"What a monster... those injuries were from just one moment. If any of them had struck a vital point, I'd be dead already."
Kyōraku Shunsui examined the three gaping wounds across his body and gave a bitter smile.
He had evaded with everything he had—yet Divine Retribution Lille Barro could unleash 24 beams of green light at once. Even with the brutal side effects of the acceleration drug, dodging all of them had been nearly impossible.
"But these wounds… they're just enough to make that ability work."
Kyōraku gazed at the fading firelight above.
Even Isshin's full-powered Getsuga Tenshō had little effect.
Lille Barro, in his Vollständig: Divine Judgement (Jilliel) state, remained with both eyes open—completely immune to Isshin's attack.
Kyōraku could delay no longer—if he didn't act now, Isshin would die.
"Bankai—Katen Kyōkotsu: Karamatsu Shinjū."
His twin blades plunged into the ground.
In an instant, a field of dark-gold Reiatsu swept out across the battlefield.
Ink-black fluid spilled from the blades, staining the ground and sprouting black pine trees along its surface.
The buildings and floor caught within the domain began to shift—adorned with intricate patterns in the style of ukiyo-e paintings.
"So you've finally chosen to release it."
Lille Barro turned to face him.
That the Shinigami captain had withheld his release until now was intolerable.
To stand against a divine messenger, and still not fight with everything?
Isshin seized the opportunity to retreat to a safer distance.
"I've wanted to use it for a while now," Kyōraku said with a sigh. "But this ability… only reaches its full effect when I'm seriously wounded."
He wasn't trying to act mysterious or hide his strength—his Bankai required specific conditions to function optimally.
"A condition-triggered ability, huh..."
Lille Barro slowly descended—his lower body blooming like a flower, extending into four throne-like legs.
"So many restrictions. I suppose the ability must be powerful... but in front of God's messenger, it's still just a futile struggle."
He spread his wings again—24 glowing holes locked onto Kyōraku.
But suddenly—three bloody wounds erupted on Lille's own body.
"What?!"
For once, the arrogance in his divine gaze shattered. His pupils widened in disbelief.
"Act 1: Tameraikizu no Wakachiai."
"Katen Kyōkotsu: Karamatsu Shinjū's first act: the wounds inflicted upon me… are equally inflicted upon my opponent."
Kyōraku calmly raised both swords—one pointed skyward, the other downward.
"Act 2: Zanki no Shitone.
The one who wounded his opponent now writhes in guilt—falling ill with an incurable disease."
Dark blotches began to spread across Lille's divine body.
They rapidly covered him—each blotch weeping blood.
Then, the dark-gold Reiatsu field shifted—transforming into a deep, rippling lake.
"Act 3: Dangyo no Fuchi.
Two warriors, resolved in battle, sink into the deep together—until one's Reiatsu is exhausted."
The liquid lake dragged both combatants beneath the surface. There would be no escape until one ran out of spiritual power.
Any opponent weaker than Kyōraku would not survive the abyss.
Only two existed in the lake—Kyōraku Shunsui and Lille Barro.
Isshin had caused Kyōraku no harm, and so had been exempt from the effects of the Bankai.
"Impossible... how could the divine messenger fall here?!"
Lille Barro thrashed in panic, flapping his wings in vain as he tried to swim toward the light.
But the light above the surface receded further and further.
"You really think this can kill me?" he cried. "A mere Shinigami's release—daring to strike down God's emissary?!"
Gone was his earlier calm—replaced with desperation.
"You never know unless you try."
Kyōraku sheathed his blades. A white thread of spiritual light formed at his fingertip.
"Even if I can't kill you… at the very least, I'll force you to reveal your true Vollständig."
The white thread floated toward Lille—coiling around his divine body.
"Final Act: Itokiribasami Chizome no Nodobue."
A golden line slashed across his neck.
In the next moment—his head swelled, then exploded violently.
The headless body sank beneath the waters.
The enemy appeared to be vanquished.
But Kyōraku didn't relax for a second. He gave chase immediately.
He knew Lille Barro's immortality was formidable. Even a decapitation couldn't guarantee death.
"…Bakudō #99: Kin!"
At the end of the chant, Kyōraku clasped his hands together.
Two massive black sashes descended from the sky—binding Lille's headless body.
White sealing pillars pierced through him, nailing his corpse to the lakebed.
"Is it over…?
Bound by the highest-level Bakudō… even if he revives, he shouldn't be able to move."
Yet Kyōraku didn't sound convinced. He had never faced a foe this difficult.
Then, the bundled black fabric began to shake.
"I told you…"
With a deafening roar, the ribbons tore apart. Golden light radiated from within.
"Don't think a mere Shinigami's Bankai can kill the invincible messenger of God!!!"
Lille Barro emerged again—his form transformed once more.
His head had changed—from a smooth dome to the long-necked head of a bird. His eight wings, once green, now blazed gold.
This—was his true Divine Judgement form.
"As I feared…
He really does resemble the Soul King's bird.
Almost hard to look at."
A new voice echoed across the battlefield.
"Captain Katori… you entered Karamatsu Shinjū's abyss?!"
Kyōraku was stunned.
Katori Nanatsuki had shattered the rules—and entered the domain of Severed Abyss!
The three-stage Bankai of Katen Kyōkotsu only affected enemies who had wounded Kyōraku.
Even Isshin had been excluded, as he hadn't harmed Kyōraku.
Yet now, Nanatsuki had entered freely!
"My rules supersede yours," Nanatsuki said with a smile.
"As long as there are shadows…
There is no place I cannot invade."
His Shadow Space bypassed all barriers—creating a pathway by dominating the shadow on the other side.