Like a meteor, the stream of flames plummeted from the sky, its fiery glow reflecting in Yhwach's eyes, forming a dazzling spark.
It crashed to the ground with a thunderous explosion.
The terrifying heat that swept forth erased the distant beauty of the meteor, replaced by a scorching intent heavier than suffocation.
The flames spread in all directions, flowing from the middle-aged man like liquid mercury, seeping into the ground and filling the spiderweb-like cracks with dense, sticky fire.
Even Yhwach, upon sensing the overwhelming spiritual pressure emanating from the man before him, couldn't help but set aside his disdain for the Shinigami's 'captains.' He regarded the man with a solemn gaze.
"It seems the Soul Society has more than just Commander-in-Chief Yamamoto," he said coldly, his eyes narrowing.
"Shinigami."
"State your name."
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni stepped out of the crater formed by his landing, his sword Ryūjin Jakka already drawn. Its blade was entwined with flames more graceful than silk ribbons.
With each step he took, his footprints burned, leaving behind traces of fire.
Even his voice seemed muffled and hoarse amidst the scorching heat.
"You invade another's home and slaughter indiscriminately."
"Yet, you don't even bother to ask your host's name?"
"Hmph."
Yamamoto's gaze remained unwavering as he stepped past Saketake Tsuzaburo's corpse. The flames behind him, as if alive, deftly avoided the pit where the body lay.
However, anyone familiar with Yamamoto could tell that the flames burning within him were far colder than those surrounding him.
His heart was ablaze.
Thus, he roared with a fury more intense than his burning soul:
"I am Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, Captain-Commander of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads!"
"Even in death, remember my name for a thousand years, Quincy!"
The explosive roar echoed like a thunderclap, instantly shaking the heart of the only other person present.
Almost simultaneously with the roar,
the blazing blade sliced through the air, carving a thirty-meter arc.
Brilliant and blinding!
The scorching blade of Ryūjin Jakka solidified to its utmost, aiming directly at Yhwach's neck.
This spiritual pressure?!
The moment Yhwach sensed the power behind the blade, he couldn't help but feel a hint of astonishment. He hadn't expected this small Soul Society to harbor such a formidable opponent.
Yet, despite his surprise, his hand moved without hesitation, intercepting the blade's path.
"Boom—!"
The stream of flames surged like a tidal wave, engulfing Yhwach's entire body in an instant.
However, he was protected by his static blood armor, his skin covered in a dazzling network of reishi veins.
But Yamamoto's strength wasn't solely in his Zanpakutō.
Even after fully blocking the attack, Yhwach's expression remained stiff.
His hands trembled on the sword hilt, and his feet, nearly sinking into the ground, dragged through the soil, leaving a trail of 'squeaks.'
Such power?!
As this thought crossed his mind, Yhwach's hands almost simultaneously formed the prototype of the Great Sacred Bow.
Six arrows were fired in succession, all aimed at Yamamoto.
Yet, Yamamoto didn't even flinch.
As the blade flashed, the reversed flame stream devoured the six reishi arrows, exploding into a dazzling light in midair.
Before the light faded, a violent fire surged toward the clouds, breaking through the smoke and aiming directly at Yhwach.
Yhwach's black cloak fluttered as his Quincy cross sword emitted a clear blue glow.
His eyes widened, pupils tightly constricted.
Without hesitation, he met the oncoming blade.
"Clang!"
The sound of the clash was deafening.
Invisible ripples radiated from the point of impact, spreading in all directions, forming countless waves that shattered the ground beneath them.
The two spiritual pressures, so intense they couldn't be ignored even from hundreds of kilometers away, collided. Red and blue auras clashed, reducing everything around them to its most basic reishi form.
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni and Yhwach locked eyes.
Both wore unconcealed, sharp killing intent.
If this war between the Soul Society and the Wandenreich were a high-stakes card game,
the Shinigami of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads and the Sternritter of the Wandenreich would be the cards of varying values.
Yamamoto and Yhwach, however, were undoubtedly the 'Kings' among them.
Yet, before playing their cards, even they couldn't be sure—who could overpower whom, or if the other truly deserved the title of 'King.'
Now, after this exchange,
both clearly realized:
At least as 'Kings,' the other was qualified.
"Roar—!"
Infinite force clashed as the blades crossed. Crimson flames and clear blue reishi light intertwined, tearing open a pure vacuum, the ripples shaking the earth.
The mere aftermath of their blades sent chunks of earth flying behind them.
The once-flat ground, now upheaved like ocean waves, rose into hills.
The continuous roar nearly shattered eardrums.
However, despite the seemingly earth-shattering clash, it was barely an appetizer for the two combatants.
Sensing the rapidly approaching spiritual pressures behind them, both Yamamoto and Yhwach subtly increased their own, channeling it into their blades.
The next strike would be more formal.
Crimson spiritual pressure instantly materialized, forming towering pillars of fire behind Yamamoto.
The superheated air waves spread in all directions, incinerating everything in their path.
"Inferno of Hell!"
Yhwach's clear blue cross pillars refused to yield.
Light arrows rained down, shredding all obstacles, while a curtain of reishi rose behind him, clashing with Yamamoto's sea of fire.
"Sanctum Praise!"
Red and blue engulfed the area within a kilometer radius.
As their blades clashed,
the earth exploded.
At the point of impact, a deep trench was carved, stretching an unknown distance.
"Huff..."
