"Die, you lowly Shinigami!"
"Offer up your strength for the birth of a new world!"
Twisted limbs overlapped as massive blood-filled maws opened in unison, releasing a formless sonic wave.
"Bakudo No. 81: Danku!"
Shimo raised his hand. A transparent barrier rose again, cutting heaven and earth apart.
"Useless!"
"My world is mine to rule!"
The sonic impact smashed into the Danku barrier, shattering it instantly.
Just as the attack was about to land on Shimo, Shunpo flashed.
Shimo's figure vanished from where he stood.
BOOM!
Stone pillars within several miles were pulverized.
"What a violent power."
Shimo stood in midair, looking down at the monster-like Kuchiki Koga.
After taking one of the opponent's strikes head-on, he finally understood the basics of this guy's abilities.
After Resurreccion, Kuchiki Koga had already become a Hollow.
Muramasa was originally the power of his soul. When it fully returned, all of that power erupted at once.
A unique world belonging to Kuchiki Koga was constructed.
It was somewhat similar to Kaname Tosen's Bankai.
But Koga's world was more complete, and also stronger.
Here, he could use his own power as he pleased.
Hypnosis, reiatsu disruption, overwhelming Kidō assaults, and even unlimited Cero release.
Each gaping maw could unleash a different kind of attack.
Right now, Koga was basically a deformed artillery platform.
If it were any other Shinigami, they would probably be worn down by these unlimited attacks, their power constantly drained until they collapsed and died.
But Shimo was different.
He had decisive power.
"Perfect timing. I've just gained a new ability."
Shimo drew his Zanpakuto, Akatsuki, and calmly looked at Kuchiki Koga.
"I'll start with you."
"Pierce all Phenomena, Akatsuki!"
His right hand extended as his spiritual pressure surged.
A void-like, twisting power spread from the hilt, swallowing the entire blade.
The hilt turned ink-black, with three hollow marks carved into it. The blade transformed into a warped clock face, releasing a ticking sound.
The slender blade was wrapped in extreme spiritual pressure, carrying an imposing pressure.
That same extreme spiritual pressure also enveloped Shimo's eyes.
The power of time, completely unleashed.
In the next moment, the extreme spiritual pressure dispersed.
Shimo suddenly realized the world before him had changed.
Complicated golden threads crisscrossed and tangled, stirring and intertwining.
"So this is the timeline?"
Shimo reached out a finger, trying to touch it.
But he was shocked to discover that in this state, his spiritual pressure was being consumed at an insane rate.
"This drain is ridiculous."
Shimo's expression darkened.
"In this state, I can't even sustain a full battle."
KRAK-KRAK--
Freezing snow and ice formed into a tornado, sweeping toward Shimo.
"Conquering Ice Fang Storm!"
Kuchiki Koga attacked with wild laughter, and the entire world filled with his eerie voice.
The moment the sound entered Shimo's ears, he felt his state being affected.
"Finally noticed?"
Koga jeered. "This is my exclusive hypnosis domain!"
"Any Shinigami who enters this world will become my puppet, to be used as I please!"
"Kyōraku Shimo. You will become the first great general in my conquest of Soul Society!"
Shimo's expression did not change.
"So you shifted from hypnosis aimed at Zanpakuto… to hypnosis aimed at Shinigami themselves?"
"Looks like your progress is limited."
Akatsuki turned in his hand, void-like power coiling around it.
For some reason, a sense of ominous danger suddenly rose in Kuchiki Koga's heart.
A warning from the world itself.
"I should end you quickly!"
"Kongōbaku, Conquering Ice Fang Storm, hypnosis!"
Countless attacks flooded the entire world, vast and overwhelming, trying to shred Shimo into dust.
"Looks strong."
Shimo shook his head. "But it's all show and no substance."
He slashed out a blood-red energy that crossed the limits of space and broke through the barrier of time.
Facing that strike, Koga could only watch as his body was completely pierced through.
"Wait."
"I'm fine?!"
A strange expression appeared on that demon-like face.
Koga didn't understand what had happened, but since the opponent's attack was ineffective…
Then the one who would die was Kyōraku Shimo!
SHING!
Shimo released his Shikai. Under Koga's confused gaze, he drew it back into his Zanpakuto.
In the next instant, Koga suddenly noticed something wrong.
"The world… is collapsing?!"
The shattered world looked like glass smashed by a heavy hammer.
Spiderweb cracks spread everywhere his eyes could see.
Koga finally noticed the abnormality in his own body.
Starting from the very bottom, it was continuously dispersing like windblown sand, vanishing into his so-called new world.
"No… impossible!"
His twisted limbs struggled nonstop like a fish out of water.
That demon-like face was now filled with terror.
Facing annihilation, Koga finally cast aside his arrogance and madness.
"I don't want to die."
"I still haven't destroyed Soul Society."
As he spoke the last sentence, the rate of disappearance increased several times over.
In an instant, Koga completely returned to nothingness, leaving not even a trace behind.
And Shimo returned to his original position.
Feeling the spiritual pressure fading from the air, Shimo clicked his tongue.
Kuchiki Koga's strength was not weaker than an ordinary captain's.
He was originally a rare genius in Soul Society's history.
Even Yamamoto had praised him.
If he hadn't been framed by other factions, the current head of the Kuchiki clan would probably have been him.
And the ability of Koga's Zanpakuto was the natural enemy of most Shinigami.
His strength was absolutely worth acknowledging.
On top of that, the modifications to his soul allowed him to undergo Hollowfication and even Resurreccion.
In a sense, his power was not inferior to the Espada, and he could even rank near the top.
