Indeed.
Kyouraku Shunsui could be considered one of the strongest Captains right after Yamamoto Genryusai. Therefore, as Kyoraku Shunsui's best friend, even though his record was not impressive, he was still not to be underestimated.
However, as Nanao Ise mentioned, Ukitake Jushiro's body couldn't handle intense combat. After his elder brother gained control of the remaining Spirit King's power, his Reiatsu alone had reached Captain-Class. Coupled with his newly attained abilities, he was undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with.
In the desolate land, black patterns, like ink strokes on a canvas, crisscrossed and wove a complex web, gradually limiting Ukitake Jushiro's room to maneuver.
"Oh, my foolish little brother, even after you've become the Captain of the Thirteenth Division, even if you've trained under Yamamoto Genryusai…."
Above the shadow, countless eyes opened, giving off eerie light.
"You're still as naive as you were back then!"
Ukitake Jushiro's toe lightly tapped the ground, leaving an afterimage behind as he took down two black lines.
His expression remained calm, and he had completely grasped the position of the shadow.
His tenacity briefly alleviated the pain he felt.
After passing through two black lines, Sogyo no Kotowari's blade was now close to the shadow, reflecting a face full of pupils in the gleaming cold light.
"Bakudo #63: Sajo Sabaku!"
The countless pupils enlarged, and Reiatsu suddenly erupted. The black giant net also contracted violently.
The patterns, which almost covered a range of hundreds of meters, directly transformed into an immensely large spherical object, trapping Ukitake Jushiro within.
"Hado #63: Raikoho!"
Facing the overwhelming attacks, Ukitake Jushiro showed no panic. He held his Zanpakuto horizontally in front of him, and a thunder burst forth from the blade.
The resounding explosions echoed across the desolate land, obliterating the converging black lines like withering leaves.
It was as if a rain of black ink was falling from the sky, merging with the devastated ground.
"Cough, cough!"
Standing in place, Ukitake Jushiro, slightly bowed before bursting into severe coughing fits, as if he wanted to cough out his own lungs.
Today, he should have been recuperating at Ugendo, but his men that he tasked with monitoring Ukitake Clan informed him that his elder brother had started the ritual.
So, he had to drag his sickly body all the way to Sakahone.
This was a stain on the Ukitake Clan that only he could personally erase.
Bam—
The ground shook, as if a massive earthquake was about to occur.
Ukitake Jushiro was panting, but he had a bad feeling about this. Ignoring the pain he felt, he immediately activated Shunpo again, moving to another location.
The hard ground was torn apart by the black Reiatsu, and it instantly transformed into dozens of meters high giant black arms.
In other directions, cracks appeared one after another, and colossal entities burst forth from the desolate land, like spring shoots after rain, occupying the entire battlefield.
Some of the Ukitake Clan members were hit by the black palms due to unable of evading in time, sending them flying into the air, spewing blood.
In just a few seconds' time, wherever the eyes could see, there were towering black arms, with an eerie eye on the back of the hands.
"This ability is not recorded in our database..."
Nanao Ise's framed eyes showed a tense gaze. "Judging from Reiatsu alone, almost every arm reaches Rank 4 or 3."
"They're surprisingly stable, too. Even if attack, they won't deplete their Reiatsu."
Matsumoto Rangiku's eyes widened. She clearly seemed shocked, and her body instinctively leaned toward Tokikaze.
"The power of the Spirit King has actually created creatures of this level..."
The horde of colossal arms stood tall in the desolate land, leaving everyone gasoubg.
Even though they had executed many missions, and even faced formidable Menos Grande, the creature before them was a completely different story.
In the face of this vast sea of black arms, they were completely overwhelmed.
The shadow stood in place with arms stretching out as if embracing the entire world. The face, blurred by the densely woven black patterns, revealed a maniacal expression.
"This is the legendary power of the Spirit King, such a wonderful power!"
"It's truly a waste to have Lord Mimihagi's power used to sustain your pitiful life."
"Oh, my foolish little brother, hand over that power."
"I will make good use of it and lead the Ukitake Clan to unprecedented heights!"
Ukitake Jushiro gripped Sogyo no Kotowari with an extremely serious expression.
"Stealing the power of the Spirit King and attempting to disrupt the stability of the Soul Society, even if you are my brother, I won't hold back."
"Hado Number 78: Zangerin!"
Majestic Reiatsu shrouded Sogyo no Kotowari as Ukitake Jushiro swung the dual blades in all directions.
The massive light blast instantly spread out. The giant black arms were toppled and merged with the ground.
However, other arms went after Ukitake Jushiro from tricky angles.
However, Ukitake Jushiro dodged with Shunpo, and the relatively small figure always avoided the attacks with subtle precision.
Even if he couldn't dodge in time, Sogyo no Kotowari could always dish out energy blade that would bifurcate the arms.
It seemed like he was at a disadvantage, but in reality, the battle was evenly matched.
The only drawback was that Ukitake Jushiro's body couldn't sustain a prolonged fight.
And he was well aware of it.
So, when Ukitake Jushiro used the blade on his left hand to cut off another falling arm, the blade on his right hand suddenly emitted a brilliant blue light, illuminating the dim sky like a star.
On the rope connecting the handle, five plates jingled, signaling the final chapter of the music.
Raising his right hand, Ukitake Jushiro pointed towards the front, where the shadow was. A vast blue Reiatsu surged out like an ocean, covering everything in the desolate land.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The colossal light pillar was discharged from the blade, as if a flood had burst forth to obliterate everything in its path.
In the face of such a mighty attack, the horde of black arms was completely erased without a trace!
In the distance, the shadow seemed shocked upon seeing this. Instinctively, it used all its power for defense.
Thick black patterns instantly formed into a colossal shield, towering under the clouds.