"Heh... heh heh heh..."
Unohana Yachiru collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath, his eyes filled with disbelief as he stared at the woman before him.
A dark red, armor-like structure, resembling a small mech, hovered behind him, protecting his upper body. It glowed with fiery light, holding two blades of different lengths in its hands.
However, despite this protection, Unohana Yachiru's left arm, left leg, and right eye had vanished, leaving a terrifying 'void.'
No blood, no remnants, no traces.
It was as if they had never existed.
Even his once sky-piercing Reishi had completely disappeared.
Before him, the woman who called herself 'Louise' stood unchanged, her eyes empty, gazing into the distance, seemingly unaware of the scene before her.
Ayasegawa Hachiman, witnessing this, was stunned beyond words.
"Captain Unohana..."
"How... how is this possible..."
Unohana Yachiru, lying on the ground, exhaled with difficulty, his eyes revealing a hint of understanding as he looked at the woman. A bitter smile crept onto his face.
"So, this is the 'Soul King's power' that Makoto mentioned?"
"No wonder... he told us to be careful."
His Bankai, Great Explosive Flow Inch Steel, was the hardest substance he knew.
Years ago, it had withstood dozens of strikes from Yamamoto Genryūsai's Shikai.
For centuries, Unohana had taken pride in this.
He believed nothing in the world was harder than his 'Inch Steel.'
Yet, in that instant,
Whether it was his slashes, punches, or flame streams, they all vanished a foot before the woman.
Not only that,
The woman merely touched her own limbs and eyes, and the 'Soul King's power' affected him.
First his Reishi, then his leg, followed by his arm, and finally his eye.
By the time he realized, he was left with only half his body.
Neither his secondary-level Reishi nor his Inch Steel could defend against it...
Unohana Yachiru, who had always relied on his defense to challenge anyone, finally faced a bitter defeat against this near-'rule'-like ability.
Now, let alone counterattacking,
Even escaping seemed difficult.
Unohana Yachiru struggled to pull his lips into a smile, using one hand to support himself as he knelt up from the ground, his body trembling slightly.
Without the support of Reishi, he was left with only the core essence of his soul.
Even maintaining his Bankai required all his strength.
Today, he would likely die here.
"Click."
As he thought this,
A figure suddenly appeared before him again.
Ayasegawa Hachiman stood trembling, his hand gripping his sword shaking violently, beyond his control.
"Captain Unohana!"
"Please retreat quickly!"
His voice hoarse, he shouted: "I... I'll buy you time."
Even at the cost of his life.
But as he mustered the last bit of courage to speak,
A familiar touch returned to his shoulder.
The blood-stained, heavy hand rested on his shoulder once more.
With only one arm and one leg remaining, Unohana Yachiru's towering figure still stood like a wild bear, unwavering.
"You'll become a fine Shinigami," Unohana Yachiru said with a pleasant smile.
"Unohana... Captain?"
Ayasegawa Hachiman seemed stunned.
To discover such a sight before death was the most delightful thing.
The Great Explosive Flow Inch Steel behind Unohana Yachiru had already released one blade, and with one hand supporting his body, he slowly floated forward once more, approaching the pure white woman.
With his remaining eye, he saw that the woman still ignored his presence, just as before.
Yet, Unohana Yachiru was no longer as angry as he had been initially.
The strong overlooking the weak was only natural in this world.
However, after the recent battle, he had gleaned some insights into the woman's abilities.
"Your ability... is 'erasure,' right?"
Unohana Yachiru stated confidently.
Only after he spoke did Louise finally turn her gaze, her movements slightly stiff as she looked at him.
Seemingly puzzled.
Puzzled as to why he would state the obvious.
Holy Letter E, Louise.
Efface, to erase.
Unohana Yachiru continued to float forward slowly, saying: "After so many years of experience, even a fool like me has learned many simple truths."
"For example, a Shinigami's battle is a battle of Reishi."
"To affect a stronger opponent, one must have a level close to theirs."
"Even Makoto, a rule-based monster, must follow his own rules..."
"So."
"You must gaze at me while touching your own body parts to erase my limbs."
"So."
"Any power beyond your ability's limit, even your 'rules,' cannot erase it!"
"And, most importantly..."
As his voice trailed off, Unohana Yachiru suddenly raised his head, his remaining eye fixed on Louise.
A resolute and joyful smile crept onto his face.
A warrior facing death, fearless and unyielding.
Louise's exquisitely carved face showed a hint of confusion, and she tilted her head slightly, emitting a low sound.
"Oh?"
Almost as soon as the sound left her mouth,
The Inch Steel behind Unohana Yachiru suddenly gripped his body tightly.
The next moment, his figure, enveloped by the floating mech, vanished, producing a thunderous explosion akin to a giant breaking the sound barrier. It pierced through layers of thick clouds, encircling Louise's body in a semicircular arc, flames swirling.
Louise's expression seemed more solemn, and she turned her head towards Unohana Yachiru's direction, her moon-like porcelain eyes following his movement.
Her right hand gently touched her own body.
Shoulder, abdomen, left eye.
Unohana Yachiru, moving at high speed, suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood.
His shoulder blade, stomach, and left eye vanished.
His towering figure spun like a bag pulled by a giant hand, collapsing uncontrollably, his vision completely lost, leaving only darkness.
Yet, he did not stop, still charging towards Louise with his strongest speed, guided by his keen spiritual sense.
"Indeed!"
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