Several towering pillars of fla erupted from the distant ground, and a pair of bare, pale feet stepped out from the inferno.
Kenpachi Kiganjō's gaze followed upward, locking onto Masatsuki Aozaki as he erged from the swirling flas, moving as if he were rely taking a leisurely stroll.
A wave of intense heat washed over him, making his rocky skin feel as if it were softening. A stinging burn prickled across his body.
His vaunted defense, once his pride, now made him feel like he was trapped inside a cramped furnace. Beneath the rocky exterior, his unseen skin was turning red, marred with burns.
"Masatsuki Aozaki... so what if you really did steal the old man's power? I used Bankai!"
Kenpachi Kiganjō glared at the young man in the distance, his breath ragged, his expression twisted with fury.
He had experienced the power of Ryūjin Jakka firsthand.
That power had reduced him from a "warrior" of Rukongai to a "servant" groveling before the One King and his Five Nobles.
But this ti, he refused to submit.
He was the Captain of the 11th Division!
The 10th Kenpachi who had slain Kenpachi Gosuke!
And now, he was supposed to bow to so brat just because of a sword's power?
What a joke!
A sword's strength depended on the one wielding it.
And this kid... was not Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto!
"Don't think I'm afraid of you. Even if you really possess Ryūjin Jakka's power, it's only a Shikai!"
"If my Reiatsu rivals that old man's, then my Teniwa (Heavenly Rock) may not be any weaker than Ryūjin Jakka!"
"And besides, I've used my Bankai. The one who's going to die... is you!"
"You can try," Masatsuki Aozaki grinned maniacally. "But your ti is running out. Or are you doubting Master and my two seniors' speed?"
"You bastard!"
Kenpachi Kiganjō roared in rage. His rocky skin surged, expanding wildly as his massive fra grew even larger, making him resemble a monstrous stone giant.
Boom!!
The ground caved in for several ters around him, sending shards of stone and clouds of dust flying as the sheer force of his movent shook the battlefield.
In an instant, Kenpachi Kiganjō vanished from sight—
Only to reappear directly in front of Masatsuki Aozaki, his colossal fist barreling toward him.
"Rock Fist!"
Perhaps because he had witnessed the power of Banshō Senran firsthand, he had beco reluctant to engage Masatsuki Aozaki with direct sword strikes after activating his Bankai.
A Bankai-forged Zanpakutō was powerful, yet fragile.
While it could amplify his strength, if the blade itself was damaged, the consequences would be irreversible. At best, his Bankai's power would weaken.
That was a risk he refused to take!
Masatsuki Aozaki completely surrendered his body to Banshō, feeling more relaxed than ever—so much so that he even had the leisure to chat with her.
"You seem to handle Ryūjin Jakka better than I do."
"That's because I understand it better," Banshō whispered, holding him close.
"I know the essence and power of every Shikai. What you see is what I see. Every Shikai you've used has co from . It's a lot of work, you know."
"So, in a way, I've been using your power all along. That must have been exhausting for you." Masatsuki Aozaki spoke with genuine sincerity.
"Then what about Senran? What's she been up to? Has she been slacking off?"
Banshō raised a finger and playfully teased the Bōkunchō Bird perched on her shoulder.
"She's in charge of managing these little ones. Honestly, you don't really know her that well. She's a stubborn child. Let teach you how to use her properly!"
"Why does that sound a little weird coming from you?"
"That's not important," Banshō chuckled softly. "Listen carefully, Masatsuki-chan."
This woman has no sense of propriety... Masatsuki Aozaki thought.
She leaned in close to his ear and whispered, her voice ethereal and otherworldly:
"At the beginning of heaven and earth, all things are without end. Banshō Senran!"
Masatsuki Aozaki hesitated for a mont, then repeated the incantation after her.
Banshō Senran continued to burn with fire, but now a powerful wind wrapped around his entire body.
In an instant, he flickered forward with Shunpo, his speed reaching its peak just in ti to evade Kenpachi Kiganjō's crushing punch.
