The Current State of Karakura Town (5)

While Shinji Hirako was being suppressed by Aizen, on the other side of the battlefield, the battle between Sajin Komamura and Kaname Tōsen also entered a fierce stage.

Kaname Tōsen's figure, covered by a pale, Hollow Mask, flickered through the air like a ghost. His speed was unbelievable; each movement left a faint afterimage in the air. The Suzumushi in his hand transformed into sharp blades of light, slashing towards Sajin Komamura from all directions.

However, Sajin Komamura's defenses were equally impenetrable.

Although his massive body appeared cumbersome, in sync with his Bankai, Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō, every block and counterattack was precise and powerful. The enormous phantom of Myōō was like a moving mountain, steadily receiving every attack from Kaname Tōsen.

Finally, after a fierce collision--

Sajin Komamura seized the brief moment of hesitation after Kaname Tōsen swung his sword and lunged forward! Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō slashed at Kaname Tōsen's right arm, but because of the blade's size, it felt more like a smash into Kaname Tōsen's arm, twisting his entire arm in a grotesque manner!

A chilling scene unfolded.

Kaname Tōsen's twisted right arm began to writhe wildly, and in the blink of an eye, it returned to its original shape!

Kaname Tōsen stretched his arm, which had fully recovered, and gently clenched his fists, feeling the strength within. His face, covered by a pale mask, turned towards Sajin Komamura, and a faint, mocking laugh came from beneath the mask.

Sajin Komamura stared intently at the scene, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief. He clutched his still-bleeding severed arm, his voice hoarse and low. "High-Speed Regeneration...?"

His breathing became heavy, and anger and grief intertwined in his eyes, creating a complex flame. "Tōsen... have you completely abandoned your identity Soul Reaper?!"

Kaname Tōsen hovered silently in the air, looking down at his dearest friend who had fought alongside him for hundreds of years. His voice came from beneath the mask, still steady, yet carrying an indescribable calmness, as if stating something inevitable. "Given the current situation... it sounds like you've given up, Komamura."

He tilted his head slightly, his pale mask reflecting a cold light in the sunlight. "You just said I've fallen... right?"

Sajin Komamura didn't answer, he just stared intently at him.

Kaname Tōsen continued, his voice growing even more ethereal, as if he were expounding some truth he had pondered countless times, "Then, I want to ask you..."

His tone suddenly turned sharp. "People who join an organization for revenge, and then forget their original purpose because they live a peaceful life, even going so far as to pander to the organization... isn't that considered moral decay?"

Sajin Komamura's pupils contracted slightly.

Kaname Tōsen's voice grew increasingly low, carrying a heaviness that seemed to be squeezed from the depths of his chest. "For someone as blind as me... to do that would be an even greater depravity."

Sajin Komamura remained silent.

He recalled that night a hundred years ago, the way Kaname Tōsen join the Gotei 13. At that time, his eyes were closed, his face was calm, but his body was surrounded by an indescribable sorrow and determination that seemed to come from the abyss.

He finally spoke, his voice hoarse and heavy. "Tōsen... could it be that your purpose in becoming Soul Reaper is...?"

"Revenge!!" Kaname Tōsen abruptly interrupted him, the two words seemingly squeezed out from between clenched teeth, carrying centuries of pent-up resentment and grief. "Didn't you ever suspect anything, Komamura?!"

He took a step forward, his figure hovering in mid-air as if carrying the weight of the entire world. "Your most important friend was murdered... yet you joined the same organization as the enemy who did it. Why have you never doubted this?!"

Sajin Komamura remained silent.

He lowered his head, looking at the slowly healing wound on his severed arm, his voice so low it was almost inaudible. "I thought... it was for justice."

He raised his head, his eyes, hidden behind his helmet, meeting Kaname Tōsen's gaze. "I believe you, saying you did it to fulfill the justice your fallen friend couldn't achieve."

Upon Kaname Tōsen nodded slightly. The movement was very light, yet it carried an indescribable, almost self-deprecating meaning. "That's right... I did it for justice."

