Under the effect of the spoken release command, Zabimaru's impact gained additional force.
But similarly, Ichigo also swung Zangetsu and roared: "Getsuga Tensho!"
A sky-blue slash tinged with black collided with Zabimaru's bite!
Boom-
High-density, high-quality Reiatsu from both sides exploded!
Erupting from the point of their clash, the powerful force even blasted and vaporized the soil below into dust that spread out!
For a moment, thick dust and smoke engulfed the entire park!
Simultaneously, because Zabimaru was held in hand, under the impact of Getsuga Tensho, Renji had no choice but to retreat to dissipate the force.
But within the enveloping dust, Renji was also continuously searching for traces of Ichigo.
'Where is he?'
Zabimaru quickly retracted, building up force for the next extension.
However, what Renji didn't expect was that in his Reikaku, Ichigo appeared at his left rear one second, but the next second, he seemed to teleport again, appearing at his right rear!
Having only prepared defense for his left rear, Renji was completely caught off guard!
This was precisely the move Ichigo had used to trick Grand Fisher: Shunpo, Hirenkyaku variation, double shift!
"Hyah!" With Ichigo's roar, the massive Zangetsu came down heavily from right to left!
In the split-second reaction time, Renji relied purely on the combat instinct honed from being beaten in the 11th Division to twist his body and raise his sword to block.
But this time, the immense force transmitted from Ichigo's blade far exceeded before!
Because Ichigo had already used Blut Arterie!
'What, how is this possible?'
Under Ichigo's greatly enhanced strength, Renji was sent flying!
His out-of-control body spun continuously in the air! Even by constantly using Reishi to create handholds and footholds, he couldn't stop immediately.
Renji could only try his best to watch Ichigo's movements.
Then, seeing Ichigo immediately start charging an attack after knocking him away, Renji understood.
The opponent's previous strength was a feint to deceive the enemy! Everything was to set up this final ambush against him!
'But how did he know the retraction pattern of my Zabimaru?'
'Was it battle sense? Or coincidence?'
Renji was perplexed.
But by now, after a brief charge, Ichigo had already aimed at the out-of-control Renji in the sky and unleashed another Getsuga Tensho!
Because he didn't charge it much, this Getsuga Tensho wasn't large, only a crescent moon the size of an ordinary person.
But for Renji, this crescent was still lethal enough!
"Tch, damn it!" Renji instinctively wanted to use Zabimaru to counter.
But he immediately thought: 'Could this also be part of his calculation?'
'If he attacked again during the gap when Zabimaru was retracting, then I would have no means to fight back!'
So, after a brief mental game of wits, Renji raised his hand, also using an incantation-less Kido!
"Bakudo #39, Enkosen!"
A large, round fan-shaped shield appeared between Renji and Ichigo's Getsuga Tensho!
Boom-
Renji's Kido wasn't proficient.
The hastily cast Enkosen only neutralized two-thirds of the Getsuga Tensho's power, while the remaining one-third struck him fully.
However, by using the unexpected Kido, Renji had regained the initiative!
"Zabimaru, crush him!" After being struck down by the Getsuga Tensho, Renji swung Zabimaru behind himself without hesitation.
Coincidentally, Ichigo appeared precisely at the location Renji had predicted!
Seeing the Zabimaru caught Ichigo off guard, his pupils contracting.
Immediately, with a clang, Ichigo parried with Zangetsu, but Zabimaru, like a saw blade, cut into his shoulder!
"Gwah!" Ichigo let out a cry of pain, then used Zangetsu to force Zabimaru away. Large amounts of blood splattered!
Although it was a follow-up attack, after this 'blink into skill' incident, Ichigo couldn't continue his assault either!
For a moment, the two injured men stared at each other.
"Not bad, you have some brains after all!" Ichigo praised Renji.
"Heh!" Having narrowly escaped danger multiple times in a short period, gasping for breath, Renji managed a weak smile: "No matter what, I am a Lieutenant!"
However, although both were injured, Renji's subsequent situation wasn't optimistic.
That earlier Getsuga Tensho, though mostly blocked by Enkosen, the remaining one-third had struck him solidly.
Currently, Renji had internal organ damage, extensive external injuries, and was bleeding profusely.
In comparison, Ichigo had Blut Vene to stop the bleeding, and only the injury on his right shoulder affected his strength.
If the fight continued, Renji would definitely lose!
"You've lost!" Ichigo declared.
"Tch!" Renji spat a bloody mouthful in displeasure. "Who says I've lost before it's over?"
After saying this, forcing his injured body to move, Renji swung Zabimaru once more.