Second Division Barracks.
Captain's Office.
A figure flew in through the window, moving with such skill and agility that it was hard not to suspect that this person had performed similar actions countless times before.
Tokikaze gently placed the securely wrapped-up Soi-Fon on the ground and asked, "Where is the Nest of Maggots?"
Soi-Fon extended her small hands from the haori while holding onto the collar, trying to avoid the embarrassing situation of exposing herself again.
Although she had been seen by the man in front of her more than once just now, being alone with a man in such a relatively small space still made her uncomfortable.
"To the northwest," Soi-Fon replied as Tokikaze raised his foot to leave, hastily adding, "Be careful of the Zanpakuto of Tozaro Toshi. I'll be there soon."
Tokikaze nodded and disappeared through the window.
Watching his disappearing figure, Soi-Fon tightened the haori wrapped around her body again, sighing with worry.
At this rate, she was afraid she would fall to the level of the Vice-Captain in comparison.
Could it be that she was really useless after Shihoin Yoruichi left her, just as Suzumebachi said?
Soi-Fon began to doubt herself.
...
Northwest, the Nest of Maggots.
By the time Tokikaze arrived, many dangerous individuals had already emerged from it, assaulting the defensive line of Second Division members.
On the other side, several figures dressed in black were surrounding a strange creature, engaged in fierce battle.
This creature had no fixed form, but tended towards a black cloud. Any attack that landed on it had no effect. Instead, the black cloud continued to shoot out corrosive liquid, creating large craters in the walls upon impact.
Although it seemed that the black cloud was surrounded by multiple people, it was actually the other way around.
"Hado #4: Byakurai," Tokikaze instinctively extended his fingers, shooting out lightning blast with intense heat towards the cloud.
Buzz—
The expected explosion did not occur. Instead, the black cloud instantly swelled, its volume increasing nearly tenfold in a matter of seconds.
"I told you, the Cloud Ghost is immune to any form of energy attacks," one person shouted angrily. "Hado will only make it stronger."
Tokikaze paused in disbelief. Could there really be such a powerful Zanpakuto in Second Division?
Even the enhanced Byakurai was directly converted into its own power.
According to Tozaro Toshi, wouldn't it be the nemesis of Kido-type and elemental Zanpakuto?
"Everything has its limits," Tokikaze's interest was piqued, and he immediately launched another Byakurai.
The black cloud expanded again, now covering several buildings and still growing in size.
Tozaro Toshi was baffled. He stopped attacking and looked around.
He wanted to see who was causing trouble in Second Division.
Finally, Tozaro Toshi's gaze fell on Tokikaze.
An unfamiliar face, not a member of Second Division.
Shihakusho meant that he should be from another Division and came here to support. What an ignorant person.
The hair clip, which was a symbol of a noble...
He somewhat felt familiar with this person's face...
Captain of Ninth Division, Tsunayashiro Tokikaze?!
Relevant information flashed through his mind, and Tozaro Toshi fell silent.
It was impossible to hold Tokikaze accountable now. He had no choice but to pretend to be deaf and dumb.
He didn't say too much just now, did he?
Tozaro Toshi tried to recall every punctuation mark he had said earlier.
"Hado #63: Raikoho."
After trying several Byakurai, Tokikaze found that the Cloud Ghost's volume was still expanding, seemingly without any limit.
So, he concentrated Reiatsu at his right fingertip, and a golden lightning bolt blasted down the Cloud Ghost over the Second Division barracks.
Upon seeing this, Tozaro Toshi's heart skipped a beat, fearing that his Zanpakuto, would undergo a super mutation and grow to cover the entire Second Division barracks.
By then, he feared he would have to commit seppuku to atone for this.
Unfortunately, the situation did not develop to the extent he imagined. The potential of the Cloud Ghost was limited. After absorbing Tokikaze's Raikoho, it only maintained its original size for three seconds before erupting.
A dazzling golden light burst forth from the middle, and billowing waves of energy swept out in all directions, stirring up dust clouds tens of meters high.
Countless fragments of the black cloud exploded, scattering into every corner.
"Three Byakurai, one Raikoho," Tokikaze nodded thoughtfully. "If he can develop Bankai, it should be possible to contain Hiryu Gekizoku Shinten Raiho."
"Medium potential."
Soul Society is indeed full of talent.
Just as the chaos there was quelled, Soi-Fon, who had changed back into her Soul Reaper attire, arrived at the perfect moment.
Ignoring the chaos on the scene, all she saw reflected in her black pupils was Tokikaze's figure.
"Captain Soi-Fon, you're a step late," Tokikaze pointed to the now-normal-sized Cloud Ghost and said, "The Zanpakuto has already been dealt with."
Soi-Fon returned the Captain haori to Tokikaze, issuing new orders in a condescending tone.
"Tozaro Toshi, you're in charge of handling the scene."
"Captain Tokikaze and I will handle the Nest of Maggots."
"Yes, Captain!" Tozaro Toshi immediately tensed up and accepted the order.
Although Soi-Fon had only been Captain for a short time, she had established a certain authority.
This was largely due to her previous way of doing things.
And because of the culture of Second Division, most of the members and officers were like heartless machines.
Compared to other squads, there was a distinct lack of sentiment here.
The subsequent battle became much simpler.
The dangerous individuals imprisoned in the Nest of Maggots didn't have Zanpakuto and mostly relied on Kidō and Hakuda.
With the two Captains taking action together, those people didn't even have the chance to make a splash.
In less than ten minutes, all the escaped dangerous individuals were subdued, and Second Division was at peace again.
"The Kidō barrier of the Nest of Maggots has been completely destroyed," Soi-Fon's expression was grim. "If we want to repair it, we'll have to wait until members of the Kidō Corps are available."
With the ongoing battles in the Seireitei, disturbances with Zanpakuto occurring everywhere, even the Kidō Corps were shorthanded because of that.
"It's not worth the trouble," Tokikaze stepped forward, looking at the towering Nest of Maggots before them. "Preparing a temporary Kidō barrier is quite simple."