Chapter 401: Divine Punishment!
"You don't recognize me?"
Hearing Satoru's words, Yhwach chuckled.
"Six years ago, you were sneaking around spying on me, and now you say you don't recognize me?"
Hearing this, Satoru showed a somewhat surprised expression.
"That guy Yhwach even tells his subordinates about such things?"
"I am Yhwach, the Quincy King!"
Yhwach's gaze turned icy, and his aura suddenly surged.
A terrifying presence, Reiatsu, instantly shook the entire First Division barracks!
Rangiku frowned slightly.
Though nominally a vice-captain, her true strength had long reached captain-level.
To make even her feel such immense pressure, the opponent's power was undoubtedly real.
If this were merely one of Yhwach's subordinates, how strong would the Wandenreich truly be?
Though hard to believe, as a loyal follower of Satoru, she immediately began scanning the surroundings, preparing for the real Yhwach's appearance.
Amidst the terrifying Reiatsu released by Yhwach, Satoru stroked his chin.
"Strange."
"Clearly not Yhwach, yet you have the exact same Reiatsu fluctuations, and your voice and appearance are genuine, not disguised by Kidō or technology."
"Even your power barely reaches the Transcendent level."
"Is this also the power of a Schrift?"
"If so, I really have to applaud you."
Listening to his words, Yhwach's expression turned extremely grim.
"I've already told you, I am Yhwach!!"
As if to prove himself, Yhwach stopped wasting words and directly spread his arms, drawing a massive spiritual bow over two meters long.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!!!
Countless spiritual arrows poured down like a torrential rain.
Each one possessed the power of a Sternritter's full-force strike!
Faced with an attack capable of easily destroying captain-level opponents, Satoru did not even rise from his seat.
A massive curtain woven from black shadows suddenly descended between him and Yhwach.
All the incoming spiritual arrows were swallowed by the shadowy curtain, vanishing without a trace.
However, Yhwach had already used the cover of his attack to instantly close the distance, appearing right beside him.
"Satoru!"
Rangiku cried out in alarm.
Despite her own strength, she hadn't even seen when the other had moved!
Clang!!!
At the same moment her voice rang out, the two had already clashed.
Yhwach, gripping a Reishi cleaver, brought it down with a ferocious, almost ceremonial strike.
In the next instant, his expression changed.
To his disbelief, Satoru remained seated, still holding his teacup.
A black shadow rose like a protective barrier, blocking his unstoppable slash.
On the shadowy curtain, large swathes of blue spiritual energy patterns crisscrossed like circuitry.
This ability, of course, he recognized all too well.
The signature technique of the Quincy—Blut Vene!
Satoru… could actually use Quincy techniques?!
Moreover, extending Blut Vene outside the body and covering objects with it was an extremely advanced skill. Even among the Sternritter, only a few who specialized in Blut usage could achieve this.
This guy was clearly a Shinigami—how was this possible?!
In his moment of distraction, Satoru looked up.
"Aren't you going to call the real one over?"
"If Yhwach doesn't come soon, I'll really have to treat you as him."
"After those two strikes just now, you should understand, right? A Transcendent forcibly pushed out through special means and a true Transcendent exist in completely different worlds."
Gazing into Satoru's calm eyes, Yhwach fell silent.
Just then, a voice rang out:
"That's enough, Lloyd. Step back."
Hearing this voice, "Yhwach" showed a look of alarm.
Then, the alarm turned into shame.
He swiftly retreated, landing at a distance from Satoru.
Then, under the watchful eyes of Satoru and Matsumoto Rangiku, his appearance began to change.
The long, messy black hair, the long nose… the long beard—all vanished without a trace.
In their place stood a bald, eyebrowless man who looked like an alien.
Meanwhile, a figure slowly emerged from the shadows.
It was Yhwach.
Seeing this man, Satoru set down his teacup.
Rangiku stole a glance at her captain.
Satoru's gaze was calm, as if nothing had happened.
But Rangiku knew that when the captain wore such an expression, it was a sign that flames were already rising.
If it were the usual Satoru, his eyes would surely hold the familiar warmth and smile she knew.
Clad in a black cloak, Yhwach walked to the center of the courtyard.
"Satoru Mikami… This is our first meeting in the real world."
