"Uwaaaaaah!!"
Feeling the intense pain from his left arm, Jidanbo couldn't help but cry out in agony.
Ichigo and the others looked closely. Jidanbo's left arm bore a deep, bone-visible gash. If Gin's attack had been just a bit stronger, Jidanbo's left arm would have been severed outright.
"What happened just now?"
"What did he do?"
Ichigo and the others exclaimed in surprise.
Just a moment ago, they only saw a flash of light before their eyes, then Jidanbo screamed. No one had seen how Gin attacked.
Clatter!
With Jidanbo's left arm injured, the heavy gate instantly dropped a bit.
"Ha!"
Jidanbo shouted, immediately supporting the gate with his uninjured right hand.
"Hmph!"
Seeing this, Gin snorted coldly.
"Supporting that gate with just one hand? As expected of the Soul Society's premier great hero. However..."
"You are not qualified to be a guard!"
Gin's expression suddenly turned cold.
At that moment, Yoruichi in the distance, seeing Gin's appearance, said gravely, "Ichimaru Gin, Captain of the 3rd Division. I was too careless. I never expected him to appear here. It's completely beyond my expectations..."
"If we clash with him head-on now, the consequences would be unimaginable."
Uryu couldn't help but nod. "We've always heard how powerful they are, but now it's clear that Captain-level figure is simply beyond imagination."
Uryu didn't even know how Gin attacked just now. If they truly fought, they probably stood no chance at all.
"Why did you want to open the gate and let them in?"
Gin asked, looking at Jidanbo.
"Because I lost..."
"And a guard who has lost opens the gate. What's wrong with that?"
Jidanbo stared back at Gin without backing down.
"What nonsense are you spouting?! You don't understand at all. A guard cannot open the gate even if he loses. Because..."
"If a guard loses, it means..."
"He must die!!"
Gin sneered.
"Considering you are Captain Hitsugaya's friend, my attack just now only injured your left arm instead of cutting it off. But if you remain obstinate, don't blame me for being ruthless."
"If you realize your mistake now and close the gate, I'll spare your life. How about it?"
Gin asked.
"Toshiro once said a person should keep their word. So I must refuse!"
Jidanbo refused Gin's demand without hesitation.
"Is that so?"
Gin narrowed his eyes, revealing a dangerous smile. "Since you are so stubborn, helping these Ryoka, then even if I kill you, I suppose Captain Hitsugaya would have nothing to say?"
With that, Gin drew his Zanpakuto, which was only slightly longer than a dagger, and swung it towards Jidanbo.
However, at that moment, Ichigo suddenly acted, passing through the half-open White Road Gate and placing himself in front of Jidanbo.
Clang!
Ichigo blocked Gin's strike with his Zanpakuto held horizontally, then both retreated a few steps.
"Hey! What exactly do you want?! Our match with Jidanbo is already decided! You sly guy suddenly popping up from behind!"
Ichigo said indignantly.
Gin: "..."
"What do I want to do? Aren't we enemies? Isn't what I want to do obvious?"
Gin said somewhat speechlessly.
Then, Ichigo said to Orihime without turning around, "Inoue, Jidanbo's injury is up to you."
"U-understood!"
Orihime behind Ichigo hurriedly agreed.
Afterwards, Ichigo stared intently at Gin. "Then bring it on! Since you're so eager to fight, I'll keep you company! A guy who can kill an unarmed person..."
"I'll definitely kill you!"
Ichigo shouted.
"Hmph!"
Gin sneered disdainfully. "You're really something, kid. Aren't you afraid of me?"
Ichigo shook his head without hesitation. "Not at all."
"Enough! Ichigo! Let's retreat first!"
Yoruichi shouted loudly from behind.
"Ichigo..."
Gin's expression shifted slightly. "Orange hair, plus a katana as tall as he is..."
"So you're Kurosaki Ichigo?"
Gin asked.
"Huh? You know me?"
Ichigo asked, puzzled.
"Well, well, so it really is you."
As he spoke, Gin actually turned and began walking into the Seireitei.
"Huh?"
Seeing Gin turn and leave, Ichigo was completely dumbfounded.
"Hey! Where are you going?!"
Ichigo hurriedly asked.
"In that case, I definitely cannot let you pass."
Gin said with his back to Ichigo.
"Hmm, this distance should be enough."
After walking a certain distance, Gin suddenly stopped and said.
Then, Gin turned around again, pointing his Zanpakuto at Ichigo in the distance.
"Hey! What are you doing standing so far away? Don't tell me you're going to throw that short sword?!"
Ichigo asked, confused.
Gin corrected him with a serious expression. "It's not called a short sword. This is my Zanpakuto!"
Then, Gin Ichimaru suddenly chanted softly, "Shoot to Kill, Shinso!"
Swish!
Gin's Zanpakuto instantly extended at high speed, thrusting towards Ichigo in the distance.
Ichigo's pupils contracted. He instinctively placed his Zanpakuto horizontally in front of him.
Clang!
Gin's Zanpakuto pierced Ichigo's Zanpakuto blade in an instant.
Then, a powerful impact force instantly sent Ichigo flying back.
Thud!
Ichigo, sent flying backward, crashed directly into Jidanbo, who was still supporting the White Road Gate behind him. The powerful impact blasted both Ichigo and Jidanbo away together.
With Jidanbo's support gone, the heavy White Road Gate began to fall rapidly once more.
"Bye-bye~~!!"
Gin bent down, waving and smiling at Ichigo and the others through the not-yet-fully-closed gate.
Boom!
Just as Gin's words fell, the White Road Gate closed completely.
"Mission accomplished, then!"
Gin said lightly.
Naturally, Gin didn't appear at the White Road Gate for no reason.
The reason Gin was here was entirely due to Aizen's orders.