Chapter 465 - 465: Does This Move Look Familiar?

Yamamoto's question didn't get an immediate answer.

Cyrus glanced toward Shunsui, who was now watching both him and Aizen warily.

Aizen, meanwhile, stood there expressionless, revealing nothing.

Several presences were rapidly approaching from the distance.

Through Observation Haki, Cyrus could see every one of them clearly.

"I didn't originally have any particular goal. I was simply curious about Shinigami power."

Cyrus looked back at Yamamoto, though his right hand had already settled on his sword hilt.

The Captain-Commander noticed the movement but showed no reaction.

"From what I've heard, you've already achieved Shikai. I would say that gives you some understanding of our power."

Cyrus didn't deny it.

"There were a few things I intended to investigate after returning to the World of the Living, but this is as good an opportunity as any."

That wasn't directed at Yamamoto.

It was meant for Aizen.

"Imagine a bird trapped in a cage without even realizing the cage exists."

Cyrus spoke casually.

"Once it finally learns the truth, what do you think it does? Fly out? Or pretend it never learned anything and keep living quietly inside?"

Aizen was anything but stupid.

Their previous conversations had already planted more than a few suspicions in his mind, and Cyrus's question made his expression shift.

"It would probably leave the cage."

Aizen paused.

"But there is another possibility. Outside the cage, the bird might starve. It might even die the instant it escapes."

He looked directly at Cyrus.

"If you truly understand me as well as you claim, then you already know which choice I would make."

"I do."

Cyrus smiled.

Then he looked at Yamamoto and drew his sword.

Shunsui's expression hardened.

"Do you understand what you're doing?"

"If you really were his student, then what comes next should look familiar."

Cyrus raised the blade.

"You must have seen it before."

Boom!

Flames erupted along the sword.

Yamamoto's beard shifted as his eyes fixed on the burning blade.

The captains and Shinigami rushing toward them saw the flames from afar and immediately accelerated.

"All things in creation…"

Cyrus spoke softly.

"…turn to ash."

"Impossible!"

Shunsui's pupils contracted as he immediately retreated.

Cyrus hadn't raised his voice, yet the words carried far enough for every approaching captain to hear.

Ordinary Shinigami might not recognize them.

The captains certainly did.

Yamamoto's hand tightened around his cane.

"Ryūjin Jakka."

Cyrus smiled as he spoke the name of the Captain-Commander's Zanpakutō.

Boom!

Flames exploded from his body, spreading into a blazing domain around him.

Aizen, standing within it, vanished like a reflection breaking across water.

Cyrus noticed, but didn't care.

Wrapped in fire, he raised his sword and pointed it directly at Yamamoto.

He didn't need to say anything.

The challenge was obvious.

"Fire."

Yamamoto finally spoke.

"It resembles the power of a Zanpakutō, but it is not."

He could tell immediately.

Whatever Cyrus was using, it wasn't truly Zanpakutō power.

But it was no weaker for that.

"Old man!"

Shunsui called out, only for Yamamoto to raise a hand and silence him.

"It seems this old man has some reputation after all, if even a traveler knows my techniques."

Yamamoto tightened his grip around his cane.

Flames burst from his hand and consumed the wooden exterior, revealing the Zanpakutō hidden within.

"You cannot use that power here."

A woman's voice came from behind him.

Senjumaru stepped forward, eyes fixed on Cyrus.

"This place won't survive it. You'll destroy everything."

Whoosh! Whoosh!

One captain after another arrived, all staring at Cyrus with guarded expressions.

"That decision is no longer mine alone."

Yamamoto glanced at Senjumaru, then raised his sword toward Cyrus.

"You are the new power that appeared in Hueco Mundo, aren't you?"

His gaze sharpened.

"The master of that forest."

Cyrus raised his left hand.

Green vines emerged from his palm, twisting together until they formed a smooth white mask.

Soi Fon, Byakuya, and Unohana all stiffened the moment they saw it.

Snap.

Cyrus placed the mask over his face.

"So it really was you."

Soi Fon immediately released Suzumebachi, the stinger on her finger gleaming dangerously.

Cyrus gave her a brief glance before returning his attention to Yamamoto.

"If you still have reservations…"

The flames around him began moving like living things, spiraling inward and condensing.

"…then I'll go first."

Cyrus smiled.

"Bankai."

The fire tightened around him.

"Zanka no Tachi."

Boom!

The sword in Cyrus's hand shattered apart, only for a new blade to form in its place.

Its entire length glowed crimson, luminous patterns running across the metal.

The unnaturally long blade radiated an immediate sense of danger.

"Heh… you little brat."

Yamamoto actually laughed in disbelief.

This youngster had somehow learned of his techniques.

Did he truly think he could imitate them?

"Zanka no Tachi, East: Kyokujitsujin."

Whoosh!

The surrounding flames vanished.

But the temperature rose at a terrifying rate.

Even the captains—and the seated officers farther away—felt their mouths go dry almost instantly.

Yamamoto's eyes opened wide beneath his white brows.

"Does it look familiar?"

Cyrus casually adjusted his grip.

"It's been a long time since I used this."

Then he vanished.

When he reappeared, he was already beside Yamamoto, sword raised overhead.

It came down.

Whoosh!

Yamamoto didn't hesitate.

He grabbed Senjumaru by the arm and disappeared with Shunpo.

Clang!

The blade touched the stone beneath Cyrus's feet.

Everything in front of it vanished.

There's no explosion and no roar.

A vast ravine simply appeared, carved through the landscape in complete silence.

"That…"

Shunsui stared, speechless.

"That really was…"

"Ah. Put a little too much into that one."

Cyrus withdrew his sword and glanced toward the devastation with an apologetic tone.

"Looks like quite a few people died."

Yamamoto released Senjumaru's arm and tightened his grip around his Zanpakutō.

That attack had been far too similar.

Almost identical.

Even the destructive power was comparable.

"Everyone, withdraw."

Yamamoto's voice turned heavy.

"Sound the alarm and begin evacuating Seireitei immediately."