XX-level Hokage

Broken steel bars and bricks poured down, instantly burying his figure. Only the "Heavenly Lock Moon Slayer" slid out of the ruins and stuck in the ground not far away, moving slightly.

Ichigo!

Kisuke Urahara's expression suddenly changed drastically. He could no longer maintain his usual composure. The "Benhime" in his hand was instantly released, and the blade transformed into a scarlet whip blade. With a sharp whistling sound that tore through the air, it went straight for Aizen's neck.

"Aizen! Your opponent is me!" His voice was filled with rare anger. His figure moved like a ghost, using Shunpo to flash by. His whip blade drew tricky arcs in the air, each swing aimed at Aizen's vitals.

At the same time, Yoruichi Shihouin moved as well. She shed her usual casual clothes and donned a tight-fitting combat suit. Her agile body leaped up like a black panther, her hands crackling with spiritual pressure like lightning. "Don't underestimate the Shinigami of the mortal world, Aizen!"

Her Shunpo was incredibly fast, leaving behind a series of afterimages. Her fist, carrying the force of a thunderbolt, struck Aizen's flank, perfectly aligning with Urahara's attack.

A pincer attack from the US.

Aizen still had a faint smile on his lips. He pushed up his glasses and his figure flashed like a ghost, easily avoiding the combined attack of the two.

"Kisuke Urahara, Yoruichi Shihouin... I didn't expect you two to join forces here." His gaze swept over the two of them, his tone tinged with amusement. "However, your involvement will only make this game more interesting."

"!!!"

The crisp sound of blades clashing rang out one after another. Urahara's "Benhime" transformed into countless blood-red light blades, pouring down like a torrential rain. Yoruichi, on the other hand, perfectly combined Shunpo and Hakuda techniques, her fists and kicks carrying lightning, forming a dense barrage of attacks.

However, Aizen's "Kyoka Suigetsu" is like an invisible mirror, accurately reflecting or neutralizing no matter how swift the attacks from the two are.

Even more alarming was that Aizen's spiritual pressure continued to rise, and the Hogyoku on his chest was flashing with an increasingly bright light, showing faint signs of completely merging with his body—a harbinger of evolution.

"Tosen, Gin, continue to hold off the others," Aizen calmly ordered, his gaze fixed on Urahara and Yoruichi, as if only these two strongest fighters in the world were worthy of being his opponents.

Upon hearing this, Tosen Kaname immediately unleashed his Zanpakuto, "Seimuchi": "Seimuchi Hundred Style, Enma Cricket!" As soon as he finished speaking, countless black swarms of insects surged out from the blade, enveloping the Visored forces that were trying to provide support like dark clouds.

The swarm of insects not only blocked the view, but also carried a deadly poison. Once touched, it would corrode spiritual pressure, instantly trapping Hirako Shinji, Sarugaki Hiyori, and others in place.

Gin Ichimaru turned with a smile to Ichigo, who was struggling to get up from the ruins. His eyes flashed with a dangerous light. He slightly raised the "God Spear" in his hand, and the blade reflected a cold light in the sunlight.

"Oh dear, Kurosaki-kun, it seems Captain Aizen is too busy to deal with you for the time being." His voice, as always gentle, held a subtle sharpness. "How about... we play a game?"

Ichigo, panting heavily, gripped the hilt of "Tensagakure" tightly in his right hand, his left hand supporting him as he struggled to stand upright. His spiritual pressure was disordered due to his previous severe injuries, but the vigilance in his eyes remained undiminished. "Gin Ichimaru, what exactly are you up to?" He knew very well that the man before him, seemingly carefree, was actually more unpredictable than Aizen.

"Heh, who knows?" Gin Ichimaru's smile remained unchanged as he slowly approached Ichigo. "Perhaps, I just want to test just how strong your Getsuga Tenshou really is."

Before he finished speaking, Gin Ichimaru's figure suddenly vanished from the spot—a speed far exceeding that of ordinary Shunpo.

The next moment, his blade appeared above Ichigo's head, the blade instantly extending: "God Slayer Spear!" The silver blade pierced straight into Ichigo's chest like lightning, even leaving a silver afterimage in the air.

Ichigo reacted extremely quickly. Relying on his years of combat instincts, he suddenly dodged to the left, simultaneously holding "Tensa Zangetsu" horizontally in front of him, black spiritual pressure gathering on the blade: "Getsuga Tenshou!"

