With the disappearance of Shigure Transformation, Kazeshini finally returned to Hisagi's hands.
The surrounding Shinigami exchanged glances—then rushed toward Squad 4.
They could all sense it.
That overwhelming Reiatsu—
Had vanished.
When they arrived at the crater in the courtyard—
Tsunayoshi emerged at the same time, carrying Unohana Retsu on his back.
Her wounds had been roughly stabilized using Rain flames.
He had even covered her with a robe—
So she wouldn't be exposed in front of her subordinates.
"Captain!"
Seeing Unohana defeated, Kotetsu Isane could no longer maintain her composure.
She rushed forward, heedless of danger.
"Don't worry. She's fine. Once she regains consciousness, she can handle the rest herself," Tsunayoshi said calmly, handing Unohana over.
Isane caught her—and shot Tsunayoshi a fierce glare.
She couldn't beat him.
But that didn't stop her from venting a little.
Tsunayoshi ignored it.
Looking around—
Aside from Renji—
Every Shinigami present glared at him with hostility.
He didn't care.
After that battle—
All he wanted was to go to the Shihōin Residence and sleep.
He used Shunpo to appear beside Renji.
"Let's go."
Now that Renji had witnessed his strength, he no longer doubted him.
If Tsunayoshi could defeat Captain Unohana—
Then saving Kuchiki Rukia was certain.
Tsunayoshi was completely unguarded.
He was tired.
And even if Renji attacked—
He wouldn't be a threat.
But—
The deadliest strike—
Is always the one you don't expect.
Just as Renji stepped forward—
A blade pierced through Tsunayoshi's chest.
Straight through his heart.
Renji's eyes widened in disbelief.
Beside him—
The vanished Sasakibe Chōjirō had reappeared.
Moving faster than Renji could perceive—
He had struck from behind—
And impaled Tsunayoshi in a single thrust.
This wasn't the first time Sasakibe had done this.
His movements were flawless.
Silent.
Without a trace of killing intent before the strike.
Even Tsunayoshi—
Already mentally exhausted—
Failed to react.
Because of Renji's position, Sasakibe couldn't aim for the Saketsu (Chain of Fate)—
So he targeted the heart instead.
But that was enough.
Yamamoto's order was clear—
Kill the Ryoka.
And Sasakibe judged Tsunayoshi as extremely dangerous.
At that moment—
Tsunayoshi's twin Zanpakutō were sheathed.
Unreleased.
Relaxed.
It was the perfect opportunity.
So Sasakibe struck.
"…Become… nothing… Ghost…"
Tsunayoshi muttered.
Suddenly—
His body exploded into violent green lightning.
Golden hair.
A green Hollow mask.
His entire body composed of lightning flames.
This—
Was his Lightning-Attribute Resurrección.
Just as its name implied—
He became lightning itself.
An existence without a true physical body.
In this state—
He was immune to all physical damage.
He turned instantly—
His lightning-charged fist, enhanced by Sonído, slammed into Sasakibe's face.
BOOM!
Sasakibe was blasted back into Squad 4.
"Protect Lieutenant Sasakibe!"
Someone shouted.
Blades were drawn.
Others raised their guard.
"Hey—Squad 11. Don't move."
Zaraki Kenpachi spoke.
His own squad froze in shock.
The man who lived for battle—
Was stopping them?
Only Ikkaku and Yumichika understood.
They had seen the fight below.
And realized—
If they were in that battle—
They would already be dead.
Kenpachi simply didn't want his men to die.
Even he—
Had no confidence in facing Tsunayoshi right now.
He touched his wounds.
When I recover…
Will I even be worthy of fighting him?
Swordsmanship… do I really need it?
"Captain Zaraki is right. Everyone, stand down."
Sasakibe rose from the rubble, rubbing his face.
"That punch… nearly broke my jaw."
Tsunayoshi's gaze turned cold.
The hole in his chest had already regenerated through lightning reconstruction.
