The feeling of crushing with absolute power was indeed exhilarating.
But…
After the bald副队长 (vice-captain) got up from the ground, he was clearly injured, and crimson blood flowed down his body. Yet, his expression…
"Why does he look a bit excited?" Bai Ye shivered. "Is he a pervert?"
As Bai Ye pondered…
"Ah!"
The副队长 (vice-captain) roared and charged towards Bai Ye again, raising his axe.
Those two axe blades were truly enormous, exuding a powerful pressure. Even Bai Ye’s Fang Tian Hua Ji, which was two sizes larger than an ordinary halberd, looked like a toothpick in comparison.
Then…
With a clang, Bai Ye horizontally swung his Fang Tian Hua Ji, clashing directly against the descending axe blade.
"Is size all that matters?" Bai Ye reached out and grabbed the副队长's (vice-captain's) throat, saying, "Looks impressive, but useless."
Bai Ye forcefully swung his arm, sending the副队长 (vice-captain) flying again. His body rolled across the ground, kicking up clouds of dust.
Then…
With a fishtail flip!
The副队长 (vice-captain) sprang up from the ground, his face filled with excitement.
Bai Ye was exasperated. This guy was truly a pervert; how could he get more energized the more he was beaten?
Just then…
With a clang!
The副队长 (vice-captain) struck the ground with his massive axe blade. A golden dragon crest appeared before Bai Ye.
"My Bankai is called Ryūmon Kijinmaru. Do you know why?" the副队长 (vice-captain) grinned ferociously. "Whether I’m cutting someone or being cut, Kijinmaru accumulates power, and the dragon crest shines brighter. Only when the dragon crest turns completely golden will Ryūmon Kijinmaru reach its peak."
"So that's how it is!" Bai Ye feigned understanding and asked, "And then?"
The副队长's (vice-captain's) eye twitched. He raised his axe blade and declared, "Therefore, become the soul under my blade!"
The副队长 (vice-captain) leaped up again, raising his enormous axe blade and charging at Bai Ye. He then swung the massive blade towards Bai Ye.
Rumble, rumble, rumble!
Before the axe blade even arrived, the fierce wind preceded it.
Almost instantly, with the swing, the ground around them exploded inch by inch, pulverized by the shockwaves generated by the attack.
Compared to before, the spiritual pressure emanating from the副队长 (vice-captain) had indeed become more terrifying.
Then…
Bai Ye stood his ground and raised his left arm.
Clang!
The axe blade struck the back of Bai Ye’s hand. The concentrated kinetic energy instantly shattered, creating turbulence. As the axe blade collided with Bai Ye’s hand, it suddenly cracked with a "咔嚓" sound.
The副队长's (vice-captain's) eyes widened. This was his full-power strike, and yet it resulted in the same outcome?
"A monster?"
The副队长 (vice-captain) murmured to himself.
At this moment, Seth called out towards Bai Ye, "The marker is complete."
"Got it!" Bai Ye replied, then raised his Fang Tian Hua Ji and looked at the副队长 (vice-captain) before him. "The game is over."
*Puff!*
The Fang Tian Hua Ji was forcefully slashed forward. A dark purple light flashed, and a large amount of blood spurted from the副队长's (vice-captain's) chest, instantly splattering all over the ground.
The副队长's (vice-captain's) body slowly slumped, first kneeling on the ground, then falling face-first.
Bai Ye turned and walked away directly, swinging his halberd backward one last time before leaving!
With the glint of the halberd, a dark purple戟光 (halberd light) shot out, shattering the ground. The shinigami behind them were once again intercepted.
"Let's go!"
Bai Ye caught up with Seth and headed towards Byakuya's gate.
Approximately ten meters away, Bai Ye took a deep breath and brought his Fang Tian Hua Ji down in front of him.
A crescent-shaped dark purple戟光 (halberd light) appeared, flying forward and striking Byakuya's gate with great force.
Rumble!
The seemingly indestructible giant gate let out a deafening roar, then shattered, collapsed, and fell.
With a single strike!
"My mission is complete!"
Bai Ye and Seth leaped over the shattered Byakuya's gate. Seth’s face then lit up with joy.
"It seems the mission requirements were to place the marker and successfully leave the Seireitei," Bai Ye remarked. "The rest is simple. Leave here, shake off those shinigami. There's no rush to claim the mission rewards; safety first."
Seth nodded. "We can leave the Rukongai first and return when the heat dies down."
Bai Ye agreed. "That's a viable plan."
But at that moment…
"No, you're not going anywhere!"
A voice rang out, and immediately, Bai Ye felt an immense spiritual pressure. The surrounding temperature plummeted, carrying a hint of icy coldness.
*Crack, crack, crack…*
Frost began to appear on the ground and walls around them.
A chilling white mist slowly emerged, swirling around Bai Ye and Seth.
Soon, from within the white frosty mist, a figure slowly emerged.
He wore the black shinigami uniform with a white haori, had short white hair, and a remarkably handsome and refined face. However, his height…
"A child?" Bai Ye scratched his head. "Are there child Captains among the shinigami? Is it okay to hire child labor like this?"
Veins bulged on the forehead of the shinigami captain.
Child?
That was the name he hated the most!
The young captain drew his Zanpakuto and roared, "Hyōrinmaru!"
The Zanpakuto at the young captain's waist was drawn, and immediately, the intense coldness surrounding them intensified. Frost even began to drift down from the sky.
Bai Ye licked his lips. Although the other party appeared to be a white-haired youth no older than his teens…
…his attire was unmistakable, and his terrifying spiritual pressure and immense oppressive aura confirmed that he was indeed Captain-level.
"You go first!" Bai Ye struck his Fang Tian Hua Ji on the ground and said to Seth, "I'll block the door and hold off this guy. Run as far as you can. I guarantee they won't be able to pursue you for now. As for what happens after that, I can't say. Alright?"
Seth nodded and patted Bai Ye’s arm. "Take care."
Bai Ye grinned. "You too."
The surrounding frost danced and intensified. Bai Ye gripped his Fang Tian Hua Ji again, and at that very moment…
*Bang!*
Seth pushed off the ground with his legs, darting forward like a leopard.
The young shinigami glanced at Seth and forcefully swung his sword: "Guncho Hyōketsu!"
In the sky, the drifting frost and snow suddenly coalesced, transforming into ice birds that dove towards Seth, launching a sudden attack.
Clearly, the other party had no intention of letting Seth escape so easily.
But…
…