Starting with Naruto, I'll become stronger through my own efforts.

Chapter 426 I am Unohana, Retsu!

Kyoraku Shunsui leaped into the air once again.

However, when he leaped high into the air, he found that Kenpachi Zaraki had jumped even higher and had already launched an attack, slashing down from above.

Xia Zuo recognized it at a glance; it was the legendary "Splitting Mount Hua" technique. The blade's momentum was like a collapsing mountain, as if it were about to split Kyoraku Shunsui in two.

But Kyoraku Shunsui did not panic, nor did he make any attempt to salvage the situation. Instead, he crossed his twin swords and blocked upwards, launching a full-scale counterattack.

At the same time, he carefully examined Kenpachi Zaraki's attire and said helplessly, "Sigh, it can only be black!"

【Ghostly Beauty】

When Kenpachi Zaraki saw Shunsui Kyoraku's unusual preparations, he did not feel angry at being slighted, but rather a bad feeling welled up inside him.

But he had exhausted his strength and had no chance to turn back, so he could only strike with even greater force.

clang!!!

The serrated blade clashed violently with the twin swords, and an overwhelming force surged from the blades, causing Kenpachi Zaraki's longsword to be thrown back into the air, almost flying out of his hand.

Kenpachi Zaraki's power was actually suppressed, which means that Shunsui Kyoraku unleashed his full power the moment they made contact.

At this moment, Kenpachi's hands were jolted high into the air, seemingly losing all defensive capabilities, leaving him only able to face Kyoraku Shunsui's next twin-sword attack with his chest.

But that's not the case.

Kenpachi's longsword was only knocked away by the explosive force; his power did not dissipate. Once the shockwave subsided, he could strike down again with great force.

Although Kyoraku Shunsui's twin swords were close to Kenpachi's chest, the power in his swords had been exhausted, making it impossible for him to break through Kenpachi's spiritual pressure.

To everyone's surprise, after Kyoraku Shunsui's twin swords deflected Kenpachi's long sword, they actually thrust forward and lightly slashed at Kenpachi's legs.

The powerless scimitar unexpectedly tore through the spiritual pressure and penetrated half a foot deep into the thigh.

If Kenpachi Zaraki hadn't had such tough bones, both of his thighs would definitely have been severed.

Kenpachi Zaraki frowned deeply. He felt that his legs hadn't broken because his bones were strong, but because Kyoraku's twin swords had suddenly weakened.

But as long as his bones aren't broken, he doesn't care how many cuts he gets. Enveloped in spiritual energy, injuries to his muscles and blood vessels aren't fatal, and they don't even affect his mobility.

Kenpachi Zaraki frowned because he was confused by Shunsui Kyoraku's abilities.

Why didn't I get a power boost when I cut down from above?

Why were those two seemingly indistinguishable swords able to break through my defenses and almost sever my thigh?

Kyoraku Shunsui chuckled: "That was 'Elegant Demon,' not 'Brand Demon.'"

"7

Kenpachi Zaraki asked in confusion, "You can change the rules of the game during a battle?"

"Of course not!"

"Sorry! I forgot to tell you earlier that Katen Kyokotsu has two swords, each guiding a rule."

"【New Ghost】is a set of free rules, but the more complex the settings, the more likely problems will arise."

"【Glamour Ghost】can only set an advantage in color. The first color I call out when using 【Glamour Ghost】is the advantageous color for the entire battle."

"The so-called advantageous color refers to the color area on both sides. If you cut into the corresponding color area, the power of the cut will be amplified."

"However, if you hit areas of other colors, the attack will be nullified and will not cause any damage."

"Furthermore, the larger the area of ​​the dominant color, the stronger the slash; the smaller the area of ​​the dominant color, the weaker the slash."

Kenpachi Zaraki frowned even more deeply: "There are two rules? Then why didn't I receive a power boost when I was at a higher position?"

"Does this so-called increase only apply to you? Didn't you say your rules were fair?"

Kyoraku Shunsui's face revealed a cunning smile, his expression so irresistible: "Katen Kyokotsu is absolutely fair; the rules set in a battle cannot be changed until a winner is decided."

"But as the master of Katen Kyokotsu, I can decide which of the two different rules takes effect."

Kenpachi Zaraki was so angry he was practically steaming. He gritted his teeth and growled, "Ha! A fair game!"

"Pah! You're just being shameless! You're shameless!"

Kenpachi Zaraki only uttered those two curses, because Shunsui Kyoraku actually showed a surprised expression, as if being cursed by Kenpachi Zaraki made him happy instead.