A glimmer of hope flashed in Sajin Komamura's eyes. He took a step forward, his voice tinged with urgency. "Like that..."

"That's what they call justice?!"

Kaname Tōsen abruptly interrupted him, his voice rising sharply, almost the Roar of accusation. "Forgiving the person who killed your best friend... that is indeed an act of kindness! A beautiful thing! And... so cruel it's unbearable to look at!"

He took a deep breath, his voice growing even lower, yet each word was like a hammer blow. "But... is good the same as justice?!"

Sajin Komamura was stunned.

Kaname Tōsen's voice, like a chilling wind rising from the abyss, swept across the entire battlefield. "No way!"

He the Roar, his voice filled with centuries of pent-up resentment and bitterness, never before uttered to anyone. "To be unable to avenge the dead, to live peacefully... is a sin!!"

These words, like an invisible blade, pierced Sajin Komamura's heart.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found himself speechless.

After a long silence, he finally spoke. His voice no longer held the previous excitement, but rather a calm that came from countless thoughts. "Alright then."

He slowly assumed a stance, preparing to draw his sword. At that moment, his massive body seemed to merge with the enormous Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō behind him. "It seems I misunderstood your intentions."

His gaze hardened, becoming as unwavering as a rock. "If what you said just now was your true feeling... then I will never forgive you."

Upon Kaname Tōsen's lips curled into a mocking smile, "Since we are irreconcilable enemies, you must kill me... is that it?"

He shook his head slightly, his tone full of undisguised contempt. "This is justice? What a joke."

Sajin Komamura did not refute. He simply stood there quietly, his voice low and solemn. "Yes, that is justice."

He took a step forward, his heavy footsteps seeming to pound on Kaname Tōsen's heart. "Since our beliefs clash, there's no need to persuade you. For the sake of Soul Society, I must eliminate you."

He paused, his voice growing deeper. "Actually, I didn't want to do this. Just hearing your honest opinion is enough for me..."

He raised his head and met Kaname Tōsen's eyes. "But in my heart, I have already forgiven you."

These words, like an invisible blade, pierced Kaname Tōsen's heart.

His body stiffened slightly, and a barely audible, trembling breath came from beneath the mask.

Then, he abruptly raised his head, his voice sharp and angry. "Don't talk to me like that, Komamura!!"

His hands clenched into fists, and the Reiatsu surrounding him began to surge wildly. "You said you forgave me... When did I need your forgiveness?!"

He abruptly held the Suzumushi upright in front of him, the blade parallel to his face, the pale mask reflecting an eerie light in the sunlight. "If you can still say the same thing after seeing my sword unleash its power... then that's a different story!!"

The moment his words fell, his liberty words burst forth. "Suzumushi Hyakushiki, Grillar Grillo!!"

Boom--!

An immense, suffocatingly pure black Reiatsu erupted from his body like a volcanic eruption! The Reiatsu, thick as ink, instantly engulfed his entire body!

The black mist surged, expanded, and shaped wildly, like a giant, hatching cocoon! From within the mist came terrifying sounds of bones twisting and flesh multiplying, as if some horrible monster was awakening within!

Sajin Komamura involuntarily took half a step back, staring intently at the churning black mist.

A few seconds later--

The fog slowly dissipated.

A huge, jet-black, cricket-like monster appeared before everyone!

The monster was enormous, standing tens of meters tall, its entire body covered in a jet-black, steel-hard carapace. Its head made up most of its body, with two curved tentacles on its head and a ferocious mouth on its face, flanked by a pair of huge, compound-eye-like green eyes!

That was Kaname Tōsen, or rather, Kaname Tōsen's true form after Resurrección!

Suzumushi Hyakushiki: Grillar Grillo!

Those enormous green compound eyes slowly turned, scanning the surrounding world. Then, Kaname Tōsen's voice emanated from those ferocious mouthparts, filled with an unprecedented, almost manic excitement. "I see it... Haha... I finally see it!!"

