Yekawa sat cross-legged inside the secluded cave when he suddenly felt his aura plummet.
In an instant, his Reiatsu dropped to nearly half of its original strength.
At the same time, far away in Soul Society, within the Eleventh Division Barracks, Ito Makoto was seated in meditation inside his private room.
Suddenly, his eyes snapped open.
Boom!
His Reiatsu surged violently.
In only a few breaths, it broke through its former limit, rising from strong Vice-Captain level into the realm of Third-Class Reiatsu, the level of a Squad Captain.
Inside the Eleventh Division meeting hall, Zaraki Kenpachi sensed the fluctuation and curled his lips into a grin.
"You've gotten stronger again, Ito."
A short while later, as Yekawa's aura in Hueco Mundo gradually recovered, Ito Makoto's Reiatsu also receded, returning to its former strong Vice-Captain level.
Back in the cave, Yekawa slowly opened his eyes.
A trace of delight flashed beneath his mask.
This was the new ability he had gained after advancing to Adjuchas.
Reiatsu Sharing.
He could transfer spiritual pressure between his main body and his Soul Society clone.
The clone could borrow Reiatsu from him.
He could also borrow Reiatsu from the clone.
Both sides could temporarily strengthen themselves.
More importantly, the shared Reiatsu would automatically convert into the appropriate form, preventing Hollow Reiatsu from conflicting with Shinigami Reiatsu.
After repeated testing, Yekawa discovered that he could transfer at most fifty percent of his own Reiatsu.
Of that amount, Ito Makoto could only receive around thirty percent.
"Is it because of the distance?"
Yekawa frowned slightly.
The vast separation between Hueco Mundo and Soul Society likely caused severe transmission loss.
Even so, thirty percent was more than enough.
It allowed Ito Makoto to briefly step into genuine Captain-level territory.
In contrast, thirty percent of Ito Makoto's Vice-Captain Reiatsu barely affected Yekawa.
This ability would only reach its true potential once the clone became stronger.
"Still, this is enough for now."
"Since the clone can temporarily fight at Captain level, my plan can finally begin."
"Aizen has just entered Hueco Mundo. He will soon start large-scale Arrancar experiments."
"Las Noches has fallen. Control of Hueco Mundo is shifting."
"With my current strength, I can recruit subordinates."
"Preferably… every future Espada."
"According to the clone's investigation, the new expedition force has already arrived."
Yekawa muttered quietly in the cave.
…
Soul Society.
Eleventh Division Barracks.
Ito Makoto's room.
"Am I getting a cheat too?"
Ito Makoto chuckled softly.
"No. This boost is too small."
"A minor cheat isn't real cheating."
Thinking of a certain blond monster, he felt a surge of envy.
Bang!
Suddenly, the door was kicked open.
"Oi, Ito! You got stronger again!"
"Come on, fight me!"
Zaraki Kenpachi burst in excitedly.
Perched on his shoulder, Kusajishi Yachiru waved happily.
"Yo, little Ito!"
Ito Makoto sighed.
"Captain, didn't we just fight two days ago?"
"My injuries aren't even healed yet."
"Why don't you go find Ikkaku-senpai?"
"Tch."
Kenpachi clicked his tongue.
"Ikkaku went to train."
"He says he's practicing Bankai."
"Training is boring."
"Cutting people is better."
Ito Makoto's lips twitched.
He glanced at Yachiru, hesitating to speak.
…
Ten minutes later.
Eleventh Division Training Grounds.
Ito Makoto and Zaraki Kenpachi stood facing each other.
In the end, he couldn't argue his way out.
"Go, Ken-chan!"
"Go, little Ito!"
Yachiru cheered excitedly.
"Captain, please instruct me."
Ito Makoto bowed.
"Too much talking."
Kenpachi grinned.
Then he slashed.
Whoosh!
His chipped Asauchi blurred into an afterimage.
No technique.
Only brutal force.
Ito Makoto used Shunpo to evade.
"Why do you keep running?"
"Fight me properly!"
Kenpachi complained.
Another slash followed instantly.
Too fast to dodge.
Ito Makoto raised his sword and blocked.
Clang!
Sparks exploded.
A terrifying force surged through his arms.
Blood seeped from his palms.
This single strike made him understand the gap.
No skill.
No tricks.
Only overwhelming power.
He stabilized his breathing and activated Shikai.
"Chimi Shinra, Moryo Bansho, Shoshin Zensei, Kaijin Tochi."
"Annihilation God!"
Dark golden light flashed.
The Asauchi transformed into a slender white bone blade.
"Annihilation God, Style One, Tremor!"
A vibration spread.
Kenpachi's organs were violently tugged.
His movements slowed for an instant.
"Hmph."
"I'm used to that frequency now."
Kenpachi laughed and attacked again.
"He adapted already…"
Ito Makoto felt helpless.
He circulated all his Reiatsu and barely held on.
"Annihilation God, Style Two, Rift Ban!"
He traced a circle in the air.
Grey mist surged forward.
Kenpachi didn't dodge.
He took it head-on.
Bang!
The shockwave shattered the ground.
Cracks spread like spiderwebs.
Pfft!
Kenpachi spat blood.
Then laughed.
"You're holding back."
"As your Captain, I order you to go all out!"
Ito Makoto sighed.
Even Rift Ban barely injured him.
…
Far away in Hueco Mundo.
Yekawa smiled faintly beneath his mask.
"You want a real fight?"
"Very well."
His aura dropped sharply.
Half of his Reiatsu vanished.
At the same time, in Soul Society…
Boom!
Ito Makoto's Reiatsu erupted.
It surged past Vice-Captain limits.
Entering true Third-Class territory.
Captain-level power.