Chapter 109: The Second Torment Called Guidance
“Bang!”
“Ugh!”
Descending into the underground space of the warehouse where Hirako and the others were sheltering, Chōjirō wasted no time, flinging Ichigo from his grasp. The protagonist’s strikingly handsome face scraped along the ground, leaving a long trail.
“What are you doing!!!”
Clutching his nose, which was bleeding from the friction against the floor, Ichigo immediately lost his temper.
“Shut up. If anyone’s to blame, it’s your face—too handsome for your own good.”
“Come on! Is it really my fault for being good-looking?”
“No fault at all! But wandering around in front of me like that? That’s your mistake!”
“You—ugh!”
Before Ichigo could finish his retort, a tremendous force struck his head, silencing the rest of his words.
“Are you done yet? Are you going to fight or not, you two bald heads?!”
Hijikata, with her braided hair and a scowl, gripped a slipper in her hand in irritation. Judging by her expression, if Ichigo and Chōjirō dared utter another useless word, she would surely lose her temper.
“Yeah... wasting time like this serves no purpose.”
Chōjirō leapt down the stairs gracefully, exaggeratedly rolling his shoulders before beckoning Ichigo with a finger.
“You go first.”
“Don’t regret this.”
With a slightly annoyed smile, Ichigo was deeply irritated by Chōjirō’s utter disregard for him. Determined, he resolved to teach that guy a harsh lesson.
*Swish.*
A dark figure suddenly appeared behind Chōjirō. In hand was a slender Zanpakutō blade, which swung directly toward his unguarded neck.
“...”
Yet, the speed was insufficient to startle Chōjirō. When Ichigo appeared behind him, Chōjirō’s gaze followed swiftly, turning to look behind himself.
*Click.*
But all Chōjirō saw was desolation.
Barren land, devoid of any plant, and no sign of the Soul Reaper who should have been there.
Because the orange-haired protagonist was already lunging forward from the front, Zanpakutō in hand.
*Shing!*
However, the blade that once pressed against Byakuya’s neck was now effortlessly caught in the palm of Chōjirō’s hand. He didn’t even turn his head.
“I told you, your Bankai isn’t matured yet. At your current strength, you’re not a threat.”
“!!”
Suddenly sensing a hint of danger, Ichigo gripped harder, forcibly withdrawing Tensa Zangetsu from Chōjirō’s grasp and immediately retreating.
“Don’t test me with such trivial attacks. Don’t you have that move that seriously wounded Grimmjow? Try using that.”
Chōjirō had long desired to experience the true power of Getsuga Tenshō, which had severely injured Byakuya.
“...”
Realizing his attacks were futile, Ichigo ceased pointless efforts. His black spiritual pressure, as if magnetically drawn, began to surge wildly toward the black blade.
“Getsuga... Tenshō!”
Feeling the spiritual pressure on his blade reach saturation, Ichigo gritted his teeth and finally unleashed the crescent-shaped wave of energy toward the man clad in a white haori.
“Not bad indeed...”
Watching the crescent wave press closer, Chōjirō showed no surprise. From his own perception, this strike could indeed qualify as Bankai level. Yet, Tensa Zangetsu still had considerable room for improvement. Given Ichigo’s current abilities, achieving full mastery would require much time and effort.
But clearly, Ichigo lacked such time and energy now. His priority was to fully harness the Hollow power within.
*Bang!*
Facing the overwhelming black slash wave, Chōjirō raised a slight brow, calmly extending his right hand to block the Getsuga Tenshō.
“Wha—”
Even Grimmjow had been repelled with a wound etched across his chest when blocking Getsuga Tenshō, yet this equally fierce strike could not even break through Chōjirō’s single hand?
“!”
In truth, Chōjirō was not as invincible as Ichigo imagined. Currently, he could only exert two-fifths of his power, making this Getsuga Tenshō quite a challenge.
“Tsk...”
Feeling the pressure overwhelming one hand, Chōjirō extended his left hand as well, relying on his body’s strength to withstand Ichigo’s attack.
The black spiritual pressure was wilder than Chōjirō anticipated. Even with both hands blocking, his palms bore marks of injury.
“Haah!”
Realizing persistence would work against him, Chōjirō ceased resistance, using his brute strength to hurl the force of Getsuga Tenshō upward. The black shockwave shattered the sturdy roof and even shook the protective barrier set by Akoda.
“Gah...”
Once the pressure subsided, Chōjirō exhaled deeply. This Getsuga Tenshō was far stronger than expected. Had his body not been robust enough, he might have been forced to draw his Zanpakutō.
“You...”
“You don’t have time to relax, Ichigo Kurosaki.”
Without giving Ichigo a moment to speak, Chōjirō appeared before the boy and slammed a fierce punch into his chest.
“Ugh...”
Enduring Chōjirō’s brutal strength head-on, Ichigo couldn’t help but groan in pain, his body launched like a cannonball.
*Screech!*
But after numerous battles, Ichigo quickly planted his feet to halt his backward momentum. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth thanks to Chōjirō’s blow. Yet, there was no time to wipe it away, for the man who struck him was already closing in again.
*Bang!*
Standing to Ichigo’s side, Chōjirō swung his hand, striking Ichigo’s chin and sending the youth flying once more.
“Still not enough. That’s not your limit.”
Refusing to grant Ichigo a moment’s respite, Chōjirō pressed on. Grabbing Ichigo’s head with his left hand, he exerted force, hurling the boy forcefully onto a massive rock below.
“Or perhaps...”
Amidst the rising dust, Chōjirō seized Ichigo again, glanced at the speechless youth, and flung him aside.
“Get up. I know you’re better than this.”
Chōjirō spoke coolly to the motionless Ichigo, narrowing his eyes.
From the current state, it was about time. That guy was definitely struggling to hold back.
“Graaahhh!”
Ichigo, wearing a shattered mask, suddenly erupted with rage. His youthful voice twisted into something savage and hoarse.
“Interesting. Since you want to challenge the king, I’ll play with you to the end!”