"Yare yare, as expected of the Captain-Commander."
Seeing his clones bound, Borsalino sighed in admiration, but his actions showed no mercy.
Soaring into the sky, golden light condensed behind Borsalino into countless orbs of light.
"Yasakani Laser!"
Whoosh whoosh whoosh-
In an instant, these countless orbs erupted with dazzling laser beams. Under Borsalino's control, they rained down toward Yamamoto on the ground.
The prototype of this move was Borsalino's ultimate technique, [Yasakani no Magatama].
It is Borsalino's attack with the largest area of effect.
Simultaneously, these orbs also contained immense energy, causing powerful explosions upon impact.
However, for powerful opponents, the damage from explosions, while not exactly negligible, wasn't particularly high either.
Therefore, Kyoya had reconfigured the energy orbs of [Yasakani no Magatama] into orbs that emitted high-energy laser beams.
When attacking, the high-energy lasers released by the countless orbs had several times the killing power of orbs that merely exploded.
Furthermore, unlike Yasakani no Magatama, the attack direction of Yasakani Laser could be controlled by Kyoya, scattered like a sky full of stars, gathered into a single... well, gathered into a beam of light.
What Kyoya could do, Borsalino naturally could do as well.
Countless laser beams fell like a torrential downpour. Moreover, these laser beams could change direction under Borsalino's control. Dense networks of lasers interwove, surrounding Yamamoto like a spider's web.
Compared to energy projectiles, laser beams possessed greater penetrative power.
Streak after streak of laser light scraped across the ground, leaving deep gouges. The edges of these gouges smoldered with thick, black smoke.
Yamamoto narrowed his eyes.
It had to be said, the strength Borsalino displayed made Yamamoto view him in a new light.
'This guy truly lived up to being the strongest Light-Type Zanpakuto.'
Among the current Captains of the Gotei 13, very few could survive an attack of this caliber.
Even Yamamoto could not afford to take this move lightly.
Immediately, Yamamoto forcefully plunged his Zanpakuto into the ground. Blazing Reiatsu channeled through Ryujin Jakka into the earth, then was detonated by Yamamoto.
"Ennetsu Jigoku!"
Boom!
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Pillars of intense flame erupted from the ground, shooting straight into the sky.
For a time, the sky and ground of the Seireitei were dyed gold and red by the battle between Yamamoto and Borsalino.
Especially at the site of their battle, golden lasers and crimson pillars of fire intertwined, collided, and exploded in the sky.
Although the Pika Pika no Mi, manifested in the Soul Society, belonged to the Light-Type category and was considered the strongest Zanpakuto of its type, but placing it on the same tier as Ryujin Jakka in terms of classification...
Pika Pika no Mi's offensive power was actually a step weaker than even the Magu Magu no Mi, let alone compared to Ryujin Jakka.
Pika Pika no Mi's [Strongest] aspect lay in its speed.
The temperature of magma reaches, at most, around 1,200 degrees Celsius.
Even combined with the eruptive force from the earth's core, it still fell far short of the 6,000-degree heat of the sun's surface.
Therefore, even though Borsalino had now entered his Bankai, the intensity of his attacks still could not match Ryujin Jakka.
Particularly since the current Borsalino could only use his own power and did not receive any amplification from Kyoya's Reiatsu.
Whereas Ryūjin Jakka was not only the strongest Fire-Type Zanpakuto but also amplified by Yamamoto's Reiatsu, elevating it to an even higher level.
Any ambitious individual who wanted to overthrow the Seireitei absolutely had to first deal with Yamamoto before daring to take action against the Seireitei.
Even after leaving the Seireitei and entering Hueco Mundo to become its master, Aizen poured all his efforts into developing the [Extinguisher], Wonderweiss Margela.
Even Yhwach, wanting to seize the world, first had someone impersonate him to trick Yamamoto into using his Bankai.
Only after Yamamoto believed he had truly killed him did Yhwach reveal himself to ambush the old man, steal his Bankai, and kill him.
The current Yamamoto, though advanced in years and his physical stamina not matching his youth, was still considerably stronger than he would be a century later.