The black crescent-shaped attack swept towards Gin Ichimaru like a whirlwind, carving a deep trench in the ground wherever it passed.

But Gin Ichimaru was even more cunning than a fox. With a light touch of his toes on the ground, his body floated back several meters like a feather, easily avoiding the attack of "Crescent Moon Slash".

"Oh dear, that was dangerous," he said with a laugh, as the divine spear in his hand shortened again, reverting to its normal Zanpakuto form.

The two blades clashed suddenly, and sparks flew as their spiritual pressure collided, causing the surrounding rocks to tremble slightly.

Ichigo's strength is formidable, and every strike carries a do-or-die spirit, but Gin Ichimaru's skills are far more refined—he can always pinpoint the weaknesses in Ichigo's moves, neutralizing the attack with minimal force, while simultaneously suppressing Ichigo's movements and forcing him to retreat continuously.

Chapter 244: The Final Battle in Karakura Town (14)

"Kurosaki-kun, your swordsmanship is quite straightforward." Gin Ichimaru said with a smile as he parried, but a strange light flashed in his eyes, as if he was waiting for a specific opportunity.

His attacks, though seemingly fierce, always left room for maneuver at crucial moments; it was more like "delaying" than "fighting." On the other side of the battlefield, Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi's combined attack had reached its peak.

Urahara brought "Benhime's" abilities to their fullest potential, sometimes transforming the blade into a whip, sometimes splitting into countless tiny blades, and sometimes releasing corrosive spiritual pressure; Yoruichi, on the other hand, used Shunpo to traverse back and forth across the battlefield, each punch carrying the power of thunder, and could even briefly distort space in an attempt to disrupt Aizen's rhythm.

But Aizen's defense remained impenetrable. He didn't even launch an attack; he simply used the illusion technique "Kyoka Suigetsu" to deflect Urahara and Yoruichi's attacks.

Time and again they missed their target—sometimes they thought they had hit Aizen, but in reality they had only attacked the afterimages created by Genmi; sometimes they aimed at Aizen's weakness, but at the last moment they were misled by the illusion and deviated from their course.

"Interesting... Your teamwork is truly worthy of your former comrades." Aizen's voice held a hint of appreciation, but his gaze grew increasingly cold. "But unfortunately, before the Hogyoku, it's all in vain."

Aizen's spiritual pressure fluctuations grew increasingly intense, and the Hogyoku on his chest began to merge with his body, with faint light patterns even appearing on his skin.

The members of the Masked Army are currently working hard to break through Tosen Kaname's blockade.

Shinji Hirako unleashed "Reversal," attempting to reverse Tosen's insect swarm attack using his ability to invert his senses; Hiyori Sarugaki's "Golden Killing Jizo" spewed out dark green poisonous mist, creating a stalemate with Tosen's insect swarm; Kensei Rokusha concentrated his spiritual pressure on his fists, each punch bombarding Tosen's "Enma Cricket" barrier like a cannonball, causing ripples to spread across the barrier's surface.

But Tosen Kaname's will was exceptionally firm. Although he was blind, he could pinpoint the location of every enemy precisely through his spiritual pressure perception.

"Justice...cannot be tainted." His voice was cold and firm, and the "Cleansing Insect" in his hand continuously released more swarms of insects, and could even control the swarms to form sharp blades to counterattack the members of the Masked Army.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto was barely managing to climb out of the deep pit. His Shinigami armor was tattered by the flames, his body was covered in wounds, and his spiritual pressure was extremely weak.

But he still didn't give up. With Ryujin Jakka hanging from his hands, he shouted with all his might, "Don't lose your composure. Concentrate your strength... defeat Aizen!" Although his voice was weak, it was like a thunderclap, rekindling the fighting spirit of the Shinigami who were struggling in the battle.

The battle between Ichigo and Gin Ichimaru continues. Ichigo has unleashed his Getsuga Tenshou dozens of times, each time stronger than the last, but Gin Ichimaru always manages to dodge it by the slightest margin. His Shinso (divine spear) sometimes extends, sometimes shortens, and sometimes conceals its aura, like a venomous snake waiting for its chance to strike. Every surprise attack forces Ichigo into grave danger.

"Damn it... This guy's sword... is too strange!" Ichigo thought to himself. He could feel his spiritual pressure being rapidly depleted, and his arm was aching from swinging the sword so often, but his will became stronger and stronger—he could not fall, otherwise no one would be able to stop Aizen.

