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Chapter 61: King and Mount… (rest omitted)
"Oh, no, you don't!"
Amidst Yachiru's innocent laughter, Kenpachi transformed into a golden streak of light, dashing towards a distant watchtower.
On the watchtower, Ichigo lowered his black bow, revealing a smile similar to Kenpachi's, but imbued with more vigor and fighting spirit.
"Kuchiki Byakuya didn't catch up? I thought I'd have to deal with two at once, but it seems there's no need to rush to escape. Let's take care of one here, reduce one opponent for my future self tomorrow, what do you say, my 'other self'?"
"Stop talking nonsense, let me do it!"
"Tsk, even though we agreed you'd take the lead, why does something feel off?"
After a grumble, Ichigo's eyes suddenly changed.
More precisely, his pupils turned golden, and the whites of his eyes became black.
A wicked smile spread across his face.
At first glance, it was even more terrifying than Zaraki Kenpachi's.
Before their eyes, the scenery blurred, rapidly stretching out.
Aside from the wind, almost nothing else could be heard.
Yoruichi quickly adapted to the situation and offered a friendly reminder to the person holding her.
"There are no pursuers behind us, you can put us down now!"
"It's fine, this weight is nothing to me."
"As a girl, I should be proud of that, but the other person you're holding is about to faint from embarrassment."
"Yoruichi!"
The three eventually stopped on the roof of a grand hall with flying eaves and elaborate brackets.
Orihime, back on her feet, sighed with relief, then looked at the black-haired young man before her with pleasant surprise.
"It really is Shimiya-kun! Although I couldn't see your figure clearly, I remembered your spiritual pressure, so I held back from resisting."
"But you couldn't help but blush, right?"
"That was because the speed was too fast, and all the blood rushed to my face!"
"Let's just say that... Anyway, thanks. By the way, your Shunpo is not bad, almost catching up to mine. You're good material for the Onmitsukidō. Has the current Second Division Captain not recruited you?"
Finally, Yoruichi gave a thumbs-up, praising him in a very familiar manner.
"There was, but after today, I imagine the recruitment invitation will turn into an imprisonment invitation. Also, we came specifically to help you out. Since we're in the same camp, there's no need to say thanks; we're just getting what we need."
The praise from the "Flash Goddess" did not make Shimiya Takeru carried away.
"The same camp, huh..."
Yoruichi seemed to understand something.
Orihime didn't catch any hidden meaning; she was drawn by the direction of Kenpachi's surging spiritual pressure.
"Shimiya-kun said 'we'... Does that mean Kurosaki-kun also came? That Captain who keeps yelling while slashing is really scary, you know. Is Kurosaki-kun alright by himself?"
"Kenpachi is not just anyone. I suggest we go and see."
Yoruichi also said with a solemn expression.
"If two pursue us, we flee. If only one pursues us, we cripple him... That was the agreement beforehand. Zaraki Kenpachi is indeed strong, but for Brother Kurosaki... it doesn't matter who it is."
Shimiya Zun could also feel the wild spiritual pressure pulsating, which brought to mind the demon's ferocious face.
But.
There was no need for that.
Because he was facing an even more unreasonable monster.
"Since even you, as a comrade, say so, then I won't interfere further. Where are we going next? Or rather, what's the next plan?"
For some reason, Yoruichi accepted this statement quite easily.
"The execution is tomorrow at noon. Let's ambush near Sōkyoku, and then assault the execution ground together... As a plan, it's a bit rough, but there's no need to complicate things. After all, it ultimately comes down to force."
"That makes sense... I have a secret base near Sōkyoku Hill, let's hide there."
"Good idea... By the way, you also have a missing comrade, shouldn't you worry about him?"
"Hmm? You mean Kisuke? Although I could feel his spiritual pressure before, I can't feel it anymore as of just now. But his life is very tenacious, and he's lucky; he always turns misfortune into good fortune."
"I see, the same type as Brother Kurosaki? That's certainly reassuring."
Watching the two communicate like old partners who had worked together for many years.
Orihime blinked, a little dumbfounded.
"...So let's get going quickly. These past two days have really exhausted me. There's a hot spring at the secret base, perfect for Inoue and me to relax."
"On the eve of a big battle, you certainly have a lot of leisure."
"Don't say that! It's precisely because of this that we need to relieve stress and go in light-hearted~ This is experience from a senior, come and try it, it's guaranteed to work~"
"I feel like I've heard similar words somewhere... Oh well, useful experience should still be absorbed. Anyway, Brother Kurosaki won't be done anytime soon, let's talk about serious matters when he gets back."
"Speaking of experience, I'm actually quite interested in your teacher's education. If you don't mind, tell me about it later... Inoue, keep up!"
"Oh, oh!"
The two settled things with their back-and-forth and then prepared to set off again.
Orihime subconsciously nodded in response.
But after running a few steps, she suddenly reacted.
Wait.
Hot spring?
Relax? Together? And Shimiya-kun?!
...
In Seireitei, tall buildings are everywhere, making even Zaraki Kenpachi's stature seem as tiny as an ant in comparison.
"Where is he? Where did he go... Yachiru?"
Yachiru, sucking her thumb, looked around with Zaraki Kenpachi.
Suddenly, a terrifying spiritual pressure descended.
"?!"
"!"
For a moment, there was a huge sense of incongruity, like stumbling into the sunless depths of the earth.
This spiritual pressure was too alien.
"Yo, are you looking for me?"
It was as if someone was whispering in Zaraki Kenpachi's ear.
Very close, very close...
Like a tongue licking his neck.
Like mimicking Yachiru, perched on his other shoulder.
No, it wasn't a hallucination.
He could indeed feel the weight on his shoulder.
Someone had silently kept up with him during his rapid run, silently placing a hand on his shoulder.
Swish!
A blade of light, tearing through the darkness, flashed and vanished.
Forcing the enemy, who seemed like a vengeful spirit following his shadow, to reveal his true form.
Hollow White, controlling Ichigo's body, pulled back, his posture relaxed and effortless.
"Is this the guy you were talking about, Yachiru?"
Zaraki Kenpachi stared at the enemy before him.
"This..."
Yachiru looked bewildered.
"Although it's A-Ichi's face, it doesn't seem to be the same person."
"Ha! No need to be confused."
Hollow White twirled his great sword with one hand, laughing wantonly.
"If you want to pick a fight with Ichigo, you'll have to get past me first."
"Yachiru, go far away."
Kenpachi interrupted the curious Yachiru, an expectant look appearing on his hard, rugged face.
"Oh!"
Once Yachiru sensibly left.
Kenpachi no longer suppressed his fighting spirit, unleashing a colossal spiritual pressure with a roar.
To ordinary Shinigami, it was the most terrifying demon in the world.
Every spiritual particle in the Soul Society was to be trampled upon by him.
He was the embodiment of destruction.
"Yo... I don't care if I'm chasing Kurosaki ichigo or you, who looks just like him but seems strange. I just want to know how far you can fight me!"
"Fight...? Don't make me laugh."
Looking at Kenpachi, who was eagerly charging, Hollow White scoffed.
"It's clearly a slaughter."
"And it's... one with no suspense."
The spinning great sword was thrown like a flail.
Kenpachi roughly swung his sword, batting it away.
Such an attack posed little threat to him.
But the next moment.
Hollow White, catching the hilt mid-air, suppressed him with a single jumping slash.
A large circular pit immediately appeared beneath Kenpachi's feet.
"That's powerful!"
"There's more powerful stuff... Getsuga Tensho."
Boom!
A dazzling flash erupted from the blade, and a massive, crescent-shaped slash plunged deep into the earth. This time, it truly pressed the person into a place of utter darkness.
Yachiru, watching from a high tower, saw this scene, her small face filled with worry.
"Little Kenpachi..."
Although the opponent was strong, the kind Kenpachi liked.
However, Kenpachi was also the type of opponent the other person was best at dealing with.
"Hoo..."
In the pit, Kenpachi was covered in wounds as if burned by fire, yet he was still smiling, still excitedly gripping his sword and charging towards the enemy.
The outcome was no different from the present.
Hollow White easily parried, then backhanded a cut across his face, calmly evaded his counterattack, and then backhanded another slash, severing the tendons in his wrist.
Gradually, Kenpachi also began to feel the difference from his usual battles.