Just as everyone's attention was fixed on the dead Pupil,
several Rock Ninjas launched another sneak attack, rushing toward him!
Most of the Rock Ninjas had been drawn away by Sosuke, leaving only a few to deal with Pupil and Shackle. They had been able to hold their own against them.
But now, with Pupil dead, Shackle alone could hardly stand against so many Rock Ninjas!
Just as Shackle found himself overwhelmed,
in the distance, inside the giant crater,
the smoke slowly cleared, revealing Sosuke's body.
His clothes were torn to shreds, as if he had been caught in a massive explosion. His wounds were severe, and he looked to be on the verge of death.
Shijimi Tamako's eyes were dull and lifeless. She had nearly given up hope of surviving. Now that Aizen was dead, she didn't believe she could escape.
Besides, in her eyes, perhaps it was time for this life to end. What did it matter how well she performed as a woman, when her father controlled her life? In the end, this was a country ruled by men.
All she could do was obey her father's orders and serve as a tool for political marriage.
But just then,
a faint murmur reached her ears—and those of everyone present!
At the sound of that familiar voice, her eyes suddenly brightened. Full of hope, she hurriedly peered ahead!
When she saw that familiar figure, it was as if color had suddenly returned to her dull eyes.
They came alive again, bright and tender!
"Aizen!!"
She cried out, her voice trembling with tears and overflowing with joy!
Thank goodness! He was still alive! Thank goodness!!
Perhaps from that moment on, she found hope in life once more!
The Rock Ninjas on the field heard her cry and turned to look toward Sosuke!
Shackle was beginning to tire as he faced the Rock Ninjas, but when he saw that Sosuke was still alive, his fighting spirit surged again. He drove several of them back and cried out in delight,
"Captain Aizen! You're still alive! Thank goodness!"
With Captain Aizen alive, they still had hope! Pupil's death wouldn't go unanswered. Someone would pay for it!
At the thought, Shackle stared at the Rock Ninjas before him, his eyes full of resolve.
"How is this possible?! How could that guy still be alive?! My Sulfur Blast was an overpowered A-rank ninjutsu! How could that brat survive an explosion like that?!"
Yamanosuke muttered in disbelief, a deep shadow lurking in his eyes.
The other Rock Ninjas were just as astonished.
After all, they had just unleashed all kinds of ninjutsu on Sosuke!
Under such a relentless barrage, even a Kage would have been hard-pressed to survive! The fact that this brat was still alive left them stunned!
They saw Sosuke standing at the bottom of the crater. His clothes were tattered, and his face was deathly pale,
but he still raised a hand toward them with steady resolve, murmuring an incantation!
"What's that guy doing?!"
"Look at the state he's in. What can he possibly do? Let's hurry and capture Princess Tamako!"
"No, he looks like he's preparing a ninjutsu!! Should we stop him, Captain Yamanosuke?!"
The Rock Ninjas watched Sosuke in the crater and murmured among themselves, none of them willing to approach.
Yamanosuke took a deep breath and glared darkly at Sosuke, who was still chanting. He had a bad feeling, but couldn't tell where it came from.
"Go! It doesn't matter what that brat's planning! He's already badly wounded, so kill him now and eliminate the threat!"
He stared down into the crater and spoke in a low voice!
At once, the Rock Ninjas charged toward Sosuke again. Some of them hung back, forming hand seals as they prepared to unleash ninjutsu!
Sosuke stood in the crater, watching the Rock Ninjas rush toward him. As he murmured the incantation, the corner of his mouth lifted into a faint smile.
His slender, pale hand remained pointed at the Rock Ninjas charging toward him!
The chant was nearing its end.
"...All things, take flight, and wear the name of man... Truth and temperance, the wall of unknown sin and dreams, stand upon it alone!"
As the chant ended, Sosuke smiled faintly and spoke softly to the Rock Ninjas charging at him as one.
"Hadō #33: Sokatsui!"
The moment Sosuke's words fell!
Yamanosuke's unease reached its peak!
Feeling the violent surge of chakra, the corners of his eyes twitched!
"Get back! Hurry!"
He shouted to the Rock Ninjas charging at Sosuke, but the sight that followed cut him off mid-sentence!
Under Shackle's Byakugan, the violent chakra surge was impossible to hide!
He stared at the spot where Sosuke stood, unable to believe that their own Captain Aizen could unleash such a ninjutsu!
A towering blaze of blue fire erupted from the crater! Like hellfire spewing from a volcano, it swept through the Rock Ninjas charging at Sosuke and devoured their lives!
There were no cries of pain, no anguished screams!
Only the roaring of the surging blue flames. In an instant, nearly ten Rock Ninjas were burned to nothing.
Everyone present stared blankly at the horrifying sight.
The corners of Yamanosuke's eyes twitched!
He couldn't help feeling a deep, bone-chilling fear!
Before he could give another order, a figure appeared at his side!
Sosuke watched him impassively, standing perfectly upright, not looking injured at all. He slowly reached out and lightly pressed a finger against Yamanosuke's chest.
"Hadō #4: White Lightning."
As Yamanosuke stared in terror, a streak of pale blue lightning pierced his heart.
Yamanosuke was killed!
The remaining Rock Ninjas stared at Sosuke in disbelief, as if they were looking at a demon!
They couldn't believe that this young-looking brat could slaughter them with such ease—not to mention kill Captain Yamanosuke!
The Rock Ninjas who remained were no match for Sosuke's Flash Step!
One after another, they fell beneath Kyoka Suigetsu!
What surprised Sosuke was that, in desperation, one Rock Ninja tried to kill Shijimi Tamako. Sosuke was about to intervene, but then he saw—
Shijimi Tamako faced the Rock Ninja's sneak attack with a determined gaze!
She drew her elegant katana and courageously met his charge!
At that life-or-death moment, she struck a blow so brilliant that even Sosuke was impressed.
Though she only severed the Rock Ninja's arm and didn't kill him, it was enough to earn Sosuke's admiration for her talent!
Before long, Sosuke had easily dealt with all the Rock Ninjas!
Shijimi Tamako looked at him, her face alight with excitement and tears still clinging to her cheeks.
Just then, Shackle walked over, carrying Pupil's corpse. His voice was subdued as he said,
"Pupil violated the rules of the shinobi, but he was still our comrade. Captain Aizen, we have to take him home."
"Yeah, this was all my fault. I failed as your captain. I'm sorry, Shackle."
Sosuke replied, his voice full of remorse.
"It's not your fault! Aizen, don't blame yourself. You're badly injured too!"
Shijimi Tamako spoke to Sosuke, her heart aching as she heard him blame himself.
Shackle quickly chimed in.
"Captain Aizen, you did everything you could. Pupil's death had nothing to do with you! Please don't blame yourself!"
Sosuke shook his head slightly and turned away, his back seeming weighed down with sorrow.
Shijimi Tamako started to speak, but stopped herself.
After briefly dealing with the Rock Ninjas' corpses, they found no useful information.
Then they set off for the Daimyo Mansion.
On the way, Sosuke wore his mask and raised his head slightly.
Beyond the azure sky and drifting white clouds, a chair seemed to sit, eternal since time immemorial.
He... wanted to claim that seat.
Before you continue