Seeing Satoru defeated, Yoruichi and Soi Fon moved simultaneously.
Crackle!!
Electricity surged around Yoruichi's body.
By materializing her spiritual pressure and wrapping it around herself—a new technique she developed by combining the secret arts of the Shihōin family—her speed instantly surpassed Soi Fon's as she shot into the air to intercept Yasushi Takada.
But halfway there, Rennosuke abruptly blocked her path.
"Get back!"
Rennosuke swung his sword.
Yoruichi's pupils constricted.
At the last moment, she twisted her upper body, barely dodging the slash.
Yet the explosive wave of spiritual pressure from Rennosuke struck her full-force, sending her flying uncontrollably.
"Lady Yoruichi!!"
Soi Fon caught her with a thud, and the two crashed into the ground together.
Watching Yasushi Takada leap high into the air, then bend his knees to aim straight down at the spot where Satoru had just fallen, Yoruichi couldn't help but roar:
"Satoru!!!!"
Amid the billowing dust, Satoru opened his mouth, red spiritual pressure condensing into a glowing sphere.
Suddenly, a voice rang out—
"Cry out... Benihime!"
"Blood Mist Shield!"
As the Zanpakutō release incantation echoed, a crimson shield abruptly materialized mid-air, blocking Yasushi Takada's path.
CRACK!!
The shield shattered instantly under Yasushi Takada's charge, but the impact altered his trajectory.
Yasushi Takada flipped mid-air and landed on the ground.
BOOM!!!
His feet cratered the earth upon impact.
Turning his head in surprise, he looked behind him.
There stood the young Shinigami he'd previously defeated and choked unconscious—now struggling back to his feet with disheveled straw-colored hair.
Kisuke Urahara gripped his Zanpakutō, expression grave.
In truth, he'd only been unconscious briefly.
From the moment he'd regained awareness, he'd been lying prone, assessing the situation.
Originally, he'd resolved to play dead until the very end.
If the worst came to pass, he needed to survive—to report these events to the Gotei 13.
Never had he imagined Satoru would hold out so tenaciously against two captain-level opponents, still managing to counterattack.
Satoru's strength gave him the confidence to buy time.
Therefore, when he saw Satoru about to collapse, he didn't hesitate to release his Zanpakutō.
Fortunately, though he hadn't mastered its Shikai for long, he still managed to block Yasushi Takada's lethal strike.
Kisuke curled his lips into a smirk.
The next second, his expression changed as he raised his Zanpakutō to block in front of him.
But his movements were just a fraction too slow.
Before he knew it, Rennosuke had already closed the distance, his leg whipping out like a lash and slamming hard into Kisuke's stomach.
"Guh—!!!"
Kisuke spat out a mouthful of blood, skidding across the ground like a stone skipping over water before finally collapsing, unable to get up.
He didn't need to look to know his internal organs were in terrible shape.
As for his bones—who knew how many were broken?
After struggling twice, Kisuke sighed.
Satoru… it's all up to you now!
Amid the swirling dust, Satoru slowly rose to his feet.
The searing pain wracking his body made him want to lie back down immediately.
But if he did that now, he'd never get up again.
He stirred the spiritual pressure within him and released it outward.
The thick dust enveloping him was instantly swept away.
Moonlight bathed him once more.
Satoru suddenly frowned.
The moment the dust cleared, he felt as though he had touched something—something intangible.
Not far away, Rennosuke and Yasushi Takada both turned their gazes toward him.
It's over.
That thought arose in everyone's mind.
Facing two captain-level opponents, Satoru had already played all his cards.
The outcome would be decided in seconds.
Rennosuke couldn't help but smile.
"Satoru, I have to admit, you've done well."
"But that's all there is to it."
Gripping his sword, he strode toward Satoru.
"Die quietly, and I'll kill you and leave immediately."
"But if you dare provoke me further, I'll slaughter everyone you're trying to protect."
"Hmm… let's start with that blond brat over there!"
Kisuke: "…"
Half-conscious on the ground, he couldn't help but roll his eyes at those words.
I was right all along.
Satoru is nothing but bad luck for me.
If I survive today, I swear I'll make "Stay away from Satoru" my life motto.
I think he's about to join the 2nd Division and take up a position there…
Just to be safe, maybe I should transfer squads… the 12th Division sounds good… research work there is pretty fun…
As he mused, his consciousness gradually faded.
Yoruichi, supported by Soi Fon, struggled to look in their direction.
Since childhood, she had been a prodigy among her peers. Aside from the difficulty she faced while learning the Shunkō technique, she had never truly suffered defeat.
Because of that, she had never taken training seriously—until today.
Only now did she truly understand the agony of powerlessness.
"Satoru… run."
Hearing Yoruichi's strained voice, Soi Fon pressed her lips together.
Then, she stood up, gripping her short sword, and ran toward Satoru.
I don't know what relationship Lady Yoruichi has with him… but if she doesn't want him to die, then I'll fulfill her will.
Sensing the spiritual pressure approaching from behind, Rennosuke casually waved his hand, and three triangular light blades materialized in the air.
Amidst a small gasp from Hachōryō, the three light blades whooshed forward, striking her wrists and waist, sending her flying backward before pinning her entire body against a broken wall.
After driving Hachōryō away, he stepped forward until he was just a few meters away from Satoru.
"Kid, any last words?"
Looking at Satoru, he couldn't help but ask smugly.
Satoru met his gaze, his eyes carrying an indescribable emotion.
"Yeah," he nodded.
"There's something I want to tell you."
Under Rennosuke's watchful eyes, Satoru grinned—
"Villains die from talking too much."
Hearing Satoru's words, a sudden sense of foreboding rose in Rennosuke's heart.
Deciding not to waste any more time, he lunged forward, closing the distance to Satoru in an instant, ready to finish him off.
But just then, under the moonlight, a wound suddenly appeared on his ankle.
Splurt!!!
Blood gushed out!!
"What?!"
Feeling the sharp pain in his ankle, Rennosuke looked down in shock.
Then, his expression changed again.
A searing pain shot through the sole of his other foot!
Sssk!
Rennosuke jerked his foot up.
Unbeknownst to him, the sole of his straw sandal had been pierced, blood now trickling from his foot.
What the hell?!
Rennosuke's eyes widened.
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