You are very strong, but my painting style is better than yours!

The so-called Cero is the innate ability of all Hollows, with extremely high skill ceilings and floores. It can be used by everyone from the weakest Kylian to the highest Vastodes, and it is also their universal trump card.

Even the Vastod-class Arrancar's "Cero Flash" is far inferior to the Destruction Flash that pierced through the sky and seemed to be breaking through the very foundation of Hueco Mundo!

"If the battle cannot be decided... Hueco Mundo might even be destroyed!"

Someone said something, and no one objected, leading to an unbearable silence.

The destruction of the world is not impossible; it does not require shattering every single vessel and spirit particle. It is enough to destroy the "foundation" and "support" with sufficient power.

(In the conventional sense, a planetary explosion only requires penetrating the star's core; completely pulverizing the planet is a different matter altogether.)

The Three Realms are a relatively fragile structure. The destructive power shown by Iori and this Hollow is indeed as dangerous as dancing on an egg!

"No, a winner will be decided."

Kenpachi Zaraki, who hadn't spoken until now, suddenly opened his mouth, drawing everyone's attention. But after that, he fell silent again, showing no intention of answering anyone's questions.

"Has Xiao Jian discovered something?"

Yachiru didn't care about manners and jumped up to pat Zaraki on the head.

"Tell me~"

"Annoying...that guy didn't seem to enjoy it, so he's bound to win."

Zaraki said calmly, "He's the same when he fights me."

What do you mean?

The others were still somewhat confused, but Yachiru had already understood Zaraki's meaning:

If he encountered an opponent who was his equal, he should have enjoyed the battle immensely. However, Kenpachi Zaraki believed that Iori had gradually lost interest—though he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he just had that intuition.

This feeling is just like when Iori fought Kenpachi Zaraki before...

His fighting style was full of ease, and he was able to control the entire situation from beginning to end—what an annoying guy!

Zaraki is much stronger now than when he first joined Team 13, but every time I see Iori, I don't feel that the gap has narrowed. Instead, I feel that the gap is getting more and more "distant".

"Speaking of which, Iori has never used his 'full power' against me before."

boom! ! !

It was another collision of spiritual pressure that shattered the earth. The giant warrior entwined with the serpent simply swung his long sword, leaving a sword mark thousands of meters long. Tens of thousands of tons of sand and rocks surged into the sky like giant waves.

Meanwhile, the lightning falling from the sky relentlessly pounded the ground, appearing from afar like a god creating the world.

In contrast, there were countless beams of phantom light that bombarded the samurai like a torrential rain. Each explosion was like a thunderclap, shaking the entire atmosphere.

Amidst this cataclysmic scene, two slender figures constantly intersected, casually ignoring the hellish landscape that could crush Adjuchas, wielding their weapons and creating sparks that flashed only for a moment in the void.

...Without using spiritual pressure exceeding the limit of a Shinigami, maintaining a similar scale to Lone Wolf, and without relying on the characteristics of the Third Law, which would automatically reduce spiritual pressure to the appropriate level after consumption, it was a completely "fair" duel.

Of course, the amount of spiritual pressure is not the decisive factor in this battle.

As the pinnacle of Hollows and Shinigami, their spiritual pressure is sufficient to sustain repeated battles like those in One Piece without fatigue. Whether it's Cero or Kido, large-scale firepower output against armies or cities is commonplace for them, and they can even use it continuously to destroy vast areas within their sight with their individual strength.

As the battle intensified, the spiritual pressure released by the two reached its peak, forcing even captain-level Shinigami to retreat. Even from thousands of meters away, the terrifying pressure in the atmosphere could be faintly felt…

Relatively younger death gods like Zheng Yuan and Cang Chun have had their worldviews completely shattered. For them, who have never experienced such a battle between super-strong individuals, it is truly a surreal scene that only appears in dreams!

The Queen Mermaid and the Antelope Knight weren't much better off. They never imagined that Vastod could be so powerful, holding his own against the almost omnipotent His Majesty...

