Chapter 402: The Traitor's Gift
"Hmm..."
Yamamoto tilted Ryūjin Jakka and looked up at the figure in the sky.
He was not surprised by the existence of Vollständig.
Satoru had once had Bambietta demonstrate this ability.
When Sōken Ishida came to the Soul Society to lecture, he also explained the predecessor of Vollständig—the Sanrei Glove.
For Quincies, Vollständig was similar to Bankai, greatly enhancing their power and, when combined with their Schrift abilities, evolving into new techniques.
Compared to the Quincies of the Wandenreich, Bambietta had a significant disadvantage.
She was a new-generation Quincy, becoming a knight only after Yhwach fell into slumber.
And by the time Yhwach awakened, she had already betrayed him.
Thus, she possessed no Schrift ability, and her Vollständig merely enhanced her raw power.
To this, Yamamoto scoffed.
After all that talk, almost all Quincy abilities were derived from Yhwach.
Without Yhwach, this entire power system would collapse in an instant.
Toiling away in cultivation, only to end up making a bridal gown for others—what use is such power?
However... from another perspective, these incredibly powerful Quincies are merely reserve forces for Yhwach.
If they were all gathered together, how strong would Yhwach become?
Better finish off this guy quickly and go help that brat!
Thinking this, Yamamoto let out a snort of laughter, preparing to soar into the sky and cut down that birdman.
But before he could act, Barro, who had unfurled four pairs of light wings in the sky, suddenly spun a golden flash before him like an apostle—
Hum!!
A golden pillar of light, aimed at Yamamoto Shigekuni, shot forth!
Facing this pillar, Yamamoto reacted almost instantly.
Can't take it head-on, must dodge!
With a flash of his figure, trailing flowing flames, he Flash Stepped dozens of meters away.
Almost simultaneously, the golden pillar struck the ground beside his feet, blasting a slender, bottomless pit.
If that attack had hit him directly, even his Reiatsu defense layer probably wouldn't have held.
This birdman Quincy does have some skill.
Withdrawing his gaze, Yamamoto held back no longer.
Engulfed in flames, like a reverse-falling meteor, he shot skyward, instantly closing the distance to Lille Barro and swinging his blade down!
Swish!!
The blade passed through Barro's body, but there was no sensation of striking solid matter.
Under Yamamoto's puzzled gaze, Barro laughed:
"Yamamoto Shigekuni... your slashes have no effect on me!"
"As the being closest to god, after activating my Vollständig, I become the embodiment of divine will!"
"Whether it's slashes, Kidō, or any attack you can imagine—they are all meaningless to me!"
As he spoke, he abruptly spread his light wings.
Each wing bore three circular apertures.
Within each aperture, golden flashes spun into existence—
"All-Things Piercing·Judgment!!"
With Lille Barro's roar, twenty-four golden flashes of All-Things Piercing unleashed a full-screen assault on Yamamoto!
Amidst the golden pillars, Yamamoto's figure flickered back and forth.
In response, Lille Barro simply kept firing!
Countless golden beams shot from the apertures in his wings, like dozens of floating cannons, firing incessantly.
Though it was extremely close, often missing by a hair's breadth, Yamamoto remained unscathed under the barrage.
While Flash Stepping to evade Barro's beams, Yamamoto felt a subtle emotion.
Originally, having not engaged in serious combat for several centuries, he would have struggled to find his rhythm under such intense attacks.
But... over the past few decades, he had been constantly challenged by a certain rebellious disciple.
Though troublesome, it had to be said that these high-intensity spars had kept his combat condition remarkably sharp.
Especially since that rebellious disciple's two Zanpakutō often employed autonomous long-range attacks, giving him "specialized training" in this area.
Thus, facing Barro's assault, he even had the leisure to let his mind wander, pondering his next move.
First, those golden pillars absolutely must not be touched.
"All-Things Piercing" was no exaggeration.
If struck, even he wouldn't fare well.
Next was the opponent's damage immunity.
Physical attacks and Kidō were ineffective against Lille Barro.
So what method should he use?
After much thought, Yamamoto concluded that only a rule-based ability could forcibly drag this birdman down.
The problem was, he didn't possess any rule-based abilities himself.
Instead, those two troublesome rebellious disciples of his each held several rule-based abilities.
A faint sense of irritation crept over him.
As he pondered these thoughts, Yamamoto's expression suddenly shifted.
Under his watchful gaze, Lille Barro, who had been entirely cocooned within his shell, revealed an eerie smile.