That scoundrel is truly invincible!

The Shinigami watching from the sidelines were even more speechless than Kenpachi. Not only did the person participating in the game set the rules, but he also doubled as the game referee. Katen Kyokotsu's ability was just too shameless.

But Kenpachi Zaraki suddenly burst into laughter: "Hehehe, hahahaha!"

"What rules, what game? In the end, it's just that I'm too weak, which is why you're restricting me."

"I! Kenpachi Zaraki only believe in the sword in my hand, the hand that grips it tightly, and—spiritual pressure!"

The overwhelming spiritual pressure intensified, and the bells in Kenpachi Zaraki's hair jingled incessantly. He grinned maliciously and declared, "I don't believe there are enemies I can't kill, and I don't believe there are rules that powerful spiritual pressure can't overcome!"

"If so, it means my spiritual pressure isn't strong enough!"

boom-

The golden spiritual pressure grew stronger and stronger, exceeding the minimum limit that the captain's Bankai could reach.

Kyoraku Shunsui stared in disbelief at Kenpachi Zaraki, already feeling the trembling of his twin swords.

The rules they set have been destroyed by spiritual pressure!

Kyoraku Shunsui rolled her eyes: "Hey, that's not fair! How can you cheat like that?"

"You haven't even reached Shikai yet, but you're already comparable to my Bankai? You're forcing me to release it myself. Do you think I don't know that releasing it myself is illegal?"

"If I dared to use Bankai, that old man would definitely kill me!"

"so----"

Kyoraku Shunsui brought his two swords together, suddenly released his Shikai state, and then sheathed his Asauchi sword back into his waistband.

He said in a sly grin, "Kenpachi, I surrender! Do whatever you want with me!"

"If you still want to fight, go find someone else!"

After saying that, he sat down on the spot.

Kyoraku Shunsui even lay down at an angle, propped his head up with his right hand, closed his eyes, and assumed a posture of lying down to take a beating.

Kenpachi Zaraki can do whatever he wants; he's not going to fight anyway.

Even if Kenpachi Zaraki is a sword fanatic, he would be at a loss when faced with such a rogue. He can't just actually kill him, can he?

Unohana Retsu, standing at the back of the crowd, suddenly let out a soft "Ah."

Xia Zuo asked, "Has the Captain-Commander arrived?"

Unohana Retsu nodded: "Yeah, I can't hide it anymore, or the old man will nag me for ages."

Xia Zuo: "Oh, then I won't go out."

As Unohana Retsu parted the Grim Reapers' ranks and calmly entered the battlefield to begin healing Kenpachi Zaraki, the battle was completely over.

Yachiru and Ukitake Jushiro didn't actually fight.

Ukitake Jushiro made several moves, but Yachiru anticipated all of his subsequent moves and easily countered them all.

After that, he dared not make a move, because if he couldn't defeat Yachiru in terms of skill, he could only rely on brute force.

However, Jushiro Ukitake was well aware of his situation. Because of that evil thing inside him, his power could go berserk at any time, and Vice-Captain Yachiru would be in mortal danger.

Therefore, if Jushiro Ukitake cannot win through skill, then he cannot fight at all.

When the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, arrived at the scene with overwhelming rage, all the Shinigami fell silent.

On the vast battlefield, you could hear a pin drop.

"Teacher, you came in person! You've gone to so much trouble!"

Kyoraku Shunsui, who had been lying on the ground pretending to be dead, had somehow ended up next to the Captain-Commander.

His hands rubbed together like flies, he kept nodding and bowing, sighing and complaining that he hadn't fulfilled his duties as team leader and that he had troubled the teacher to come to the scene in person.

Then a barrage of flattery followed, with phrases like "still vigorous in old age" and "still strong and capable despite old age" being offered in abundance.

All the Grim Reapers around were stunned.

Especially Hitsugaya Toshiro, who stared intently, his mind racing with memories—these were the keys to his future career.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto, without blushing or panting, smiled and enjoyed Kyoraku Shunsui's flattery.

However, today's occasion was not suitable for indulging in such behavior, and the captain raised his hand to stop his disciple from flattering him after only listening to two sentences.

He glanced at Retsu Unohana and said in a deep voice, "The Ryoka have invaded, and the Soul Society is in chaos. Why didn't Captain Unohana take action to stop them?"

Retsu Unohana smiled and replied, "Captain-Commander, I am the captain of the Fourth Division, and I am not responsible for combat."

