As everyone confronted Tokinada.
Inside the black domain.
Shin looked at Kugo, who was curiously looking around, thinking that this guy must have just gained sentience.
Separating him from Tokinada was the right move. That way, all Kugo had left was his raw power and basic combat instincts.
Dismantle!
Countless slashes attacked Kugo, but they failed to break through his defense.
"So tough-skinned? What is this? Hierro?"
Kugo was enraged, letting out a roar, accumulating Reiatsu in his mouth, and releasing a giant red Cero.
Teleport!
Shin dodged the attack, feeling the residual shockwave of the Cero. He estimated that this Cero was on par with a Vasto Lorde-class Hollow.
Taking advantage of Shin's dodge, Kugo flashed in front of him, summoned a greatsword, and brought it down.
"So fast!"
Kugo's Shunpo was no slower than Teleport.
Cleave!
A massive net-like slash enveloped Kugo's body before he could strike Shin. His torso was shredded, but his limbs remained intact.
"This materialized Reiatsu is so hard?"
Before he could marvel, Kugo's body had already completely regenerated.
He roared in anger. Although he could recover quickly under the influence of the Ōin, the pain was real.
"Let's see how many times you can recover."
"Fuga."
Shin condensed and fired a flame arrow. Facing this attack, Kugo actually reached out to grab it.
Boom!
A violent explosion engulfed Kugo, and the crimson flames that burned everything covered his body.
"Ahhh!"
Kugo let out a tragic cry, and in a moment, he turned to ashes and vanished.
But the next instant, he reappeared, completely unharmed.
"Is this time regression?"
"The Ōin is too damn abnormal."
Shin had previously thought the Ōin was useless, but it seemed it just hadn't been used by the right person. If it weren't for its deadly side effects, he would have wanted to claim it for himself.
"However, no matter how strong the Ōin is, Reiatsu is always limited. Today, I will wear you down to death, even if it kills me."
Shin continued to attack Kugo.
...
Shin's expression was grim at this point.
After "killing" Kugo with various methods, he discovered that Kugo's combat ability was continuously improving.
Although his Reiatsu was a bit weaker, he was getting stronger and stronger.
Kugo had already learned to use the power of the Ōin to open "spatial rifts" and banish Shin's attacks.
Shin now had to give up using long-range attack techniques.
Tenth Form: Beneficent Radiance!
Fifth Form: Fire Wheel!
Shin descended from the sky, attacking from above, his body and sword becoming one, spinning in a circle to form a powerful slash.
Kugo unleashed several slashes with his sword, blocking Shin's attacks, while also firing a Cero from his mouth.
Shin blocked it with his Yogasa, and both were shaken by the impact of the explosion.
Then, Shin took out several daggers from Yogasa. These daggers were specifically prepared after he was injured by Unohana's hidden blade last time.
Teleport!
Several daggers instantly plunged into Kugo's chest, completely ignoring his surface defense.
After Kugo recovered again, a bewildered expression appeared on his face, as if wondering how these daggers had attacked him.
However, seeing Shin poised for action, he quickly adjusted his state.
He summoned a completely white bow and continuously fired several arrows.
A flame barrier rose in front of Shin, but the arrows easily pierced through the barrier. Shin dodged a few, but one arrow still pierced his shoulder.
Seeing Shin injured, Kugo's face showed joy.
Reverse Cursed Technique!
Shin healed his wounds.
"It seems I underestimated you after all."
The two became entangled in combat again.
...
After Shin consumed two Senzu Beans, the Ōin's power temporarily dried up, and Kugo finally couldn't hold on, almost unable to fight anymore.
He frantically attacked the black domain, wanting to escape this place.
Shin found it amusing. No attack or object could escape the domain, but Kugo himself could enter and exit freely. Unfortunately, Kugo didn't realize this.
"Alright, it's time to end this."
Using two Senzu Beans made Shin's heart ache. However, it also proved the extraordinary effect of the Senzu Beans.
Shin flashed behind Kugo, his blade burning with crimson flames.
Kugo turned around.
At this instant, Shin actually felt Kugo's intense fear, but he didn't soften, piercing his Saketsu and Hakusui, then his heart.
Without the power of the Ōin, Kugo could no longer heal his wounds and soon died of exhaustion. The Ōin also detached from his brow and fell to the ground.
Such a man-made object controlled by others was truly tragic.
Afterward, Shin put both Kugo's corpse and the Ōin into Yogasa.
[Mission Complete: Kill the Soul King (Fake)]
[Reward: Random Weapon ×1]
Shin looked at the weapon, stunned.
It wasn't a sword, blade, or similar weapon.
"This... this is clearly a beautiful girl. Is she a legendary humanoid weapon?"
She had uneven pink long hair, a collar around her neck, two long braids intertwined with red ribbons behind her, white armor, emerald green eyes, and an impressive figure.
Shin tried hard to search his memory and finally confirmed that he didn't recognize this girl.
Although he really wanted to know her identity and abilities, the current situation was not appropriate, so he could only suppress his curiosity.
Shin dispelled the domain, and found that the battle between the others and Tokinada had ended, and they were all waiting for him outside the domain.
"Shin/Nohara, are you alright?"
Yoruichi and Soi Fon stepped forward simultaneously, speaking in unison.
"I'm fine."
Hearing this, both of them felt relieved.
"Nohara-san, where is Ginjo?"
Mayuri scanned around but found no trace of Kugo.
Shin smiled. "He's dead, not even a speck left."
"Such good research material, what a pity."
Mayuri gained nothing from this trip.
Shin said, "Sorry, that guy was too annoying. I didn't hold back."
"Nohara, what about the Ōin?"
Toshiro was more concerned about the Ōin, as it had been lost from his hands.
Shin took out the Ōin and tossed it to Toshiro. "Here, catch."
Then, he asked, "And Tokinada?"
"He's temporarily imprisoned on the first level of Muken."
Shin nodded. "Did he say where he sent the Captain Commander?"
"No, he refused to say anything." Soi Fon's expression was grave.
Yamamoto still hadn't appeared, so he was likely in trouble.
(End of Chapter)
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