Chapter 83
At this point in time, Hiyori was still above Shinji Hirako in terms of rank.
As for spiritual tools—
Haruto doesn't have a high demand for this.
At least until all four skills of Zankensōki reach their current limits, there is no need to rely on these external factors to improve combat power.
Certainly.
A relatively low price often means side effects.
The members of the Twelfth Division who created them also needed to be tested on lab rats... especially Soul Reaper with considerable strength.
Otherwise.
Haruto will probably have to pay double the price to buy them.
Fortunately, all the drugs sold to the public have been officially certified by Captain Hikifune —all products sold by the Twelfth Division must pass through Kirio Hikifune's hands, and the sales revenue is split 50/50 between him and the Twelfth Division —the side effects are all within a controllable range... at least there won't be any accidents that could lead to death.
That's why.
Haruto dared to take the various drugs that Manager Ōmaeda had obtained without any worries... especially those for enhancing mental strength and replenishing Reiatsu.
The former is used to help learn the Kidō, and the latter is used to repair injuries sustained during training— Haruto is too embarrassed to constantly ask Isane for help.
His progress was so rapid; the nearly two thousand gold coins he invested in less than six months were undoubtedly a major factor in his success.
――――
As the Spirit Jewel Pill entered his stomach...
Haruto's daily routine begins with an analysis of Senju Kōten Taihō.
"As expected of a high-end product from the Kuchiki Clan."
"This medicine is far more effective than the half-finished product from the Twelfth Division."
Haruto could clearly feel the clarity that gradually seeped into the depths of his soul, as if a large bucket of mint juice had been poured into his head.
Previously, similar medications were less than one-tenth the strength of Spirit Jewel Pills, and their effects were short-lived.
Now--
"That should be enough for a breakthrough!"
Haruto, who was already just one step away from success, began to frantically conceive of the Kidō model for Senju Kōten Taihō in his mind, thanks to the effect of the Spirit Jewel Pill.
Extract Reiatsu, construct a model, and output the Kidō).
From the Hakusui his palm, the simulated miniature Kōten Taihō was woven together time and again, only to be dismantled and rebuilt again and again—compared to relying on ambiguous feelings and experience, Haruto was clearly better at summarizing patterns in a modern way.
While talent is important, mindset is the key to Haruto's ability to quickly master Kidō.
As the effects of the medicine were gradually absorbed, his mind became increasingly clear.
Until...
"Thump!"
Haruto took a sudden step forward, his right arm stretching straight out into the shadow of the giant, dark tree!
"The Edge of Senju"
A white orb of light, swirling with tiny red flashes, appeared in my palm.
"The untouchable Dark Lord, the unilluminated Archer of the Azure Sky"
Pure white was stained crimson, and deep red condensed into dark purple.
"The path where light shines, the wind that ignites the spark, gather together without bewilderment."
The ever-changing Reiatsu in his palm eventually transformed into a jet-black sphere with faint purple mist emanating from its edges.
"I will follow your instructions."
"Light bomb, eight bodies, nine lines, scripture, disease treasure, big wheel"
There is only one condensed sphere in the palm of your hand.
It cannot create the same immense sense of oppression as a true Senju Kōten Taihō, like the Treasury of Kings.
"The gray turret, drawing its bow towards the distance, vanished in a pristine glow!"
But even if there's only one, its power is undeniable...
"Hadō #91!"
The darkness blended into the night.
"Senju Kōten Taihō!!"
"――"
The black hole-like sphere swallowed everything around the point of impact.
The ensuing explosion further demonstrated the terrifying destructive power expected of a high-level Kidō.
"Boom!!"
The impact and explosion swept away everything within a 90-meter radius, leaving behind a bottomless crater—
If the Raikōhō has the destructive power of a 155mm howitzer, then a single Kōten Taihō exerts a deterrent force nearly equivalent to an 800mm+ cannon.
This number...
Only Gustav could do that.
――――
Volume 1: Chapter 53, Stealth Force
"Holy crap!?"
Byakuya has perfectly learned Haruto's catchphrase.
