Chapter 179
The Flow properties imparted by the Seisen not only greatly enhance the control of the Sajō Sabaku, but also give it a powerful cutting effect:
If it were the Adjuchas from a few months ago, this move would have completely shredded it into pieces that couldn't be glued back together!
If it weren't for the fact that Seirin Tsunayashiro's speed was too fast, Haruto could have used the "modified" version of Sajō Sabaku: giving it a heavy characteristic that is the opposite of Flow, the suppression effect of Sajō Sabaku can make the target feel as if they are carrying a mountain on their back and unable to move an inch.
"Sizzle!!"
Seirin Tsunayashiro didn't even have time to swing her sword; the fact that she managed to block the constantly shrinking water whip with the blade was already a testament to her quick reflexes.
"Are you sure that slash just now was delivered using your own strength?"
"!?"
The properties of Seisen are not limited to granting Haruto the attribute of Flow.
During the clash of the two Zanpakuto, the same effect can be applied to Seirin Tsunayashiro, giving her the illusion that she is getting faster and faster.
If, at this point, a speed suddenly increases beyond what was expected...
The way one holds the knife will inevitably reveal a weakness.
Haruto needed just this brief moment of respite!
"Walk back and forth..."
However!
This flaw is unexpectedly two-way.
Just as Haruto was preparing to use Iaijutsu, the bright side of Hoshihami's blade suddenly burst out with dazzling light, instantly turning the water whip that Shibari Seirin Tsunayashiro into Reishi!
"!!"
"Buzz--"
"Puff!!"
His right arm was severed.
The Seisen water gurgled and slid more than ten meters away.
"..."
The bleeding stopped immediately, but the severed arm significantly reduced Haruto's fighting ability by more than 30%.
If it were any other Soul Reaper, they'd be lucky to retain even two or three tenths of their strength.
"I see."
No further explanation is needed from Seirin Tsunayashiro.
The scene that had just unfolded before his eyes made him instantly understand Hoshihami's abilities:
He shattered the external Reiatsu structure with the Asahi side of the blade, then absorbed Reishi to replenish himself using the opposite, Tsukiyami.
The absorbed Reishi can, in turn, maintain the extreme sharpness of Hoshihami as a normal state.
This is the Zanpakuto of Seirin Tsunayashiro and defense.
"Such exquisite Bankai, as expected of the Tsunayashiro Clan's genius in Kidō."
"Thank you..."
"Whoosh!"
The dialogue is not yet complete.
The two figures appeared simultaneously at the severed arm that was holding Seisen.
"!!"
In the heat of battle, there is no point in unnecessary talk; every word has its purpose: if Seirin Tsunayashiro were to say just two more words, Haruto would have a chance to reattach his severed arm.
But.
Seirin Tsunayashiro clearly saw through his intentions.
"... That's a compliment."
The pleasant conversation did not hinder her knife-wielding movements.
The Shunpo Haruto rushed forward with his Shunpo, the gleaming Hoshihami followed closely behind, its sharp blade slicing down close to the center of his neck.
"Bang!"
But what she cut off was still a fake body.
"You're welcome."
Using Raimeisan in combination with Kyokkō, Haruto successfully created the illusion that he had taken over an arm!
--
The undamaged left arm stretched straight out towards Seirin Tsunayashiro, with intense light and water mist rising continuously between the outstretched fingers.
A combination of flowing water and lightning.
Hydroelectric cannon?
No, that's a highly explosive gas!
"Seisei!"
"Sizzle!"
The high-pressure column of air rushed in and instantly arrived in front of Seirin Tsunayashiro.
Then--
"Bang!"
With a forceful slap of the blade, the column of energy was instantly reduced to scattered Reishi!
"Not even gas is used...?"
The Flow flying Kidō, which is merely a prerequisite for a skill and doesn't possess much destructive power, is also countered by the power of Hoshihami.
Immediately afterwards.
The Reishi that constitute the Kidō Zanpakuto once again.
"You don't seem to learn your lesson?"
The entire process was so smooth and quick that it didn't even take half a second— Seirin Tsunayashiro lightly swung her blade upwards, and an invisible slash once again pierced through the air!
