Chapter 279

Certainly.

The researchers didn't dare to be too perfunctory with the Sae, after all, even disregarding their abilities, he was the head of the data acquisition department at the research institute.

They still have the most basic perspective.

To get funding from the Seireitei Research Institute, you have to produce tangible results.

Or...

If you have the ability to conduct research in two subjects simultaneously and produce satisfactory results in both, that's a skill in itself.

"The head of the Dangai Research Department, Yushima Oko?"

"..."

"Since it's a problem for the research institute, I'll make the trip."

Thirteenth Division.

"Clang!"

At the entrance of Ugendo.

When Muramasa's Bankai effect, Ukitake was lying inside controlling his illness, which prevented him from immediately sealing his mind.

Because of his lung fibrosis, it was actually very difficult for him to do this.

Then.

At this time, both Kaien Shiba and Shiba Miyako...

He was forced to confront a husband-and-wife team of Zanpakuto simultaneously, without the support of Zanpakuto and without being able to use any of his Kidō techniques.

I won't explain Sōgyo no Kotowari abilities.

Ukitake and Kyōraku's Reiatsu are not much different, but the upper limit of Sōgyo no Kotowari far exceeds the Shiba couple's ability to cope:

Even if she uses Kidō No. 90, Sōgyo no Kotowari can easily absorb and reflect it.

Hakuda?

Neither Kaien nor Du's Hakuda are weak points.

However, in a battle of this level, it would be too much to ask of them to use only Hakuda and Shunpo to contend with three Zanpakuto.

If it weren't for the fact that they both had some Heavenly Bestowed Armaments that Yoruichi had given them as a wedding gift, and the explosive spirit tools (fireworks) that Kūkaku occasionally made and sent them, they would have been defeated in the first half minute.

To have persevered until now...

"Bang!"

With Nejibana of his spear, Kaien Shiba was sent flying far away, leaving Shiba Miyako in a two-on-one situation.

Situation.

"All!"

Both of them were perfectly aware of the abilities of their Zanpakuto.

When practicing Zanjutsu, there are many ways to fight against enemies simultaneously.

Now...

Shiba Miyako was thus caught in this passive situation.

"Call!"

A knife and a gun.

The converging feng shui elements, working in tandem, were about to completely engulf Shiba Miyako—

"Shunkō."

A white phantom, far beyond the reach of the naked eye, descended from the sky.

"Boom!!"

In the rolling smoke and dust.

"Yo... Haruto!?"

With one head on each side, he slammed his Zanpakuto into the ground.

"Good evening."

Haruto stood up from his half-squatting position.

"Captain Kaien, Lady Miyako."

Shunkō.

Kaien knew that Yoruichi was practicing this technique.

Coupled with the lightning-fast Shunpo Step, he subconsciously assumed that Yoruichi had come to help.

Unexpectedly...

"On the way."

"Ah!"

Haruto tossed two little "priests" wearing tall hats to Kaien and Du, one in each hand.

"I have other things to do, you guys go ahead."

"Whoosh!"

"..."

The materialized Sōgyo no Kotowari were bound by golden locks at some point, and no matter how much they struggled, they could not break free.

"Haruto..."

"Is he already that strong?"

Both of their Zanpakuto were completely knocked unconscious.

That's not all; the key point is... the Kaien couple didn't see when Haruto made a move against Sōgyo no Kotowari; and when they used Kidō to capture Sōgyo no Kotowari, it wasn't absorbed or rebounded by the latter's ability.

Those two swords contain half of Captain Ukitake's Reiatsu!

"I don't know either."

Kaien Shiba smiled helplessly.

Half of Captain Ukitake's Reiatsu.

Even with this kind of Sōgyo no Kotowari, the Shiba couple would be completely helpless—if these two materialized children hadn't been so playful, the battle wouldn't have ended in half a minute, but in the very first instant:

They are not Zanpakuto that only know how to defend and not Zanpakuto.

In short...

"Return it to Captain Ukitake immediately, then hurry and go help."

The Kidō that can capture the Sōgyo no Kotowari — Kaien Shiba conservatively estimates—is probably a top-tier Bakudō of number ninety-five or higher.

"Um!"

First Division, in front of the barracks.

Before entering the tall and wide "city gate," they must first figure out how to deal with the Jōkaku Enjō set up by the Captain-Commander.

"..."

Funakiri didn't ask what to do.

Now that he had come this far, he believed that Shusuke Amagai must have a solution.

"Your Kiri."

Shusuke Amagai stared at the fiery wall before him without turning his head.

The high temperature caused the edges of the Captain's Haori to turn charred black.

"Captain Amagai!"

Funakiri stood respectfully half a step behind Shusuke Amagai.

How long have you been following me?

Seventy years.

"I don't remember very clearly... It was all time spent fighting in Hueco Mundo, wasn't it?"

"Yes!"

The Funakiri is not valid.

That's compared to many Captain-level Soul Reapers.

If we were to place him among all the vice-captains... his Reiatsu might not be the strongest, but he certainly has the most practical combat experience.

After all.

The official deployment of Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force rarely exceeds ten years, let alone the continuous frontline combat.

Do you regret it?

Shusuke Amagai drew his Zanpakuto.

The eyeballs and tentacles that wrapped around it added an extra layer of eeriness to the blade.

No regrets.

"I believe... I came here for justice and righteousness."

"Bang!!"

The Heat flame ignited on the blade, Shusuke Amagai's Raika silently completed its release.

I believe it too.

Funakiri said without hesitation.

"And you?"

I'm just following in your footsteps.

"Now that things have come to this, let's talk about something practical."

Perhaps it's in pursuit of recognition.

The principles and justice that Shusuke Amagai speaks of are undoubtedly just excuses for revenge... This belief, which is not entirely hypocritical, has sustained him to this point.

"... For power."

"I see."

Shusuke Amagai was not averse to Funakiri's purpose.

During the long expedition to Hueco Mundo, he had inquired about Funakiri's past:

Despite graduating from the Shin'ō Academy with top marks, Funakiri did not obtain the rank of Seated Officer for a long time after joining the Gotei 13... even though he mastered Shikai in just a few years.

According to Funakiri, it was the deliberate suppression by the Seated Officer that forced him to fight for his position by showcasing his achievements in frontline battles against Hollows; for this reason, he even voluntarily joined the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force at the time.

To Shusuke Amagai, Funakiri's strength might be insignificant, but they were partners walking the same path.

"..."

"Here we go."

"Hi!"

Funakiri took the initiative to step back and create some distance.

"Raika!"

"Gurgle, gurgle."

The Bakkōtō, wrapped in Raika, opened its enormous mouth, which resembled that of an octopus, surrounded by tentacles and countless fangs.

Bakkōtō.