Ichigo leaves and takes up residence in Soul Society!

As long as you don't feel fear, you can ignore all damage. While you are taking damage, you will accumulate "wear and tear". However, when you are not taking any attacks, the "wear and tear" will repair itself at an extremely fast speed, like super-fast regeneration.

This characteristic also allows for both offense and defense.

The former can be called "no defense, positive".

However, the coordinated attacks after the armor is removed are "no defense, counterattack".

The meaning is also very simple.

It's about going from not needing to defend yourself to making it impossible for your opponent to defend.

Then the problem is coming.

If the sword represents "armor (spiritual pressure hardness)" / "no defense (positive/negative)".

So, what about the "sheath"?

The scabbard should have been freed only after the user drew their sword.

But they were nowhere to be found.

Not only that.

The Bankai characteristic of Shinomiya-no-Tsurugi is "ultimate integration of offense and defense".

The knife and the scabbard each represent one aspect.

The sword, now transformed into armor, clearly shifted from its initial attack state to a defensive one.

Originally a defensive unit, it can summon a dragon's sheath.

— This represents the attacking side.

It is clear.

The Four Palaces Lord has hidden a lot.

The power of the Bankai "Vidyayaja Chendyami" is only half revealed at most, and it only symbolizes the "defensive" aspect, which integrates offense and defense.

The "offensive" aspect remains hidden in the shadows.

Just like some other people.

These people probably wouldn't notice anything hidden in the shadows, just like themselves.

"..."

The Fourth Prince glanced at the First Prince's shadow in the alley. The summer sun, combined with the intense heat from the Captain-Commander's Bankai, made the shadow in the corner even deeper and darker.

He quickly stood up and dusted himself off.

Under the blazing sun, under the eaves.

He stands taller than anyone else and sees farther than anyone else.

Everything in sight is clearly visible.

Unlike the shadows on the ground that are within reach, the sun in the sky is far away.

Looking up at the sun, looking down at the shadows.

Everyone does it this way.

From this perspective, it seems that everything was predetermined.

But those things have nothing to do with the Four Palace Master.

What he's thinking about now is how to become stronger.

Just like money, you'll have to use your trump cards sooner or later.

There's no point in deliberately hoarding them.

If you feel it's not enough, just keep earning.

Previously, there were Shikai, "Seven Flashes" and "Only Flashes", but now there are half of the Bankai and "Black Flash" as trump cards.

There will be other trump cards in the future.

and so……

"Let me see your limits, [Machine Soul]."

The potion's effects made the Four Palaces Lord even more energetic, and his gaze was fixed on the void.

As expected, the ink-wash calligraphy appeared.

"As expected, I knew there would be benefits to escaping unscathed from the Captain-Commander's command... Huh? Wait, what the heck is this?"

Chapter 71 Unforgivable Forbidden Technique

In the past, when others asked, the Four Palace Master would always answer that he had figured it out himself.

Besides the fact that it's easier to say it this way, another reason is to see it as a reward for one's own hard work.

Of course, this includes things that don't require effort to obtain.

He can accept it without any psychological burden.

but……

This gift from [Machine Soul] was something even the Four Palaces Venerable felt... like something he could "comprehend" himself.

If the chief commander knew, he would believe it without a doubt.

They don't care how outrageous this thing is at all.

the reason is simple--

You are the most outstanding student, the most rebellious student; you drink in the power of death, don armor, and transform into a dark demon king.

Although you didn't succeed, the fire in your heart has been ignited, burning even brighter than your opponent's.

That position shouldn't exist. The right to that position should belong to Death, and should belong to you, who are destined to reign supreme at the pinnacle of Death. Yet it has been usurped by a mediocre and incompetent person. It is simply unforgivable.

Feeling deeply inadequate, you realized in your anger that you possessed the "Unforgivable Curse - Cruciatus Curse".

A wondrous knowledge welled up from the depths of my soul.

It is difficult to describe orally or even in writing.

It's like a "curse" passed down through generations of the Ise Nanao family.

Extremely cold and ominous.

However, it has no effect on the Four Palaces Lord himself.