"Compared to when I last sensed your presence, you've grown considerably stronger."
Then, without waiting for Satoru's response, he smiled and looked at his subordinate beside him:
"This is my knight, named Lloyd Lloyd."
"His ability is to take on the appearance of anyone whose power he connects with."
"Not just appearance, but even aura, Reiatsu fluctuations, and even memories can be inherited."
"Before he came to you, I gave him half of my power, hoping he could test your techniques and abilities."
"Unfortunately, it seems half of my power wasn't enough to draw out your full strength."
Hearing Yhwach's words, Rangiku's eyes widened.
That power, strong enough to easily crush captain-level fighters, was only half of Yhwach's true strength?!
No wonder all these years, Satoru had strictly supervised the Gotei 13's training, never allowing any slack.
Facing an opponent of such strength, it truly was impossible to be too cautious…
Under Yhwach's gaze, Satoru shook his head:
"Sorry, if possible, don't speak to me in such a familiar tone. It's really off-putting."
"As for meeting, this is indeed the first time."
"But it will also be the last."
He slowly rose to his feet, adjusting the white Captain's Haori draped over his shoulders.
Rangiku keenly noticed that this was not the new Captain's Haori Satoru usually wore.
This haori was clearly very old.
Moreover, it was relatively small in size, not quite fitting the captain's stature.
If not for the fact that haori were designed to be loose-fitting, he might not have been able to wear it at all.
Even so, the captain had still worn this haori to face the battle.
And... even when facing an opponent on his level, or possibly even stronger, he had not removed the haori.
Suddenly, Rangiku understood.
This haori must be Captain-Commander Yamamoto's memento.
The captain was wearing his teacher's memento to fulfill his teacher's wish of protecting the Soul Society!
Thinking this, Rangiku was deeply moved.
With tears glistening in her eyes, she also drew her Zanpakutō, readying herself for battle!
Seeing Satoru prepared for combat, Yhwach also put away his smile.
In fact, sending Lloyd was not simply a "probe."
His true intention was for Lloyd to completely capture Satoru's attention.
Once Satoru went all out, defeated Lloyd, or even killed him, Yhwach would suddenly reclaim Lloyd's power, then strike with his full strength in a surprise attack to eliminate Satoru in one blow!
Unfortunately, this man who had inherited Yamamoto's position was completely different from the stubborn Yamamoto.
This guy was too sharp.
But... that was fine too.
Fighting head-on and defeating Yamamoto's successor honorably would truly plunge the Soul Society into despair!
In a flash, Yhwach appeared before Satoru.
He opened his hand, condensed a spirit blade, and slashed down fiercely!
Facing the real Yhwach, Satoru did not hesitate either, meeting the attack with a punch—
Triple·One Bone!!!
BOOM!!!!
A terrifying Reiatsu storm tore through the clouds and swept across the sky!!
Almost instantly, the entire Seireitei felt this Reiatsu fluctuation.
Sensing that Satoru had made his move, nearly all Shinigami were invigorated.
Satoru has made his move, everything is going to get better!
...
...
At Shin'ō Academy, the students, led by their teachers, had all taken shelter inside the dojo.
The earth-shaking battle cries echoing from outside from time to time, along with the howling Reiatsu fluctuations, all spoke of the intensity of the war.
Yet, almost all the students remained calm, with no one panicking.
Because, just outside the door not far from them, stood a powerful man whom everyone was willing to entrust their lives to.
At the dojo entrance, Yamamoto stood quietly.
He wore a brand-new Captain's Haori that didn't quite fit his stature, being a bit too long.
His hands rested on his cane as he gazed calmly ahead.
Familiar Reiatsu fluctuations drifted through the air.
Satoru, and... Yhwach!
The old man narrowed his eyes.
He very much wanted to leave this place to Sasakibe and go assist Satoru.
But, that troublesome disciple was right; Shin'ō Academy was the hope of the Soul Society, and he must stay here to protect the students.
This was what he, as the former Captain-Commander, should do...
Suddenly, as if sensing something, he slightly opened his narrowed eyes.
In the distance, a figure slowly approached.
Dark skin, body shrouded in a white cloak.
Beneath the white hood, he also wore a green bicorn hat.
