Chapter 257

A powerful and beautiful girl doesn't use the toilet!

And.

When the Fourth Division does their scheduled cleaning, they restore the trash to its Reishi state—the latest model of cleaning and disinfection products has been updated to the seventy-third generation... still provided by the Seireitei Research Institute.

"Vasto Lorde?"

Haruto didn't rush to use Shunpo to get there. Instead, he recounted what had happened in Hueco Mundo as he headed towards his destination.

By the way...

Use the Kidō to block all paths taken.

"Um."

"Is that impressive?"

Ayaka followed behind, pressing for an answer.

"We deployed six Captain-level, and if we hadn't laid an ambush beforehand, we might not have been able to take them down."

"Are Highest-class Menos Grande really that strong?"

Nanao asked curiously.

She had only ever seen the name Vasto Lorde in books... In fact, 99% of the Soul Reapers never see Gillian in their entire lives.

"To put it in comparison... take the Adjuchas we've dealt with before as an example. Even if there were ten... no, thirty of them all gathered together, they'd be one-shotted by Vasto Lorde."

Haruto explained after roughly comparing the strengths of both sides.

"When you told me about it, I had the impression that Adjuchas was weak... I heard that you killed one casually when you returned to Soul Society, Haruto."

Ayaka asked, her eyes questioning.

"Without."

"Um?"

Actually, it was cut in two using "this Hainawa."

Haruto twirled his finger in the air.

The silver-blue silk thread made a small loop and then quickly turned into Reishi and dissipated.

"That sounds even scarier, okay!"

As a single-digit Kidō type of magical technique), this Hainawa's level couldn't be lower—of course, if this number appeared at Haruto's fingertips, it should be called: a powerful Bakudō comparable to Byakurai...

After all, they're all number four.

Haruto continued the previous topic:

"The captains all used their Bankai..."

"Once you're able to Bankai, you should have a general idea of what it's like."

"..."

The harem (crossed out) fell silent for a moment.

"What's the matter?"

"You really think we can all be captains?"

Kiyone spoke before Ayaka could.

"I firmly believe it."

"... Alright~ Since you're so firm, A-Qing, I'll reluctantly believe you a few more times, okay?"

Ayaka naturally took Haruto's arm and said with a smile.

"So there was a time when you didn't believe me?"

Haruto looked down at Ayaka with a scrutinizing gaze.

"Of course, for example, when it gets darker--"

"Waaah!"

Before Ayaka could finish speaking, she was forcibly sealed by Haruto's Hakuda Bakudō Technique.

"Keep your voice down."

Haruto's tone became more serious, which quickly stopped Ayaka's futile struggle.

"?"

"Someone's coming."

"..."

All eyes were turned toward the bend in the waterway at the far end.

Even without considering Haruto appearance, they had already detected the approaching shadow from the heavy, irregular footsteps.

"Well..."

He was a guy wearing a white prison uniform, without Shihakushō or Zanpakuto.

No doubt about it.

These were criminals released by Kitahara Kenshin from the Maggot's Nest —their original identities might have simply been "dangerous people," but after launching atrocities against the Central 46 Chambers, their criminal status was undeniable.

I'll go and meet them--

Kiyone had just placed her hand on the hilt of the sword when Haruto stopped her.

"Etc."

"... He looks like he's only at the fifth or sixth level of Reii, and he's not wearing Zanpakuto yet."

Kiyone has a rather impulsive personality.

Although Haruto's purpose on this trip was to help them gain battle merits, Kiyone wouldn't really do nothing; since there were enemies she could deal with, she naturally wouldn't let her Zanpakuto rust in its sheath: in the work of the Fourth Division, there were very few tasks that required drawing a sword, and Kiyone certainly didn't want to waste the rare opportunity to show off her Kiyone.

"But he took the medication."

Haruto's broad back completely obscured Kiyone's petite figure.

"Um?"

Haruto was stunned for a moment.

"If it were Isane, she would have seen it immediately... Isn't this exactly the area that the Fourth Division should excel in?"

"... I'm sorry, I was rash."

Kiyone released her sword-drawing stance.

Although she has a quick temper, Kiyone is by no means stubborn to the point of being inflexible.

"It looks like..."

Hanatarō was walking at the front, glanced at it a few more times and said:

"Like some kind of powerful stimulant?"

"Not 'like'."

Haruto shook his head.

"We've seen this thing several years ago."

"..."

"The one Mikazuki Munechika ate!?"

Kiyone's memory is quite good.

Just as she realized it, the others also looked on with expressions of sudden realization.

"Almost."

Haruto's pupils contracted slightly.

"Didn't you and Byakuya take down those guys?"

Nanao adjusted her glasses behind her ear and said.

"Maybe it's a smokescreen."

"..."

Those who can be locked in the Maggot's Nest are all ruthless people in different ways.

But.

If you intend to use them as combat assets, not having Zanpakuto would be a huge disadvantage.

Taking medication then becomes a matter of course.

"Arrest him?"

Nanao stepped out from the crowd.

Dealing with this strange creature, one certainly can't approach it rashly like Kiyone did; this is where the Kidō has a lot of room to maneuver.

Looking forward to seeing your performance!

"..."

Haruto gave Nanao a thumbs-up, and Nanao chose to remain silent in the face of the enemy.

"But."

"If you want some long-awaited real-world practice, I suggest you..."

"Bang!"

Just then...

The person who had been staggering like a zombie just moments before, suddenly lunged at Haruto and the others.

Standing at the very front, Hanatarō Yamada instantly became the primary target of the victims.

"Ah!?"

The moment Hanatarō turned and ran.

"Bakudō #61!"

The two fingers resting on the spine of the book made a forceful forward stroke.

The Reiatsu manifested as golden patterns that emanated from the void, quickly coalescing into a condensed beam of light that shot towards the attacker.

"Rikujōkōrō!"

"Thump!"

The grotesque body, with its veins bulging, was forcibly stopped in mid-air.

"Kiyone!"

Using Hadō in narrow terrain can easily injure your own people or even cause you to lose sight of the enemy's target.

Therefore, Nanao chose the Bakudō without hesitation.

As for striking the enemy--

"They're here!"

Haruto was originally going to remind Nanao that the Bakudō of number sixty might not be able to control the opponent: the edge of the Rikujōkōrō that had abandoned the chanting was cracking.

Surprisingly, these two work together quite well...

Or is the competition among "underachieving" students always this fierce?

Kiyone drew her sword and charged forward.

At a distance of two meters from the aerial target --

"Zheng!"

"Smash him, Tiger Cannon!"

The Zanpakuto held in both hands transformed into a giant cone during the swing: