"All things in the universe, turn to ash—Ryūjin Jakka!"
In an instant, Yamamoto Genryusai released his Zanpakutō. Flames erupted from the blade, blasting toward Aizen Sōsuke!
Aizen stood, unmoving, as the flames spread around him, forming a wall of fire.
The nearby Shinigami gaped in astonishment, but Aizen's allies were unconcerned.
"This isn't good, Captain Aizen seems trapped," Gin teased, standing beside the flames.
"Captain Aizen won't be trapped by such petty tricks," Hinamori said from behind.
"Don't gloat, Ichimaru," Tōsen Kaname said in a deep voice. "Such methods, Captain Aizen can break with a flick of his finger. The reason he waits in there…"
"It's probably because…" Hinamori whispered.
"He believes he doesn't need to act himself; we alone are enough to destroy Gotei 13," Tōsen Kaname continued.
"Yoshio is gone, and Aizen is trapped… so you'll have to listen to me," Baraggan declared, standing behind the flames, unfazed by the heat.
"Oh~ So you're finally bringing out your old prestige again. That actually makes me a little nostalgic." Szayelaporro smirked. "But, there's really nothing to plan, is there?
"So-called wisdom and strategy are only needed when the strength of the enemy and ourselves are equal."
"With our strength," Halibel said indifferently, "we just need to crush these people."
She was the first to move.
She appeared in front of Yamamoto Genryusai.
"You are the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13. If I kill you, this battle ends."
Yamamoto didn't even look at her. He kept his gaze on the wall of fire.
Halibel frowned and swung her greatsword downward!
But two blades parried her attack.
"Although we've been away from the Gotei 13 for over a hundred years, whether now or then, he's still our boss," said one of the two Shinigami wearing Visored masks. One wielded a Zanpakutō, the other a spiked club. Their blades crossed, blocking Halibel's sword.
"Visored," Halibel said coldly. "Do you really think you can stop me?"
"Not stop!" Love Aikawa answered.
"We're going to kill you!" Rōjūrō Otoribashi declared, releasing his Zanpakutō, the blade transforming into a whip-like weapon that coiled toward Halibel.
"They started fighting all at once," Gin remarked, smiling down. "I wasn't ready yet."
But Halibel's movement set the entire battlefield into motion.
She aimed for Yamamoto, and two Visoreds intercepted her.
The others also found their opponents.
Gin landed, facing a man with a similar hairstyle to Aizen, who was still looking around.
"Whew…" Askin sighed in relief as Gin approached.
"It's good that it's you. I don't think either of us enjoy fighting. How about we find a place to rest and wait until they're done?"
Gin was surprised, but smiled. "That's reasonable. So…"
Gin found a spot nearby and sat down. "Then watch closely. I want to see how the Shinigami… fail."
"Hey, hey, hey…" Askin was shocked by Gin's brazenness. "Aren't you being too blatant?"
"You didn't make me fight, I didn't make you fight. Both our goals are achieved. Why care about the process?"
"You have a point!" Askin agreed, and sat down too.
The two were calm and comfortable. Everyone else was not.
In the blink of an eye, Karakura Town erupted into chaos.
This was not the real Karakura Town, but a section of Soul Society territory transferred here. The real town had been moved to the Soul Society, and a fake constructed for the battlefield.
A defensive barrier and frozen space kept the destruction confined, so the Shinigami could fight in the Human World with peace of mind.
Tōsen noticed Gin slacking off, but said nothing—an enemy had already appeared before him.
"Tōsen, don't you have anything to say to me?"
Gotei 13 Seventh Division Captain Komamura Sajin appeared, with Tōsen's former Lieutenant, Hisagi Shūhei, at his side.
Komamura stared at Tōsen.
"Nothing…?" Komamura pressed, seeing Tōsen silent. "It seems you've truly fallen!"
"The path I walk is always the one that leads to the fewest sacrifices," Tōsen replied. "That is true justice."
