Wandenreich!
Ishikawa had always considered this merely a hiding place for Quincy to evade Shinigami, a space similar to a 'valley' the size of Seireitei compared to the Three Realms.
Although he had thought that fighting Yhwach here might be more difficult than fighting outside, given it was the enemy's stronghold, who knew what traps might be hidden within.
But it wasn't until this moment that Ishikawa realized he was wrong, and it was…
Completely wrong!
The connection between Yhwach and the Wandenreich was far from as simple as he had imagined.
Because, if he remembered correctly, Yhwach in his memory was once swallowed by the Schatten Bereich's shadow flames and brought back to the Wandenreich during his first invasion of Seireitei, due to limited activity time.
Just this point alone was enough to indicate a deep connection between the Wandenreich and Yhwach.
However, since no similar incidents occurred in Ishikawa's memory after that, he hadn't delved deeper into this point.
Yet…
He had overlooked one thing.
That was, in subsequent invasions, Yhwach directly covered Seireitei with the entire Wandenreich, naturally eliminating any 'activity time' restrictions.
And similar incidents had occurred more than once!
First, he covered Seireitei with the Wandenreich, then transformed the Soul King Palace into the Wahrwelt, and transferred the Wandenreich's base to the Wahrwelt.
In other words, wherever Yhwach went, he would transform that place into the Wandenreich.
This was…
A domain?
Ishikawa looked at the energy gathering on Yhwach's body, his eyes uncertain.
From his deduction, the Wandenreich seemed like Yhwach's 'domain,' but this 'domain' was vastly different from Kokumei's 'domain' after Shikai, and this domain itself also had the function of providing energy to Yhwach.
It was somewhat like an energy source.
Upon realizing this, Ishikawa's expression immediately turned somewhat grim. He really wanted to shout, 'If you've got the guts, fight me one-on-one, don't rely on external forces,' but on second thought… this really wasn't an external force for Yhwach, as the power of these Quincy was originally bestowed by him.
However, the Sternritter were somewhat special.
As far as Ishikawa knew, the Sternritter were meticulously selected by Yhwach from various parts of the world. Those chosen would be given blood wine by Yhwach, and the souls of those who drank the blood wine would be branded by him with letters representing abilities.
Once the letters were formed, he could send more powerful souls into the bodies of those who drank the blood wine.
This was the origin of the Sternritter in Ishikawa's memory, seemingly implying that Yhwach bestowed the Schrift upon them.
But…
Ishikawa vaguely felt something was off.
Because if the Schrift abilities, which possessed various terrifying rules, were bestowed by Yhwach, then why would he expend so much effort… scouring the world to gather Sternritter members to oppose the Gotei 13? He could just select some loyal individuals from his immediate vicinity.
So, in Ishikawa's view, the so-called bestowal of Schrift was actually more like…
These selected Sternritter members already possessed this latent ability, but were simply unable to activate it.
The so-called bestowal of 'Schrift' was more like bestowing the 'opportunity to activate Schrift.'
And when these Sternritter members activated their latent abilities, cultivated them to the extreme through effort, and thus formed some talent… Yhwach would then reclaim the bestowed soul fragments, taking them all for himself!
Of course, these were just Ishikawa's conjectures based on the current situation; he couldn't confirm the exact details.
But one thing Ishikawa could confirm…
He had played too big!
Especially when he saw the almost imperceptible double pupils appearing in Yhwach's eyes, Ishikawa regretted his previous assertiveness even more.
If he had held back a bit, appearing evenly matched or slightly disadvantaged, perhaps Yhwach wouldn't have opened his eyes. After all, having to gather power and forcibly open his eyes to deal with a mere Shinigami was not something to boast about for the King of Quincy.
Although it was only a forced opening of his eyes, and he deliberately suppressed it to avoid losing control, it could only be considered the tip of the iceberg of his true Almighty, but no matter how incomplete… it was still a part of the Almighty, and most importantly…
At this moment, the energy fluctuations around Yhwach had already surpassed Ishikawa.
That's right, it was energy fluctuations, not Reishi.
Although Quincy, like Shinigami, possessed Reishi within their bodies, their strength could not be simply judged by Reishi alone.
Shinigami fought purely by utilizing the spiritual power released from their souls, so a Shinigami's destructive power could be judged solely by their Reishi.
However, judging a Quincy's strength required considering their mastery over 'Reishi,' which is known as Reishi control. The higher the degree of Reishi control, the stronger the destructive power they could unleash.
Even the environment could affect their performance. For example, Ishida Uryū would exhibit completely different states when fighting in the Human World, where Reishi is sparse, compared to fighting in Hueco Mundo, where Reishi is abundant.
And at this moment, Yhwach, whether it was the energy fluctuations around him or the Reishi within his body…
Both had already subtly suppressed Ishikawa, and the combined energy made Ishikawa experience the trembling of his soul, a sensation he hadn't felt since his battle with Aizen.
So, you see…
These guys just cheat all the time!!
Aizen was like this, Ichigo was like this, and Yhwach was also like this…
Although he himself could barely be considered cheating, he was completely relying on his own efforts to slowly grow stronger with the help of a script. But these guys, if they couldn't win, they just activated an invincible cheat.
