In the hidden underground space, Research and Development Institute.
Spiritual Wave Measurement Lab.
The alarm kept ringing with the whole room growing red.
Hiyosu was typing the keyboard in front of him expressionlessly as he asked the person beside him, "How many times does this make?"
"The third time..." The researcher in white quietly replied, his expression strangely similar to Hiyosu's.
"This Captain of the Ninth Division is really something else..."
"Ever since he became the Captain, the alarm has been ringing continuously."
"Last time it was Adjuchas in Sakahone, then it was Vasto Lorde in the Human World, and now it's a Bankai in Zaraki District."
Hiyosu sighed and activated the communication device, relaying relevant information to the various divisions.
"It makes me wonder whether the fault lies in the enemy or him..."
Fifth Division barracks, Captain's office.
Aizen sat upright, a serious expression on his face. Under the lenses, his eyes focused on the strokes of the pen on the paper, revealing a faint sense of fluency.
Tsunayashiro Tokikaze, Tsunayashiro Tokinada, and Kaname Tosen.
The names of the three appeared on the white paper, intertwined and connected, forming a closed loop.
Aizen's gaze slightly tilted as he looked out of the window.
In the azure sky, a few white clouds floated, embellishing the unchanging sky with a touch of different colors.
"Unexpected performance."
"Tsunayashiro Tokikaze..."
Soon, a figure draped in a white Captain haori stepped out of the Fifth Division barracks and headed towards the direction of Rukongai.
Rukongai, Zaraki District.
Ichibei Tatsumi's Reiatsu surged, forming a massive and unparalleled pillar of light that shot straight into the sky, instantly dispersing the clouds at the top of the sky.
As an average Captain-level Soul Reaper, he wasn't specialized like Tsunayashiro and Zaraki Kenpachi.
When Ichibei Tatsumi suddenly stabbed his abdomen with his Zanpakuto, the blade dispersed, and a dense purple mist erupted, directly swallowing the entire place.
The poisonous fog twisted, forming a massive barrier covering the sky above the district. Complex Kidō spells layered on top of each other, turning into dozens of sturdy chains, sealing everything below.
After completing all this, Ichibei Tatsumi's face turned pale, devoid of any trace of blood, his expression was twisted and grim, resembling a malevolent spirit.
Obviously, his Bankai imposed a significant toll on his body.
Coupled with the severe injury inflicted by Tokikaze just now, Ichibei Tatsumi was now on the brink of death.
However, a confident smile returned to his rather ugly face.
Ichibei Tatsumi chuckled, "As the strongest poison-type Zanpakuto, the toxicity of the released poison mist after Bankai increases by dozens of times."
"Even a Soul Reaper with stronger Reiatsu than me can't resist its effect."
"And, do you remember that disguised flow of Reiatsu turbulent at the beginning?"
Tokikaze vaguely realized the abnormalities around him, the incessant corroding sound ringing in his ears. His defensive Reiatsu was actually being continuously corroded at this moment.
"Identifying the form of spiritual particles and corrodes it?"
"Kid, although you look a bit dumb, you're pretty sharp."
Ichibei Tatsumi grinned, blood oozing continuously from the corners of his mouth, "My Zanpakuto has memorized your Reishi's form, and I am still here."
"In this situation, even Genryusai wouldn't think of stepping in!"
Hearing these words, Tokikaze's gaze towards Ichibei Tatsumi changed.
What arrogance.
To dare to boast in the Soul Society with just an enhanced poison mist barrier?
This couldn't be described as arrogance anymore.
It could only be said to be utterly brainless behavior.
"Hey, kid, what's with that increasingly disrespectful look?"
Tokikaze's eyes, resembling someone looking at an idiot, instantly infuriated Ichibei Tatsumi:
"I think someone like you needs to be taught a lesson."
He extended his right hand, pointing directly ahead, "Dokumori · Strangling Slaughter!"
The pervasive poisonous mist, like a living creature, tore the earth apart, transforming into gigantic, ferocious purple pythons.
Several bloodthirsty mouths opened wide as it charged towards Tokikaze.
In an instant, a fierce wind erupted, devouring the giant python. Countless wind blades erupted, tearing it into countless fragments.
"It's useless, kid."
Ichibei Tatsumi was brimming with confidence. "Such attacks will only be assimilated by the poison mist!"
The moment he finished speaking, the poisonous mist spread, and the purple python reappeared within, even more grotesque and terrifying than before.
Of course.
Tokikaze also realized this and frowned slightly, "It's indeed a troublesome ability."
It had to be said that the strength of this Ichibei Tatsumi was quite commendable.
Although not as powerful as veteran Captains like Shunsui Kyoraku and Unohana Retsu, dealing with first-class opponents like Soi-Fon and Komamura Sajin should not be a problem for him.
