In this world where everything was frozen and stagnant, only Hyorinmaru still flew in mid-air.
[Zero-Degree Space] was a new technique conceived by Hyorinmaru herself, inspired by Toshiro's [Zero-Degree Blade].
Previously, when Toshiro couldn't use Bankai, he condensed his ice power onto his blade, achieving absolute zero temperature, and this technique had a miraculous effect.
Then Hyorinmaru thought of using her Reiatsu to create the lowest temperature, 'absolute zero', and then using 'absolute zero' to freeze the entire space.
So-called 'absolute zero' is the theoretical minimum temperature that any substance can reach, specifically negative 273.15 degrees Celcius.
Under 'absolute zero', all things, including intangible existences like time and space, would be frozen, and all matter would cease to move. It could be called the strongest killing technique of ice-type skills.
However, although the ability of 'absolute zero' was unbelievably powerful, it wasn't a difficult feat for Hyorinmaru, the Strongest Ice-type Zanpakuto.
Remember, in the original work, when Rukia mastered Bankai and became Captain-class, she could also perform ice-type skills using 'absolute zero', although Rukia's 'absolute zero' could only lower her own body temperature to absolute zero.
For Hyorinmaru to develop some techniques utilizing absolute zero, like [Zero-Degree Space], wasn't a difficult task.
And in fact, it might not even count as development. Hyorinmaru's Bankai skill, [Four Elements Freeze] could freeze all earth, water, fire, and wind in space, and with enhanced power, could also freeze time and space. It was essentially the same kind of thing as [Zero-Degree Space].
It's just that Zero-Degree Space covered a wider range and was more comprehensive, capable of freezing everything within that space, whether tangible or intangible, illusory or ethereal.
After being frozen together with the surrounding space by Hyorinmaru's Zero-Degree Space, even Ryujin Jakka could no longer break free.
Then Hyorinmaru flashed and instantly appeared further away from the area frozen by Zero-Degree Space.
Then, an ice-blue light flickered, and Hyorinmaru's body transformed from the ice dragon form back to her humanoid form.
It wasn't that Hyorinmaru didn't want to maintain the ice dragon form, nor was it because the battle was over so she didn't need to. It was that she could no longer maintain it.
That Zero-Degree Space move had almost completely drained nearly all her power. Not only could she no longer maintain the huge ice dragon form, but even her slender humanoid form had become ethereal and translucent.
"Haah... haah... Although this Zero-Degree Space technique was unexpectedly powerful... the consumption of Reiatsu also exceeded expectations..."
Hyorinmaru panted heavily.
"But now is not the time for this. First, completely finish off Ryujin Jakka..."
Hyorinmaru slowly extended her right hand, aiming at the kilometer-wide space frozen by Zero-Degree Space and Ryujin Jakka within it.
"Shatter!!"
Hyorinmaru suddenly clenched her extended right hand.
Bang!!!
Like a mirror breaking, the kilometer-wide space frozen by Hyorinmaru's Zero-Degree Space shattered. A huge black hole appeared in the space of the entire Soul Society, like a massive gap appearing in something originally complete. Then countless space fragments were completely swallowed by the spatial turbulence in the hole.
After everything within the kilometer-wide space frozen by Zero-Degree Space was swallowed by the spatial turbulence, the space of the entire Soul Society began to automatically repair the spherical void.
Then the entire battlefield returned to tranquility, but a broken Zanpakuto, snapped in two, appeared in Hyorinmaru's hand.
That's right, this broken Zanpakuto was Yamamoto's Ryujin Jakka. When the kilometer-wide space frozen by Zero-Degree Space shattered just now, everything inside also shattered, naturally including Ryujin Jakka.
And like other Zanpakuto, when Ryujin Jakka's body shattered and died, it also turned into a broken sword, snapped in two.
Hyorinmaru did not abandon the broken Ryujin Jakka to be swallowed by the spatial turbulence. Instead, she controlled it to fly into her hand.
After all, Ryujin Jakka was Yamamoto's Zanpakuto. If it were completely swallowed by the spatial turbulence and could not be restored, that would be troublesome. So, just in case, Hyorinmaru retrieved the broken blade.
Then Hyorinmaru headed towards where Yamamoto and the others were, dozens of miles away in the sky.
