Seeing Ichigo's serious expression, Gin was quite satisfied. Pausing for a moment, he continued:
"My strength isn't just what it initially appeared to be!"
"By the way, it's been a long time since we fought. Do you remember, our first encounter?"
"I remember you were a very interesting child!" Gin said, smiling and speaking slowly.
Looking at this fox-like man who revealed his true face only at the very end, seemingly remembering something, Ichigo's lips curled slightly.
"On the contrary, I don't remember you at all!" Ichigo said seriously.
"Hmm?" Hearing this, Ichimaru Gin felt slightly displeased. "Is lying necessary? Are you trying to provoke me?"
"Of course not!" Ichigo shook his head. "I didn't forget you as a person, I didn't remember your heart!"
"After all, in this world, clashing blades with an opponent allows one to somewhat understand the opponent's thoughts!"
"It's not just about reading the opponent's heart, but also discerning with what kind of resolve they swing their sword!!"
"For example, whether they accept themselves, whether they look down on themselves, and so on!"
"The stronger the opponent, the more intense the heart they transmit!"
"Even if there's no time to comprehend during intense battle, one can reflect on it afterward!"
"But with you, 3rd Division's Captain, Ichimaru Gin, the fox, I felt nothing!"
"Although you were fighting me back then, it was as if you were still paying attention to something else, thinking nothing!"
"Your sword was completely blank!"
Hearing Ichigo's account, Gin was momentarily stunned.
No longer the fox, but a smile carrying a hint of bitter amusement appeared on Gin's face!
"Ara ara, I originally thought you were an interesting child, but never imagined you'd be an even more spine-chilling existence!"
"Now I understand why Captain Aizen pays so much attention to you and how you managed to foil his plans once!!"
"I'm truly very surprised, Captain Aizen's pre-arranged schemes could be disrupted by someone! Kurosaki Ichigo, you're the first person!"
"By the way, do you know how long my Shinso can extend?"
Suddenly raising Shinso, Gin maintained his fox-like smile and asked.
Hearing this, Ichigo became serious.
Because, just like how Aizen demonstrated his Shikai to many Shinigami, making the Seireitei's masses fall under his Kyoka Suigetsu-
Here, his emulating subordinate would also demonstrate his long-hidden Bankai to Aizen!
Ichigo was merely a cooperating clothes hanger!
Therefore, even seeing Ichigo didn't respond, Gin continued explaining on his own:
"It's about one hundred sword lengths!"
"So when I was young, I was also called Hundred Swords Style!"
"Then, do you know how long my Bankai can extend?"
Looking at Ichigo, who still didn't answer, Gin continued:
"In your length units, it's thirteen kilometers oh!"
"However, just saying that probably doesn't give you a clear idea!"
"Alright, then I'll demonstrate for you!"
"Bankai, Kamishini no Yari!"
Gin aimed Shinso at the side, at Karakura Town's skyscrapers!
Subsequently, a streak of white light rapidly extended!.
Where this streak of white light passed, countless skyscrapers were cut at the waist, then collapsed!
Swinging Shinso, which had sliced through numerous buildings, a kilometer-long great blade slashed towards Ichigo!
Clang!
Ichigo raised Tensa Zangetsu to block Gin's blade.
Simultaneously, he was forced to continuously slide backward by Kamishini no Yari's immense force!
His soles rubbing against the ground generated massive heat!
The immense power transmitted from the blade also made Ichigo silently marvel!
'As expected of Bleach World's number one undercover agent!'
Clearly, Shinso's combat style isn't slashing, but stabbing. Also, anyone who's studied physics knows longer objects are more prone to breaking in the middle.
And if a Shinigami's Bankai is damaged, it cannot be repaired!
Fighting this way, Gin constantly bore the risk of Shinso snapping!
Yet, he firmly held his Captain position and his spot as Aizen's second-in-command with a combat style completely unsuited to a Zanpakuto!
This can't help but make one marvel at Gin's terrifying nature and forbearance!
Even more terrifying was that Shinso's current speed wasn't even its peak!
Shinso's peak was a super assassination even Aizen couldn't react to!
However, against Ichigo, Gin wouldn't exert full strength, which would become the cause of his defeat.
Because Ichigo's current strength wasn't something the original work's Ichigo could match!
But then, Ichigo didn't want to defeat Gin, as his strength shouldn't be exposed now either.
So, this required some maneuvering, just like both sides need to communicate before a fixed match!
"Getsuga Tensho!"
Parrying Gin's blade with a move, Ichigo slashed!
Three consecutive layers, Getsuga within Getsuga… a powerful Getsuga Tensho rushed towards Ichimaru Gin!
Boom!
Struck by such a Getsuga Tensho, Gin was forced continuously backward, just like Ichigo earlier!
"Such strong strength? Grows this fast?" Gin was somewhat surprised.
But the next moment, the blade slashing through the smoke made him set aside the issue of Ichigo's strength.
"Clang!" Two blades collided!
Ichigo's earlier words about heart, and his current words arrived simultaneously!
"Good, clashing blades lets one feel the opponent's heart. Going all out, I can finally feel your heart now!"
"How about you? Can you feel mine?"
Remembering Ichigo's earlier words, within the smoke from the clash, Ichimaru Gin's expression changed slightly... As an old fox, he caught Ichigo's meaning!
"Truly a spine-chilling child!" Gin couldn't help but sigh.
Thus, after a series of exchanges.
Standing in the already ruins of Karakura Town, Ichigo looked at Gin standing atop a small building.
"So that's it. During our earlier exchange, deliberately talking about length… you were intentionally diverting my attention, right?"
"Cutting streets, cutting buildings… none of that is worth paying attention to! Your sword's extension/retraction speed, that's what you truly wanted to hide!"
Realizing his concealment was seen through, Gin gave a faint smile.
"Alright, since it's exposed, I'll tell you then!"
Under everyone's puzzled gazes, Gin put away Shinso, raising both palms.
"Clap!"
A light clap, the sound reached Ichigo's ears.