XX-level Hokage

Since that's the case, then we need to find a way to weaken Kuchiki Kyouga's power. Unless he completely disregards the lives of his subordinates and ignores Hinamori Momo's fate, otherwise...

If he intervenes to protect Hinamori Momo, it will be a victory for this side.

The rain of light crashed down.

Quincy are not the same as Shinigami. While Quincy's use of power certainly requires a high level of skill, this does not mean that the Quincy must possess great strength, but rather that they must have a high level of control over spiritual energy.

Quincy possess the ability to extract spiritual particles from the external environment. After enhancement, this ability can decompose and absorb matter composed of spiritual particles.

In other words, Quincy are a typical type of people who use small forces to achieve great results, and use skillful methods and strength to control much greater forces.

By gathering spiritual particles, the spiritual particles in the weather can be fixed into the shape of arrows, which can be launched through a bowstring to attack enemies.

This means that the higher the concentration of spiritual particles in an environment, the stronger the Quincy's power. In a place like the Seireitei, where the spiritual particle environment is much denser than in the real world, even if they exert the same amount of effort as in the real world, the spiritual particle arrows they unleash will be several times more powerful.

However, Ishida Uryu's situation was slightly different. He was wearing a special glove with blue decorations and a cross on his hand. It was a Quincy ancestral treasure called the Spirit Scattering Glove.

A glove with a high level of spiritual particle diffusion capability. Anyone wearing it will be hindered by its powerful diffusion, preventing them from using spiritual particles to create three...

The shape. But in other words, being able to forcibly create archers in this state and maintain them for seven passes and seven nights means that a Fire Master's control over spirit particles has approached its limit.

He has reached the limit that Quincy can achieve. Ishida Uryu's current abilities are several times greater than before.

Even if a single arrow can't cause much damage, when so many arrows fall like rain, even if the opponent is a captain-level powerhouse...

Shi Youyulong also believed that the other party would not be able to escape unscathed.

The raging storm and torrential rain shone brightly in the darkness.

A dazzling blue light streaked across the sky, like the aurora borealis.

As a result, it caused enormous destruction. Buildings within the area covered by the rain of light were reduced to ruins without any resistance. Moreover, the ground was also blown apart as if it had been blown up.

It turned into dust and flew everywhere, covering all vision.

Such a terrifying attack, a stream of light composed of arrows of light appeared before their eyes. The ordinary Grim Reapers who had just returned were outside the dust-covered area and couldn't help but hold their breath just by watching this attack.

What will happen to Kuchiki Hibiki and Hinamori Momo, who are within the range of the arrow of light? It's almost unimaginable. Ishida Uryu fell from the sky, landing back at the location where Ichigo and Shiba Ganju were in his memory.

Because of the thick smoke and dust, there's no need to worry about the returning Grim Reapers for now. If they dare to rush in under these circumstances...

Shi Youyu and Long both thought they were brave enough.

When Ishida Uryu landed back on the ground, he saw that Ichigo's hand was covered by an orange-yellow barrier, and the wound that had been torn open by gripping the blade of the Renpakuto was healing at an extremely fast speed.

"And classmates."

As soon as Shi Youyu landed, he immediately looked at Namikaze Orihime, who was treating Ichigo's injuries.

Orihime Inoue, who is usually so carefree and whose thought process is somewhat unusual, is now looking very serious.

When Uryu Ishida called her name, she immediately nodded in affirmation. "I know."

The orange-yellow barrier covering the first hand transformed into two streams of light and returned to the hair clip that Orihime Inoue had pinned in her hair.

"Tsubaki, Ume-gen," Inoue Orihime called out again.

Two other streams of light flew out from different points on Orihime Inoue's hairpin and stopped in front of her. These two streams of light transformed into two rather large figures or spirits.

The one wearing a black bodysuit and a white shawl covering his nose and mouth is the Tsubaki Demon.

The man, predominantly white, with a large build, gray braids, and a plum blossom patterned mask, is Mei Yan, a name that sounds somewhat feminine at first glance.

The two elves looked at each other with serious expressions and then approached Orihime.

Chapter Sixty-Eight: Escape

Inoue Orihime earnestly asked them, "Is it alright to bring back Kurosaki-kun's Zanpakuto?"

"Stop, do you still need to talk about that kind of thing?" Tsubaki said disdainfully, showing no regard for Inoue Orihime's arrogant and often bullying attitude.