Under his control, the pillars of flame erupting from Ennetsu Jigoku directly overwhelmed Borsalino's Yasakani Laser in the sky...
…
Whoosh, whoosh-
The wind howled.
Koga hurriedly approached the 6th Division's Barracks.
At this moment, the resentment in Koga's heart toward Ginrei and Yamamoto had reached its peak.
What he wanted to do was make the worries of Ginrei and Yamamoto come true… to control the Zanpakuto of all the Gotei 13's Shinigami and throw the Seireitei into utter chaos!
Suddenly, Koga's expression shifted, and he stopped.
"Who?"
Seeing the figure that had suddenly appeared ahead, Koga's expression turned grave. He immediately drew the Zanpakuto at his waist.
However, upon clearly seeing the person before him, he relaxed.
"Captain Kyoya, why are you here?"
"You've caused such a commotion, how could I not be here?"
Kyoya shook his head.
"Tell me, what are you trying to do now?"
Koga sneered, "My father-in-law and Captain-Commander Yamamoto are worried that my Zanpakuto's ability will cause turmoil in the Seireitei in the future, aren't they?"
"So, I want to give them more confidence in their predictive abilities."
"Foolish!"
Seeing Koga like this, Kyoya rebuked him, "Kuchiki Koga, what I told you before wasn't meant to make you break with the Seireitei and fight to the death."
"Huh?"
Koga was puzzled and looked up at Kyoya.
"Captain Kyoya, aren't you at odds with the Seireitei?"
"Why are you saying this to me now?"
Over three months ago, after hearing Kyoya's words, Koga had known that Kyoya and the Seireitei were not on the same path.
After all, someone who could speak of creating a new center different from the Seireitei within the Seireitei itself, giving the people of the Rukongai another choice, was inherently incompatible with the Seireitei.
Koga even felt that Kyoya was destined to part ways with the Seireitei in the future.
If that was the case, then everything he was doing now should be very beneficial to Kyoya.
He even suspected that the reason Kyoya sought him out three months ago and left his Zanpakuto's Spirit with him was precisely so that Koga could deal a heavy blow to the Gotei 13, paving the way for Kyoya's future actions.
Or, at least, to reduce some resistance.
Captain Kyoya was strong.
But compared to Yamamoto, he still fell far short.
Furthermore, even though the Gotei 13 had lost six Captains, and Ginrei, who is the Captain of 6th Division was advanced in years and couldn't maintain Captain-level strength for much longer...
Even so, the Gotei 13 still had five, no, including Sasakibe of the 1st Division, seven Captain-level powerhouses remaining.
Ordinary Shinigami were fine; their numbers meant nothing to Kuchiki Hibiki.
No matter how confident Koga was in himself, he didn't believe that even after controlling all the Shinigami's Zanpakuto, he could truly annihilate the entire Gotei 13.
Ordinary Shinigami were one thing, as numbers meant nothing to Koga.
Well, it was better to say that the significance of ordinary Shinigami was to contribute more subordinates to Koga.
Every single remaining Captain-level powerhouse was no weakling.
Koga felt that taking down two Captains would be considered an overachievement for him.
And Kyoya, apart from the 11th Division, had virtually no allies.
Kyoraku and Ukitake were Yamamoto's disciples.
Unohana, though leading a medical division, judging from his father-in-law's attitude toward her, Koga also felt she was no simple figure.
She was also, perhaps, a Captain Koga felt confident he could defeat.
The remaining one was Aizen, the new Captain of the 5th Division.
Even if Kyoya had allies, he only had Isshin, who is the Captain of 10th Division.
If Koga could take out one or two Captains, then Kyoya's side would be two against four. The gap would still be large, but it wouldn't be without a fighting chance.
To avoid causing greater damage to the Seireitei, it was possible the two sides might engage in friendly negotiations to peacefully resolve the issue of Kyoya leaving the Seireitei.
"Indeed, my goals are opposed to the existence of the Seireitei."
"But that doesn't mean I wish for the Gotei 13 to suffer further losses."