Gin Ichimaru's smile remained on his face, but careful observation would reveal subtle flaws in his movements—sometimes he would deliberately slow down his dodging speed, and sometimes he would leave gaps when attacking.

These flaws may seem small, but they are enough for Ichigo to find an opportunity to counterattack. However, whenever Ichigo is about to seize an opening, Gin Ichimaru will immediately adjust his movements, as if he is really just deliberately stalling for time.

Aizen's inner light would occasionally sweep across the battlefield between Ichigo and Gin Ichimaru, a barely perceptible hint of wariness flashing in his eyes. But he was quickly drawn back to Urahara and Yoruichi's fierce offensive.

Looking down at the Hogyoku in his chest, Aizen's lips curled into a meaningful smile: "The time... is almost up." Before Aizen's absolute, overwhelming power, Karakura Town had already been reduced to a desolate wasteland.

The once bustling streets have become ruins, skyscrapers have collapsed into rubble, the ground is covered with bottomless trenches and scorching marks, and the air is filled with the smell of gunpowder and blood from the collision of spiritual pressure.

Kurosaki Ichigo's figure, like a puppet with broken strings, crashed heavily into the wall of a distant building under Aizen's seemingly casual slash. His body was deeply embedded in the ruins, and the flying bricks and stones buried most of him, with only one arm still sticking out, twitching slightly.

The "Tensa Zangetsu" slipped from his hand and fell to the ground with a "clang," its spiritual pressure almost completely dissipating.

"Ichigo!"

Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi Shihouin cried out in surprise at the same time. The two instinctively wanted to rush towards Ichigo, but were stopped by two ghostly figures—Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen.

"Oh dear, you two, your opponents are us, you know." Gin Ichimaru squinted, his smile now icy cold. The "God" in his hand...

The gun instantly extended, like a long silver serpent, coiling around Kisuke Urahara's "Benhime" and blocking all his paths.

If Urahara dares to make the slightest move, the tip of "Divine Spear" will pierce his heart.

Kaname Tosen silently stood in front of Yoruichi. Although he couldn't see her, his spiritual pressure locked onto her as if it were a tangible thing.

The "Clear Insect" in his hand exuded a calm yet deadly aura. The swarm of insects on the blade slowly wriggled, as if it would launch an attack immediately if Ye made the slightest move.

"The game is over."

Aizen's calm voice, like the pronouncement of death, echoed across the battlefield. He walked slowly toward the ruins where Ichigo had fallen, his steps unhurried yet carrying an undeniable authority.

The "Mirror Flower, Water Moon" in his hand reflected a cold, deathly light under the pale moonlight, and the spiritual pressure fluctuations on the blade were enough to freeze the surrounding air.

He wanted to personally end this "final variable"—the one he had created.

In his view, once Ichigo Kurosaki died, no one in the world could stop him from going to the Soul King's Palace to fulfill his "divine mission." However, just as Aizen's powerful blade was about to strike the ruins and pierce Ichigo's heart—

A massive, scorching, and resolute crimson spiritual pressure descended from the sky without warning, like a dormant volcano suddenly erupting! The strength of that spiritual pressure even caused the entire Karakura Town to tremble slightly.

Crimson spiritual pressure rapidly condensed between Aizen and the ruins, eventually forming a wall tens of meters high composed of flames and will, completely separating Aizen and Ichigo.

Chapter 245: The Final Battle in Karakura Town (15)

"boom--!"

Aizen's figure was forced back several steps by the sudden and immense spiritual pressure. Spiderweb-like cracks appeared in the ground beneath his feet, and his chest rose and fell slightly, clearly indicating that he had also suffered a considerable impact.

This was the first time Aizen had been forced to retreat in this battle, and for the first time, his ever-present calm smile was truly betrayed.

He stared at the crimson wall of flames before him, his eyes filled with doubt: "This spiritual pressure...?" The smoke and dust slowly dissipated, and a tall figure appeared behind the wall of flames.

The man was wearing a tattered Shinigami uniform, his short black hair was somewhat messy, he had an unruly beard on his chin, and a white captain's haori that was already badly damaged was draped over his shoulder—an outfit that only the captains of the Gotei 13 could wear.

"Really." The man slowly turned his head, looking at Ichigo lying unconscious in the ruins behind him, a helpless yet indulgent smile on his face. "I haven't seen you for a while, and you've already gotten yourself into such a mess, Ichigo." He reached out and gently brushed the dust off Ichigo's face, his movements so gentle that they didn't seem like those of a Shinigami in the midst of battle.