However, in the end, His Majesty will undoubtedly win!

Knowing that Iori had many trump cards up his sleeve, the two were full of confidence.

In contrast, Saito and Unohana were much calmer. Having seen it all, their millennia of experience ensured they would never waver, no matter what they faced.

"!!!"

Unohana Retsu's eyes widened, her features tensed, and she stared at the unaware Saito Immortal with an expression of shock (almost terror) that no one had ever seen before. For a moment, she even forgot to breathe.

She is one of the most senior members of the Thirteen Divisions and the renowned leader of the Fourth Division. With her ever-present smile, she possesses a healing aura that rivals her healing skills, making her an object of admiration for many.

With her dignified and beautiful face, mature figure hidden beneath a wide haori, and her jet-black hair braided into a conservative plait hanging down her front, she exudes a kind and loving aura, making her arguably the most respected woman in Seireitei.

—But even the vice-captain, Seinosuke Yamada, who had followed her for many years, had never seen her expression like this before.

This is an unprecedented loss of composure in a thousand years!

But you can't blame her. Saito's reaction was like a panda doing a somersault—who wouldn't be startled?

However, she needed to ask more carefully to find out exactly what happened... Thinking this, Unohana regained her composure.

Just then, the distant spiritual pressure fluctuations abruptly ceased. After a sharp slash, the thunderclouds and aurora in the sky were cleaved in two and completely dissipated. The battlefield gradually calmed down, with only the howling sandstorm still lingering.

"Looks like it's over."

Cang Chun let out a long breath, and everyone present relaxed.

It was clear that both Iori and the Hollow's spiritual pressure still existed, but Iori's was more stable and stronger, which had already declared who the victor of the battle was!

Sure enough, a familiar voice soon rang in everyone's ears; it was Iori using the [Heavenly Void].

The message was simple: he reassured everyone that he had defeated Lone Wolf, but there were still some things to take care of, and Esdeath could go alone to assist him.

In addition, he told everyone to return to their posts, because the commotion they had caused earlier was too great, and Tsunayoshi Tokinada must have already noticed something was wrong. He might take the initiative to attack, so everyone had to be on high alert.

Trusting Iori, everyone chose to obey orders and disperse.

Saito was no exception. She returned to her own base in the Seventh Division, but when she lifted the tent flap, she saw Unohana kneeling on a futon with a calm expression, seemingly waiting for her.

"Lie...is something the matter?"

Saito didn't mind. She and Unohana were old friends and had a lot of private interactions. She just assumed that the Fourth Division needed her help with internal affairs, which was why Unohana came to visit.

Unohana opened her eyes, a serene smile on her face, and looked at Saito, who was sitting cross-legged opposite her with a carefree attitude.

She didn't speak immediately, but instead looked Saito up and down carefully, her eyes filled with increasing amusement.

"What's wrong? Why are you staring at me?... Nothing's wrong."

Saito was puzzled by Unohana's actions and looked at his clothes.

"What on earth are you here for?"

"Saito."

Unohana spoke softly, "What do you think of Captain Kuchiki?"

"I think it's not bad. Although his appearance is very different from before, he is still a good kid."

Saito, unsuspecting, readily replied.

"Captain Zhu Sibo?"

"His personality suits my taste quite well,"

Saito chuckled, "These days, it's not easy to find hot-blooded young men who look like delinquents."

"Captain Zaraki?"

"He's really ugly~ But it would be scarier if someone like him had a handsome face."

"Then, what about Captain Aizen?"

"..."

Saito, who had been laughing and joking, suddenly fell silent. He subconsciously looked at Unohana, and after exchanging a glance, he hurriedly looked away, a blush flashing across his face.

"I think Iori is... a very outstanding person."

"That's right."

Unohana smiled and nodded. Seeing Saito's reaction, she was already certain.

Despite being single, Unohana's role as Kenpachi and subsequent role as a healing older sister has made her a sought-after confidante for countless female Shinigami in the 13th Division—everyone subconsciously perceives her as a senior with rich life experience and exceptionally gentle nature.

