Demon Slayer: The Journey That Began When I Became Yoriichi's Sister

Chapter 740 Heaven Lock Zhan Yue

"Ms. Inoue! Please hold Rukia back for now, and make sure she doesn't hurt herself or anyone else."

Inside the park, the battle instantly intensified.

While directing Gate to unleash flames to force Yuuki back, Yoshino anxiously shouted to Orihime, "I'm going to take down Mabashi! As long as he, the controller, falls, Liz's control will be broken!"

"I know! Yoshino-san!" Orihime looked at Rukia, whose eyes were empty and who was pointing her Zanpakuto at her, and gritted her teeth to raise a light shield.

"Gate! Take him down!" Fangye didn't care about anything else and commanded Gate to rush towards the unsuspecting Maqiao.

"Understood!" Gates roared, his voice carrying a scorching wave that crashed towards the distant Ma Bridge.

"Heh, you want to kill me?" Ma Qiao was admiring his masterpiece with a look of ecstasy when he saw Fang Ye rushing over. He sneered, "Don't make yourself a laughingstock."

Instead of retreating, Maqiao advanced and charged towards Yoshino.

Although the Bounts rely primarily on the power of their puppets, their own power is still considerable.

Especially their age advantage; they live longer, and with a little learning, their combat skills won't be too bad.

Yoshino hadn't expected Masahiro to attack without the help of the puppets, and was caught off guard. But even though she wasn't good at fighting, her instincts kicked out with a sweeping kick the moment she got close to Masahiro.

However, Maqiao deftly dodged to the side and delivered a powerful elbow strike to Yoshino's abdomen.

"Ugh!" Fangye groaned and flew backward.

"Yoshino!"

Gates angrily threw a fireball at Maqiao, but the opponent dodged it with fluid movements.

Yoshino ultimately lacked ambition and was far weaker than the group of Bounts, so he was unable to quickly defeat Maqiao.

On the other side, Chad's situation was extremely dire, as Yuki's folding fan and iron sword worked together flawlessly.

The advantage of Bount's longevity was fully demonstrated. Even though she was a woman and not as strong as Chad, her superb martial arts skills left Chad helpless.

Despite possessing the right arm of a giant, Chad, despite his immense strength, was unable to strike his opponent against this agile fighter, instead suffering over a dozen bloody wounds on his body.

"All you can do is dodge, big guy." Yuki sneered, his iron sword flashing white light as it once again drew a trail of blood from Chad's shoulder.

The situation on Inoue's side is also not optimistic.

"Rukia-chan... wake up!"

No matter how much she called out, Rukia remained in a daze and was impossible to communicate with.

Inoue was so anxious she was about to cry. She didn't dare to fight back, afraid of hurting Rukia, so she could only retreat again and again.

She stumbled, her heel striking a stone in the park, losing her balance. Rukia seized the opportunity, stepping forward and slashing down. The Three-Star Shield flickered a few times before shattering with a crash, and the tip of her Zanpakuto grazed Orihime's shoulder, drawing blood.

"Inoue!" Ichigo was locked in a fierce battle with Koga Tsuyoshi's Iron Man Dalku when he turned around and saw this scene, his eyes widening immediately.

Koga Tsuyoshi's burly figure blocked Ichigo's path, while Iron Man Dalku let out a sharp laugh: "Kid, getting distracted in battle can kill you."

Darku's hands transformed into high-speed rotating drills, aiming straight for Yi's chest.

Ichigo desperately blocked the attack, but was sent flying more than ten meters away, his back slamming heavily into the fountain, sending water splashing everywhere.

At this point in the park, defeat was inevitable.

Rukia raised her Zanpakuto without emotion, the blade aimed at Inoue, who was lying on the ground, unable to dodge.

With tears in his eyes, Inoue said, "Rukia... wake up!"

While fighting Yoshino in the distance, Maqiao even had time to look over here with an excited, contorted face, "Kill her! The thrill of being killed by a comrade is just irresistible."

The Zanpakuto was about to fall.

At that moment, time seemed to stand still for a moment.

"You must be joking..."

With a sound of gritted teeth, a dark red spiritual pressure, which had been dormant for a long time, suddenly erupted from the ruins of the pool and soared into the sky.

The air in the entire park seemed to be sucked out in that instant, and everyone subconsciously stopped what they were doing and looked into the ruins.

"What's with that spiritual pressure?!"

Everyone stared in horror at the dark red spiritual pressure that pierced through the clouds.