Without Ghost—
That attack would have succeeded.
"So this is how you fight? Sneak attacks, Sasakibe Chōjirō?"
His voice burned with anger.
A frontal challenge—
He welcomed.
But this—
Was beneath contempt.
For the first time—
Killing intent surged from him.
Pure.
Primal.
The instinct of a Hollow—
To devour.
Weaker Shinigami collapsed under the pressure.
Sasakibe's killing intent flared in response.
No more ambush.
Now—
He would face him head-on.
"Dangerous Ryoka… I, Sasakibe Chōjirō, will take your life."
He raised his Zanpakutō.
"Bankai — Kōkō Gonryō Rikyū!"
His blade transformed into a rapier.
Storm clouds gathered above.
Golden lightning poured down—
Forming a radiant canopy around him.
But—
Something was wrong.
The lightning—
Was slipping out of his control.
It was being drawn—
Toward Tsunayoshi.
What?! That's my Reiatsu!
Sasakibe's expression darkened.
He forced the lightning into his blade—
But the harder he pushed—
The faster it drained away.
Still—
He attacked.
A lightning-fast thrust toward Tsunayoshi.
Tsunayoshi kicked Renji aside—
And faced him directly.
Just as the blade was about to pierce him—
He spoke.
"Kōkō Gonryō Rikyū."
Thunder roared.
A green lightning canopy formed around Tsunayoshi.
The two forces collided—
Exploding outward.
Shockwaves rippled.
Lieutenants and above rushed to shield the others.
Sasakibe staggered back.
His haori shredded.
His mind in turmoil.
Why… can he use my Bankai?!
The answer lay in Ghost.
An entity of pure energy—
Able to absorb and replicate power.
Now—
Tsunayoshi could absorb Reiatsu—
And reproduce it as his own attack.
In midair—
He remained unmoved.
Physical attacks—meaningless.
Energy attacks—absorbed.
That explosion—
Had done nothing.
He raised his hand.
Lightning gathered.
A green beam shot forward—
Gran Rey Cero — Lightning Variant!
Violent.
Unstable.
This attack—
Was meant to kill.
Sasakibe hastily raised a lightning canopy—
But his Reiatsu continued draining.
The shield—
Barely the size of an umbrella—
Shattered instantly.
The attack continued forward.
Sasakibe's expression changed.
There were others behind him.
"Bakudō #81: Dankū!"
A barrier appeared—
Along with a surge of golden Reiatsu.
The barrier shattered instantly.
But the golden Reiatsu—
Held.
At its center—
Zaraki Kenpachi stood grinning wildly.
Both hands gripping his blade—
Standing before everyone.
Though he had stopped his men—
He still fulfilled his duty as a captain.
After a fierce struggle—
Kenpachi roared—
And split the attack apart.
But the cost—
His arms were torn apart by the lightning.
His injuries worsened again.
"Mr. Sawada… please stop."
A weak voice called out.
The crowd parted.
Unohana Retsu, supported by Isane—
Stepped forward.
The earlier Dankū—
Had been hers.
Tsunayoshi returned to normal.
Out of respect for her.
But—
He wasn't letting Sasakibe go.
A white blade formed in his hand.
He pointed it at Sasakibe.
"He tried to assassinate me. What now?"
"Unohana. Zaraki. Do not yield. Under the Captain-Commander's orders—execute the Ryoka," Sasakibe said coldly.
"Lieutenant Sasakibe… I have no strength left," Unohana said, sitting down without concern for appearances. "Don't damage my Squad 4 barracks. Do as you wish."
"Squad 11—back to the barracks!"
Kenpachi ignored Sasakibe entirely—
And left.
Both Unohana and Kenpachi understood—
In their current state—
They were no match.
Sasakibe stood alone.
His expression dark.
He looked at Tsunayoshi.
"Sawada Tsunayoshi… I did attack you."
He raised his blade.
"What are you going to do about it?"
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