"Boom!"
A powerful surge of Reiatsu erupted from Baraggan.
Sensing its intensity, Toshiro's previously relaxed and casual expression turned somewhat serious: "Late-stage beyond-Captain-level?"
Baraggan's Reiatsu was one small level higher than Toshiro's. Although Toshiro was confident he could still defeat Baraggan, it would likely take more effort.
Moreover, after Baraggan used Resurrección, even his previous injuries were healed, making Toshiro's earlier efforts wasted.
"Shinigami, feel honored. This is the first time I've used Resurrección, and you shall be the first to die under it," Baraggan said to Toshiro, brimming with confidence after feeling the power within him.
"Hmph, arrogant," Toshiro said disdainfully.
"By the way, Baraggan, you really resemble a Shinigami more than the Shinigami of the Gotei 13 in this form," Toshiro couldn't help but remark, seeing Baraggan's form after Resurrección.
Baraggan's form after Resurrección indeed looked like the Grim Reaper, wielding a scythe.
"You... you bastard! You truly deserve death!" Baraggan suddenly roared in fury.
Hearing Toshiro say he looked more like a Shinigami than a Shinigami, Baraggan involuntarily recalled unpleasant memories.
When Aizen came to Las Noches to subdue him, he had said something similar. Now Toshiro said it too. Baraggan instinctively remembered the humiliation of submitting to Aizen, causing his sudden rage.
"Huh? Baraggan, why are you so angry all of a sudden?" Toshiro asked, puzzled by Baraggan's furious outburst.
"Hmph! Die, Shinigami!" Baraggan had no intention of answering Toshiro, directly attacking instead.
"Respira!"
Baraggan suddenly let out a long sigh, then exhaled endless purple-black Reiatsu from his mouth, rushing towards Toshiro like smoke or a gas flow.
Seeing Baraggan's attack, Toshiro frowned slightly and retreated.
Shunkuho!
Swish, swish, swish-
Toshiro's figure moved rapidly, leaving afterimages.
"Tch, what a troublesome guy!" Baraggan said, seeing Toshiro's swift movements that even [Respira] couldn't catch up with.
"But it's just a death struggle!" Baraggan added.
Then, Baraggan's [Respira] attack speed increased again, splitting into four streams, assaulting Toshiro from the east, west, south, and north.
"Tch, can't dodge anymore, huh? Fine. Let's see if your [Decay] ability is stronger or my ice is," Toshiro said, unconcerned as Baraggan's [Respira] closed in from all sides.
Boom!
Suddenly, an intense, chilling cold erupted from Toshiro, then this seemingly all-freezing pale cold met Baraggan's Respira.
Instantly, the purple-black Respira and the pale white cold came into contact.
There were no earth-shattering collisions or explosions, only silent freezing and dissolution.
Toshiro's pale cold continuously froze Baraggan's Respira, while Baraggan's Respira continuously dissolved and eroded Toshiro's pale cold. The two forces were momentarily deadlocked.
"What?! It can block my Respira?!" Baraggan looked incredulously as Toshiro's pale cold actually blocked his Respira.
"Respira, seems it's only at this level," Toshiro said, somewhat disappointed.
Then, Toshiro's formidable Reiatsu erupted again. The pale cold suddenly surged in power, instantly freezing Baraggan's Respira, then rapidly pressed towards Baraggan.
Seeing this, Baraggan hastily retreated. He didn't want to face a power that could freeze his Respira head-on.
"Not bad, Shinigami," Baraggan said. That Toshiro could withstand his Respira made Baraggan stop underestimating him. He now truly regarded Toshiro as a life-and-death rival capable of matching him.
"Axe of Ruin!"
Baraggan suddenly chanted softly, then tugged the long golden chain attached to his double-bladed axe, controlling the massive axe as it shot towards Toshiro.
Shunkuho!
Swish!
Toshiro's figure instantly vanished, leaving his original spot.
Boom!
Baraggan's double-bladed axe struck where Toshiro had been, directly eroding a deep pit into the sandy ground.
Seeing his axe missed, Baraggan wasn't concerned.
Then, Baraggan flicked the golden chain in his hand. The double-bladed axe in the pit suddenly moved, then shot towards Toshiro again.
"Tch! You're really relentless," Toshiro said, his expression turning cold.
"Bisection!"
Seeing the axe coming, Toshiro suddenly gripped his sword with both hands and struck Baraggan's double-bladed axe with all his might.
Clang!
An ear-splitting metallic collision rang out, making Toshiro's ears uncomfortable.
Baraggan's double-bladed axe was directly knocked back by Toshiro, and the golden chain in Baraggan's hand nearly slipped from his grasp.
Baraggan flicked the golden chain, and the axe returned to his hand.
"How is this possible?!" Baraggan suddenly exclaimed in shock.
On Baraggan's double-bladed axe, the edge that had clashed with Toshiro's Zanpakuto now had a noticeable notch.
"Oh my? Seems your axe is quite sturdy. I didn't cut it in half with one strike," Toshiro said, sounding somewhat surprised.
[Bisection] utilized Toshiro's full strength. In pure power collision, Baraggan was no match.
Although Baraggan's strength wasn't weak either, preventing Toshiro from severing the axe directly, it still left a significant notch.
Then, Toshiro swung his Zanpakuto. A frost spear shot towards Baraggan at extreme speed.
But within three steps of Baraggan, his purple-black Reiatsu, filled with decay and erosion, suddenly erupted.
Toshiro's frost spear advanced less than two steps before completely eroding and dissipating just one step away from Baraggan.
Baraggan mocked, "Foolish Shinigami, did you think using abilities for ranged attacks could harm me? How laughable. Humans, birds, beasts, plants, Shinigami… all are destined to die. Where there is death, there is decay. All things in the world will die. Shinigami attacks are no exception. Only I, Baraggan, King of Hueco Mundo, shall endure forever."
"Hmph, such an arrogant and conceited fellow. I've lost interest in playing with you. Next, I'll get serious and finish you off!" Toshiro snorted coldly.