Many witnesses saw it happen.
When Renji Abarai fell, shock spread through the crowd.
"Who is this kid? He's that strong?"
"Strange—where did his Shinigami power come from? How is he wielding it so powerfully?"
This orange-haired youth actually possessed Shinigami power.
Not only that—he could release Shikai and defeat Lieutenant Renji Abarai!
Captain-Commander Yamamoto's attention shifted to Ichigo as well.
But soon he looked elsewhere—to the young man who always wore a smile.
"So this is his handiwork," Yamamoto sighed.
Lin Xuan had shocked him again and again. Yamamoto's wariness only deepened.
He knew clearly now—if this wasn't handled carefully, the Seireitei could fall into endless calamity.
Meanwhile, Shisui Uchiha suddenly appeared beside Lin Xuan.
The surrounding Shinigami stared, stunned again.
They remembered—Shisui's opponent had been Second Division Captain Soi Fon.
Shisui returning here meant Soi Fon had lost?
"Impossible—Captain Soi Fon lost?" Many were bewildered. Second Division members especially found it unbearable.
Their captain was so strong—defeated this quickly by one youth?
But something even more unexpected happened.
Nearby, a massive black oval barrier shattered. A figure flew out from within.
Everyone looked—and saw Ninth Division Captain Kaname Tōsen.
He looked battered, wounded in several places.
Then a man in a black coat walked slowly from the shattered barrier—crimson three-tomoe Sharingan eyes that chilled the hearts of nearby Shinigami.
Suddenly, a figure charged from afar—a massive giant appearing behind him.
Seventh Division Captain Sajin Komamura.
Seeing his friend Tōsen defeated, Komamura abandoned his own opponent and charged straight at Itachi Uchiha.
"Die!"
Komamura roared, commanding Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō to bring its massive blade down on Itachi.
Susanoo!
Itachi's eyes became Mangekyō Sharingan. He summoned the complete Susanoo.
The crimson giant's spiritual weapon—Yata Mirror—raised as a shield, blocking Komamura's attack.
Boom!
Itachi's Susanoo was driven back several steps. But its other hand swung the flame-wreathed Totsuka Blade toward Komamura.
Boom!
To Itachi's surprise, the blade didn't hit Komamura. At the last instant, someone appeared before Komamura and blocked the strike.
The one who intercepted Itachi's attack was Jūshirō Ukitake.
"Be careful. That sword is dangerous—I sense powerful sealing force on it," Ukitake said gravely.
"Interesting. I underestimated him," Lin Xuan watched Ukitake with interest.
Ukitake had been fighting Konan—but at the critical moment, he'd broken away and blocked Itachi's Totsuka Blade in time.
Lin Xuan had assumed Ukitake was just sickly and significantly weakened.
But his actual strength was formidable. He'd simply held back in combat.
The surrounding battles continued.
But the situation dissatisfied Yamamoto.
Barely a few dozen enemies—and they'd blocked most of the Seireitei's assault. No deaths on their side yet.
At the high-end, the enemy's combat power seemed stronger.
Even coordinated groups of ordinary Shinigami couldn't match them—completely suppressed.
For the Seireitei, it was humiliation.
Seeing Komamura about to attack again, Yamamoto spoke gravely. "Stand down."
He sighed softly. "Time to act. Clear out these pests."
Ichigo defeating Renji. Tōsen and Soi Fon falling—it was the final straw.
Captain-Commander Yamamoto decided to act personally.
Boom!
Terrifying reiatsu erupted. Flames blazed from his Zanpakutō, fire swirling through the air.
"Kill!"
His figure vanished. In a blink he appeared before Itachi Uchiha.
Everything seemed to freeze. Only the flame-wreathed Zanpakutō descended with crushing force—a direct, unadorned slash at Itachi.
Itachi's pupils contracted. Even with his Sharingan active, he couldn't track the movement. No time to defend.
But in that instant, Lin Xuan appeared before Itachi.
Lin Xuan smiled faintly. A long blade materialized in his hand.
The blade's edge turned black. He swept upward—clashing with Yamamoto's Zanpakutō.
Boom!
A deafening explosion. The ground shook violently. Earth vaporized, leaving a massive crater.
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T/N:
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