Chapter 213: Only Two Paths!
If you ask what Satoru's strongest move is now?
Naturally, it's the 990,000 Pairs... ahem, naturally it's the "Pseudo-Quad Sōkotsu" where he uses his feet for leverage and strikes with both fists.
This punch once defeated the invincible Kōga Kuchiki, making a name for itself throughout the new world.
Hearing Aizen's instruction to use his strongest move, Satoru didn't hesitate and charged straight forward.
Mid-air, he clenched both fists and thrust them forward.
Legs held straight together and extended behind him, his entire body turned horizontal in midair.
"Human Cannon Satoru, launching!"
Satoru roared as he charged toward Senzaemon.
The old Shinigami was momentarily stunned.
In their previous battles, he had never seen this move before.
At first glance, this "Human Cannon" seemed like a nonsensical technique.
But... his instincts warned him not to let his guard down.
After nearly being instantly killed earlier, Senzaemon didn't dare let his guard down, focusing intently on Satoru.
His Zanpakutō was ready for battle at any moment.
Satoru was incredibly fast—in less than two seconds, he had crossed over a hundred meters and appeared right in front of him.
Now was the time—slash him!
Senzaemon's gaze turned icy as he raised his Zanpakutō.
But at that very moment, Satoru suddenly vanished from his sight.
The abrupt change made his movements falter slightly.
The illusion came and went just as quickly, and in the next instant, his vision caught Satoru again.
Again?!
Senzaemon was irritated.
He glanced at Aizen in the distance.
Sure enough, the latter had drawn his Zanpakutō again at some point.
Moreover, his face was pale, as if he had overexerted himself.
That split-second of interference from Aizen had cost him the best opportunity to stop Satoru.
Fortunately, thanks to his previous experience, he hadn't slacked off in reinforcing his Reiatsu barrier.
The surging Reiatsu still shimmered brilliantly around him, his fighting spirit blazing like a Super Saiyan.
Under Senzaemon's gaze, Satoru grinned, revealing a demonic smile.
His feet erupted with Reiatsu flames stretching thousands of meters.
The veins on his forearms bulged violently.
Double Sōkotsu—Fist Version!
Double Sōkotsu—Leg Version!
Pseudo—Quadruple Sōkotsu!
BOOM!!!!!!!!
A terrifying explosion of Reiatsu lit up the sky above Las Noches.
The land of Hueco Mundo, shrouded in night for millions of years, now bore a rising sun.
The massive flash of light resembled a colossal eye peering down from the depths of the sky.
Its mere gaze sent all living beings scurrying like ants, seeking shelter.
Several Adjuchas near the battlefield were instantly obliterated by the shockwave, reduced to black dust.
"My, my… this is something."
Szayelaporro raised a hand to shield his eyes as he observed the spectacle Satoru had created.
Harribel blinked.
So strong…
If it was this Shinigami, he might truly be able to overthrow Baraggan's millennia-long reign!
Baraggan gripped his massive axe, the flickering flames in his eyes betraying unreadable thoughts.
Aizen suddenly took out a pill and swallowed it.
Then, he raised Kyōka Suigetsu, letting the cold gleam of the blade reflect in his pupils…
Amid the shockwaves of the explosion, Satoru chuckled.
Victory.
He could feel it—his punch had just shattered Senzaemon's vitals.
That old bastard couldn't keep fighting now.
All that was left was cleanup…
Hm?
Seeing Senzaemon standing unharmed not far away, Satoru tilted his head in confusion.
Was it an illusion? He felt like he had already settled things with this old man.
In fact, it was as if they had fought several times already in this very sky.
Was he dreaming? Or… was this déjà vu?
"Satoru, be careful. Figure out his ability first," Aizen warned.
Satoru frowned.
"Sōsuke, something's off."
"I feel like we've fought this old guy multiple times already… and it doesn't feel like an illusion."
"Each time, he seems to get better at fighting."
Hearing this, Senzaemon's eyes widened in shock.
Impossible…
His ability, "Reverse Tide," allowed him to set a temporal anchor the moment he released his Zanpakutō.
Unless he died or was knocked unconscious, he could rewind time to that anchor point at any time within the next minute.
Using this ability, he could fight his opponent endlessly, learning their techniques until he mastered them completely and crushed them utterly.
The more times he used it, the more likely his opponent would notice something was wrong—even uncover the secret.
But that required at least twenty repetitions to take effect.
He had tested this on his clan members—even the most talented Shinigami needed at least forty resets to realize the truth.
How many times had it been now?
Not even ten!
He hadn't even fully analyzed these two freaks' abilities yet—how could they have noticed?!
Meanwhile, Aizen fell into deep thought upon hearing Satoru's words.
Fought multiple times already…
Satoru wouldn't say something like that without reason.
He drew his blade, preparing to analyze Satoru's words while fighting.
But the moment he unsheathed his sword, he froze, as if something had awakened in his mind.
Aizen closed his eyes, letting the sudden flood of images surge through his thoughts.
A few seconds later, he opened them and nodded slightly.
"I see…"
Satoru glanced back at him.
Seeing Aizen's expression, he grinned.
"Sōsuke, got a plan?"
Whenever Airen looked like this—like a scheming mastermind—it meant his devious… ahem, brilliant strategy was ready!
Aizen nodded. "Thanks to Formula No. 9."
Satoru narrowed his eyes, trying to recall.
Then his eyes widened.
"No. 9?! Didn't you say the side effects of that drug were insane? That it burns your soul directly?!"
"Indeed, the side effects are severe," Aizen smiled faintly. "Fortunately, our opponent here saved me."
Satoru was baffled.
"I'll explain the details later," Aizen waved dismissively. "Right now, there's something you need to do."
"What?"
"Unleash a technique even stronger than your Pseudo—Quadruple Sōkotsu!"
"To defeat Senzaemon, we need something of that caliber."
"We're trapped in this loop. There are only two paths ahead of us."
"Either we defeat Senzaemon… or we die here!"
Satoru fell into thought.