Like a marching soldier, his right hand hung naturally, holding the butt of a long spear, the shaft resting on his shoulder.
Seeing that figure, Sasakibe slightly bent his waist, placing his hand on the Zanpakutō at his side.
As the man stepped through the gate of the Spiritual Arts Academy, he came to a halt.
Looking at the two elderly men before him, he revealed a somewhat surprised expression.
"...Just following my instincts, I never expected to hit the jackpot."
"His Majesty seems to be fighting Mikami Satoru. In that case, as His Majesty's greatest masterpiece, the strongest Sternritter, I, Lille Barro, shall take your life, Yamamoto Shigekuni!"
"Hah, quite the boastful words, Quincy."
Sasakibe took two steps forward, drawing his Zanpakutō.
Hearing this, the man glanced over.
"Oh, if you hadn't spoken, I wouldn't have even noticed there was someone else here."
"Hmm, it seems my luck truly is good."
"Chōjirō Sasakibe... His Majesty said that if I encountered you, I should prioritize killing you if circumstances permit."
"You should feel honored to be specifically mentioned by His Majesty."
?
Sasakibe was somewhat puzzled.
He had been specifically mentioned by Yhwach?
Why?
Before he could figure it out, the Quincy named Barro had already moved.
The man raised his large black rifle wrapped in green fur, casually aimed it at him, and pulled the trigger!
Watching the bullet fired from the gun, Sasakibe shook his head slightly.
Too slow.
For a powerhouse of his level, the speed of a mere bullet was nothing remarkable!
"Pierce him, Gonryomaru!!"
Without hesitation, he directly released his Zanpakutō!
Swinging the blade that had transformed into the shape of a rapier, Sasakibe, accompanied by twisting and winding lightning, slashed at the bullet heading toward him!
But the moment the blade struck the bullet, Sasakibe suddenly felt an ominous premonition.
Under his astonished gaze, the blade of Gonryomaru was directly pierced through by the bullet!
The bullet that had pierced Gonryomaru showed no decrease in speed and continued to shoot toward his chest!
Just as the bullet was about to pierce through him, a tremendous force struck his waist.
Sasakibe was kicked in the side by Yamamoto, sending him flying horizontally.
While kicking Sasakibe away, Yamamoto roared in anger, swinging his flaming blade to slice the flying bullet in half!
Seeing this, Barro let out a surprised "Huh?"
Holding Ryūjin Jakka, Yamamoto calmly looked at him.
"Judging by your disbelief, you probably never expected your ability to be countered in such a way."
"X-Axis, Lille Barro—your name has long been known to me."
"I heard you're something like the captain of that guy's personal guard..."
"If someone like you were killed, Yhwach would surely be heartbroken, wouldn't he?"
As he spoke, he grinned, revealing his stark white teeth.
His usually dignified face now looked as ferocious as a demon!
Facing Barro, who was still in shock, Yamamoto charged forward, wielding his blazing flames!
Confronting Yamamoto Shigekuni, Barro dared not underestimate him and quickly fired shots to block his advance.
However, his "X-Axis" bullets were completely ineffective against Yamamoto's scorching flames and unimaginably dense Reiatsu!
While using Hirenkyaku to distance himself from Yamamoto, he prepared to activate his Vollständig.
Suddenly, Yhwach's voice echoed in his ear:
"The Reishi in the Soul Society is tainted. Everyone... when using Vollständig, do not draw Reishi from the surroundings. Use only the spiritual power brought from the Wandenreich!"
Hearing this, Lille Barro sensed his surroundings.
To his shock, he discovered that the air was filled with a large amount of spiritual power belonging to Hollows!
If this were inhaled into the body...
Barro felt a chill run down his spine.
It seemed the Soul Society had prepared quite a welcome for them...
He took a deep breath and completed the adjustments to his Reiatsu.
The next moment, a massive pillar of light erupted from Barro's body, shooting thousands of meters into the sky!
At the top of the pillar, a Quincy pentagram unfolded.
Within the light, his entire form underwent a transformation.
Four pairs of light wings spread from his back.
His Reiatsu became sharper than before, like countless tiny blades scraping and humming through the air.
"Vollständig..."
"God's Judgment!!"