Until the dragon-shaped groove on the axe blade was completely filled, Madarame ceased his movements, his spiritual pressure now at the level of a captain. Without hesitation, he launched his attack against Kenpachi.
Kenpachi, unfazed, simply removed the eyepatch covering his right eye.
In an instant, a massive golden spiritual pressure erupted from him, clashing with Madarame's red energy and causing the barrier around them to tremble.
Watching from the sidelines, Makoto Ito sighed in frustration.
"The wicked and the divine alike crumble before the annihilating god!" "The Forbidden Art of the Annihilation God—Four-Way Realm!"
A moment later, a dark gray square barrier, over ten meters in length and width, formed within the existing one, further containing Kenpachi's overwhelming energy.
This was the pinnacle of Makoto Ito's mastery—the Four-Way Realm.
Within this barrier, those permitted by Ito would experience an increase in both speed and power, while enemies would have their spiritual pressure, speed, and strength suppressed. The degree of suppression depended on the opponent's strength, making it nearly impossible for ordinary squad members to move. Against those of similar power, their capabilities would be weakened by 30%.
For Kenpachi, the effect was lessened, but the power of Ito's shock abilities within this space would be doubled.
The barrier itself was mobile, centered around Ito, ensuring that the suppression followed wherever he moved.
With the Four-Way Realm in place, the battle resumed.
"CLANG!"
A deafening impact rang out. Had Makoto Ito not activated the barrier in time, the shockwave alone would have shattered the outer layer of protection.
Kenpachi, now unrestrained by his eyepatch, effortlessly caught Madarame's full-powered strike with one hand.
"That's all?"
Madarame's eyes widened in disbelief. Even after unleashing his Bankai, Kenpachi barely seemed affected. Then, his surprise gave way to a carefree grin.
"Heh, you really are a monster, Captain. I knew you wouldn't go down easily!"
Realizing the gap in power, Madarame prepared to withdraw his Bankai.
But Kenpachi smirked. "Boring! Don't stop now!"
Then, he turned to Makoto Ito.
"Oi, Ito! Get in here!"
Makoto Ito froze. Did he just get invited into this insanity?
Madarame laughed. "Come on, Ito! If the Captain demands it, we can't let him down!"
Seeing that Madarame was enthusiastic about the idea, Makoto Ito hesitated no longer. Changing from a spectator to a participant, he charged forward, ready to fight alongside Madarame against Kenpachi.
"First Art of the Annihilation God—Shock!"
A wave of concussive force exploded toward Kenpachi.
Kenpachi, unfazed, simply braced himself. However, the moment the impact hit, his entire body shuddered violently. His organs twisted from the sheer force, and blood spewed from his mouth.
The shallow wounds Madarame had inflicted on him earlier split open, fresh blood seeping from the gashes.
"Careful, Captain!"
Makoto Ito called out. "In the Four-Way Realm, my shock power is doubled!"
As the battle raged on, the barrier amplified Madarame and Ito's abilities while suppressing Kenpachi's movements. Madarame's speed and power surged by 30%, while Kenpachi found himself slightly hindered.
Despite this, Kenpachi refused to fall. With a loud roar, his spiritual pressure flared again, forcefully diminishing the suppressive effects of the barrier. The organs displaced by Ito's attack realigned themselves, and his bleeding wounds stopped almost instantly.
"I knew it!"
Ito wasn't surprised. He had seen it before—Kenpachi's absurd durability, his ability to fight through any wound as if it were nothing.
Kenpachi's very existence was a testament to raw, unyielding power.
Just dealing with one Kenpachi was overwhelming enough. Makoto Ito couldn't even begin to fathom how powerful Aizen or Kurosaki Ichigo's numbers would be.
But there was no time for hesitation.
As Kenpachi's spiritual pressure surged, Makoto Ito seized the moment. He hurled his Annihilation God forward, gripping the iron chain trailing from its handle.
The weapon spun through the air, crackling with shock energy, aimed straight at Kenpachi's chest.
At the same time, Madarame leapt high into the air, raising his Dragon Pattern Ghost Lamp Pill overhead before bringing it down with a force capable of splitting mountains.
"CLANG!"
Kenpachi, unfazed, raised his sword to meet the axe while simultaneously grabbing the Annihilation God mid-flight with his bare hand.
The impact sent tremors through the battlefield. The force of shock rippled through Kenpachi's body, fresh blood dripping from his hand where the blade had cut deep. Yet, he barely reacted, instead tightening his grip on the weapon.
With a sudden yank, he pulled Makoto Ito toward him.
"Damn!"
The force was overwhelming. Despite the Four-Way Realm's buffs, Kenpachi's raw strength still exceeded Ito's own. He was dragged forward uncontrollably.
Thinking fast, he pointed his free hand toward Kenpachi.
"Hadō 4: Byakurai!"
A white bolt of lightning shot forward, aimed directly at Kenpachi's chest.
Kenpachi twisted at the last moment, the bolt grazing his arm and leaving a deep burn.
Seizing the opportunity, Makoto Ito regained control, using the enhanced speed from his Four-Way Realm to maneuver behind Kenpachi. He slashed at his back.
Kenpachi, reacting instantly, spun around and clashed blades with Ito, sending numbing vibrations through his arms.
Even with the Four-Way Realm enhancing his abilities, the sheer force behind Kenpachi's strikes was nearly unbearable.
Madarame, seeing an opening, spun his Dragon Pattern Ghost Lamp Pill once more, preparing another devastating strike.
Kenpachi noticed. "Trying to charge up again?"
Before Madarame could fully unleash his power, Kenpachi moved. In a blur, he closed the distance, aiming to interrupt the buildup.
"Third Art of the Annihilation God—Mustard Net!"
A tiny black dot appeared on Ito's blade before rapidly expanding into a massive, inky net, ensnaring Kenpachi from behind.
As the net tightened, sharp energy lines sliced into his skin, leaving deep, bleeding gashes.
At the same time, Madarame's attack reached its peak. With all his strength, he brought the Dragon Pattern Ghost Lamp Pill down in a crushing blow.
Just as the axe was about to land, Kenpachi adjusted his grip.
For the first time, he held his sword with both hands.
With a mighty swing, a blinding golden arc of energy erupted from his blade, slicing through the net and obliterating everything in its path.
Makoto Ito and Madarame were sent flying by the sheer force, tumbling across the battlefield.
As the dust settled, Kenpachi stood tall, a grin spreading across his bloodied face.
"Now this… this is getting fun!"
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