Chapter 466 - 466: Within Kyōka Suigetsu, You Have No Chance of Winning

The captains' hearts sank when they heard Yamamoto's order.

Were they really going to fight here?

Then they looked at the enormous ravine Cyrus had carved through Seireitei.

Its path led straight toward the Central 46.

And now Soul Society's highest judicial body had been completely erased.

Not every judge and sage had necessarily been inside, but after an attack like that, Seireitei no longer had any room to back down.

"Yes, Captain-Commander."

The captains withdrew immediately.

They weren't leaving only because Yamamoto had ordered it.

Aizen had disappeared as well.

Cyrus stood with his sword in hand, watching Yamamoto. He made no attempt to stop the others. There was no reason to.

"An imitation is still only an imitation."

Yamamoto slowly drew his Zanpakutō, his eyes locked on Cyrus. His words sounded dismissive, but his expression was anything but.

"As long as it produces the same result, that's enough."

Cyrus smiled.

"And when it comes to fire, I don't intend to lose."

"In that case…"

Yamamoto held his sword before him and spoke the familiar release command.

Boom!

Flames erupted along the blade.

The instant they rose, Yamamoto vanished.

He was already behind Cyrus.

"Nadegiri."

His voice came a fraction later.

Boom!

The heavy slash struck Cyrus squarely across the chest.

Cyrus became a blur as he was hurled across Seireitei, smashing into the barrier on the opposite side.

The enormous barrier surrounding the city became visible on impact, huge ripples spreading across its surface.

Pinned against it, Cyrus showed no concern at having taken the strike.

The next instant, a blade packed with terrifying energy stabbed directly into his chest.

Crack!

The barrier shattered.

Yamamoto, gripping Zanka no Tachi with both hands, stared in shock.

The earlier Nadegiri was one thing.

But this was Zanka no Tachi, East: Kyokujitsujin—every trace of flame and heat compressed into the blade itself.

In Yamamoto's understanding, nothing could take this attack head-on.

Yet he had felt it clearly.

The blade had been stopped.

Not by a technique.

Not by another weapon.

Cyrus had simply taken it with his body.

As Cyrus tore through the shattered barrier and flew beyond Seireitei, Yamamoto hovered in the air, his eyes grave beneath his white brows.

An opponent like this…

He immediately prepared for the worst and pursued.

The tremendous disturbance naturally drew countless eyes.

The retreating captains had seen Cyrus blasted straight out of Seireitei by a single strike from Yamamoto.

Their first thought was nearly unanimous.

'Do we even need to keep evacuating?'

Their second came just as quickly.

'As expected of the Captain-Commander.'

…

At Shin'ō Academy—

"Slave Arrow!"

Hancock pulled back the enormous pink heart in her hands and released it.

A rain of pink arrows poured down toward the Second Division Shinigami below.

Anyone struck was immediately petrified.

"Cyrus got knocked outside."

Robin turned toward the distant point where the barrier had violently distorted.

"If it's Cyrus, he probably let that happen."

Baby 5's arm had already transformed completely into a massive steel cannon.

Blue energy gathered inside the barrel, radiating dangerous power.

"And he left us here."

Robin looked exasperated.

She crossed her arms.

On the Shinigami who had escaped Hancock's barrage, several pale arms suddenly sprouted.

Crack. Crack.

The sound of breaking bones followed.

"Ladies, shall we leave together?"

Aizen's calm voice suddenly came from nearby.

He appeared alongside Tosen.

In Tosen's hand was an unconscious girl.

Kuchiki Rukia.

Robin and Hancock both frowned.

"If he finds out I left and abandoned the three of you here, I imagine he'll be rather displeased."

Aizen noticed their expressions but continued without concern.

"So why don't we all leave together?"

"You're not going anywhere."

Soi Fon's voice cut in.

Several figures appeared at once, surrounding Aizen, Tosen, Robin, Hancock, and Baby 5.

"Kaname!"

Komamura stared at Tosen and the unconscious Rukia in his grasp, shock and anger filling his voice.

"What are you doing?"

"Komamura, this is the path I chose."

Tosen's expression didn't change.

"You wouldn't understand."

Aizen glanced around at the surrounding captains.

"Do you truly have time to waste here?"

His tone remained composed.

"If I were you, I'd be reinforcing Seireitei's barrier while you still can."

He smiled faintly.

"Otherwise, there may not be much of Seireitei left by the time this is over."

"We can deal with that after we capture you."

Soi Fon snorted.

"Besides…"

Her eyes shifted toward Robin, Hancock, and Baby 5.

"We still have these three."

By now, it was nearly certain they belonged with the man fighting the Captain-Commander.

If the three women remained here, surely Cyrus would have to show some restraint.

Hancock slowly turned toward Soi Fon.

"It appears…"

Even though Soi Fon stood above her, Hancock leaned dramatically backward and pointed straight at her.

"…we've been mistaken for weaklings."

Boom!

Conqueror's Haki erupted from Hancock.

The pressure locked directly onto Soi Fon.

Black lightning crackled through the air, and even the Shinigami who weren't being targeted felt the oppressive force.

Aizen froze for a moment and stared at Hancock in surprise.

'That ability isn't unique to him?'

'It can be learned?'

The thought passed through his mind, but there was no time to dwell on it.

His hand settled on his Zanpakutō.

Then he slowly drew the blade.

Soi Fon was still resisting Hancock's Conqueror's Haki when the other captains noticed Aizen's movement and immediately raised their guard.

"Kyōka Suigetsu."

Aizen's voice rang out.

Then, before the captains' eyes, Aizen, Tosen, Robin, Hancock, and Baby 5 all vanished.

"Attack!"

Shunsui shouted without hesitation.

But something moved even faster.

Countless pink petals flooded the battlefield.

Byakuya arrived in Shunpo, his expression ice-cold.

Within the storm of petals, Aizen's group reappeared, surrounded on all sides.

Then the petals became blades.

They tore through everyone inside.

At the same time, another cluster lifted the unconscious Rukia and carried her toward Byakuya.

Screams followed.

Then the scene changed.

The sight of Aizen and the others being shredded vanished.

In their place lay a group of Shinigami from the outer perimeter, their bodies covered in blood beneath the attack of Senbonzakura, their lives uncertain.

Aizen stood untouched, still holding his Zanpakutō.

With a smile, he removed his glasses.

The corner of his mouth curved upward.

"Within Kyōka Suigetsu…"

He looked across the stunned captains.

"…you have no chance of winning."