Chapter 424: This Blow Penetrates Heaven and Earth
A gentle breeze stirred the air.
Pivitt slowly descended, his expression marked by frustration.
Kai rose from his seat, his gaze softening as he addressed the young Shinigami.
"Little Pivitt, don't look so downhearted," he said in a comforting tone.
As he spoke, the Haven seat behind him vanished silently, its five-minute duration having expired.
"Will you give up over such a small setback?" Kai continued.
Pivitt's eyes brightened at his teacher's encouraging words, a spark of determination reigniting within him. Though he appeared fourteen or fifteen, as a newborn spiritual body, his mind was still a blank slate at birth. Achieving such resilience in two years was remarkable.
"Well done, Pivitt. Show your pride!" Kai urged.
Unnoticed until now, two figures had appeared near Pivitt. One was a yellow, round-headed creature, the other an elderly man exuding the aura of a martial arts master.
On Kai's game board, two cards in the first row glowed, as did one in the second row.
Rule 4: Cards in the upper and lower rows could link to produce new effects.
For instance, a first-row card named Master of Martial Arts paired with a second-row card named No Martial Arts could combine. When the master disregarded martial ethics, the effect dealt critical damage to the enemy.
What constituted a breach of martial ethics?
Pivitt eyed the two peculiar figures, readying himself. He hadn't lost yet. He refused to lose too disgracefully.
The Calamitous Wind Dragons, empowered by his Zanpakutō, made his body feel weightless.
Suddenly, the yellow, round-headed figure acted, unleashing its innate skill: "Looking Funny."
The card's name was Funny Man, and its core ability was to provoke.
Pivitt had planned to use his speed to bypass the figures and target Kai directly, favoring close combat over ranged attacks.
But the Funny Man's odd smile triggered an inexplicable urge within him. Despite knowing he should ignore it, Pivitt charged at the creature.
"Die!" he roared, his frustration boiling over.
Gripping his Zanpakutō, he unleashed the Calamitous Wind Dragons, bombarding the Funny Man, who fled, clutching its head.
Yet, even as it ran, the creature maintained its infuriating smile, drawing Pivitt like a moth to a flame.
"Now," Kai murmured.
As Pivitt focused on the Funny Man, the martial arts master's eyes gleamed. He struck.
"Five Lightning Whips!" he bellowed.
Crackling lightning enveloped him, thunder booming as he unleashed the long-forgotten technique. Disregarding martial ethics, he ambushed Pivitt, who was engrossed in attacking the Funny Man.
A searing jolt struck Pivitt, the critical hit landing squarely.
He coughed up blood, reeling from the impact.
Defense was the wisest course, but Pivitt couldn't stop. The yellow-headed creature's presence demanded retribution.
He pressed his assault on the Funny Man.
The martial arts master didn't relent, darting past Pivitt with relentless fury.
"One whip!" he shouted.
"Two whips!"
"Three whips!"
"Four whips!"
"Five whips!"
Five consecutive lightning whips, amplified by the unethical critical hit effect, culminated in a final, devastating strike.
A blue beam of lightning tore through the sky, as if piercing heaven and earth.
Pivitt was nearly overwhelmed, his hair singed into an afro. At the last moment, he summoned his willpower, resisting unconsciousness to launch a desperate counterattack.
His strike targeted the Funny Man.
The Calamitous Wind Dragon's claws shattered the creature into fragments of light.
But the cost was steep—Pivitt's body was gravely injured once more.
A septuagenarian martial artist ambushing a teenage boy with no regard for ethics was a terrifying spectacle.
The Shinigami beyond the golden barriers encircling the battlefield were perplexed.
Why had Captain Pivitt fixated on the yellow-headed creature, enduring such punishment?
Its smile was aggravating, but not enough to warrant such obsession, especially with the old man attacking freely.
Some spectators pondered deeply, their gazes shifting to Kai with apprehension.
Was this the power of the most absurd Zanpakutō in history? Its exaggerated, multifaceted abilities seemed almost unfair.
Applause broke the silence.
Pivitt turned to see Kai clapping.
"Congratulations, little Pivitt! You've overcome a tough challenge. Truly impressive!" Kai said.
Tactically, eliminating the Funny Man was essential, as its taunts would have kited Pivitt to defeat.
But the situation remained dire.
"Now, little Pivitt, face your old friend," Kai said gently.
Pivitt's heart sank. Despite wielding Bankai, he had been thoroughly outmatched. What more could await?
Kai glanced at his game board. He had drawn several cards but refrained from placing more in the slots. Pivitt might not withstand the existing ones.
Best not to overwhelm him, Kai thought, deciding to conclude the match.
He flipped a card in the second row, placed alongside the Minotaur's card initially. It glowed white, linking to the empty slot above it.
Under Pivitt's confused stare and the surprised gazes of the Shinigami, a translucent, gray-haired figure materialized midair.
Its appearance was dramatic, shrouded in half-red, half-white light, encircled by red magic circles.
A deep growl rumbled from the figure.
The Shinigami gaped at the ethereal form.
Red light erupted, sweeping across Seireitei, accompanied by a thunderous roar.
"Resurrection!"
"My sweetheart!"
The incantation was correct, the linkage complete.
The Minotaur's card, previously in the graveyard, reappeared in the game board's empty slot.
Golden beams shot skyward from the battlefield.
A tauren descended, cradled in the shadow's arms like a princess.
The skill card activated successfully.
The Minotaur was resurrected.
( End of this chapter )