XX-level Hokage

"Heh, if I could get along with those old guys, then the person in charge of liaising with the four noble families wouldn't just be that guy, Shihouin Senhi." Saito Immortal said impatiently.

Chapter Twenty-Six: Bloodbath (Part Five)

Mashiro was quietly listening to their conversation when she suddenly remembered something she had gleaned from Saito Immortal's memories. Saito Immortal was actually a member of one of the four great noble families, albeit a collateral branch. The reason was simple: her mother was a daimyo from Rukongai.

Min, because of her beauty, was noticed by a member of the Kuchiki clan who happened to leave Seireitei.

As in all stories, Saito's immortal mother was raped, and that's how Saito came to be immortal. The reason she doesn't have the surname Kuchiki is because of this; Saito is her mother's surname.

As far as the Kuchiki family was concerned, they did not care about Saito's immortal mother, nor did they care about Saito himself. As a result, Saito suffered a lot during his childhood, witnessing the departure of his mother and sister one after another.

The Kuchiki family only came to acknowledge her after she had made a name for herself in Soul Society, and even then, they did so with an attitude akin to bestowing a favor. This is why Saito Immortal looked down on the four great noble families, especially the Kuchiki family.

"In short, we can start preparing now. It shouldn't be long before it's our turn to go on stage," said Shimura Chigiri.

"Alright, alright, I know, Shimura, you're always so nagging," Saito said impatiently. "I really hate talking to you," Shimura Chigiri said helplessly.

Because the Fourth Division was located close to the First Division, he was usually the one responsible for relaying messages to the other divisions.

"Then let's find this place to post today. Mashiro, you practice on your own first. I'm going to the team." Saito Immortal turned to look at Mashiro and said.

“Yes, Captain Saito.” Mashiro nodded slightly. Then the two left.

After the two left, Mashiro didn't continue practicing. Instead, she returned to her room, lay on her bed, and began to mentally experiment with the techniques of Shunpo and Shunshinjutsu, combining hand-to-hand combat with physical techniques.

Mashiro lay on the bed, his mind constantly pondering the combination of his original body's Body Flicker Technique and physical techniques with the Instant Step and Hakuda techniques he had learned during his training.

Her thoughts were racing, as if inspiration was about to strike. Just then, a knock on the door interrupted her train of thought.

"Is it Saito back?" Mashiro wondered to herself as she got up, walked to the door, and opened it. However, what greeted her eyes was the Eleventh Division Captain, Yachiru Tamagotana.

Her expression was cold and stern. She was dressed in a white shihaka outfit, her long hair cascading down like a waterfall, and her eyes revealed a hint of indifference.

"Captain Unohana?" Mashiro was somewhat surprised. Just as she was about to ask why she had come, Unohana suddenly grasped her Zanpakuto and pointed it directly at Mashiro. "You..." Mashiro was slightly startled, but reacted quickly, slightly turning her body to the side and using Shunpo to dodge the attack, narrowly avoiding it.

"Looks like your reaction was pretty good." Unohana gave a cold smile, a hint of interest flashing in her eyes. "However, I didn't come here today to chat."

Mashiro steadied herself and looked calmly at Unohana, but she was secretly on guard. She knew that as the captain, this strange woman in front of her was no ordinary person and she absolutely could not be careless.

"Captain Unohana, what's the matter?" Mashiro asked, her tone tinged with wariness.

"It's nothing, I just want to see just how strong you really are." Unohana's voice was as cold and ruthless as a blade. "I won't use my spiritual power, Zanpakuto abilities, or Kido. I want to simply compare swordsmanship and physical strength."

“Okay.” Mashiro replied without hesitation, her fighting spirit ignited within her. “I also want to know just how strong I really am.”

The two launched their attacks almost simultaneously. Unohana's sword strike was like a rainbow, her soul-slaying blade drawing an elegant arc, aimed directly at Mashiro's heart.

Mashiro swiftly sidestepped, using her legs to propel herself away, deftly dodging the fatal blow with the aid of her Instant Step technique. "Not bad, very fast."

Unohana paused slightly, her expression remaining calm, before launching an even more ferocious attack.

In an instant, Egg Flower's swordplay was like a storm, with an extremely fast attack frequency, instantly forcing Shinji into a defensive stance.

Mashiro remained calm, using the skills she had learned in training to try and find an opportunity to counterattack. Her body moved constantly during the battle, nimbly dodging Unohana's attacks.

But the speed of the flower's sword strike suddenly increased, seemingly aiming to kill Shinji directly.

"Her sword strikes were all about killing."

As she pondered, Mashiro brandished her Soul Blade, attempting to retaliate. Her sword light flashed like lightning, slicing through the air and heading straight for Unohana.

Unohana was slightly taken aback, then dodged to the side. However, Mashiro's attack did not stop. She then slashed out with her sword again. Her sword was swift and fierce, as if she was showing Unohana her determination.

"You do have some skill." A hint of appreciation flashed in Unohana's eyes, but she immediately gave a cold smile. "However, this level of skill is not enough to make me take you seriously."

"I'll make you serious." Mashiro chuckled, twisting his wrist as his Zanpakuto pierced through his abdomen, aiming directly for Unohana's heart. Unohana leaped lightly, dodging Mashiro's attack, and then countered with a swift, rainbow-like sword strike, aimed straight at Mashiro's side.

Mashiro's heart tightened, and she quickly used Shunpo to nimbly dodge. "Very good."

Seeing Mashiro's actions, Unohana nodded slightly, then thrust her sword out again, aiming straight for Mashiro's heart.

Mashiro wielded her swords in a two-handed attack to defend herself, but Unohana's sword strikes were so powerful that they instantly forced her back. Mashiro had no choice but to exert all her strength to steady herself, and she pondered to herself.

"Her swordsmanship is not only superb, but also ruthless. We must find her weakness." Mashiro silently recited to himself, trying to remain calm and observe Unohana's attack patterns.

The attacks of the Egg Flower were like a storm, and Mashiro gradually felt the pressure while defending. However, an endless fighting spirit ignited in her heart. She hadn't felt this way in a long time. If her attention was slightly distracted, she would get injured, and if she was momentarily distracted, she would die.

“Your eyes are somewhat similar to mine,” Unohana said calmly, seemingly observing Mashiro’s change in expression. “It’s a look of longing that is completely unfulfilled.”

"Oh, is that so..."

As Mashiro spoke, she kicked Unohana directly in the stomach, sending her flying.

“Interesting.” Unohana stepped back, a strange glint in her eyes. “Actually, my swordsmanship isn’t that good.”

Mashiro brandished her Zanpakuto, launching an even fiercer attack on Unohana. Unohana hesitated for a moment, then met the attack head-on.

The two swords clashed in the air, as if engaged in a silent contest. "Very good, but not enough."

Having dodged another sneak attack from Mashiro, Egg Flower slashed Maji's back with her sword, blood gushing out.

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Bloodbath (Part Six)

Mashiro felt a sharp pain in her back, and blood instantly stained her clothes. However, she did not back down. Instead, her fighting spirit became even stronger. She remained calm, quickly adjusted her breathing, and thought to herself, "I can't keep playing defensively. I must find an opportunity to counterattack."

"It seems you're not serious enough." Unohana's voice was like a cold blade, tinged with disdain. "This injury is nothing to you, after all, we all love blood."

"I'll let you down!" Mashiro whispered, her fighting spirit burning like a flame.

She gripped her Zanpakuto tightly, swiftly used Shunpo, and lunged at Unohana, the sword flashing as it aimed straight for Unohana's heart.

Egg Flower paused for a moment, then smiled coldly, easily dodging Mashiro's attack. With a backhand strike, her sword flashed like a rainbow, aimed directly at Mashiro's side.

"What a nuisance!" Mashiro's heart tightened, and she quickly adjusted her posture, using Shunpo to dodge. However, Unohana's attacks were relentless, giving her no chance to catch her breath.

