Chapter 191
A powerful torrent of water shot skyward.
"The Magic Lotus Crown, the 'Vortex' Spear!"
--Even their use of the slang and idioms deliberately made them seem uncultured.
Swept along by the turbulent water, the Zanpakuto, which was originally held in one hand, transformed into a heavy, double-edged polearm.
"It's over!"
Genya Sakurai lifted the Vortex from the water that was supporting it.
The middle section of the gun handle he was holding began to spin rapidly, the thick and sharp double blades spinning like a top or helicopter propellers— the Reiatsu of the water element transformed into a dark Vortex powerful enough to devour ships and creatures.
"Call out!!"
An incredibly sharp water jet saw hurtled towards them.
Sentarō Kotsubaki showed no intention of dodging. Having both achieved Shikai with their Shikai Zanpakuto, he was certain he was no less capable than his opponent— Sentarō Kotsubaki also needed to prove that his position Seated Officer was not due to personal connections.
Most of the squad members knew that Sentarō Kotsubaki had a father who Vice-Captain-level, and that he was an old acquaintance of Fourth Seat Haruto of this squad.
But.
With his Reiatsu at a disadvantage, facing such a purely offensive Zanpakuto, Sentarō Kotsubaki truly chose the wrong opponent.
Without external force, even disembowelment would be the least of their worries.
"Smack!"
The atmosphere at the scene froze.
"!?"
The reason was that the slender and tall figure in front of him effortlessly blocked the attack from Genya Sakurai.
"..."
"Haruto?"
Sentarō Kotsubaki was quite familiar with this figure from behind.
As the goal that his father always talks about and strives to catch up with, Sentarō Kotsubaki's feelings towards Haruto are indeed somewhat complicated.
"Yo, Sentarō."
Haruto smiled, turned around, and greeted him.
"The 11th Division came all the way here, and even sent out a top-tier fighter like the Third Seat... How could you just step in for me without even giving them a heads-up?"
The 11th Division's barracks in Seireitei are located at opposite ends of the Thirteenth Division, so it's no exaggeration to say they came from afar... much farther than crossing several Rukongai.
Before Sentarō Kotsubaki could answer, Genya Sakurai had already spoken up:
"Fourth Seat Haruto?"
With Genya Sakurai sent the Vortex that Haruto had just blocked back into his hand; upon closer inspection, it was easy to see that several nearly transparent lines of Reiatsu connected the Zanpakuto to his palm.
The Zanpakuto named Vortex is more like an enlarged version of a spinning top or a yo-yo.
"It's me."
"You defeated Adjuchas?"
The Vortex continued to swirl and cut through Genya Sakurai's palm, its power noticeably increased compared to before: the attack on Sentarō Kotsubaki was clearly held back, but for the 11th Division, the difference between holding back and not holding back was only between serious injury and death.
"That's right."
"So, you're the one who followed Kanmuri Yasu into the World of the Living?"
"... That's right."
In his report to the Gotei 13, Haruto only managed to defeat one Quincy at the Vice-Captain-level, and that was done with the help of a witch from the West Branch Bureau.
As for Kanmuri Yasu's apparent combat strength, it was only at the Vice-Captain-level: it seems that no one else knew about his special situation of being able to barely Bankai without reaching the Third-Class Reii.
Judging from how Genya Sakurai addresses Kanmuri Yasu, he doesn't seem to value his vice-captain very much. The reason, as for...
It was probably due to his recent advancement to the Fifth-Class Reii.
The saying that there are differences even among vice-captains doesn't seem to have been widely circulated in the 11th Division dropped out of elementary school.
"What if I defeat you...?"
"Buzz!!"
The swirling sound of the Vortex grew even sharper.
Its volume has more than doubled.
Genya Sakurai didn't think that Haruto's ability to catch his attack was anything special—he had heard some news about the Live-Blade Match and knew that the person in front of him was best at releasing Kidō with his fingers.
Not to mention that he held back quite a bit of his strength when he dealt with Sentarō Kotsubaki, it would be strange if the Fourth Seat couldn't withstand the Vortex's cutting power.