Captain-level spiritual pressure is not something that just anyone can compare to, especially Ichigo's power. In terms of the quality of spiritual pressure alone, he is no weaker than a second-rate captain. He is only lacking in control, which is why Yuuko classified him as a third-rate person.

"Swastika!!!"

The blinding red and black spiritual pressure exploded instantly, and when the thick smoke dissipated, Ichigo, dressed in a black fitted Shinigami outfit and holding a slender blade, was revealed.

"Heavenly Lock Slashes the Moon".

"Oh?"

Kariya narrowed his eyes slightly: "You're quite capable."

Ichigo looked at Mabashi with a cold expression.

In an instant, Ma Qiao felt a chill run down his spine.

This guy's target is him!

This is no ordinary person like Yoshino or anyone else; the terrifying spiritual pressure was immediately apparent from the first impression.

Without Liz by his side, he would definitely be killed!

"Liz!"

Just as Liz was about to kill Inoue, she heard her master's call. Without hesitation, she controlled Rukia's body and rushed back, since no one could stop her now.

"Darku." Koga Takeshi, with his seasoned and mature reaction, prepared to stop him.

but……

"So fast!"

Koga felt a sudden darkness before his eyes, and the dark figure had already swept past him. His puppet, Dalku, didn't even have time to raise its iron arm before Ichigo casually severed it.

But that's not Ichigo's goal.

Ichigo's figure left an afterimage in the air; his Shunpo was so fast that it was impossible for the naked eye to catch it.

Rukia, controlled by Liz, was already very fast, and her Shunpo was pushed to its limit. There were even instances where Liz forcibly activated Rukia's potential.

However, Rukia's body has not yet recovered, and she has not yet mastered Bankai. At most, Rukia is only at the level of a seated officer, and she is no match for Ichigo at his current level.

Rukia was still far away when Ichigo appeared in front of Masahiro.

"Mr. Kariya!" Mahashi could only see Ichigo's afterimage. Knowing that he could not be saved by himself, he cried out in terror.

Kariya's figure appeared in an instant, right in front of Ichigo and Masahisa.

Kariya's back blocked Masahiro's view, and a smile unconsciously appeared on Masahiro's face.

Survived!

So fast!

Ichigo's eyelids twitched slightly. He had never underestimated the leader of the Bounts. After all, his aunt had said that he was a monster comparable to the captain.

But such speed, even easily keeping up with his Bankai, still moved him somewhat.

but……

Ichigo's figure disappeared again.

A sharp pain shot through his back, and out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of black and red. Ma Qiao turned around, his face covered in cold sweat.

"Crescent Moon Chong!"

Ichigo's Shunpo was greatly enhanced by his Bankai. No, it's more accurate to say that his Bankai doesn't have any other ability than to give his abilities in Shikai state a comprehensive boost: strength, speed, and spiritual pressure.

It is simple, but practical.

A dark red slash, carrying the force to crush Ma Qiao, burst forth from the blade and slammed straight towards Ma Qiao's back.

boom!

Ma Qiao had no time to defend himself and was blasted head-on by the black crescent. He bounced twice on the ground like a kite with a broken string before crashing into the wall of a residential building in the distance. His fate is unknown.

"Majishi!" Kariya's expression finally softened, and he frowned slightly as he looked at Ichigo.

Bankai?

It's really tricky...

As Maqiao's fate became uncertain, Liz, who was controlling Rukia, let out a piercing scream.

The moment its master was severely injured, the little creature went berserk, bursting out of Rukia's body and transforming into a wildly twisting ball of fluff, which lunged directly at the ruins of Maqiao.

From afar came a terrified scream, and then there was no more sound.

Even Ichigo, who had personally taken action, was shocked, staring blankly into the distance: "That's... Bount's..."

Kariya answered his confusion: "That's right, this is the destiny of the Bount."

Ichigo raised his Zanpakuto, its black tip pointing at Kariyagami. Although he still bore the bloodstains he had taken from Dalku, his aura had reached its peak.

His resolve remained unshaken: "This is not a reason for you to harm ordinary people."

While Bwente's fate and experiences certainly deserve sympathy, it is certainly not right to inflict suffering on others simply because of one's own misfortune.

With Masahiro dead, Liz freed herself, and Rukia's will returned. Exhausted from being manipulated, she collapsed limply.

"Rukia!" Inoue, disregarding his own injuries, rushed over to treat her.

The scene fell silent once again, seemingly because Ichigo had dealt with Masahisa. No one made a move first, and everyone seemed to be waiting for Kariya's command.