Then, the four pairs of light wings abruptly shifted direction, aiming downward.
Following the trajectory of those light wings, Yamamoto immediately spotted the school dojo below.
"Bastard!!"
He roared in fury.
Hum!!
From the eight light wings, twenty-four golden rays shot toward the dojo below.
But faster than the rays was Yamamoto's figure.
His not-so-tall frame, in the nick of time, positioned itself between the rays and the dojo.
"Lord Genryūsai!!"
Sasakibe cried out in alarm.
Lille Barro curled his lips upward.
Success.
Under his All-Things Piercing, Yamamoto Shigekuni was certain to die.
One of His Majesty's greatest threats had just fallen by his hand!
At this thought, a surge of excitement welled up within him.
Having defeated Yamamoto Shigekuni—the man who had defeated His Majesty a thousand years ago—how would His Majesty reward him?
Just imagining it made his blood boil!
The twenty-four golden rays converged behind Yamamoto.
In the next instant, he would be mercilessly pierced.
Gripping Ryūjin Jakka, Yamamoto prepared to unleash his Bankai, summoning the "Remnant Sun Prison Robe."
At this distance, protecting his entire body was impossible.
He would prioritize shielding his most vital organs—the brain, heart, and limbs essential for combat!
"Ban…"
Before he could finish, the white Captain's Haori on his back suddenly billowed without any wind.
The once loose Captain's Haori suddenly erupted with a dazzling glow of Reiatsu, fully unfurling!
Under Lille Barro's astonished gaze, the brand-new haori bearing the character for "One" resembled an abyss, swallowing all twenty-four of his golden beams of light!
"How is this possible?!"
Lille Barro exclaimed in disbelief.
How could his "The X-Axis" be so effortlessly devoured?!
Meanwhile, Yamamoto, who was closest to the power, sensed the essence of this devouring force.
After handing over the position of Captain-Commander, that rebellious disciple of his had suddenly shown up one day.
With a weary expression, Satoru held up one of his own haoris:
"Teacher, let's swap clothes."
"?"
Yamamoto looked at him, puzzled.
Satoru grinned and said:
"After stepping down as Captain-Commander, you'll be serving as the proper principal of Shin'ō Academy from now on. You'll definitely have more opportunities to appear before the students."
"If they see you wearing such a tattered old haori, they might think our Gotei 13 is broke."
"Even though your disciple isn't exactly wealthy either, I've got plenty of haoris to spare... Come on, let's swap. You wear mine, and I'll wear yours!"
Without waiting for a response, Satoru snatched the haori off Yamamoto's shoulders and draped his own over him.
Yamamoto was almost amused by the absurdity.
"You fool, why would I still wear this haori after leaving the First Division?"
"Besides, even if I were to get a new one, it should at least fit my size! You're nearly a head taller than me—what's the point of me wearing yours?"
Hearing this, Satoru paused for a moment, as if he hadn't considered that.
But then, he laughed it off and brushed it aside.
"Promise me, Teacher, you must wear this haori from now on and not swap it with anyone else's!"
"If you do, I'll go to the academy and expose all your embarrassing stories from the squad to the students!"
With a mischievous chuckle, Satoru turned and walked away.
As he left, he let out a yawn.
Seeing his rebellious disciple's demeanor, Yamamoto was somewhat surprised.
Hadn't this kid already delegated all his work to Aizen and Urahara? Even Ukitake was occasionally dragged in to help.
What work could possibly tire him out so much that he'd yawn while walking?
With a sense of curiosity, Yamamoto examined the haori in his hands.
Then, with a soft snort, he put it on.
...
...
Now, sensing the power erupting from the haori, Yamamoto finally understood what Satoru had done.
The power within the haori was Satoru's rule-based ability.
He had scoured all parallel worlds in advance, finding possibilities where fatal attacks against him would fail.
To locate as many such possibilities as possible and store their power within the haori, the kid had exhausted himself to that state.
Looking at the haori, now drained of power and no longer glowing, Yamamoto took a deep breath.
In the sky, Lille Barro suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
The figure standing between him and Shin'ō Academy had suddenly become terrifyingly formidable.
What in the world was happening...
What exactly was that just now?!
Under his gaze, Yamamoto raised his head and fixed him with an icy stare.
"The precious gift from my foolish disciple has been ruined by your stupidity."
"In that case, you shall pay with your life."
"Bankai!!"
A terrifying wave of heat, centered around Yamamoto, instantly spread throughout the entire Seireitei!