"What on earth was that technique just now!!"
Seeing Hyorinmaru unleash Zero-Degree Space far away, freezing everything, including Ryujin Jakka, Kyoraku couldn't help but show a look of extreme shock.
In fact, Ukitake, Sui-Feng, and the others were not much better than Kyoraku. Even Yamamoto's eyes flashed with surprise.
"What a terrifying ability. Genryusai-sensei, you once fought Toshiro. Do you know what that technique is?"
Ukitake asked Yamamoto.
Since Hyorinmaru, as the Zanpakuto, could use Zero-Degree Space, Ukitake naturally assumed Toshiro could too.
After all, what a Shinigami knows, their Zanpakuto mostly knows, and vice versa. What a Zanpakuto knows, the Shinigami naturally also knows.
However, what Ukitake didn't know was that Zero-Degree Space was just something Hyorinmaru had just conceived. Toshiro didn't even know about it, so naturally he couldn't use it.
Of course, as long as Toshiro knew the principle behind this technique, using it would also be easy for him.
Facing Ukitake's question, Yamamoto recalled for a moment, then finally shook his head: "I don't know. When Toshiro's strength broke through and I fought him in the Dangai, Toshiro didn't use this technique."
Yamamoto indeed had never seen the Zero-Degree Space technique.
'Is this a new ability Toshiro developed? Even being able to defeat Ryujin Jakka... Toshiro, have you grown to this extent?'
Yamamoto thought to himself.
A Zanpakuto's strength is roughly the same as its Shinigami's peak. Since Hyorinmaru could defeat Ryujin Jakka, Toshiro, as Hyorinmaru's master, also had a high probability of achieving this.
Just then, Hyorinmaru flashed and appeared before Yamamoto and the others.
"Captain-Commander Yamamoto, this is the broken blade of Ryujin Jakka. Now, I return it to its rightful owner."
Hyorinmaru handed the broken blade of Ryujin Jakka to Yamamoto.
Yamamoto took the broken blade, gently stroking it: "So it has indeed broken..."
"Don't worry, Captain-Commander. Kurotsuchi Mayuri has already researched a method to resolve the Zanpakuto rebellion. Even if a Zanpakuto is defeated by someone other than its master, it can be revived."
Hyorinmaru explained.
Before Toshiro led the Shinigami forces to decisively battle the Zanpakuto faction today, he had checked with Mayuri. Mayuri's research had made significant progress, and he had found a method to resolve the Zanpakuto rebellion. Even Zanpakuto killed by someone other than their master could be revived.
Of course, the prerequisite was that the Zanpakuto's master was still alive, and the broken blade of the slain Zanpakuto still existed. This was why Hyorinmaru specifically kept the broken blade of Ryujin Jakka just now.
"It can be restored? That's good."
Knowing his Zanpakuto could be restored, Yamamoto couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Although sacrificing his Zanpakuto for the safety of the Soul Society was acceptable, being able to restore it was naturally better.
"Captain-Commander, where is Toshiro?"
Hyorinmaru asked urgently.
"Toshiro? While you were fighting Ryujin Jakka, I sent him to the Jureichi, Karakura Town in the Living World. That's where Kuchiki Koga is sealed. Muramasa went there."
Yamamoto replied.
"I see. Then I'll go find Toshiro now. Farewell!"
With that, Hyorinmaru disappeared without waiting for Yamamoto's reply.
"My, my, why is she in such a hurry? I wanted to ask her about that technique she just used."
Kyoraku said helplessly.
"Haven't you noticed yet, Shunsui? Hyorinmaru's body just now was very ethereal and translucent. This shows that although she defeated Ryujin Jakka, her Reiatsu was almost exhausted. Even maintaining her form has become very difficult. If she doesn't return to Toshiro's side soon to recover her power, she might dissipate. Although she could probably be revived, if some unexpected situation occurs, it would be bad."
Yamamoto explained.
"I see."
Kyoraku pushed up his straw hat, then suddenly asked, "Hey, Old Man Yama, since Hyorinmaru defeated Ryujin Jakka, does that mean Hyorinmaru is the [Strongest Zanpakuto]?"
Hearing Kyoraku's words, the crowd suddenly fell silent for a moment, the atmosphere becoming strangely ominous.