The Alchemist in Bleach

In a sense, Kenpachi's skill with his personal body should be considered the highest level of body companionship, although it can only be used by himself...

After all, other people's physical instincts are not as strong as his.

Therefore, the captain's swift attack was not unstoppable for Kenpachi.

If the captain's sword is like the silver moon in the sky, then Kenpachi is like the Asura who tries to devour the sun and moon in order to take revenge on them!

One high, one low; one divine, one demonic; the dazzling silver blade finally collided with the blood-dark broken blade, unleashing a powerful shockwave!

The violent airflow made Ichiro and the others' clothes rustle loudly.

Having reached their current strongest state, the two transformed into streaks of light and shadow within the small space of the void, one silver and one red, their colors intertwining as they fought fiercely.

The duel between the two at the pinnacle of their skills dazzled the onlookers. Such a clash of skills was the most exciting, especially since both of them had temporarily reached the state of perfect harmony. Watching their battle, the onlookers felt an incredible sense of new understanding of swordsmanship.

Even Ichiro has new ideas for the next stage of development of the Yachiryu no Tsurugi, although the development direction has begun to deviate from swordsmanship...

The captain, engrossed in her battle with Kenpachi, was unaware that Ichiro had once again extended his demonic hand to her Yachiru no Utau...

But I suppose he wouldn't care if he knew; what could a dying person possibly care about?

At this moment, all she could see was Kenpachi!

Unlike Ichiro's Yachiru no Tsurugi, Yachiru no Tsurugi, which is based on the "body follows" realm, has a much more refined control over the power of the Kido than Ichiro's. On a level that is not visible to the public, strands of the Kido power flow through the blood vessels, meridians, and bones in the captain's body.

Not only did it enhance her physical attributes, but it also greatly strengthened her defensive capabilities. This is another major difference between her and Ichiro's Yachiru no Utsurugi. It is precisely because of this that the captain can freely wield her swordsmanship at a speed far exceeding her own.

In this state, the captain's swordsmanship is so strange, complex, and imposing that it is difficult for anyone in the entire Soul Society to surpass him!

However, swordsmanship is not the only factor that determines the outcome of a battle.

Admittedly, Kenpachi's swordsmanship is not as good as the captain's, but his extremely outstanding combat instincts make up for this shortcoming. He seems to have been born to fight.

No matter how the captain's swordsmanship changes, Kenpachi can respond instantly and even predict the captain's next move based on instinct!

It was absolutely terrifying!

Soon, due to the two's super-fast battle, two hundred rounds passed in the blink of an eye. The captain realized that he could not defeat Kenpachi by relying on changes in swordsmanship. Kenpachi's fighting instincts were already terrifying, and now, after being further enhanced by Bankai, they were even more formidable. Therefore, the only way to win was to fight head-on!

With this thought in mind, the captain's swordsmanship suddenly changed. The swordsmanship was no longer dazzling, but filled with a chilling killing intent!

Every gesture he makes gives people a feeling of unease!

The gentle moonlight faded, revealing instead a bloodthirsty Asura!

.......

Watching the two fierce warriors locked in battle, Shunsui clicked his tongue in amazement and exclaimed, "I never imagined that after hundreds of years, Unohana-senpai would have improved so much. It's truly unbelievable..."

Ukitake and Kirinji, who were standing nearby, nodded in agreement. Only when they reached their level did they realize how difficult it was to take that first step forward.

Of course, while marveling at the sight, he also felt a pang of regret. Fuzhu sighed, his gaze complex as he looked at the two locked in combat, and said, "Unfortunately, one of them is destined to fall today..."

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent. They were all deeply saddened by the loss of either of the two...

This includes Shunsui, who in the original work asked the captain to die to save Kenpachi. Shunsui had two main reasons for asking the captain to do so: one was that Kenpachi's fighting strength was indeed needed, and the other was somewhat dark. With the Captain-Commander dead, he, as the new Captain-Commander, had to ensure his absolute authority within the team.

Therefore, Hana, who had followed the Captain-Commander since the beginning, became his biggest obstacle. This was because Hana followed his teacher, not the Thirteenth Division or the Seireitei. Furthermore, before she reformed, Hana was the number one villain in Soul Society. He couldn't guarantee that he could suppress Hana. Therefore, Hana's death was a good thing for him and for the Thirteenth Division.

However, the situation is different now. He is no longer the captain-in-chief and doesn't need to worry about so much. Besides, the captain-in-chief is still around.

The Captain-Commander, however, glanced meaningfully at Ichiro, who hadn't yet received treatment. He was somewhat aware of Ichiro's medical abilities; although the injury was severe, as Ichiro had said, it was truly just a matter of losing an arm to him...

Even if he had consumed too much energy before, he should have recovered by now, right? At least he should have made some initial progress, right? But Ichiro didn't. He simply treated it to prevent it from getting worse and then did nothing more.

