Chapter 40: Uryu Ishida's Purity
"What is this power!?!?"
This punch exceeded Mayuri Kurotsuchi's wildest expectations.
In the Soul Society, Soul Reapers almost exclusively use blades. However, if one were to judge purely on swordsmanship, the level was actually quite subtle. A Zanpakuto essentially doesn't require "fencing techniques" in the traditional sense; Shikai and Bankai draw various supernatural abilities from the very root of the Soul Reaper's soul. Thus, the Zanjutsu taught at the Spiritual Arts Academy emphasizes basic fundamentals followed by individual exploration to better harmonize with a blade's unique powers.
Hollows, on the other hand, fight more like beasts. Even intelligent Menos have a rather unrefined approach to combat techniques.
Consequently, Mayuri, despite his long life and many battles, had never seen a fist like this!
Before the fist even made contact, a peerless will struck him head-on.
This will was like fire, incinerating his body and mind, as if intent on burning every single Reishi particle in his being to ash. It distorted his spirit and affected his senses; his vision could only see a vast, majestic tide of Reishi flames, and within that raging sea, a rapidly approaching... fist!
But was that truly a fist?
Mayuri felt a deep sense of doubt. What his eyes saw was a fist, but in his ears, on his skin, and in his spiritual sense, what roared toward him was no fist—it was clearly a primordial beast with its maw wide open, baring fangs within a stormy sea of Reishi!
Unfortunately, his knowledge of zoology was insufficient to identify the species or its special abilities, nor did he know if it was fiercer than a Menos driven by instinct.
Wait... so the Quincy's strongest skill is actually boxing? Using fist techniques to dominate Reishi, combined with this strange mental shockwave... what kind of technology is this?
Curse you, Soken Ishida! To hide the Quincy's true specialty so deeply, pretending to just shoot arrows to deflect attention. Had I known, I wouldn't have acted so quickly; I should have observed for longer.
In this moment, Mayuri couldn't help but praise his own brain for thinking so much in such a short time. However, a hyperactive mind couldn't make his physical reactions any faster. He was not a professional warrior, and his reflexes weren't top-tier. He couldn't dodge this punch.
But Mayuri didn't care. As a mad scientist, he didn't lack for tricks.
The unique Shihakusho he wore was one of them—a specially modified garment that not only stimulated his bodily functions but possessed extraordinary defensive power. This defense wasn't built on hardness; it contained nine layers of special Reishi networks that could decompose spiritual impacts layer by layer, dispersing the force.
Mayuri had tested it. Even against the sharp claws of a Menos or the slash of a Zanpakuto, this defense could reduce damage by up to 70%. It was just a fist, not a crystallized Hollow claw. It should be fine. Once he tanked this hit, the various gadgets hidden within his modified body would surely give Uryu Ishida an infinite series of surprises.
Just as Mayuri was immersed in deciding whether to slice Uryu's heart into sections first or just pull out a kidney to play with, Uryu's fist slammed into his chest.
In the next instant, the cluttered thoughts in Mayuri's mind were unified into a single sentence:
"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS POWER? IT'S NOT SCIENTIFIC AT ALL!!!"
Mayuri wasn't to be blamed for his shock. The power of this punch wasn't weakened by his nine-fold Reishi network in the slightest; it poured into his body with unstoppable momentum.
His overly sensitive brain clearly felt his ribs snapping inch by inch—breaking and breaking again, as if being gnawed on by that beastly fist. From fracture to powder, from centimeters to millimeters, the pulverization continued downward as the punch's "Qi" continued to flood inward.
The beast leapt from the Reishi tide, using extreme predation to destroy everything it touched.
Mayuri's consciousness cut off at that moment, for the energy contained in the fist erupted. Boundless Reishi flames filled the area, culminating in an extremely powerful Reishi chain-reaction explosion.
To those watching from afar, the world suddenly brightened. A blindingly white shockwave spread in a fan shape. Buildings were leveled, and hundreds of meters of space were annihilated. Even the ground had a layer peeled off.
When the smoke cleared, Mayuri Kurotsuchi had been reduced to a blurred heap of flesh and bone, flying in a long arc before slamming heavily onto the ground.
Uryu Ishida, who had annihilated his enemy in one strike, remained standing, but he was gasping for air, swaying on his feet.
Previously, when Ichigo and Fisher had their world-shaking duel, he—as the "prize"—had watched the entire thing from the best seat in the house. But truthfully, back then, Uryu hadn't understood it at all!
He didn't know what "Purity" was, why there were percentages for an "Absolute Realm," or why a mere 1% increase in output made their fists exponentially stronger and more savage.
Now, Uryu understood perfectly!
Once Purity integrates the body and mind, the power of the Absolute Realm manifests naturally. That "100%" represents the limit of what his body—or the existence of "Uryu Ishida"—can reach, including indescribable potential and possibilities.
The 100% realm is a theoretical limit that is almost impossible to reach. In fact, even 90% is a realm of despair.
For example, even if one injected massive amounts of adrenaline, ate cholesterol and drugs for breakfast, and used gene-editing to forge muscles beyond human imagination, it wouldn't represent "surpassing 100%." In the Absolute Realm system, that might only be the 10% or 20% level.
In this system, such power is only the limit of the muscular layer; it doesn't reach the true limit. Far more power sleeps within the flesh, the bloodline, and the genes. For instance, are muscle fibers only of the common type? Are there hidden evolutionary paths, or even "powerful mutations" dormant in the depths of the DNA?
