You are very strong, but my painting style is better than yours!

—But it still happened.

In the Rukongai's Sakai district, the members of the 10th Division were ambushed and trapped by the enemy, including the vice-captain. Upon receiving the intelligence, the 3rd Division, which was acting as a support team, was immediately ordered by Iori to lead a quarter of the elite soldiers to attack!

However, Iori himself did not act rashly. If it was just ordinary turmoil, then Fengqiao's strength would be enough to deal with it. But if there was some huge conspiracy... he could not be led by the nose.

As expected, similar distress calls soon came from the other two districts of Rukongai. Iori then sent Amagai and Komamura to provide reinforcements, and also sent Hell Butterfly to the Captain-Commander to explain the situation.

Then, just half an hour later, the front-line combat forces of the Gotei 13 were mobilized, with the 11th Division leading the way to suppress the rebellion in Rukongai—at this time, Seireitei believed that the situation was still under control.

Surprisingly, the Eleventh Division failed to resolve the battle quickly and was instead dragged into a protracted and arduous struggle by the enemy.

Just as everyone was lamenting the decline in the Eleventh Division's (especially Kenpachi's) fighting strength, news came from the front lines:

The enemy was numerous and fearless, with many heroes from Rukongai participating. Most of them didn't wield true Zanpakuto (Asauchi), but rather a strangely shaped special sword that almost everyone could unleash their True Name. Their abilities were also incredibly varied, and under the leadership of a few skilled fighters, they managed to hold off the Eleventh Division!

Based on this intelligence, the higher-ups quickly connected it to the "Baku Yao Dao" researched by the Sumeru clan, whose characteristics matched perfectly, and they were immediately enraged:

They gave Sumari a chance to handle the matter himself out of consideration for the dignity of the nobility, but now it seems that they did not destroy the technology at all, but instead handed it over to the heroes of Rukongai, using the power of these villains to fight against the Thirteen Divisions!

This behavior is no longer within the scope of a power struggle; it has clearly become a rebellion!

These are no ordinary nobles; we must strike hard!

Feeling tricked, the 46th Chamber of Commerce granted Yamamoto full authority, ordering him to quell the rebellion in Rukongai as soon as possible and, incidentally, to physically elevate the Sumari family!

Upon receiving the order, Yamamoto did not immediately rush to the scene with his sword. As the Captain-Commander, he could not act rashly and also had to maintain the order and stability of the Seireitei. Therefore, he did not convey the battle order to each squad, but only instructed them to be on alert and manage their respective territories.

Because the matter involved nobles, it was entrusted to the Sixth Division, with Kuchiki Ginrei personally leading the team.

However, considering that Sumari should have made preparations in advance, he also notified the Second and Third Divisions in case of any unforeseen circumstances, instructing them to take "control" of the Sumari family by force.

The team was led by Yoruichi, who was nominally the vice-captain but had gradually taken over the Hidden Force, and Iori, who led the remaining elite troops.

To deal with this high-ranking nobleman, they directly sent two captains plus a future captain... the show of force was definitely enough.

"It all depends on whether they know what's good for them or not."

Standing on the wide and clean bluestone avenue, with towering white walls on both sides and imposing black-roofed mansions in the distance, a sense of solemnity and grandeur washes over you.

Yoruichi had seen a lot in life. Although the Sumari family was a prestigious family, it was still not as prestigious as the Shihouin family.

The nearby streets had been cleared by the stealth units, and with the addition of the sealed-off Kido, not even a mosquito could fly out. The Third and Second Divisions surrounded the mansion, while Kuchiki Ginrei did not want to harm the women and children inside. He led his team in to try to negotiate with them, or rather, to persuade them to surrender.

From an objective standpoint, the Sumari family is incapable of directly confronting the Thirteen Divisions. Even with that Baku-yōdō, the difference in raw strength cannot be bridged by petty tricks.

Yinling felt that there was still a good chance of persuading them to surrender, but he did not expect that the head of the Sumari family would insist that Seireitei had betrayed them first, and that Sumari, with the moral high ground, would fight against Seireitei to the end!

This is just being incredibly rude...

Yinling was just kind-hearted because of his age, but he wasn't a sentimental person. He immediately ordered a military attack on the Sumari Mansion, and a fierce battle suddenly broke out like fireworks.

As the captain, Iori took the lead and easily defeated Sumari's retainers. The elite Shinigami following behind him immediately filed in to suppress the resistance forces in various places.

The leader of the team, Tosen, was a man of principle. Under his control, the team deliberately avoided women and children, and when they encountered them, they only used binding spells to control them. However, those who resisted by force were killed. They quickly completed the suppression of most of the mansion.

"What a pointless battle."

Yoruichi Shihouin frowned as he listened to the shouts coming from all directions: "What is the head of this family thinking? Does he really think he can fight against the Seireitei all by himself?"

