Yamamoto's gaze sharpened!
Against a monster that could both heal endlessly and turn its injuries into strength, dragging out the fight meant waiting for death. Only a single decisive strike could break the deadlock!
He raised Ryūjin Jakka, pointing its tip straight at Gerard.
"Bankai-Remnant Flame Katana."
The next instant, the sea of fire filling the sky vanished, along with hundreds of towering pillars of flame.
Every last flame was drawn back into Ryūjin Jakka's blade.
"Die!"
Sensing mortal danger, Gerard dared not slacken for even a moment. Dense reishi coiled around the Sword of Hope in his hand as he slashed at Yamamoto!
The keen blade swept across Yamamoto's body in an instant, but the expected eruption of torn flesh and splattering blood never came.
What happened?
Why wasn't there any blood?
Gerard instinctively lowered his head to glance at the Sword of Hope in his hand.
His pupils instantly contracted.
The Sword of Hope was gone. Only its hilt remained in his hand.
"What happened?"
Though he had no idea what had happened, Yamamoto was certainly responsible. Gerard immediately activated the Sword of Hope's ability, intending to reflect the damage back at Yamamoto.
Yet he could no longer sense the technique.
Holding the Remnant Flame Katana, Yamamoto said indifferently, "It's useless."
"No matter the technique, it requires a medium to activate. I have already destroyed every medium for your Sword of Hope."
"This is my Bankai, Remnant Flame Katana: West-Setting Sun Prison Garb. It compresses the energy of a star onto the surface of my body, forming a high-temperature defense. Anything that touches it is instantly reduced to ash."
As his words fell, Yamamoto flicked his wrist, bringing the Remnant Flame Katana down in a slash.
Gerard's expression changed drastically. With his life hanging in the balance, he