As the dust settled, Yhwach's figure, wrapped in his black cloak, stood on the ground.
He glanced at the bloodstains on his blade, a hint of disdain curling his lips beneath his thick beard.
But when he turned, he saw Yamamoto Shigekuni holding his sword in one hand and the upper half of a corpse in the other, a shallow mark on his shoulder.
At that moment, Yamamoto was also looking back at him.
Yhwach's smile faded, his gaze toward Yamamoto growing colder.
Beyond the kilometer-wide smoke, scattered figures emerged, aligning behind Yamamoto and Yhwach.
Behind Yhwach, the Sternritter members stood shadowy and indistinct, all wearing unified white uniforms, their expressions cold and battle-hardened. They stared across the abyss, alert and wary.
Behind Yamamoto, the captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads appeared erratic—some wielding swords, others grinding their teeth, all excitedly eyeing their opponents across the abyss like prey, eager for the hunt.
The Sternritter, originally occupying all twenty-six letters, should have outnumbered the Thirteen Court Guard Squads by double.
Yet, the numbers behind both leaders now seemed almost equal.
Clearly, in this first wave of attacks, the Wandenreich's arrogant Quincies had suffered significant losses.
Fujimiya Makoto stood among the crowd, quietly retreating to protect the old man.
But someone behind him poked him with a sword sheath, pushing him to the front row.
"?!"
Fujimiya Makoto turned back in anger.
Who did this to me?!
He saw Unohana's gentle smile.
His anger instantly vanished.
He pretended nothing happened and rubbed his backside.
However, his movement caught the attention of many across the battlefield.
Yhwach's eyes narrowed as he looked at Fujimiya Makoto in the front row.
Is this the Shinigami who killed Liltotto?
Only this much...
It seems I had unrealistic expectations of her.
Both sides stared across the abyss, the atmosphere tense and solemn.
At this moment, everyone realized they had underestimated their opponents.
All understood the need for regrouping and reassessment.
Yet, no one was willing to retreat in front of their enemy.
Yamamoto and Yhwach's gazes were especially sharp.
Only Fujimiya Makoto, standing at the forefront, felt a sense of unease as his eyes swept over the female Quincies behind Yhwach—each with different appearances and figures.
Murphy's Law states that anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.
And so, in this solemn atmosphere,
a childish, cute, yet eerie voice echoed in everyone's ears.
"Wow!"
"I love the big sisters' uniforms! Long boots and smelly feet are the best! And those annoyed yet cute faces!"
"Please, Quincy ladies!"
"Come and discipline me hard! (Crazy)"
The barrage of words instantly swept across the battlefield, exploding in everyone's minds like a quantum reading—loud and unforgettable.
The entire battlefield fell silent.
All eyes turned to the young, cold-faced captain standing beside Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, wearing a unique captain's haori. At first glance, he appeared young and valiant.
However, his cold, stern expression was now completely frozen on his handsome face, his entire body turning ashen, almost petrified.
Everyone silently watched him.
Not a word was spoken.
If an analogy were needed, it would be like two generals during the intense Battle of the Somme, watching a soldier standing by the long, bloody trench, excitedly drooling over the endless red below.
This went beyond mere perversion or niche fetishes.
This was a madman daring to provoke in such an extreme situation!
The Shinigami captains behind Yamamoto looked at Fujimiya Makoto with gleaming eyes.
Yes!
This is Fujimiya Makoto!
This kind of perversion is what makes him Fujimiya!
Beside Yhwach, Robert Accutrone's face was contorted, his eyebrows nearly drooping to his chin, his features twisted in disgust.
What the fuck?!
How did I not notice this guy was a freak during our last encounter?
I should've avoided him!
Yamamoto Shigekuni silently stepped aside, his eyes filled with resentment as he glanced at Unohana, whose smile had grown even wider.
Why did you push this guy forward in such a situation?!
"Well done, Makoto!"
Only Kensei Muguruma, ever the instigator, cheered him on: "Show those bastards what we're made of!"
"As expected of you, Fujimiya!"
"That's our Makoto!"
The Thirteen Court Guard Squads burst into laughter, the previous tense atmosphere completely gone, even with Yamamoto holding a comrade's corpse.
Fujimiya Makoto's face was pale, his expression lifeless.
This damn sword is too much.
Just as the Shinigami side laughed, a voice echoed from across the abyss.
"How arrogant, Shinigami."
"A mere victory or two has made you complacent."
"But..."
"Is this truly the extent of your strength?"
Yhwach's voice was calm, as if completely ignoring the sudden voice that had intruded into everyone's minds. He instantly soothed the boiling emotions of the Sternritter behind him.
Yet, his eyes locked onto Fujimiya Makoto.
Chilling and unforgettable.
He had clearly marked him.
However, the old man stepped forward, casually blocking Yhwach's gaze. A mad, domineering smile cracked his lips beneath his beard:
"Our full strength?"
"You insignificant fish aren't even worthy of seeing it!"
The old man's stern gaze seemed to ignite violent flames, his voice thunderous:
"If you want to challenge the Shinigami for control of this world, come and take it!"
"But be prepared to face annihilation."
"Quincy."
The two leaders stared across the abyss, their gazes sharp like clashing blades, echoing with an invisible clang.
Finally, a massive spatial portal opened behind Yhwach, revealing the dark, lightless void of the Dangai.
Yhwach turned sideways, glancing at Yamamoto Shigekuni, and said calmly:
"I will come to take it."