Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami-Chapter 288 ⥤ A Wave of the Sleeve Shakes the Sangai

"The Soul King Palace..." Yhwach spoke gravely, his expression tinged with undisguised melancholy.

"I understand your feelings, Your Majesty." Jugram bowed his head respectfully, trying to comfort his master.

Yhwach showed no appreciation for the gesture. His gaze fixed on the massive structure floating in the sky as he said in a deep voice:

"Even looking at this rotting tombstone, I feel nothing."

Jugram bowed his head, slowly closing his eyes as if steeling himself for what was to come.

"I apologize for my presumption, Your Majesty."

Yhwach, paying no attention to Jugram's changed expression, said calmly, "Let's go."

As the group took their first step on the approach, a heavy Reiatsu descended upon them.

"Hey! Do you not know what this place is? This is the Soul King Palace, and visitors are not welcome!"

Tenjirō Kirinji descended from the sky in brilliant golden light, his pompadour hairstyle distinctive as he landed before the group with an arrogant expression.

"Zero Division First Officer, Divine General of the East Tenjirō Kirinji. Do you think you can stop me?"

Yhwach's face turned cold, his overwhelming presence erupting forth, clashing against Tenjirō's Reiatsu.

"If I didn't think so, I wouldn't have shown up!" Tenjirō stood his ground, a blade of grass between his teeth, his paddle-shaped Zanpakutō aimed forward.

He had no idea what agreement that guy had reached with the Soul King.

But as a member of the Zero Division, his duty was to protect the Soul King. Anyone who dared invade the Soul King Palace would face his fierce solar bath.

As his words ended, scalding hot spring water surged from behind him, covering the entire approach and pressing forward.

Jugram charged first from behind Yhwach, spirit sword in his right hand and scapegoat shield in his left, advancing without hesitation.

Where his sword pointed, the water parted, revealing a clean and level path.

"Flash from Illuminating Heavens..."

⤫ Shikai: Kinpika ⥤ Initial Release: Gilded Splendor! ⤬

Tenjirō released his Zanpakutō with a backhand motion, unleashing his strongest state, instantly doubling his already formidable Reiatsu.

A crushing pressure descended upon the approach, causing Jugram's charge to falter.

"Is this all the strength the Schutzstaffel possesses?"

Their weapons clashed in brilliant flashes as they exchanged countless strikes within moments.

With his released Zanpakutō, Tenjirō dominated Jugram completely, denying him any chance to counter.

As the battle wore on, wounds multiplied across Jugram's body, his immaculate Quincy uniform now stained with blood and torn.

Yet throughout it all, he showed neither fear nor pain. The others merely watched from afar, making no move to assist.

An unsettling feeling crept into Tenjirō's heart.

What was wrong with these people? Would they truly stand idle while their comrade fell?

Or perhaps these Schutzstaffel possessed some hidden power of revival, like the Zero Division?

"The preparations are complete."

As Tenjirō pondered, Jugram lifted his gaze — those cold eyes piercing directly into him, sending a chill down his spine.

⤫ Schrift: B ⥤ Sacred Letter: The Balance! ⤬

As his spirit sword descended, an invisible force struck Tenjirō.

To his astonishment, the wounds on his opponent's body vanished.

"Guh—"

Blood erupted from Tenjirō's mouth as he stared at his body in horror. Deep gashes appeared across his chest, abdomen, arms, and shoulders, leaving him grievously wounded.

"How is this possible..."

Thanks to his mentor's training, Jugram had learned never to reveal his abilities to enemies.

Ignoring the other's confusion, he strode forward with his spirit sword and, as Tenjirō watched in terror, brought it down with devastating force.

Clang!!

Metal rang against metal across the empty approach, followed by a flamboyant rap introduction.

"Jū-Kyū, Jū-Hachi, Jū-Nana, Jū-Roku, Jū-Go! Then Jū-Shi, Jū-San, yo! The name's Ōetsu Nimaya, and I'm here to make ya say WHOA!"