Damn, it's utterly unfair!
Ishikawa couldn't help but curse inwardly, but while cursing, Ishikawa redirected Kokumei Bankai's analysis ability from analyzing Yhwach back to analyzing the Schatten Bereich; he had to break free from the Schatten Bereich as quickly as possible.
However…
The next second, a terrifying ripple spread from various parts of the Schatten Bereich, converging like a tsunami towards the purple double pupils that had merged into the Schatten Bereich.
This made Ishikawa's expression change!
Consumption.
Although those purple double pupils were formed by the complete energy Convergence of Ishikawa's Bankai, they were like rootless duckweed; they would naturally disappear completely once their energy was exhausted.
And what Yhwach was doing now was using the entire Schatten Bereich to expel Kokumei Bankai, which had merged into the domain.
Clearly, the moment Ishikawa shifted his analysis target, Yhwach had already guessed Ishikawa's intention.
"I will leave your tombstone in the new world."
Yhwach's voice came: "As a reward for daring to invade the Wandenreich alone."
"Heh heh ~"
Ishikawa chuckled: "You're not expecting me to say it's my honor, are you?"
As his words fell, the smile on Ishikawa's face faded, gradually settling into calmness.
If Unohana were here, she would know that Ishikawa was now fully immersed in the battle, which also indicated that he had encountered an extremely terrifying enemy.
"Hoo ~"
Exhaling lightly, Ishikawa clenched the five fingers of his right hand, and the terrifying Reiatsu flames around him burned once more.
Strictly speaking, these Reiatsu flames were not actual flames, but rather a form that naturally arises when one's Reiatsu reaches a certain level of intensity and is fully released.
However…
For many, when Reiatsu solidifies to such an extent, it can easily burn both themselves and their enemies. The body cannot withstand the full release of its own Reiatsu, so battles must be ended quickly, and the exhaustion afterward is immense.
But Ishikawa was different; his spiritual body possessed the characteristics of a Quincy, and his powerful physique was enough to withstand Ishikawa's own Reiatsu's full and complete release!
At the same time.
Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom…
A booming sound, like a drum, echoed from within Ishikawa's body.
With each beat, invisible ripples, like ocean waves, spread out from around him, causing gray mist to dissipate and shadow flames to vanish wherever they passed.
The sound grew louder and louder, finally culminating in a thunderous roar that erupted from Ishikawa's back.
Wings formed by two energies, flame and thunder, unfolded behind Ishikawa, and a jet-black crystal appeared on his brow, from which a gravity that subtly distorted space-time was unleashed.
Hado #73: Sōren Sōkatsui.
Hado #91: Senjū Kōten Taihō.
And…
Finally, Hado No. 90: Kurohitsugi!
The energy formed by the three types of Kido gathered with Ishikawa's Reishi, making the purple Reishi flames around Ishikawa's body somewhat mottled in color.
But this mottling only lasted for an instant, then, as Kokumei in Ishikawa's hand vibrated, all of it was enveloped by his Reishi flames.
This was Kokumei's embrace.
Although Ishikawa's physique was strong, under the condition of the same proficiency as Reishi, just enduring the fully released Reishi after transcendence was already pushing him to his limit, so Ishikawa had not used Shunko, which is reached after Hakuda touches the limit barrier, in previous battles.
It could be said that he was taking advantage of Kokumei's inclusive characteristic, but even so, it couldn't last long; otherwise, his body, under the combination of fully released Reishi and Shunko, would inevitably begin to collapse, just like Zaraki's body started to collapse when he fully unleashed his Reishi after his complete seal was broken.
But now, he couldn't afford to care about that anymore; since he chose to be aggressive, he would be aggressive to the end.
Even if it meant paying a price!
Bang, bang, bang~
Explosions continued to emanate from Ishikawa's body; the purple Reishi flames materialized, covering the black work clothes on Ishikawa's body, preventing his clothes from collapsing due to the internal impact, making him look as if he was clad in a layer of purple flame armor.
The next second, Ishikawa moved!
Without any wasted words, the moment his state reached its peak, Ishikawa launched his attack first.
Because the longer he dragged it out, the more disadvantageous it would be for him!
One step out.
Buzz~
The gray mist beneath Ishikawa's feet caved in, looking as if the void itself was collapsing under his step.
And using this force, Ishikawa instantly vanished from his original spot.
"Hmph!"
Yhwach snorted coldly, his body turning into a phantom and disappearing as well.
Clang—!
A clash echoed from the void, and a figure shot backward, his purple flame armor extremely conspicuous; it was none other than Ishikawa.
Buzz, buzz, buzz…
Kokumei's blade trembled, continuously emitting sounds of being overwhelmed.
Ishikawa was in mid-air, not stopping his retreating figure immediately, but instead, while twisting his body with the momentum, he slapped out with his left hand.
A giant palm instantly condensed and directly slammed towards Yhwach, who had appeared in mid-air.
Yhwach's faint, even somewhat illusory, eyes brightened, and without him seeming to make any move, Ishikawa's palm, which had released its force and was swung with momentum, collapsed with a bang.
