"Again…!"
Zaraki let out a roar, pushing his full power to the limit, swinging the long sword in his hand.
He seemed to have transformed back into that ferocious beast.
Before the Quincy could even flee, they heard a crisp slicing sound.
It was the sound of blades cutting through bone and flesh, and although they were accustomed to such sounds, this time it was exceptionally clear.
Immediately after, intense pain spread throughout their bodies; some were wounded in the back, some had their waists cut, and others had their necks severed.
Despite the varied wounds, they all, without exception, collapsed to the ground!
"Your Majesty, the outer defenses have been almost completely shattered, and the invaders are nearly at Silbern!"
"Open the Holy Sanctuary, tell Gerard to prepare, I will personally meet my Old Friend."
"Yes!"
Before the Quincy King's throne, Haschwalth, kneeling on one knee, slowly raised his head.
At this moment, they were less than half a spirit-mile from the gates of Silbern.
Amidst a landscape of ruins, the advancing Shinigami suddenly halted.
Yamamoto stood at the front of the formation, holding his long sword, his eyes cold and sharp.
Standing before him was a middle-aged man with black hair and a black beard.
Just as this black-haired man was about to speak, Yamamoto's chillingly cold voice suddenly came from the opposite side:
"It's been a thousand years, Yhwach!"
That man was none other than the old man's old acquaintance from a thousand years ago, the Quincy King—Yhwach!
"Indeed, it's been a long time, Yamamoto Genryusai."
Yhwach replied indifferently, his gaze sweeping over him and the Shinigami army behind him.
"After more than nine hundred years, I didn't expect you to have become so weak, actually needing to rely on the power of others."
"What, is that fellow who hides among the dead not here this time?"
"Ridiculous! There's no need to dirty Chojiro's hands anymore; this old man alone is enough."
Amidst the mockery, Yamamoto drew Ryujin Jakka.
Boom!
With a roar, flames blazed fiercely, coiling around Yamamoto's body, sparks flying everywhere.
"Shikai?"
Facing Yamamoto, who was engulfed in flames, Yhwach indifferently spread his hands, a hint of disdainful smile playing on his lips:
"A thousand years ago, you didn't seem so arrogant."
Yamamoto bared his teeth in a grin, revealing a mouthful of white teeth, his ferocious smile sending shivers down one's spine:
"That's what I should be saying to you! To dare come before this old man alone, you're practically seeking death!"
His voice carried a thick killing intent, as if it could pierce through one's Souls.
"Today, this old man will personally end your life!"
A cold light flickered in Yamamoto's eyes, his hand tightly gripping Ryujin Jakka, as if ready to cleave off Yhwach's head at any moment.
However, just as he was about to swing his sword, his movement suddenly paused slightly.
Seeing this, Yhwach's lips curved into a sneer of contempt, and he mocked:
"What's wrong? Yamamoto Genryusai, are you perhaps afraid, not daring to attack?"
His tone was full of provocation and disdain.
You troublesome brat, it's all your fault for making your master underestimated!
Yamamoto couldn't help but glance at the sky out of the corner of his eye.
Although he knew this was not the Seireitei and there was nothing in the sky, he still couldn't help but look again.
Then, he sighed deeply, turned to Unohana beside him, and said:
"Captain Unohana… give me that thing."
Unohana immediately understood his meaning and, without hesitation, pulled out an Invading Shadow Pill and threw it to him.
Yamamoto caught it steadily with one hand, not even glancing at it, and swallowed it directly.
Are you kidding? A medicine given by his disciple's wife, what is there to worry about?
Indeed, as soon as he swallowed it, Yamamoto felt a faint, Hollow power surging in his abdomen.
But he didn't show any signs of Hollowfication, which relieved him.
Seeing this, Unohana seemed to recall something and reminded him:
"Captain-Commander, that medicine doesn't need to be taken orally; just carrying it on your person is enough."
"...."
Why didn't you say so earlier?
You two, husband and wife, must be toxic, how can one be more unreliable than the other?
Yamamoto couldn't help but look at her, his eyes seeming to ask:
"If this old man does not die by Yhwach's hand, will I die by yours?"
Unohana seemed completely unconcerned, waving her hand to reassure him:
"It's fine, Captain-Commander, it still works if you eat it, but you might experience diarrhea in a couple of days."
Upon hearing this, Yamamoto immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
Although it was a bit embarrassing, diarrhea was better than losing his life.
The next second, Yamamoto flashed in front of Yhwach, and the long sword, burning with fierce flames, unhesitatingly slashed down.
Yhwach's lips curled slightly into a sneer, and he softly said:
"Shikai? Do you really think this can threaten me?"
He swiftly extended his hand to grasp the Quincy Cross, transforming it into a sharp spirit-particle long sword, and easily parried this powerful blow.
Yhwach laughed coldly:
"What can you do with just this much? You're old, Yamamoto Genryusai!"
Yamamoto responded in a low voice:
"Is that so? Then you shall witness with your own eyes how this old man utterly shatters you, from flesh to Souls! I will pulverize you!!"
Before his words finished, the flames in Yamamoto's hand suddenly extinguished, as if swallowed by an invisible force.
Yhwach watched the scene before him in astonishment, a hint of unease rising in his heart.
However, Yamamoto's gaze was sharp and cold.
He tightly gripped the charred, ancient katana in his hand, and wisps of smoke slowly rose from the blade, emitting a chilling aura.
"Bankai, Zanka no Tachi!"
Yamamoto's voice was cold and powerful, like the resounding bell of a god declaring judgment.
"Zanka no Tachi, a Bankai that seals flames within the blade. Once swung, everything ends."
"A sword of fierce flames that burns everything it strikes to ashes, how nostalgic!"
Yhwach spread his arms and laughed loudly.
He recalled the time he fought Yamamoto, when the sword of fierce flames had left a deep impression on him.
"Zanka no Tachi, East: Rising Sun Blade!"
Yamamoto wasted no words, swinging the long sword fiercely.
A scorching slash cut down, sweeping towards Yhwach with an aura of destruction.
Yhwach dodged the attack by sidestepping, but the ground was instantly cut with a deep gash.
"It clearly cut his clothes, yet it didn't release a burst of flames. Is it different from the ability I saw nine hundred years ago?"
"But it doesn't matter. Although the power is good, as long as I don't touch that sword, I can just cut you down directly, right?"
Yhwach's lips curled slightly, revealing a smug smile.
As soon as his voice fell, his figure instantly vanished without a trace, as if he had melted into the air.
In the blink of an eye, he reappeared behind Yamamoto, his Quincy Cross blade gleaming with a cold light.
"The difference in Reiatsu makes your seemingly terrifying attack methods quite laughable."
"A slash that can't hit is meaningless, Yamamoto Genryusai!"
Yhwach mocked, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes.
Immediately after, Yhwach unhesitatingly swung his sword towards Yamamoto's back.
However, just as the blade was about to strike Yamamoto, a look of astonishment suddenly appeared on his face.
The moment his Quincy Cross blade made contact—it melted!
Meanwhile, Yamamoto in front of him ignited into fierce flames, his body and blade both appearing as if covered by a dazzling and scorching sun!
Zanka no Tachi, West: Remnant Sun Garment!