Chapter 128
After receiving Haruto's affirmative answer, Daijiji immediately raised his thumb like a big boy, full of sunshine.
Just like when he first greeted Haruto.
It has to be said.
This guy may be a scoundrel, but he's genuinely willing to do things when he gets something in return... at least that's how it seems on the surface.
Be careful.
Now that the other party has become a temporary ally, Haruto naturally has to fulfill his obligations.
"This guy's abilities..."
"Unnecessary."
Daijiji shook her finger, interrupting Haruto.
"?"
"This guy's ability... can refract spatial skills using Kidō, right?"
"??"
How could Daijiji know about Menos Grande's abilities?
These two guys couldn't possibly be—
"Haruto."
"Zheng."
As Daijiji drew his Zanpakuto from its sheath, he spoke with his back to Haruto.
"Don't overthink it. While I may be somewhat powerful, I wouldn't stoop so low as to cooperate with an outlier like Xu."
Simply because...
"It was me who helped the Twelfth Division capture this guy."
Daijiji looked at the sheep-headed Menos Grande, whose movements had become even more wary, and laughed.
"... So you didn't recognize me before?"
Haruto didn't quite believe what he said... or rather, he couldn't completely trust what Daijiji said.
"It sounds familiar, but it's all trivial stuff from decades ago. Who could remember it so clearly?"
The voice of Daijiji was quite innocent.
"That's true."
But now is not the time to dwell on it.
"I'm so sorry, I really didn't know that the Sage and the Twelfth Division had this consideration in mind when they asked me to be an examiner, otherwise I would have reminded you beforehand."
"But it's not a problem now."
Starting with the hand gripping the hilt of the sword, the Reiatsu of the Gotei 13's right-hand lieutenant began to slowly seep out, and even the air began to thicken.
"Haruto."
"This virtual spatial ability has its limits."
"The spatial vortex it creates only works on release-type skills that are difficult to control; you can easily suppress it with Bakudō."
--I see.
Haruto nodded to himself: No wonder the Sheep- Menos Grande hadn't been able to flip Haruto's Sajō Sabaku; it turned out there were restrictions in this regard.
"... By the way, I'm not asking for help from the wounded when I say that."
Daijiji is once again using a tone he understands to appeal to young people.
"Mere Gillian."
The voice, filled with murderous intent, instantly replaced the relaxed atmosphere from before.
"There's no need for that."
Daijiji gripped the sword with both hands, his overflowing Reiatsu continuously converging into the Zanpakuto.
In the blink of an eye—
"Binding spirits and binding life, a 'monument' of decay!"
A massive, brown-gray, stone-tablet-shaped sword, roughly the size of two people and irregularly split in two from the center, appeared in the hands of Daijiji.
――――
"Despair."
Forward, backward.
"Oh?"
In contrast, Daijiji is making progress.
"Although I don't know whether the Twelfth Division's experiment was successful or a failure, you seem to still remember my Zanpakuto."
That's really...
"Whoosh!"
Before Daijiji could finish speaking, his figure had already approached Menos Grande.
In terms of teleportation techniques, Haruto had seen the fastest one was Marechiyo Ōmaeda, followed by the one right in front of him.
This guy—even with equal Reiatsu, he's more agile than Hollow Sonído; it's hard to say whether the latter is too weak or he's too strong.
"Thump!!"
"Very good!"
Smoke and dust dispersed.
The ram- Menos Grande raised his arms high, blocking the attack from the Daijiji.
The size and weight of the Greatsword of the Stone Tablet are quite exaggerated for a Soul Reaper, but for a Hollow, it is not considered heavyweight.
Even so.
The sheep -Menos Grande's body plunged downwards, with almost half of his body hitting the ground.
"..."
The violent impact knocked down groves of ancient trees.
Daijiji is very powerful.
Haruto wasn't sure about his mastery of Kidō, but in terms of strength and speed, he was definitely Menos Grande Hollowfied.
And just as the other side said, although Haruto had prepared the Bakudō, he had no chance to find any support.
Even though the Hollow's Reiatsu was more than 50% Menos Grande than when it fought Haruto, it was still powerless against Daijiji.
But.
Haruto still sensed something was off.
"Release-type Kidō?"
Haruto carefully studied the information that Daijiji had just provided.
"My Raikōhō is definitely this type."
"After all, the Raikōhō is known for its speed; trying to make a turn after it's been released is simply a pipe dream."
"But Hyōga Seiran..."
The fact that Haruto was able to use the Senju Kōten Taihō number 91) indicates that he has further improved his control over the Kidō).
The Hyōga Seiran he unleashed was no longer as difficult to control as it was at the beginning; he could now precisely manage the destructive power and coverage of the ice tide.
Even so, Hyōga Seiran was still deflected back by Yangtou's feint—
"..."
Thinking of this, Haruto quickly shouted a reminder towards Daijiji:
"Careful!"
At this time.
Daijiji had just Zanpakuto, sending the Menos Grande Hollow flying, when he used Shunpo to catch Sonído with the figure trying to escape.
"It's over."
And in the instant that the Menos Grande's posture completely lost its balance, it slashed fiercely at its ram's Visored!
However--
The moment the Zanpakuto.
The black hole, which Daijiji thought had no chance of being used, suddenly appeared as the ram's head Visored was Menos Grande open.
"Buzz."
At the same time.
The back of Daijiji was completely unsuspecting.
A black hole of identical shape and volume silently appeared, and the Zanpakuto pierced through it, slashing fiercely towards Daijiji's own neck!
"Rikujōkōrō!"
"Boom!"
A life-or-death moment.
The Daijiji, which was already aiming to completely shatter the Menos Grande, had no time to stop its attack. The force of the strike was so great that even the Rikujōkōrō, which Shibari, shattered in an instant.
Fortunately.
This moment saved the life of Daijiji.
Thump.
Two different kinds of imposing beings landed simultaneously.
"..."
Daijiji touched the back of his neck with lingering fear; the strong wind had pressed out a chilling, purplish-red bloodstain.
Thank you.
This heartfelt cry from Daijiji was a rare sight.
If Haruto hadn't helped him, he would most likely be collapsed on the ground, even if he didn't die.
He's not much better than Haruto.
"Of course."
"..."
Daijiji fell silent for a moment, then stared intently at the sheep-headed Menos Grande with an even more chilling gaze than before.
"It seems it has made some progress over the years."
This ability was something he had never experienced before.
"This guy used a similar tactic before, luring me to attack myself."
Haruto chimed in from the side.
Although he didn't elaborate, this reminder was sufficient.
"I underestimated them..."
"They underestimated Haruto's abilities."
The near-miss in battle not only forced Daijiji to offer Haruto an unnecessary apology, but also prompted him to examine his own shortcomings.
When Daijiji first arrived, it naturally held its defeated opponent in some contempt.
But things are completely different now.
"But."