"..."

The Four Palaces Lord was at a loss for words.

It was as if the power of blood ties revealed its full power to the holder.

In an instant, it became clear to me.

The "Unforgivable Curse" belongs to the category of sorcery and is also associated with the realm of ghosts.

However, it stands apart from the mainstream ghost cultivation system and forms its own distinct school.

This series consists of three procedures.

They are respectively the "Killing Curse", the "Soul-Stealing Curse", and the "Heart-Piercing Curse".

The Four Palace Master possessed one of these, the "Heart-Piercing Mantra".

The effect is to torture the target, destroy all their ability to resist, and cause them to sink into endless soul pain until they go mad or even die.

Once infected, it doesn't matter whether you survive or not.

Both will cause irreversible damage to the soul.

under these circumstances.

Even "returning to the source" was of no use.

Only extremely rare abilities such as resurrection, reversal of events, and alteration of the past and future can be effective.

As for the limitations and drawbacks of the "Heart-Piercing Curse" on the individual.

Aside from requiring malicious intent when using it, and its effectiveness diminished when used on those with higher spiritual power... that's about it.

The spiritual pressure consumed is not much; at most, it is the standard for a high-ranking demon path.

The entire spellcasting process does not require a catalyst.

It does not require extensive use of incantations.

Simply point at the other person with your finger.

Because it's like a curse from a distance, an unsuspecting opponent can easily be caught off guard and get hit by the "Heart-Piercing Curse," thus losing the ability to fight back.

The only way to counter this is either to dodge and escape the locked area, or to use other methods to block the line of sight.

It sounds simple, but in practice, it's quite passive.

For users specializing in the Ghost Path.

Once they master the "Crushing Heart Curse," their combat capabilities will undoubtedly increase dramatically.

However, the knowledge of the "Heart-Piercing Mantra" is difficult to describe orally or record in writing.

Even if the Four Palace Masters came, he wouldn't know how to teach them in a short time.

However, even if there were a way to teach him, he wouldn't do it.

After all, I can guarantee that I will be extremely cautious when using it and will not use it rashly.

But it's hard to say about others.

In the eyes of the Four Palaces Master, the "Unforgivable Curse" series modified by [Machine Soul] is a forbidden technique that needs to be strictly restricted from contact even more than spacetime manipulation.

Leaving aside the "Crushing Heart Curse," the "Soul-Stealing Curse" that manipulates the soul and the "Killing Curse" that directly deprives one of life force are both highly efficient and extreme forms of demonic arts.

No matter how you look at it.

I've learned it all.

It's impossible to choose to forget or leave it unused.

Forbidden techniques are those that are forbidden to be used outside of combat. Shinomiya-sama understands and accepts this, after all, he is not a real dark demon.

The Four Palace Master shook his head, ceasing his wild thoughts, and focused his mind on sensing the spiritual pressure vibrations from various battlefields, identifying their identities and locations.

【Machine Soul】has shown its sincerity.

Now it's his turn to continue the fight.

Through these battles, we might even be able to gather a few more evil "forbidden techniques".

Replenish your backup plan inventory.

……

Next to the Twin Hills is a penance palace.

It was specifically used to detain prisoners who were about to be executed.

This place is deserted, with buildings soaring into the clouds.

Orihime and Yoruichi initially wanted to use the complex terrain to shake off their pursuers.

However, Byakuya remained unmoved. After escaping from the Twin Peaks, he directly blocked the other exit of the Penitentiary Palace, blocking the only way to the Fifth Division's secret research institute.

A formidable enemy lies ahead, while pursuers are closing in from behind.

Left with no other option, they had to force their way out.

Shinomiya and Ichigo went toe-to-toe with the Captain-Commander, and Yoruichi was not to be outdone. With her sudden burst of "Instant Blast," she caught Byakuya off guard and helped Orihime escape with Rukia while he was off guard.

He then single-handedly held off Soi Fon who was chasing after him.

However, Byakuya had no intention of getting entangled with him.

If he was determined to leave, Yoruichi couldn't stop him at all.

It only delayed things for a minute or two.

A minute or two.