Initially, Madarame Ikkaku hadn't used his Zanpakuto. He just wanted to test this intruder's strength. But to his shock, Kurosaki Ichigo didn't just dodge—he countered.
"Not bad... dodging my punch makes you worth killing! My Hozukimaru is getting thirsty!"
BOOM.
Ikkaku vanished, reappearing instantly in front of Ichigo. His spear slammed into Zangetsu with terrifying force.
The impact sent Ichigo flying, smashing through a nearby wall.
Because of this commotion, Beidou and her squad finally located Ichigo's position.
"Cough... you're strong," Ichigo grunted, standing up from the rubble. "My name is Kurosaki Ichigo! And I'm going to take you down... Madarame Ikkaku!"
"Oh? You have 'One' (Ichi) in your name too? Seems you aren't just some nobody."
The two engaged in a fierce duel. Although Ichigo had awakened his Zanpakuto, his combat experience was sorely lacking. At first, he was completely overwhelmed. But gradually, he began to find his rhythm, leveling up mid-battle—the terrifying potential of a protagonist.
While they fought, Beidou's squad rapidly closed in.
Just as they neared Ichigo, a towering figure blocked their path.
A man with a vicious face, a scar running down his left eye, and hair spiked like a urchin with bells on the tips.
The moment he saw Beidou, a terrifying Killing Intent exploded from his body.
"Hmph... didn't think I'd run into strong prey so soon! This is getting interesting..."
Zaraki Kenpachi.
Beidou drew her Dragon Slayer Claymore (Serpent Spine), and her own aura erupted to match his.
Conqueror's Haki vs. Spiritual Pressure.
The collision of their wills caused the very air to scream. However, while Kenpachi's aura was pure pressure, Beidou's Haki physically cracked the ground and shattered nearby walls.
In the One Piece world, Shanks could damage physical objects with just his presence because his spirit was that powerful. After days of soul cultivation, Beidou had reached that same realm.
Kenpachi paused, his grin widening into something manic. "Who are you? Are you with the Ryoka? Interesting... VERY interesting! Why don't we kill some time here?"
Meeting a top-tier warrior was the only thing that mattered to him.
Beidou glanced at Yae Miko. The Fox Envoy stepped forward with a smile. "If we fight, will you tell us where Kuchiki Rukia is?"
Dealing with a battle maniac was simple: give him what he wants.
"So you are here for that woman..." Kenpachi pointed a thumb at the pink-haired girl on his shoulder. "Yachiru knows. If you can entertain me, she might guide you."
Kusajishi Yachiru nodded cheerfully. "Ken-chan isn't lying! But I can't take you inside the Shrine of Penitence. I can only get you close. If we get caught, it would be bad!"
She was a Soul Reaper. Helping intruders was treason. But for Ken-chan's fun? It was worth it.
"Deal," Yae Miko agreed. "Let's move. That clash just now attracted a lot of attention."
Her Observation Haki sensed swarms of Soul Reapers converging on their location—including Ichigo and Ikkaku.
"Wait a sec!" Yachiru giggled. "I want to watch Ken-chan fight that big sister! It's going to be exciting!"
As she spoke, Zaraki Kenpachi drew his jagged, chipped blade.
A horrific spiritual pressure erupted, piercing the sky. It clashed equally against Beidou's Haki.
"Oi... draw your Zanpakuto," Kenpachi growled. "Don't insult me by using that piece of scrap metal."
He noticed her claymore had no spiritual pressure. It was just a "mortal" weapon.
Beidou smirked, tightening her grip. "I don't have a Zanpakuto. But this 'scrap metal' has cut the heads off sea monsters bigger than your ego. Don't look down on it!"
BOOM.
Beidou vanished.
"So fast!" Yachiru gasped.
The claymore, wrapped in black lightning and Conqueror's Haki, descended. The pressure was suffocating—far stronger than the Ichigo from history at this point in time.
Seeing the black lightning, Kenpachi roared in ecstasy. "YES! THAT'S IT! THAT'S WHAT I WANT! HAHAHAHA!"
CLANG.
The two blades collided.
Both fighters frowned instantly.
Heavy.
The ground beneath them disintegrated. Kenpachi's strike was getting heavier with every swing, forcing the earth under Beidou's feet to collapse.
"A Death God who seeks strength? I like your style," Beidou laughed, her eye glowing with Electro energy. "I've been working on my speed, but since you want power... witness this! Tidecaller: Overload!"
Layers of Electro energy stacked on her blade, turning the steel a deep violet-black.
CRACK.
Another clash. This time, a massive blast of thunder bombarded Kenpachi's arm. Blood sprayed into the air.
"Ken-chan is bleeding!?" Yachiru squealed. "That big sister is amazing!"
Kenpachi's body was notoriously tough; he could catch blades with his bare hands. But Beidou had just cut him. She had taught him a lesson: her power wasn't something he could tank.
Even Big Mom would hesitate to tank Beidou's full counter.
"My attack... HAS JUST BEGUN!"
Full Electro Mode.
Lightning wreathed Beidou's body, boosting her speed and strength to the limit.
The shockwaves from their duel leveled every building in a hundred-meter radius. Distant Soul Reapers stopped in their tracks, confused.
"What is that? One side has Reiatsu... the other has none?"
"I don't know, but that pressure... only Captain Zaraki could release that. Is the intruder that strong?"
Swams of Reapers arrived, including Ichigo and Ikkaku, who had stopped their own fight to stare at the apocalypse unfolding nearby.
Ikkaku pointed at Beidou, his voice trembling. "No... that's impossible. A human is matching Captain Zaraki in a contest of strength? Ichigo! Is she with you?"
"I don't know her! How should I know?!" Ichigo was just as dumbfounded.
Yachiru hopped over to them. "Oh? You guys don't know each other? Then why did those big sisters say they want to save Rukia too?"
"What? They're here for Rukia?"
Ichigo looked at the group. Yae Miko stepped forward. "Don't worry about who we are. Our goal is the same. Since Kenpachi is occupied, we should keep moving. What do you say, boy?"
"Fine by me! Let's go!"
Ichigo didn't care about their motives. He knew he couldn't beat a monster like Kenpachi right now. Avoiding him was the best option.
The group retreated rapidly.
On a nearby roof, a Black Cat watched them with grave eyes.
Humans? With that kind of power? Not Quincies. Not Fullbringers. Just strange abilities and terrifying physical strength. What kind of monsters have entered the Soul Society?
The duel continued. Beidou knew she just had to stall. Once the mission was done, she could extract safely.
As the group moved deeper, another figure blocked their path.
It was Abarai Renji, the Lieutenant of the 6th Division.
"You bastards dare invade Seireitei? You've committed a grave crime! Don't think you can take another step!"
Renji released his Shikai. "Roar, Zabimaru!"
The segmented blade extended, thrashing like a serpent.
Keqing stepped forward, her eyes cold. "Keep moving. I'll handle this small fry."
"Small fry?!" Renji raged. "Who are you calling a small fry, woman?!"
Zabimaru lashed out, carrying immense momentum, aiming straight for Keqing's head.
But then, a silver blade appeared in the air.
Tenseiga.
The moment it was drawn, Renji—and even Ichigo—felt an involuntary shudder run through their very souls. It was the feeling of a prey meeting its natural predator.
"I'm talking about you. Do you have a problem with that?"
Flash.
Keqing's body turned into a blur of purple light. Countless afterimages bloomed like flowers.
Before Renji's brain could even register the movement, blood sprayed from his chest, and he was sent flying backward.
He didn't even see when he was cut.
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