What If I Sacrificed Myself for My Own Path?

"The best protection is never stubbornly standing still like a stagnant pool."

Ross stood amid the rain of blood, his black Hollow King's Robe utterly spotless.

Watching the two figures plummet at high speed, he softly delivered his final verdict:

"Even I am somewhat ashamed of your determination to protect at all costs. But after a million years of comfort, how much vigilance toward the unknown and reverence for power remains in your bones?"

"When a truly powerful enemy crosses the World Sea and arrives, that will be the day of your destruction."

As Ross's calm words fell, the shattered bodies of Hyōsube and Oetsu Nimaiya crashed into the deep pit below like two dull meteors stripped of their light, completely turning to dust.

"Ross! Your strength may indeed surpass ours by countless steps now. But this old man cannot agree with what you just said."

At that moment, an utterly abrupt voice shattered the silence.

Tenjirō Kirinji, who had been locked in a bloody battle with Kenpachi Zaraki, sheathed his blade without warning.

Ignoring Kenpachi Zaraki's dissatisfied roar, he used Flash Step to leave the battlefield.

He pulled another reed from his robes and placed it between his lips. With a flicker, he appeared beside the still-warm bodies of Hyōsube and Oetsu Nimaiya.

Bending down, he gently closed the still-wide-open eyes of the two men with blood-soaked hands.

Then he raised his head. Though his signature pompadour was disheveled, his gaze was exceptionally sharp as it fixed upon Ross.

"I would like to hear the details."

Rather than getting angry at being interrupted, Ross put away his sword, crossed his arms, and revealed a faintly interested smile, like a patient listener.

"You call us stagnant and conservative, and that is certainly true. But they used this seemingly foolish method