In an instant, a violent surge of air swept across the surroundings. The nearby buildings were directly blasted into rubble by the shockwave, and the original street was destroyed in that same moment, a gash torn into the ground itself. Even the walls of the Seireitei were cracked by the aftershocks of the battle, as if on the verge of collapse, though they quickly began to repair themselves.
The next second, the battle erupted once more in an instant. Everything happened in a flash, leaving the area in utter chaos. The two combatants unleashed their formidable power again, clashing together once more, and a series of terrifying metallic clashes rang out.
By now, the onlookers watching the scene were already stunned, their mouths agape.
" So strong... is this the true power of a captain? "
" Captain Ichimaru Gin's strength is beyond doubt, but it's unbelievable that his enemy is also this powerful! "
" What I'm more curious about is that man's identity. With strength like his, becoming a Shinigami should be simple.
There's no need for him to force his way through the Seireimon! "
" Incredible! I never thought I'd witness a battle like this.
I wonder who will win in the end? "
The nearby spectators began murmuring among themselves as they watched the fight unfold.
Within the Seireitei, many Shinigami also set aside their tasks at that moment, saying nothing, merely silently watching the battle on the live broadcast screen.
**Sixth Division Barracks.**
Renji Abarai stared at the live broadcast before him, his eyes narrowing slightly as he grinned. " That Ichimaru Gin... his strength really can't be underestimated!
And that other guy is strong too. I wonder where the hell he came from! "
After speaking, he turned his gaze toward Byakuya Kuchiki, who stood before him.
" Captain, if you were to fight, could you beat those two? "
Renji asked with a smirk, a hint of provocation in his tone.
However, Byakuya Kuchiki's expression remained calm and composed as he replied flatly, " That's uncertain. That man is very strong.
"
Renji's pupils contracted. " Are you talking about Ichimaru Gin, or that strange guy with the red eyes?
" he asked, his voice low.
Byakuya glanced at him and said indifferently, " Don't underestimate anyone. Both of them are very strong.
They haven't even gone all-out yet. If they were truly fighting to the death, I might not necessarily be able to defeat them. "
Hearing this, Renji and the other Shinigami of the Sixth Division were all taken aback. Clearly, they hadn't expected Byakuya to say such a thing.
In truth, they had always believed that among all the captains of the Gotei 13, very few could match their captain, Byakuya Kuchiki. At the very least, they hadn't thought that Captain Ichimaru Gin of the Third Division could compare to their captain.
But now, their captain's evaluation of Ichimaru Gin was surprisingly high, and he also seemed to hold the man fighting Ichimaru Gin in considerable regard.
According to Byakuya's own words, with his strength, he might not necessarily be able to defeat either of the two currently fighting?
For a moment, even Renji couldn't tell whether Byakuya was being modest or if that was truly what he believed. Renji himself felt that both reasons were likely true.
Still, he had to admit that both Ichimaru Gin and that red-eyed man were unexpectedly powerful. At the very least, from what he could see, both were stronger than Renji himself. His gaze flickered, and he fell silent, lost in thought.
**Eleventh Division Barracks.**
A man with a black eyepatch over his right eye sat cross-legged on the ground, a sword in his hand as he rested his chin on his other hand. Staring at the light screen before him, he suddenly broke into a grin.
This was, of course, Captain Kenpachi Zaraki of the Eleventh Division.
Unlike the others, Kenpachi—who hailed from the most lawless district of the Rukongai, District 80—could tell at a glance that Uchiha Itachi was not from the Rukongai. This only made him more intrigued by the intruder.
" How interesting... I'm starting to want to have a go at that guy myself!
" Kenpachi said with a laugh, as a powerful surge of spiritual pressure began to radiate from him.
The other Shinigami nearby, feeling the sudden release of Kenpachi's reiatsu, stiffened, their bodies growing noticeably heavier.
Elsewhere, the other captain-class officers were also closely monitoring the battle on the broadcast.
**At this moment, the most anxious person in the entire Seireitei was undoubtedly Rukia Kuchiki.**
She never imagined that inviting Lin Xuan and the others to the Soul Society would lead to something like this. While the other members of the Thirteenth Division were focused on the battle on the screen, she finally managed to slip out of the barracks.
Though she had been to the Naruto world before and hadn't seen the live broadcast there, she had a strong feeling that this was Lin Xuan's doing. But right now, she had no time to dwell on that. All she wanted was to get to the Seireimon as quickly as possible and stop this fight.
However, just as Rukia left the barracks and was heading toward the Seireimon, a figure suddenly emerged from around a corner ahead of her.
Rukia froze in her tracks, staring at the person before her, her face filled with shock and uncertainty.
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T/N:
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