Chapter 239 Bankai! Kōkō Gonryō Rikyū
"Bankai..."
"Kōkō Gonryō Rikyū!"
Driscoll Berci—gripping the star medallion—gazed down at Yamamoto Genryūsai positioned before him, then raised it high and chanted the Bankai of the man who'd followed the old captain for nearly two thousand years.
The sky in that instant became shrouded with dark clouds. Thunder billowed. Thick electrical arcs descended from above like a cage, falling continuously with crackling resonance.
Beneath the thunder veil, Yamamoto closed his eyes and recalled the scene—the silver-haired youth aspiring to become his left and right hand. He witnessed the reappearance of memories hidden deep within his consciousness.
Unfortunately, circumstances had transformed completely. Even the sole remembrance the other party had left behind had become a method utilized by the despicable individual before him to slaughter his own forces.
Beyond the thunder, the passion of morning dew...
After employing Chōjirō Sasakibe's Bankai, Driscoll Berci's wild smile appeared incomparably ferocious beneath the thunder-filled sky. He addressed Yamamoto sarcastically:
"Missing him tremendously? I heard this individual hasn't employed Bankai for more than two thousand years."
"Now you're fortunate witnessing it once more! You must thank me profusely!"
Standing behind Yamamoto, Hisagi Shūhei witnessed this frightening scene. He couldn't help murmuring: "Is this Vice-Captain Sasakibe's Bankai...?"
Such tremendous Reiatsu—
Unexpectedly, aside from Hyōrinmaru, Gotei 13 also possesses Zanpakutō capable of controlling weather...
(It's suspected here that after Quincy steal Bankai from Shinigami, the Reiatsu increase that Shinigami obtain after Bankai is also stolen instantly. Because Shinigami would at minimum retain the Reiatsu increase of more than tenfold after employing Bankai—otherwise explaining why Shinigami whose Bankai was stolen were beaten so devastatingly proves extraordinarily difficult!)
CRACK! CRACK!
The thunder resembling a colossal serpent finally descended after accumulating power for considerable duration. The all-destroying lightning accurately struck Yamamoto Genryūsai below.
"Captain... Captain-Commander!"
Beneath Hisagi Shūhei's concerned cry, Yamamoto stood motionless like a statue before him. Even though the thunderstorm swayed wantonly across his body, the old man had always felt profound guilt regarding Chōjirō Sasakibe's death.
He believed that with Chōjirō Sasakibe's capabilities, he could have accomplished considerably more. However, his presence had transformed the young man's beliefs and life.
Receiving the thunder's punishment—in truth, this Soul Society captain was conducting a silent farewell to his subordinate...
"Aha! What's happening? Old man!"
"Facing your subordinate's Bankai, is there no method to resist?"
CRACK!
The thunder above continued falling. Driscoll Berci witnessed Yamamoto Genryūsai before him refusing to resist or evade—simply enduring his assault so dully.
After more than ten seconds elapsed, Driscoll Berci inquired once more: "Hey! Why aren't you speaking, old man?"
Believing he'd eliminated the Gotei 13 Captain-Commander before him, Driscoll Berci also ceased the continuous thunder release, wishing to observe the other party's reaction.
"Not good! The Captain-Commander has completely lost consciousness!"
Like Driscoll Berci, Hisagi Shūhei also believed Yamamoto Genryūsai had lost consciousness. He wished stepping forward to assist him. Just as he prepared moving, Yamamoto's voice—weathered by vicissitudes—resonated like earthbound thunder.
"Wait!"
Witnessing that Yamamoto—covered in scorched black while emanating white smoke—still shouted so calmly, Driscoll Berci snorted coldly. He once again released a thunderbolt more powerful than before.
BOOM!
"Die!"
Witnessing Yamamoto Genryūsai engulfed by such tremendous lightning, Driscoll Berci's mouth corner twitched slightly this time: "Haha! Not dying instantly must prove agonizing..."
However, Driscoll Berci hadn't concluded speaking yet. Yamamoto—who'd received these ten strikes just now—opened his mouth once more and murmured with emotion:
"Chōjirō, fill your heart with regret..."
"Chōjirō... your fury... I can sense it..."
"The Bankai you've honed with all your might..."
"Absolutely not to such extent!"
In the final sentence, Yamamoto Genryūsai roared furiously. With Yamamoto's monstrous rage, the Zanpakutō within his grasp also completed Shikai instantaneously. He slashed directly at Driscoll Berci positioned before him.
BOOM—
The scorching wave engulfed Driscoll Berci's body. Within merely one breath, the Quincy—who'd been extraordinarily arrogant seconds ago—was incinerated instantly. He transformed into ash and dissipated into nothingness within the blink of an eye...
Let it burn...
I can finally pay tribute to you, Chōjirō. Farewell...
Observing the overwhelming flame wave before him, Hisagi Shūhei was completely stunned presently. He stared blankly, incapable of speech...
At this moment, Yamamoto walked past him and spoke with subdued voice: "Don't worry..."
"I will utilize these two hands annihilating all invaders!"
The instant his words concluded, the enraged elder shattered the ground beneath his feet and soared straight into the sky. All the Reiatsu throughout his body was released. The Shinigami throughout entire Seireitei sensed his killing intent to incinerate everything!
The Gotei 13 Captain-Commander's battle elevated Shinigami morale instantaneously. All captains engaging Quincy immediately rallied their spirits. Sometimes the influence brought by idols proves tremendous.
At this moment, deep within clouds at several thousand meters elevation above ground, a man gripping a specialized eyeball gazed downward at everything transpiring below with expressionless features.
"Hey, Ulquiorra. Are you certain we won't descend and eliminate those Shinigami? If we joined presently, perhaps we could directly destroy Soul Society!"
Yammy—with a smirk across his features—persuaded Ulquiorra positioned beside him.
"Silence, Yammy! I'm uncertain whether they'd eliminate you first if you descended presently. Everything transpiring here has already transmitted to Las Noches. We absolutely must not act without authorization before Lord Fiander's orders arrive."
Glancing sideways at the towering Yammy beside him, Ulquiorra could only sigh secretly within his heart that current Hueco Mundo still possessed far too little combat power compared to Shinigami and Quincy.
If not for Lord Fiander's existence, Hueco Mundo would have been occupied by the Quincy long ago.
Moreover, most Arrancar constituted brainless idiots like Yammy—making Ulquiorra feel sorrowful momentarily.
"Tch! Why can Grimmjow and the others operate in other locations while we can only observe here...?"
The unconvinced Yammy muttered complaints.
The instant his words concluded, Ulquiorra struck the massive individual directly in the stomach with his elbow. Along with Yammy's pained wailing resonating, Ulquiorra spoke with cold voice: "Such disrespectful words toward Lord Fiander—at minimum don't voice them. Otherwise, even if Lord Fiander doesn't concern himself, Reinhard will definitely eliminate you!"
"I'm sorry, I... I understand, Ulquiorra..."
Yammy—with pained features while covering his stomach with both hands—curled up and apologized to Ulquiorra with forced smile.
"Yamamoto Genryūsai has already acted. The next matter we must accomplish is waiting."