Chapter 24

Taking this slash, he'll definitely die!

……

"Ryujin Jakka, First Form: Stroking Slash!"

Boom!

The raging flames exploded violently, burning up to the horizon, and Yamamoto's Heavy Strike's upper-body clothing was completely blasted apart.

Revealing a powerful physique of knotted muscles covered in scars.

A massive spiritual pressure surged wildly in all directions, like the prelude to world destruction, pressing a towering mountain upon everyone's heart.

This invincible, domineering state.

Formed a stark contrast with his previously decrepit old-man image.

Yamamoto's Heavy Strike's figure suddenly vanished, appearing before Kuchiki Senya in an instant, and slashed heavily toward his neck!

The surrounding air and sightlines twisted madly from the extreme heat!

"Clang~!"

A long blade resembling a Tang horizontal sword, covered in black-red patterns, slashed out from a bizarre angle.

The moment it touched Ryujin Jakka, they separated!

The sound of clashing metal spread wildly, transforming into invisible energy shockwaves that surged outward in all directions.

All the students.

Covered their ears, faces showing pain.

Even from a great distance, this sound wave could still inflict some injuries on them!

Everyone.

Looked toward the center of the field.

The crimson flames, like walls, gradually died out, and the heat waves in the air that seemed to burn everything also slowly faded away.

Captain Yamamoto sheathed his Zanpakuto, which transformed into a brown cane.

He draped on his previous captain's haori, his figure becoming hunched once more, returning to the appearance of a frail old man from before.

And Kuchiki Senya.

Stood in place, and aside from beads of sweat on his forehead caused by the high temperature, he was completely unscathed!

Under everyone's gaze.

Kuchiki Senya pulled out a wine bottle, took a fierce big gulp, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

"This!"

"He actually still has the mind to drink!"

Everyone was dumbfounded, stunned — that was just now an exchange with the Captain-Commander, the strongest Shinigami in a thousand years!

"Are you all mistaken about something? Shouldn't the focus be on the fact that he actually took a slash from the Captain-Commander?"

Someone retorted, looking at Kuchiki Senya in the field, their face full of amazement, fear, and envy.

So young.

Only a hundred years old, yet he took a slash from the Captain-Commander head-on!

His talent is flawless, already reaching the peak of Soul Society!

As long as he doesn't fall, his future is absolutely Captain-Commander material — he might even be able to join the Royal Guard!

Envy!

Envious until my balls turn purple!

This guy, drinking every day can still be this strong — there's simply no justice!

"Brother actually... succeeded..."

Kuchiki Byakuya's face was blank, not even caring about the hair on his forehead that had been scorched.

Although.

He was truly happy in his heart that his brother had succeeded.

But being able to take a slash from the Captain-Commander also meant that his brother had already far surpassed him in cultivation!

No matter how hard he chased.

Under his brother's world-shaking halo, it all seemed like flowers in water, moons in mirrors — a futile effort!

"Big Brother really is terrifying..." Urahara and Yoruichi, watching Kuchiki Senya quietly drinking below, opened their mouths wide.

This level of strength.

Probably already rivals, or even surpasses, captain-level!

Joining the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, he's solidly captain material!

"He actually really succeeded?"

Not far away.

Kyoraku Shunsui and Renji Abarai both widened their eyes, staring at Kuchiki Senya in the field with looks of viewing a monster.

As if trying to analyze him completely — what did this guy grow up eating? How can he be such a monster?

Taking a slash from the Captain-Commander, and not even taking much damage!

Even among captains, those who can do this are few and far between!.

020. Captain! Unohana Retsu's Battle Intent!

Unohana Retsu,

On the other hand, had the corners of her mouth slightly raised.

Watching Kuchiki Senya with great interest, flames seemingly burning in her eyes.

That's how it is!

Only against a powerhouse like this does one feel even a shred of pleasure in a fight! The rest of the squad right now are all far too weak!

As for Old Man Yamamoto…

He can no longer be called an opponent — he's a complete monster-tier existence.

One Bankai slash and he kills you in an instant; fighting him holds zero enjoyment.

…

At this moment.

On the field.

Kuchiki Senya sized up the unremarkable, frail-looking old man before him.

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni.

In the original work, an invincible powerhouse established early on.

He wields the oldest and strongest fire-type Zanpakuto, Ryujin Jakka — even its Shikai surpasses the Bankai of an ordinary captain!

And Ryujin Jakka's Bankai, Zanka no Tsurugi, is hailed as the most powerful Bankai; its terrifying heat is enough to evaporate every body of water in Soul Society!

It is further divided into four great techniques — east, south, west, and north!

A thousand years ago.

It was by this very power that he defeated the Soul King's descendant, Yhwach.

Very strong.

Absurdly strong!

The original author's way of killing Old Man could only be a plot-contrived death!

If Old Man Yamamoto hadn't had his Bankai stolen and been cut clean in two by Yhwach,

the Thousand-Year Blood War arc wouldn't have been such a grueling fight for the protagonists.

Just now.

Ryujin Jakka's first technique — Tenchi Kaijin.

This is a pure close-combat skill, cleaving the enemy in two with the speed of a thunderbolt!

His own Ten Zan Bankyō, the sharpest-type supreme Zanpakuto, even without releasing Shikai or Bankai, still counters every close-combat Zanpakuto!

The moment the two blades meet, even if the opponent wields Ryujin Jakka, it must be severed!

At this moment.

Across from him.

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni narrowed his eyes slightly, studying the young man before him — listless, languid, as though utterly indifferent to everything.

His aged hand gently stroked his cane.