Then, he slowly turned around and pointed the Zanpakuto, wreathed in crimson flames, at Aizen Yosuke in the distance.

The flames on the blade flickered, and the heat emanating from it even caused Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen, who were some distance away, to instinctively take a step back.

"It's been a long time, Aizen." The man's voice was deep and powerful, echoing across the battlefield like thunder. "Twenty years have passed, and you haven't changed at all."

"You...are..." Aizen looked at the man before him, who was both familiar and unfamiliar, and frowned slightly. For the first time, a genuine look of doubt appeared in his brown eyes, which always seemed to see through everything.

He was very familiar with this spiritual pressure, but he couldn't remember where he had seen it before—it was as if it had been deliberately erased from his memory.

"Can't remember?" The man smiled, a smile tinged with nonchalance and a hint of chilling murderous intent. "Then let me show you! Let you remember!"

"Burn, Moon!"

As the incantation of liberation resounded, the soul-slaying sword in the man's hand instantly erupted with towering crimson flames! The flames coiled around the sword like living things, even forming a pair of enormous fiery wings, making the man's figure appear as if a fire god had descended.

A massive crescent of fire slashed out from the blade, landing on the ground and leaving a long fiery trench. The overwhelming power it exuded plunged the entire battlefield into a brief silence.

"Kurosaki Kokoro!"

The moment he saw that iconic crescent moon of flame, Aizen finally remembered the name he had long forgotten! He finally understood why this spiritual pressure felt so familiar—the man before him was none other than Isshin Kurosaki, the former captain of the 10th Division who had suddenly disappeared from Tokishiro twenty years ago!

"Oh? It seems you've finally remembered." Kurosaki Isshin carried "Moon" on his shoulder, a posture somewhat resembling that of his unconscious son, Kurosaki Ichigo. His gaze swept across the battlefield, finally landing on Urahara Kisuke and Yoruichi, a smile appearing on his face.

"As expected of you, Captain Kurosaki." Kisuke Urahara looked at the familiar figure and smiled knowingly. His previous tension had dissipated considerably. "You still love to make a cool entrance as always."

"Isshin!" Yoruichi Shihouin also showed a surprised expression. She, Kurosaki Isshin, and Urahara Kisuke were colleagues in Soul Society and had a life-or-death friendship with each other.

Seeing Kurosaki Isshin appear, she finally felt relieved.

Kurosaki Isshin's appearance was like a powerful stimulant, instantly reversing the tide of the entire battlefield. The Shinigami and Visored members, who had been plunged into despair, were now reignited with fighting spirit.

He, along with Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi Shihouin, three former captains who had been banished from the Tokishin world, stood side by side once again after a century. Their figures appeared incredibly upright in the moonlight, and the power of the moon in their hands radiated their own light, forming an unbreakable defensive line.

Their opponents are Aizen Sousuke, Ichimaru Gin, and Tōsen Kaname, all fellow defectors. This is a fateful duel belonging solely to the "past."

"I see." Aizen looked at the three people who were once his reflections, and the trace of error on his face had completely disappeared. In its place was a deeper, calmer expression.

"Have all the spirits of the past chosen to return to the stage today?" His tone carried a hint of emotion, but also a hint of disdain. "Very well, let's settle all accounts with the past right here."

He slowly raised the "Mirror Flower Water Moon" in his hand.

However, at that moment, a spiritual pressure that was larger, more bizarre, and more unsettling than ever before erupted from Aizen's body!

A series of holy spiritual pressures, like wings of light, surged out from behind him, enveloping his entire body and forming a huge, holy cocoon of light!

"This is...?!" Kisuke Urahara's expression changed drastically in an instant! "Oh no! This guy is trying to use the Hogyoku to forcibly complete his evolution!" Isshin Kurosaki and Yoruichi Shihouin also realized the seriousness of the problem.

"Don't let him get it!" Yixin roared, and the "Crescent Moon" in his hand slashed out instantly. A huge fiery crescent moon, carrying the power to destroy all things, fiercely cleaved towards the huge cocoon of light.

Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi also launched their attacks simultaneously.

"Break apart, Red Princess!" "Instant Roar: Thunder God Battle Form!"

Crimson light blades, golden lightning, and crimson flames—the strongest attacks from three captain-level powerhouses simultaneously struck the cocoon of light.