Chapter 184: Kyōraku's Curiosity
Carrying Satoru's last wishes... no, carrying Satoru's request, Chōjirō rushed through the long Dangai at top speed and returned to the Seireitei.
Arriving at the preparation site for the Soul Funeral Ceremony, he found Yamamoto and quickly recounted the events that had taken place in the human world.
Upon hearing that Satoru had encountered an enemy he couldn't handle, Yamamoto showed a somewhat surprised expression.
Satoru in his original form was already at captain-level strength, and with all his chaotic abilities, he was as strong as a beast.
Even if he were given the title of Kenpachi and thrown into the 11th Division, it wouldn't feel out of place at all.
For Satoru to choose to call for reinforcements meant the enemy was truly formidable.
Of course, it couldn't be ruled out that the kid was just messing around.
Yamamoto wanted to go himself, but he was currently swamped with responsibilities.
After a moment of thought, he said:
"Chōjirō, the captains are all waiting at the Soul Funeral Ceremony venue. Go find Kyōraku and have him assist Satoru."
Upon receiving the order brought by Sasakibe, Shunsui didn't hesitate and immediately headed to the human world.
Rushing all the way, he finally arrived just in time.
As soon as the Senkaimon opened, the thick, almost tangible Reiatsu hit him squarely in the face.
Since he became a captain, this was the first time he had felt such an absurdly powerful Reiatsu from a Hollow!
Faced with such a formidable enemy, Shunsui's first thought wasn't how to fight back, but rather a sense of lamentation.
As expected of his junior—crises always seemed to follow him around.
Just coming to the human world to capture a Hollow, and he ended up encountering such a monster.
That in itself was a kind of talent, wasn't it?
While thinking this, he drew his twin blades—
"Don't be afraid, Satoru! Your senior is here!"
As he spoke, Shunsui released his Zanpakutō and charged forward, brandishing two large swords.
On Szayelaporro's side, he naturally showed no fear.
Although he had been fighting Satoru and Aizen for a while, aside from the final wave of clone battles, he hadn't expended much energy.
Losing an arm was nothing to a Menos Grande with such powerful regenerative abilities.
He had suffered quite the humiliation at Satoru's hands, and now that someone had come along for him to vent his frustrations on, he couldn't be more pleased.
Swinging his four fleshy tentacles, Szayelaporro and Shunsui clashed fiercely.
The more they fought, the more Shunsui felt a growing sense of alarm.
This Menos Grande was far too powerful.
In the past, he had fought Adjuchas-level Menos Grande on multiple occasions.
Though they were much stronger than Gillians, in his eyes, they still fell within the category of "cannon fodder."
But the one before him was completely different.
Its vast Reiatsu, terrifying strength, and the tentacles that made him feel a strong sense of danger with every attack—each of these traits highlighted this Hollow's uniqueness.
When had such a powerful being emerged in Hueco Mundo?
However, alongside his shock, he also felt a bit pleased.
The stronger the enemy, the more important he would appear, right?
This time, he had traveled a great distance to rescue someone, making a heroic entrance at the critical moment—surely, his junior would be deeply moved.
Perhaps, from now on, he could upgrade from "Uncle Kyōraku" to "Respected Senior," couldn't he?
Thinking this, he took a moment to glance at Satoru.
A dashing smile spread across his stubbled face.
Only to see Satoru's cold, indifferent gaze and an expression as if he had just swallowed a dead fly.
Shunsui: "?"
This... this reaction wasn't right, was it?
In that moment of distraction, Szayelaporro's fleshy tentacle struck him hard across the face, sending him flying backward.
Tumbling mid-air, Shunsui stabilized his posture.
Instinctively, he prepared to charge back.
But the moment he moved, he suddenly stopped.
Something was wrong.
His movements felt somewhat stiff.
Quickly checking the flow of Reishi within his body, Shunsui's face showed surprise.
Was this... poison?
Such a powerful Hollow, and it turned out to be a poison user?
For a moment, he couldn't help but feel as if he had seen a ghost.
Seeing Shunsui's reaction, Szayelaporro grinned widely.
Fall! Fall!
Swinging his fleshy tentacles, he charged forward to finish off Shunsui and vent his anger.
But just as he reached halfway, Satoru intercepted him with a swing of his blade.
Watching Satoru, who held an Asauchi and blocked his tentacles, Szayelaporro frowned.
Satoru roared: "Halt! Villain, how dare you act so recklessly!"
At the same time, he used a Kidō technique to project his voice directly into Szayelaporro's ears:
"Do you still honor the wager?"
Szayelaporro clicked his tongue in annoyance.
Then, using the same method, he replied: "I, Szayelaporro, always keep my word."
"Just admit it and hurry back to Hueco Mundo. Don't linger any longer."
"Don't judge my senior brother by his appearance. If a real fight breaks out, you might not be his match."
He wasn't trying to intimidate Szayelaporro.
Shunsui's abilities could be described as the god of instant-kill encounters.
Within the entire Soul Society, he was the one whose abilities needed to be kept most secret.
No matter how strong the opponent, once trapped in his game rules, they would have to divert attention to figure out how to play along with him.
It wouldn't be surprising if they lost sixty percent of their combat effectiveness.
Satoru had finally managed to secure a deputy chief position for the new branch—he didn't want to lose Szayelaporro.
Initially, Szayelaporro was somewhat annoyed that Satoru looked down on him and thought he would lose.
But upon hearing the term "senior," he pursed his lips and said nothing.
If this bearded Shinigami was Satoru's senior, then there was no point in fighting.
If he won, Satoru definitely wouldn't stand by idly. In the end, it would be three against one, and he would still lose.
Having thought it through, he put up a symbolic fight before declaring loudly:
"Hmph, as expected of Shinigami notorious for their underhanded tactics—when one can't win, two come; when two can't win, three show up!"
"I, the great Szayelaporro, won't waste any more time with you fools... Satoru, until we meet again!"
With a cold laugh, Szayelaporro casually tore open a Garganta and left the battlefield.
Watching Szayelaporro retreat, Shunsui breathed a sigh of relief.
As Satoru approached, he said:
"Satoru, that Hollow was extraordinary. We need to return quickly and report to Old Man Yama."
Satoru nodded.
By the time Shunsui arrived, Szayelaporro had already used his Resurrección, losing his human form.
Otherwise, seeing Szayelaporro's Arrancar appearance would have been truly shocking.
After saying this, Shunsui glanced at Aizen standing beside Satoru.
This young man... if he remembered correctly, he seemed to be Satoru's classmate.
During the graduation exam, he had cleanly and efficiently defeated a seated officer and later joined the Fifth Division.
He hadn't expected him to become a vice-captain so quickly.
But what puzzled him even more than his promotion was why his junior brother had allowed him to remain in the living world.
Did his junior brother believe this young vice-captain had the strength to participate in the battle against that Hollow just now?
Or even serve as an asset?
At this thought, Shunsui couldn't help but feel curious about Aizen...