Just like players in ordinary games, knowing they won't die, they can act recklessly.
It's the same here.
In the Living World, with Kisuke watching and Isshin present, they would never let him be killed no matter what.
Because of that, Ichigo could fight to his heart's content in this battle!
"I told you, I will protect Rukia! That's my promise to her! I won't let you take her away!"
Roaring, Ichigo frantically squeezed out all the Reiryoku in his body. Then, channeling Reishi into his blood vessels completely disregarding whether his body could handle it, his veins bulged, and Blut Arterie was fully activated!
The excessively saturated Reiryoku even caused Ichigo's brown pupils to turn a faint blue under its influence, as if burning with flames!
"Getsuga Tensho - Wrap!"
Wrapping Getsuga Tensho around Zangetsu once more, Ichigo charged towards Byakuya!
His rapidly stepping figure, though without afterimages, could still be said to be extremely fast!
But watching Ichigo charge, Byakuya's eyes were indifferent as he said disdainfully: "It seems a cornered beast indeed still fights!"
He waved his hand, and a torrent of Senbonzakura petals instantly engulfed Ichigo!
"Ichigo!" Seeing this, Rukia's heart clenched!
But the next moment, Ichigo's roar was heard.
"Get away!" A ring-shaped Getsuga Tensho exploded, knocking away most of the Senbonzakura petals!
Then, frantically swinging Zangetsu, a bleeding Ichigo appeared before everyone!
Although Senbonzakura's blades were small, the blood loss from thousands of tiny wounds quickly formed a small pool of blood on the ground beneath Ichigo's feet.
"Gwah!" Ichigo spat out a mouthful of blood.
The impact of the Senbonzakura petals also carried force.
Just now, he hadn't only suffered external damage… his internal organs were also injured.
After Byakuya's Bankai, his strength truly overwhelmed Ichigo.
But even in such a miserable state, Ichigo did not give up.
Since Blut Arterie's strength boost wasn't enough, he switched to Blut Vene to stop the bleeding and extend his combat capability as much as possible.
Before the next Senbonzakura torrent arrived, Ichigo used Hirenkyaku to fly into the sky.
Then, the Quincy Cross reappeared. Ichigo set Zangetsu aside and nocked a Getsuya on the bow!
Byakuya saw through Ichigo's plan at a glance: "Oh, knowing you can't win head-on, so you're trying to use ranged attacks to whittle me down?"
"Unfortunately, this is also useless!"
Feeling the battle had gone on a bit long, Byakuya raised his hand.
Part of the Senbonzakura ocean swirling around him separated and chased after Ichigo in the sky.
Ignoring it, Ichigo shot arrows at Byakuya, but the roaring Getsuya were intercepted by the cherry blossom ocean around him before they could get close.
The flying blade swarm approached, and Ichigo used Hirenkyaku again to escape.
Using Hirenkyaku's speed, Ichigo transformed into an archer, starting to kite and deal chip damage.
Seeing this, Byakuya frowned and raised another hand.
In the sky, two Senbonzakura swarms began pursuing Ichigo!
But with only two swarms, Ichigo could still find opportunities to shoot at Byakuya.
Seemingly somewhat annoyed, Byakuya raised a single hand without using both.
Then, an awe-inspiring scene appeared!
Most of the cherry blossoms surrounding Byakuya rose with this single hand gesture!
Like the Buddha's Five-Finger Mountain, a giant cherry blossom hand rose from the ground, grabbing towards Ichigo in the sky!
In the sky, Ichigo darted left and right, trying to find an escape route.
But this time, Byakuya's control was very focused.
The cherry blossom fingers in the sky continuously plugged gaps, sealing off Ichigo's escape routes tightly.
Seeing this, Ichigo could only futilely ascend higher into the sky!
Below, Senbonzakura pursued relentlessly!
For a moment, Ichigo alone led the entire Senbonzakura ocean flying in the sky, forming a marvelous sight!
The cherry blossom ocean rising from the earth connected heaven and earth!
But even the sky has its limits, and so does human strength!
During the pursuit, Ichigo ultimately could not escape Byakuya's Five-Finger Mountain!
Those below could clearly see the soaring Senbonzakura ocean engulf Ichigo!
"Ahhhh!" A piercing scream came from the top of the sky!
It was like Gaara's Sand Coffin… blood sprayed and dripped down!
Then, carrying traces of blood, the hundreds of millions of Senbonzakura petals descended, returned, and transformed back into a long sword, returning to Byakuya's hand.
In the sky, having lost all strength and nearly bled dry, Ichigo fell vertically!
Without a second thought, Rukia rushed forward to catch Ichigo.
But she immediately remembered she had no power now and couldn't catch him.
So Rukia immediately looked at Renji beside her.