A case containing frozen liquid was placed heavily on the ground, and from it emerged a Zanpakutō with a trembling blade.

The great God of the Sword, Ōetsu Nimaya, makes his entrance!

His cold eyes surveyed the group as he pointed his razor-sharp blade forward.

"Come at me!"

With the blade aimed at him, Kisuke rubbed his cheek, feeling as if his skin might be cut from the mere gesture.

Is this what it feels like to face a Zero Division member? It's quite terrifying.

As Jugram prepared to strike in response to Ōetsu's provocation, a large hand pressed on his shoulder.

"You can't take all the glory for yourself, Haschwalth."

A refreshing smile appeared in his vision as a figure stepped forward.

"Would you mind letting me handle this battle?"

Looking at that person's sincere and unpretentious gaze, Jugram's expression remained inscrutable. After a moment's hesitation, he sheathed his sword and retreated behind the group.

"Oh, scared are we?" Ōetsu raised his Sayafushi, his smile turning cold, "No matter who faces me, the result will be the same. When you set foot in the Soul King Palace, your fate was sealed. It's just a matter of time..."

Before he could finish speaking, a figure flashed before Akira, the unstoppable Sayafushi slashing toward his body without restraint.

A blade gleaming with azure light materialized in Akira's hand, meeting the attack without hesitation.

A mocking look flashed in Ōetsu's eyes.

How could a mere Spirit Weapon withstand Sayafushi's sharpness?

After all, this was the sharpest Zanpakutō in existence — so sharp that even he couldn't create a scabbard to contain it. This fearsome blade would put sword sharpeners out of business.

Clang!

With a clear ring of metal, the blade in Akira's hand shattered, splitting down the middle.

"Hoho, pathetic, kid!" Seeing things unfold as expected, Ōetsu let out a mocking laugh, his technique changing in a flash as the blade turned toward Akira's chest.

This strike would end it!

Clang!

However, the crisp clash that followed left him astonished, disbelief spreading across Ōetsu's face.

Akira held the reconstructed spirit blade and grinned, "Is that all? I thought you'd be stronger."

Looking at the spirit blade in his hand, Aizen's eye twitched.

This guy had actually externalized his Blut Armor (Arterie + Vene) and attached it to the blade.

Even Yhwach only externalized Blut Vene to form a shield-like defense — this technique was on a completely different level.

So... Which of you is truly the King of the Quincy?

Watching the blade in his opponent's hand, Ōetsu was shocked.

This was a path he'd never imagined!

Despite his long lifespan and extensive knowledge of Quincy, he'd never encountered such an anomaly. Was this kid really a Quincy?

Under everyone's stunned gaze, the two warriors displayed masterful swordsmanship, their blade trails weaving an intricate curtain of light across the approach.

Their clashing blades sparked brilliantly, fierce winds howling between them in a spectacular display.

What terrified Ōetsu was watching his Sayafushi — which could initially mark his opponent's blade — gradually lose its advantage as that impossible weapon grew increasingly harder.

As the fight continued, his supposedly invincible blade found itself being pushed back.

He had never witnessed anything so inexplicable. What was happening?!

Ōetsu grew frantic — no one understood Sayafushi's power better than he did. Even Ichibē wouldn't dare face it directly without his name authority.

Yet this opponent not only blocked it effortlessly but was gaining the upper hand. And why did that haunting, maniacal laughter seem so familiar — had he encountered this damned Quincy before?!

Ōetsu gritted his teeth and lunged forward, attempting to bypass Akira's blade and strike his vital points.

After all, the body was always a warrior's greatest vulnerability. No being in existence could withstand Sayafushi's edge — not even the Soul King!

Clang!

Another sharp collision rang out as Ōetsu's eyes widened in disbelief.

Though another blade bearing the same Blut patterns had materialized to block Sayafushi, that wasn't what troubled him...

He had already struck his opponent's body before that. Yet not only had it failed to wound him, but the powerful defense had repelled Ōetsu's attack.

What manner of being was he facing?!

