The long-buried, mud-covered ground was scorched by fire erupting from underground—as if the accumulated sins of the Soul Society over the past millennium were now being dragged into the sunlight.
Looking at the massive hole that had just opened, Yingkou Hui knew it—he had lost the initiative. In an open space, if he couldn't close the distance to Asano Kiyoshi, then his close-combat-type Zanpakutō was basically just a walking target against a kidō-type.
A stinking close-combat user, coming to beg on our kidō turf?!
Watch closely! Grandpa here is a bona fide kidō specialist!
Instantly formulating a plan in his mind for the rest of the fight, Yingkou Hui gritted his teeth slightly. Then, his whole body crouched low, his waist bent into an eerie arc—and with that, he vanished from where he stood.
But Asano Kiyoshi, seeing Yingkou Hui charging rapidly toward him, didn't look particularly nervous. He simply extended his arm, and as spirit particles surged around him, his cool voice rang out:
"Bakudō #21 – Sekienton (Red Smoke Escape)!"
A thick red fog erupted with the end of his chant, spreading over a much wider area than a typical Sekienton—at least a third larger.
This was thanks to the overlapping effects of his Zanpakutō's shikai and his Gate of the Underworld ability. The Gate increased bakudō strength by 20%, and his shikai doubled that effect—so any bakudō he cast was automatically at 140% of standard output under equal spiritual pressure.
The red mist billowed like a giant beast's maw, swallowing the already-dim surroundings.
Yingkou Hui was consumed by the fog. His vision was painted in crimson. Even closing his eyes to sense spiritual pressure was futile—the mist was saturated with Kiyoshi's reiatsu, making it impossible to pinpoint his exact location.
But despite all this, Yingkou Hui showed no panic. Standing within the red mist, he took a deep breath, raised his Zanpakutō overhead, and slashed down into the fog.
"Rip him apart—Dankōki (Ogre Breaker)!"
As he spoke the release phrase, his blade cleaved down—and this slash was abnormal. Normally, any fog cut would slowly reform, but this time, the slash mark didn't just stay—it spread and widened!
Within seconds, the entire section of red fog had been torn apart, disintegrating into loose spirit particles and vanishing into the air.
Still, even a few seconds were enough!
Standing now in the open, Asano Kiyoshi showed only mild surprise at the sudden dispersal of his Sekienton, but not too much. After all, if someone like Yingkou Hui were truly helpless before a mere level-21 bakudō, he'd have to have bought his seat in Squad 11.
Yet the speed at which the fog vanished proved one thing—if Kiyoshi had used a normal-strength spell, he would've been caught before even escaping the underground tunnel.
But this wasn't a game. There were no save points or resets.
One misstep, and the whole match is lost.
Now standing on solid ground above, Asano Kiyoshi looked down at Yingkou Hui still in the tunnel below, the faintest smile playing on his lips.
Seeing that condescending smirk—being looked down upon by Asano—Yingkou Hui's face twisted in rage. Blue veins popped on his temple, like coiling black serpents under his skin.
"What the hell are you laughing at?! Don't get cocky, brat!"
As his words echoed, a much stronger spiritual pressure than before burst forth from Yingkou Hui.
Then, with a vicious grin, he plunged his Zanpakutō directly into his own abdomen and shouted:
"Bleed—Dankōki!"
The sight sent a jolt of alarm through Asano Kiyoshi. He had only smiled unconsciously because he'd gained the upper hand—he hadn't meant to provoke him like this!
But seeing Yingkou Hui's movements, Kiyoshi wasn't foolish enough to just stand around and watch him transform or power up.
So he took a deep breath, and behind him bloomed a bizarre pathway paved with blood-colored flowers.
"Bakudō #61 – Rikujōkōrō (Six Rods Light Prison)!"
As the chant ended, six rods of golden light materialized and slammed into Yingkou Hui's body—forcefully halting the Zanpakutō release process.
Staring at the rods now binding him, Yingkou Hui looked shocked. He knew just how difficult Rikujōkōrō was to cast—completely different in class from the earlier bakudōs.
The spell's mechanics were similar to the Triple Speed Flash Bind, but much more difficult. The caster needed perfect control over all six light rods. Any mistake in forming even one would collapse the entire spell. It was a high-level bakudō rarely seen below Fifth Seat rank—and so, he'd simply assumed Asano Kiyoshi couldn't use it.
Damn it! I underestimated him! I assumed this brat couldn't cast Rikujōkōrō!
Still, despite being bound, Yingkou Hui didn't give up. He twisted his still-mobile head, bit down on his own tongue, and spat a mouthful of blood onto his Zanpakutō.
The blood soaked in immediately, and his skin turned red as cracks began forming across his flesh. At the same time, the six light rods began to fracture, emitting sharp crackling sounds like shattering glass.
Yet Kiyoshi remained calm. He knew Yingkou Hui was strong—but even more so, he knew he was desperate.
"O spinning wheel of thunder! Gap between the carts!This object is light! Divide it into six!"
With a repeat incantation, and the 40% enhancement from his shikai and Gate of the Underworld, Kiyoshi reinforced the Rikujōkōrō—making it even harder, stronger. No matter how much blood Hui shed, it would take time to break free.
And just then, Asano Kiyoshi raised a hand toward him and calmly recited:
"O sovereign, mask of flesh and bone, all creation, fluttering wings, bearer of the name of man.Truth and moderation—strike the wall of sinless dreams with claw and fang!"
"Hadō #33 – Sōkatsui (Blue Fire, Crash Down)!"
As the chant ended, a surge of bluish-black spiritual energy erupted from his palm—blazing with terrifying heat—and hurtled toward Yingkou Hui!
To him, it looked like a black sun, burning the world as it came straight at him!
"MOVE! MOVE DAMN IT! I DON'T WANT TO DIE HERE!"
Panicked and almost insane, Yingkou Hui thrashed against the six light rods. He ripped at them with such desperation that his flesh tore away, yet the rods did not vanish—only becoming spattered with blood as the burning sphere closed in.
T/N: For up to 20 chapters ahead on all my translations, become a p@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle
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