“We will do our best,” Mei Yan said rather conservatively. “Then we’ll leave it to you!”

Orihime pointed to the spot where the rain of light was falling and uttered the release phrase for unleashing her power. "I refuse!"

With the blessing of the Liberation Word, the two little figures transformed into two streams of light and disappeared into the dissipating smoke and dust.

Orihime's ability, which she calls "Shield of the Six Flowers," is the embodiment of the soul power hidden within the six-petaled light blue hairpins she always wears. There are six members in total, each capable of manifesting different elven figures, and these elven figures are responsible for attacking, healing, and defending respectively.

Skills, that being said, can also be used to do other things in the same way.

Furthermore, Orihime needs to activate her Word of Power to use her abilities, and even simple incantations like these can enhance her power.

Now, Orihime wants the two of them to do something: amidst the chaos and smoke, steal back Ichigo Kurosaki's Zanpakuto. Although they don't look very old, they can manage to take just one Zanpakuto.

At first glance, they appear to be just two streams of light, each possessing its own intelligence and capable of observing the situation and seizing opportunities to act.

With Kuchiki Kyouga and Hinamori Momo currently suffering from Ishida Uryu's Rain of Light, they shouldn't have much energy to focus on Kurosaki Ichigo's Zanpakuto.

After all, that wasn't the other party's Zanpakuto.

For Ichigo Kurosaki, however, this was a treasure he absolutely could not afford to lose. A moment later, a dark figure vaguely appeared in the smoke and dust.

Two streaks of light flew back first, followed by a cleaver-shaped Zanpakuto that slicing through the smoke and dust and embedding itself in the ground in front of Kurosaki Ichigo. Kurosaki Ichigo gripped the Zanpakuto without even thinking. But before he could rush out to avenge Chad, Shiba Ganji and Ishida...

Yulong then pressed down on each of his shoulders.

"We shouldn't continue fighting. Don't forget why we came here," Ishida Uryu said solemnly to Kurosaki Ichigo.

"We should retreat now, or we might not be able to leave if we delay any longer," Shiba Iwagi added. "Damn it!!"

Kurosaki Ichigo gritted his teeth, letting out a sound of resentment. He had never fought such a humiliating battle before. He hadn't even had a chance to draw his sword before being defeated.

However, this was also because his opponent had taken his Zanpakuto from him from the very beginning, leaving him without a sword. Kurosaki Ichigo had to admit that Ishida Uryu and Shiba Ganju were right.

Chad's revenge can wait. The most urgent thing now is to leave and then go find Chad immediately.

It was a relief that Ichigo Kurosaki wasn't blinded by anger and insisted on staying to fight to the death. The four of them, having reached an agreement, immediately retreated quietly before the dust settled completely.

Not long after Ichigo and his companions disappeared, a gust of wind suddenly arose from the lingering dust. The hurricane swept up all the dust, swirling it upwards into the sky.

Like a blackboard that has been wiped clean, the streets, which were destroyed into ruins in the blink of an eye, appeared before the Grim Reapers who were waiting for their chance to strike.

But all they saw was a chaotic street and, in the most severely damaged area, in the very center, Hibiki Hibiki was holding Hinamori Momo's petite body.

No injuries were visible on Kuchiki Hibiki's body, but one could see that the edges of his slightly raised haori were no longer smooth, but rather jagged like fangs.

Meanwhile, Mori Momo, whom he was holding in his arms, had lost consciousness and fainted.

"Captain Kuchiki!!"

The approaching Death Gods immediately moved closer to Kuchiki Hibiki.

Kuchiki Hibiki then dispatched them again to search the surrounding area. Only after the ordinary soldiers had dispersed did he look at the streets now reduced to ruins. A smile played on his lips.

"...Interesting. No wonder she chose him."

What came out of his mouth was a whisper that had no meaning.

What came to his mind was the two streams of light that started with Shiba Ganju and took Zangetsu away from the smoke and dust. However, the orange-haired boy was not among them.

"However, this level is not enough to be of any use. If we are not careful and cautious after this, then there is nothing to praise." Without looking back, Kuchiki Kyouga turned around and walked towards the location of the Fifth Division's base while holding Hinamori Momo.

Not far from this area, at the highest point of a tall building, there was a black cat completely blending into the darkness, taking in everything from beginning to end.

"Mashiro, what are you thinking?" she murmured. Then she looked in the other direction.

With a leap, he disappeared into the darkness.

