Bleach: Drinking Makes You Stronger

"Not bad."

Bai Ye nodded in satisfaction.

Now, he could not only control the battlefield on a large scale, but the interplay between Flowing Wind and Returning Snow greatly enhanced his combat strength, exponentially increasing it!

Even though his spiritual pressure hadn't improved, under the amplification of "Flowing Wind," it was equivalent to doubling it!

Just by activating the Shikai, his spiritual pressure was multiplied by forty times!

Who could possibly withstand this?

At this moment.

The training ground was clear of snowflakes. As Bai Ye withdrew his spiritual pressure, the snowflakes that had fallen to the ground lost their power and gradually melted away.

However.

Bai Ye held his blade in hand, and with a mere thought, a layer of intertwined azure and blue light enveloped it.

The area of effect for "Returning Snow" in Shikai was too vast, consuming a tremendous amount of spiritual energy. In regular combat, focusing power on the blade was more efficient.

Not only would it reduce energy consumption, but the burst of power would become even more terrifying.

With a casual swing of the blade, the space before him tore open with a thin fissure, releasing a horrifying force that shredded anything that came near into dust!

By borrowing the speed of the wind, he could accelerate the sharp snowflakes to their utmost limit, unleashing a terrifying cutting force that could even slice through space!

It was said that the "Sword God" of the Zero Division, Ōetsu Nimaiya, possessed the sharpest Zanpakutō in Soul Society, "Sayafushi." Yet, even Sayafushi could not cut through space!

Nor could it harness the power of space to unleash such destructive force!

Bai Ye's eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Even in Shikai, his Zanpakutō had such devastating power, rivaling the strongest Zanpakutō like Ryūjin Jakka and Hyōrinmaru, perhaps even surpassing them.

After all, even Ryūjin Jakka and Hyōrinmaru couldn't break space itself!

If it were Bankai...

At the same time.

Inside the Maple Pavilion.

The Madam was smiling warmly, entertaining her guests.

However.

A guard came running in panic. "Bad news! Captain Kenpachi of the 11th Division, Onigoroshi Kenpachi, has brought hundreds of squad members and is outside the Maple Pavilion."

"And he's shouting that he's going to drag Bai Ye back to the Gotei 13's prison!"

At these words, the hall fell into a dead silence, which was soon followed by an uproar.

"What!!!"

"Captain Kenpachi himself is taking action?!"

Everyone, from the attendants to the patrons, widened their eyes in shock.

The name "Kenpachi" symbolized the most battle-hardened and powerful captain in the Gotei 13!

Even though the current Gotei 13 had esteemed captains like Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake, the name "Kenpachi" still carried unparalleled significance among the residents of Seireitei.

It stood for the pinnacle of combat!

"Why is Kenpachi targeting Bai Ye so intensely?" the Madam asked in astonishment.

Nearby, someone who knew the full story explained the conflict between Bai Ye and Ichinose Mashiro, noting that Kenpachi was seizing the pretense of "justice" to avenge his subordinate.

If he moved against Bai Ye, no one would have much to say, given that Bai Ye was now labeled a "criminal."

"I must inform Lord Bai Ye immediately and tell him not to leave!"

The Madam's expression turned serious, and she prepared to inform Bai Ye.

The Maple Pavilion was property of the Shihōin Clan, one of the four great noble families. Without an order from Central 46, even the current Kenpachi couldn't act against the Maple Pavilion.

After all.

The Shihōin Clan held an esteemed position in the Soul Society.

Outside the Maple Pavilion.

A large group of Shinigami clad in black Shihakushō and armed with Zanpakutō had gathered, standing respectfully before their captain, Onigoroshi Kenpachi.

Ever since Kenpachi had defeated the previous Kenpachi, Gojo Kenpachi, he had established his dominance within the 11th Division. Even though this mission to the Maple Pavilion was personal, none of his squad members voiced any objections.

"If Bai Ye refuses to come out, I'll go straight to the 4th Division and demand him from Unohana Retsu!"

Kenpachi exhaled a heavy breath, his grotesque face twitching slightly.

Unohana Retsu was merely the captain of the medical division. For over a hundred years, she hadn't achieved any notable feats. Naturally, he saw her as an easy target.

Even though she was also a captain, Soul Society revered strength above all else.

The streets, filled with people coming and going, now swarmed with onlookers keeping their distance, observing the scene from over a hundred meters away. Some were worried, while others were merely entertained by the spectacle.

"Kenpachi Onigoroshi is going to confront White Night!"

"Who will emerge victorious?"

The crowd murmured among themselves.

Most, however, doubted Bai Ye's chances.

After all, even though he had slain a Bankai-wielding Byakuya, Kuchiki Byakuya was only a 4th-tier spiritual pressure user and his mastery of Bankai was incomplete. He couldn't compare to a current captain.

Moreover.

The current captain was even more famous for his battle prowess, decisiveness, and ruthless actions!

This was Kenpachi, the real, active captain! In terms of combat strength, he would undoubtedly crush Kuchiki Byakuya countless times! This was a captain who had truly mastered Bankai!

Even though White Night possessed captain-level spiritual pressure, he had not mastered Bankai. If he faced Kenpachi, Onigoroshi, it would still be an extremely dangerous situation.

Meanwhile, outside the crowd.

On a tall, sturdy tree, three figures had already squeezed into the treetop.

One was a man dressed in a captain's haori, looking like a lazy, disheveled older man.

On the other side was a young man with sharp teeth and a yellow mushroom-shaped haircut, who looked like a skinny bamboo pole.

Behind them was a man wearing square glasses, with a gentle expression and a constant smile that seemed to bring the warmth of spring.

However, the three of them, watching Kenpachi Onigoroshi act all high and mighty, wore expressions of complete disinterest.

As for Kenpachi Onigoroshi, they all knew him well. Although he was a captain, his battle strength did not truly match the title of "Kenpachi."

"I wonder how White Night will respond?" Kyōraku Shunsui, with his stubbled face, showed a look of mild interest.

Although he was Bai Ye's drinking buddy, if Bai Ye's life were in danger, he would certainly lend a hand.

However, Bai Ye had always given him the impression of being surrounded by a fog that no one could see through, obscuring his true abilities.

Perhaps.

This time, Bai Ye might still surprise everyone with a major turn of events.

Meanwhile, Hiyori Sarugaki yawned with her mouth covered, and Aizen Sōsuke maintained his usual gentle demeanor, appearing unshakable on the surface.

However, he still split some of his focus, sensing the changes that could unfold at any moment in the scene.