Masatsuki Aozaki's eyes widened slightly in surprise, a flicker of realization flashing through his gaze.
Banshō Senran could use multiple Shikai at once!
The thought barely ford before a piercing sound split the air in front of him.
A massive rock pillar ca hurtling down like a war spear, carrying overwhelming force as it crashed downward—
But it missed.
"Impossible! How did that miss!?"
Kenpachi Kiganjō stared in shock as the rock pillar barely grazed Masatsuki Aozaki, failing to inflict any damage at all.
He had used this technique countless tis, and not once had it ever gone off-target like this.
"His Reiatsu is stronger, so Kyōka Suigetsu's effect is limited—but that guy's an idiot. ssing with his perception just a little is still possible," Banshō explained.
Masatsuki Aozaki nodded slightly in understanding.
Reality wasn't so ga where power levels determined everything. Even among those classified as Third-Class Reiatsu, there were clear disparities in strength.
Kenpachi Kiganjō was a veteran Captain who had honed his skills for years at this level. Though he hadn't reached Second-Class Reiatsu, he was far stronger than a new Captain-level like Masatsuki.
And with Bankai active, his Reiatsu had skyrocketed beyond its Shikai state. Fooling him with Kyōka Suigetsu's illusions would be nearly impossible.
Banshō was teaching him how to truly fight with Banshō Senran!
Kenpachi Kiganjō swung his massive rock-forged Zanpakutō.
Boom!
A deafening roar tore through the battlefield as golden sword pressure surged forward like a raging earth dragon.
A massive crack over ten ters long split open the ground, tearing through everything in its path toward Masatsuki Aozaki. Stones on both sides crumbled and tumbled into the abyss below.
Shattered rock flew everywhere, and Kenpachi Kiganjō's pupils shrank.
Missed again!?
This wasn't just bad luck—he had aid directly at him!
"Masatsuki Aozaki, what kind of trick are you playing this ti?"
Kenpachi Kiganjō finally realized sothing was wrong.
A battle-hardened warrior like him would never make the sa mistake twice in a row.
anwhile, the pillars of fire around him kept closing in, fueling his growing frustration.
His rocky armor, under the intense heat, was beginning to show signs of lting.
For a brief mont, he hesitated—
And that was when Masatsuki Aozaki's blade ca slashing down.
Or rather—
"Masatsuki Aozaki" gripped the blazing long sword, a cruel smirk curling at his lips.
"You dare bully Masatsuki-chan?!"
Masatsuki Aozaki's heart trembled.
This woman suddenly seed terrifying.
Then—
A powerful slash ca crashing down toward Kenpachi Kiganjō's neck.
Crack!
The flaming long sword collided with the massive rock blade, sending cracks spiderwebbing through the stone-encased weapon. Shockwaves rippled outward in waves.
Fierce winds tore at the tattered remains of Masatsuki Aozaki's clothing, his bloodstained figure radiating a wild, almost manic energy.
"It's useless. You can't harm the true form of Dōhan Tengan!"
Kenpachi Kiganjō sneered, his towering fra unmoving as he reached out to grab Masatsuki's arm.
Masatsuki Aozaki let out a mocking chuckle.
"I'm not here to compare brute strength with you."
His flaming blade pulsed—
And the massive rock sword instantly turned red-hot, superheating until the moisture in the air around it vaporized into steam.
"Ugh..." Kenpachi Kiganjō let out a pained grunt, caught off guard by the searing heat perating through his armor.
Clang!
He tightened his grip and swung, his massive sword colliding with Masatsuki's, sending him flying.
Masatsuki Aozaki flipped midair, using the montum to his advantage before diving back in—his blade cutting down toward Kenpachi Kiganjō's neck once more.
Boom!
Kenpachi Kiganjō stumbled slightly, dodging the strike—
But the sudden arc of flas that erupted from the slash blurred his vision.
And then—
His entire body ignited!
Even his rock-covered form couldn't prevent him from becoming fuel for these searing flas!
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake
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