Ikkaku reassembled the three-section staff in his hand!
His entire Reiatsu rose sharply!
Then, a crimson Reiatsu pillar shot into the sky.
"Bankai: Ryumon Hozukimaru!!!"
Similar to the three-section staff of Hozukimaru's Shikai, three giant blades linked by chains appeared on Ikkaku's hands and back!
They were respectively: an enlarged giant Guan Dao, one half of a giant crescent spade without the crescent moon, and on his back, a crescent-moon-shaped giant cleaver.
After achieving Bankai with Lieutenant-level Reiatsu, a new Captain-level Reiatsu surged into the sky!
And watching Ikkaku's Bankai, Ichigo finally showed a satisfied smile.
This was the method he had thought of after the battle with Gin.
The purpose? Naturally, to deal with the over 20 billion game coins pressing down on him!
The game coins pressing down on players would make players undergo trials, or encounter crises.
The way these trials and crises came was similar to Final Destination, being guided and amplified in various ways.
For example, Captain-Commander Yamamoto originally found you a bit annoying, but it was whatever.
But now, if Captain-Commander Yamamoto finds you a bit annoying, he might just draw his sword directly.
The game coins pressing down on Ichigo would do their best to make him face more dangers.
But similarly, when Ichigo encountered danger, the energy of the game coins would also be resolved.
Ichigo's purpose in provoking Ikkaku was naturally to artificially create danger, create danger he could control, and then use it to resolve these over 20 billion game coins!
After all, the first encounter with Gin was controllable, and he would absolutely not kill Ichigo.
The current encounter with Ikkaku wasn't exactly controllable, but the problem was he was weak.
But the possible future encounters with Zaraki, or other enemies, were hard to say.
Zaraki indeed had no habit of killing people, only wanting to enjoy battle, but who could say for sure?
Ichigo's method was also very useful.
The battle with Gin consumed 35% of the game coin reserve pressing on Ichigo.
Now, Ikkaku's Bankai consumed another 20% of the game coin reserve pressing on Ichigo.
Instantly, only 45% of the over 20 billion game coins remained, still exerting their effect.
Thus, in the distance.
Kusajishi Yachiru, who was giving Zaraki directions but ended up leading him to a shop selling Konpeito, froze.
She originally planned to leave after finishing this jar of Konpeito, but now she suddenly wanted to eat one more jar. So she decided to eat just one more jar... or a hundred million more jars before leaving!
As for Zaraki's plans?
A scumbag who closes his ears to his own Zanpakuto's voice shouldn't blame the Zanpakuto for turning into a pink-haired loli to torment him!
And facing the willful Yachiru, Zaraki could only wait nearby with a stinky face, helpless, his body emitting an aura that kept strangers away, scaring the ten players in the shop terribly, making them tremble.
Only the livestream audience members, who because there were too many players in the 11th Division and who daily shipped the Zaraki-Yachiru CP and fell in love with this pair, were laughing heartily here.
"So, Yachiru always knew the way, right?"
"Puhahaha, pink hairs are all black inside when cut open. Yachiru just wanted to eat Konpeito. What bad intentions could a loli have?"
"Usually so wild and arrogant, Zaraki is completely handled by Yachiru. Maybe this is the restraining attribute between a cold-faced swordsman uncle and a loli, a classic case!"
"Just came from Sister Mei's side… they were still talking about Kenpachi, and here Kenpachi is eating candy with his kid. Can't stop laughing, brothers!"
Watching Zaraki and Yachiru, the livestream audience was immensely amused.
But where Ichigo was, someone was about to die of happiness.
"Hahahaha, hahahaha!"
After Bankai, swinging Ryumon Hozukimaru, Ikkaku let out hearty shouts.
Ryumon Hozukimaru's attribute was very singular: an increase in power!
Moreover, in the center of the large cleaver on Ikkaku's back, there was a dragon pattern. This dragon pattern would accumulate energy during battle.
