novelblue
Chapter 184
Chapter 184
Chapter 184
Carrying Kaelith’s last will—cough, final proposal—Ch?jir? Sasakibe rushed through the long Dangai passage and returned to the Seireitei at top speed.
Reaching the site where preparations for the Konso Reisai were underway, he found Yamamoto and swiftly reported what had transpired in the World of the Living. Hearing that Kaelith had encountered an enemy he couldn’t handle, Yamamoto showed a hint of surprise.
Even in his base form, Kaelith was already at a Captain-level of strength. Adding on all those miscellaneous abilities, he was absurdly powerful.
Bestowing on him the title of Kenpachi and sending him to Squad 11 wouldn’t have felt out of place. For Kaelith to call for backup meant the enemy was indeed formidable. Of course, there was also a chance that kid was just up to some mischief.
Yamamoto wanted to go himself, but he was currently unable to leave. After some thought, he said:
“Ch?jir?, all the Captains are waiting at the Konso Reisai grounds. Go fetch Shunsui and have him assist Kaelith.”
Upon receiving Yamamoto’s orders, Ky?raku Shunsui wasted no time and headed straight for the World of the Living. He rushed there at full speed and arrived just in time.
The moment the Senkaimon opened, he was struck by Spirit Pressure so dense it felt almost tangible, slapping him right in the face. Since becoming a Captain, it was his first time sensing such outrageous Spirit Pressure from a Hollow.
Facing such a formidable foe, his first thought wasn’t how to fight but a feeling of bemusement.
Trust Kaelith—trouble always seemed to find him. Coming to the World of the Living to capture a Hollow, only to run into a monster like this, was a skill in itself.
Thinking this, he drew his twin blades.
“Kaelith, don’t be afraid! Your senior brother is here!”
With that, Ky?raku Shunsui released his Zanpakut? and charged forward, brandishing his paired swords.
Szayelaporro, naturally, didn’t show any fear.
Although he had fought Kaelith and Aizen for a while, aside from the final battle against the clones, he hadn’t expended much energy. Losing an arm hardly mattered to a Hollow of his regenerative prowess. He’d suffered some humiliation at Kaelith’s hands, and now someone else had shown up—perfect for venting his frustration.
Swinging his four fleshy appendages, Szayelaporro engaged Ky?raku in a fierce melee. The longer they fought, the more alarmed Ky?raku became. This Hollow’s strength was simply outrageous.
He had faced many Gillian-level and Adjuchas-level Hollows before. Though stronger than Gillians, none had ever surpassed the category of mere “foot soldiers” in his eyes. But this one was entirely different: that vast Spirit Pressure, that monstrous strength, and the sense of imminent peril with every attack… all of it signaled a Hollow unlike any other.
When had Hueco Mundo produced such a powerful entity?
Still, amidst his shock, he felt a subtle delight. The stronger the enemy, the more significant his own appearance would seem. He had crossed worlds to rescue Kaelith, arriving at the critical moment. Surely his junior would be deeply moved. Perhaps from now on, instead of “Uncle Ky?raku,” Kaelith would respectfully call him “Honored Senior Brother.”
With that pleasant thought, he glanced toward Kaelith. Sporting a scruffy beard, Ky?raku gave a confident smile—only to see Kaelith’s cold, indifferent gaze, as if he’d just swallowed a fly.
Ky?raku: “?”
That… that wasn’t the reaction he expected.
Lost in his brief distraction, he took a direct hit to the face from one of Szayelaporro’s appendages and was knocked backward. Flipping midair, he steadied himself. Yet as soon as he tried to move again, he felt something off—his movements were stiff.
After a quick internal check, Ky?raku’s eyes widened. Poison? A Hollow this strong also used poison?
He couldn’t help feeling like he had seen a ghost.
Noticing Ky?raku’s reaction, Szayelaporro grinned. Perfect, perfect! He lashed out with his appendages, ready to finish Ky?raku off.
But halfway there, Kaelith blocked him with his Zanpakut?.
“Hey! Scoundrel, how dare you act so brazen!” Kaelith shouted.
At the same time, he used Kido to transmit his voice directly into Szayelaporro’s ear: “Do you still acknowledge our bet?”
Szayelaporro clicked his tongue, then responded the same way: “I, Szayelaporro, stand by my word.”
“Good. Then hurry up and head back to Hueco Mundo. Don’t linger,” Kaelith said. “Don’t be fooled by my senior’s current state. If it really comes down to it, you will not fare so well.”
He wasn’t bluffing. Ky?raku Shunsui’s Zanpakut? ability was a nightmare for anyone who didn’t know it. Once you fell into his game, you’d have to waste energy figuring out his rules. Losing half your fighting strength or more was common.
Having just recruited Szayelaporro as a future deputy director for his Hueco Mundo branch, Kaelith had no intention of letting him get killed.
At first Szayelaporro bristled at Kaelith’s words, thinking Kaelith was underestimating him. But hearing Kaelith refer to the newcomer as “senior brother” gave him pause. If this bearded Shinigami was Kaelith’s senior, then it’d be no easy fight. Even if Szayelaporro won, Kaelith certainly wouldn’t stand aside. In the end, he’d face three-on-one. A bad deal.
After considering this, Szayelaporro half-heartedly struck a few more blows, then sneered loudly:
“Hmph, as expected of Shinigami known for their cowardice. One can’t beat me alone, two can’t, so three must try! The great Szayelaporro will not waste time on fools like you… Kaelith, we’ll meet again!”
With that, Szayelaporro let out a disdainful laugh, opened a Garganta, and left the battlefield.
Seeing Szayelaporro retreat, Ky?raku sighed in relief.
As Kaelith approached, Ky?raku spoke: “Kaelith, that Hollow was extraordinary. We need to return and report this to Old Man Yamamoto quickly.”
Kaelith nodded. When Ky?raku had arrived, Szayelaporro had already returned to his fully Hollow form. Otherwise, seeing his Resurrección might have truly startled Ky?raku.
Having said that, Ky?raku glanced at Aizen, who stood beside Kaelith. If he remembered correctly, this young man was Kaelith’s classmate at the Shinigami Academy. During the graduation exam, he’d cleanly taken down a seated officer, and later joined the Fifth Division. Now he was already a Lieutenant.
But more curious than his swift promotion was why Kaelith had allowed him to remain in the World of the Living. Did Kaelith believe this young Lieutenant had the strength to take part in that fierce battle? Perhaps even contribute?
With that in mind, Ky?raku Shunsui found himself more than a little intrigued by Aizen.