"Captain Commander, let me go."
Without the slightest hesitation, Ryūjin Uchiha stepped forward and spoke immediately.
Since there was a high probability that Aizen was behind this incident, there was no way Ryūjin intended to miss it.
He wanted to see exactly how far Aizen had progressed after remaining hidden for more than half a year.
Had the Espada already been created?
If he really encountered them, the rewards would certainly be worthwhile.
"Captain Commander, I am also willing to lead members of the Fourth Division to Kusora City alongside Captain Ryūjin."
Retsu Unohana stepped forward as well.
"If there are surviving members of the Thirteenth Division, we can provide immediate treatment."
"Captain Ryūjin Uchiha, Captain Retsu Unohana, I leave this matter to you."
The Captain Commander agreed without hesitation.
The situation in Kusora City was no small matter. The Thirteenth Division had nearly been wiped out. Only a captain of Ryūjin's caliber could truly reassure him.
As the medical division, the Fourth Division's participation would also maximize the chances of saving the wounded.
The other captains and vice captains felt considerably more at ease when they saw Ryūjin volunteer.
No matter what had happened in the Human World, everyone believed that as long as Ryūjin Uchiha was present, the problem would be resolved.
Their confidence in him was absolute.
The situation was urgent, so preparations began immediately.
Only fifteen minutes later, Ryūjin met the medical squad led by Retsu Unohana in front of the Senkaimon.
"Captain Ryūjin, you didn't bring anyone from the Eleventh Division?"
Unohana looked at him with slight surprise.
"Not enough time, and I couldn't be bothered gathering them."
Ryūjin answered casually.
"That's true. With Captain Ryūjin's strength, I believe you can handle any situation."
Unohana smiled softly.
The members of the Fourth Division behind her all looked somewhat excited. Few members of the medical division ever had the opportunity to accompany Captain Ryūjin on a mission.
After exchanging a few words, the Senkaimon opened.
Ryūjin, Unohana, and the members of the Fourth Division stepped through immediately.
"Such overwhelming spiritual pressure!"
"How many Hollows are there?"
"What exactly happened here?"
The moment they arrived in the Human World, everyone sensed the enormous and chaotic spiritual pressure filling the area.
All of it belonged to Hollows.
The spiritual pressure was spread throughout the city like massive dark clouds.
Even more alarming was the presence of Menos Grande Reiatsu mixed among them.
"Menos Grande have appeared in Kusora City, and there is more than one."
Unohana frowned slightly.
"Why are there so many Hollows in the Human World?"
As soon as she finished speaking, her expression changed.
She immediately turned toward the front right.
The other members of the Fourth Division also sensed something and followed her gaze.
Their faces instantly turned pale.
"Three Menos Grande!"
"Three Gillians!"
"How is that possible?!"
Three enormous figures towered above the city, blocking out the sunlight and casting the area into shadow.
At that moment, everyone understood why the Thirteenth Division had nearly been annihilated.
Although Gillians were the lowest class of Menos Grande, only captains and vice captains could normally fight them.
The appearance of three at once was a disaster for ordinary Shinigami.
Swish!
Before anyone could react, their vision blurred.
Ryūjin, who had been standing before them, vanished like a ghost and appeared directly before the three Gillians.
Not a single person had seen him move.
Even Unohana could not hide the admiration in her eyes.
"Captain Ryūjin's Shunpo is truly extraordinary."
Roar!
The three Gillians sensed Ryūjin's presence and slowly turned their massive bodies toward him.
Ryūjin did not even bother looking at them directly.
At his current level, Gillians were no different from trash.
Clang!
He casually raised the Asauchi in his hand and swung it.
An overwhelming wave of spiritual pressure erupted alongside the slash.
The attack struck all three Menos Grande simultaneously.
The Gillians, which normally brought despair to ordinary Shinigami, were sliced apart like paper.
Their bodies disintegrated into spiritual particles and disappeared.
It was as though they had never existed.
The members of the Fourth Division stood frozen.
Those were three Gillians.
Yet Captain Ryūjin had eliminated them with a single casual strike.
From beginning to end, he had merely moved his arm.
He had not even taken another step.
"One attack... three Gillians..."
"Is this Captain Ryūjin's strength?"
"He truly deserves the title of the strongest Shinigami beneath the Captain Commander!"
The members of the Fourth Division looked at him with undisguised admiration.
Swish!
Suddenly, Ryūjin vanished once more.
"Where did Captain Ryūjin go?"
"What is Captain Ryūjin doing?"
The members of the Fourth Division looked at each other in confusion.
