Subsequently, a frenzied blade dance ensued, clashing head-on with the gorilla Adjuchas' attacks!
Hard blade met hard fist!
Then, visibly, the gorilla Adjuchas began to change color!
Because he felt stinging pain on his fist surface and his arm being pushed back with each wave of force exchange!
His strength seemed inferior to Ashido's!
"No, no no no no!" Something he had been certain of was thus overturned, and the gorilla Adjuchas panicked.
"Aren't you just a little bug hiding everywhere? Why do you have such strength?"
Hearing this, Ashido sneered. "A lonely lion walks the savannah… he won't fight a pack of hyenas to the death!"
"But now, I am no longer alone!"
Ashido swung his blade with great force. The gorilla Adjuchas' hard fist surface spurted blood!
Instantly, the gorilla winced in pain, retracting his fist, staggering backward.
And at this moment, Ashido, who had fought these Adjuchas for years, had already found an opening!
With a flash of movement, Ashido appeared at the gorilla Adjuchas' neck!
One slash, two segments. A huge head fell!
A proper Adjuchas died just like that, without even forcing Ashido's Shikai!
"So strong!"
Looking at Ashido like this, Rukia was shocked.
This fighting style was exactly like Zaraki of the 11th Division!
However, Ashido said he was the Third Seat of the 11th Division. And it's just unclear when he held that position.
After all, from the time Rukia entered the Seireitei, the 11th Division's Third Seat had already been Ikkaku!
However, while Rukia was stunned, the Adjuchas who saw their comrade die like this wouldn't be.
They didn't help because they believed in the gorilla Adjuchas' combat power. They never expected the gorilla Adjuchas to die so quickly, and that Ashido's strength far exceeded their expectations.
'In that case, there was only one option left!'
The chameleon Adjuchas Ostin, who had just appeared, quietly entered stealth mode, preparing to go to Rukia's location and take a hostage.
Simultaneously, the bird Adjuchas and the snake Adjuchas did the same!
Unable to eliminate Ashido now, they could only think of ways to leave this place alive!
Seeing this, Ashido could only move to stop the two Adjuchas.
However, Ashido's state had been poor since arriving at the Seireitei, not as meticulous as when alone.
Thus, he didn't notice the disappearing chameleon Adjuchas.
Not far away, watching from here, Ichigo sighed.
'It seems saving Rukia still falls to me.'
But seeing Ashido today did surprise Ichigo.
He had also felt regret for this Shinigami in the original work. Not many tough individuals could slay Adjuchas with an Asauchi form Zanpakuto.
Simultaneously, after gaining deeper understanding of Shinigami, Ichigo also knew Ashido's identity.
He hadn't just lived in Hueco Mundo for over a hundred years, but for several hundred.
Because Ashido was a contemporary of Kuruyashiki Kenpachi, the 7th Kenpachi.
In the original work, after meeting Rukia, Ashido still refused to return to the Seireitei. Ichigo thinks it wasn't just because he believed Hollows must be exterminated… that was only part.
It should be said he was trapped in the past where his teammates died.
In the end, covering Rukia's retreat might have been something he always wanted to do but couldn't.
But now it's good.
Since he's already in the Seireitei, he shouldn't even think about leaving. The current Soul Society won't let such a powerful combatant leave.
Because, if he's from the 11th Division, does he think Unohana is just for show?
For the first time, Ichigo felt the butterfly effect he caused wasn't bad.
At least past regrets were remedied.
Simultaneously, while thinking, Ichigo's eyes sharpened.
The next moment, with a Shunpo, Ichigo appeared beside Rukia, reached out, and grasped a slender tongue!
To the chameleon Adjuchas that appeared behind Rukia, Ichigo gave a slight smile. "Well now, insect, what are you trying to do with my woman?"
"Could you please, explain!"
As he spoke, Ichigo exerted force. Ostin's slender, powerful tongue was actually crushed by Ichigo's pure physical strength!
Splat!
The tongue burst, juices splattering everywhere, then immediately burned away by flames summoned by Ichigo using his Doll ability!
Disheveledly retracting his tongue, Ostin looked at Ichigo in fear. "You, who exactly are you?"
"Hehe, who am I?"
"You just need to know I'm the one who'll take your life!"
After speaking, Ichigo, for the first time in a while, wrapped Getsuga Tensho around Tensa Zangetsu and casually swung forward!
Squelch!
Split in two from head to toe, the chameleon Adjuchas who had just threatened Rukia was instantly killed!
Subsequently, with two more Iaijutsu slashes, Ichigo disposed of the other two Adjuchas.
Looking at the astonished Ashido, Ichigo smiled slightly. "You won't blame me for stealing your prey, will you?"
Ashido shook his head. "Being able to kill them is good. I'm just used to solo combat, but I haven't forgotten how to cooperate with teammates!"
"Good!" Ichigo nodded, greatly appreciating Ashido's attitude.
At this moment, Byakuya also arrived at the scene.
Waving to Byakuya, Ichigo said, "Yo, Byakuya, you're late!"
"Hmph!" Giving a cold snort, Byakuya first checked on Rukia. After confirming she was fine, he let out a sigh of relief.
Simultaneously, Byakuya also noticed Ashido. "You are..."
Following Byakuya, all currently surviving individuals looked at Ashido, this strange yet powerful Shinigami!
Being stared at by an excessive number of Shinigami at once, the somewhat socially anxious Ashido felt like instantly wanting to leave, returning to the Forest of Menos in Hueco Mundo.
But this time, the long-prepared Ichigo wouldn't let him leave.
Immediately, Ichigo blocked Ashido's escape route.
"Friend, we're all very glad you stood up during this Seireitei assault. You said you're the Third Seat of the 11th Division, then come with us!"
"A wandering child must always return home, isn't that right?"
Ichigo's words left Ashido stunned.
"I can return home, but what about them?"
Ashido involuntarily murmured, recalling the many graves in the Forest of Menos.