Unfortunately, he met Shimo.
After releasing his power, Shimo was a terrifying existence who could even instantly kill a Captain.
Before any qualitative transformation in power, Koga had no ability to resist at all.
That power Shimo released inside Koga's world severed Kuchiki Koga's timeline, erasing him from the very root.
Because of that, everything about Koga vanished into existence. As if he never existed at all.
With his complete death, the out-of-control Zanpakuto within Seireitei all returned to normal.
Shunsui Kyōraku stopped his Shunpo and arrived at the center of the battlefield.
"My, my… the fighting looks even more excessive than I expected."
Under the lowered brim of his hat, a hint of surprise flickered in his eyes.
"Where's Kuchiki Koga?"
Shimo spread both hands and answered honestly.
"Dead."
Shunsui's mouth twitched and he asked again.
"The body?"
Shimo didn't change his posture.
"Gone."
The corner of Shunsui's eye twitched as he leaned closer and lowered his voice.
"Couldn't you show a little restraint?"
"Not even bones left. How am I supposed to explain that to the old man?!"
Shimo shrugged, indifferent.
"My fault?"
Shunsui sighed.
Even as an elder, he couldn't put on any airs in front of Shimo.
"Dead is dead."
"As for the cleanup—"
Before he could finish, a cold, calm voice came from behind.
"Leave it to the Kuchiki clan."
Byakuya Kuchiki arrived from afar, his captain's haori torn in several places.
During the battle with Senbonzakura, Shunsui had spent most of the time slacking off.
The real main force had been Byakuya.
Without Shikai support, he had fought with great difficulty.
"Kuchiki Koga is a member of the Kuchiki clan."
Byakuya landed from the air, his expression heavy.
"The damage he caused should be paid for by the Kuchiki family."
Shimo and Shunsui exchanged a glance.
As expected. The Kuchiki really are on another level.
Muramasa nearly overturned all of Seireitei.
Every Zanpakuto belonging to a Shinigami at lieutenant rank and above had been materialized.
Besides that, quite a few seated officers' Zanpakuto were also turned.
Not only that, Muramasa drew in many blade beasts and launched an assault on Seireitei, forming what was basically a new force.
In that case, Seireitei's losses were impossible to estimate.
Shimo raised a thumb and praised him.
"You Kuchiki really are rich."
Byakuya didn't understand.
Rich?
Wasn't this simply what should be done?
After being ravaged by two wars, Seireitei had once again become filled with ruins.
Compared to the earlier Ryoka invasion and the destruction caused by Ichigo's Hollow side, the current damage was even worse.
Because no captain's Zanpakuto is harmless.
The resources the Kuchiki clan would spend repairing everything would not be a small amount.
---
After a while...
First Division Barracks.
Captain's conference room.
Shimo looked calmly at the two elderly men before him.
Shunsui stood to the side, idly fiddling with his haori.
"The general situation is like this."
Shimo said, "Kuchiki Koga's seal was broken, and Aizen was behind it."
"Not only that, he accepted soul modification, underwent Hollowfication, committed spiritual suicide, then completed Resurreccion."
"In the end, he died. No remains."
An extremely brief report, almost without any wasted words.
Yamamoto's half-closed eyes opened, a trace of helplessness flashing through them.
This report was far too simple.
When other captains and lieutenants reported missions, they tried to stretch every word as much as possible.
But with Shimo, it was only a few sentences total.
Yamamoto had no way to deal with Shimo's personality.
After being promoted to captain of the Third Division, he seemed even less willing to restrain himself.
When he slacked off, he did it completely at his own whim.
"Though Kuchiki Koga is dead, he still caused an enormous impact on Soul Society."
Yamamoto weighed his words, then said:
"This war also exposed the shortcomings of the Shinigami."
"The link between Zanpakuto and Shinigami is not close enough."
"From today onward, Zanpakuto meditation will become mandatory training for every Shinigami!"
Shimo paused, then reacted and asked:
"If so, does that mean the Shin'ō Academy adds another course?"
Yamamoto lifted his gaze and looked at Shimo a bit longer.
"Correct."
Shimo sighed, feeling pity for his dear kohai.
Zanpakuto meditation was not easy.
For impatient types like Renji Abarai, it would be pure torture.
At that moment, the other old man seated beside Yamamoto suddenly spoke.
"Regarding the destruction caused by Kuchiki Koga, I, on behalf of the Kuchiki clan, offer our deepest apology."
With gray-white hair draped over his shoulders, a wrinkled elderly face, and a silver-white wind-flower scarf marking his identity, he wore a white haori over black Shihakusho.
Former head of the Kuchiki clan, Ginrei Kuchiki.
"All losses suffered by Seireitei will be borne by the Kuchiki family."
"Also, regarding Captain Shimo's help."
Ginrei's gaze rested on Shimo briefly, then he continued:
"This old man offers his thanks."
"Koga had already strayed down the wrong path. For him, death is the best ending."
Even if he said so, Shimo could see clearly.
This former head of the Kuchiki clan still felt grief over his son-in-law's death.
Ginrei was a man who valued family.
Shimo waved his hand, indicating he didn't take it to heart.
He said casually, "Byakuya and I are friends. This is what I should do."
But what he didn't expect was that this old man, Ginrei Kuchiki, was extremely stubborn.
"Byakuya is Byakuya. I am myself."
"This is a grudge carried over from the previous generation."
"To show my sincerity, I will give Captain Shimo a gift."
"Please do not refuse it."
Shimo blinked, completely dumbfounded.
So I kill your precious family, and you're giving me a gift?
Is this really how the Kuchiki clan handles things?
----------------------------///
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