In the next moment, countless splinters of wood scattered into the air…
Unohana, her figure shrouded in flowing black hair, emerged unscathed, charging directly towards Makoto.
The massive trees, which could render Byakuya's Senbonzakura helpless at his current level, were utterly fragile before Unohana, as if they were nothing but brittle twigs.
Makoto was not the least bit surprised by this scene.
Victory or defeat, life or death... these no longer concerned him.
Under the influence of Minazuki, Senju Makoto sought only to unleash his instincts fully, to immersed in combat with Unohana on everything he had.
"Shinro Bansho: Jukai Kotan!" (Forest Manifestation)
In an instant, the giant trees filling the entire Minazuki domain seemed to gain a sentient will. From every direction, they launched a relentless assault on Unohana.
Whipping, entangling, colliding…
Yet despite the overwhelming barrage of seemingly endless attacks, Unohana's expression remained unchanged. At some point, her other hand had gripped a hidden dark blade from her sleeve. Like a lethal and mesmerizing dance, she deflected every strike with precision and elegance. Within moments, she was already within arm's reach of Makoto.
The woman who mastered every sword art and excelled in all techniques of the blade in Soul Society—Unohana Yachiru, the first Kenpachi!
"Splurt~"
Once again, Unohana's sword pierced through Makoto's throat with uncanny precision. The position, angle, and posture were exactly the same as before!
"Makoto, is this all you've got? A level of power barely approaching an ordinary captain's strength... It's no different from an ant before me," Unohana asked coldly.
At this moment, Makoto profoundly understood what it truly meant to embody the "Basic Attack Style."
If Zaraki Kenpachi was seen as the one who relied solely on spiritual pressure to slash through all obstacles, then Unohana Retsu was the one who did so through pure mastery of swordsmanship—a level far more overwhelming than Zaraki could ever achieve.
With Bankai: Minazuki unleashed, Unohana's spiritual pressure alone had surged to levels that shook all of Seireitei. Coupled with her unparalleled skill in swordsmanship, it was unlikely that most captains could endure even two strikes against her.
However, her overwhelming strength only made Makoto, locked in his special state, even more exhilarated.
Wounds? They didn't matter at all!
Thanks to Spiritual Particle Manipulation, as long as his heart wasn't completely shattered or his brain too damaged to think, his spiritual body could continue to function.
To Unohana's mild surprise, Makoto made no attempt to heal his injuries. Behind him, the massive, intertwined wooden structures finally took form.
A colossal Buddha-like statue, nearly filling half of the Minazuki domain, loomed over everything. It was even larger than Hado #90: Kurohitsugi(Black Coffin) with countless gigantic wooden arms extending from its back.
"Sensei, feel the love of your disciple!"
As Makoto's voice rang out, hundreds, thousands—perhaps tens of thousands—of giant wooden palms descended, crashing toward Unohana in an unstoppable wave.
"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!"
A series of deafening explosions reverberated endlessly within the Minazuki domain. The shockwaves spilled beyond, shaking the Fourth Division barracks and even causing mild tremors across half of Seireitei.
"An… earthquake?"
"Are you an idiot? How could there be earthquakes in Soul Society?"
"The source of the tremors… It's within Captain Unohana's special space?"
"What a terrifying disturbance… Who in the world is Captain Unohana fighting?"
Amidst the chaos, discussions erupted among the Kido Corps and several vice-captains and seated officers. Meanwhile, Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusai, Kyoraku Shunsui, and Kuchiki Ginrei, who had arrived at the Fourth Division barracks, wore solemn expressions.
Beyond Unohana's battle, the situation was dire. The Hollowfied Shinigami within the Fourth Division were gone, as were the two Kido Chiefs, with traces of a forbidden space-transfer technique lingering nearby.
"Could the two Kido Chiefs be connected to the mastermind behind the captains' Hollowfication?" Kuchiki Ginrei speculated aloud.
"The timing is too convenient. Just before the Captain-Commander's arrival, the two Kido Chiefs and the Hollowfied Shinigami all vanish. Highly suspicious…" Kyoraku Shunsui muttered grimly.
Standing atop the Fourth Division barracks, Yamamoto's long beard swayed gently in the night breeze, his figure as immovable as a towering mountain. With a commanding tone, he asked, "Have the Kido Corps confirmed the Kido Chiefs' movements?"
"Yes…"
Vice-captain Chojiro Sasakibe nodded and reported.
"Ten Kido Corps members testified that after Captain Unohana shattered the barrier with her spiritual pressure, the Kido Chiefs discussed something privately before heading deeper into the Fourth Division barracks."
Kyoraku Shunsui frowned. "Did they make contact with anyone else or send orders through Hell Butterflies?"
"None," Chojiro confirmed.
At this, the expressions of the three captains darkened.
This evidence strongly suggested that the Kido Chiefs acted of their own accord, using a forbidden space-transfer technique to take the Hollowfied Shinigami without any orders from the Central 46.
Such behavior was highly suspicious!
Yamamoto narrowed his eyes, his voice cold and commanding.
"Relay this order: Seal off all of Seireitei immediately. Suspend the use of all Senkaimon. First, Sixth, Eighth, and Thirteenth Divisions are to conduct a thorough search for the Kido Chiefs and the Hollowfied Shinigami. Resistance is to be met with lethal force."
"Yes, sir!"
"And one more thing—have all Shinigami and Kido Corps members evacuate the Fourth Division barracks."
Both Kyoraku Shunsui and Chojiro Sasakibe understood Yamamoto's intent.
Once Unohana emerged from Minazuki, Yamamoto might have to confront the uncontrollable bloodlust of Unohana himself.
The clash between the first Kenpachi and the Captain-Commander could very well obliterate the Fourth Division barracks—or worse, bring about the collapse of all Seireitei.
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