Clang—
In an instant, tal clashed with tal, sparking flas and producing a spine-chilling grinding sound. Shockwaves rippled outward, scattering the wild grass across the wasteland.
Takeda unleashed violence to its extre, his materialized Reiatsu surging like endless waves, crashing down upon Aizen relentlessly.
He knew his opponent would be formidable — intelligence had reported this person had slain many Shinigami rebels, including high-ranking Officers.
Yet their true power exceeded his expectations. Even under his intense Reiatsu pressure, they showed no signs of faltering.
The trendous force behind their blade gave him the unsettling impression of fighting another Shinigami Captain.
Could it be... Was his opponent one of the Thirteenth Division's Captains?
This absurd thought crossed Takeda's mind, but he quickly dismissed it.
If they were truly a Captain, they could have simply presented the evidence to Genryūsai — why resort to such roundabout thods?
The next Head of the Tsunayashiro clan clung to life by a thread; though breathing, he was as good as dead.
He had exhausted his strength rely protecting himself, no longer able to shelter the subordinates of the "other stupid Clan Head".
With conclusive evidence, even if they couldn't completely destroy Takeda, they could at least strip him of his Captain position.
Since his opponent hadn't taken this route...
Only two possibilities remained: either the evidence was insufficient, or this person's own identity couldn't withstand scrutiny!
At this realization, Takeda's expression turned savage, his ordinary features twisting into a masterpiece of distortion.
If Akira were present, he would surely call him a kindred spirit.
His Reiatsu erupted without restraint, forming a dazzling pillar of light that pierced the sky.
"As expected of soone who could kill that squad." Takeda sneered, "Your strength is impressive. Too bad you're still not quite at my level!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, the force transmitted through his Zanpakutō intensified again, the ground beneath writhing as if coming alive. The air grew viscous, as if they had plunged underwater. Both movent and Reiatsu circulation beca sluggish.
Without hesitation, he stepped forward, his body exploding with power as he raised his blade high and brought it down, the air tearing like cloth.
Slash—
Clang!!
Aizen raised his sword to block, but the force — like a mountain collapsing — sent him flying.
Before he could steady himself, Takeda burst forward with blinding speed. Thunder roared and the earth shook as he raised his Zanpakutō high, earthen yellow light dancing across the blade.
With no ti to defend, the strike fell.
Boom!!
Like a mighty hamr whistling through the air.
Crash!!
Though Aizen blocked the blade, his body grew increasingly sluggish, as if sinking into quicksand — each movent demanding more and more force.
⤫ Hadō #63: Raikōhō ⥤ Thunder Roar Sear! ⤬
In their deadlock, brilliant golden light erupted from his palm like a dazzling sun.
Boom!!
Thunder crashed as the lightning struck Takeda with perfect accuracy, hurling him backward.
Without looking back, Aizen vanished from the battlefield with Shunpo.
Takeda's formidable strength ant this wouldn't end quickly. A prolonged battle would only invite complications from Akira's or Rōjūrō's arrival.
After all, he now stood against Soul Society itself.
The air reeked of burning and scorched flesh. Through the smoke erged Takeda, sneering — his Reiatsu had protected him from serious harm.
His heart sank as he spotted his opponent's escape route, and he imdiately gave chase at full speed.
Whether his opponent had evidence against him or not was irrelevant. They could not be allowed to exist. Only their death would secure his position as captain of the 3rd Division and the privileges it brought.
Ansai Tsunayashiro had fallen, and now he needed to plan ahead. Though this mission had grown complicated, it served as a stark reminder: never lower your guard.
After killing this person, he would return to Seireitei and destroy any evidence that could expose him!
A deep malice flashed in Takeda's eyes as he increased his Shunpo speed.
He was certain his opponent was weaker — why else would they flee?
With just a few Flash Steps, he closed the gap between them.
Sensing the oppressive presence behind him, Aizen adjusted his speed with precision, maintaining the perfect distance — close enough to keep his pursuer interested, yet far enough to stay safe.
And so began their deadly chase.
Two figures flickered across the plain, their bursts of Reiatsu and brilliant displays of power painting the desolate wasteland with light.
Takeda launched Kidō after Kidō, but his opponent moved as if they had eyes in the back of their head — not only dodging each attack but striking back during the brief gaps between spells.
Could they be from the Kidō Corps?
The questions multiplied in his mind.
Their chase carried them beyond the 78th District, deeper into the outer reaches of Rukongai.
The landscape grew increasingly barren, stretching for kiloters without a sign of life — only wind-worn bones remained.
When they reached the 80th District, Takeda saw his chance and released his Zanpakutō.
"Subvert..."
⤫ Shikai: Chikyū no Ō ⥤ Initial Release: King of Earth! ⤬
Light erupted from the blade as spiritual pressure sank into the ground. The earth writhed alive, gravity intensifying instantly. His opponent's already sluggish movents grew even slower.
Aizen dodged sideways with Shunpo, evading the sword's pressure — but the marsh beneath snared his feet, holding him fast.
The Zanpakutō's power was clear: earth control.
Aizen studied Takeda calmly, asuring the difference in their Reiatsu.
After a pause, he turned his blade downward, its tip aid at the ground as rippling waves of light danced across the steel.
The air solidified. Even the writhing earth froze, as if soone had pressed pause on the world.
"Shatter..."
⤫ Shikai: Kyōka Suigetsu ⥤ Initial Release: Mirror Flower, Water Moon! ⤬
A calm, steady voice echoed across the empty battlefield. In the silence, a shattering sound rang out.
Takeda's vision blurred for a mont, but no attack ca.
