Death: Then stood in the sky.

It's important to understand that being suspected to be a captain-level player and being confirmed to be a captain-level player are two completely different things!

Just like how Kyoraku Shunsui is called the mastermind by many people, but did he really do it?

Many people just treat it as an interesting anecdote to gossip about.

Sensing that purest killing intent, Shiba Isshin began to retreat once again.

"Don't even think about escaping!"

"No! I was doing this for your own good!"

Is it for my own good?

Seisaku flew into a rage: "Die!"

Shiba Isshin fled in a disheveled manner: "How did you end up being corrupted by Rangiku too? I told you not to get too close to her, what has she taught you?"

Matsumoto Rangiku, who had been watching the show, suddenly had veins bulging on her forehead: "Captain! Die, you old hag!"

"Holy crap, you two are actually drawing your swords? Do you really want to kill me?"

"I surrender, I really surrender."

Shiba Isshin yielded without hesitation; he was a hero who admitted defeat.

But the cowardly hero was clearly not forgiven. After a series of disastrous maneuvers, he was hoisted up by the sneering man and woman.

"I'm warning you, don't push me, or else..." Shiba Isshin wanted to say something even more threatening.

Matsumoto Rangiku interrupted him while shaving her nails with her Zanpakuto, her tone languid: "What else?"

He immediately changed his tune: "Otherwise, nothing would happen. You are my most valued subordinate, and he is also my most promising genius. Do you think I would really get angry and fight with you?"

The situation is dire. These two are clearly conspiring to sabotage us. They're tactically feigning weakness to wait for an opportunity to strike back!

Shiba smiled obsequiously.

Matsumoto Rangiku laughed at his shamelessness.

After a long while.

Zhibo sat cross-legged on the ground, his face bruised and swollen. He had already been beaten by the old man, and now his suffering was compounded.

Looking at the couple next to them, they were both smiling broadly, looking much more refreshed.

So, the only one getting beaten up is me, the team leader, right?

After a moment of silence, Shiba Isshin finally spoke, "I've already asked the 12th Division to continue pinpointing the enemy's location. As soon as I find him, I'll set off immediately..."

Rangiku Matsumoto interrupted him in surprise: "But Captain, isn't the Technology Development Bureau unable to locate the spiritual pressure of that Hollow?"

The reason we haven't gained anything in the last few days is because the Technology Development Bureau can't pinpoint the other party's location. Every time Shiba Isshin arrives, the other party has already completed the hunt.

Shiba Isshin remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking: "If there's no other way, then we shouldn't do it?"

Upon hearing this, Matsumoto Rangiku also fell silent.

Yes, does that mean we shouldn't do it if we have no other choice?

"It's a bit clumsy, but it's the only way we can do it."

"Moreover, the Technology Development Agency is reportedly undergoing an emergency technology upgrade, and even its captain, Nekorea, is rarely seen in the laboratory."

Zhibo wholeheartedly told him what he had found out.

He originally wanted to meet Kurenai in person, but the other party had disappeared. It was Akin, the third seat of the 12th Division, who told him that Kurenai was in the laboratory researching related matters.

"It seems that we know very little about this Hollow." Matsumoto Rangiku's voice was somewhat low, her beautiful face full of worry.

Shiba sighed and remained silent.

Seiji broke the silence, reminding Isshin Shiba under his shocked gaze, "Regarding this Hollow, I think it's very likely that he isn't the Adjuchas that Captain Isshin speculated, but rather—"

“Wastod”.

Shiba Isshin looked like he'd seen a ghost, unable to believe his ears, and even thinking he was hallucinating.

His voice suddenly became somewhat dry, "You mean... Vastod?"

Chapter 74 Unable to Afford to Offend, Farewell

As for Adjuchas, it is clearly stated in the textbooks of the Shinigami Academy that he is a captain-level fighter and requires the captain to take action to eliminate him.

However, this was actually to avoid unnecessary casualties among students and the Grim Reaper, so the danger level of the Hollows was specifically increased.

In other words, Adjuchas's actual combat strength is comparable to or slightly weaker than Captain-level. Only Arrancar of Adjuchas's level, who have broken through their own limits, can be compared to Captain-level.

Even without the Arrancar, Kostower has captain-level combat power, or even higher!

This is a monster that truly exists only in legends. Even Isshin Shiba has never witnessed it in person. It is said that its combat power is extremely exaggerated, and each one is strong enough to make the Soul Society take it seriously.

and......

In the records of the Shiba family, Shiba Isshin had seen such a secret.

Two thousand years ago, a Vasto Lorde-class Hollow wanted to devour the Soul King and take his place. He easily defeated Captain-Commander Yamamoto, who was still a young man at the time, and successfully stormed the Soul King's palace.

In the end, it was only through the intervention of the Zero Division that they were able to stop it.

If the enemy really is Vastod, then we're in real trouble!

"Do you have any evidence? How can you be so sure he's Vastod?" Shiba Isshin's face darkened. With such an enemy appearing, even the most optimistic person couldn't continue to be all smiles.

"He gives off a more dangerous vibe than that Adjuchas-class Arrancar." Aoji knew that it must be Hollow White. Although he couldn't say it outright, he could give Shiba Isshin a heads-up.

"The worst-case scenario."

Zhibo fell into deep thought.

If it were Adjuchas, he could easily defeat the enemy with his own power, without even needing to use Bankai.

But Wastodd was different.

He didn't know how much stronger this level of Hollow was than Aechukas, but Shiba Isshin knew very well that it was definitely much stronger, and possibly even more exaggerated than he had imagined.

Their strength is comparable to or even surpasses that of a captain, and even a captain cannot guarantee victory.

To put it bluntly, there is a possibility that I might make a mistake.

To ensure a sure victory and prevent the opponent from causing too much damage in the mortal world, at least two captain-level Shinigami would need to team up.

"I'll contact Soul Society now and see which captain isn't so busy, then ask them to come and provide support."

Shiba Isshin picked up the communicator used to communicate with Soul Society and got up to walk out of the room.

But after taking only a few steps, Shiba Isshin stopped, because he suddenly realized that there seemed to be a captain-level Grim Reaper in the room.

"Don't even think about it!"

Qing Si firmly refused, but in an instant, he saw through what this guy was up to.

Shiba Isshin said shamelessly, "Seiji, you see, I've actually been pretty good to you, haven't I?"

This blow was clearly not enough to break him. Shiba confidently declared, "How about we team up to take down that Hollow? I don't want any credit, you can have it all..."

Aoshi was already stressed when he heard the word "merit".

Shiba Isshin was still casually patting his shoulder, looking very excited: "With these achievements, you might just become my vice-captain."

Rangiku Matsumoto shouted, "Captain! How could you say such cruel things to my face!"

Shiba Isshin exclaimed in surprise, "Hey, you're still here? Sorry, sorry, I thought you had already left, hahaha."

Matsumoto Rangiku was furious.

So you can say it as long as it's not in front of them, right?

"What do you think?" Shiba looked at him expectantly.

"Farewell." Qing Si got up without turning around, pushed open the door and walked out.

A few seconds later.

He turned back, picked up the blinking Nilu in his arms, and strode out of the room.

Next door, I heard the sound of a door opening.

Upon hearing this, Zhibo was shocked: "You gave him the room key?"

Rangiku Matsumoto tossed her long, wavy hair and said in a coquettish voice, "Well, after all, the enemy is such a dangerous existence. I'm just a weak girl, so it's normal that I need Seiji's protection, right?"

"This is not normal at all," Shiba Isshin couldn't help but complain. "Besides, I can handle this kind of thing too."

He pointed to his own nose.

But after waiting for a while, I still didn't get a reply.

Looking over there, I saw Matsumoto Rangiku's eyes filled with disdain.

I... am being rejected.

Zhibo remained silent.

This differential treatment made him feel a strong sense of malice.

......

In the room, Nilu was already fast asleep.

This little guy's sleep quality is always surprisingly good, which may be because he has started to accumulate more spiritual pressure after wearing the bracelet, so he needs more rest.

Qing Si looked around.

The blanket was rolled up in a ball, and several undershirts were lying on the bed, probably because they hadn't been washed yet. A washed black shihata suit was also hanging on the balcony.

Aside from these, there's nothing else.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, thinking about how Shiba was determined to make him work his ass off to get the job done, Aoji couldn't help but purse his lips.

Let whoever wants to do that do it; I, Ukitake Seiji, will not.

Place your palms on your chest.

I could feel that the spiritual pressure was still increasing.

And, some kind of ineffable change.

Is it a transformation?

Or is it evolution?

"It seems we're about to enter the fusion phase with the Hōgyoku. Only by completely fusing with it can we barely have the power to protect ourselves and avoid the risk of sudden death at any moment."

Qing Si leaned against the headboard, seemingly deep in thought.

Not long after, the door opened.

Rangiku Matsumoto pushed open the door and walked in. She walked to the shoe cabinet in the entryway and began to bend down to take off her shoes. Her fingers gently hooked around her ankles, and one shoe fell off. She casually pulled off her white socks, revealing her cute curled-up toes.

She looked up and was stunned for a moment when she saw Aoshi's eyes shining like light bulbs.

Then, looking down, she noticed the softness of her body exposed to the other person's eyes as she bent over, and Matsumoto Rangiku's lips involuntarily curled up slightly.

What a hypocritical and treacherous man.

On the surface, they seem to despise themselves, but in reality, they love themselves to death.

As Aoji was about to get up and leave, he heard Matsumoto Rangiku suddenly say in a playful tone, "Don't peek!"

什麼鬼？

Before he could say anything, Aoji saw Matsumoto Rangiku wink at him with a half-smile not far away and then draw the curtains.

Because of the light blue curtain, Aoshi couldn't actually see much, but through the hazy yet shapely figure, he could clearly see one piece of clothing after another falling down.

Soon, the curtain was drawn back, and Matsumoto Rangiku, who had changed into her pajamas, came over.

Then, Matsumoto Rangiku lay down on the other side of the bed and gently patted the spot next to her.