"Didn't they say they were forced to rebel... Although the higher-ups only ordered them to seal the forbidden techniques, who knows what really happened behind the scenes?"

Iori also seemed rather troubled, looking thoughtful: "Baku Yao Dao..."

"In any case, the outcome of this battle is no longer in doubt."

Yoruichi composed herself and patted Iori on the shoulder: "Looks like I won't have to do anything. The battle will be over soon."

"...Are you serious?" Iori turned her head and looked at her with a wry smile. "The closer you get to the end, the less you should say things like that."

"Huh?" Yoruichi was stunned.

Just then, a powerful spiritual pressure exploded in the very center of the mansion, a gale swept up into the sky, and streaks of blood-red demonic power swept up, instantly destroying the surrounding buildings. Various pieces of debris flew in all directions like cannonballs.

"careful!"

"You don't need to tell me... something really happened."

Iori sighed softly. Just as a flying rock was about to hit him, an invisible barrier unfolded, separating him from the world. All the fragments flying in that direction were deflected.

Immediately afterwards, another wave of spiritual pressure erupted, and this time a white figure appeared among the things that flew out. Upon closer inspection, it was none other than the Kuchiki Silver Ridge that had been entered earlier!

"Binding Spell Number Thirty-Seven: Hanging Star!"

A glowing bed net made of spiritual energy appeared in the air, blocking the trajectory of the flying Rotten Wood Silver Ridge. The old captain was hindered by this flexible force for a moment, but the powerful impact was released. He quickly adjusted his state and arrived on the ground in an instant.

"Thank you."

"Even without Kido, Captain Kuchiki will be fine. I hope you don't blame me for meddling."

Iori looked toward the center of the ruins where the storm was subsiding, and a strange figure exuding a powerful aura gradually became clearer under the swirling dust.

"In the end what happened?"

"...It's the Tapir Blade."

Kuchiki Ginrei took a deep breath and added, "Captain Aizen, be careful, that's a Baku blade that can seal Bankai!"

"hiss!"

Iori gasped, "Shocked!" and exclaimed, "Can't we use Bankai? That's really troublesome!"

Chapter 235: Arrogant Humans & Cruel Fate (5K)

The figure emerging from the smoke may or may not still be considered "human."

The object held in his right hand had a texture that was a mixture of metal and bone. Its shape could barely be identified as a greatsword, but from the huge, shell-shaped hilt, things that looked like cables or tentacles extended, clinging to his arms and body and deeply embedded within them. From time to time, streaks of light like electricity flashed across its surface, which were spiritual particles that were extremely active.

Half of its body was covered by a shell of tentacles and secretions, including its head. Long, thin tentacles protruded from under its skin and clung tightly to its blood-red eyes, creating a stark contrast with its cloudy black pupils on the other side.

This is less about people using weapons and more about weapons parasitizing people.

Anyone would categorize it as "evil" or "demonic," which explains why the 46th Chamber was so determined to ban this technology.

But setting aside factors such as safety, stability, and aesthetics, its spiritual pressure is indeed quite considerable.

This mutated guy is in no way weaker than a veteran captain like Kuchiki Ginryo... his ferocious and bloodthirsty aura is even stronger!

According to intelligence, the Sumari family should not have any Bankai masters; the strongest members of the family are only the vice-captain and high-ranking officials... If this one in front of us is really a captain-level being created using the "Bakuya Blade," then it's simply revolutionary technology!

"Captain Kuchiki—"

"Aaaaaah! Blow it away!"

Iori's voice was interrupted by a hoarse roar. Hundreds of crimson wind pressures were released as the "greatsword" was swung, almost blotting out the sky. They then compressed and fell towards "one point" like a tornado!

"This power!"

Kuchiki Ginryo's pupils shrank sharply. Although he could dodge it, the wind pressure would sweep away the entire mansion in an instant, and ordinary soldiers would probably suffer heavy casualties.

Therefore, even though he was injured, he planned to use Kido and Shikai to forcefully block it!

"Will it be too late...?"

"rude!"

——【Broken Void】!

An invisible barrier, like an indestructible city wall, stretched across the sky, colliding violently with the descending wind pressure. The powerful spiritual pressure poured out with destructive force capable of blowing away a street, but it was firmly blocked by this thin wall of the demonic path and was not shaken in the slightest!

"Well!"

Kuchiki Ginrei slowed his movements and looked at Iori in surprise, who was displeased at being interrupted.

"Breakthrough incantation? But this level of [Void Break]..."

On the other side, the parasitized enemy, his eyes bloodshot, was about to launch a pursuit when a lithe figure flashed past, a straight flying kick like a javelin thrown from a crossbow, sending him flying!

"The Tapir Blade? Ha, bring it on, whatever tricks you have up your sleeve!"

Yoruichi Shihouin unleashed her lightning-fast Shunpo, launching a barrage of attacks on her enemy: "I can take you down without even using my Zanpakuto!"

