Chapter 280

They share a similar characteristic with the Menos Grande: they devour their own kind.

The Bakkōtō in the Shusuke Amagai is different from the one used by the assassins who attacked the Tsunayashiro Clan. It is a complete version that has devoured countless of its kind: having reached its limit, it has the same essence as Adjuchas standing at the threshold of Vasto Lorde, but the "scale" of its devouring is extremely similar to that of the Hollow Eaters.

Kasumioji...

For a long time, Kumoi Gyokaku was unable to create a second weapon of such power and completeness.

"Buzz!!"

The emerald green light spread out in concentric circles.

The Jōkaku Enjō, capable of reducing Captain-level Soul Reaper to ashes in the instant of contact, actually "made way" for a path leading to the Third Division barracks.

This is the power of Shusuke Amagai's Bakkōtō, and it is also the key to enabling him and Funakiri Bankai to Muramasa:

Zanpakuto nullified.

Apart from the Zanpakuto fused with the Bakkōtō -Tao, all abilities exerted by Zanpakuto that enter a certain range around him will become ineffective.

If the fused Zanpakuto completely completes its Bankai, the Bakkōtō, having absorbed a large amount of Reiatsu, can further enhance its "nullification" range:

The spiritual pressure of all death gods.

"Lightning Flame Bullet!"

Raika gently waved his hand at the heavy team gate.

"Boom!"

The fireball hurtling out blasted everything in its path into fragments.

"..."

Just as the two were about to join the First Division.

"Genshirō Okikiba."

Shusuke Amagai focus his gaze.

A grim reaper, his Soul Reaper completely white except for a sliver of black, stood in front of the two.

"You want to see the Captain-Commander?"

"... right."

Judging from their tone of voice, one can probably understand a thing or two: Genshirō Okikiba might be an old acquaintance of Shusuke Amagai.

"This approach is far too reckless."

"..."

That attitude was like an elder "scolding" a child who had made a mistake—something that Shusuke Amagai probably experienced when he was young.

You've come because of your father's matter?

"... right."

"The Captain-Commander is waiting for you."

Genshirō Okikiba his body to the side.

"..."

"Kiri!"

"... exist!"

The conversation had made Funakiri feel uneasy, but Shusuke Amagai's words quickly cheered him up.

"I'll leave this to you."

No further explanation is needed.

Shusuke Amagai knows Genshirō Okikiba very well. Since he said "waiting for you" instead of "waiting for you all," that's enough to explain...

The Funakiri stop here.

"Yes!"

"..."

"Whoosh!"

Shusuke Amagai's figure disappeared in front of the First Division Barracks.

Only two remained...

"Oh?"

With Shusuke Amagai no longer in front of him, Funakiri's expression instantly turned into... a sinister grin.

"Third Seats for Chōjirō?"

"The Funakiri Third Seats."

The playful nickname elicited an unusually calm response.

"I heard you are the most senior Seated Officer in the Gotei 13."

"But what the Seated Officer said is indeed true."

Genshirō Okikiba nodded, the gesture no different from his usual manner of speaking.

Is your knife still usable?

"... Unfortunately, I damaged it quite badly. Perhaps Captain Hikifune of the Twelfth Division can lend a hand before I can use it."

Genshirō Okikiba glanced at the Zanpakuto at his waist and said.

He severely injured his own Zanpakuto —just hearing this makes it clear that Old Master Oki is a ruthless person who shows no mercy Chōjirō.

"In that case, defeating you wouldn't seem to grant me the title of 'Strongest Seated Officer,' would it?"

"I'm so disappointed," said Funakiri.

"Can."

"Because even without using Zanpakuto..."

Genshirō Okikiba slightly opened his small eyes, just like the Captain-Commander's.

"No other 'Seated Officer' is stronger than me."

"!!"

His overly domineering remarks diminished even the slightest hint of disdain on Funakiri's face.

"The old man is quite confident?"

He drew his Zanpakuto.

"In that case..."

"Let me experience it for myself!"

The unsheathed longsword pointed straight at Genshirō Okikiba.

"Rage, Reppū!"

First Division, Captain's Office.

"Thump."

"Thump."

Stepping onto the sturdy stairs.

Tenbei Shusuke arrived at this place she had longed for day and night.

The Captain-Commander's upright figure was turned away from him... towards the myriad lights of Soul Society.

"..."

"Shigekuni Yamamoto."

Facing that figure in person is more stressful than thinking about it countless times in secret.

"... Shin'etsu Kisaragi's son?"

"!!"

The shock on Shusuke Amagai's face quickly turned into a gloomy expression:

When did you find out?

"From the moment you join the Gotei 13."

Shusuke Amagai joined the Gotei 13 under an assumed name, posing as a Rukongai official, in order to avoid being detected by Shigekuni Yamamoto.

He had initially thought that Genshirō Okikiba a special case, but who would have thought—

"Then do you know why I'm here?"

"To avenge your father?"

Captain-Commander Yamamoto said without turning his head.

"You don't deny killing your own disciple... Shigekuni Yamamoto?"

"Fact."

The two simple, low-pitched words instantly ignited Shusuke Amagai's anger.

"So, are you... also prepared to die!?"

Compared to Kitahara Kenshin, who was temporarily strengthened by medication, the amount of the Fushizuku Clan drugs that Shusuke Amagai had consumed over the years was countless.

That's right.

Even though he was in Hueco Mundo, he maintained countless connections with Soul Society.

In fact, just by looking at the Silver Dragonfly that Funakiri nose, you can tell that it's not something Soul Reaper who has just returned to Seireitei could get his hands on.

"Bankai!"

"Raika - Blazing Shell!"

Volume 1: 167, Grass and Mustard

Seventh Division.

Why is it so slow?

Haruto had just Shunpo inside when he saw Byakuya emerge from the door, drenched in sweat.

"Love Aikawa's Zanpakuto is a bit troublesome."

Tengumaru's physical attacks are indeed difficult to hit Byakuya, but this sword has fire-based Kidō abilities; Senbonzakura is not easy to break through, and without Bankai, it can only play a disruptive role, with the main damage coming from Kidō.

"Do you know anything about the captain now?"

"... yes."

Working in isolation is useless.

After Bankai, Byakuya believed he had reached Captain-level strength.

So when the forces were split up to provide relief, Haruto assigned him to help the nearest Seventh Division —in Byakuya's opinion, Love Aikawa of the Seventh Division was probably the weakest of all the captains; even so, he was struggling so much against Zanpakuto with only half its Reiatsu...

Haruto's lesson was very successful, especially before the upcoming battle against Kōga Kuchiki: In the past, hearing Haruto cut down captains one day and another the next made Byakuya think that Captain-level battles were as easy as chopping melons and vegetables. But after practicing it himself today, he realized that... chopping melons and vegetables was done with a radish knife.

"That's good."

Haruto nodded.

Byakuya's growth is indeed very rapid.

However, fighting Tengumaru is not even a warm-up exercise.

"We're going to the Golden Seal Noble Assembly."