"What was that attack just now?"
The Captains were left stunned, not only by the outcome but by the technique Ryūjin had just used. The Shinra Tensei he displayed was unlike anything they had ever seen.
To them, it looked like nothing more than a simple release of spiritual pressure, yet it created an overwhelming impact force that crushed everything in its path.
That should have been impossible.
Even if Captain Ryūjin possessed monstrous spiritual pressure, controlling it to that extent defied all logic.
No one could manipulate their spiritual pressure like that.
Not even Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto could achieve such control.
And then there was Ichimaru Gin's earlier strike. Ryūjin had turned intangible, completely unaffected. That was just as incomprehensible.
But Ryūjin gave them no time to process any of it.
After dealing with Hitsugaya, he turned sharply and extended his hand toward Ichimaru Gin.
A terrifying gravitational force erupted.
Caught off guard, Ichimaru Gin was dragged through the air, pulled straight toward Ryūjin.
"Captain Gin!"
Shouts rang out. Kira Izuru immediately used Shunpo, rushing in and slashing at Ryūjin.
"Chidori Stream."
Ryūjin did not even look at him. With a single thought, bolts of lightning descended from above, striking Kira instantly and slamming him into the ground.
"This is Kidō!"
"Uchiha Ryūjin can use Kidō too!"
Shock spread among the onlookers.
Everyone in Seireitei knew that Ryūjin, like Zaraki Kenpachi, specialized in Hakuda and ignored the other combat disciplines.
Yet now, he was using Kidō.
That alone was unsettling.
What made it worse was that his technique lacked any incantation, something unheard of.
Bang!
A dull impact echoed.
Ichimaru Gin had already been pulled in front of Ryūjin and was met with a direct punch to the face.
He was sent flying like a projectile, crashing into the ruins and going completely still.
Captain Ichimaru Gin was defeated.
A Captain, someone standing at the pinnacle of Soul Society, had been taken down with a single punch.
It was absurd.
"Captain Ryūjin, that's enough."
Ukitake Jūshirō stepped forward, his released Sōgyo no Kotowari in hand.
Ukitake was known for something unusual. He had never defeated an opponent.
Not because he was weak, but because his Zanpakutō reflected attacks back at the enemy.
He could not defeat others, but he was just as difficult to defeat.
As long as the gap in strength was not overwhelming.
"Captain Ukitake?" Ryūjin glanced at him, a faint smile forming. "Don't get involved. I might kill you by accident."
"Captain Ryūjin, it's my duty. Even if I die, I have no regrets." Ukitake remained composed. "And you may not be able to defeat me."
"Is that so? Killing you would be effortless."
Ryūjin's eyes shifted into the Sharingan as he looked at him.
"Fall."
Thud!
Ukitake collapsed instantly.
"What just happened?"
The surrounding Captains were shaken to the core. They stared at Ryūjin, their guard rising to the highest level.
He had not moved, yet a Captain had fallen unconscious.
If he intended to kill, Ukitake would already be dead.
"His eyes, it's his eyes!"
Kyōraku Shunsui spoke in a low voice.
This time, everyone clearly saw the Sharingan.
Even without his warning, their vigilance had already reached its peak.
"Hypnosis through vision? Fascinating… such excellent research material."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri's eyes gleamed with excitement, as if he wanted to tear those eyes out immediately.
Kyōraku raised his Zanpakutō and charged.
At the same time, Vice-Captains such as Matsumoto Rangiku, Hisagi Shūhei, and Ise Nanao followed, attacking together.
Clap!
Ryūjin brought his hands together.
Crack, crack, crack!
Thick wooden branches burst from the ground, twisting like serpents as they surged toward the attackers.
They flooded the battlefield, swallowing everyone in an instant.
"What is this!"
No one had ever seen such a technique.
Bang, bang, bang!
Amid a barrage of impacts and muffled groans, everyone who charged forward was smashed back.
Even Kyōraku struggled to maintain balance, while the Vice-Captains were completely overwhelmed, coughing blood as they were thrown aside.
All of them fell, unable to move.
One Captain and several Vice-Captains, yet they could not even approach Ryūjin.
Silence fell once again.
"Demon Slash!"
Kyōraku leaped into the air, unleashing multiple powerful slashes from above.
His ability functioned like a game. The one standing higher gained the advantage.
But against Ryūjin, such rules meant nothing.
The difference in strength was too great.
Ryūjin raised his hand.
"Shinra Tensei."
A massive repulsive force exploded outward.
Kyōraku's enhanced attack shattered instantly.
The force continued forward, sending him flying.
"Pfft!"
Blood sprayed as he crashed to the ground, unable to rise.
"Even Captain Kyōraku…"
The onlookers felt a chilling numbness.
Captain after Captain had fallen, each one defeated effortlessly.
"Open your claws, Ashisogi Jizō!"
A hoarse voice echoed.
A grotesque giant appeared, its body resembling a yellow infant with insect-like limbs.
Kurotsuchi Mayuri's Bankai, Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō.
The creature charged forward, spewing thick poison.
"Captain Kurotsuchi, don't use that here!"
Unohana Retsu frowned, warning him about the injured nearby.
Mayuri ignored her completely.
"Something that disgusting shouldn't exist."
Ryūjin formed hand seals rapidly.
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
Three massive fire dragons erupted, sweeping forward from different directions.
The temperature soared instantly.
The poison burned away, and the giant creature was engulfed in flames.
"This isn't Kidō!"
"What kind of technique is that!"
The Captains stared in disbelief.
They had never seen anything like it.
Screeching cries filled the air as the monstrous Bankai collapsed, consumed by flames.
Kurotsuchi swallowed hard.
His Bankai had been destroyed instantly.
Snap!
Wooden branches erupted again, binding him tightly.
He could not resist.
"Uchiha Ryūjin, so this is your real strength!"
A familiar, excited voice rang out.
Zaraki Kenpachi had arrived.
Seeing the battlefield, his eyes lit up with exhilaration.
Nearly every Captain had been taken down.
And in such a short time.
Without hesitation, he tore off his eyepatch.
A massive surge of spiritual pressure exploded from him.
Like a volcano about to erupt.
With his Zanpakutō in hand, he charged straight at Ryūjin.
"Captain Aizen, what are you waiting for?"
Soi Fon called out weakly, urging him to act.
"If Vice-Captain Zaraki fails, the Captain Commander will have to step in. That would disgrace the Gotei 13."
"Don't worry," Aizen Sōsuke said, gripping his Zanpakutō. "I've been waiting for the right moment. And now it's here."
He prepared to activate his ability.
But before he could act, Ryūjin extended his hand.
A blade of lightning shot forward instantly, piercing straight through Aizen's chest.
It moved far faster than Ichimaru Gin's blade.
Aizen had no chance to react.
He collapsed.
This strike was not simple.
Lightning surged through his body, tearing through him from within.
Aizen lay there, writhing in unbearable pain, wishing for death.