"Your speed is fast, but the rhythm of your attacks is not stable enough." Egg Flower's voice carried a hint of indifference. "Again!" Mashiro felt the pressure and gritted her teeth inwardly, trying her best to remain calm.

This was the first time since she came into this world that she felt a lack of power, and it also made her realize the cruel truth that she was not the original form. She knew that she had to find Unohana's weakness in order to fight back.

Mashiro brandished her Zanpakuto, launching an even fiercer attack on Unohana. Her sword strikes were like a storm, relentlessly closing in on Unohana.

Unohana paused slightly, seemingly surprised by Mashiro's change, then gave a cold smile and stepped forward. Their swords clashed in the air, as if engaged in a silent contest.

"Very good, keep up the good work!" A hint of appreciation flashed in Unohana's eyes, and her sword speed suddenly increased, as if she wanted to force Mashiro into a desperate situation.

Mashiro remained vigilant, striving to stay calm and using a combination of Shunpo and Hakuda to try and find an opportunity to counterattack. Her movements became increasingly fluid, and her swordplay grew ever sharper.

"Come on, Mashiro, keep challenging me!" Unohana's eyes gleamed with excitement, as if anticipating an even fiercer battle. "What on earth is this crazy woman thinking!" Mashiro thought to herself, continuing her intense clash with Unohana without backing down.

Just then, Unohana's attack suddenly intensified, her swordplay becoming wild and relentless, aimed directly at Shiro. Shiro's heart tightened; she desperately tried to defend herself, but was still forced back by Unohana's sword light, nearly falling to the ground.

"Is this all the strength you have?" Unohana sneered, a hint of mockery in her eyes. "If you continue like this, you won't be able to contend with me at all."

“Continue,” Mashiro said coldly, her heart filled with frustration. She knew she had to push her limits to survive this battle. “Then let me see your true strength!” Unohana’s voice was like a cold blade, and her sword strikes aimed at Mashiro once more.

Mashiro's heart was filled with boundless fighting spirit. She took a deep breath and used her swift Shunpo to try to find a weakness in Unohana.

"Now!" Mashiro's heart skipped a beat, and he instantly lunged at Unohana, his Zanpakuto flashing in his hand, aimed directly at Unohana's neck. Unohana was slightly taken aback, then smiled coldly, easily dodging Mashiro's attack. She countered with a backhand strike, her sword flashing like a rainbow, aimed directly at Mashiro's side.

"Thud!" Mashiro's heart tightened, and she quickly adjusted her posture, using Shunpo to dodge. However, Unohana's attack was relentless, giving her no chance to catch her breath.

"Your speed is a bit faster, but the rhythm of your attacks isn't stable enough." Unohana's voice carried a hint of coldness. "Again!" Mashiro suddenly laughed, then rushed in front of Unohana and swung her right hand.

Seeing this, Unohana looked to the right, only to find that Mashiro's soul sword had disappeared sometime earlier.

Just as Unohana was surprised, Mashiro moved, and the vanished Zanpakuto instantly pierced through Unohana's calf. Unohana was slightly taken aback, then thrust out another sword, aiming straight for Mashiro's face.

Mashiro's heart tightened, and she quickly turned to the side, skillfully dodging the attack using the technique of Shunpo.

"You threw your Zanpakuto on the ground? That's clever." Unohana said, ignoring the injury on her calf, and directly lowered herself, drew Mashiro's Zanpakuto, and threw it to Mashiro.

Mashiro was about to reach out to catch it, but the next moment she pulled it back.

“Not bad, your reactions are getting faster and faster.” A hint of appreciation flashed in Unohana’s eyes, but she immediately gave a cold smile. “However, this is far from enough.”

Before Mashiro could react, a sudden pain shot through her calf. "I'm returning your Zanpakuto to you," Unohana said.

Just now, Unohana launched an attack while returning Mashiro's Zanpakuto. Mashiro noticed Unohana's action and chose to retreat and dodge, but Unohana's attack was not with her own Zanpakuto, but with Mashiro's.

