Staring at the motionless form of Momoshiki Ōtsutsuki lying on the ground, Rukia Kuchiki couldn't help but let out a quiet breath.
As a Soul Reaper, she could naturally tell that Momoshiki Ōtsutsuki was on the verge of death. She had already seen his soul beginning to separate from his body, the connection between the two nearly severed completely. It meant he would be dead soon.
That was precisely why Rukia was so astonished. Earlier, when Momoshiki had transformed, he had exuded an overwhelming pressure. She could sense that his strength far surpassed that of Urashiki Ōtsutsuki—he was an undeniable powerhouse.
Yet, just as she was racking her brain for a way to deal with this formidable enemy, in the blink of an eye, that man—Number 03—had smacked him down with a single palm strike, nearly killing him!
Rukia's pupils contracted as she exclaimed in shock, " So strong! "
This completely changed her impression of Lin Xuan. She had originally thought he was merely mysterious, but now she realized he was not only enigmatic but also overwhelmingly powerful. This further reinforced her belief in the information that had appeared in her mind.
At that moment, Hagoromo and Hamura Ōtsutsuki were equally stunned.
The trio of Momoshiki, Kinshiki, and Urashiki had been a serious threat. They had clashed with them before, only to be overwhelmed, their Impure World Reincarnation bodies nearly shattered. Even Toneri Ōtsutsuki and his clansmen had been sealed away by them.
That alone showed just how formidable the three were.
Yet, to their surprise, the enemies they had found so troublesome were effortlessly dealt with in an instant. Momoshiki, the strongest of the three, had been struck down with a single palm and couldn't even stand!
Thinking about this, Hagoromo and Hamura exchanged glances, momentarily doubting their own eyes.
Too strong!
*Too powerful!*
The two elders couldn't help but sigh inwardly: *No wonder even Mother, someone so mighty, was willing to submit to him and serve him.*
Meanwhile, Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze remained far more composed.
There was no helping it—they had been by the Chairman's side for a long time, witnessing far more intense battles than this. For instance, not long ago, the Chairman had fought on Planet Namek against an alien calling himself the Emperor of the Universe, Frieza. That battle had shattered the heavens and split the earth, nearly destroying the planet itself!
That experience had completely redefined their understanding of true power.
Compared to that, today's fight was nothing more than a minor scuffle.
From the very beginning, Rukia had been keeping a close eye on Momoshiki. Now, she suddenly saw his soul fully detach from his body—meaning he was truly dead. The moment his soul broke free, a dark rift abruptly opened and forcefully sucked it in.
Rukia's expression shifted as she stared at the fleeting black portal.
From that portal, she sensed an aura similar to the Soul Society. She guessed that the place it led to was likely the Pure Land of this world.
" I'd love to see what kind of place that is," Rukia mused silently.
Of course, it was just a fleeting thought. If she were actually given the chance to go to the Pure Land, she probably wouldn't take it—after all, the unknown was always dangerous.
Just then, Rukia noticed Lin Xuan looking at her. With a flicker of intent, the surrounding dust rapidly gathered, condensing into an Impure World Reincarnation body.
She then walked straight toward Lin Xuan.
As she approached, she couldn't help but study him carefully. Despite her calm expression, her heart was anything but at ease.
Lin Xuan, wearing a perpetual smile, spoke first. " What did you think of the battle?
"
Rukia didn't hide her true feelings. " They were all very strong.
Every single one of them. If I hadn't used my unique advantages, I probably wouldn't have been a match for them. "
" Not bad. But your advantages are also part of your strength,"
Lin Xuan said with a smile.
Rukia, however, didn't want to dwell on that topic. She cut straight to the point. "
Now that I've helped you deal with two of them, aren't you going to give me the answer? "
Indeed, Rukia hadn't fought because of a system mandate. She had made a deal with Lin Xuan.
The terms were simple: she would help him repel the enemies, and in return, he would tell her who in the Soul Society wanted her dead.
Why had Rukia agreed?
Because recently, whenever she carried out her Soul Reaper duties, she kept running into all sorts of strange incidents that caused her considerable trouble. The signs were too suspicious for her to ignore.
At first, she hadn't thought someone was targeting her. She hadn't found any clues either, so she assumed it was just her imagination. But when Lin Xuan told her that someone truly wanted her dead, Rukia was both shocked and relieved.
So, she had accepted the deal.
Now that the battle was over, she was eager to get the answer she wanted from Lin Xuan.
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T/N:
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