Once the energy was fully charged, Ikkaku could unleash his strongest strike.
At the same time, the process of the dragon pattern charging was also the process of him growing stronger in battle.
Facing the newly Bankai using Ikkaku, Ichigo could no longer be as casual as before, abandoning defense.
Instead, he used Blut Arterie for enhancement and activated Getsuga Tensho - Bind.
This time, the battle between the two was finally evenly matched.
Zangetsu, wrapped in blue Getsuga Tensho, and Ryumon Hozukimaru continuously collided. The immense power shook the air. The usually unnoticeable air was like being struck by heavy hammers, constantly being hammered into air cannons that shot out.
Splashed by the air cannons, the ground, walls, and houses would occasionally explode as if hit by artillery shells.
Such an intense battle forced Kukaku and Sister Mei to move far away.
It seemed this fierce battle wouldn't be decided anytime soon.
Seeing this, Sister Mei couldn't help but look at Kukaku beside her.
Noticing Sister Mei's gaze, Kukaku smiled faintly: "What? Seeing your companion fight so fiercely, your hands are itching too?"
"Of course not!" Sister Mei hurriedly shook her head, "Things like fighting are not beautiful!"
Sister Mei looked at Kukaku and asked: "I'm just very curious, did you storm Seireitei just to save Kuchiki Rukia? Anyone with a bit of sense knows it's impossible to save her, right?"
She wanted to learn more about the people before her, and also about Ichigo.
"Heh, who can say for sure about such things?" Hearing Sister Mei's question, Kukaku smiled faintly, half-jokingly saying:
"Maybe Seireitei will suddenly fall into chaos, and let us take advantage of the situation?"
Sister Mei laughed and shook her head: "Such a thing, how could it be possible..."
Having been in Seireitei for over a month, her biggest impression was how extremely stable it was. Even the addition of players could only be called an undercurrent.
With thirteen Captains suppressing everything, how could Seireitei fall into chaos?
Hearing this, Sister Mei just took it as Kukaku's evasive words.
So Sister Mei turned the topic back to Ichigo: "That person, did he really only obtain Shinigami powers a month ago?"
"Him..." Kukaku thought about it and started talking about what she knew. The two conversed intermittently.
However, for a Shinigami after Bankai, Reiatsu increases, and Reiryoku, under the increased Reiatsu pressure, naturally sprays out rapidly like water from a high-pressure hose.
Before long, Ikkaku's Reiryoku reached its limit.
At the same time, the dragon pattern on Ryumon Hozukimaru lit up to its maximum! He didn't have much time left!
Realizing this, Ikkaku swung the Guan Dao in his left hand heavily, forcing Ichigo back.
But after forcing Ichigo back, he didn't pursue. Instead, he looked at Ichigo, his expression serious, and asked:
"Hey, Kurosaki Ichigo, my next move will be my final strike! I have a question for you!"
Ikkaku had inherently insufficient Reiatsu. Therefore, the more Ryumon Hozukimaru's power increased, the more his body couldn't withstand it,
Ultimately, it would only shatter, much like a one-time-use Bankai.
But because of this, Ryumon Hozukimaru was very much like an assassin's life-for-a-life, sure-kill strike… whoever it hit would be unlucky.
Right now, he was wondering why Ichigo, even if didn't know his Bankai's ability, insisted on forcing out his Bankai?
Even going so far as to kindly resolve the heart knot of his enemy!
"Speak!" Similarly stopping his fighting stance, Ichigo looked at Ikkaku.
"Why did you insist on me using Bankai?" Ikkaku voiced his doubt.
"Because I want to save Kuchiki Rukia! That's my promise to her! The problem is, I don't know the way."
Ichigo answered.
"I believe in my judgment of character. You are a man of true nature. If I can let you fight with all your heart, you will definitely tell me how to get to Rukia's detention location."
Of course, this was a lie.