Over time, even though she lacked experience, her knowledge was quite extraordinary. She could tell at a glance what a girl troubled by love looked like!

But after confirming that Saito had fallen for her, Unohana became somewhat depressed:

For a thousand years, everyone's been single, so how come you're the one who found someone...?

"Why... are you suddenly bringing this up?"

Saito gradually realized what was going on and glared at Unohana with displeasure: "Are you kidding me?"

"I don't have such a perverse sense of humor; I just wanted to prove something. Now that I have the answer, I have no further questions."

Feeling she had the upper hand, Unohana said with a hint of mischief, "We've been friends for so many years, if you meet your soulmate, I'll be happy for you too~"

"What nonsense are you talking about, what sweetheart... cough!"

Saito feigned a cough and turned his head away from Saito: "Iori is excellent in every way. I just see him as a cute junior. Is there a problem with that?"

"Of course no problem."

Unohana smiled slightly, her squinting eyes revealing nothing of her thoughts.

"But I must remind you that even for Death, time is a very precious thing—once it slips through your fingers, it's gone forever."

"..."

“Captain Aizen is indeed a perfect romantic partner. It’s not surprising that you… some people would be attracted to him.”

"That's not why I am."

Sometimes saying one thing and meaning another can lead to regrets.

"...Are you addicted to playing the good guy, Yachiru?"

Saito's expression changed, her face still flushed, but her tone was quite impolite: "Whether it's a man or a woman, they're all just test subjects for you. You've never even been involved in a relationship, so what gives you the right to advise me?"

"Haha~"

Even when her past was exposed, Unohana didn't get angry; she just smiled and looked at Saito.

"Because you have no desires for matters between men and women, you also have no corresponding weaknesses—you are different."

Right now, you're practically full of weaknesses.

Saito, if this were a battlefield, eight hundred years ago... your unguarded state just now would have been enough for me to kill you seven times over.

In the end, Unohana still had a gentle demeanor, but she inexplicably inspired fear.

Saito clicked his tongue, looking quite unconvinced: "You talk as if I'm afraid of you. If you're not happy, then draw your sword!"

"..."

"Look, aren't you full of flaws too?"

Saito scoffed, "It's none of your business what I do, Yachiru. You're a demon woman who knows nothing but killing... how could you possibly understand my feelings?"

"Then you might as well die with this secret in mind. After all, you came to participate in the Hueco Mundo campaign with this in mind, right?"

"..."

"There are only a few of the original members of the Gotei 13 left now. Some died in the war against the Quincy, and some met with accidents while suppressing internal strife... But without exception, they did not choose to die peacefully surrounded by their descendants, but instead placed their final resting place on the battlefield."

No tombstones or sacrifices are needed; they will race on the edge of a blade until the very last moment. Even in hell, a throne of bones and blood awaits them!

With a mix of nostalgia and pity, Unohana said, "Is it your turn now?"

As the captain of the Fourth Division, she naturally knew about Saito's physical condition. Although he seemed to be fine, his foundation had actually been damaged. Every battle would put a lot of pressure on his body, and activating Bankai would be equivalent to directly reducing his lifespan.

In fact, given her condition, she really shouldn't have come to Hueco Mundo; she should have stayed in Seireitei like Ukitake.

"I didn't come to Hueco Mundo to die."

Saito shook his head dismissively.

"Yes, you are trying to maintain your reason for living in this world—I abandoned that kind of thing a long time ago, so I have always envied... or rather admired you."

However the process may be, the outcome will be the same, even if not this time, it will ultimately be the same...

After speaking, Unohana got up and left. As she was about to leave the tent, she stopped and glanced back at Saito, who seemed to be deep in thought.

"Compared to a barren desert, the embrace of a loved one is a very good place to rest forever, isn't it?"

Chapter 428 A gift of money? Always be prepared.

The meaning is unclear!

Unohana's words did not bring Saito any sense of enlightenment or relief; his worries remained.