All of these combined constitute the "Limit Power" of the Absolute Realm!
Therefore, after throwing a punch at 20% output, Uryu was already on the verge of collapse. His internal skeleton creaked and groaned because to fire that shot, he had crudely unearthed his potential beyond all safety limits.
To put it bluntly, Uryu had just injected the equivalent of a hundred kilograms of "Purity-brand Adrenaline," jacking his body functions to over 300% intensity to throw a strike from a "Transcendental" state.
In fact, this move was never meant to be used in a normal state.
His grandfather had once given him a treasure called the Sanrei Glove. By wearing it and constantly drawing a Reishi bow for seven days and nights, a Quincy could push their Reishi manipulation to the limit. After removing the glove, they would erupt with power beyond their limits—but after one shot, the Quincy would be crushed by that very power and lose their abilities forever.
The glove was just a medium. Ultimately, it relied on the Quincy's innate power. Through Ultimate Purity, Uryu had achieved that same incredible, limit-breaking strike, simply by turning the arrow into a fist.
The outcome was much better: Uryu hadn't lost his powers, but his organs were on the verge of exploding, large areas of muscle had dissolved or torn, and his bones were spider-webbed with cracks!
Now, Uryu finally realized just how much of an animal, a freak, and a pervert Ichigo Kurosaki was for erupting with over 50% power. That animal probably doesn't have a drop of blood in him; he's probably just 100% high-purity adrenaline. No wonder Fisher lost so miserably; to even respond to Ichigo, he had to burn his entire existence.
In this moment, Uryu realized the difference between people could be greater than the difference between humans and dogs!
To throw that punch was a feat of over-exertion. If he had to do it again, he...
WOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM AT ALL, DAMMIT!!!!!!
Uryu's eyes, which had calmed slightly, became savage and demonic once more.
He saw Mayuri's mangled body begin High-Speed Regeneration. When he was halfway restored, Mayuri spoke through a shredded throat:
"Terrifying power. A single punch destroyed nearly 80% of my body's structure. Luckily, I have auto-triggering chemicals hidden in my body..."
With a dangerous, mad smile, Uryu laughed:
"Then you are truly honored. You get to experience being ground into dust by my fists. I imagine, for a scientist like you, this will be an unprecedentedly novel experience!"
Uryu took another step forward!
Suddenly, a figure wearing a straw hat and a Captain's haori appeared between them via Shunpo. He raised a hand:
"Stop. I don't know what grudge you have with this man, but as the Captain of the 7th Division, I cannot stand by and watch another Captain die before me. It violates my sense of justice. In exchange for you letting go, I will act as if I saw nothing and allow you to leave!"
The Soul Society, as a gathering place for souls, naturally housed non-human spirits. These "minority races" had retreated to remote areas to avoid the human Nobles. Sajin Komamura was one such individual who joined the Gotei 13 to repay the Captain-Commander's kindness. His bucket-hat was merely to hide his canine appearance.
His personality matched his stature: loyal, brave, and fighting for justice. This was why he stood up despite Mo Yu's unspoken intimidation. Offering Uryu a safe exit in exchange for Mayuri's life was his rare moment of diplomatic flexibility.
Should I stop here?
Or should I step back, heal my wounds, and return stronger? The enemy isn't going anywhere!
As these thoughts surfaced, Uryu lowered his eyes and took another resolute step forward.
The fire in his heart climbed even higher. He hated the part of himself that would even think such weak thoughts! Driven by rage and self-hatred, his inner "Male" spoke...
KILL!!!
"Absolute Realm... 30%!"
Organs about to burst? Muscles and bones can't take it? Body swaying?
Such a mindset is of "Too Low Purity!"
Having witnessed that legendary battle, Uryu knew deeply that "Limits" are common sense that should never bind a Martial Artist. Limits are things meant to be slapped aside by Purity!
As for what happens after crossing the line?
We'll figure that out once we cross it.
"REISHI BLAST FIST!!!"
Roaring, Uryu shattered his limits. He continued to dissolve the matter of the Soul Society, turning it into a pure torrent of Reishi to coat his body!
An angelic wing of energy shimmered on Uryu's right shoulder. But that wasn't the limit; a second wing of energy sprouted from his right elbow.
From shoulder to elbow, an immeasurable amount of Reishi gathered, condensing into a Quincy fist far stronger than the last!
Komamura now understood why Mayuri had been one-shot. Seeing it was one thing; facing it was another. This punch was terrifying.
Extremely fast. Extremely heavy. Extremely strong.
It was a nightmare of both spiritual and physical power.
Within ten meters, it was a guaranteed hit. There was zero room to react. Once it touched, the beast-fist riding the Reishi tsunami would show the victim the meaning of "Blasted into Dust!"
A brilliant and horrifying Reishi chain-explosion followed. Komamura, who tried his best to block the strike, was sent flying like a kite in a hurricane.
Uryu didn't care about the feat of blowing away a Captain. His gaze remained locked on Mayuri Kurotsuchi.
However, his burning will could no longer be translated by his body. He couldn't move.
"Dire" didn't begin to describe his physical state. Without even looking, the sensation of an imminent, shattering collapse emanated from every single cell.
But Uryu didn't care!
A mere physical collapse? Nothing worth mentioning! A Martial Artist's Purity and Will are not to be broken by such trivial troubles!
End of Chapter
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