Chapter 57: Chapter 57
Chapter 57
Above the Second Division, a man wearing a white haori and sporting an afro raised his Zanpakutō high.
"Crush it, Tengumaru!!"
With his shout, the meter-long Zanpakutō glowed and extended.
In an instant, it transformed into a seven-to-eight-meter-long black spiked mace.
With a mighty swing, the man smashed the mace down, shattering a massive barrier in a single blow.
As the barrier disintegrated, the spiritual pressure contained within surged outward.
Sensing the information hidden in the spiritual pressure, the faces of the two nearby captains darkened.
Kyōraku Shunsui's face was obscured in shadow as he drew his Zanpakutō. Without a word, he used Shunpo to descend toward the source below.
Hikifune Kirio followed closely behind without hesitation.
From a distance, the two could already see the scene unfolding near the back mountain of the Second Division, just outside the prison gates.
The sight was so surreal that, for a brief moment, both forgot their anger.
Takata Tai, the captain of the Ninth Division, lay on the ground with his entire shoulder blown apart, his condition unknown.
Nearby, Shinchira Renzosuke gripped his sword, his face pale with terror.
On the other side, Kaelith Yurei stood silently.
Although his body was battered, and blood dripped from his hands, the fierce battle aura emanating from him was blinding, like a blazing sun.
"Kaelith!!" Kyōraku Shunsui shouted.
Hearing the familiar voice, Kaelith grinned.
His senior brother might not have arrived promptly, but at least he came in time.
Though he had defeated Takata Tai, Kaelith was at his limit.
If Shinchira Renzosuke decided to take advantage of the moment and strike, everyone present would likely be killed.
**Shff!**
Kyōraku landed beside Kaelith with a swift Shunpo.
"Kaelith, are you okay?" he asked, concern evident in his voice as he observed Kaelith's near-collapse.
Kaelith shook his head, resisting the overwhelming urge to pass out.
Gathering his strength, he said, "Senior brother, Takata Tai, captain of the Ninth Division, conspired with rebels to stage a coup. They launched a night assault on the Second Division, causing numerous casualties among its members."
"Injured among them is Shihōin Yoruichi, head of the Shihōin family."
"Shinchira Renzosuke was also freed by Takata Tai's accomplices… make sure to arrest his allies in the prison as well."
Hearing this, Kyōraku couldn't help but chuckle.
Even in his battered state, Kaelith was laying the groundwork to pin the blame on Takata Tai.
What's more, the way he emphasized the assault on the Shihōin family head over the rebellion itself was a masterstroke of noble politics.
"Got it. I'll make sure it's all reported," Kyōraku replied with a smile, appreciating the clever maneuver.
Kaelith nodded, but as he relaxed, his legs buckled beneath him.
Two hands caught him from behind.
Turning his head, Kaelith saw Yoruichi staring at him with a complicated expression.
She slipped her hands under his arms and carried him away from the battlefield using Shunpo, ensuring his safety.
Watching the scene, Kyōraku resisted the urge to whistle, realizing it wasn't an appropriate time.
Hikifune Kirio scanned the battlefield, her eyes brimming with anger.
So many members of the Gotei 13 had been sacrificed for this pointless chaos.
These nobles… could they possibly be more disgusting?
Fixing her gaze on the two captains in front of her, Kirio's expression grew cold, and killing intent surged within her.
Though captains were valuable combat assets in Soul Society, even with irrefutable evidence, nobles often shielded them from justice.
If she were forced to leave the Seireitei for the Royal Guard soon, she'd no longer have a hand in quelling rebellion.
Perhaps it was better to end things here and now.
On a battlefield like this, killing them would be justified.
If the Central 46 later tried to hold her accountable, she'd simply head to the Royal Guard early.
Let them try to pursue her there! (t/n I like her)
With this thought, she no longer hesitated.
Drawing her Zanpakutō, she stomped her foot and launched herself toward Shinchira Renzosuke.
Watching her, Kyōraku Shunsui grimaced, feigning fear.
Though he considered stopping her, the thought of the Central 46's likely ruling made him hold back.
Descending from above, Aikawa Love, the captain of the Seventh Division, shivered slightly at the sight.
In an instant, Hikifune Kirio reached Shinchira and swung her blade down.
However, mid-swing, she suddenly paused, sensing something.
She immediately shifted her stance, retreating with remarkable speed.
Almost simultaneously, a slicing wave of energy surged past her, carving a deep trench between her and Shinchira.
**Shff!!**
Kyōraku Shunsui and Aikawa Love appeared beside her in unison, using Shunpo to close the distance.
Hikifune Kirio was surprised as she looked in the direction from which the slicing wave had come. Emerging from the shadows, a figure wearing a Tengu mask slowly approached.
He was tall and slender, dressed in a pale blue kimono, his hand holding a Zanpakutō. Strands of silvery-white hair peeked out from behind the mask.
Shinchira Renzosuke's eyes lit up with hope at the sight, as if he had just been granted a reprieve.
Kyōraku Shunsui frowned slightly. There was something vaguely familiar about this man, particularly his spiritual pressure. Although well-concealed, it stirred a sense of déjà vu within him.
Not far off, Yoruichi, who was supporting Kaelith and kneeling on the ground, also showed a similar reaction.
As the masked man stepped forward, heading towards Takata Tai, Kyōraku quickly intercepted him.
"Ah, my good sir, these two are under the jurisdiction of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads," Kyōraku said smoothly. "If you leave now, I might pretend I haven't seen anything."
The Tengu-masked man paused briefly before suddenly swinging his Zanpakutō.
**Clang!!!**
Kyōraku raised his twin blades to block the strike. The next instant, his expression changed. Without hesitation, Kyōraku was forced to retreat, the immense force from the masked man's blade numbing his arms.
Such immense spiritual pressure... who was this person?
After pushing Kyōraku back with a single strike, the masked man flicked his finger.
Takata Tai, who lay on the ground, was levitated and landed gently on the man's shoulder. He then turned his gaze toward Shinchira Renzosuke, who, realizing something, quickly ran over to them.
"Planning to leave?" Hikifune Kirio's eyebrows shot up as she prepared to dash forward.
Predicting her move, the Tengu-masked man lifted his Zanpakutō and aimed it at her from a distance.
"Hadō #91."
"Senjū Kōten Taihō."
Hikifune Kirio's eyes widened.
In the next second, to her disbelief, dozens of white-hot spears of light materialized and shot toward her simultaneously—
**Boom!!!**
The area erupted with a tremendous explosion, casting a brilliant glare over the battlefield. The force of the Kidō enveloped the area, showcasing the masked man's formidable prowess, leaving those present in awe and trepidation at his capabilities.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone