Chapter 242: Heaven and Earth Reduced to Ash
What manner of experience is fifteen million degree temperature? This sort of heat existing solely within imagination—after becoming realized—the oppression it imposes proves extraordinarily tremendous.
Yamamoto Genryūsai stepped across the ground and gradually approached Yhwach. The ground beneath his feet gradually melted due to the blazing heat emanating from his body.
Every time he advanced one step, a deep pit materialized upon the ground resembling magma flow.
Burning like fire itself...
Eyes, hair, throat—everything felt abnormally parched.
At this moment, the patterns across Yhwach's arm belonging to the Quincy's Blut Vene buzzed intensely. Without Blut Vene's protection—even with both separated by tens of meters—he would have been reduced to ash by now.
Just as Yhwach contemplated how to respond, Yamamoto's voice emerged once more.
"What? Simply observing?"
Regarding Yhwach standing there motionless, Yamamoto Genryūsai inquired first, then reconsidered and stated: "That's correct—it's truly difficult for others... After all, your sword is broken. There's nothing to accomplish. Being unable to move also proves reasonable."
After this theatrical display, Yamamoto spoke with ferocious smile: "Actually... you could attempt continuing your escape. Regardless, you cannot flee—because I will capture you immediately, then eliminate you as I please!"
Yamamoto Genryūsai's words appeared to have profoundly wounded the Quincy ancestor before him. If he genuinely selected escaping as the other party suggested...
No! Absolutely no way such circumstances could transpire—not even worth contemplating!
Extending his palm, gripping with his right hand, a tremendous arrow constructed from spirit particles materialized from nothing. Different from other Sternritter members' Heilig Pfeil, Yhwach's sacred arrow contained special Reishi structure.
The star-blue Heilig Pfeil shot forth from Yhwach's hand. The enormous arrow tore through space and galloped toward Yamamoto Genryūsai.
The identical technique employed by a different individual—Yamamoto Genryūsai raised his left hand and slowly opened it without changing expression, directly grasping the Heilig Pfeil fired by Yhwach.
Then he crushed it with bare hands and spoke calmly: "Indeed, you lost your sword too. Consequently, only bow and arrows remain."
At this moment, the distance between both proved less than ten meters. Yamamoto Genryūsai rose and leaped into the air. Just as he prepared diving toward Yhwach, he witnessed the other party extending his hand once more and shouting:
"Do you genuinely believe that the sole tactics remaining to Quincy are Heilig Pfeil and spirit weapons?"
"Kirchenlied!"
"Sankt Zwinger!"
After spreading his arms wide, a tremendous formation materialized surrounding Yhwach. Dozens of star-cross light beams rose skyward, then connected tightly together to firmly protect Yhwach within the formation's center.
"The Quincy's great defensive spell integrating offense and defense! Once enemies step within, they'll be eliminated by God's light immediately!"
Observing the confident Yhwach, Yamamoto Genryūsai halted several meters distant from the formation. He thrust the blade into the ground and roared: "I stated—all of this proves useless!"
CRACK—
First, a minuscule fissure appeared. Then the ground collapsed for several miles. Even the Quincy formation arranged by Yhwach was destroyed due to terrain transformation.
"Soul reapers, the ashes of the deceased scattered within our flames—with your hands, for this moment, the joy of battle!"
"Zanka no Tachi: Minami—Kaka Jūmanokushi Daisōjin!"
At this moment, the sky grew dark. The firmament was shrouded with dark clouds. The entire world appeared to have fallen into death's silence.
Accompanied by scorched skeletal arms protruding from the ground, one after another charred skeletons emerged from the earth successively—like the undead's resurrection.
"What..."
"What the hell is this?! What are these?!"
Witnessing Yhwach surrounded by countless skeletal remains, Yamamoto Genryūsai spoke with cold eyes: "Kaka Jūmanokushi Daisōjin represents the ashes of the deceased beneath this old man's blade. My sword's heat has awakened the dead. Like my brothers and sisters, they pursue my enemies until reduced to ash!"
Listening to Yamamoto Genryūsai's solemn declaration, Yhwach laughed angrily and mocked: "Ha! Hahaha!"
"Shinigami strength actually awakens the deceased—ridiculous! Shinigami despicableness truly cannot be underestimated! Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, relying upon these... Can you halt me?"
After speaking, Yhwach kicked forcefully and leaped into the air, approaching Yamamoto Genryūsai. He could no longer endure the other party's neglect and contempt toward him.
Just as he prepared attacking Yamamoto Genryūsai, a bone wall constructed from stacked skeletons obstructed him.
"Your tongue proves eloquent, yet your eyes prove useless. Can you truly perceive clearly? The faces of the deceased whose arms and heads you've shattered."
Hearing the meaningful tone from the other party, Yhwach subconsciously turned his head to observe those skeletons' faces. When he regarded one particular skeleton, familiar faces of subordinates who'd followed him battling Soul Society suddenly materialized across the skeletal visage.
The reappearance of familiar memories profoundly wounded Yhwach.
"Sazelappōro..."
At this moment, Yhwach—sensing sharp pain emanating from behind—turned his head to regard once more. Two familiar faces materialized across the skeletons again.
"Äs Nödt..."
"Quilge..."
Witnessing his objective achieved, Yamamoto Genryūsai spoke lightly at this moment: "How does it feel? Being subjected to your past subordinates?"
After stating this, Yamamoto ignored Yhwach's grim features and turned to depart.
"Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, you bastard!"
Yhwach—who'd just cursed aloud—witnessed the other party suddenly distancing himself. Suddenly, ominous premonition materialized within his heart. He hurriedly shouted: "Wait! Where are you heading?! You bastard!"
At this moment, Yhwach—deeply submerged within the skeletal sea—possessed no dignified demeanor. He continuously pulled skeletons aside attempting to approach Yamamoto Genryūsai. However, every time he knocked one away, another rushed forward, leaving him within the quagmire, incapable of extricating himself.
"Don't be noisy. I simply wish to distance myself!"
Witnessing that the overall situation had been decided, Yamamoto Genryūsai also addressed the other party with tone mastering circumstances: "I understand you desperately wish pursuing and eliminating me. However, you must handle your subordinates first."
Then squinting at Yhwach—who was shouting toward him—Yamamoto Genryūsai continued: "Regret? That you didn't steal my Bankai initially...?"
Before Yhwach could respond, Yamamoto Genryūsai continued independently: "However, I comprehend. It's not that you haven't attempted—but you cannot steal it from me whatsoever. Your stealing method should involve theft after analyzing. Consequently, every time you plunder, you select the moment when opponents just employed Bankai..."
"It's concluded, Yhwach!"
"I can perceive the tears within your eyes. It's extraordinarily painful—you cannot approach without destroying your subordinates' remains. You despise me—the viciousness of me who summoned deceased subordinates back to the battlefield."
Suddenly, Yamamoto Genryūsai's eyes grew extraordinarily sharp. The murderous intent within his gaze could no longer be suppressed.
"However, these prove far inferior to the pain and hatred of the Shinigami you've slaughtered!"
"Zanka no Tachi: Kita—Tenchi Kaijin!"
At that instant, all the deceased's remains that had materialized throughout the surrounding mountains and plains dissipated—precisely like flames that had swept across the world before dying away.
The lifeless Yhwach fell heavily to the ground. The severed wounds across his body had become scorched black. Not a single trace of blood flowed forth...
Witnessing Yhwach's apparent defeat, Yamamoto Genryūsai canceled his Bankai. The charcoal-like Zanka no Tachi gradually returned to its pre-Shikai appearance. All raging flames attached to his body vanished.
Because Yamamoto Genryūsai canceled his Bankai, Soul Society's climate gradually returned to normal state. Under intense stimulation, Seireitei—already shrouded with dark clouds—began producing light drizzle at this moment.
The rain washed down across Yamamoto Genryūsai's tattered Shihakushō. Tremendous white smoke rose forth.
At this moment, Yhwach—who lay upon the ground with only one breath remaining before expiring—suddenly raised a trembling hand and spoke: "Strength... surpasses... your power..."
"My... sincerest apologies... Your Majesty Yhwach..."