The only player in the world of Bleach.

provocative.

This is a very conventional strategic choice.

Typically, this is a strategy chosen by someone who is very confident in their own strength, in order to prevent their opponent from fleeing in defeat.

Simple, straightforward, and without any beating around the bush.

Normally, no one should be able to get infected.

but……

That's just the "usual" situation.

Oni Kenpachi was clearly not among them—he heard Matsushita Yusuke's provocative words, and his eyes widened noticeably.

"……ah?!"

Blood vessels gushed out one by one; he was so agitated that all the muscles in his body suddenly tensed, contracted, and clenched like rubber bands!

Each time he thought he was giving in, he only provoked this kind of unwitting provocation from the other party. Even the Buddha would have some anger, let alone a man as violent by nature as him?

—I'm going to kill you!

With his thoughts settled, Oni Kenpachi left no room for further maneuver.

He roared and strode forward as well.

At this moment, the Brute Force in his hand burst forth with scorching and terrifying purple lightning!

The air was thick with an undeniable sense of unease. Oni Yancheng roared as he dragged his Zanpakuto, now wielding it in a dual-wielding stance.

Bang! ! !

The spiritual power was further unleashed.

The spiritual pressure, which was already at the captain level, was further activated at this moment.

The power boost from his violent aura further amplified his imposing presence to a level that could not be ignored.

A thin, purplish-red light spread through the air, and even though the distance had been increased, some people standing nearly fifty meters away still stirred up a commotion.

Screams echoed continuously.

"Ouch! That hurts..."

Even with the distance created, the purplish-red lightning emanating from the raging beast still climbed through the air and pierced into the bodies of the surrounding crowd.

This is not a natural phenomenon in the simple sense. With the addition of spiritual power, this product is born to cause torment and suffering.

Many people collapsed, foaming at the mouth.

The members of the Eleventh Division, who were originally there to maintain order, began to take action.

Of course, they wouldn't care about the thoughts and circumstances of ordinary people... all they wanted was to prevent their captain's "reputation" from having any further room to decline.

"Get back, all of you! Don't come any closer, aren't you afraid of dying?!"

"The captain of the Gotei 13 is making his move! Spread out! Don't complain when you get into trouble!"

"Final warning: if you want your life, now's the time!"

The crowd dispersed, and Soi Fon frowned deeply, as did Aizen Sousuke in the distance.

He pursed his lips, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he shook his head helplessly.

"What a crude method..."

It's the same thing—persecuting ordinary people.

At this moment, the qualities and abilities displayed by Onigenjo Kenpachi revealed his shallowness and ignorance.

Aizen Sousuke realized that he might have overestimated this guy... Without a doubt, he was the scum among the captains, and literally the worst of the worst.

But there is good news.

This is the perfect material for Yusuke Matsushita's trial and error.

To what extent can you do that?

Before my thoughts could settle, I heard Tosen Kaname's voice beside me.

The blind man's tone was slightly apprehensive.

"It's about to match..."

Bang!!

Two long blades came hurtling through the air, locked together like two ferocious beasts.

The blades clashed against each other, sparks flying brilliantly the moment they touched.

However, this is not the end.

Instead, it's a sign of something beginning.

Because the collision of potential energy is only the beginning, and neither side has yet determined a winner...

That's a more primal collision.

A battle of spiritual pressure!

Both of them tensed up at the same time, without prior agreement!

The movement of tightening the core mobilized the power of the entire body, and the resulting spiritual pressure gathered in both hands before being transmitted to the Zanpakuto.

Two streams of spiritual energy, resembling water and fire, erupted in an instant.

Both of their bodies seemed to be boiling, displaying an undeniable presence.

A struggle between spiritual energies, a contest of power.

Centered on the two, the surging momentum formed a giant wave that spread outwards.

The already disheveled crowd could no longer maintain their composure and scattered in all directions, almost staggering... Even the Eleventh Division members, who were closest to Oni Ichijo, were now dizzy from the turmoil.

"Captain, this can't happen... the house is going to be blown down!"

It's in the West Third District, after all.

It also falls within the regulated scope, and if it causes an excessively serious disaster, it will be easy to be held accountable.

However, this prompting, made out of a sense of responsibility, was met only with a thunderous roar.

boom!!!

A streak of dark purple lightning shot out, tearing through the air and striking the ground right next to the soldier.

The lightning, imbued with spiritual power, exploded instantly, blasting out an irregular crater about half a meter in diameter... The team member was thrown out and fell to the ground in a sorry state.

—Kenpachi Oni no Ichijo didn’t need anyone’s reminder.

For him right now, getting rid of this annoying brat who's making him furious is the most important thing.

I'm going to kill you!

This statement is not just a description, but a statement in another sense.

Both of them had serious expressions.

As the spiritual energy tore and clashed, the light and shadow flickered and shifted, reflecting completely different outlines on the faces of both sides.

Constantly switching, rising and falling... it was in this stalemate that, suddenly...

Gui Yancheng chuckled.

He curled his lips into a ferocious grin, his whole body trembling slightly from the exertion, but there was a hint of smugness in his tone.

"Kid, you're pretty capable."

As soon as he finished speaking...

Click...

The previously stalemate has begun to shift.

"Your Zanpakuto... it must also be the type that focuses on enhancing power, right? No wonder... you're so confident."

He forcibly increased his spiritual pressure, which was originally close to that of a vice-captain, until it was comparable to that of Kenpachi Onigeki.

It's not easy.

But that's all there is to it.

"The difference in quality... can't be bridged by... techniques like this! I'm the captain, don't underestimate me, kid!!!"

boom!!!

The spiritual pressure that erupted even further pressed down on Matsushita Yusuke like a tsunami.

Gui Yancheng's tone became increasingly fluent, clearly indicating that the contest between the two sides had taken a distinct turn.

Matsushita Yusuke's lips were pressed tightly together as he was forcibly pushed back more than half a step.

In a contest of strength, he has already lost?!

"This is bad..."

Tosen turned his head to the side, his brows furrowed tightly.

In such a high-intensity contest, even the slightest disruption of the balance can directly affect the outcome.

Without a doubt... this was a sign of Matsushita Yusuke's defeat.

But can we say he "overestimated his abilities"?

it's not true……

Even just being able to step forward and confront a captain-level figure head-on, and hold their own for a while, is itself a demonstration of potential.

He just needs more time to adapt and cultivate.

"Lord Aizen, I..."

"Please calm down, Dongxian."

Aizen Sousuke said calmly.

"Did you think Matsushita-kun was about to lose?"

—Isn't that so?

Although she really wanted to say that, the leader wouldn't speak without reason. Tosen could only purse her lips and remain silent.

"Tosen, in my opinion... this contest is not over yet."

The reason is also very simple.

"Matsushita-kun hasn't used his abilities yet, has he?"

Also.

"He hasn't called for help yet, which means... Matsushita himself hasn't given up either."

He also has the willpower to turn things around!