After Ito Kai's lingering spiritual pressure completely dissipated, there was no longer any resistance. Yekawa's spiritual pressure poured into the Asauchi like a raging flood.
A sudden wave of dizziness struck him.
When Yekawa looked up again, the surrounding scenery had changed completely. This was no longer the Great Hollow Forest, nor was it Hueco Mundo.
Low earthen houses lined chaotic streets, and the atmosphere was grim and desolate. Yekawa's mind went blank for a moment.
This is… the West District of Rukongai District Seventy Seven
The scene before him was identical to the Rukongai that appeared in Ito Kai's memories.
Am I… in Soul Society No this is an inner world This is Ito Kai's inner world
Before Yekawa could fully process it, a tall and handsome purple haired youth appeared at the far end of the long street. He wore a Soul Reaper uniform and carried an Asauchi at his waist.
Ito Kai
Yekawa called out tentatively.
The purple haired man did not respond.
Instead, he charged forward at terrifying speed. The Asauchi flashed out of its sheath, and from dozens of meters away, a horizontal slash tore through the air toward Yekawa.
In the blink of an eye, the man was already within three feet.
So fast This is Shunpo
Yekawa reacted on instinct. Lightning arcs surged across his right arm as he raised it to block.
Pfft
Blood sprayed violently.
Yekawa's massive right arm was severed cleanly by a single slash.
Without hesitation, Yekawa used Sonido to retreat, widening the distance instantly. His tail snapped out, wrapping around the severed arm on the ground and pressing it against the wound.
Just as the flesh began to writhe and reconnect, the purple haired man attacked again.
The blade in his hand transformed instantly into a pitch black long spear. With a casual swing from afar, a violent gust of wind erupted, blasting Yekawa's nearly healed arm apart once more.
Damn it What terrifying speed
Yekawa roared in pain and retreated repeatedly, using Sonido several times in succession before finally escaping the range of the spear's wind pressure.
The flesh at his shoulder churned wildly, and his severed arm regenerated completely.
Regenerating an arm consumed far more spiritual pressure than reattaching it, yet Yekawa felt no depletion at all. This confirmed it completely.
This is definitely the inner world
However, Yekawa clearly remembered one rule from the Shinigami legends. Death in the inner world meant true death.
Seeing Ito Kai charging at him again with murderous intent, Yekawa shouted instinctively.
I can help you find Kasumioji Yunchuan
The purple haired man froze.
He collapsed to the ground, clutching his head, his expression contorted in pain.
My wife… Unokawa
I am Ito Kai… No I am Kamikaze Maru
Yekawa watched silently as the man convulsed and muttered. He had no way to leave this place and did not dare interrupt.
After a long moment, the purple haired man gradually calmed down.
He looked up at Yekawa and spoke slowly.
I am Kamikaze Maru Existing through my master's obsession To find Unokawa
As he finished speaking, he waved his hand.
Another wave of dizziness struck Yekawa.
When his vision cleared, he found himself back in the Great Hollow Forest.
I'm back
Although it felt as though he had spent a long time in the inner world, less than a second had passed in reality.
Even so, lingering fear clung to Yekawa's heart. The exhilaration he had felt from slaughtering Hollows and rapidly growing stronger in Hueco Mundo was shattered completely.
A Vice Captain level Shinigami is this terrifying
No I can't grow complacent I must become stronger
Yekawa steadied himself and began to reflect. The encounter was not without benefit. At the very least, he now possessed all of Ito Kai's memories of training and battle.
He raised his left hand and pointed toward a giant tree ahead.
Hado Number Four White Lightning
He followed the circulation method from Ito Kai's memories and activated his spiritual pressure. Despite belonging to the Eleventh Division, Ito Kai had been proficient in Kido, with White Lightning as his specialty.
One second passed
Two seconds passed
Thirty seconds passed
Nothing happened.
Alright So Hollow spiritual pressure really can't activate Shinigami techniques
Yekawa was not discouraged. He had only tried it out of curiosity.
What truly thrilled him was the Zanpakuto in his right hand.
It had grown to more than ten meters in length, perfectly matching his massive physique.
I might be the only Hollow in existence who wields a Zanpakuto without becoming an Arrancar
His experience in the inner world had granted him the qualification to use it. More importantly, he now possessed all of Ito Kai's Zanjutsu memories and combat experience. What he lacked was only real combat practice.
This was Zanjutsu approaching Captain level.
As long as he mastered it in practice, his strength would undergo a qualitative leap in the shortest possible time.
Yekawa casually raised his arm and swung.
A sharp arc of blade light flashed.
A colossal tree over a hundred meters tall, with a trunk more than five meters thick, was sliced cleanly in half.
Rumble
The massive tree collapsed, raising clouds of dust and crushing countless shrubs.
Excellent Truly worthy of Nimaiya Oetsu's craftsmanship A supreme treasure
Yekawa gazed at the Zanpakuto with growing affection. Under the infusion of his spiritual pressure, the once chipped blade had returned to pristine condition. It could even adjust to his size.
He turned the gigantic blade over in his hands like a child who had found a new toy.
…
Roar
Roar
Roar
Seven Gillians roared in unison, surrounding the Giant Hollow that dared provoke them. They looked ready to tear him apart at any moment.
Sigh Just a few ordinary mindless Gillians Can't I get a decent opponent At least a unique Gillian if not an Adjuchas
Yekawa sounded bored.
He raised the oversized Zanpakuto and swung several times.
Seven flashes of blade light crossed the battlefield.
All seven Gillians were split cleanly in half.
Soul Eater activated immediately. A dark golden vortex bloomed at the tip of Yekawa's tail, devouring the remains of all seven Gillians.
Feeling his spiritual pressure rise, Yekawa smiled in satisfaction.
Half a year had passed since he obtained the Zanpakuto.
During these six months, Yekawa had fully absorbed most of Ito Kai's Zanjutsu experience. For half a year, he hunted Gillians relentlessly.
Now, his spiritual pressure was four to five times greater than when he first entered the Great Hollow Forest.
Ordinary Gillians could no longer survive even a single strike from him.