Knowing Ichiro as he did, this was not normal. He was willing to bet that the kid was definitely up to no good!

It's probably related to that ability...

The captain narrowed his eyes. Although he had a general idea of ​​Ichiro's plan, he did not intend to make a fuss or even stop him. After all, from his personal perspective, he did not want to see Retsu die.

Although it was her long-cherished wish, as a friend, he didn't want to see Lie die. The oldest death god—the title sounded impressive, but only he knew the bitterness within. Watching his friends die one by one, leaving only himself, was a feeling he never wanted to experience again.

Although he doesn't have many friends overall, he hasn't experienced this much in total...

Looking at Shunsui and the others beside him, the captain said, "Take a look at the new things in the Kido Clan when you have time. Although Retsu was the first to come into contact with those things, Ichiro later summarized and submitted them to the Kido Clan. Retsu's Eight... Retsu's true Eight Thousand Streams Sword was able to reach this level, thanks in no small part to Ichiro's Kido techniques."

Ichiro turned to look at the Captain-Commander speechlessly. "Even though you were praising me, why did you change your tune? And why did you specifically emphasize the real Yachiru no Utau? Did I, Yachiru no Utau, eat your rice?!"

Just wait! I'll be letting down the title of Kido Genius the captain gave me if I don't completely transform all your old man's moves into Kido!

While secretly grumbling to himself, Ichiro shifted his gaze to the battlefield, ignoring the looks that Shunsui and the others were giving him. He had long been used to these looks of admiration and surprise over the years. Whenever he achieved a small goal, the people around him would always show similar looks. Only Urahara would curiously discuss it with him.

Looking at the captain on the field, Ichiro's eyes dimmed somewhat...

At this moment, the captain who had switched sword techniques was fighting Kenpachi. The captain who had switched sword techniques changed his previous fighting style and was almost slashing at Kenpachi!

Even with its formidable defensive capabilities, the Ghost Path Net couldn't withstand such an attack; within just a few rounds, it was riddled with wounds...

Of course, Kenpachi on the other side was also in a bad state. His injuries were even more serious, with deep bloodstains all over his body, and many wounds even revealed bones and internal organs!

but!

Although Kenpachi's injuries were more severe, he began to gain the upper hand!

Although the captain's Yachiru no Ken is more focused on control than Ichiro's, and the amount of Kido power is not as exaggerated, there is one thing they have in common!

It puts a certain strain on both the mind and body!

Her mental state was relatively stable; the captain had fought her way through countless battles, so this level of damage didn't affect her much. However, her physical condition was a different story. Especially after being injured, the system of the Demonic Path Net was disrupted, and the accumulated Demonic Path power within it began to dissipate. The state of the Eight Thousand Flows Sword gradually faded, so it was only natural that she was suppressed...

On the other hand, Kenpachi's injuries were severe, but he was used to this level of injury every few years in Rukongai. After his Bankai became purely instinctive, he cared even less about it.

Actually, the captain wasn't without a chance of winning, because she still had a way to recover. However, since Kenpachi unleashed his Bankai and released all his power, she stopped healing herself. If she hadn't given up on healing, given their current strength, the captain would have had a chance to win.

Unfortunately...

She came here with the intention of ending her own destiny from the very beginning, so how could she possibly heal herself?

It could be said that the outcome of this battle was already decided the moment Kenpachi could fight the captain to a standstill, because she had already made her decision. The only person who could have stopped her ended up helping her...

Actually, the captain wasn't entirely satisfied with the outcome. Her original plan was for the awakened Kenpachi to pierce the wound he'd sustained hundreds of years ago, bringing the battle to a perfect close. But...

Looking at the door panel and kitchen knife in Kenpachi's hand, the captain still felt that there were some things that couldn't be forced upon him.

Everyone fell silent, but perhaps for Unohana-senpai, dying in battle would be her most glorious moment... Shunsui and Ukitake thought to themselves as they watched their captain's injuries worsen.

"Pfft~"

Finally, as the captain's injuries worsened, she couldn't dodge Kenpachi's slash and was sliced ​​diagonally in half by his blade, her heart even being cut in two...

At the same time, Kenpachi's Bankai also reached its time limit, and Yachiru re-formed beside him. The two of them stood there silently, watching their captain lying on the ground.

The captain, lying on the ground, looked at Kenpachi and smiled gently, saying, "There's no need to make that face. This is something every Kenpachi should do. If a new Kenpachi appears in the future, you will make the same choice, although I don't think anyone can surpass you."

As he spoke, the captain turned to look at Ichiro, as if to say something, but opened his mouth and said nothing, only smiling as he passed away...