The moisture in the air was directly evaporated.
Every Shinigami and Quincy engaged in battle, without exception, felt the painful sensation of a parched throat.
However, the difference was that the Shinigami, sensing this power, all revealed confident smiles of victory.
As for the Quincies, those who had experienced this power before all showed expressions of tension.
"Zanka no Tachi!!"
Gripping his Zanpakutō, which had taken on the appearance of charred wood, Yamamoto flashed and appeared behind Lille Barro.
Barro spread his wings, preparing to fire golden beams to stop Yamamoto.
But before his attack could even be launched, his entire body was frozen in mid-air.
Squelch.
A slanted slash mark appeared on his body.
The next moment, amidst his terrified roar, scorching flames erupted from the slash mark!
Along with them, countless golden light particles sprayed out as well!
"GAAAAAAAHHH!!"
Lille Barro's agonized screams echoed through the sky!!
...
...
"What in the world... is happening?!"
Ichigo flew into the sky, looking toward the distance in shock.
Today, he had come to the Soul Society with Kurosaki Masaki, bringing his two younger sisters to visit the Shiba Clan.
The Shiba Clan showed immense enthusiasm toward the Kurosaki family.
Shiba Kaien and Shiba Miyako personally ran to the Senkaimon to welcome them.
Although Kurosaki Masaki was an elder, as the clan head and his wife, the two of them didn't need to go to such lengths. However, the Shiba Clan had never been one to strictly adhere to formalities. Moreover, both of them held great respect for Kurosaki Masaki.
A young woman who grew up in a Quincy family, bravely stepping forward in a battle between Shinigami and Hollows, and ultimately forming a family with a Shinigami.
Miyako wondered if she could have done the same in their place.
Beyond respect, she also had a request for Kurosaki Masaki.
After all they had been through, she had finally become pregnant.
As a first-time mother, she felt nervous and unfamiliar with everything.
In contrast, Kurosaki Masaki, who had already given birth to three children, was an unmatched senior and expert in this regard.
Taking advantage of Masaki's visit to the Soul Society this time, she was determined to thoroughly ask about all the things pregnant women needed to pay attention to!
To entertain the Kurosaki family, Shiba Miyako specially bought high-end sweets that she would never normally purchase and had brushed up on Living World etiquette in advance.
Seeing this, Shiba Kaien felt a sense of emotion.
This woman had never been this attentive toward him.
As for Ichigo Kurosaki, he was growing more and more satisfied with him.
Compared to his own unreliable uncle, Ichigo was practically the embodiment of reliability.
He was determined to properly nurture Ichigo, striving to hand over the Shiba Clan to him as soon as possible!
Just as the family was happily conversing, alarm bells suddenly rang through the sky.
Hearing the sound, Kaien's expression changed, and he immediately grabbed the Zanpakutō beside him.
Ichigo also seized his Zanpakutō and rushed out of the house with his cousin.
As soon as the two stepped outside, they encountered a large force of Quincy troops.
On the streets, battlefields between Shinigami and Quincies could be seen everywhere!
Several Quincies spotted the two and, without a word, immediately drew their bows and nocked arrows.
"Wait, we—"
Just as Ichigo was about to say something, Kaien had already charged forward.
A flash of blade light, and these Quincies all fell to the ground.
Kaien shouted with a resounding voice:
"Ichigo! It's the Wandenreich! They're here!"
"Hurry, go help the Captain-Commander! I'll protect this place!"
Masaki also ran out from the room.
Seeing the scene before her, she pursed her lips.
Ever since the day she was targeted by Yhwach's Auswählen, she knew this moment would come sooner or later.
Just as she was about to say something, she suddenly sensed the Reiatsu fluctuations of Shiba Isshin in the distance.
A determined look appeared in her eyes:
"Kaien, you stay here and protect Miyako, as well as Karin and the others."
"Ichigo, go help Mr. Mikami, and follow his and Mr. Aizen's orders!"
With that, she activated Hirenkyaku and rushed straight toward Shiba Isshin's direction!
Watching Kurosaki Masaki's retreating figure, Shiba Miyako couldn't help but feel moved.
A woman should be just like that!
Ichigo soared into the sky, sensing the Reiatsu fluctuations across the Seireitei.
Sure enough, the most intense fluctuations were coming from Satoru's location.
Without another word, he prepared to charge forward.
But just then, a figure suddenly blocked his path.
Looking at the melancholic, handsome man with long golden hair before him, Ichigo frowned slightly.
"Who are you!"