Chapter 626

Like a pain meant to shatter his body, the flame engulfed Natsu's mind; though it appeared unremarkable, its power surpassed even that of the Dragon King's flame.

Had Natsu not been resolute in his actions, he would have been burned to death the instant he attempted to absorb this flame.

Yet Natsu still endured it; though he suffered terribly under the flame, nothing could stop him from continuing his attempt to absorb it.

After all, everyone knew that if Natsu succeeded in absorbing this flame, he would effectively gain control over it.

Therefore, for Natsu, this flame was of utmost importance—so much so that he would rather die than abandon it.

For Natsu, this flame was his mission, the one thing he must accomplish.

Seeing Natsu's condition, everyone in Ishgall stared in astonishment, for such a Natsu was exceedingly rare to them.

In the past, Natsu had devoured any flame and turned it into his own power, but now, his exhaustion before Yamamoto Genryūsai's burden revealed to Ishgall the gulf between them and Yamamoto Genryūsai.

This only made the people of Ishgall all the more eager to see how Natsu would change after absorbing the flame.

With the help of Ichibē Hyōsube, Natsu continued striving to devour and control the flame that once belonged to Yamamoto Genryūsai.

Meanwhile, Aizen, watching Yamamoto Genryūsai's hair shift from ash-gray to pure black, wore a look of wariness.

If the former Yamamoto Genryūsai still harbored any attachment to the world, the current Yamamoto Genryūsai had returned to the cold, indifferent state he held before that year.

Seeing Yamamoto Genryūsai in this state, Aizen's eyes held the same wariness.

After all, this version of Yamamoto Genryūsai was no longer the one before—he had completely abandoned any thought of protecting the world, his only desire now being to destroy Aizen.

"I never expected the Captain-Commander to become like this—it's quite unsettling."

Aizen, watching Yamamoto Genryūsai before him, felt deep wariness; in this state, Yamamoto Genryūsai possessed the power to defeat Yhwach.

Even now, Aizen found it extremely difficult to defeat Yamamoto Genryūsai in this state.

Yamamoto Genryūsai stared at Aizen with icy eyes—he had no desire to speak further; his only thought was how to kill Aizen.

"Residual Flame Blade: West—Residual Flame Robe."

For safety's sake, Yamamoto Genryūsai immediately activated his strongest defense: Residual Flame Robe.

This technique concentrated all of Yamamoto Genryūsai's spiritual pressure onto himself, forming a full cloak of flame; anyone who approached to harm him would be instantly incinerated by the Residual Flame Robe.

Watching Yamamoto Genryūsai's action, even Aizen's expression turned grim—he could think of no way to counter him.

Now, he could only rely on his near-infinite regeneration to stand any chance against Yamamoto Genryūsai.

Looking at Yamamoto Genryūsai, Aizen suddenly laughed.

"Captain-Commander Yamamoto, this state of yours won't last long—your spiritual pressure is slowly dwindling. As long as I'm not defeated by you, victory will ultimately be mine."

"But so what? For me, as long as I defeat you, any means are acceptable."

Watching Aizen, Yamamoto Genryūsai remained calm; in truth, he felt the same—so long as he killed Aizen, any cost was acceptable.

Yamamoto Genryūsai stared at Aizen, his expression still utterly cold; Aizen's tricks might fool others, but not him.

Here, before Yamamoto Genryūsai, Aizen's former pride—his illusions—no longer held any power.

"It is time you see why I am called the strongest Shinigami!"

"Residual Flame Blade: South—Ten Trillion Dead Funeral Array!"

From the flames of the Hueco Mundo, millions—even billions—of black skeletons erupted, the bones of those who had died by Yamamoto Genryūsai's blade, now his ultimate weapon against his enemies.