Chapter 246

The atmosphere in Seireitei was unusually tense the night before the war began.

In the 11th Division's dormitory, two young members sat on the edge of a communal bunk bed.

One was wiping his knife, while the other stared blankly at his own.

"We're going to fight the Quincy tomorrow."

The one who had been spacing out finally spoke, his voice a little dry.

"When I was at the Spiritual Arts Academy, I heard people say that in that battle nine hundred years ago, more than half of the original Gotei 13 were killed."

The person wiping the knife didn't stop.

"I've heard of it."

"Do you think someone of our skill level could survive for more than a few days?"

The team member wiping the knife turned it over and slowly smeared the tarpaulin across the blade.

"Quincy are human too; they can die if they get hit. The captain and the Seated Officer will lead the charge; we just need to make sure we don't fall behind."

The stunned soldiers remained silent for a while.

"We don't know the new captain yet, and we don't know if he'll take care of us... By the way, are you scared?"

The team member wiping the knives put down the oilcloth and looked at his own knife.

"The 11th Division is born for battle; if you're afraid, you wouldn't be in the 11th Division."

The stunned soldier nodded, picked up his own Zanpakuto, and began to clean it as well.

All the necessary preparations have been made.

Each squadron was working diligently to prepare for the war.

The Twelfth Division's workshop remained lit all night, analyzing Isshin Shiba's data in an attempt to unravel the secret of his Bankai being stolen.

The members of the Fourth Division rolled up the bandages and stacked them neatly, making them several times higher than usual.

A young soldier knocked over the supplies, and his hands were shaking as he picked them up.

Just then, a figure squatted down and helped him tidy up.

The soldier looked at the person who had helped him and quickly thanked them.

Isane Kotetsu returned the greeting softly, helped him tidy up, and then looked out at the dark night.

I wonder if Vice-Captain Wang Xun, or rather, the captain...

What is he doing right now?

In the Thirteenth Division Barracks, Kaien was sitting on the veranda, wiping his sword.

He was very meticulous, wiping the blade from the edge to the tip countless times.

A figure walked up to him, and he looked up to see a Captain's Haori.

Looking up further, upon seeing Wang Xun's face, he opened his mouth, his face showing a mixture of surprise and joy.

"Senior... no, you should Captain Wang Xun now."

"Just call me 'senior,' there's no need to be so formal."

"Great senior, I really didn't expect your leveling speed to be so fast..."

Kaien gave a wry smile and put the cloth aside.

"I just saw you as the vice-captain not long ago, and now you're wearing Kenpachi's haori. I'm afraid I'll never catch up to you in this lifetime."

"Don't aim too high, just focus on doing your own thing."

Kaien remained silent for a while, feeling deeply hurt.

Then, he let out a soft breath.

"Thank you for your help with my uncle's matter; it's all thanks to your timely arrival."

"It was just a coincidence."

Wang Xun sat down on the veranda.

"What about Ganju and Kūkaku?"

"Kūkaku is in Rukongai, Ganju is still managing the shop in the Noble District. I told them not to go out for the next few days and to stay away from Seireitei."

Wang Xun nodded.

"This time, when you fight the Quincy, you must protect yourself and them as well."

"You too." Kaien looked at Wang Xun, "Although I know you're very strong, senior, you still need to be careful."

Don't worry.

After bidding farewell to Kaien, Wang Xun arrived at the First Division.

He came here to discuss matters with the Captain-Commander.

"Captain-Commander," Wang Xun, walking up to Shigekuni Yamamoto, "I went with the Stealth Force when they set off on their reconnaissance mission."

Yamamoto glanced at him.

"Reason."

"I have a background in the Stealth Force, I served in the Second Division, so I'm not an amateur when it comes to reconnaissance."

Wang Xun continued.

"The Quincy have been hiding for so long; they couldn't have been completely unprepared for our incursion. There's a high probability they have an ambush set up along the outer defenses."

"If the reconnaissance team is ambushed, my presence can provide an additional line of defense and at least ensure the intelligence is sent back."

"Soi Fon is a newly appointed captain, after all. I'm worried she won't handle it well."

Yamamoto didn't respond immediately, remaining silent for a moment.

"You and this newly appointed Second Division Captain..."

"We are purely comrades-in-arms."

Yamamoto stared at Wang Xun for a while, then let out a soft chuckle.

"Okay, the reconnaissance team is yours and Soi Fon's. Remember, when encountering enemy activity, prioritize reconnaissance and don't engage in prolonged battles."

"Report the enemy's information back, and I will lead your 11th Division in a raid. You will then take over."

"Clear."

Before dawn, inside the Twelfth Division workshop.

Kirio Hikifune personally oversaw the final round of technique calibration.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi stood in front of the control panel, his fingers flying across the keyboard, and data on several projection screens refreshed simultaneously.

"The entrance to the Shadow Domain is anchored successfully; the channel stability meets the requirements."

"The activation location is random, but it's likely somewhere on the outskirts. Second Division, be careful."

