Chapter 236
Just when Abarai Renji was in danger, a calm and coldly arrogant tone echoed across the battlefield from the platform above.
"No further observation is necessary."
"These intruders are ruthless and clearly intent on the complete destruction of Soul Society. They are unmistakably the enemy."
"Eradicate them with everything you have."
From the distance, a figure approached at an unhurried pace. Each step carried measured weight, neither rushed nor lazy. The presence was serene, the gaze composed-like someone observing the world from atop a snow-covered mountain, detached and regal.
"Taichō…" Renji exhaled softly as he recognized the figure.
Kuchiki Byakuya, the Sixth Division Captain, stood wrapped in his white haori. He held the hilt of his Zanpakutō-Senbonzakura-with the ease of habit. With minimal motion, he deflected the incoming strike aimed at Renji.
Esnot lifted his hand to counter. Byakuya instantly responded: countless pink petals surged forward in fluid formation, lashing toward the enemy's arm.
However, as the blades struck, they caused no visible damage.
"Taichō, our swords aren't harming them," Renji warned.
"Ineffective?" Byakuya's tone remained calm. "Impossible."
An instant later, the petals embedded in Esnot's arm detonated. Thin lines of blood blossomed across the Quincy's wrist.
"What is this trick? Can this truly break through Blut Vene?" Mascotte Mask de Masculine began to move forward, but the ground beneath him suddenly gave way-crumbling like sand under pressure.
Byakuya's composed tone drifted through the haze of dust. "I would advise against reckless movement. The ground beneath your feet has already been destroyed by Senbonzakura. One wrong step and you'll fall."
"This makes it two against one."
Byakuya and Renji advanced in unison. Renji's Zabimaru coiled around Esnot in its serpent-like form, attempting to restrain him while Senbonzakura's petals converged toward his head.
Yet even when the swarm of blades reached his eyes and punctured the membrane, the damage was minimal. Only faint vein-like markings appeared beneath the skin-no actual injury.
Renji's expression hardened. Such absurd durability… not even Shikai could pierce it? Would Bankai be required? Damn it…
Byakuya rotated his Zanpakutō gracefully in one hand, reversing his grip.
"Taichō!" Renji called. "According to Vice-Captain Suzune's report, these enemies have some ability to seal Bankai!"
"I am aware," Byakuya replied evenly. "However, they are the ones responsible for killing the Vice-Captain of the Kidō Corps."
"They launched surprise attacks and massacred the Seireitei. They cannot be defeated without Bankai."
"Which means…" his tone lowered slightly, "we must see how they do it and find the method to counter it. That is why I will use it now-while you are here to observe."
"Renji, watch carefully."
Byakuya raised his Zanpakutō and released its power.
"Bankai-Senbonzakura Kageyoshi."
At almost the same time, other Captains across the battlefield released their own Bankai.
"Bankai-Jakuhō Raikōben!" Soi-Fong's dual stingers extended.
"Bankai-Daiguren Hyōrinmaru!" Hitsugaya Tōshirō's ice wings spread wide behind him.
"Bankai-Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō!" Komamura Sajin's armored colossus descended.
For each, the glow of power illuminated the battlefield-but for Byakuya, that brilliance was suddenly stolen away.
Across from him, Esnot produced a glowing white medallion. Blue and black energy intertwined across its surface as it emitted the eerie pulse of reishi absorption.
Byakuya's eyes widened slightly as he felt his Bankai's reishi unraveling, drawn helplessly into the disc.
"No... this isn't sealing," he whispered in controlled disbelief. "It's being stolen outright."
Komamura's shout echoed nearby. "They… stole our Bankai?"
Above them, Bambietta Bastabine laughed, her reiatsu crackling in delight. "Now this little dog's Bankai belongs to me!"
--
Elsewhere, Hitsugaya held Hyōrinmaru tightly with both hands. Yet the connection-the bond between Shinigami and Zanpakutō-was gone.
He called out desperately, "Speak! Hyōrinmaru… respond!"
No answer.
"Hyorinmaru!" He raised his blade again, but the weight in his hands felt alien, hollow. He collapsed onto one knee as shock overtook him.
His Bankai, the culmination of two years of growth and training, had been taken within seconds.
It was the same suffocating helplessness he had once felt before Aizen Sōsuke.
Nearby, Rangiku used Tenpeika to transmit the emergency message throughout Soul Society: the enemy's power steals Bankai.
--
In the Fourth Division barracks, Unohana Retsu listened to the report with furrowed brows.
"Although the message originated from the Tenth Division," she said solemnly, "the reiatsu signatures confirm it-the Second, Sixth, and Seventh Divisions have also lost their Bankai."
--
Elsewhere, Kyōraku Shunsui faced his opponent with both blades drawn in their Shikai form.
"It seems I should be grateful," he admitted lightly. "We barely understand anything about your abilities. Unfortunately, you are not opponents who will fall without Bankai-which means someone will eventually have to take that risk."
His opponent, Robert Accutrone, lifted his pistol and fired without hesitation. Shunsui dodged the first shot with swift Shunpo.
"Shinpu," he whispered as he moved again.
Suddenly, wings of reishi flared behind Robert's back as he reappeared at Shunsui's side. Another shot rang out, and this time, Shunsui's eye was struck. Blood ran down his cheek as he tilted his head slightly, exhaling slowly.
"Oh my… I tried to sound calm, but it seems I'm somewhat shaken afterall."
He gave a pained smile. "How troublesome…"
And then he added in that same languid drawl, "It would be nice if Yuta-kun were here right now."
"With his ability, he could deal with someone like you rather easily."
Robert's brows furrowed. "Yuta…? Do you think that boy your savior just because he defeated Aizen Sōsuke?"
He lowered his pistol slightly, his tone turning cold. "His Majesty Yhwach has already analyzed Hideki Yuta's powers. Even if he appeared before us now… he would stand no chance against our King."
--
"Senpai Kajōmaru! Kajōmaru-senpai!"
Cries rose from the battlefield as soldiers ran to the fallen Kajōmaru Hidetoshi. Among those gathering were Yuki Ryūnosuke, Madarame Shino, and several others.
Haschwalth looked down upon them with calm blue eyes framed by golden lashes. "What should we do with the survivors? They seem to have lost their will to fight."
Above him in the sky, Yhwach's deep, resonant tone responded.
"It is your decision. If you believe they would find greater peace in death…"
His words faded into the wind that swept across the blood-stained ground.
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