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Chapter 174 Retsu Unohana Returns! (Happy Mid-Autumn Festival)

Those watching fell silent, a wave of sorrow washing over them. But at the same time, a sense of relief also quietly arose in Kirinji's heart—relief that such a powerful captain was dead…

Sadness is for my dearest friend Retsu Unohana; relief is for Squad Zero...

He suddenly realized that the Zero Division no longer seemed to possess the strength to surpass the Thirteenth Division, and recruiting new members was becoming increasingly difficult. If this continued, the Zero Division's position would become extremely awkward...

As a special squad that "protects the royal family," the Zero Squad has very high requirements for strength. Before this, he believed that although the current Thirteenth Squad was strong, the Zero Squad was superior in terms of overall strength, even with the Captain-Commander of the Thirteenth Squad.

Although the monk could not defeat the captain, the captain could not defeat the monk quickly either. He and Wang Yue were stronger than the others in the Thirteenth Squad. In addition, with the humanoid warriors in Wang Yue's Phoenix Palace, they were capable of dealing with the Thirteenth Squad.

But that was Kirinji's previous viewpoint. During this time, he has gained a new understanding of the strength of the Thirteenth Division...

The captain-in-chief remains as unfathomable as ever. The more significant changes are in his two students. Ukitake is alright; his body doesn't allow him to fight at full strength. But Shunsui…

Chunshui gave Kirinji a terrifying feeling. At present, he is only one or two levels weaker than the Captain-Commander. This level of strength is enough to restrain or even defeat one of them, Wang Yue!

Next, there are three Zero Division reserve members in the current Squad 13 who refused to join. Although their strength hasn't undergone a transformation, their power is already quite extraordinary. Then there's Kenpachi, that monster...

If the captain hadn't died, there would have been two monsters like Kenpachi!

He really didn't know how they could win... All things considered, their only advantage was the resurrection card...

Therefore, from the perspective of the Zero Division, the captain's death was a good thing for him, but as a friend, he also loathed this thought of his own.

At this moment, amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd and the knowing looks of the Captain-Commander, Ichiro slowly walked towards the Captain's body. Kirinji opened his mouth to comfort him, but ultimately said nothing, because he felt that he, having such thoughts at this moment, had no right to say such things.

On the other side, Kenpachi glanced at the wounds on Ichiro's body that he had slashed and said in a low voice, "Sorry."

Ichiro looked at Kenpachi with surprise, not expecting him to apologize; what a rare sight...

"It's alright, I should be the one saying thank you. Thank you for letting the captain enjoy the battle to the fullest. As for Yachiru, are you alright?" Ichiro said, squatting down and gently stroking Yachiru's head with his left hand, asking with a smile.

"I'm fine, Xiaotang, your hand..."

"It's nothing, just an arm. It'll recover quickly." As he spoke, Ichiro noticed that the last trace of the captain's spirit had completely left his body. He put away his smile, slowly stood up, and said.

"world."

"Yes, Ichiro-sama."

As Ichiro called out, the world released its Bankai, and beams of light floated out from Ichiro's body, coalescing into a human form to the astonishment of the crowd. Although this was not the first time they had seen such a scene, they were still very shocked. A Zanpakuto in human form was simply unheard of!

The same goes for Kirinji Temple; when he first saw it, he was utterly shocked.

Although Wang Yue's group also has a bunch of beautiful women, the nature of it is different. No matter how similar or beautiful Wang Yue's group is, it is still fake. It is just a mimicry, just an imitation.

But Ichiro, whether from the perspective of spiritual pressure or biological characteristics, is a standard Shinigami. However, she also possesses all the characteristics of a Zanpakuto, and can even freely switch between Zanpakuto and Shinigami.

He even suspected that if he threw a shallow weapon at the world, she could create a Zanpakuto!

Yes, that's definitely possible. Not just the World, but if you give Ichiro an Asauchi, he can get another Zanpakuto. However, Ichiro's will definitely still be the World, just with a slightly different personality. As for what the World's will be, we don't know, mainly because neither of them are interested.

This thing doesn't significantly improve combat power, and they don't want their relationship to be damaged or interfered with, so they've maintained it this way.

Amidst everyone's astonished gazes, the world slowly crouched down, then gently pieced the captain's body, which had been cut in two, back together. It then activated its ability to heal the wounds and erased the scars that had been inflicted by Kenpachi hundreds of years earlier below the captain's collarbone.

Then they tidied his clothes and wiped away the bloodstains.

To be honest, this scene was really quite heartbreaking. Through the world's gentle movements, they seemed to see the sadness in Ichiro's heart.

Well, aside from the captain who roughly guessed the truth...

Seeing Ichiro with his eyes slightly closed, seemingly heartbroken, Shunsui repeatedly tried to persuade him, worried that he might develop a mental illness and become despondent. However, each time, the Captain-Commander stopped him and gestured for him to continue watching.

Although Ichiro was sad, he wasn't as heartbroken as they thought, since he wasn't really dead.