“Ouch——!!!”

It seems Yoruichi can hold out for a while—Iori glanced at her before turning to Kuchiki Ginrei and continuing their previous conversation.

"Captain Kuchiki, you said the Baku Blade can disable Bankai? Really?"

"...Yes, at least that's the case in my situation."

Yinling didn't urge Iori to rush forward and help. Instead, he was pleased with Iori's cautious and steady attitude and explained earnestly, "But not every Baku sword can... This thing, like a Zanpakuto, can also develop all sorts of abilities."

However, the Baku-type swords previously shown to Chamber 46 were all normal Kido and Physical types; this was the first time a Zanpakuto like this, capable of affecting others, had appeared!

"I see. It seems to be a special ability rather than a common characteristic of the Mo Yao Blade. Then there's no need to worry too much."

By the way, what exactly does "Bankai" feel like?

"Ok?"

"Specifically, is the Bankai ability being negated by an opposing force, or is it simply impossible to unleash it, or has one's spiritual pressure been weakened?"

"This……"

Yinling pondered carefully. As a senior captain, he had a solid foundation in both strength and theoretical knowledge. After a moment's thought, he said, "It feels like a chaotic spiritual force has been inserted into my thoughts, making it even harder to connect with my Zanpakuto. It's fine when it's in Shikai, but when I try to use Bankai, it feels like I'm trying to pick up a needle through gloves."

"That's it, I understand."

Iori nodded, then raised her hand and pointed into the distance—

A dazzling bolt of lightning, like a soaring dragon, ripped through the sky and struck the enemy instantly, causing a deafening roar!

Yoruichi was nearly caught in the blast. She pressed her hand against the ground to free herself, and after regaining her balance, she turned around and demanded, "What are you doing? I almost—"

"Calm down, this battle is not that simple."

"Varied……"

Yoruichi knew that Iori wouldn't speak without reason, so she calmed down and observed the enemy's reaction. She found that the enemy's body surface had become charred black under the whip of lightning, but this carbonized shell quickly shattered, and at the same time, new flesh and blood tissue grew from underneath.

"Excited!"

The wind pressure dispersed the lightning, and the enemy that reappeared had almost two-thirds of its body covered by tentacles. However, as the spiritual pressure continued to surge, those tentacles gradually transformed into armor-like forms, like a Shura that had fused flesh and steel together. After being attacked, it became much more powerful and ferocious than before!

What is particularly striking is his right shoulder, where the hand guard of the Mo Yao Blade has now extended to his entire arm, with more than ten emerald green beads inlaid on it. At the end of his shoulder is a fist-sized red gem, with black mist swirling around it, resembling the vertical pupils of a ferocious beast.

"You still have energy left?" Yoruichi was surprised and looked at Iori in disbelief.

This person... even though she was standing so far away, she understood the enemy's condition better than she did, even though she was personally involved in the battle!

If Yoruichi continues fighting without being prepared, the situation will be reversed instantly once the enemy reveals their second form, right?

"The spiritual pressure has increased again. It seems those beads are the key."

Iori walked up empty-handed without drawing her Zanpakuto.

"It is said that the Baku Yao Blade can rapidly enhance the power of a Grim Reaper, but it is also listed as a forbidden technique by the Forty-Six Chambers. Considering the large number of mysteriously missing souls recently, and your current ghostly state, its mechanism is quite obvious—"

"Isn't that an evil weapon that relies on devouring souls to enhance its power?"

"Gotei 13... Aizen Iori!"

"Oh? You can even teach me my name in this state? I'm truly flattered."

"The Tapir Blade... The Tapir Blade is the perfect weapon! It surpasses even the Asauchi!"

The man, who had been almost completely assimilated, was unrecognizable and likely had little rationality left. However, this seemed to be his obsession, and he still spoke with a fierce and aggressive tone.

"It's clearly like this! It should be like this... Why... isn't it an evil path! The Moyao Blade isn't an evil path!"

Bang!

The ground shattered, the atmosphere was instantly cleared, and the enemy appeared above Iori as if by teleportation, unleashing a vacuum-creating slash—

chap!

Iori deftly dodged to the side, and the seemingly heavy sword landed on the ground. The crimson sword pressure instantly tore through the soil and rocks, slicing open a huge crack nearly a hundred meters long.

"Behold, this power... is the proof!!!"

The sword turned to the side and slashed diagonally towards Iori, but it was interrupted midway through the swing.

An ordinary, fair hand rested on what should have been the hilt of a sword. Though made of mortal flesh, it possessed immense strength. Its clothes fluttered wildly amidst the surging crimson sword pressure, yet its arm remained perfectly still.

The swordsman who was stopped did not immediately understand what this meant, but Yoruichi and Ginrei, who were watching from a distance, and the soldiers who had gathered around, widened their eyes.

"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!!!"