While Bankai can provide a huge temporary boost, it consumes a great deal of spiritual pressure, and Ichigo doesn't have the ability to continue doing so.

Just as Ichigo was about to make the first move, a spiritual pressure rapidly approached.

Ichinose Masaki appeared in the park carrying the unconscious Ishida on his shoulder.

"Ishida!" Ichigo's pupils contracted sharply when he saw the figure he was carrying on his shoulder. "What did you do to him?"

Ichinose Masaki ignored Ichigo's words and said calmly, "Mr. Kariya, we've succeeded."

"Really? Well done."

A slight smile appeared on Kariya's lips.

A crater exploded beneath Ichigo's feet, and the black light of Tensa Zangetsu stretched into a straight line, piercing straight towards Kariyagami's heart.

Too fast! Even Koga Takeshi, standing to the side, knew he couldn't easily dodge that strike.

Ichinose Masaki did realize what was happening, but in his current state, even if he could block it, it was inconvenient for him to make a move just by carrying Ishida.

"Oh!"

With a muffled thud, Ichigo's thrust was parried by Kariya, a mere punch.

Ichigo bit down lightly, and the two separated instantly.

This guy... is definitely no ordinary person.

Kariyagami had no intention of continuing the argument. He first nodded slightly to Ichinose Masaki, and then said to the others, "Take Yoshino with you, let's go."

Ichinose Masaki nodded slightly and retreated.

"Don't try to succeed!"

With a grim expression, Ichigo rushed forward again, trying to stop Ichinose Masaki from leaving, but was stopped by Kariya.

"Go away!"

His Shunpo is not as good as Yoruichi's or his aunt's, but he believes that his Shunpo in this state is much faster than that kid captain's Bankai state, but he still can't shake off Kariya.

Is this guy's ability related to speed?

But why didn't I see his doll?

Or is this guy not even using his full strength, just relying on his physical abilities...? No, how could that be?

There must be another reason.

Kariyagami is certainly not that strong yet. In fact, he couldn't easily handle Ichigo in his Bankai state.

At least, that's the case in this world where spiritual particles are scarce.

But he doesn't need to defeat Ichigo in his Bankai state; he just needs to stall him.

"You are indeed quite good, Substitute Shinigami." Having parried Ichigo's Zanpakuto once again, Kariya smiled slightly, "But your companions seem to be a little lacking."

Ichigo's expression changed slightly, and he subconsciously looked to the side.

On the other side of the battlefield, the situation has taken a devastating turn.

“Ugh… cough!”

Chad let out a muffled groan as Iron Man Darku pierced his arm with an iron spike and slammed him into the flower bed.

Koga Tsuyoshi stood behind Dalku with a cold expression, his hands in his pockets, and said in a heavy tone: "Your strength is very interesting, but unfortunately, you can't beat Dalku with just that."

Darku twirled her sharp iron arm, letting out a cold, mature laugh: "It's over."

On the other side, Yuuki easily broke through Rukia and Inoue's blockade, her folding fan and iron sword working together seamlessly to easily block and dodge Yoshino's attack.

Swish!

The iron chain traced a strange arc, instantly locking onto Fangye's ankle.

"Gotcha, traitor." Yuki appeared behind Yoshino, an iron sword extending from behind and pressed against Yoshino's neck.

"Miss Yoshino!"

Ichigo glanced at his companion, his heart sinking. Ishida Uryu was already being carried on Ichinose Masaki's shoulder, his figure beginning to disappear into the shadows.

"Where are you looking, Kurosaki Ichigo?"

Kariya's cold voice rang in his ears, and he punched Ichigo squarely in the chest.

boom! !

Caught off guard, Ichigo was sent flying backward, crashing through a row of benches before falling onto the ruins of the fountain.

“It’s over.” Kariya straightened his trench coat collar, a faint smile playing on his lips. “The key and the offerings are in hand.”

Ichinose Masaki, Yuki, Koga Takeshi, along with Sawatari and Ugaki who hadn't even lifted a finger, brought the already captured Ishida and Yoshino to Kariyagami's back and looked at Ichigo lying in the ruins.

Sawatari's expression shifted slightly, and he asked, "Should we deal with them?"

"No, this guy still has some energy left." Kariya shook his head, looking at the panting Ichigo. "Anyway, the objective has been achieved, let's go."

The crowd obeyed Kariya's orders, some mocking, some calm, some sympathetic, scrutinizing Ichigo before turning to leave.