seeing this, Sui-Feng tried to bypass Ichigo to stop Kaien, but Ichigo's figure once again appeared in front of her.
"What?"
Sui-Feng was shocked in her heart.
One must know, as the Captain of the 2nd Division, Sui-Feng's Shunpo mastery, while perhaps not equal to Shihoin, still held a place among the many Captains of the Gotei 13.
Earlier, when she was repelled by Ichigo, Sui-Feng thought she had been careless.
But now, she used Shunpo first, and Ichigo followed immediately after, yet he could surpass her and intercept her in front of her.
'This Ryoka's Shunpo was above mine?'
Having this thought flash through her mind, Sui-Feng finally focused all her attention on Ichigo.
'This guy's strength might not be below mine.'
'If I were slightly careless, I might follow in Captain Aizen's footsteps.'
"..."
"Let's go, Isane."
Unohana glanced at Sui-Feng, then at the departed Kaien, unsure of what to do.
"Ah?"
Although curious, Isane could only follow behind Unohana and walk down Sokyoku Hill.
"Captain Unohana, are we just leaving like this?"
"Isane, our 4th Division is a medical division. Matters of combat should be left to the other divisions to handle."
"I need to return to the division now to examine Captain Aizen's body and determine the cause of his death."
By now, from Yamamoto's actions, Unohana had also sensed something.
One must know, Yamamoto is the one who values the safety of the Seireitei the most.
Anyone who poses a threat to the Seireitei is ruthlessly suppressed by Yamamoto.
Looking at it from the opposite angle, those who do not pose a threat to the Seireitei are almost always let off lightly by him.
Ryoka storming the execution ground is a challenge to the impartiality of the Seireitei's laws.
Under normal circumstances, Yamamoto would definitely capture Ichigo immediately.
But what was Yamamoto's choice?
He went to chase after Kyoraku and Ukitake, who had sealed Sokyoku.
Who doesn't know that Kyoraku and Ukitake are Yamamoto's prized disciples?
Even if they were caught by him, would Yamamoto kill them?