A moment later, Ryūjin appeared before them again.
"Captain Unohana, the members of the Thirteenth Division are your responsibility."
"This Hollow outbreak is suspicious. I'll investigate separately."
"We split up."
"After you finish your mission, return to the Seireitei on your own."
Ignoring the worshipful gazes around him, Ryūjin spoke directly to Unohana.
"Captain Ryūjin, shouldn't we deal with the Hollow outbreak first?"
Isane Kotetsu could not help asking.
Rescuing the wounded and investigating the cause should come after resolving the disaster itself.
"You don't need to worry about that."
Ryūjin spoke indifferently.
"I already dealt with it."
As if discussing something completely insignificant.
"What?"
"The outbreak was already resolved?"
"During those few seconds when Captain Ryūjin disappeared?"
"How is that possible?"
The members of the Fourth Division were stunned.
Those few seconds had been enough to eliminate the entire outbreak?
Only Captain Ryūjin could accomplish something so absurd.
"Having someone like Captain Ryūjin in the Seireitei really is reassuring."
Unohana smiled softly.
"Everyone, begin searching for the surviving members of the Thirteenth Division."
After exchanging a few final words with Ryūjin, she led the Fourth Division into the city.
Swish!
Ryūjin also disappeared.
After several rapid steps through the air, he suddenly stopped.
Suspended high above the city, he looked down toward two figures walking calmly along the street.
The two of them stopped simultaneously and raised their heads.
One was a large and violent looking man.
The other was a pale young man with a melancholy expression.
Ryūjin recognized them immediately.
Two Espada.
The large man was Yammy, the Tenth Espada.
Of course, that ranking only applied in his normal state.
The other was Ulquiorra, Yammy's constant partner.
Seeing them confirmed Ryūjin's suspicions.
The Hollow outbreak had indeed been orchestrated by Aizen.
And the target was undoubtedly him.
Instead of annoyance, however, Ryūjin felt slightly excited.
Aizen had once again delivered gifts to his doorstep.
There were several Espada abilities that interested him.
Baraggan's Respira had already proven extremely useful.
As for Ulquiorra, Lanza del Relámpago was equally appealing.
Yammy himself was not especially impressive, but his ability to store power through eating and sleeping did attract Ryūjin's interest.
"He found us."
Yammy grinned.
The smile carried obvious cruelty.
"So this is Ryūjin Uchiha, the one Lord Aizen warned us about?"
"He doesn't look like much."
"Yammy."
Ulquiorra spoke seriously.
"If Lord Aizen warned us, then he possesses abilities worthy of caution."
"Don't underestimate him."
"Really?"
Yammy cracked his knuckles.
"Then I want to see for myself."
Ryūjin slowly descended from the sky and landed before them.
"I'm honored."
"Aizen actually sent three capable subordinates to deal with me."
Ulquiorra and Yammy's expressions changed.
There were only two of them present.
The third person...
"What, surprised?"
Ryūjin smiled faintly.
"Did you think I couldn't detect him?"
He turned toward an empty space.
"I'm already standing here. Aren't you going to come out and say hello?"
"That's pretty rude."
Buzz!
Spiritual energy suddenly distorted the air.
A new figure appeared.
The number five was engraved upon his forehead.
The Fifth Espada.
Ulquiorra and Yammy retained their original rankings.
"Ryūjin Uchiha truly deserves his reputation."
The Fifth Espada stared at him seriously.
"If we're going to fight, then fight."
Yammy suddenly roared.
"Enough talking!"
Whoosh!
His body vanished, leaving behind only an afterimage.
He appeared before Ryūjin instantly.
His massive fist smashed downward.
The force behind it was overwhelming.
Ryūjin did not even look directly at him.
With complete indifference, he casually raised his own fist.
"Seeking death!"
Yammy sneered.
A Shinigami abandoning his Zanpakutō to exchange punches with him was pure stupidity.
Their Hierro was incredibly durable.
Ordinary Shinigami could barely cut them.
Yet Ryūjin had chosen hand to hand combat.
"Yammy, dodge!"
Ulquiorra's expression changed dramatically.
He had sensed the danger.
Unfortunately, it was already too late.
Bang!
The two fists collided.
Yammy's body violently shook.
Then he flew backward like a cannonball.
Boom!
His entire arm exploded.
It disintegrated into spiritual particles.
The terrifying force continued through his body.
His chest collapsed inward.
His bones shattered.
His organs ruptured.
Yammy crashed into the ground.
Blood poured from his mouth.
His eyes were filled with horror.
What kind of monster was this?
===
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