As the words fell, Kenpachi Zaraki visibly paused for a moment. He eyed Tokikaze, whose expression had turned calm and sophisticated as if scrutinizing him.
After a while, Kenpachi Zaraki's mouth widened into a grin, his white teeth gleaming under the moonlight, accompanied by a low chuckle.
"Hahahaha~~~"
The laughter grew louder, and his expression turned manic, the face of a demon growing even more sinister.
"Hahahahaha!!!"
Kenpachi Zaraki covered his face with one hand, tilting his head back. The bells at the ends of his hair jingled constantly as if he were descending into madness.
"This is so exciting!"
"I thought you were just another strong Shinigami, but you're actually one of my kind!"
His beastly grin made him look even more like a demon. No, Kenpachi Zaraki was indeed a demon.
On the street, only his crazed laughter echoed.
Tokikaze didn't respond to Kenpachi Zaraki's evaluation, choosing silence instead.
Maybe he was right.
Using Shunpo, Tokikaze's figure vanished at the end of the street, followed closely by Kenpachi Zaraki's laughter.
Two blazing spiritual pressures locked onto each other.
To avoid interference from Yamamoto Genryusai and others, Tokikaze dashed along the main road of Seireitei, passing through the Seireimon gate and heading straight for the Rukongai.
If they were going to fight, they should do it properly.
The brewing spiritual pressure stirred the surrounding winds.
...
West Rukongai District 3, Carp Bend Mountain.
The raging spiritual pressure was like boiling lava, the solidified golden light becoming ever more dazzling. Kenpachi Zaraki seemed like a blazing sun walking through the outskirts.
As the number of residents in the nearby Rukongai dwindled, Kenpachi Zaraki could hardly contain his raging battle spirit, his ferocious face brimming with excitement.
"No need to go any further. This place will make a fine battlefield."
He swung his serrated Zanpakuto, the force of the swing instantly severing a tree as thick as a bowl.
"I'm tired of talking. Let's fight!"
Kenpachi Zaraki swung his sword, pointing it at Tokikaze—his golden spiritual pressure shot into the sky, tearing the clouds apart.
"As you wish."
Tokikaze's face remained calm, like a still lake. He gripped his sword, Lan Yin, and slowly drew it.
A more intense spiritual pressure raged around, bringing with it howling winds and—
—gathering storm clouds!
Arcs of electricity crackled, and thunder roared, echoing across the heavens.
Two terrifying spiritual pressures enveloped Carp Bend Mountain. The residents of the entire district hid in their homes, trembling, overwhelmed by fear.
Meanwhile, in West Rukongai District 1, Junrinan.
A white-haired boy woke from his sleep, his forehead covered in sweat.
He pushed aside his blanket, not even bothering to put on shoes, and ran barefoot into the courtyard.
The white-haired boy looked westward at the sky, where a massive vortex of clouds seemed like the eye of a demon gazing down upon the earth.
The suffocating pressure spread from District 3 to Carp Bend Mountain, making it feel like a hand was gripping his throat, each breath a struggle.
He collapsed to his knees, his small eyes filled with terror, unable to comprehend what was happening.
The rampant spiritual pressures shot into the sky, causing an uproar in Seireitei.
The captain-level Shinigami were the most sensitive to these spiritual pressures, as they recognized the identities of the two sources.
In the Fifth Division barracks, in a courtyard.
"It looks like our Captain Tokikaze has finally been cornered by Captain Zaraki."
A teasing voice came from the shadows as Gin Ichimaru walked out, his face wearing a sly fox-like smile.
In a nearby pavilion, Aizen, draped in his captain's haori, sipped tea calmly, his usual gentle smile on his face.
"Think of it as a bit of entertainment in our otherwise dull lives."
"But I'm curious about the price the loser of this battle will have to pay."
Gin's smile faltered, a flash of doubt in his narrowed eyes.
Shouldn't the focus be on the winner?
"Captain Aizen, your thoughts are always so unpredictable."
Aizen smiled and remarked, "Gin, do you think there's any suspense in the outcome of this fight?"
For once, Gin remained silent.
He couldn't help but recall all the information he had on Tokikaze.
...
In the Fourth Division barracks.
Yamada Seinosuke stopped his experiment, staring in shock toward the direction of West Rukongai.
Even with his unique thought process, he couldn't fathom the situation.
How could the legendary beast captain, Zaraki Kenpachi, encounter and clash with Captain Tokikaze?
Unohana Retsu put down her brush, calmly walked out of her room, sensed the spiritual pressures, and then disappeared, heading toward the source.
The result of the battle didn't matter to her; she needed to witness the fight itself.
Her white captain's haori fluttered behind her like moonlight, sweeping through the streets of Seireitei.
...
In the Second Division barracks, in the Nest of Maggots.
Soifon emerged from the Kido barrier, her exhausted face quickly shifting to shock as she looked westward.
"That guy..."
She gritted her teeth, "How did he provoke that lunatic?!"
The clash of captain-level spiritual pressures in Carp Bend Mountain, close to Seireitei, couldn't be hidden from any seated officer, let alone captains.