One Piece: Kaido's adopted son, starts with the Eight Gates Formation.

His prized "prison" ability became a complete joke when he couldn't absorb the opponent's power. The opponent's near-limitless stamina and endless stream of magma only fueled his despair.

Akainu coldly watched Cheruze flee in disarray amidst the rain of fire, his eyes devoid of any emotion.

"Before absolute justice, all evil will be utterly purified!"

He raised his other magma-like arm, aiming it at the spot where Kiruy was about to land.

"Kinniku Guren!"

On the ground, a huge hound's head made of magma suddenly shot out, opened its blood-red maw, and bit down hard on Cheruger in mid-air!

Kiruje had just dodged a meteor, his old strength exhausted and new strength yet to be generated. He watched helplessly as the giant maw of lava rapidly enlarged in his eyes, and the shadow of death instantly enveloped his entire body.

---

Just as Kiruje Opie was about to be devoured by "Crimson Lotus," a huge crack suddenly appeared in the false sky above Seireitei.

An ancient and solemn spiritual pressure, indescribable in words, poured down from the crack like a celestial river overflowing its banks.

This spiritual pressure wasn't domineering or fierce, but the moment it appeared, it seemed to become the center of the entire world. All the chaotic spiritual particles and violent energy in the air, including Akainu's magma heat wave that could scorch the heavens, unconsciously "subdued" in the face of this spiritual pressure.

The lava hound that was chasing Cheruze suddenly stopped, as if it had been paused. Akainu also frowned and looked up at the strange change in the sky. He could sense that a "rule" of a much higher level than Yamamoto Genryusai had descended.

Behind the cracked sky, a colossal object was slowly descending.

It was a pillar of immense size, entirely black, with a canopy at the top and a massive disc at the bottom. It didn't seem to be flying; rather, it was as if the entire world was making way for it, allowing it to "sink" into this dimension from a higher one.

"The Heavenly Pillar Chariot..."

Kyoraku Shunsui muttered to himself, the straw hat in his hand having fallen to the ground at some point. His face wore a complex expression, a mixture of awe, shock, and a deeper despair.

That was a mode of transportation that only the messengers of the Spirit King Palace, the supreme royal agents—the Zero Squad—were qualified to ride.

They are coming.

The highest authority in Soul Society, the guardians who maintain the balance of the three worlds, finally descended upon the Seireitei just as it was about to be completely reduced to a playground for otherworldly beings.

The Heavenly Pillar Chariot landed slowly without making a sound, yet every Grim Reaper present felt as if their heart was being gripped by an invisible hand.

Five figures stood silently on the disc-shaped base.

The first thing that caught everyone's eye was a plump woman with a kind smile on her face. She held a huge rice ladle, like a benevolent cook about to prepare a meal. This was none other than "Valley King," the Eastern Divine General who succeeded Kirinji Tenjiro, and the creator of the Soul-Binding Technique, Hikifune Kiryu.

Beside her stood a flamboyantly dressed man, wearing sunglasses and speaking in a flippant tone. He carried a strangely shaped Zanpakuto, chewing on something, with a nonchalant air about him. He was none other than "Sword God" Nimaiya Ohetsu, the creator of all Zanpakuto in Soul Society.

Beside her stood a tall, aloof woman with six-jointed arms. Her face was veiled, her eyes sharp as knives, and she was surrounded by luxurious silks, like a goddess weaving destiny. She was "Great Weaver" Shutara Senjumaru, the creator of the Shinigami style.

Next came a tall man with a pompadour and an impatient expression. He wore an open team uniform, revealing his muscular chest, and exuded an arrogant aura of "I'm the best in the world." He was "Izumi-ki" Kirinji Tenjiro, the founder of Shunpo and the Medical Return Path.

Standing at the very front was a short, stout, bald monk with a thick black beard, holding a huge calligraphy brush.