His opponent remained motionless, bound by his earth control, seemingly surrendering — offering their neck to the blade.
Without hesitation, he seized the opportunity. He poured Reiatsu into the ground, making it surge and roll like a tidal wave, instantly swallowing the figure wrapped in Bakudō light.
Under the massive force, an unbearable crushing sound rang out. Takeda watched his opponent burst apart, blood spraying everywhere and staining the surrounding earth dark red.
"Finally dead..." He sighed with relief, his racing heart gradually settling.
However, just as his guard dropped, the sound of tearing flesh pierced the air beside his ear. An intense sense of danger exploded through him.
Takeda's hair stood on end as he instinctively unleashed his Reiatsu, causing the earth to surge up frantically into endless crashing waves.
A flash of regret crossed Aizen's eyes as he withdrew before the earth could cover him.
Just a little more...
Even with Kyōka Suigetsu's assistance, killing such a battle-hardened, experienced Shinigami Captain proved difficult at his current strength.
Moreover, Takeda was no re placeholder like Okama Shinji — in terms of both Reiatsu and ability, he ranked among the elite.
Aizen admitted that in pure combat talent, he couldn't match his dear friend.
With their Reiatsu so evenly matched, Kyōka Suigetsu's assistance remained limited. Taking him down would require a powerful burst of strength.
As the wave-like earth receded, Takeda reappeared. Gone was his previous vulnerability — now thick gray-black armor encased him completely, leaving only his eyes exposed to scan his surroundings.
Rembering the sneak attack, fear gripped his heart. A hair's breadth closer, and his opponent's blade would have pierced it.
As the fear subsided, rage took its place.
Earlier, he had worried his Reiatsu might attract others and expose his secret connection with Ansai Tsunayashiro.
But now, Takeda cast aside all concerns. One thought consud him — to kill this person who had nearly taken his life, by any ans necessary!
⤫ Bankai: Daichi no Shihaisha ⥤ Final Release: Master of the Land! ⤬
A dazzling pillar of Reiatsu shot skyward, its heavy pressure instantly blanketing the wasteland as far as the eye could see.
Under Aizen's curious gaze, the earth within several miles began to writhe as if possessed. One by one, giant warrior-like figures crawled forth from the marsh.
"Die!" Takeda roared, waving his hand. Countless warriors molded from earth charged toward the enemy's position.
Just as Aizen prepared to Flash Step away, the gravity intensified around him. His form halted abruptly as the marsh coiled around his legs.
"I am the master of the earth!" Takeda's rage peaked as he unleashed every power at his disposal, determined to end his opponent swiftly.
The warriors converged, raising their blades in unison. Their strikes fell like torrential rain, reducing the immobilized figure to shreds, blood staining the earth crimson.
Takeda exhaled slowly, but before relief could settle, his vision blurred. The bloodied corpse mixed with earth transford into nothing more than broken, rotting trees.
Realization struck. His expression hardened, gaze turning fierce. He unleashed his full Reiatsu, channeling it entirely into the ground beneath.
The earth transford into an ocean. Countless waves of soil surged upward, casting shadows tens of ters high that blotted out the sky. The devastation encompassed the entire battlefield.
Since precise strikes had failed, he'd resort to overwhelming force. Destroying this entire area would surely eliminate that detestable opponent!
Aizen stood at the edge of Takeda's Reiatsu, observing the spectacular scene with the calm deanor of one watching a play.
His opponent's ability was simple to deduce. From their initial clash, Aizen had already grasped the nature of his Zanpakutō.
Both Shikai and Bankai shared the sa core — earth control. The latter rely offered wider range and finer manipulation.
Such Zanpakutō bore a common weakness — beyond their wielder's Reiatsu range, their power beca aningless.
Just as now.
Takeda had lost all restraint, launching a mudslide offensive to erase every trace. Any life within his spiritual pressure's reach would beco his target.
Soon, nothing remained but devastation as far as the eye could see.
Aizen calmly observed this scene with detached indifference.
Suddenly, an unfamiliar Reiatsu appeared near the battlefield.
The newcor's golden wavy hair and elegant, gentleman-like bearing instantly revealed their identity.
"Play..."
⤫ Shikai: Kinshara ⥤ Initial Release: Golden Shala! ⤬
As Rōjūrō materialized, he released his Zanpakutō, his Reiatsu imdiately locking onto Aizen. The golden whip sang through the air, striking directly at his position.
Aizen's eyes narrowed as he Flash Stepped away.
This was troubleso — they had fought too long, and their Reiatsu had been detected.
He wondered if that dim-witted one had noticed anything amiss...
"Captain Chishi." Rōjūrō called out, "Though I don't know exactly what transpired, the enemy must be here."
Takeda's expression froze before he collected himself, "The enemy's Zanpakutō creates illusions. Don't let yourself be deceived!"
Rōjūrō's face hardened as he fixed his gaze on Aizen, "A Shinigami murderer, then?"
Aizen didn't waste breath on explanations. Between a wanted murderer and a daily companion, even a fool would know whom to trust.
Words were pointless now. He would simply have to handle them all...
"Ganging up on soone?"
As both sides readied for battle, another Reiatsu entered the field.
Unlike Rōjūrō's direct approach, this newcor's form was completely shrouded in Bakudō light, their voice altered to mask their identity.
"Such despicable behavior cannot be ignored!"
Looking at the suddenly appeared glowing person, Aizen fell silent.
Even with more than three layers of Light-Bending Barrier, he still couldn't conceal that overwhelmingly foolish aura.
He could guess the identity with his toes...
{T/N: Guess who showed up...}
⤫⤬⤫
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/mrblackwing
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