Chapter 290 - 290 Clash And Retreat!
Tap, tap, tap...
Yamamoto walked step by step towards Toshiro, his aura rising with each step.
Tap!
Finally, Yamamoto stopped three paces away from Toshiro.
Provoked by Yamamoto's aura, Toshiro's own aura burst forth, clashing and confronting Yamamoto's.
"Do you intend to resist to the end, Toshiro?" Yamamoto said gravely.
"Apologies, Genryusai-sensei," Toshiro couldn't help but apologize.
"Genryusai-sensei, is it?" Yamamoto murmured.
Although he had instructed Toshiro in the past, Yamamoto hadn't formally taken Toshiro as a disciple like he had with Kyoraku and Ukitake. So, Toshiro usually only addressed him as 'Genryusai-sensei' in private or when they were alone.
"Since you are so obstinate, words are useless. Attack, Toshiro! Let me see how much you have grown!" Yamamoto declared loudly.
With that, Yamamoto flung off his Captain-Commander Haori, revealing his upper body.
Though aged, his body was still corded with muscle and covered in numerous scars, silently recounting the battles of his life.
Boom!
Yamamoto unleashed his full aura, crushing towards Toshiro.
Toshiro, without hesitation, also released his aura to resist.
Hum!!
The air itself seemed to crackle under the collision of their auras.
Everyone present besides Toshiro and Yamamoto couldn't help but change expressions.
"So hot..."
The Captain of the 7th Division, Komamura Sajin, standing not far from Yamamoto, broke into a profuse sweat.
"So cold..."
The Captain of the 2nd Division, Sui-Feng, standing not far from Toshiro, rubbed her hands together.
"Yare yare, influencing Captain-level experts to this degree with just their auras... Is this the level of strength possessed by Old Man Yama and Toshiro?" Kyoraku remarked with awe.
The 4th Division's Captain, Unohana Retsu, glanced at everyone. She noted that besides herself, Kyoraku, Ukitake, and a few other veteran Captains, all other Captain-level experts were affected to varying degrees by the auras of Yamamoto and Toshiro.
"Everyone, we cannot intervene in the battle between the Captain-Commander and the Vice-Captain-Commander. It would be best to withdraw to a safer distance for now," Unohana suggested.
"True enough."
Upon hearing this, Kyoraku was the first to retreat, not forgetting to take Momo with him. Ukitake, sharing the same thought, took Kira and followed.
If it weren't for Kyoraku and Ukitake shielding Momo and Kira from Yamamoto and Toshiro's auras earlier, given their strength, the two might have collapsed under the pressure.
Seeing Kyoraku and Ukitake retreat to a distance, the other Captains didn't stubbornly stay behind to suffer. They followed suit, withdrawing to observe from afar.
As for the two messengers from the Central 46, they had already fled far away before the aura clash between Yamamoto and Toshiro began.
Clang!
Yamamoto drew his Zanpakuto.
"Now that there are no distractions, come at me! Toshiro!" Yamamoto said, assuming a superior stance, allowing Toshiro to attack first.
"Oh? Is that wise, Genryusai-sensei? Although I was slightly inferior to you in our battle in the Dangai over two years ago, that was only because I had just broken through. Now, do you truly believe you are still my match?" Toshiro said with an air of confidence.
Though his words were bold, Toshiro's hand involuntarily tightened its grip on his Zanpakuto.
"Hmph! Brat, have you become so arrogant after others praised your strength as comparable to mine? Today, I'll show you that you're still a hundred years too early to defeat me!" Yamamoto declared proudly.
"Well, who knows?" Toshiro said noncommittally.
Perhaps irritated by Toshiro's attitude, Yamamoto no longer held back, waiting for Toshiro to attack first. Instead, he chose to take the initiative.
"All Things in the Universe, Turn to Ashes, Ryujin Jakka!"
Yamamoto immediately released his Zanpakuto, aiming to end the battle quickly.
Given their power, the longer they fought, the greater the damage to the Seireitei and Soul Society. So, Yamamoto wanted a swift resolution.
"Sit Upon the Frozen Heavens, Hyorinmaru!!"
Earlier, against Gin, Toshiro had seemed completely at ease, only releasing his Shikai at the very end. But now, facing Yamamoto, Toshiro had no choice but to release his Zanpakuto from the start.
After all, Yamamoto and Gin were not on the same level. Facing Yamamoto's Shikai, Toshiro wasn't arrogant enough to believe he could handle it without releasing his own Zanpakuto.
"Hah!"
Yamamoto let out a light shout. Flames erupted on Ryujin Jakka, and he slashed towards Toshiro.
Toshiro, not to be outdone, chose to meet force with force. Hyorinmaru emanated bone-chilling cold as it met Yamamoto's attack.
Clang!
Blades clashed, a dull metallic ring echoing, and the tremendous force sent both combatants reeling backwards.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Yamamoto retreated three steps, and Toshiro did the same.
Witnessing this, a gleam flashed in Yamamoto's eyes.
'Has he grown to this extent already?' Yamamoto thought, shocked internally.
Over two years ago, shortly after Toshiro's breakthrough, they had sparred in the Dangai. That very battle solidified Yamamoto's decision to officially designate Toshiro as the next Captain-Commander and recommend him as Vice-Captain-Commander.
Although that battle didn't have a clear winner, Yamamoto knew he held the upper hand.
After all, even though Toshiro was in the same realm, he had just broken through, so his strength was still slightly inferior to Yamamoto's.
Yet now, merely two years later, Toshiro could face him head-on without showing any disadvantage. This truly couldn't help but shock Yamamoto.
"Ice Dragon Flash!"
While Yamamoto was stunned, Toshiro gripped his Zanpakuto with both hands, compressing all his power into the blade. He condensed the energy without releasing it and slashed towards Yamamoto.
Yamamoto, seeing this, hurriedly raised his sword to block.
Boom!
Unfortunately, under this strike, Yamamoto was directly sent flying by Toshiro.
This didn't mean Yamamoto was weaker than Toshiro. Rather, this strike was Toshiro's full power, condensing Ice Dragon Flash without releasing it, greatly enhancing its cutting force.
Yamamoto, shocked by Toshiro's strength, couldn't muster his full power in his hasty defense and was thus sent flying.
However, after this successful strike, Toshiro didn't press his advantage. Instead, he immediately turned and left.
"Genryusai-sensei, I will prove my innocence. But for now, I must take my leave!"
Toshiro spoke with his back to Yamamoto.
Toshiro had never intended to continue fighting Yamamoto. Whether he won or lost was meaningless and would only allow Aizen to benefit from their conflict. So, seizing the opportunity, Toshiro decided to leave immediately.
Then, with rapid steps, he used Shunkuho to vanish into the distance.