"It's already too late if you're thinking of changing side."
Ichibei Tatsumi sighed, "The death of a Captain should be enough to wake Soul Society up and realize the truth of the world."
At this moment, another Captain-level Reiatsu appeared outside the barrier.
Surging and rushing, like a bursting flood, it covered the barrier of Ichibei Tatsumi's Bankai.
"Hmm?" Tokikaze raised an eyebrow, showing surprise on his face, "It seems that your plan is about to fail. My reinforcements have arrived, be prepared to face your fate."
Ichibei Tatsumi's expression instantly turned grim, and he snorted coldly, "Caution is an essential element for every Soul Reaper. Do you think I would be so careless?"
"So what if another Captain comes? You're doomed anyway!"
Outside the barrier of the Bankai, a figure appeared at the end of the street, stepping on Shunpo. The Captain haori fluttered in the wind, and the word "Five" faintly appeared in the hazy purple mist.
"Is this the Bankai Poisonous Funeral barrier?"
Aizen murmured in a deep voice to himself, "So it was Ichibei Tatsumi."
His voice spread with the vibration of Reiatsu, reaching into the barrier, "Captain Tokikaze, please hold on a little longer. I will break this barrier immediately."
Inside the barrier, Tokikaze had a strange expression, momentarily not knowing what words to use to describe his current feelings.
As the Captain of the supporting team, Sosuke Aizen actually arrived in the Zaraki District before the end of the battle and was ready to break the barrier to provide support.
The thought of letting a villain defeat another villain was simply fantastic.
"To pin your hopes on others is the most useless behavior!"
Ichibei Tatsumi manipulated the condensed poison mist in the barrier into a blade and held it in his hand, "I've left enough tricks to buy some time."
"Kid, you are undoubtedly doomed!"
Boom!
Aizen attacked with a sword with a slightly anxious expression. His acting skill was in full bloom.
The figure exploded directly in the sky, blooming into a huge fireball, forming a violent shockwave sweeping around.
In the ruins of the street, figures kept appearing, and the previously escaped Rukongai thugs returned.
Their eyes were bloodshot, saliva splattered from their open mouths, and their frenzied expressions showed no trace of reason, like beasts emitting a brutal aura.
These were the hidden preparations of Ichibei Tatsumi.
Under the erosion of the poison mist, the poison hidden in their bodies erupted, directly erasing their reason, turning them into self-destructive bombs without fear of death.
One figure after another appeared, and Aizen's expression changed slightly, as if he was facing an unexpectedly tricky situation.
"Hado #63: Raikoho."
From a distance, golden lightning erupted, thunder roaring across the sky and falling upon the ruins, scorching some of the approaching people.
Nanao Ise stood resolutely on the edge of the ruins with determined expression as she released the maximum power of Hado.
She had attempted to attack when the Bankai was deployed, trying to break it. However, her Hado was not strong enough to damage the core of the barrier.
Frustrated, she could only wait for reinforcements to arrive.
Fortunately, the Gotei 13 did not disappoint her. Captain Sosuke Aizen, responsible for support, came in the Zaraki District.
"Captain Aizen, leave these guys to me."
Nanao Ise quickly said, "Please focus on breaking the barrier and rescuing the Captain."
Aizen nodded and immediately began chanting Kidō incantations, "Turbulent waves of impurity, the boat of madness..."
Their conversation faintly transmitted into the barrier.
To Tokikaze's annoyance, the formidable Captain Sosuke Aizen needed Nanao Ise's protection to chant Kidō.
With your level, shouldn't you easily break this so-called Bankai Poisonous Funeral barrier with a single slash?
"Tatsumi-san, you did say that relying on others is not as good as relying on oneself. Hoping for rescue from others is ultimately like chasing after illusions."
Ichibei Tatsumi squinted slightly, staring intently at Tokikaze as the atmosphere around him suddenly changed.
For some reason, this kid now seemed exceptionally dangerous.
Just by looking into his eyes, it felt like being stared at by a natural enemy.
The silver-white blade transformed into a light breeze at that moment.
In a situation where conventional methods couldn't deal with the opponent, Tokikaze once again revealed his trump card, this time right under the nose of a major antagonist.
East Sky Breaking Blade!
Due to the suppression of Reiatsu, without the defense of Reiatsu or wind, the surrounding poison mist directly started corroding Tokikaze's body.
Starting from the Captain Haori, then the shihakusho.
Tokikaze's expression slightly froze as he erupted into the fastest Shunpo, disappearing in an instant, leaving only flickering afterimages.
When he reappeared, he was already in front of Ichibei Tatsumi.
"It's over, old man. Rest in peace."
Under Ichibei Tatsumi's terrified gaze, the blade, like a gentle breeze was slashed down!