"Kekeke, didn't anyone tell you not to get too close to a Quincy?"

That familiar laughter echoed again, making Ōetsu look up in shock before a suffocating pain erupted in his chest.

Bang!

A figure went flying, carving a deep furrow across the approach as dust billowed on both sides.

Boom!

As Ōetsu slammed into a pillar and embedded deeply within it, the familiar pain coursing through his body drew a sharp breath from his lungs.

So it was you!

Akira, have you fallen this far? A member of the Zero Division, now leading Yhwach to the Soul King Palace?!

Looking at his smug expression, Ōetsu felt like he'd been played for a fool.

Such treachery was beyond words. No wonder Ichibē's expression had been odd today — that old monk must have known something.

The God of the Sword seethed with rage. They were the only ones kept in the dark!

Tenjirō flash-stepped to his side, helping him up from the crater while releasing the Hell Spring to heal the punch mark that had nearly pierced through his body.

Though not the brightest among the Zero Division members, Tenjirō had sensed something unusual about this invasion. Not being skilled at strategy, he could only place his hopes on Ōetsu.

"What should we do?"

The two exchanged glances.

Ōetsu took a deep breath, suppressing his turbulent emotions.

At a time like this, the monk still hadn't shown up — were they just going to watch Yhwach break into the Great Palace?

Where was the Zero Division's sense of duty?

Just then, another heavy Reiatsu appeared at the end of the approach, and a mighty figure instantly drew near.

"Long time no see, Yhwach."

When Ichibē saw Akira holding two swords, his eye twitched, but his excellent acting skills allowed him to maintain his composure.

Though he wasn't entirely clear about this man's agreement with the Soul King, His Majesty's will was to cooperate with him.

As a proper member of the Zero Division, Ichibē naturally wouldn't defy the Soul King.

"Ichibē Hyōsube..." Upon seeing the monk, Yhwach immediately showed a cautious expression.

If one had to choose the most noteworthy existence in the Zero Division, it would undoubtedly be Ichibē — a being from the same era as the Soul King, a monster who had lived for a million years.

Such a character was far more frightening than the other three Zero Division members combined.

"Since you've come to the Soul King Palace uninvited, you should be prepared for the consequences." The monk raised his right hand, thick veins bulging on his arm.

Seeing this, Aizen imperceptibly moved a step to the side.

Though unsure of what was happening, the clever Kisuke followed suit. Pernida contemplated briefly, then also followed their example, moving away from behind Yhwach.

⤫ Senri Tsūtenshō ⥤ Heavenly Passing Palm of the Thousand Ri! ⤬

Ichibē launched his attack. A giant palm shadow materialized, instantly filling the entire approach. Its overwhelming force struck Yhwach's body, sending him flying.

However, such an attack wasn't enough to harm him.

⤫ Sankt Bogen ⥤ Great Holy Bow! ⤬

A massive Heilig Bogen opened in the azure sky, several Heilig Pfeil appearing on its taut string.

The great battle was about to begin.

On the approach, wooden clogs clicked against stone as the final member of the Zero Division, Senjumaru Shutara, gracefully emerged from hanging fabric.

"My apologies, but duty compels me to prevent you from passing through here."

Seeing someone come to take the fall, Ōetsu breathed a sigh of relief. Though he didn't know exactly what was happening, it was better to let someone else deal with this headache.

"In that case, I'll leave them to you to handle."

As soon as the words left his mouth, he raised Sayafushi and cleanly slit his own throat.

Tenjirō was shocked, hesitated for a moment, then followed his example.

Two corpses lay on the ground, blood flowing freely.

Seeing this, a trace of helplessness flashed in Senjumaru's eyes, but she still released all of her Reiatsu. In the next moment, Soul Society trembled.

Her red lips parted, and a gentle voice rang out:

⤫ Bankai: Shatatsu Karagara Shigarami no Tsuji ⥤ Final Release: Crossing of Sahā's Gate, Kāla's Corpse and Piercing Entanglements! ⤬

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