Chapter 184
Carrying Kaelith’s last will—cough, final proposal—Chōjirō Sasakibe rushed through the long Dangai passage and returned to the Seireitei at top speed.
Reaching the site where preparations for the Konso Reisai were underway, he found Yamamoto and swiftly reported what had transpired in the World of the Living. Hearing that Kaelith had encountered an enemy he couldn’t handle, Yamamoto showed a hint of surprise.
Even in his base form, Kaelith was already at a Captain-level of strength. Adding on all those miscellaneous abilities, he was absurdly powerful.
Bestowing on him the title of Kenpachi and sending him to Squad 11 wouldn’t have felt out of place. For Kaelith to call for backup ant the enemy was indeed formidable. Of course, there was also a chance that kid was just up to so mischief.
Yamamoto wanted to go himself, but he was currently unable to leave. After so thought, he said:
“Chōjirō, all the Captains are waiting at the Konso Reisai grounds. Go fetch Shunsui and have him assist Kaelith.”
Upon receiving Yamamoto’s orders, Kyōraku Shunsui wasted no ti and headed straight for the World of the Living. He rushed there at full speed and arrived just in ti.
The mont the Senkaimon opened, he was struck by Spirit Pressure so dense it felt almost tangible, slapping him right in the face. Since becoming a Captain, it was his first ti sensing such outrageous Spirit Pressure from a Hollow.
Facing such a formidable foe, his first thought wasn’t how to fight but a feeling of bemusent.
Trust Kaelith—trouble always seed to find him. Coming to the World of the Living to capture a Hollow, only to run into a monster like this, was a skill in itself.
Thinking this, he drew his twin blades.
“Kaelith, don’t be afraid! Your senior brother is here!”
With that, Kyōraku Shunsui released his Zanpakutō and charged forward, brandishing his paired swords.
Szayelaporro, naturally, didn’t show any fear.
Although he had fought Kaelith and Aizen for a while, aside from the final battle against the clones, he hadn’t expended much energy. Losing an arm hardly mattered to a Hollow of his regenerative prowess. He’d suffered so humiliation at Kaelith’s hands, and now soone else had shown up—perfect for venting his frustration.
Swinging his four fleshy appendages, Szayelaporro engaged Kyōraku in a fierce lee. The longer they fought, the more alard Kyōraku beca. This Hollow’s strength was simply outrageous.
He had faced many Gillian-level and Adjuchas-level Hollows before. Though stronger than Gillians, none had ever surpassed the category of re “foot soldiers” in his eyes. But this one was entirely different: that vast Spirit Pressure, that monstrous strength, and the sense of imminent peril with every attack… all of it signaled a Hollow unlike any other.
When had Hueco Mundo produced such a powerful entity?
Still, amidst his shock, he felt a subtle delight. The stronger the enemy, the more significant his own appearance would seem. He had crossed worlds to rescue Kaelith, arriving at the critical mont. Surely his junior would be deeply moved. Perhaps from now on, instead of “Uncle Kyōraku,” Kaelith would respectfully call him “Honored Senior Brother.”
With that pleasant thought, he glanced toward Kaelith. Sporting a scruffy beard, Kyōraku gave a confident smile—only to see Kaelith’s cold, indifferent gaze, as if he’d just swallowed a fly.
Kyōraku: “?”
That… that wasn’t the reaction he expected.
Lost in his brief distraction, he took a direct hit to the face from one of Szayelaporro’s appendages and was knocked backward. Flipping midair, he steadied himself. Yet as soon as he tried to move again, he felt sothing off—his movents were stiff.
After a quick internal check, Kyōraku’s eyes widened. Poison? A Hollow this strong also used poison?
He couldn’t help feeling like he had seen a ghost.
Noticing Kyōraku’s reaction, Szayelaporro grinned. Perfect, perfect! He lashed out with his appendages, ready to finish Kyōraku off.
But halfway there, Kaelith blocked him with his Zanpakutō.
“Hey! Scoundrel, how dare you act so brazen!” Kaelith shouted.
At the sa ti, he used Kido to transmit his voice directly into Szayelaporro’s ear: “Do you still acknowledge our bet?”
Szayelaporro clicked his tongue, then responded the sa way: “I, Szayelaporro, stand by my word.”
“Good. Then hurry up and head back to Hueco Mundo. Don’t linger,” Kaelith said. “Don’t be fooled by my senior’s current state. If it really cos down to it, you will not fare so well.”
He wasn’t bluffing. Kyōraku Shunsui’s Zanpakutō ability was a nightmare for anyone who didn’t know it. Once you fell into his ga, you’d have to waste energy figuring out his rules. Losing half your fighting strength or more was common.
Having just recruited Szayelaporro as a future deputy director for his Hueco Mundo branch, Kaelith had no intention of letting him get killed.
At first Szayelaporro bristled at Kaelith’s words, thinking Kaelith was underestimating him. But hearing Kaelith refer to the newcor as “senior brother” gave him pause. If this bearded Shinigami was Kaelith’s senior, then it’d be no easy fight. Even if Szayelaporro won, Kaelith certainly wouldn’t stand aside. In the end, he’d face three-on-one. A bad deal.
After considering this, Szayelaporro half-heartedly struck a few more blows, then sneered loudly:
“Hmph, as expected of Shinigami known for their cowardice. One can’t beat alone, two can’t, so three must try! The great Szayelaporro will not waste ti on fools like you… Kaelith, we’ll et again!”
With that, Szayelaporro let out a disdainful laugh, opened a Garganta, and left the battlefield.
Seeing Szayelaporro retreat, Kyōraku sighed in relief.
As Kaelith approached, Kyōraku spoke: “Kaelith, that Hollow was extraordinary. We need to return and report this to Old Man Yamamoto quickly.”
Kaelith nodded. When Kyōraku had arrived, Szayelaporro had already returned to his fully Hollow form. Otherwise, seeing his Resurrección might have truly startled Kyōraku.
Having said that, Kyōraku glanced at Aizen, who stood beside Kaelith. If he rembered correctly, this young man was Kaelith’s classmate at the Shinigami Academy. During the graduation exam, he’d cleanly taken down a seated officer, and later joined the Fifth Division. Now he was already a Lieutenant.
But more curious than his swift promotion was why Kaelith had allowed him to remain in the World of the Living. Did Kaelith believe this young Lieutenant had the strength to take part in that fierce battle? Perhaps even contribute?
With that in mind, Kyōraku Shunsui found himself more than a little intrigued by Aizen.
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