Kyoya explained, "Koga, the duty of a Shinigami is to maintain the Reishi Balance of the three worlds."
"In this regard, it must be said that the Seireitei's million years of experience have served very well."
"If you cause severe losses to the Shinigami of the Gotei 13, how many souls in the Living World will be devoured by Hollows before other Shinigami can grow strong enough?"
"Without a sufficient number of Shinigami of adequate strength, how can we ensure that when a Reishi Imbalance occurs in the three worlds, peace can be restored in the shortest time possible?"
"I am indeed dissatisfied with the noble system of the Seireitei."
"But before I possess the strength to shoulder the responsibility of 'maintaining the Reishi Cycle Balance of the three worlds', the Seireitei cannot fall, and the Gotei 13 cannot be weakened."
"Furthermore, those who distrusted you, from beginning to end, were only Captain Kuchiki and Captain-Commander Yamamoto."
"And those who framed you, making you violate the Seireitei's taboos, were the schemes of those nobles, correct?"
"You have the power to take revenge on Captain Kuchiki, Captain-Commander Yamamoto, and those nobles, yet you vent the injustice you suffered onto ordinary Shinigami. In my view, this is the most despicable and condemnable behavior."
Kyoya's words left Koga silent.
'Indeed, compared to Captain Kyoya's aspirations, my own desire to destroy the Seireitei simply because of my father-in-law and the Captain-Commander's lack of trust showed a truly narrow-minded mindset.'
More importantly, from Kyoya's words, Koga also understood that his plan to destroy the Seireitei, disrupt, or even kill the Shinigami of the Gotei 13 to get back at Ginrei and Yamamoto... whether it would cause them heartache, Koga didn't know.
But for those ordinary Shinigami, it would indeed be an undeserved calamity.
"As the Captain of the 11th Division, Koga, if you still intend to attack other Shinigami of the Gotei 13, I will stop you."
This final statement from Kyoya made Koga's expression change drastically.
Three months ago, he had already become aware of the vast gap in strength between himself and Kyoya.
Although Kyoya's Zanpakuto's Spirit was currently left behind to hold off Yamamoto, he didn't believe he could survive long against Kyoya in this state.
Before Captain Kyoya, even escape was a luxury.
"Captain Kyoya, what exactly do you want me to do?"
In the end, Koga still asked this question.
"It was you who tore away the thin veil between me, my father-in-law, and the Captain-Commander, making me realize that in their hearts, I am a threat to the Seireitei."
"Now you turn around and stop me from causing greater casualties to the Gotei 13..."
"Are you toying with me?"
After taking a deep breath, Koga gripped the hilt of his Zanpakuto with both hands and pointed the tip at Kyoya.
Although the disparity in strength was terrifying, what frightened Koga more was what Kyoya truly wanted from him.
Kyoya had spent so much effort communicating with him, and Koga didn't think it was merely out of boredom.
If Kyoya wanted him to do something that went against his will, then Koga wouldn't mind showing Kyoya the 'determination' of the former future head of the Kuchiki Clan!
Koga did not want to die.
But he was not afraid of death either!
"I want you to join my ranks."
By now, Kyoya stopped beating around the bush with Koga.
"You also know my ideal for the future."
"But to develop a new city in the Soul Society that can rival the Seireitei, I must assemble a force comparable to the Seireitei's Gotei 13."
"Koga, you are one of the people I have chosen to counter the Captains of the Gotei 13 in the future."
"So, what is your choice?"
Kyoya looked at Koga, waiting for his answer.
"Join your ranks, Captain Kyoya?"
To be honest, Kyoya's request did not come as a surprise to Koga.
"Captain Kyoya, I have already fallen out with my father-in-law and Captain-Commander Yamamoto. Under these circumstances, do you think they will still allow me to join the 11th Division?"
"Or rather, how can you guarantee that my father-in-law and Captain-Commander Yamamoto will no longer take action against me?"
"After all, judging from their suspicion of me, their approach to my Zanpakuto's ability is primarily 'seal' or 'destroy'."