"Total destruction?!"
The voice of Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni echoed through the courtyard like a muffled thunderclap, and Ryūjin Jakka in his hand even sparked due to his emotional fluctuations, nearly scorching the ground.
"Yuji, don't tell me you used your Bankai again?"
"How many times have I told you, if you can avoid using your Bankai, then don't use it!"
Takamiya Yuji quickly shook his head, a bitter smile appearing beneath his bamboo hat. "Master Genryūsai, please understand. I really was about to use my Bankai, but before I could, Arata-kun arrived on the battlefield."
He recounted the course of the battle in detail, but just like earlier that day, he skipped over the details of Arata's Hollow transformation and focused on describing his astonishing sword skills and the powerful force of his Shikai.
Genryūsai slowly shifted his gaze to Arata, who stood to the side. His sharp eyes seemed to pierce right into his soul. "You killed three Sternritter members on your own… Arata, your strength is even greater than I expected."
Arata calmly said, "Master Genryūsai, you praise me too much. It was just a coincidence. My Zanpakutō simply happened to counter the enemy's ability well."
"Coincidence?" Yamamoto snorted coldly and struck his Zanpakutō against the ground.
"There are no coincidences on the battlefield. The fact that you achieved this without a Bankai means your talent is truly astonishing."
He walked heavily over to Arata, and the blazing spiritual pressure pressed down the air around them as if it were tangible.
"I'm looking forward to your outstanding performance in the next battle. Do your best."
"I'll give it my all." Arata felt the heat scorching him, tiny beads of sweat forming on his forehead, but his gaze remained firm.
At that moment, the old man was truly worthy of the title "the strongest Shinigami." The spiritual pressure he was subconsciously emitting was so strong it nearly made even a man with first-class spiritual power falter.
Yamamoto nodded with satisfaction, turned, and took the documents Takamiya Yuji handed him. "Did that girl Shion send you to ask for funds again?"
"Yes, this is an analysis report on a new Quincy weapon."
Yamamoto glanced over a few pages, his eyebrows furrowing more and more.
"These are all new technologies we've never seen before… Looks like Yhwach has put in a great effort this time."
He closed the folder, and his voice suddenly turned icy. "Order all squads to further strengthen their defense, reinforce the fortifications, and be ready for battle at any moment!"
"Yes!"
————
At the same time, in the core area of the Wandenreich.
In the magnificent white palace, Yhwach sat on the throne, his red cloak fluttering in the wind.
The entire hall was filled with a suffocating, silent pressure, even the candlelight seemed frozen.
"Your Majesty, I saw it with my own eyes. That Shinigami really used Hollow power!" Celine's voice trembled slightly with fear.
"Even the Holy Giants under Maine's command…"
"Enough!"
Yhwach suddenly roared, and the arms of the throne shattered under his palms.
He stood up, his tall figure casting a suppressing shadow.
"Haschwalth!"
The elegant blond young man standing on the right side of the throne immediately knelt on one knee.
"I am here."
"Gather all Sternritter members immediately and inform all troops—" Yhwach's voice was like ice from the underworld.
"The Wandenreich general offensive… will be moved to tomorrow's dawn!"
A trace of hesitation flashed across Haschwalth's handsome face. "Your Majesty, the Holy Army Corps has not yet been fully deployed. Is it really… alright to launch the general attack so early…"
"Haschwalth, are you questioning my decision?" Yhwach narrowed his eyes, and a strange starlike light appeared in his pupils.
Haschwalth immediately lowered his head. "I dare not."
"Go. John will tell you what to do."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After everyone had left the hall, Yhwach coldly snorted, stepped down from the throne, and walked to the center of the hall.
He raised his hand and waved it, and a battlefield sand table made of spirit particles suddenly appeared in the air, simulating the scene of Arata's battle with the Holy Giant.
The crimson power mixed with ordinary spiritual pressure stirred Yhwach's curiosity.
"Hyosube Ichibei, you said my eyes cannot see the truth of the world…"
"Then… did you see the source of this power?"
————
The setting sun colored the 8th Division barracks in orange-red. Arata and Yakumo Kadori, who had just returned from duty, were having dinner together at a small table in the courtyard.
In Arata's hands, simple ingredients had turned into three dishes and a soup, tasty and aromatic. The tempting aroma made Kadori's eyes sparkle behind her glasses.
"Arata-kun… did you really make this?" She took a piece of braised fish and put it in her mouth, her eyes instantly widening.
"This is so delicious! Even better than the best restaurant in Rukongai!"
"Just a bit of home-cooked food." Arata smiled and poured her a bowl of soup. "Captain Yakumo works very hard every day, and you've only just recovered from a serious injury. You should eat more to strengthen your body."
Kadori's cheeks blushed slightly. She lowered her head and gently sipped the soup, occasionally sneaking glances at Arata's profile as he concentrated on pouring the soup.
The afterglow of the setting sun outlined him in a golden edge, causing her heart to unknowingly beat faster.
"Um… did Arata-kun often cook before?"
"I suppose so." Arata paused with the spoon in his hand. "When I lived in the mountains, I cooked for myself. Over time, I got good at it."
Of course, this was just a made-up excuse. In truth, he had learned all of this while staying with Rangiku, and he hadn't expected his skills to be so useful now.
Dinner passed in a warm atmosphere. When Kadori started clearing the dishes on her own, her fingertips accidentally brushed the back of Arata's hand. Both of them quickly pulled their hands back as if they had been shocked, and a subtle awkwardness suddenly filled the room.
"I... I'll go shower first!" Kadori stood up in a panic, her chest rising and falling rapidly with her quickened breathing.
"Arata-kun should also go to bed early. We have to return to the defense line tomorrow."
Watching the retreating figure of the girl with glasses, Arata shook his head with a quiet laugh.
Back in his room, Arata immediately set up an isolation barrier and sat cross-legged on the tatami. He stared at the pale-purple spiritual pressure mark on the back of his hand.
Shudara Shion's technique was quite sophisticated. That mark was not only hidden but also had a monitoring function.
[Spirit Tracking Mark detected. It can be exchanged for a C-rank item, Spiritual Pressure Remover, for harmless disposal. Cost: 500 Fate Points. Confirm?]
The corner of Arata's mouth twitched. The Fate Value he had just earned and hadn't even "cooled off" was about to decrease again, but because of the upcoming Bankai training, this expense couldn't be avoided.
He didn't want anyone to see his Bankai.
[Confirm.]
With the deduction of 500 destiny points, the mark on the back of his hand was converted by the system into harmless ordinary spirit particles.
Arata exhaled in relief and could finally train in peace.
He slowly closed his eyes, and spiritual pressure began to pour into his body like a tide.
The process of sinking consciousness took longer than usual. When Arata "opened his eyes" again, the scene before him made him gasp.
The usual blue sky with white clouds and flat surface were gone; instead, a desolate scorched earth stretched before him.
A blood-red moon hung high in the sky, distant muffled wailing could be heard, and countless rusty weapons were scattered across the dried-up riverbed.
"Meigetsu?"
He walked down the riverbed, occasionally stepping on unknown bones. The air was thick with the scent of decay and rust, and each breath burned his lungs.
He walked for who knows how long until he finally reached a black palace floating above the riverbed. At that moment, a familiar yet unfamiliar female voice rang out from the palace.
"Welcome to Yomi Palace, my lord."