Chapter 279 - 279 Within Expectations!
"This won't work! Release your Zanpakuto, Momo!" Kira said to Momo while struggling to block Gin's attacks.
"I know!" Momo responded loudly.
"HAH!" "HAH!"
Kira and Momo simultaneously shouted, clashing forcefully with Gin once, then using the recoil to rapidly retreat.
"Raise Your Head, Wabisuke!" Kira immediately released his Zanpakuto.
After Kira's Shikai, his Zanpakuto's tip became hook-shaped. Its ability was to continuously double the weight of whatever it struck. The first strike doubled the weight, the next two strikes quadrupled it, and so on, until the enemy couldn't bear the weight and collapsed.
"Snap, Tobiume!" Accompanied by pink light and plum blossom petals, Momo's Zanpakuto also transformed dramatically. Like tree branches, three small blades grew from the main blade.
"Let's go, Izuru!" Momo signaled Kira with her eyes.
"Mhm, I understand!" Kira nodded.
"Hah!" Kira shouted and charged at Gin.
"Oh? Daring to attack me proactively? Your courage has indeed grown, Izuru. However, I'm fully aware of your Zanpakuto's ability. So as long as I'm not hit, your ability is useless." Watching Kira charge, Gin remained composed.
As Kira reached him, Gin was about to swing when Kira suddenly halted and used Shunpo to flash aside.
"Hmm?" Gin narrowed his eyes, looking puzzled.
Then, Gin's pupils constricted. He saw Momo not far away pointing her Zanpakuto at him, then violently swinging it.
Whoosh!
A pink fireball shot towards Gin.
Whether too surprised to dodge or for other reasons, Gin was directly hit by the fireball from Momo's Zanpakuto.
Boom!
Upon hitting Gin, the fireball exploded loudly, stirring up dust.
"Great!" Momo couldn't help but cheer.
"Don't get careless, Momo! A Captain-level opponent isn't so easily defeated." Kira quickly reminded.
As the 3rd Division's Lieutenant, although Kira hadn't seen Gin fight seriously, he knew Gin wouldn't be defeated so easily.
So, after warning Momo, Kira didn't wait for the dust to settle and charged at Gin.
Although Gin's figure was obscured by dust, a faint shadow was visible. As Kira closed in, he swung forcefully at the shadow.
Swish!
Kira's slash landed, but there was no feeling of impact.
"What?! Where is he?!" Kira exclaimed.
"Izuru! Behind you!" Momo suddenly shouted.
"Ara ara, truly worthy of being friends for decades since the Shin'o Academy. Such coordination is indeed praiseworthy. Even an ordinary Captain-level might get injured if caught off guard." Gin's voice came from behind Kira, making his heart sink.
Then, Kira stiffly turned his head. Gin stood leisurely behind him, looking completely unharmed except for his Captain's Haori being slightly disheveled.
"H-how?! Taking Momo's full-power attack head-on and being unscathed?! Is the gap between Lieutenant-level and Captain-level really this huge?!" Kira said incredulously.
The fireball that hit Gin earlier was Momo's strongest attack after Shikai. Seeing Gin completely unscathed after being hit by Momo's strongest move shocked Kira.
Although Momo's strength among Lieutenants wasn't particularly high, and she might even rank near the bottom if not for her exceptional Kido, she was undoubtedly Lieutenant-level.
But now, a Lieutenant-level attack couldn't even break Gin's defense. The result would undoubtedly be their crushing defeat.
"Alright, Izuru. Although your coordination is indeed excellent, your strength is simply too weak. Too weak to even pique my interest slightly. So let's end this boring fight." Gin suddenly said seriously.
Hearing this, Kira's expression changed. He shouted, "Run, Momo!"
Then, Kira actively swung his sword at Gin.
Gin didn't use his Zanpakuto to block. He simply sidestepped casually, easily avoiding Kira's attack.
"Your Zanpakuto's ability is indeed somewhat interesting. Getting hit might actually be troublesome. But no matter how powerful the ability, it's useless if it can't hit the enemy!" Gin said calmly.
Swish!
Gin suddenly swung his Zanpakuto at Kira.
Squelch!
Blood blossomed. A long, thin wound appeared on Kira's body, stretching from his left shoulder to his abdomen.
"Ah...!" Kira couldn't help but cry out.
"Izuru!" Momo shouted worriedly.
"Ara ara, no need to rush. You're next." Gin said with a cold smile.
As he spoke, Gin prepared to walk towards Momo.
"Wait!" The injured Kira suddenly grabbed Gin's clothes.
"Let go! Considering you've been the 3rd Division's Lieutenant for so many years, I'll spare your life if you release me now." Gin said, narrowing his eyes.
"No!"
"If something happens to Momo because of me, I won't have the face to see Toshiro again..." Kira clung tightly to Gin's clothes.
"If you won't let go, then die!" Gin said coldly.
Essentially, Gin wasn't a bad person. Everything he did was for revenge for Rangiku. That's why he hadn't aimed to kill Kira. But Kira, as the 3rd Division's Lieutenant, repeatedly defied and obstructed him because of Toshiro, which annoyed Gin.
Thud!
Gin suddenly kicked Kira, who was clinging to his clothes, sending him flying.
"Alright. Now that no one's in the way, let's have a proper match, Lieutenant Hinamori." Gin walked step by step towards Momo.
"I... I don't know what scheme you have, but I advise you to stop now, Ichimaru Gin! Otherwise, you'll definitely be judged by the Central 46 and punished!" Momo said, sweat covering her forehead.
"The Central 46, huh?" Gin's lips curved into a mocking smile.
"What right do those decaying, stubborn old men of the Central 46 have to judge others? They should have long since... Hmm?" Gin suddenly stopped speaking and looked behind him.
"Finally here, huh?"
"Kept me waiting, Hitsugaya Toshiro!" Gin murmured meaningfully, as if everything was within his expectations.