Chapter 241 Such Flames
Gripping the small, charred blade, Yamamoto approached Yhwach step by step while discussing the past.
"At that time, you resembled a stray dog. You escaped by abandoning your subordinates. Although I don't know where you've been hiding for thousands of years, however... I will utilize your flesh and blood constructing a grave mound for the bandit army you've led."
"Here I come, Yhwach!"
SWISH—
The blade moved first, yet no sound was heard.
Within the blink of an eye, Yamamoto Genryūsai—who'd just taken one step forward—swung his blade straight outward. Yhwach—who retreated one pace with his extraordinary directness—narrowly escaped the fatal strike. However, the cloak behind him sustained a gap cut by the blade.
It struck, yet no flame emerged.
What's happening? Has it truly changed tremendously from the Bankai one thousand years ago?
Not sufficient yet. Zanpakutō's Shikai possesses no relation to Bankai. His Zanpakutō's ability is flame—that's absolutely unmistakable.
So, where did the flames he'd restrained disappear...?
Within the blink of an eye, Yhwach contemplated numerous questions. He understood that the Yamamoto Genryūsai before him definitely wasn't an innocent individual. However, the unknown ability made this Quincy ancestor dare not take matters lightly.
Yamamoto—who missed the strike—withdrew his body tightly. After advancing one step forward, he slammed downward with his blade. The charcoal-like blade descended toward Yhwach with one blow. The opponent dodged once more. After opening distance, the blade struck the ground lightly.
Accompanied by the crisp sound of metal touching ground, the entire street collapsed. Without any explosive force, the ground appeared torn into an abyssal crack—extraordinarily shocking to witness.
Initially, he'd still speculated where the flames released by the other party had disappeared. However, presently it appeared the terror had been contained within the blade. If cut by that blade, even with Blut Vene defense, surviving would prove questionable.
"Are you concealing all the flames within the blade?"
To avoid being directly struck by the opponent's assault, Yhwach rose and leaped into the air, wishing to maintain suitable distance from Yamamoto Genryūsai.
However, as Gotei 13's Captain-Commander, Yamamoto couldn't fail perceiving the other party's intentions. He glanced at him, turned around, and swung his blade once more. This time, Yhwach didn't select receiving it directly—he tilted his head to evade the opponent's attack.
Making a wise decision after knowing all the opponent's intelligence constituted proper countermeasures.
"Do you wish maintaining distance to avoid being attacked by me? How naive!"
Yamamoto Genryūsai gripped the blade single-handedly. The charcoal-like blade emanated white smoke. At this moment, the moisture throughout surrounding air had begun evaporating.
"Zanka no Tachi, Higashi—Kyokujitsujin!"
"I concentrate all the flame's heat upon the blade's tip. It doesn't burn, nor does it emit explosive flames—it simply erases everything it contacts, leaving no traces."
After sternly declaring this, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni exploded at extraordinarily rapid velocity on the spot. Haschwalth below could only perceive an afterimage materializing.
Yhwach positioned in midair was forced into dangerous circumstances once more. Yamamoto made a sudden move with his left hand, attempting grasping the opponent's cloak. He spoke with slightly upturned mouth corners:
"You cannot escape, Yhwach!"
After his words concluded, Yamamoto—gripping Zanka no Tachi—smiled ferociously. The cloak behind Yhwach was split in two with the blade within his grasp.
Gripping the black cloak with only half remaining, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni raised his eyebrows and regarded the severed cloak. Yhwach—who'd escaped with severed tail—pursed his lips and spoke peculiarly:
"Have you abandoned even your own clothing? Let me witness what else you can continue abandoning. Consequently, you must flee rapidly. Don't be overtaken by me. It appears you also comprehend that the Blut equipment that you and other Quincy regard as defensive essence cannot resist."
After being repeatedly mocked by Yamamoto, Yhwach's features also grew grim.
"Tedious..."
Following a cold sneer, Yhwach didn't retreat but advanced. Throughout the previous several exchanges, he'd noticed that after employing Bankai, Yamamoto focused upon attacking. Every time he struck, it appeared to him filled with openings.
Witnessing that Yhwach proactively attacked him, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni displayed a peculiar smile.
Yhwach leaned forward and swung the longsword within his grasp toward the opponent's body. Yamamoto—who raised his head—dodged the strike with a smirk and swung his backhand.
"You've been deceived! I don't require touching that sword whatsoever. As long as it cuts directly into your own body, that proves sufficient!"
At this instant, Yhwach's figure materialized behind Yamamoto via flash step. Exploiting the moment when the opponent drew his sword, he took advantage of his unpreparedness and directly slashed at the opponent's back with his blade.
CLANG—
After abruptly retreating several paces, Yhwach—who landed upon the ground once more—regarded the broken longsword within his grasp stupidly. Heavy waves surged within his heart.
What transpired just now? I'd already attacked him. Why... but my sword shattered instead?
It happened so suddenly. Yhwach fell into profound contemplation, then regarded Yamamoto positioned in the air and inquired: "Did you accomplish this?"
Seemingly admiring Yhwach's expression presently, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni spoke proudly from the air: "Consequently, didn't I state you were naive?"
"Did you not listen attentively just now? I was discussing Zanka no Tachi [Higashi]. If East exists, then West exists. Let me presume you feel extraordinarily frightened and confused presently. There's no alternative... I'll allow you witnessing it..."
While speaking, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's body burned with raging flames—not only his body but also locations within several miles radius surrounding him. Whether ground or air—flames flew throughout the sky.
"Zanka no Tachi, Nishi—Zanjitsu Gokui."
"Keep your eyes wide open to perceive clearly—the genuine fifteen million degree temperature. You cannot even contact me. Just like my Bankai form, both body and blade resemble being wrapped within the sun itself... flames..."
Fifteen million degrees...
Such tremendous temperature approaching limits proves invisible to the naked eye. Is it illusion?
No! It's his Reiatsu—that overwhelmingly powerful Reiatsu, as though genuinely existing. Making his blazing Reiatsu resemble fire!
"Come now, Yhwach. Everything should conclude. Soul Society and I will accompany you—together transforming into ash—ending all of this!"
After declaring this, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni—wrapped in flames throughout his entire body—slowly walked toward Yhwach with expressionless features while gripping the blade.