"An existence of equal standing to me."
Yhwach murmured to himself, turning to grasp a spirit arrow nearly as tall as he was, his gaze fixed intently forward.
"Even closer to Father than I am now."
As the dust was scattered by the storm, Yhwach clearly saw the Shinigami Captain-Commander slowly approaching.
He seemed to hold the entire world in his hand; a strong, bloody aura swirled around his white haori, and his cold eyes beneath his black hair were fixed on Yhwach.
"You've used your power very well. It seems I am not alone, and not as fragile as I imagined."
Yhwach nodded in approval, a hint of relief flickering in his eyes.
These powers clearly exceeded the grasp of mortals, even with the aid of the Hōgyoku, which possessed a fraction of the Soul King's power.
What else could such an existence of equal standing to him be, if not a Son of God?
This young Shinigami was very likely his brother.
He had once believed his brother to be the 'other half' named Haschwalth.
He possessed the same ability as himself, a power called Soul Distribution.
But compared to himself and Aozaki, Haschwalth was too weak, no different from a mortal.
Now, this young Shinigami displayed formidable strength and potential, sparking Yhwach's deep interest and anticipation.
Perhaps he truly was his brother, an existence worthy of being treated as an equal, standing in the realm of the extraordinary and transcendent.
But if he truly was his brother, would he not wish to replace that exalted yet utterly humiliated existence?
To be the supreme God, yet confined and enslaved by lowly mortals—what an immense humiliation!
"Not alone? Don't tell me you want companions or some other foolishness. You don't seem like the type to be sentimental."
Aozaki stood with his sword, a hint of mockery in his eyes.
Gradually, his coldness was replaced by an intense heat, as if boiling blood surged within him.
"Still not going to open those eyes? You should understand that in your current state, you are absolutely no match for me. If this continues, you will surely die!"
Aozaki shouted loudly, and whether it was an illusion or not, Yhwach seemed to hear a hint of urgency in his voice.
"Incomprehensible. I don't know how you learned of my power, but if I open these eyes, I will descend into the realm of God. Do you truly not fear?"
Yhwach felt a stir, his heart beginning to waver.
He cared nothing for the lives of the Quincies.
They were merely servants to be used at will by the Quincy King, not companions at all, just expendable resources to be sacrificed at any time.
However, whenever he tried to open those eyes, an indescribable fear welled up within him.
This feeling made him hesitate, afraid to take that step easily.
Moreover, Aozaki's attitude was truly too strange, as if he yearned for him to open those eyes.
Yet, who in the world would wish for their enemy to become even stronger?
"Very well, when you are on the verge of death, you will naturally do what needs to be done."
Clang!
A sound of cutting through the air rang out, a pure white blade slowly swung in the air, and Aozaki's aura, like the Reiatsu emanating from the sword, gradually transformed from initial nonchalance to sharpness.
"Death is your predetermined fate!!!"
Along with the sound of the blade cutting through the air, killing intent and madness, like erupting lava, evolved from insignificant subtleties into a terrifyingly powerful force.
Before he had even finished speaking, although Aozaki had not yet closed in, Yhwach instinctively retreated again and again.
Only when he came to his senses did he realize with a start that he had subconsciously chosen to flee due to this aura.
He felt neither fear nor anger, but rather understood: Aozaki had never harbored any killing intent. The intense battle just now, though seemingly fierce, was in fact entirely unconcerned with his life or death, and merely a prelude to the coming storm.
All this killing intent gathered in his heart, like a sword in its scabbard, continuously accumulating and settling, until it reached its peak, then surged forth like a drawn sword.
This guy, was he just playing around earlier? Does he really want to kill me now?
Yhwach's eyes, which could peer into the future, seemed to glimpse death.
In his eyes, the person before him was by no means the Shinigami Captain-Commander, but a furiously roaring beast, which reminded him of an "old friend."
Centuries ago, amidst endless despair, fear, and wailing, the flames of wrath suddenly surged forth.
It was precisely because of this long-standing suppression that its eruption was so terrifying.
"I understand. I also want to see if your fury is worthy of pushing me to the brink."
Yhwach raised his arrow, watching the Shinigami before him raise his long blade.
The dark clouds in the sky began to spin, forming a massive vortex.
Aozaki stood in the sky like a god of destruction, his black and white robes manifesting black and white Reiatsu, his waist-length hair fluttering, obscuring his face.
His eyes were cold, and the long blade in his hand gleamed with a chilling light, as if it would tear apart the entire space.
Yhwach felt unprecedented pressure, but he did not retreat; instead, he revealed a hint of an excited smile.
He knew that this battle would be a life-and-death struggle, and as long as he defeated his opponent, there would be no more enemies ahead.
Opposite the massive Quincy cross emblem in the center of the Royal City, Yhwach stood silently before the execution pillar, shrouded in a black robe, emitting a brilliant blue light.
Compared to Aozaki, he seemed more like a brave warrior challenging a god.
All around was silent; no one moved, no one spoke. Even the clamor of Reverse London quieted in their ears.
On this stage that would determine the future of the Three Worlds, only God and the challenger stood in opposition.
Stone chips floated in the air, like delicate white snowflakes.
A moment later, a dark shadow flew from a distance and landed between the two.
With a "thud," what looked like the head of a monstrous bird, the splashing blood caused Yhwach to narrow his eyes slightly.
He recognized it at once: it was Lille Barro's Vollständig final form. This bloodthirsty raptor, which had always brought him victory, now lay fallen from the sky.
Just then, Yhwach suddenly felt a powerful force descend.
He looked up to see the God who overlooked the world suddenly lower his head. Through the gaps in his hair, he saw a pair of cold eyes.
In the instant their gazes met, he felt his head swell, and dimly, he seemed to see a terrifying tableau.
Blood gathered into a river, winding and flowing, staining the earth a crimson red.
The body of the black king was shattered, limbs scattered everywhere, like a broken doll.
These shattered remains gradually merged, forming a colossal throne, exuding a murky aura.
The throne stood at the end of a path strewn with bones, as if it were the entrance to hell, or the gate to heaven.
At the apex of that bone-strewn path, a white God gazed indifferently upon the world.
That gaze caused a sense of bewilderment.