Looking at the destroyed forest and the half of his backyard that had disappeared, Byakuya's mouth remained agape.
"This is..."
"A single Kōten Taihō?"
The Kuchiki Clan has no shortage of Captain-level powerhouses, but to prevent Byakuya from becoming overly ambitious, almost no one has ever displayed Captain-level lethality in front of him.
This "Kōten Taihō" was the first time Byakuya had personally witnessed the destructive power of a strong opponent.
"... It seems so."
Haruto who started it all, also unconsciously swallowed hard when replying to Byakuya: he never expected that the effect of the Kōten Taihō would be so exaggerated.
"Whoosh."
Byakuya, regaining his senses, Shunpo appeared beside Haruto.
How does it compare to Hyōga Seiran?
The latter is less than half of what is in front.
"..."
Byakuya fell silent again.
The complete Hyōga Seiran is among the most lethal weapons in the eighty-plus Hadō.
Haruto, however, said it wasn't even half as Kōten Taihō...
This fact completely overturned Byakuya's understanding of high-level Hadō.
Senju Kōten Taihō.
The power of this Hadō depends on the number of Kōten Taihō condenses: the initial number is six, and the current known maximum is eighteen—each stacked Kōten Taihō greatly increases the power and range of its explosion.
Haruto's disassembled Kōten Taihō, only 1/6 of the initial version, was able to instantly destroy a large forest...
"Truly Captain-level skill."
Byakuya sighed.
"Yes."
Haruto chimed in from the side.
"It's just that the chanting takes too long."
Unlike the Raikōhō or the Zanka no Tachi, Haruto needs to be highly focused when using the Senju Kōten Taihō, during which he is completely defenseless.
Moreover, the period of being caught off guard lasted a full thirty seconds.
Haruto could indeed improve his incantation by a few more seconds, but even if it were shortened to the absolute limit of twenty seconds, it would still be enough for an opponent of the same level to kill him ten or eight times over.
"If you use it to fight Captain-level opponent, they won't give you that much time to prepare; and against a Vice-Captain-level opponent, this power is a bit too exaggerated... Hyōga Seiran is just right."
Haruto made a judgment on the current stage of Senju Kōten Taihō.
Team battle.
Byakuya added from the side.
"Right..."
Haruto nodded.
"When facing a vice-captain of the Fourth-Class Spiritual Pressure, or a captain who has recently been promoted to the Third-Class Reii level, your only role right now is to hold them off and buy time for my Kōten Taihō."
Haruto's judgment was accurate, but this statement made Byakuya somewhat unhappy.
Why does it have to be me going up there to hold the opponent back?
"Can your Senbonzakura even cut down Captain-level?"
"... Continue."
Byakuya said sullenly.
"That's all."
Haruto waved his hand, not pressing his advantage.
"Although only one was released, it is still the ninth-ranked Hadō Reiatsu...
Often exaggerated.
Haruto looked down at the muscles on his arm, which were still trembling slightly. He experienced the feeling of his body being completely drained for the first time in a long time.
"I could fire five shots with Hyōga Seiran, but with the Kōten Taihō, two shots would deplete my Reiatsu."
"... As expected of Kidō used only by Captain-level."
The Senju Kōten Taihō's exaggerated destructive power consists of two parts: the most powerful core area relies on the spatial distortion caused by the extremely high temperature to tear apart the opponent, while the extremely wide-range destructive power comes from the fire-based burning and shockwaves after the explosion.
The above are all records from secret traditions.
Regardless of whether the claim of spatial distortion is accurate, the area directly hit by the Senju Kōten Taihō did indeed appear smooth and flat, as if it had been wiped off the face of the earth.
"..."
Do you want to learn?
Haruto asked Byakuya, who was staring at him expectantly.
"No!"
Unexpectedly, Byakuya shook his head vigorously and decisively.
"Really not going to learn?"
Haruto sensed that Byakuya was embarrassed, so he asked again.
"I can't learn it."
Byakuya was still shaking his head.
"This is something I could really learn."
"This is really... unacceptable."
"... I see."