"I won't tell you to join me, because only a few can understand the preciousness of justice. Then I will deal with you first, and then the others."
"How dare you say that!" Komamura roared. "Bankai! Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō!"
At that moment, he unleashed his Bankai.
Boom!
A massive armored giant appeared behind him.
"What? Facing me, you're not even releasing your Zanpakutō?!"
Tōsen stood in place. Komamura's eyes widened.
"Tōsen, could it be that you…"
He didn't need to finish; Tōsen proved it.
Hollowfication!
A Hollow mask appeared on Tōsen's face—not just a Visored mask, but a full Hollow transformation!
Boom!
A powerful pressure erupted from Tōsen. Facing Komamura's Bankai, Tōsen merely swung his sword upward—and incredibly…
He blocked Komamura's attack with ease!
The size difference was absurd: Komamura, like a small mountain, wielded a gigantic Zanpakutō; the ant-like Tōsen stopped it with a single hand.
Boom!
The shock rattled the surroundings, destroying buildings—yet Tōsen stood unmoving!
"Is this… a Captain-class battle?"
Rangiku watched the dust cloud rise. Her voice was full of surprise.
"Is this really alright?" Another voice came from beside her. Kira Izuru suddenly swung his sword; Rangiku quickly dodged, narrowly avoiding the blow.
"You've learned a lot of bad habits," Rangiku said, distancing herself. "Following that Ichimaru, have you learned to ambush as well? What kind of bewitching potion did he give you?"
Kira stood in the shadows, his eyes melancholic.
"I just… understand Shinigami too well," he said quietly. "Miss Rangiku, this is precisely what I, as a true Shinigami, should do."
"It seems you're beyond saving," Rangiku sighed. "Then, as your senior, I'll have to deal with you properly!"
Boom!
As they spoke, a nearby building exploded, burying a bald man in debris.
Rangiku and Kira dodged instinctively.
"Ikkaku, what are you doing?" Rangiku called impatiently.
"As expected of Aizen's Lieutenant." Madarame Ikkaku stood from the rubble, blood seared on his shoulder. "You really have some skills!"
"You're just the 3rd Seat of the Eleventh Division. As the former Lieutenant of the Fifth, there's no reason for me to lose to you," Hinamori said from the other side.
"Is that so, Lieutenant…?" Ikkaku said, gripping his Zanpakutō. "But what if he is a Lieutenant? I am the 3rd Seat of the Eleventh Division!"
"Bankai, Ryūmon Hōzukimaru!"
He actually used his Bankai in front of everyone!
As a 3rd Seat, Ikkaku had mastered Bankai, but never used it publicly before—for fear of being transferred to another Division as a Captain.
But things were different now. More Lieutenants could use Bankai. So what if a 3rd Seat did?
At this critical moment, he no longer needed to hide.
"Bankai…"
Watching Ikkaku, Hinamori was surprised. She had thought he'd never use Bankai, even if he died.
…
Elsewhere, the Espada clashed with the Shinigami.
Starrk faced Kyōraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō—the Gotei's ace.
They knew Starrk's strength: Shiba Isshin had encountered him, and in the Death Tower, Rukia said Starrk was the last to enter and bring them out.
Baraggan remained still, sitting on his bone throne, commanding the Arrancar—his former followers—preparing to destroy the Soul Society.
Szayelaporro left the battlefield, seeking a different contest:
A battle of scientists—against Kisuke Urahara!
Urahara hadn't appeared yet, but Szayelaporro had investigated and went straight to his lair.
Halibel still faced the two Visored Captains, while her Fracción clashed with Abarai Renji.
The great battle erupted; Karakura Town rumbled non-stop.
…
Meanwhile, in Hueco Mundo…
After the Captains arrived, Kurosaki Ichigo headed straight for the core of Las Noches.
On the periphery, Shinigami fought Arrancar.
This time, four Captains came to Hueco Mundo—but Unohana was replaced by Hitsugaya, as Unohana remained in Seireitei.
