Chapter 20: I Stole Your Time |
Crack! Snap!!
As the billowing clouds of dust gradually settled, a pale Hasegawa emerged from the wreckage of the buildings. The most striking and shocking sight was his Zanpakuto—broken in half, unable to withstand the soul-crushing blow of the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13!
Hasegawa spat out several thick mouthfuls of blood, but despite the severe internal injuries sustained during the previous collision, he showed no signs of despair. On the contrary, he was smiling.
'What overwhelming power...'
'As expected of the Captain-Commander!'
Hasegawa sneered and shouted, "Except... your spiritual power has been absorbed once again! The clan that created the Reikoa naturally possesses special methods for its application!!"
Hummm!!
Hasegawa tossed his broken Zanpakuto aside and raised the Reikoa before him.
Accompanied by an even more powerful flare of Reiatsu, a pale glow erupted from the Reikoa, taking the shape of a glass sphere nearly seven feet in diameter. This transparent orb completely isolated Hasegawa's body from the outside world.
Upon receiving the Captain-Commander's order, Yoruichi, Hirako, and the others immediately halted their movement and beat a hasty retreat.
Hasegawa laughed maniacally as he watched the captains retreat. "You noticed, just as expected of the Captain-Commander... but it no longer matters!!"
"If you dare to approach me, your spiritual power will be instantly devoured and fed into this barrier, the strength of which is already comparable to a Bakudo in the high nineties!"
"You won't be able to break through such a wall without a Bankai!"
"But by releasing your Bankai, you'll only provide me with a massive surge of energy... Unfortunately for you, there is no way out of this situation. I have already won!"
With a mad cackle, Hasegawa lunged toward the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, who stood closest to him.
Yamamoto Genryusai drove his Zanpakuto into the ground and clenched his fists, his muscles tensing violently as he unleashed a devastating double-fisted strike at the approaching Hasegawa.
"Sokotsu!!"
Boom!!!
Genryusai's fists crashed against the spherical barrier surrounding Hasegawa like a hammer slamming into an anvil.
Crack!
The transparent barrier shuddered violently, spider-webbing with cracks as if it were ordinary glass.
Hasegawa flinched and spat out more blood, his face twisting in a grimace of terror. But soon, his mad laughter returned as the barrier not only held but began to rapidly restore itself to a perfect state.
"I told you... your futile efforts are meaningless! It is useless!! Ha ha ha ha..."
"Even the illustrious Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 cannot break through this barrier without a release!!"
Whoosh!
As soon as it became clear that Sokotsu was incapable of shattering the barrier, Yamamoto Genryusai immediately grabbed his Zanpakuto and retreated into the distance.
He wouldn't be able to breach the defense without utilizing a more powerful Reiatsu, but releasing his Bankai in such a place would only multiply the consequences of this incident a thousandfold. The entirety of Soul Society would be affected to some degree, so Yamamoto would only resort to such a measure as a final, desperate option. Yet, letting this incident drag on could lead to even more severe outcomes...
The Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 felt a pounding headache.
"Captain-Commander."
"I believe the current situation requires the use of forbidden Kido."
Tessai Tsukabishi appeared behind Yamamoto Genryusai, clutching his monk's staff in his right hand. He spoke with a grave expression while eyeing the Reikoa in Hasegawa's hands.
Ordinary barriers and seals would clearly be absorbed by the Reikoa as well, leaving only forbidden Kido as an option—Time Stop and Space Freeze!
"But for that, permission from Central 46 is required."
Yamamoto Genryusai whispered and nodded. "Chojiro! Report to Central 46 immediately!!"
Hasegawa wiped the blood from the corners of his mouth and snarled, "You'll report to them in hell!!"
They were currently only a few hundred yards from the residence of Central 46. A Shinigami could cross such a distance in the blink of an eye, and Central 46 themselves possessed almost no combat capabilities. It would be trivial for Hasegawa to stage a bloodbath there.
Did the Shinigami of the Gotei 13 truly think he would let them calmly apply for the use of forbidden Kido?!
Whoosh!
Hasegawa charged toward the residence of Central 46.
But.
Yoruichi, standing off to the side, narrowed her eyes and vanished. She reappeared directly behind Hasegawa and struck the spherical barrier with a rapid palm strike.
Crack!
Several small cracks appeared on the surface of the barrier, but they vanished just as quickly.
'This barrier is truly troublesome...'
Yoruichi quickly retreated back about twenty yards.
The Captains of the Gotei 13 cannot simply release their Bankai within the Seireitei at will, but even if they did, there was no guarantee they could completely destroy this barrier.
Only the Captain-Commander could do so for certain, but they were currently far too close to the residence of Central 46.
Yamamoto Genryusai frowned and lunged at Hasegawa, who was racing toward the chambers.
The Captain-Commander was well aware that engaging in close combat would feed Hasegawa spiritual power, but he had no other choice but to do so, using only the initial form of his Zanpakuto and controlling his own Reiatsu as precisely as possible.
"Since he can absorb Reiatsu, there is no point in starting a joint attack, and the spherical barrier eliminates the possibility of a sneak attack..."
Soi Fon frowned and whispered as she watched Hasegawa.
But it was at that moment that she noticed with surprise that Yeruashi, who had been standing silently all this time, calmly stepped forward and raised his Zanpakuto.
"Steal it, Shunkan!"
Accompanied by a powerful burst of Reiatsu, his Zanpakuto transformed into the golden hand of a vintage clock.
All the captains and lieutenants present had refrained from releasing their Shikai to keep their Reiatsu to a minimum, so Yeruashi's sudden action immediately caught their attention.
"..."
Doubt and confusion flashed in Soi Fon's eyes.
Releasing a Shikai is always accompanied by a sharp increase in Reiatsu, which in turn would inevitably strengthen their enemy's Reikoa. This was why none of the captains, including Yamamoto Genryusai, had risked a release until now. But now... Yeruashi had done it?!
Shunsui Kyoraku, Shinji Hirako, and the other captains also cast puzzled looks at Yeruashi.
Since Yeruashi had released his Shikai, he clearly intended to attack. But then, why would he increase his Reiatsu before clashing with an opponent capable of absorbing it?!
Whoosh!
Yeruashi spoke calmly, ignoring the many surprised and puzzled stares. "Leave him to me."
After those words, he vanished instantly and reappeared beside Hasegawa, launching a swift strike at the barrier with his Shikai without hesitation.
Yamamoto Genryusai, who stood in Hasegawa's path, cast a sharp glance at the suddenly appearing Yeruashi but did not interfere, calmly stepping aside.
Clang!
Upon colliding with the transparent barrier, Yeruashi's Shikai emitted a powerful flare of Reiatsu and a surge of golden light.
"Lieutenant Hatake not only released his Shikai but also used such a powerful Reiatsu for the attack... it's too irrational. Could his ability really be... wait, what?!"
Shunsui Kyoraku adjusted his straw hat and whispered in confusion, watching the clash between Yeruashi and Hasegawa intently. But in the next moment, surprise flashed in his eyes.
"!"
Tessai Tsukabishi, Shinji Hirako, Rojuro Otoribashi, and the other captains, including Yamamoto Genryusai nearby, were also quite taken aback.
They noticed instantly that although Yeruashi failed to break the barrier, his Reiatsu hadn't been affected at all!
"What is he doing..."
Hasegawa whispered suspiciously.
From his perspective, this Shinigami's attack was an utterly foolish and suicidal move.
Just how much of a hopeless idiot did he have to be to willingly strengthen his enemy?
But as soon as Yeruashi's Shikai touched the barrier, Hasegawa discovered to his astonishment that the Reikoa's absorption ability had vanished!
The Reikoa hadn't been deactivated or suppressed; it simply stopped absorbing Reiatsu without any other signs, as if someone had pressed a pause button.
Yeruashi cast an indifferent look at Hasegawa and fluidly swung his right arm, dealing another blow with his Shikai against the spherical barrier.
Clang!
Golden light flared.
The barrier remained undamaged, but Hasegawa's expression grew even more stunned, as if he couldn't comprehend what was happening.
The Reikoa's absorption power, which he had just reactivated, vanished again without a trace!
It was as if a perfectly humming engine had suddenly cut out, even though there were no signs of a broken connection to the power source...
It was completely illogical!
He couldn't understand the specific reason for the interruptions in the Reikoa's function!!
"What... what did you do?!"
Hasegawa gritted his teeth and shouted aggressively, but his demeanor was no longer as arrogant and overbearing as before.
At that moment, all the captains and lieutenants watched Yeruashi in surprise, realizing why he had dared to release his Shikai.
"Did he just use his Shikai's ability?"
Soi Fon swallowed and whispered slowly, closely observing Yeruashi's every move.
She wasn't even remotely familiar with the special ability of his Shikai.
Not just her.
Even Yoruichi knew nothing at all about Yeruashi's Shikai ability, let alone the other captains and lieutenants.
Yeruashi said nonchalantly, waving his Shikai right in front of Hasegawa's face, "It's nothing special, really. I just... stole your time."
"Stole my time? What is that even supposed to mean?!"
Hasegawa shouted anxiously.
Yeruashi's voice remained perfectly calm and detached, as if he weren't on a battlefield at all. "Exactly what it sounds like. In the next second, your Reikoa should have started absorbing my Reiatsu, but I simply stole that second. That is to say, any actions you were meant to perform in that second simply do not exist."
Clang!
Yeruashi imperturbably struck the same point on the barrier as he had the two previous times, but this time, the impact left a deep dent on the transparent surface!
Hasegawa frantically tried to activate the Reikoa to restore the barrier as quickly as possible, but Yeruashi struck again.
Crack! Snap! Boom!!!
From the point where Yeruashi's Shikai connected, numerous large cracks quickly spread across the transparent barrier until it finally shattered into pieces like ordinary glass!
"No-o-o-o-o!!!"
Hasegawa first fell into a state of stunned shock, then with a mad scream, he poured his own Reiatsu into the Reikoa.
The Reikoa began to expand rapidly, and the surrounding Reiatsu went into a frenzy.
At the same time, the lieutenants and captains of the Gotei 13 turned pale, sensing that the swelling Reikoa's energy was becoming extremely unstable and chaotic.
This would definitely lead to... an explosion!!
Hasegawa looked toward the chambers of Central 46, located a few hundred yards away, and shouted insanely, completely ignoring Yeruashi's presence: "Since it's come to this... I'll take you all to hell with me!!"
Such a massive flare of Reiatsu would blanket everything within at least a two-mile radius, and the damage it would cause would be unimaginable!
Tessai instinctively raised his hands, preparing to use forbidden Kido to prevent the explosion.
The other captains and lieutenants gripped the hilts of their Zanpakuto, preparing to release their Shikai and Bankai to suppress the blast together.
But.
None of them took a step.
Because Yeruashi, who continued to stand calmly and easily before Hasegawa, drove the tip of his Zanpakuto straight into the center of the swelling Reikoa.
Such an action should have led to the immediate detonation of the extremely unstable and chaotic energy, but instead, defying all logic and common sense, the raging energy instantly went still!
"Are you a complete idiot?"
Yeruashi sighed helplessly, looking at the maddened Hasegawa. "Didn't I just explain my Shikai's ability? Honestly, I can steal the time of an explosion too..."
Then he shook his head and sharply swung his right arm.
Whoosh!!
With a sharp motion, Yeruashi's Shikai instantly vanished, leaving only a golden flash that streaked right through the Reikoa.
The massive amount of unstable spiritual power was instantly obliterated, and the Reikoa quickly dimmed and deflated like a popped balloon.
Ultimately, the Reikoa became completely transparent, shrinking to a tiny size before vanishing into the air without a trace.
"You..."
Hasegawa looked lost as he stared at Yeruashi and opened his mouth to say something, but at that moment, the blade of Yeruashi's Shikai slammed down directly onto his shoulder.
Without the support of the Reikoa, Hasegawa naturally could not withstand Reiatsu at the level of a Gotei 13 captain. His body made a dull sound of breaking bones and slumped lifelessly to the ground under the gazes of the lieutenants and captains.
Silence.
"Strong..."
Soi Fon swallowed and whispered, staring at Yeruashi's lone figure.
Her eyes were filled with shock and excitement at the thought that Yeruashi had just toyed with a terrifying enemy whom almost all the captains had been helpless against!
"Ara-ra-ra... I was scared to death. That terrifying explosion could have leveled dozens of city blocks."
Shunsui Kyoraku first loosened his grip and stowed his Zanpakuto, then tilted his head and touched the brim of his straw hat with his fingertips. "Lieutenant Hatake is very powerful indeed."
Yoruichi looked at Yeruashi's figure in silence.
In the past, when Yoruichi had seen Yeruashi's Bankai at the Shin'o Academy, the thought had crossed her mind that his special ability was related to time. Now, that assumption was confirmed.
Furthermore.
It proved to be an incredibly potent ability!
Yeruashi's opponent freezes the moment time is stolen, which almost completely robs them of any chance to parry the next attack! That is to say, a sufficiently fast series of attacks could trap Yeruashi's opponent in a lethal cycle from which there is no escape!!
With the right approach, the first touch of the blade could decide the outcome of the entire battle...
One could even say this ability kills the opponent in a single strike!
At that thought, Yoruichi couldn't help but look at Soi Fon standing nearby. She was not only perfectly familiar with her student's Shikai ability but also understood that Soi Fon aspired to the instant death of her opponents.
Now it appeared that Yeruashi was much closer to achieving that goal.
Yamamoto Genryusai, standing dozens of yards from the site of the battle, breathed a sigh of relief and only lowered his Zanpakuto once Hasegawa's body fell lifelessly to the ground.
Accompanied by a faint flare of Reiatsu from the Captain-Commander's palm, the most destructive Zanpakuto in Soul Society took the form of an entirely harmless wooden cane.
"Excellent work."
Just then, a loud shout from the Lieutenant of the First Division came from the direction of the Central 46 chambers: "Central 46 has granted permission for the use of forbidden Kido!"
"There is no longer a need for that."
Yamamoto Genryusai shook his head and walked unhurriedly toward the captains, leaning on his wooden cane.