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni said softly, "Unohana—"

The gentle older sister said directly, "Captain-Commander Yamamoto, I am Retsu Unohana!"

The captain stared at her for a full three seconds, and finally just sighed.

Then he turned to look at the eager Kenpachi Zaraki, the indifferent Yachiru, the coughing Jushiro Ukitake, and the obsequious Shunsui Kyoraku.

The captain grew angrier the more he looked, and the veins on his forehead began to bulge.

He slammed his cane down heavily, then roared, "Except for one who was rescued, all the traveling criminals have been captured."

"All Shinigami, return to your respective squads and wait. I will report this matter truthfully, and the Central 46 will decide on the punishment."

Retsu Unohana pointed to Kenpachi sitting on the ground and asked, "Captain Zaraki's legs are severely injured, and his wounds are also very serious. Should he go to the Fourth Division for treatment?"

Captain-Commander Yamamoto gripped his cane tightly and said angrily, "Captain Unohana, take him to the Fourth Division and heal him as quickly as possible!"

Unohana Retsu lowered her head: "As you wish."

A few hours later, Kenpachi Zaraki completed all his treatments and was taken to the Fourth Division's rest room to await the full effects of the treatment.

Not far from his hospital room, the four Ryokai who had invaded the Soul Society were imprisoned: Chad Yasutora, Ishida Uryu, Shiba Ganju, and Inoue Orihime.

It's not that the other divisions don't have prisons, but rather that everyone except Inoue Orihime was seriously injured and could only be sent to the Fourth Division for treatment and imprisonment.

Although Inoue Orihime was not injured, she was brought in along for centralized management.

-

The Shinigami of the Fourth Division are used to saving lives, and they have completely blurred the lines between men and women, locking a beautiful young girl and three grown men together without any hesitation.

Perhaps it's because these three men are all seriously injured and need a caring girl to take care of them.

During this invasion by the Ryoka, none of the Shinigami of the Soul Society died, but quite a few were injured. The Fourth Division was short-handed at the moment and had no time to take care of the Ryoka.

It's already a great favor that they can take care of each other.

Moreover, a major event occurred in the Soul Court that was even more serious than the invasion of the Phantom Lords, shaking the entire Soul Court.

Aizen Sousuke, the captain of the Fifth Division and deeply loved by his subordinates, was murdered, and his body is still hanging on the gate of the Fifth Division.

The captain representing the Soul Society's highest fighting force was killed, and no one noticed the commotion of the battle. Captain Aizen was killed silently.

This means that either his closest confidant assassinated him, or a monster so powerful that even the captain couldn't withstand it secretly infiltrated Seireitei.

The Grim Reapers were filled with fear and rumors, and they could no longer attend to the four wandering calamities.

Fortunately, the wandering spirits are now all souls, and in the spiritually rich environment of the Spirit Court, they only need to breathe to survive; otherwise, they would have starved and died of thirst in their cells.

With no one to interrogate them, the four travelers had nothing to do and could only listlessly chat about trivial matters.

Ishida Uryu was the most stubborn, which is why he was the most seriously injured and only recently woke up.

After learning the basic situation from his companions' conversation, he asked, "Why is Death ignoring us?"

"And even if they don't interrogate us, they shouldn't just ignore us completely."

Chad Yasutora replied, "It's said that one of the captains of the Gotei 13 was assassinated, and the killer is still a mystery, so no one has time to worry about us."

Ishida Uryu nodded noncommittally: "So it turns out we've become unimportant, and they only spared our lives temporarily because they had to deal with us."

He then asked, "You were locked up before me, so how did you know about this?"

Inoue Orihime scratched her head sheepishly: "Well, I... I found out from the Shinigami who was guarding me."

Ishida Uryu exclaimed in amazement, "Inoue-kun, your intelligence gathering skills are amazing!"

Orihime Inoue blushed at the praise: "It's not that amazing. I saw them rushing to leave, so I quickly asked them, and they told me everything. Maybe they were scared because their captain was killed."

Uryu Ishida nodded: "Maybe, but you're still great!"

"If we were to ask, we might not get an answer, but rather punishment."

19

Chad and Shiba nodded in unison, strongly agreeing with Ishida Uryu's words.

Chad is not good with words, but Shiba Ganju is a big thug in Rukongai. He is quick-witted and shameless.

Before Inoue Orihime was brought here, Shiba Ganju tried to get close to the guards, but ended up getting a good beating from them.