Chapter 499: Bullet's Ultimate Bomb, Angel Halo
What was that?
At that moment, Bullet, in his "large bullet" form, noticed a flash like shattered glass across Aizen's blade.
Though encased in thick earth and stone, his vision wasn't restricted by his abilities.
He saw it clearly.
Bullet recalled Aizen's nickname, Kyōka Suigetsu.
Rumors said this man wielded the power of hypnosis.
He could confuse enemies with chaotic reflections of mist and water, leading them to attack each other.
Yet, Bullet sensed this ability was more complex.
If it were merely visual deception, the strong could rely on Observation Haki.
Even without sight, a skilled fighter's combat strength wouldn't diminish greatly.
Yet, Aizen earned such a title.
Could his illusions deceive not just sight but hearing and perception as well?
That was Bullet's hypothesis.
Now, he was ready to test it.
Using his Devil Fruit power to perceive the outside world, Bullet abandoned his vision and relied on Observation Haki.
He focused not only on sight, sound, and perception but also on the sensations coursing through his body.
Rumble!
Countless artillery shells roared through the air, targeting Aizen's position.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Explosions echoed, releasing thick plumes of smoke.
Shockwaves rippled outward, tearing up the already chaotic ground.
Bullet carefully tracked Aizen's aura through his senses.
Whoosh!
A sword's gleam flashed.
Crack!
The right arm of his war-fortress-like form broke off.
It took a moment for Bullet to register.
The massive arm fell slowly, its Armament Haki dissipating.
Rumble!
The ground quaked as the arm crashed, scattering dust and rocks.
The dust clouded the surroundings.
"This guy!" Bullet exclaimed.
His eyes widened within his "large bullet" form.
He hadn't sensed anything—no vision, no warning.
Aizen's aura had remained constant.
The sword's flash seemed to appear from nowhere.
Was it too fast, or something else?
Bullet's mind raced.
Meanwhile, countless shells continued erupting from his form.
This time, he used a scattered attack pattern.
He focused his senses on the explosions' fluctuations, not Aizen's aura.
If Aizen was nearby, he couldn't avoid affecting the blasts.
By tracking variations in the explosions, Bullet aimed to locate him.
This was his strategy.
No matter how Aizen hid, if he was close, he'd reveal a flaw.
Bullet had once faced a formidable foe, codenamed The Hermit, from the Dark Curtain Tarot Totem.
That opponent's aura was elusive.
Against such abilities, widespread attacks could reveal their traces.
This was Bullet's experience.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
As the barrage continued, another sword flash appeared.
Whoosh!
His left arm fell.
How could this be?
Within his giant form, Bullet's expression was one of disbelief.
There was no discernible difference.
In his perception, Aizen remained in place, unmoving.
The explosions showed no anomalies.
"Do you find it surprising? This is my ability. I can control your vision through Kyōka Suigetsu."
Aizen spoke leisurely in calm tone, strolling outside the smoke.
Bullet didn't respond, his face showing skepticism.
This man was treating him like a child!
His senses told a different story; Aizen's ability was far from simple.
But it didn't matter.
Whatever the truth, he'd level the area with his ultimate bomb.
Bullet locked eyes with Aizen, whose presence stood clear amid the smoke, and made his decision.
"Kuwahahaha! In the Thousand-Year Forest Ridge, Aizen-sama and Contestant Bullet seem to be reaching a climax!" Morgans announced.
"The once-stalemated battle has shifted dramatically. Contestant Bullet's war fortress has swiftly lost both arms."
"Oh! Is this Aizen-sama's true strength? It's truly thrilling!"
"How will Contestant Bullet counter such a formidable opponent?"
Morgans' voice crackled through the radio.
By then, many had evacuated to safer distances.
When Bullet unleashed his "large bullet" form, people fled the Thousand-Year Forest Ridge.
They knew how Bullet earned the title Reverberation Devil.
Those remaining were either confident or foolishly unaware.
"Has it come to this? Even so, Bullet won't just wait for defeat!" Crocodile said.
Having retreated from the ridge, he gazed at the distant mountains.
A giant figure, like a speck in the smoke, loomed.
He removed the cigar from his mouth and exhaled a slow smoke ring.
His thoughts were soon confirmed.
Whoosh!
A brilliant yellow light radiated, turning fiery red after seconds, bathing Mythical Beast Island in a crimson glow.
The world darkened.
Silence fell for a moment.
In that quiet, a flame spread, rapidly forming a fireball.
Rumble!
A deafening roar shook the heavens.
The sound reverberated across the sky, overwhelming the island.
Countless Contestants clutched their ears, ignoring the pain, and stared wide-mouthed at the distant spectacle.
Thick smoke and a massive fireball intertwined, soaring skyward.
The fireball, nearly ten thousand meters wide, expanded slowly, morphing into a flame-colored mushroom cloud.
The cloud, spanning hundreds of kilometers, pierced the heavens.
Above it, two massive rings encircled it, resembling an angel's halo.
"How terrifying! Is this the Reverberation Devil?" Bashan exclaimed.
Outside the Thousand-Year Forest Ridge, Bashan from the Eightfold Alliance stared at the golden wall of light rising before him.
The barrier surrounded the ridge, reaching the sky.
Endless shockwaves and flames battered the wall.
The roar persisted, as if a devil sought to consume them.
The ridge, less than ten kilometers wide, couldn't contain such an explosion.
But Orochimaru's barrier on Mythical Beast Island activated, containing the blast.
Bashan felt grateful for the wall's strength.
Without it, he doubted he could withstand the aftermath.
He was even more relieved they hadn't stayed inside out of greed.
He touched his tearful eyes, stung by the bright light, and sighed.
Was this the Reverberation Devil Bullet?
So terrifying! Aizen must be dead!
( End of this chapter )