Mayuri Kurotsuchi pressed the start button, and a pale blue Reishi halo rose from the central circular platform. The space in the center of the halo began to distort, and through the torn crack, the gray-white sky and the outline of silver buildings on the opposite side could be vaguely seen.

"The passage is open. It is expected to remain open long enough for the first team to complete their infiltration. Begin timing."

Soi Fon stood directly in front of the entrance.

The elite Stealth Force behind her was already lined up.

But a figure dressed in Punishment Force uniform suddenly appeared at the end of the line, causing Soi Fon's gaze to sharpen.

She was about to reprimand him when she saw the eyes hidden under the mask winking at her, and her brows furrowed even more.

Soi Fon Shunpo beside Wang Xun and pinched him hard in the waist.

What are you doing here causing trouble?

Wang Xun dodged to the side.

"I've already reported to the Captain-Commander. Go and get ready, we're about to depart."

Soi Fon was speechless. She gritted her teeth and returned to the front of the group.

She quickly raised her hand.

"Stealth Force, infiltrate!"

A hundred or so dark figures disappeared into the passage almost simultaneously.

The outer perimeter of the Wandenreich.

The members of the Stealth Force landed silently and quickly disappeared into the surrounding shadows.

Soi Fon perched on the edge of the roof of a low building, her gaze sweeping slightly in the dim light.

The size of Silbern was basically consistent with their intelligence, but the density of the buildings was slightly higher than expected, proving that the Quincy numbered quite a bit.

"Spread out, maintain contact distance, and signal immediately if you encounter any abnormality."

Soi Fon spoke in a very low voice, quickly making a series of hand gestures.

The team members silently dispersed and began to split into small groups to explore the terrain and personnel distribution of the Wandenreich.

After most of the people had dispersed, Wang Xun joined Soi Fon's small group.

Soi Fon pursed her lips, but still acquiesced to Wang Xun's actions.

They began to make their way towards the tallest building in the center, Silbern.

Soon, as a team member was exploring the alleyway on the left, the Reishi patterns under his feet suddenly lit up when he stepped into a crack in the stone.

Pale golden light patterns rapidly extended along the ground to both sides, instantly activating the entire alleyway.

Immediately following, a sharp whooshing sound filled the air as several beams of Reishi shot out from the hidden sentry post at the end of the alley, aiming straight for the team member's back.

A figure moved even faster than an arrow of light.

Wang Xun cut in from the side of the alley, his Zanpakuto horizontally and cleaving the three Reishi Arrow in half.

Soi Fon cursed from the rooftop.

The Stealth Force's infiltration formation was exposed in that instant.

A dozen or so Quincy the surrounding sentries and alleyways, each wielding Reishi Shortbow.

Wang Xun's figure vanished from his original spot and reappeared in the most densely populated area of Quincy the next instant.

With a horizontal slash, a row of Quincy, along with their bows, were sent flying.

Someone on the left attempted to shoot at close range, but before the Reishi Arrow could even leave the bowstring, Wang Xun's left fist had already slammed into the man's chest.

The punch struck a person, creating a gust of wind that smashed through the stone wall behind the Quincy.

Soi Fon moved at high speed through the alleyway, giving cover signals to the rushing team members, regrouping their formation, and leading them to attack the Quincy who were besieging them.

You've given away our location!

"They already found out."

Wang Xun spoke, he slashed down another Quincy was sneaking in from the side.

Soi Fon didn't waste any more words.

He drew his Zanpakuto and charged forward, killing several people with a single stroke.

She moved swiftly through the alleyway until she bumped into two Sternritter members guarding the area.

One of them was Ace Nott, Schrift F represents fear.

His Reishi Arrow cannot be defended against by physical means. Those struck by his Reishi Arrow will develop fear of everything around them and eventually lose their will to fight.

The other person is Cang Du, who wields a pair of claw blades, the Schrift I, and the Steel.

Cang Du can make its body extremely hard, with amazing defensive capabilities.

These two were clearly stronger than the Quincy around them.

After exchanging blows with one of them, Soi Fon felt a gust of wind rush past her ear and Shunpo to retreat to the side.

Cang Du's claws grazed the back of her neck and embedded themselves in the stone wall. Before the rubble even hit the ground, she had already circled around to her opponent's side.

Soi Fon's Zanpakuto slashed towards Cang Du's neck, but sparks flew out upon impact.

Cang Du's skin shimmered with a dark silver metallic sheen, spreading from the side of his neck, leaving not even a mark where he had been slashed.

He swung his claws back, Soi Fon leaned back to avoid it. The tip of his claws grazed the fabric of her collar, making a few soft tearing sounds.

Soi Fon frowned.

Even Zanpakuto couldn't break through the enemy's defenses?

She touched the ground with her toes, flipped one and a half times in the air, and landed a few steps away.

Cang Du turned his head away, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Is that all the strength the Soul Reaper's captain has?"

Soi Fon didn't reply, but out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that Wang Xun had already made eye contact with another person.

