The moment the spatial transfer was complete, five black-robed figures launched their attack.
Without uttering a single chant, they unleashed five high-level Bakudō spells simultaneously.
In the blink of an eye, Ran En was locked down.
Sheets of golden light pinned his arms, glowing rods struck his joints, serpentine chains snaked around his limbs, enormous iron pillars dropped from above, and nine dark orbs surrounded him in the air like floating prisons.
He couldn't move a finger. Even his mouth was sealed shut.
The coordination was flawless.
This wasn't a random ambush. This was professional. Tactical.
They had clearly done this before.
"Spiritual Arts Academy's strongest genius in two thousand years?"
"That's it?"
"Didn't even survive the first round of Bakudō."
Mocking laughter echoed from the black-robed figures.
"He's talented, no doubt."
"But one day of training? That's all he's had. One day."
"Up against ten of us, with a full setup prepared? What did you expect?"
The one who spoke stood at the center. His tone was calm, authoritative. He was the leader, and no one questioned him.
"Captain, should we take him back now?"
"No," the man replied flatly. "Cut off his limbs first. We don't want him struggling if we run into the master."
Two of the figures stepped forward without hesitation. Drawing their Zanpakutō, they moved toward Ran En.
Their Bakudō placement was precise. Around the limbs, there was a small margin just enough to allow amputation without disturbing the seal.
Blades gleamed under the pale moonlight.
A dull slicing sound followed.
With one clean stroke each, Ran En's limbs were severed.
"It's done," one of them reported, wiping his blade.
But the leader's eyes suddenly narrowed.
From the wound, no blood flowed.
Only golden light.
"Wait "
"That's not right."
His eyes widened.
"Flash!"
Too late.
Ran En's entire body erupted into particles of golden light, scattering out of the Bakudō restraints and reassembling mid-air.
He landed gracefully, untouched, whole.
"Bakudō."
"Spatial transfer."
"I'll ask only once."
"Who is this master you mentioned?"
Ran En's voice was calm, his gaze sharp.
"You're not worthy to know," the leader replied coldly.
Then he raised his hand.
"Kill him."
All at once, the remaining figures sprang into motion.
Some reached for their swords.
Some began casting Bakudō or Hadō.
Some chanted.
None of them finished.
A blinding golden light erupted from Ran En, drowning the space in pure radiance.
It outshone the moon, lit the void like a second sun.
"Agh !"
"My eyes!"
"I can't see !"
The light was unbearable. Vision was stripped away. Their senses went white.
Chants were broken. Swords dropped. Coordination fell into chaos.
Ran En took a single step.
His blade hummed.
"The Way of the Sword Sword Pressure."
A single sweep.
Golden Reiatsu surged outward like a tidal wave, infused into the swing.
It became a crescent slash of pure pressure, burning through the air, melting the surrounding spirit particles.
It reached them before they could react.
Screams were cut short.
Blood splashed. Heads flew.
Nine of them died where they stood.
Only the leader escaped.
He had reacted quickly. Just before the sword pressure landed, he vanished using Shunpo, evading the lethal arc by a narrow margin.
Landing several meters away, he steadied himself, breathing heavily.
"Damn it."
"I underestimated you."
"But that won't happen again."
He reached for his sword.
"You won't get another chance."
His blade gleamed as he shouted the release command.
"Howl Gale."
In a blink, his Zanpakutō transformed into a blue saber that pulsed with wind.
Without warning, a burst of pressure exploded from his body.
The wind around him twisted into nine raging storms, each one the size of a house, spinning like the tails of a mythical beast.
As they lashed around him, the ground cracked and air warped.
"Time to end this."
"You've already delayed my master long enough. Even if I cut you to pieces now, he'll be displeased."
"You've lost."
He raised his sword.
Menacing winds howled. Energy surged.
But Ran En remained still.
His eyes narrowed.
"So it is the Four Great Houses after all."
The leader's motion froze.
He said nothing.
But his silence said everything.
"I thought so," Ran En said softly, a cold smile tugging at his lips.
"Die."
The black-robed captain's face darkened.
He raised his blade and brought it crashing down.
The nine storms roared into motion, barreling toward Ran En from all sides. The pressure alone was enough to flatten buildings.
But Ran En did not flinch.
"You researched me."
"You know I can use Shikai too."
He sheathed his sword.
The wind surged closer.
Ran En spoke quietly.
"Open your eyes Zhukuyin."
Light exploded from beneath his feet.
A golden pillar shot into the sky, piercing the clouds, connecting the Soul Society to the heavens above.
The once silver moon turned gold, bathed in divine radiance.
The storms around him faltered.
Then they vanished.
Wiped out without a sound.
The sky burned gold.
The battlefield was silent.
And the name of Zhukuyin had been spoken