Following the huge explosion, the powerful shockwave split the earth, with spiderweb-like cracks extending far into the distance. Even the very space of the Soul Society developed terrifying fissures.
Moreover, influenced by the power of Hyorinmaru and Ryujin Jakka, the entire region transformed into a scene half magma eruption, half ice-covered mountains.
"What... what immense power!" Sui-Feng exclaimed in awe.
"My, my, truly terrifying." Kyoraku said, his expression unusually grave.
"Ah, indeed. Even from this distance, we can still feel a strong sense of threat." Ukitake added solemnly.
Since the battle between Hyorinmaru and Ryujin Jakka began, everyone had retreated further and further. Now, they were dozens of miles away from the battlefield.
But even so, Captains like Sui-Feng and Sajin Komamura could still feel immense pressure.
If Captains felt pressure from dozens of miles away, those below Captain-class would fare even worse. So, apart from the Captains, other Shinigami had been ordered to return to the Gotei 13. Only those at Captain-level and above remained at the scene.
Due to the distance, even with the immense size of Hyorinmaru and Ryujin Jakka, and the keen eyesight and perception of the Captains, they had to stand high in the air and look into the distance just to barely make out the battle dozens of miles away.
Although they wanted to get closer for a better view, the powerful Reiatsu and rampant aftershocks were putting considerable pressure on the weaker Captains like Sui-Feng and Komamura. So they had to stay put and watch from here.
"This is bad. If this continues... the Seireitei... even the Soul Society might be in serious trouble." Yamamoto suddenly frowned.
Undoubtedly, the power of Hyorinmaru and Ryujin Jakka, both at the Demi-god level, was terrifying. But precisely because of this, the two fighting with all their might without restraint now posed a threat to the Seireitei and the Soul Society.
Although they weren't deliberately attacking the Seireitei or Soul Society, if the battle continued, the mere aftershocks of their Reiatsu and combat could destroy the Seireitei.
The reason Yamamoto could remain calm for now was that the battlefield was in a desolate, remote area of the Seireitei, far from core areas like the Gotei 13. It would take a while for the damage to reach those densely populated areas.
But even so, influenced by their power, the temperature throughout the Seireitei fluctuated, alternating between half-cold and half-hot, hot and cold.
Furthermore, the range affected by their battle aftershocks was continuously expanding. If this continued, the entire Seireitei was at risk of being destroyed.
Remember, the battle between Yamamoto and Yhwach back in the day had left the entire Soul Society in ruins.
'I can only hope Hyorinmaru can end the fight quickly. Otherwise, I may have to intervene.' Yamamoto thought to himself.
If Hyorinmaru couldn't defeat Ryujin Jakka within a certain timeframe, to prevent their battle from threatening the Seireitei's safety, Yamamoto would have no choice but to step in and help Hyorinmaru as soon as possible defeat Ryujin Jakka.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Amidst their continuous collisions, the void trembled, the earth shook, a scene of apocalypse.
Shunpo!
Hyorinmaru's huge body shuddered, then vanished, only to reappear behind Ryujin Jakka as if swimming out of the void.
Just as she was about to attack, Ryujin Jakka suddenly said in a deep voice, "Ennetsu Jigoku!"
Boom!!!
A mass of flame suddenly exploded behind Ryujin Jakka, catching Hyorinmaru off guard and sending her flying.
"Enten Chibaku!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Dozens of towering pillars of fire condensed from Ryujin Jakka's flames, their color a blackish red, indicating terrifyingly high temperatures.
Then, these dozens of pillars suddenly converged, surrounding the blasted Hyorinmaru inside.
Boom!!!
After encircling her, the dozens of pillars exploded violently, releasing violent energy that completely engulfed Hyorinmaru.
Scales broken, blood stained. When the flames dispersed, Hyorinmaru's battered, bruised body was revealed.
"Cough... damn you! Attacking with techniques all of a sudden! How despicable! Ryujin Jakka!!" Hyorinmaru roared.
The reason she had been beaten so badly by Ryujin Jakka's string of attacks wasn't that she was weaker, but that they had been tacitly engaging in close-quarters combat without using their respective techniques.
She hadn't expected Ryujin Jakka to suddenly unleash a finishing move instead of continuing the brawl. Caught off guard, she was hit.
"Hmph, ignorant little one. Combat is about defeating the opponent by any means necessary. Besides, who said we had to decide the outcome through hand-to-hand combat?" Ryujin Jakka retorted disdainfully.
"You..."
Hyorinmaru was speechless.
Ryujin Jakka had indeed never said that. The battle had simply started with them colliding savagely with their powerful dragon bodies. Apart from using flame and ice breath occasionally, they had been using their massive bodies and powerful physiques to fight.
Hyorinmaru had gradually discovered she had a violent streak, unknowingly enjoying this 'fist-to-fist' combat. So she kept attacking Ryujin Jakka with her physical strength.
Ryujin Jakka had indeed never agreed to settle things with hand-to-hand combat... it was all Hyorinmaru's 'wishful thinking'.
"Well, fine. I wanted to keep fighting you vigorously, but if this continues, the entire Seireitei will be destroyed by our power. Toshiro would surely blame me, right? So now, let's finish this quickly and thoroughly defeat you!" After her initial anger, Hyorinmaru quickly calmed down.
"Hyorinmaru, the Strongest Ice-type Zanpakuto. I admit you are worthy of being renowned alongside me. But the victory in this battle ultimately belongs to me."
Through the fight, Ryujin Jakka had understood a part of Hyorinmaru's power and clearly knew she was a formidable opponent. But as he said, he firmly believed he would be the victor.
Even if talent and aptitude were comparable, combat experience wasn't so easily made up for.
In the eyes of Ryujin Jakka, awakened for countless years and having experienced seas of blood and mountains of corpses alongside Yamamoto, Hyorinmaru, awakened for only a few decades, was ultimately just a little one. Even if their strength was similar, combat experience and wisdom weren't so easily compensated for.
"Haven't you noticed yet, Hyorinmaru? Your ability is to use Reiatsu to freeze water in the air and form ice for combat, right?"
"But unfortunately, I have completely evaporated the moisture in the air within a dozens-of-miles radius with temperatures comparable to the sun. So you can only fight by consuming the ice power within your own body. In this battle, the first to fall will definitely be you!!" Ryujin Jakka declared fiercely.
Hearing this, Hyorinmaru turned her head and saw Ryujin Jakka's flames spreading across the battlefield. The surrounding air was incredibly hot and dry, without a trace of moisture. Even the earth for dozens of miles was cracked and parched, like land suffering years of drought.