"It's useless!"
Yhwach was not in a hurry to pursue, but like a cat playing with a mouse, he looked at Ishikawa and said, "Although your analysis can be said to be a terrifying ability, in front of my ability, 'analysis' and 'response' have no room to exist."
His illusory eyes subtly shifted, and an inexplicable feeling emerged in Ishikawa's heart.
"Everything I see becomes powerless before me!"
Ishikawa ignored him, and instead, while he was speaking, he directly appeared above Yhwach.
The 1.6-meter Kokumei slashed down from above Yhwach's head.
As it slashed down, the purple Reishi flames on it erupted with a roar, looking as if a burning skyscraper was slashing down on Yhwach's head, and everything in its path would turn to ash.
"I told you, it's useless!"
Yhwach raised his hand and slapped towards Ishikawa's position; a giant arrow condensed, ignoring the attack descending from above, and instead directly attacked Ishikawa.
Moreover…
This attack was a pre-emptive strike.
After Ishikawa slashed down with his blade, he didn't wait for the result but instantly flashed away from his original spot, attacking Yhwach from another direction.
But…
As soon as he appeared, the giant arrow had already arrived in front of Ishikawa, as if it was waiting there to greet him.
This scene made Ishikawa's pupils constrict.
Cannot dodge!
Because this arrow wasn't so much attacking Ishikawa as it was Ishikawa actively crashing into the arrow.
Rumble—!
Azure high-density Reishi flames exploded, illuminating the entire Wandenreich, and the spreading impact caused the gray mist domain below to collapse with a roar, revealing the figures within.
However…
The energy ripples overhead made everyone's expressions change, and they suddenly realized…
It was safer to stay in the gray mist after all.
Puff~
A figure rushed out from the center of the energy ripples; at this moment, Ishikawa looked quite disheveled, his high-density flame armor having receded, revealing his scorched body, and there were cracks all over his body.
The scorching was due to the giant arrow, but the cracks were because his physique had reached its limit.
However, Ishikawa's face still showed no ripple, only a burst of light shot from his eyes, and he actually charged towards Yhwach again.
It's not absolute invincibility.
He can 'see' and 'change,' but there are blind spots.
From the previous brief skirmish, various energy attacks and slashing techniques would dissipate upon reaching Yhwach, or it could be said that the future of 'dead objects' landing on him simply didn't exist.
But whether it was his first clash with him, or when he unleashed a strike and then prepared to attack from the side, both were direct confrontations, not dissipations.
The first strike was a head-on collision, and the second strike was intercepted midway!
He can 'see' but cannot change, or it could be said to be a flaw or blind spot of incomplete omniscience and omnipotence.
As long as there's a loophole, he can fight him.
The Reiatsu Crest on Ishikawa's core roared into operation, and purple patterns reappeared on his body; almost the instant these patterns emerged, Ishikawa's foot landed in the void, and he suddenly appeared in front of Yhwach.
Yhwach's expression remained unchanged upon seeing this, and the Quincy Cross blade in his hand bloomed with azure flames, lifting from below.
But then…
His expression sank, and the Quincy Cross blade in his hand, which was meeting Ishikawa's attack, distorted, changing from an upward thrust to a horizontal swing.
However…
Yhwach, who made this movement, frowned deeply.
Pfft—!
The sound of blood spurting out, Yhwach and Ishikawa simultaneously shot backward, then both simultaneously stepped on the void, stabilizing their figures.
"How is that possible!?"
The Sternritter members below changed their expressions.
Looking over, they saw that Yhwach in mid-air actually had a sword wound on his face, with faint blood seeping out of it.
And in the distance from Yhwach, Ishikawa had an incredibly large sword wound on his chest, almost cutting him in half, but as everyone looked, the wound had already begun to heal.
His Majesty was injured after opening his eyes?
Even if it's an incomplete opening of his eyes, His Majesty absolutely shouldn't be injured!
Yhwach raised his hand and wiped his cheek, looking at the crimson on his finger, his face incomparably gloomy.
He could see it, but he couldn't keep up!
In that brief moment when Ishikawa appeared before him, he made countless changes to his moves, each one a fatal blow, but each time he 'saw' and countered, Ishikawa would change his move accordingly.
It wasn't a deliberate change; the future he saw was the true future, it was just that…
The moment he made a change, Ishikawa, relying on his terrifying mastery of Zanjutsu, changed his moves through his own subtle movements in an instant, causing the 'seen' future to change instantly by his own alterations to his 'seen' future.
And he responded accordingly…
This process repeated continuously, and Ishikawa's changes became faster and faster.
And during the process of change, the attack got closer and closer to him.
Finally, it reached a distance where he could see but couldn't react in time.
It could be said that in that instant, he had engaged in countless skirmishes with him!
This guy…
A murderous intent flashed in Yhwach's eyes; it was the first time he had so strongly desired to eliminate someone.
Aside from his terrifying combat skills, his control over the battle situation, his analytical ability towards his enemies, and even his instantaneous decision-making ability…
All made Yhwach feel threatened!
Just as the evaluation he gave him…
Ominous and ill-fated!