"No."
Haruto braced himself with one hand, and the Dankū barrier instantly isolated the inside from the outside.
You're the one who hasn't learned your lesson.
At the same time.
"Smack!"
Haruto stomped his foot hard on the ground.
The splashing water, tinged with crimson, finally revealed Haruto's full tactical plan to Tsunayashiro: whether it was the fake body or the pillar of air, this series of deceptive attacks was all designed to allow Haruto's blood to travel a distance of over ten meters, connecting his body to his severed arm.
The Reiatsu contained within can be used to repair the body through Bone Strike techniques, specifically the "Ransōtengai," allowing the severed arm to return to Haruto's body!
"Whoosh!"
The severed arm slid rapidly along the ground.
Even if Seirin Tsunayashiro, who had just unleashed that strike, could react in time, he wouldn't have a chance to follow up.
As for the slash aimed at Haruto himself...
"Boom!!"
After bursting into intense flames, it vanished along with the Dankū.
"Maintain a consistently sharp edge."
Haruto forcefully thrust his arm into the severed opening.
"It requires a significant amount of your Reiatsu, which is a very low-value option for someone who is already in Bankai acceleration state."
Tiny granulation tissue, barely visible to the naked eye, binds the still-active arm together, and they are undergoing a reorganization and connection from the inside out, from bones to muscles.
"So."
"You must constantly absorb Reishi from your opponent's attacks in order to maintain the extraordinary destructive power of your strikes."
Haruto wiggled his arm.
Although it certainly wouldn't be as agile as it was at the beginning, Haruto didn't intend to use this arm for a head-on confrontation; it would be enough to unleash a few Kidō.
"But..."
Haruto pointed to the lingering trace of moisture around Seirin Tsunayashiro.
"Compared to the four advanced forms of Kidō, the Raikōhō, which is merely enhanced with 'Flowing Water,' obviously won't allow you to obtain enough Reishi from it."
Haruto's words caused Seirin Tsunayashiro to change slightly.
"That's why I was able to Dankū the slash with a single strike..."
"Am I right, Miss Tsunayashiro?"
"..."
"You guessed correctly."
Seirin Tsunayashiro quickly regained her initial composure, as if the change in her expression just now was merely an illusion.
"While it's very effective against enemies, Hoshihami is just too greedy... It's also a troublesome thing for me as its master."
Seirin Tsunayashiro lowered the tip of her knife towards the ground.
"But."
Even if you guess right, so what?
Seirin Tsunayashiro tilted her head, a single, round, vermilion earring swaying on one side of her cheek.
"Your body is somewhat strange, but as long as you can't withstand the blows with your bare hands, there will eventually come a time when your Reiatsu will be completely devoured."
"As for the clash of Zanpakuto..."
The gradually raised tip of the knife was aimed at the Seisen in Haruto's hand.
"Your knife isn't exactly dull, but your skill level is just so-so."
"..."
"That's all?"
Haruto smiled and raised the Seisen.
"Ms. Tsunayashiro."
"I don't have the ability to use Bankai. To use Zanpakuto Shikai, the release phrase is an essential part."
"!!"
The relaxed demeanor that Seirin Tsunayashiro had just regained did not last long.
"He understood very quickly."
"You..."
Have you heard my liberation slogan?
That's right.
Haruto merely called out the name of the Seisen without using any release phrase—in this state, although he could still imbue the target with the attributes of flowing water and the effect of Flow, its effect was far less powerful than the True Shikai.
Most importantly, the Seisen itself was not strengthened; what directly confronted the Hoshihami's Sharpness was the "strength" inherent in the blade itself... This is also why Seirin Tsunayashiro was unable to expand its advantage during the forging process.
"You...!!"
The plan for a swift victory fell through halfway through. All that remained was for Haruto to unleash the true power of Seisen only after he had figured out all the abilities of the opponent's Zanpakuto. Until then, even losing his arm hadn't changed his mind... Otherwise, if he waited until his abilities were fully understood by the opponent, he would be the one who died here.
He gently stroked the sides of the blade with two fingers held together.