It seems this person is my rival.

She took a deep breath and Zanpakuto.

"Slay the enemy with its stings, the Suzumebachi."

The Zanpakuto transformed into a golden finger blade in her palm, which she then wore on her right index and middle fingers.

She lowered her body and launched another attack.

Cang Du's claws slashed down at him.

Soi Fon sidestepped and slashed in, her right finger blade slicing across the outside of his left arm.

The needle made a short, sharp whistle as it scraped against the steel-like skin, leaving no mark.

The two passed each other.

Cang Du looked down at the spot on his arm where he had been scratched; a tiny black butterfly pattern was appearing on his skin.

He frowned, reached out and rubbed it, but the lines didn't come off.

Soi Fon has charged forward again.

Her attack method changed; she used her finger blades to repeatedly stab at gaps in Cang Du's defenses.

Although each thrust was blocked by Cang Du's steel-like skin, each contact left a butterfly mark on his body.

Black lines appeared one after another on his arms and shoulders.

Cang Du's claw blades retaliated faster and faster, Soi Fon's figure kept changing direction in the narrow alley, with the finger blades continuing to add new patterns to his body.

"What is this?"

Cang Du stared at the butterfly tattoo on his left arm.

"Suzumebachi, my Zanpakuto, has the ability to kill in two strikes."

"The first stab will leave Hornet Crest; the second stab in the same spot will kill you."

Soi Fon stopped, raised her right hand, and pointed the tip of her finger blade at Cang Du.

"No matter how tough your skin is, once you meet me, your fate is sealed."

Cang Du's expression changed.

Could it be... that such an ability really exists?

He retracted his claws in front of him, no longer attacking rashly, and began to deliberately use his claws to protect the areas on his body where butterfly patterns had already appeared.

There were several markings under his ribs and on his back. He tucked his elbows into his sides and arched his back, hiding those areas within the defensive range of his claw blades.

The Soi Fon lunges forward, its finger blade stabbing swiftly.

Cang Du's defense was noticeably more cautious, with each claw strike followed by a swift retraction to protect vital points, preventing Soi Fon from having any opportunity to accurately strike the same spot.

Soi Fon stung him several times, but each time his claws deflected her.

The finger blades and claw blades clashed repeatedly, the sharp sound of metal striking stone echoing through the narrow alley.

She stabbed at his right shoulder, Cang Du turned to the side and caught the stab with his chest, while simultaneously swinging his claws to force her back.

A butterfly pattern appeared on his chest, yet another new mark.

You said a two-hit kill is useless if you can't hit the same spot.

Cang Du grinned.

"Your speed is fast, but hitting the same spot twice isn't that easy."

"Once my teammates take out your comrades, how long can you hold out?"

Soi Fon's lips curled slightly upwards.

Why don't you take a look at your teammates?

Cang Du curled his lip; such a petty trick...

He glanced to the side out of the corner of his eye, then his pupils suddenly contracted.

As Nodt lay dead in a pool of blood.

His Reishi Bow was broken in two, and an expression of disbelief remained on his face behind the mask.

He never believed it, not even in death, that his fear had no effect on Wang Xun.

Wang Xun stood beside As Nodt's corpse, casually flicking the blood off his knife.

At this moment, Wang Xun looked at Cang Du and instantly Bakudō Binding Spell.

The thirtieth of the Bakudō: the Beak-Piercing Triple Flash.

Three golden beams of light shot out rapidly, forming a triangular shape as they aimed at Cang Du's feet and right arm.

Despite his shock, Cang Du reacted quickly, shattering two of the beams of light with his claws and stomping the ground with his right foot to dodge the third beam.

But in the very instant he dodged, Soi Fon was already right in front of him.

The finger blade flicked out from an extremely low angle, aiming for the area under his left armpit where the butterfly tattoo had already appeared.

Cang Du's expression changed drastically. He desperately pulled his left hand back, and the claw blade barely managed to knock off the tip of the finger blade.

The needle missed by half an inch, grazing the area next to the butterfly pattern under his armpit without overlapping.

Soi Fon didn't stop.

Taking advantage of the situation, she changed her move, grabbing Cang Du's left elbow with her left hand and forcibly straightening his left arm.

Cang Du roared and struggled to break free, the muscles beneath his steel-like skin bulging, and Soi Fon's left hand went numb from the shock.

She used her entire weight to hang on Cang Du's left arm, forcefully shifting his center of gravity, but the next moment she suddenly let go and Shunpo moved behind him.

Before he could react, the right fingertip precisely pierced the center of the butterfly tattoo on the back of his neck.

The second strike, with overlapping Hornet Crest.

The ability to kill with a double strike took effect, Hornet Crest suddenly expanded, engulfing Cang Du's body.

Cang Du froze.

His body began to collapse from the back of his neck, his flesh and bones turning into fine black ash, peeling away piece by piece and dissipating.

The last traces of terror and resentment lingered on that face before it turned into Reishi powder and dissipated into the air.