On the one hand, his Zanpakutō's Bankai requires specific conditions to be activated; on the other hand, he doesn't want to expose his Bankai in public, nor does he want to accidentally harm his companions in the process.

Katen Kyōkotsu's Shikai operates on the same fundamental principle as its Bankai—it treats all participants equally under its rules, regardless of allegiance.

Once any being enters the sphere of influence exerted by his Bankai, both enemies and allies become subject to its effects—and even Kyōraku himself cannot escape the binding nature of its games. The shadow-drenched world of his Bankai makes no distinction between friend and foe.

This precisely explains why Kyōraku Shunsui cannot activate his Bankai at present—Ukitake Jūshirō stands too close to him, and the consequences would be unpredictable.

"No, you won't," Ukitake Jūshirō's gentle eyes saw through Kyōraku Shunsui's hesitation with practiced ease. After centuries together, little remained hidden between them. "From the beginning, you never truly intended to release your Bankai. Its nature is fundamentally unsuited for this particular battlefield. Allow me to handle this! My ability is more appropriate for confronting the enemy before us."

Stark's infinite Cero technique presented a formidable challenge—possessing tremendous explosive force, covering vast distances, and maintaining an almost limitless duration. It defied comprehension how a single Hollow could command such immense reserves of spiritual energy. Fortunately, Ukitake's Sōgyo no Kotowari was ideally equipped to neutralize precisely this category of Kidō-based assault.

"That white-haired captain over there," One-Eyed Stark addressed Ukitake Jūshirō with unexpected courtesy, his normally lazy demeanor sharpened by genuine curiosity. "If I'm not mistaken, you just countered with what appeared to be a Hollow's Cero using your Zanpakutō. How exactly did you accomplish that? I find myself quite intrigued."

In that moment, Stark interrupted his continuous Cero barrage and launched a counterattack with another precisely aimed energy blast, his single visible eye narrowing in assessment.

This ability was truly fascinating. Authentic Shinigami were physiologically incapable of generating Cero blasts. Only those Visored who had completed the Hollow transformation process possessed this capability, and even they required their masks to activate their inner Hollow's power.

The captain standing before him showed no signs of Hollowfication, and Stark could detect no trace of Hollow reiatsu within his spiritual signature. This opponent was unquestionably a pure Shinigami. Therefore, he must have somehow channeled a Cero-like attack through his Zanpakutō itself.

Based on his observations, Stark had formulated several plausible theories, but he required additional information to determine the correct explanation.

"You would need to experience it directly to understand the particulars," Ukitake Jūshirō responded with an enigmatic smile that revealed nothing. "If you were to attack me a few more times, you might discover the answer yourself." Regardless of personal character, no warrior would willingly explain their abilities to an adversary. Who would possibly reveal their techniques at the moment of impending victory? Such behavior would be truly irrational...

"Stark, don't listen to him! This is obviously a trap. He's attempting to deceive you," Lilinette, who had transformed into the pistol in his hand, warned loudly, her voice carrying a note of childish urgency.

Stark nodded slightly in agreement with her assessment. "Your observation is correct. However, these twin pistols will extract the truth nonetheless."

In reality, even if his opponent offered a sincere explanation, Stark would remain skeptical. He trusted only conclusions verified through his own analysis and direct experience. He would employ the twin guns in his possession to penetrate his opponent's ability and devise an effective counter-strategy. As a self-evolved Hollow who had achieved his power through sheer force of will, Stark possessed this level of confidence in his analytical abilities.

Without hesitation, he launched two consecutive attacks against Ukitake Jūshirō. Each time, his opponent activated his specialized ability and returned fire with what appeared to be a Cero blast of equal intensity.

"I understand now," After the second exchange, Stark spoke with quiet certainty, his expression revealing satisfaction. "Your ability involves redirecting incoming attacks. You can effectively bounce back any technique that connects with your blade. Superficially, it appears that you countered my Cero with one of your own creation, then followed with an offensive strike. In reality, you simply reflected my own Cero back toward me. The five small wooden talismans on your connecting chain allow you to adjust both the timing and trajectory of the redirection. This creates the illusion that you initiated the attack independently. I'm surprised your ability is fundamentally so straightforward."

Initially, he had assessed this white-haired Shinigami as a forthright, transparent opponent. Now it seemed both these Shinigami captains possessed deceptive depths. Nevertheless, this reflective ability certainly posed a significant counter to his infinite Cero technique. A thoroughly troublesome capability to face.

"Your perceptiveness is remarkable. To comprehend Sōgyo no Kotowari's fundamental mechanism after witnessing only three demonstrations," Ukitake Jūshirō expressed genuine surprise. He hadn't anticipated that this Arrancar's analytical acumen would prove so extraordinarily sharp. Within such a compressed timeframe, his opponent had dissected his ability with clinical precision. This was clearly an adversary of considerable intelligence, shattering his preconceptions regarding Hollow cognitive capabilities.

Across the battlefield, Stark raised his weapon and aimed deliberately at Ukitake Jūshirō. "Since your technique relies on redirection, it must possess some inherent limitation to its capacity. By exceeding this threshold, you should theoretically lose the ability to bounce back my attacks. Let's see how you handle a thousand Ceros simultaneously!"

Following this declaration, he began concentrating an exceptionally powerful surge of azure energy at the muzzle of his pistol, the air around him distorting from the spiritual pressure.

However, a flash of silver interrupted his concentration with brutal efficiency.

While Stark and Ukitake Jūshirō had been engaged in their tactical confrontation, "Old Silver Coin" Kyōraku Shunsui had executed a perfectly timed ambush with complete disregard for conventional battle etiquette, his blade slicing toward Stark's unprotected back.

Caught momentarily off-guard, Stark narrowly avoided a devastating injury. Only his substantial spiritual foundation and lightning-quick reflexes allowed him to evade the potentially fatal strike, though not without cost.

Facing Kyōraku Shunsui's ethically questionable and profoundly cunning assault, most opponents would have already fallen, their blood staining the battlefield.

Stark rapidly shifted position to escape the lethal ambush, his expression betraying genuine shock. "Why do you persistently act contrary to your established character? You displayed nothing resembling this level of aggression previously!"

Hadn't they established a certain mutual understanding during their initial encounter? Had that connection been entirely fabricated?