"As expected, he wanted to do something within the Seireitei, but this level is still too weak. But... can he do it?" Kurosaki Ichigo and the others, having regained their Zanpakuto, took advantage of the chaos to escape the area before the dust settled.

The Seireitei is in chaos now; it seems there's no place without Shinigami. No matter where you go, you might run into them on their tense patrols.

Compared to the Shinigami scattered throughout the entire Seireitei, Ichigo Kurosaki and his group only number a few. However, there's no need to be overly pessimistic.

Fewer people also mean higher mobility.

It can move to different locations quickly and easily to hide.

Furthermore, unlike the Shinigami, Ichigo and his group can easily hide in a dark place, making them difficult to detect as long as they don't make a sound.

As for the Grim Reapers, only a few can see in the dark. Therefore, each patrolling team of Grim Reapers must carry a lighting device, but this also exposes their presence and the fact that they are approaching.

They couldn't possibly check every corner meticulously, so they basically stuck to a quick search approach. This made it easy for them to miss the hiding place of Ichigo Kurosaki and his group, just like before.

Unlike environments where lighting is not required during the day, the necessity of lighting at night imposes numerous limitations on the Grim Reaper's side.

After all, Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends aren't brainless Gillians, and their goal isn't to destroy the Soul Society, but to find Rukia Kuchiki and rescue her.

Considering all factors, the disparity in strength between the larger and smaller groups, the overt search and the covert operation, is actually a game of hide-and-seek that is not a real clash of weapons.

“That being said, we don’t have much time left to maneuver.” Shiba Iwato’s expression was very grim.

"On the one hand, the former vice-captain of the Fifth Division has already found us by searching blind spots. We cannot be too optimistic to believe that the Fifth Division has not shared this information, nor can we hope that other divisions have not thought of this possibility."

Hidden among the green grass and bushes, cautiously watching the patrol of death squads depart, Shiba Iwato finally began to analyze the current situation.

"If we encounter another captain-level figure, with the power we possess, we might not be so lucky again." Hearing this, Kurosaki Ichigo silently gripped his Zanpakuto tighter.

Chapter Sixty-Nine: Splitting Up

The fact that his Zanpakuto was taken away before the battle even began was the most humiliating and utterly devastating defeat he had ever suffered. It was also the first time he realized just how important his Zanpakuto was to him.

In battles of that caliber, some people might possess immense power without relying on their Zanpakuto, but this is not the case for Ichigo Kurosaki.

Ichigo Kurosaki's reaction was noticed by Orihime Inoue, who had been watching him closely. She clenched her small fist in her chest with slight worry, wanting to say something to comfort Ichigo, but she didn't know what to say.

Ichigo Kurosaki, who noticed Orihime's slightly worried expression, instead gave her a bright smile and comforted her.

"Don't worry, I'm just reflecting on my actions. I have to admit that I underestimated Death before." "Hmph, you know that's good."

Ishida Uryu snorted coldly, seemingly going against Kurosaki Ichigo as always, but in reality, one could sense his relief. Even though their camps didn't quite align, they were now acting together for the same purpose, under immense external pressure.

It's easy to enhance feelings.

Not to mention that Ichigo Kurosaki is currently fighting against the Shinigami, unlike the Shinigami that Uryu Ishida hates.

He breathed a sigh of relief because Ichigo Kurosaki hadn't been defeated by the battle. That was good.

No one knows how old that handsome and young man is or how many years he has trained. Kurosaki Ichigo is indeed exceptional, but if he thinks he can defeat everyone with just a few days or months of training, then he is doing a disservice to those who train day and night.

Being able to correctly recognize the differences between the two sides in terms of combat power and training time, and to better understand one's own strength level, is actually beneficial for the upcoming battle.

Shiba Iwagi glanced at Kurosaki Ichigo and the other two, making sure they weren't going to say anything more, before continuing, "On the other hand, although the Seireitei seems to be in danger everywhere, to be honest, the martial law level is only at its lowest level. That's why we were able to hide again so easily. If we continue to delay like this and the martial law level is further increased, it will become increasingly difficult for us to move around, and at that point, it will be impossible for us to remain undetected."

“If that’s the case, then let’s think about it from the opposite perspective,” Kurosaki Ichigo said without even considering it. “What?”

"We just need to find Rukia and take her away before the martial law level is raised. In the meantime, we shouldn't hide or try to avoid this situation."