This was not an all-out war between Shinigami and Hollows alone. The Quincies were also involved.
So Unohana and some Shinigami remained in Seireitei, but the Fourth Division's Lieutenant and a medical team followed to Hueco Mundo.
Hitsugaya faced Lilynette.
Earlier, he had encountered Lilynette in the Tres Cifras. Under her firepower, he'd abandoned Ashido and fled. Now, it was time to settle things.
Hitsugaya was already in Bankai. As he swung his blade, an ice dragon surged forth.
Lilynette pointed her finger, unleashing a barrage of Cero.
The Cero destroyed the ice dragon—but Hitsugaya had already vanished, appearing in front of Lilynette with a sword swing!
Lilynette barely dodged. "Compared to last time, you seem stronger," she said.
"…You too!" Hitsugaya replied, "Are you familiar with Yoshio?"
Hitsugaya was a genius. In a few months, he had improved greatly.
But so had Lilynette—perhaps because of her connection with Starrk, her power had grown rapidly.
Her upper limit was below Starrk's before their split. To grow further, she would need more time.
Hitsugaya dodged Cero after Cero, then asked, "It's Yoshio again?"
Lilynette rolled her eyes. "You Shinigami are boring. Rukia kept asking about him before. Now you're doing it too."
"…." Hitsugaya fell silent. "Forget it, you're right. Since we're at war, let's not talk about others."
"Ryūsenka!"
Hitsugaya attacked again. He dodged the Cero, but couldn't avoid one from Lilynette.
Boom!
The Cero struck him—but his blade also reached Lilynette, freezing her.
Both were blasted away, but Lilynette broke free from the ice instantly.
Hitsugaya realized: though Lilynette had immense power, she lacked combat experience—unusual for a Hollow.
Most Arrancar were battle-hardened, but Lilynette fought recklessly, relying on spiritual pressure—a child with a machine gun.
He'd have to drag it out. With her fighting style, she'd tire eventually—then he could counterattack.
…
Meanwhile, Kuchiki Byakuya faced a troublesome foe: Zommari Rureaux, the Seventh Espada.
Byakuya should have had the upper hand. But Zommari had a puppet—Rukia!
After Rukia defeated Grimmjow, she fainted from injuries. Zommari took the chance to control her body with his ability, 'Cursing Eye Monk,' which released 'Amor.' If it struck the head, full control was possible.
Zommari had improved his ability—now, by controlling Rukia's brain, he had made her his subordinate.
Rukia was strong—she had defeated the Sixth Espada, Grimmjow. Even wounded, under Zommari's control, she could unleash great power.
Most importantly, Byakuya could not harm Rukia, his sister.
Facing her attacks, Byakuya showed no emotion, but inwardly pondered a solution.
"Dance: Tsukishiro."
Rukia used Sode no Shirayuki's power emotionlessly. Byakuya dodged, using Senbonzakura to attack Zommari.
But Rukia's white light froze the petals.
Zommari shouted, "How about it, Kuchiki Byakuya? If you don't kill Rukia Kuchiki, you'll never harm me! Can you lay a hand on your own sister—like in Soul Society?! Perhaps the feelings you regained will be your death!"
"Noisy." Byakuya looked at Zommari, then at Rukia, who shielded Zommari behind her.
"Do you think you can fathom my thoughts? You are too arrogant."
"…Arrogant?" Zommari retorted. "No, I am not arrogant. I consider you my equal, so I use every means. You are a Captain among Shinigami; I am an Espada among Arrancar. Our statuses are equal. That is why I use Rukia. It's respect for you as a Captain."
"As an Arrancar, yet believing yourself my equal, is itself arrogance."
Byakuya vanished, reappearing behind Zommari.
"Hado #4: Byakurai."
He pointed, unleashing a Hado—but Zommari vanished simultaneously!
"I see," Zommari said, reappearing near Rukia. "Is this how Shinigami think? Whether it's arrogance or not depends not on status, nor on race, but on… strength!"