Chapter 235
"Stop! Don't move forward!"
Facing the white-clad blond man advancing toward him, one of the members of the Gotei 13 gripped his Zanpakutō tightly and shouted sternly.
"If you're afraid, you're free to run," the man replied with cold indifference. "Killing you won't even serve as a warning to others."
Haschwalth's golden eyelashes framed half-lidded eyes filled with apathy-as if he were looking not at people, but corpses already destined for the ground.
"Y-you dare mock the Gotei 13? I said stop!"
Haschwalth's gaze didn't flicker. "Didn't you notice? Your fear made you change the argument-from life and death to holding the line. The war has already begun."
---
In front of the 3rd Division's barracks, the road was lined with fallen bodies-members of the division who had been defeated in moments.
Captain Œtoribashi Rōjūrō stood among them, his hand tightening on the handle of his Zanpakutō until his knuckles turned white.
His eyes reflected neither surprise nor fear-only silent fury pressing behind restraint.
At that moment, a black Hell Butterfly drifted down and perched on his shoulder.
"The spiritual pressures of Third Seat Togakushi, Fifth Seat Gori, and Sixth Seat Katakura have vanished," the messenger relayed evenly.
"...And Vice-Captain Kira Izuru's spiritual pressure has disappeared as well."
Rōjūrō's expression remained composed, though the veins on his hand began to bulge slightly as he gripped his sword harder. "I see," he said softly. "I already know."
"It doesn't sound like good news," said the tall man standing before him-a Quincy wearing five dreadlocks and yellow-lensed eyewear shaped like compound eyes.
"So… anyone dead?" he asked with mock curiosity, resting his hands on his hips.
"Do I have to answer that?" Rōjūrō's tone was icy and detached.
"Come on, of course there is," the man replied with a grin that exposed alternating black-and-white teeth. "Those vanished reiatsu points? That's where Bazz-B is. If no one's dead, then he's slacking off."
Nanana Najahkoop's mocking laughter filled the air as he introduced himself proudly, his Schrift glowing faintly.
"The Holy Letter 'U'-U for Underbelly. No defense."
"Arguing among comrades already?" Rōjūrō raised his blade, bringing it in front of his eyes calmly. "There's no elegance in that."
His expression darkened with grief and pride. "Every time I see Izuru, inspiration flows through me. As long as he existed-as long as I held my guitar-music would pour out like tears. Now that he's gone, my guitar and I mourn together."
"Art, huh? Can't say I get that," Nanana said flatly, scratching his ear. "Anyway, don't worry-you and your guitar won't cry anymore. I'll make sure of it." He held up five fingers arrogantly. "You'll be dead in five minutes."
Rōjūrō exhaled softly. "It seems you truly don't understand art. My guitar and I have already shed enough tears over my fallen subordinates," he said with calm fury, lowering his blade into position. "You won't be leaving here alive, Quincy."
---
Elsewhere on the battlefield-
"Th-that thing... what is it?"
"What is happening?"
"Our attacks do nothing! Anyone pierced by that light-dies instantly!"
Fear gathered among the ranks of the Gotei 13. Even the toughest of them gripped their Zanpakutō shakily-not because their blades trembled, but because their hands did.
Before them stood another Quincy-dressed in white, wearing what looked like a respirator mask.
Blue spikes extended from his body, impaling several Shinigami one after another, suspending them in midair as they screamed.
Their faces twisted in terror as if seeing their worst nightmares; their cries echoed like frayed nerves tearing apart.
"The letter 'F,'" one survivor choked out. "It stands for 'Fear'…"
"Why are they screaming that way…?"
More Shinigami stumbled back, panic spreading like wildfire. Step by step, retreat turned into flight.
Only one low-ranking officer stayed in place, shouting at those retreating.
"The duty of the Gotei 13 isn't to save our own lives-it's to protect the Seireitei even at the cost of them!"
"Well said!"
With that declaration, the segmented blade of Zabimaru extended forward in rapid motion-a chain of serrated edges slicing through the air in front of the enemy.
"Leave this one to me," Abarai Renji said, his expression intense. "Fall back!"
---
Elsewhere again, Bambietta Basterbine smiled widely-her bloodlust as bright as her eyes.
With one violent swing of her sword, she cleaved through three Shinigami in front of her. Blood sprayed across her uniform in vivid contrast as she laughed softly to herself at the sight.
Before she could turn, however, a hand larger than her torso clamped tightly around her arm.
It belonged to Captain Komamura Sajin, towering over her iron-willed posture. "I didn't expect even someone like you to be part of the enemy army," he said heavily.
Bambietta tilted her head, her tone mockingly sweet. "And I didn't expect even a little dog to earn the title of Captain," she replied smoothly. "Is the Soul Society really that desperate for manpower?"
Her words were venom coated in elegance-and every movement she made carried the same lethal grace.
---
At the same time, across the Seireitei-Hisagi Shūhei, Kyōraku Shunsui, Soi-Fon, Ukitake Jūshirō, and Hitsugaya Tōshirō were already engaged with their respective Sternritter opponents.
On higher ground, Abarai Renji's battle continued. Zabimaru's segmented blades lashed out again and again toward Äs Nödt-but every strike failed to cut flesh.
Even when the edge scraped the back of the Quincy's hand, it drew no blood atall.
"What… what's happening?" Renji panted. "Is this his power alone? Or every Quincy's?"
Each time his blade connected, faint blue vein-like patterns surfaced across Äs Nödt's skin, pulsing faintly with reiryoku.
Before Renji could react further, another figure appeared behind him-a tall, muscular man wearing what looked like a cape and gloves fashioned after armor, striking downward with enormous force.
PS GOALS: 150 PS= 5-10 extra chapter on an update.
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