"The Captain-Commander's strength… is unbelievable!"
Tōshirō Hitsugaya was completely shaken by Yamamoto Genryūsai's overwhelming spiritual pressure. His emerald-green eyes reflected the orange flames blazing before him.
"He should… be dead, right?"
As his pink floral haori fluttered violently in the wind, Kyōraku Shunsui quietly raised his right hand to hold down his straw hat, preventing it from being blown away by the shockwaves created during the battle between the Captain-Commander and the 5th Espada, Nnoitra.
"Tch…"
Without even glancing at Nnoitra, whose head he had just shattered, Yamamoto Genryūsai turned around and walked toward the stunned captains.
"You... you bastard! Do you think you've already won?! Keh-heh-heh..."
"What?!"
The sudden voice from behind shocked everyone present.
Even Yamamoto Genryūsai stopped walking. His weathered tiger-like eyes narrowed slightly.
Could it be…
Rumble...
The fallen Nnoitra suddenly burst with intense yellow light. Visible golden spiritual pressure spread outward in waves, accelerating the collapse of the already heavily cracked Great East Holy Wall.
"I… am far stronger than the trash you've cut down before!"
Nnoitra, now completely wrapped in white Hollow bone armor, tore off the already shattered black eyepatch on his face, revealing a completely restored head as he sneered.
"You almost... almost had me there! Yamamoto Genryūsai, you... are the strongest Shinigami I have ever encountered! No wonder... Lord Aizen went to such lengths to... create that guy... Keh-heh-heh-heh..."
When Nnoitra mentioned Aizen, Yamamoto Genryūsai's eyes suddenly widened. At the same time, the flames that had quieted around his body surged back to life.
"Remarkable. After releasing your Resurrección… your regeneration speed is astonishing, even to me.
However… that's all."
When Yamamoto spoke, his expression remained as calm as an ancient still pond that had been silent for a thousand years.
But as his opponent, Nnoitra was truly enraged.
"A regeneration ability surpassing all of my kind… and in your eyes it's just 'that's all'?!
You bastard will pay for your arrogance!"
Nnoitra raised all six of his scythe-wielding arms high. A violent surge of yellow spiritual pressure erupted from his body.
BOOM!
A circular shockwave instantly spread across the ground.
Bang! Bang!
Boom! Boom!
Thunder-like sounds echoed everywhere as the regenerated Nnoitra rushed toward Yamamoto Genryūsai, his six severed-limb-like arms swinging scythe-shaped blades wildly.
Clang! Clang!
Clang! Clang!
After activating his super regeneration, Nnoitra's speed and strength seemed to increase dramatically. In just an instant, he was already locked in fierce combat with Yamamoto.
BANG!
As the double-bladed scythes collided with Ryūjin Jakka, countless sparks burst into the air, producing ringing metallic sounds.
"That Arrancar's attack power suddenly increased by more than a whole level! What exactly just happened?"
Soi Fon's eyes instantly became sharp. The hands she had been hiding in her sleeves were now gripping the hilt of her Zanpakutō tightly.
"No need to be that nervous, Captain Soi Fon."
Kyōraku Shunsui glanced at her, then calmly watched the battle between Yamamoto Genryūsai and Nnoitra.
"The old man Yamamoto is just testing that Arrancar's strength."
"Testing?" Soi Fon asked skeptically.
But Kyōraku had already shifted his gaze elsewhere, a faint smile forming at the corner of his mouth.
"Letting an Arrancar barge into Seireitei right in front of old man Yamamoto… that's probably a first in Soul Society.
Heh… that guy Fūjin Taichi…"
"…"
Ukitake Jūshirō quietly shook his head.
He had a feeling Fūjin Taichi had really gotten himself into trouble this time. After everything was over, Genryūsai-sensei probably wouldn't let him off easily.
BOOM… CRASH…
With a thunderous explosion, the entire Seireitei seemed to experience an earthquake. Shockwaves rolled across the land, the ground trembled violently—
And the already crumbling Great East Holy Wall finally collapsed completely.
Splurt!
Green blood sprayed violently from Nnoitra's mutilated body. Leaning forward and half-kneeling on the ground, his gaunt face was twisted with hysteria.
From the day he was born, he had only fought for one purpose—
To die in battle.
He longed to encounter powerful opponents, to grow stronger himself, and ultimately die at the hands of a truly powerful warrior…
And now, it seemed his wish had been fulfilled—dying beneath the blade of the strongest Shinigami, Yamamoto Genryūsai.
"…This ends here."
Yamamoto looked down at the kneeling Nnoitra, a flicker of disappointment in his eyes. He had, after all, overestimated the strength of the Arrancar Aizen had created.
"Keh-heh... what kind of look is that? Pity?"
Nnoitra fell into his final madness. Staring viciously at Yamamoto, he shouted:
"Don't look down on me! Even if I die, I'm still the strongest among the Espada!"
Zip!
A yellow light rapidly gathered at the tip of Nnoitra's tongue. In almost an instant, he completed the Gran Rey Cero, firing it straight toward Yamamoto Genryūsai!
"Childish."
Nnoitra's Cero was fast—
But Yamamoto Genryūsai was faster.
Just as the blast was about to strike him, Yamamoto showed no fear. He raised Ryūjin Jakka and slashed straight into the blinding yellow beam!
BOOM!
Towering flames suddenly illuminated the sky above Seireitei. Then came a thunderous explosion as shockwaves rolled outward and dust filled the air.
Nnoitra, along with the Cero, was completely annihilated.
"Captain-Commander!"
Witnessing the battle, Soi Fon and the others shouted.
But clearly their worry was unnecessary.
As the dust settled, a bare-chested Yamamoto slowly emerged before them.
"Incredible!!"
Komamura Sajin had lost count of how many times he had marveled today, but at this moment, those were the only words that could describe his evaluation of Yamamoto Genryūsai.
Rumble!
The Great East Holy Wall was completely reduced to ruins. Under the Captain-Commander's attack, it simply couldn't withstand the power.
As for Nnoitra, under such overwhelming force, he had turned entirely into ashes. Even his scythe-like Zanpakutō and body slowly dissolved into scattered spirit particles.
"What a waste… such excellent research material!"
Watching Nnoitra turn into spirit particles after being cut down by the Captain-Commander, Mayuri Kurotsuchi rolled his eyes and turned to leave.
"Inform the divisions members to clear the battlefield, Jūshirō," Kyōraku Shunsui said casually to Ukitake Jūshirō, looking completely relaxed.
"Alright…"
Ukitake nodded and headed toward the 13th Division barracks. For him, today's incident had been a frightening experience—but ultimately ended safely.
"..."
Byakuya Kuchiki silently tucked his hands into his sleeves and was about to turn and leave.
At that moment, he suddenly heard Yamamoto Genryūsai's deep voice behind him:
"Captain of the 6th Division! Captain of the 11th Division!
The two of you will immediately proceed to Hueco Mundo. Remove the 9th Division Captain, Fūjin Taichi, from his position as supervisor of the expeditionary force—
…and bring him back to Seireitei."