"Well, well, I've long heard Aizen-sama say that Hitsugaya Toshiro is very powerful, but seeing it now... it seems Hitsugaya Toshiro is far more terrifying than the rumors suggested..."
On another part of the battlefield, Starrk glanced at the distant colossal iceberg that had frozen Harribel and was thrusting into the sky, unable to hide his amazement.
Even he, the Primera Espada, lacked confidence that he could fully withstand an attack of such magnitude.
And judging by Toshiro's relaxed and casual demeanor, an attack of this level seemed like something he could just conjure up effortlessly, without any strain.
"Well, he is Captain Hitsugaya. An existence whose power can rival Old Man Yama's, almost the strongest Shinigami. It's not surprising he can do this..." Kyoraku said casually.
"Say, since Hitsugaya Toshiro is the strongest Shinigami, what about you? How does your strength compare... to his?" Starrk asked, seemingly offhand but actually utterly serious.
"Well... how should I put it? Captain Hitsugaya is, after all, the most prodigious Shinigami in Soul Society's history. His natural talent isn't something a mere mortal like me can match. Even if I trained seriously, it would take me at least... about a thousand years to reach his current level, I suppose." Kyoraku adjusted the sedge hat on his head and said with a completely serious expression.
In truth, although Kyoraku's talent wasn't as great as Toshiro's, he was by no means a 'mere mortal'. After all, being chosen by Yamamoto as a disciple meant his talent was definitely exceptional. So reaching the Demi-God level where Toshiro currently stood in a thousand years wasn't impossible.
After all, Kyoraku's current strength was already at the peak of Beyond Captain-level, only one step away from the Demi-God level of Toshiro and Yamamoto.
Although that single step was as difficult to cross as a chasm, given Kyoraku's talent, spending another thousand years training might allow him to break through to the Demi-God level.
Of course, as Kyoraku himself said, the premise was 'serious' training. Otherwise, with his lazy personality, even ten thousand years might not be enough to reach the Demi-God level.
"Is that so? Meaning... your current strength is far inferior to Hitsugaya Toshiro's." After hearing Kyoraku's words, Starrk seemed relieved and said, "If that's the case... then I'm reassured!"
Having constantly heard from Aizen about Toshiro's power, and now witnessing the force of his attack firsthand, Starrk was certain he was no match for someone of Toshiro's level.
But since Kyoraku hadn't reached that level, Starrk had nothing to fear and was confident that victory would ultimately be his.
"Huh? Reassured? Are you underestimating me?" Hearing Starrk's words, Kyoraku pointed at himself with a dumbfounded expression.
"No, I'm not underestimating you. I'm just... stating a fact," Starrk said calmly.
"Hey, hey, hey... I said my strength is far inferior to Captain Hitsugaya's, but if I used Bankai and went all out... an attack with power like Captain Hitsugaya's just now... wouldn't be impossible for me either!" Kyoraku argued, as if unconvinced.
"Is that so?" Starrk said noncommittally.
"Jushiro!" Kyoraku suddenly called out to Ukitake, who was fighting playfully with Lilynette not far behind him.
Whoosh!
Kyoraku shrugged his shoulders, and the pink kimono he had been wearing flew towards Ukitake behind him, revealing the white Captain's Haori underneath, which was more suitable for combat.
"Hold my clothes for me. I'm going to fight seriously... and prove my strength to this guy." Kyoraku said with his back to Ukitake, his expression more serious than ever before.
Clearly, Starrk's belittlement had irritated even the perpetually lazy Kyoraku.
"Then bring out your Bankai, go all out, and let me see just how strong you really are," Starrk said.
"Forget the Bankai... it hasn't come to that yet," Kyoraku refused.
In truth, it wasn't that Kyoraku didn't want to use Bankai to fight, but that he didn't dare use it casually. His Bankai had too wide a range of effect and was so lethal that it wasn't suitable for use in crowded places.
Not to mention other things, if Kyoraku used Bankai, everyone present, friend and foe alike, would be affected. So, unless absolutely necessary, Kyoraku wouldn't use Bankai.
"How troublesome. I was hoping to see your Bankai, but since you're unwilling... I'll just have to force you to use it!" A glint of light flashed in Starrk's eyes.
Having said that, to the astonishment of Kyoraku and Ukitake, Starrk suddenly sheathed his sword.
"He's... putting his sword away?" Kyoraku and Ukitake were baffled.
"Lilynette! Come here!" Starrk called.
"Don't shout so loud, you startled me!" Lilynette grumbled discontentedly, then reluctantly returned to Starrk's side.
"?"
Kyoraku was confused. "Um... what did you call this kid over for?"
In Kyoraku's view, Lilynette was clearly just a child with no real combat ability. Calling her over wouldn't help Starrk fight... it would only cause him trouble and create opportunities for Kyoraku.
Although Kyoraku felt the enemy's action was 'helping' him, as a man of 'great righteousness', he should still remind his opponent.
Just then, Starrk took Lilynette's hand and explained, "We two are one heart and one body. When we evolved from Hollows into Arrancar, other Arrancar split their Hollow powers into sword and body... but we split into two individuals. So... when we rejoin into one, our power is released."
Having said that, Starrk patted Lilynette's head gently and said softly, "Kick About, Los Lobos."
Whoosh!
Lilynette turned into blue Reishi light and disappeared into Starrk's hand.
Boom!
A wave of Reiatsu at the peak of Beyond Captain-level erupted, forming a violent whirlwind that enveloped Starrk.
Seeing the formidable power Starrk displayed upon releasing his Resurrección, Kyoraku's expression grew extremely grave. Not daring to be the least bit careless, he immediately used his Shikai.
"The Flowery Winds Become Disturbed, The God Of Flowers Sings, The Heavenly Winds Become Disturbed, The Devil Of Heaven Sneers, Katen Kyokotsu!"
Because he couldn't use Bankai freely, Kyoraku had to rely on his Shikai to counter Starrk's Resurrección.
Although in a head-on clash, the power of Kyoraku's Shikai still couldn't compare to Starrk's release, it at least gave him some ability to defend.
Moreover, Kyoraku's Shikai had many strange abilities... if Starrk was unaware, he might fall victim to them.
Whoosh—
The violent whirlwind dissipated. After his Resurrección, Starrk reappeared, wearing a cloak of wolf fur, holding a blunderbuss in each hand like a hunter.
"Well then... let's go, Lilynette!"