His voice echoed across the battlefield, filled with a euphoria simmering for centuries, a jubilation he had never experienced before. "This is the sky! This is blood! This is... the world!!"

His enormous green compound eyes finally landed on Sajin Komamura.

Then, his laughter stopped abruptly.

A complex, indescribable light flashed in his compound eyes. His voice deepened, carrying a disdainful air, as if scrutinizing some ugly creature. "This is you... Komamura."

He paused, then a low, insect-like laugh escaped from his grotesque mouth, "You are... uglier than I imagined."

The moment he finished speaking, he moved!

His massive body displayed an agility completely disproportionate to its size! A huge claw covered in jet-black armor slashed fiercely towards Sajin Komamura with a piercing shriek that tore through the air!

Sajin Komamura constricted sharply! He immediately raised his Zanpakuto, assuming a defensive stance!

At the same time, the enormous Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō behind him also raised his giant sword, powerful enough to split the heavens and the earth, and made a perfectly synchronized blocking motion!

Clang--!

A deafening roar echoed throughout the entire battlefield!

The massive Great Sword of the Kaname Tōsen firmly blocked Tōsen's deadly claw strike! The shockwave spread wildly in all directions from the point of impact, blasting away the surrounding ruins!

Sajin Komamura gritted his teeth, desperately resisting the immense force of the impact. With a sudden burst of strength, he swung his sword upwards, deflecting Kaname Tōsen's claws!

Then, without the slightest hesitation, he swung his arm down sharply!

Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō moved in sync with him, and the enormous King's sword, carrying the power to destroy the heavens and the earth, slashed down fiercely towards the top of Kaname Tōsen's head!

However, Kaname Tōsen simply raised one of his claws and casually raised it upwards...

Clang--!

Another loud bang!

The mighty sword of the Myo-o, powerful enough to split mountains, was actually held in place by Kaname Tōsen a single claw, remaining completely unmoved!

Sajin Komamura's pupils contracted violently!

He watched in disbelief as fine cracks began to appear on the blade of the Great Sword of the Bright King, which was being held in place!

Click... Click...

The cracks multiplied and grew larger, spreading outwards like a spider web!

Then--

Bang!!

The massive blade of the Myo-wang sword developed a chipped or broken edge!

At the same moment, Zanpakuto appeared in Sajin Komamura, indicating that it was breaking!

His eyes widened as he stared in disbelief at the Zanpakuto in his hand.

Just then, Kaname Tōsen his move.

His ferocious maw opened, and an invisible yet terrifying sonic wave, powerful enough to tear apart the soul, erupted from his body. "Nine-Phase Wheel Slaughter—!"

Buzz--!

The sound waves were not ordinary sound waves, but destructive energy composed purely of Reiatsu, capable of penetrating any defense! Like invisible blades, they bombarded the chest of the Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō one after another!

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Each bombardment caused the enormous body of the Bright King to tremble violently! With each tremor, new cracks appeared on the armor on the Bright King's chest!

Finally--

Boom!!

The armor on the chest of the Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō was completely shattered!

Under the continuous bombardment of sonic waves, the enormous body of the Ming King could no longer withstand it. It staggered back two steps and then collapsed to the ground with a thud!

As the Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō fell, countless gruesome wounds appeared on Sajin Komamura's chest in the same spot! Blood gushed out like a fountain!

He suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood!

Then, his massive body, along with the Ming King, crashed to the ground!

He lay amidst the ruins, gasping for breath, the light in his eyes gradually dimming.

Kaname Tōsen looked down at him, a complex light flickering in his enormous green compound eyes. His voice, emanating from his menacing maw, carried a calmness akin to announcing a final judgment. "It's time to end this, Komamura."

He paused, and from his menacing mandibles came a low, sigh-like chirping sound, "So-called justice... cannot be described in words."

As soon as he finished speaking, his hideous mouth slowly opened.

Green light gathered and compressed wildly in his mouth!

That was Cero, a devastating Cero powerful enough to wipe Sajin Komamura completely from the world!