Facing Tosen's straightforward sneak attack, Ichigo only felt pain in his back.
And by the time he turned around and swung Tensa Zangetsu, Tosen was no longer there!
However, Ichigo had been charging a Getsuga Tensho since entering.
Although his slash didn't hit Tosen, Ichigo fired his maximum-output Getsuga Tensho!
Within the confined Enma Korogi space, wind and clouds stirred!
With momentum to cleave everything, Getsuga Tensho rushed towards the barrier's edge!
"How about it? Can it break this barrier?"
"No matter how strong this Enma Korogi is, as long as the barrier is broken, it should naturally dissipate, right?"
Watching this Getsuga Tensho, Ichigo's live stream viewers were full of anticipation.
But something they could think of, how could Tosen not?
The imposing Getsuga Tensho rushed towards the barrier's edge, but for some reason, from the edges of the black crescent, continuously, specks of shining Reishi floated out!
In the dark Enma Korogi, these Reishi flew towards the barrier's edges like fireflies!
Advancing all the way, scattering fireflies all the way, the Getsuga Tensho finally struck the barrier wall!
But this time, Ichigo's ever-victorious Getsuga Tensho simply, ordinarily, burst apart on the barrier wall into even more fireflies!
Seeing this, Tosen sneered coldly:
"Useless. In this space, all externalized Reiatsu will be absorbed by Enma Korogi. Even I cannot use Kido here… only sword techniques decide victory."
"Your move is strong, but having its Reiatsu absorbed by Enma Korogi, by the time it hits the barrier, its power has diminished to a certain degree."
"The barrier's strength also includes part of your Reiatsu. So you're using your own attack against your own defense!"
Meanwhile, in front of Tosen, Ichigo was deep in thought.
Because Enma Korogi stripped all senses, he didn't know the result of his Getsuga Tensho.
But Ichigo could guess the result probably wasn't good, because his darkness remained undisturbed.
Then, Ichigo suddenly remembered why Enma Korogi made him unable to see or hear.
Because this space absorbed all Reishi, similar to how sound cannot travel in a vacuum, and there was no light, so you couldn't see.
If so, then his Getsuga Tensho should also have dissipated mid-air.
That meant in this space, only sword duels were possible, just like Tosen's battle with Zaraki!
'The solution I previously thought of couldn't be used… it seemed I had to use Zaraki's method!'
'And Tosen's attack patterns...'
Thinking, Ichigo suddenly swung his sword to the left!
Clang!
A bit of collision force came from Tensa Zangetsu.
Tensa Zangetsu had struck Suzumushi!
Noticing this, Ichigo immediately increased his power!
But immediately, Tosen, who retained clear perception of everything, deftly changed his sword's path. The long sword slid along Tensa Zangetsu's blade, parried Tensa Zangetsu, then slashed Ichigo's chest again!
Then, retreating to create distance, Tosen looked at Ichigo, who remained unaware in place, and showed a hint of realization:
"So that's it. You figured out my attack sequence on you is the same as your attack sequence on my friend, so you made a prediction?"
"Very clever, but not enough!"
After speaking, not waiting long like the previous attack, Tosen appeared at Ichigo's right side, slashing at his waist!
"Ugh!" Ichigo groaned, holding his waist.
Then, Ichigo gathered Reishi and injected it into his blood, activating Blut Vene to stop the bleeding from his wounds.
And unfortunately, Blut Vene was an active defense. It could enhance defense in a specific area before the user was attacked.
But if you didn't know where you'd be attacked, unless you were wealthy enough to defend your entire body, Blut Vene's defense was useless.
It could only be used to stop bleeding.
Admittedly, Ichigo's situation was truly dangerous now.
Before entering, he never anticipated this.
Hollow Ichigo was indeed a trump card, but if Hollow Ichigo rampages, he'd lose consciousness, and currently, Ichigo didn't want that.
Also, his injuries weren't as many as Zaraki's, nor did he have Zaraki's terrifying combat instinct.
So relying on instinct to capture Tosen was difficult!
To defeat Tosen using Zaraki's method, it seemed he had to take some risks!
Then, under Tosen's surprised gaze, Ichigo suddenly released Tensa Zangetsu, plunging it into the ground before him as if giving up!
"Hmm? Kurosaki Ichigo, what trick are you trying now?"
Tosen was a bit curious, so he directly went behind Ichigo and slashed horizontally!
Swish-
The back of the black coat was easily sliced open by Tosen's Suzumushi, blood flowing!
But this time, Ichigo's blood just started flowing before he stopped it with Blut Vene.
Simultaneously, the moment he was struck, Ichigo drew Tensa Zangetsu and slashed a brilliant sword light behind him!
Rip-
The sharp Tensa Zangetsu cut through Tosen's wide sleeve.
"Hmm?" Looking at the falling sleeve fragment, Tosen understood.
"So that's it. You're focusing all perception on your body, hoping to counterattack the moment you're wounded?"
"Because you have that special technique that can strengthen your skin, naturally it can also stop bleeding, giving you the capital for prolonged battle!"
Tosen understood Ichigo's idea, or thought he did!
He shook his head: "Not a bad idea, and commendable courage! The problem is, as a Captain, if you can react after I strike first, then I shouldn't be a Captain!"
After speaking, as if intentionally torturing Ichigo, Tosen circled around him, Suzumushi constantly swinging!
After just a small circle, Ichigo was already covered in blood, and even Blut Vene was struggling to stop the bleeding!
Swish, swish-
Severe injuries and stamina depletion made Ichigo half-kneel on the ground. He had been slashed eight times and had drawn his sword eight times.
But aside from the first draw, the subsequent rapid slashes all hit air!
Performing a focused draw-slash eight times in a row would exhaust even an iron man.
Plus being slashed so many times, Ichigo merely half-kneeling without collapsing was already very strong.
At least the observing Tosen admired Ichigo's vitality and fighting will.
"In that case, I'll give you the final strike!"
"I'm not someone who takes pleasure in torturing others!"
Tosen went behind Ichigo.
His sword tip aimed at the center of Ichigo's back!
But he didn't know this was precisely the effect Ichigo wanted from this act, or rather, his ruse of feigning injury!
Squelch!
Suzumushi's tip pierced Ichigo's back, then emerged from his chest!
Crimson blood slowly dripped from the bright white blade!
But just like Komamura grabbing Tensa Zangetsu, Ichigo also suddenly grabbed the piercing Suzumushi!
His hand, with Blut Vene activated, was like a hydraulic iron clamp!
Instantly, Ichigo's world became clear!
Words tinged with laughter entered Tosen's ears.
"So, in this space, you just need to hold your sword to see, right?"
"You..." Seeing Ichigo so keenly grasp his blade, Tosen was shocked!
But quickly, he composed himself, "Correct, holding my sword lets you see."
"The problem is, with only one usable hand, even if you grab my sword, what can you do?" Saying this, Tosen flicked his wrist.
Suzumushi, along with his wrist, twisted within Ichigo's chest.
"!!!" Intense pain assaulted Ichigo's mind!
Enduring the pain, Ichigo's words squeezed through clenched teeth: "Indeed, I only have one usable hand!"
"But the problem is, my other hand can attack you without needing to move!"
After speaking, Ichigo suddenly tilted his head.
Simultaneously, a flash of light burst into everyone's vision.