Behind the barracks of Squad Four, the entire area was lit up like broad daylight by the rising surge of spiritual pressure!
A deep red spiritual pressure, as crimson as blood, enveloped Ikkaku's entire body. The muscles and bones he had forged through years of training creaked under the immense pressure, groaning from the strain. Yet, not even a hint of pain appeared on Ikkaku's face. His mouth stretched into a grin that reached his ears, and he let out wild, ecstatic laughter—at this moment, he resembled a savage beast, one that knew only how to suck the marrow from his enemies' bones, to rip out their throats and drink deep of their thick, delicious blood!
Even through the surveillance equipment, this crazed state of his was shockingly intense. Mayuri Kurotsuchi watched this scene with a faint look of exasperation.
"Tch! Another maniac... Ah, this Soul Society really is full of lunatics. No wonder the air here is so suffocating!"
Despite Mayuri's aggressive tone, Zaraki Kenpachi wasn't the least bit offended. In fact, his attention wasn't even on Mayuri. He was fixated on the bald man in the footage, a feral grin spreading across his face. The bells on his hair jingled with excitement, sounding like a demon laughing wildly.
The other captains had varying expressions as they watched—some helpless, some in approval, some with disdain, and some calm and indifferent.
Yamamoto Genryūsai simply nodded slightly at the sight of Ikkaku's shikai, showing no further reaction.
However, when another surge of spiritual pressure appeared—this one ink-black, not only rivaling Ikkaku's but even overpowering it—all the captains, including the Head Captain himself, instinctively turned toward the screen.
This could be the very first battle featuring the Soul Society's first domain-type Zanpakutō!
From combat performance, data, to historical record—this was a matter of great significance!
Especially when Asano Kiyoshi shouted the shikai release phrase—every single captain held their breath in unison, eager to witness just how unique this domain-type Zanpakutō truly was. Even behind the glare of Aizen's glasses, a smile full of intrigue formed.
"How interesting... With the stimulus I prepared, you've finally broken through that limit. Now, let's see how far your abilities can really go…"
"Wither into heavenly light—Yomi!"
The moment the incantation was completed, the black spiritual pressure surged up like a dragon roaring into the sky. It coiled around the red spiritual energy, swallowing it whole. Then the black dragon dispersed—revealing the figure of the young man standing at its heart!
His form was so striking, so mesmerizing, that everyone watching felt themselves drawn in involuntarily.
An endless sea of crimson flowers bloomed beneath an ancient, desolate pavilion. Red spiritual energy grew atop white skeletal remains. Upon each blossom seemed to sit a deadly yet alluring poison—this was the very source of all desire, the final resting place of obsession.
The scarlet flowers swayed in the spiritual wind, filling the air with a thick, intoxicating fragrance. From the eye sockets of the white skulls, blood-red blossoms bloomed—beautiful and mournful in equal measure.
Asano Kiyoshi wore a traditional Chinese long robe and black cloth shoes. He stood beneath the red pavilion, gazing at the flower-covered Ikkaku, and calmly spoke:
"Ikkaku—brace yourself. What comes next won't be easy."
The aesthetic yet chilling sight of Kiyoshi's shikai left all the captains speechless. As they looked at the overly extravagant release, some couldn't help but question:
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Are you sure this isn't bankai? That kind of scale… I wouldn't doubt it even for a second!"
Isshin, as usual, was being dramatic and loud. Normally, the other captains might have scolded him for it, but now—faced with the overwhelming range of that spiritual pressure—none of them could argue that his reaction was unjustified.
Yamamoto rested on his cane, a glint in his eyes betraying thoughts known to no one. He turned to Mayuri and said:
"I want you to make sure this recording stays between us captains. No one else must see it—especially not those in Central 46. Understood?"
Though usually quick to talk back, even Mayuri felt a slight chill from Yamamoto's seriousness. Still, he kept up his attitude:
"Relax. Based on my judgment, I've already placed all data related to Asano Kiyoshi under the highest level of access in the Research and Development Bureau. Only captains can access it. No one else will see a thing."
Satisfied with the answer, Yamamoto nodded and returned his attention to the battle unfolding on the screen, saying no more.
Back at the Squad Four barracks, crimson and black spiritual pressures clashed violently—like two savage beasts bent on killing one another.
This time, Asano Kiyoshi didn't wait for Ikkaku to strike first. He took the initiative.
He raised his hand slightly and chanted:
"Bakudō #21 — Sekienton!"
Due to his shikai, the range of Sekienton expanded drastically—from its original ten or so meters to nearly fifty meters in diameter. Moreover, the dense red fog within was filled with spiritual pressure signatures from Kiyoshi, darting about in every direction. Anyone outside the mist would be completely unable to pinpoint his location.
At the same time, this dancing spiritual energy acted as a form of "radar" for Kiyoshi. Once an enemy entered the mist, no matter how they dodged or moved, they couldn't escape being locked on by his kidō.
As Ikkaku saw the thick fog roll in, he grinned with excitement. He spun his red-tasseled Hōzukimaru with a flourish, then, with an explosive burst of strength, thrust forward. The deadly tip of his spear tore through the fog like a hot knife through butter, slicing open a clear path.
Just a single thrust had carved through the dense mist!
Hidden within the red fog, Kiyoshi watched Ikkaku's war-god-like presence with a small shake of his head. Though he felt a twinge of helplessness, he wasted no time chanting again:
"Hadō #12 — Fushibi!"
As spiritual particles rapidly reassembled in midair, a fiery crimson net formed and shot toward Ikkaku.
Seeing the net rush at him, Ikkaku grinned savagely. Rather than dodge or block, he twisted his body midair in a bizarre motion, and with a sudden forceful stab of his spear down and to the left—he counterattacked!
T/N: For up to 20 chapters ahead on all my translations, become a p@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle
Also check out my other fics