As Mashiro retreated, the Zanpakuto that Unohana had thrown landed on the ground, and in that instant, Unohana kicked the Zanpakuto towards Mashiro.

Mashiro was completely focused on Unohana and her Zanpakuto, and without paying attention, she ended up having her leg pierced by Unohana's Zanpakuto, just like Unohana.

Mashiro gritted her teeth inwardly, trying to remain calm, and drew her Zanpakuto. She knew that she had to find a breakthrough in this battle in order to have a chance to fight back.

At this moment, Unohana brandished her cold blade, her sword strikes like a rainbow, continuing her attack on Mashiro. Seeing this, Mashiro swiftly charged towards Unohana, her Zanpakuto drawing a dazzling streak of light in the air. The two clashed, their swordplay intensifying, a tense atmosphere filling the air. Mashiro's movements became increasingly fluid, her sword strikes ever sharper.

"Very well, it seems you're starting to adapt." Unohana smiled slightly, but then gave a cold laugh. "However, I won't let you off so easily. You are my prey, and I will keep pushing you until you reach the right stage."

"Then I really thank you." Mashiro smiled, but her eyes were icy cold.

"Your swordsmanship still has many shortcomings, so, shall we continue?" Unohana's voice was like a cold wind, followed by another thrust of her sword, and Mashiro was once again put on the defensive.

Just then, Unohana's sword strike suddenly accelerated, as if she wanted to kill Mashiro directly. Mashiro's heart tightened, and she tried her best to remain calm and use the skills she had learned in training to try to find an opportunity to counterattack.

"Your swordsmanship attacks are too one-dimensional." Unohana's voice was like a cold blade, her sword thrusts like a rainbow as she continued her attack on Mashiro. Mashiro's heart ignited with boundless fighting spirit.

At this moment, nothing belonging to her original self can help her; it is her unique growth process and her special battle memories.

She knew she had to find a breakthrough in this battle to have a chance to counterattack. Her movements became increasingly fluid, and her swordplay increasingly sharp.

"You do have potential." A hint of admiration flashed in Unohana's eyes, but she quickly added calmly, "However, if you want to win against me, you'll probably have to work harder."

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Bloodbath (The End)

Next, Mashiro's eyes suddenly turned cold, a firmness and determination surpassing anything she had ever shown before. Rei Uchiha's personality, that deep-seated pride and indomitable spirit, awakened completely at that moment.

Mashiro's personality is a mixture of three parts: the caution of her first life as Izumi, the ruthlessness of her second life as Zero, and the hypocrisy of her third life as Mashiro.

But after Mashiro became queen, she no longer needed to be ruthless, and thus her personality, which belonged to Uchiha Zero, began to be hidden.

Now, having lost her superhuman powers, Mashiro has once again unleashed the personality of Uchiha Zero. That reckless madness strikes again.

At this moment, a faint smile appeared on Mashiro's lips, a smile that showed her determination to take action.

"Trade injuries for injuries? Let's see who can hold out the longest." Mashiro whispered, her voice soft yet carrying undeniable power. She knew that a direct confrontation was not the best strategy, but against a powerful opponent like Unohana, conventional tactics were no longer effective.

Therefore, she decided to take an extreme and dangerous approach—to exchange the same amount of damage for the opportunity to attack, risking everything in order to find that glimmer of victory.

Upon seeing this, a strange glint flashed in Egg Flower's eyes, which was quickly replaced by a deeper fighting spirit.

She admired Mashiro's courage, but also understood that this style of play was a huge test for both sides.

The sword light rose again, and Unohana's attacks became even more ferocious. Each sword strike carried the power to tear through space, and the sword tips drew silver trails in the air, like the brightest shooting stars in the night sky.

Mashiro met the attack with equal ferocity. Her sword, like a dragon roaming in a raging storm, sometimes rolled and sometimes soared into the sky, intertwining with the sword light of the Egg Flower to create a dazzling spectacle.

Clang! Sparks flew as the two swords clashed, the sound of metal striking metal echoing in the silent space, as if even the air itself was being torn apart by the force of the impact.