"Is that enough proof that I'm qualified to be a vice-captain?"
"..."
Regarding the 11th Division's intelligence network, especially the channels through which lower- Seated Officers and members can obtain information—
Haruto has really learned a lot.
Beat him?
You can go Old Man Yamamoto apply to be the captain right now!
"That's right."
Haruto nodded again.
It seems this Third Seat Captain Kiganjō, that he's capable of serving as vice-captain by defeating himself?
Haruto felt that Kanmuri Yasu's house had been robbed, he should at least bring him back some souvenirs from Hueco Mundo.
That's really...
"Call out!!"
The spinning water jet saw shot out again!
Even across such a vast arena, the Soul Reaper watching the battle could still feel the incredibly sharp Reiatsu emanating from it.
The 11th Division is full of talented individuals.
Third Seat Sakurai should not be underestimated!
Even their beloved Captain Kiganjō would have to unleash his Zanpakuto to deal with such a fierce attack, right?
--Many members of the 11th Division were secretly thinking the same thing to themselves.
"Very good!"
The sound faded as the knife arrived.
Then.
"Beep."
The vast training ground was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
"???"
Haruto used his fingertips again to gently stop the rapidly spinning Vortex.
Kidō?
There's absolutely no need for that.
Soul Reaper are indeed not good at defense, but Haruto, after Bone Forging by Reiatsu, fused with Gillian, and enhanced by Blut...
Whether Kiganjō's slash could even break through Haruto's defenses is another matter entirely.
To deal with a vice-captain's level, Haruto doesn't even need to activate the Blut Vene; the passive defense allows him to ignore all non-regular damage.
"Good."
Haruto praised.
Just like the captain praised the team member who had just graduated from the Shin'ō Academy.
"Although the skin wasn't broken, at least some nail clippings were scraped off."
Haruto was simply stating the facts.
However, this is far more unacceptable than mere mockery: the full-force attack of the 11th Division's Third Seat was less effective than even a nail clipper?
"Only your taste..."
"Click."
With a gentle pinch of the clasped thumbs, the surface of the Vortex was instantly covered with cracks.
"Smack!"
It shattered into dust in the next instant.
"It is indeed lacking in some aspects."
Shikai damage can be repaired.
However, with it shattered to this extent, he won't be able to leave the 11th Division for several years to cause trouble, and it's hard to say whether he can even keep his Third Seat.
Haruto has indirectly helped the Twelfth Division generate revenue.
"..."
"Smack!"
The crisp sound of a slap drew everyone's attention.
"Everyone, you can leave now."
Haruto looked around, and not a single member of either squad dared to meet his gaze.
"If the 11th Division has nothing to do, I will suggest to the Central 46) that they replenish the fighting strength of the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force."
As for you...
Haruto looked at his teammates with eyes full of admiration.
"Once Captain Kaien returns, I'll suggest we have some serious training."
The minor disturbance ended quickly.
As for the rumors circulating among the Gotei 13 about Haruto's strength... he is currently serving as a vice-captain, and it's perfectly normal for someone of his level to easily defeat Seated Officer. Haruto doesn't see the need to make a fuss about it.
"Yo~"
Familiar faces emerged from the Thirteenth Division.
Why are you wearing our squad's uniform?
"Disguise is a basic skill of the Eighth Division. How about that? Your team members couldn't tell the difference at all~"
Ayaka said smugly.
I bet their attention isn't even on you.
Haruto stepped past Ayaka and looked at Isane, who was fidgeting behind her.
The Eighth Division's Shihakushō clearly didn't fit their physiques; with Isane's exaggerated figure, wearing this outfit would make her the center of attention wherever she went.
"Come to my office and change your clothes."
"I admit your disguise is pretty impressive, but dressing Isane up like this... we're afraid we won't be able to move an inch anywhere."
"Office?"
Ayaka asked with a grin.
"... Your head is full of lewd nonsense."
Haruto flicked her forehead, thwarting her wicked scheme.