The silver arrowhead that was their trump card.
At this moment, in an absolutely irreversible manner, was completely destroyed before everyone's eyes.
Even someone like Seiya, who could adjust his mindset and try to keep himself calm.
At this moment couldn't help but widen his eyes.
...
.....
...
What to do?
Asking himself honestly.
In this situation, what exactly should he do?
The method he considered his trump card was completely useless at this moment. Even with the Almighty activated, he was still in an absolutely inferior position to Yhwach.
Ichigo and Uryū beside him couldn't provide any meaningful help either.
With the shattering of the silver arrow, bits and pieces of things flickering like stars scattered before him, and Seiya's brain began operating at maximum capacity.
—Like a patient who realized his time was near.
A phenomenon like a final surge of clarity now manifested in Seiya.
His body was forced into the most urgent state, because the person involved understood... if he didn't do something now, it would truly be 'all over'.
He had to find a way.
Had to do something.
If things continued like this, everything would become irreversible.
So what should he do? In this situation, how much power did Seiya have left to use?
Kidō, hakuda, hohō.
Hollow power, Schrift applications...
This was like a multiple-choice question.
Faced with seemingly numerous options, Seiya, who had thoroughly read the materials and completely memorized the content, knew the answer with absolute clarity at this moment.
That's right, this was a multiple-choice question.
At this moment, for him, there was only one answer.
Zanpakutō...
As the starting point of Seiya's power, it was also the endpoint of everything.
His heart, soul, and body were already tied to it, living and dying together, their hearts connected.
If asked what trump cards Seiya had left for this final desperate struggle as a cornered beast, it could only be his Zanpakutō.
Push Sāgara Ryū's power to its limit.
Once again mobilize the remaining power from the three worlds to feed back into himself, making the maximum counterattack!
But...
The cost would be absolutely unacceptable.
After all, Zanpakutō themselves had limits and characteristics.
Unlike Yamamoto's Zanka no Tachi, Sāgara Ryū's characteristic wasn't storing power... which meant she was destined to be unable to mobilize too much spiritual power at once.
The Zanpakutō could only serve as a transfer station, like a water purifier, methodically organizing and arranging spiritual particles before they could affect the wielder.
If he made her perform beyond normal... though she could indeed exceed her limits.
But the Zanpakutō would also shatter as a result.
Like a bullet leaving the barrel, at the moment of being struck by the firing pin, bursting forth, announcing itself to the world...
Its endpoint would be shattering and silent conclusion.
So then.
Let his own Zanpakutō 'die'?
Seiya...
Didn't want to, and couldn't do such a thing.
But another voice he didn't want to hear came from behind him at this moment.
'What kind of foolish talk are you saying!'
Sāgara Ryū could think on the same frequency as Seiya, fighting alongside him.
And as a sword spirit, a fighting partner, she could completely understand what the other party was thinking, while also making her own judgments and decisions based on that.
In this brief moment of pause.
Seiya felt a pair of hands gently touch his back.
A familiar figure silently fell beside him, slightly lowering her head, whispering like a dream from beside his ear.
'Anyway, if we don't do this, you idiot won't have a way to live, right?'
Sāgara Ryū's voice had never been so gentle...
'It's okay, I unconditionally support all your decisions.'
'Even if the world stands against you, I will definitely, definitely stand by your side.'
'Even if I'm shattered to pieces, it doesn't matter. After all, I exist for you. Don't have any concerns—just being able to stay by your side makes me very happy.'
Sāgara Ryū's hands gently pressed on Seiya's shoulders.
'I actually know my temper is terrible.'
'Just like that guy Ōetsu said... I'm someone who likes to talk to herself, has high standards but low ability, and looks down on those self-righteous but actually worthless people...'
'I actually thought about it too—if I didn't meet the right person, it wouldn't be bad to just be reforged. After all, being used by that kind of vulgar person would be more painful than killing me.'
Wait...
'Even after choosing you, I was actually quite unconvinced at first.'
'It was like... um, how should I put it? Right, my dream lover! If I could choose, I'd want someone taller, mightier, who looks more reliable!'
'You idiot are too skinny~ you look like you have no meat, like you'd be knocked out with one punch.'
Don't say anymore...
'But after really getting to know you, I think you're quite nice!'
'Though a bit stupid, a bit silly, a bit naive, a bit kind...'
'But I really appreciate these aspects of your personality! I don't think these behaviors are meaningless. Because I can share your memories. The futures you see in your head, I can see them too.'
Stop...
'Many people survived because of your efforts. They can continue living and experiencing life's beauty, all because of your help.'
'I've always, always, always been watching your steps. Even if no one knows these things... I understand!'
'You're the hero who saved the world!'
...
Seiya's lips began trembling uncontrollably.
'I'm actually quite envious of other people.'
Sāgara Ryū lay down.
The whispers by his ear were like fragments revealed in dreams.
'I also want to have a real body, to feel warmth, to touch sunlight.'
'To sit under tree shade with you, listening to your unfunny jokes, spending time together with you.'
'To be able to... embrace you like this.'
Do Zanpakutō cry?
Seiya didn't know.
But he might have touched warm traces at this moment.
'Every time I see you hurt, I feel sad too... I really want to have a real body.'
'That way I could hold you like this when you're troubled, struggling, or collapsing, and tell you...'
'It's okay, everything will be fine.'
Seiya had never felt the weight of his Zanpakutō.
But...
At this moment he seemed to be strangled by something invisible, making even breathing difficult.
'I once asked that bastard Ōetsu, wanting him to tell me if Zanpakutō have reincarnation.'
'But that guy said he didn't know either... see, he really is an irresponsible bastard, right?'
'But, but... I hope there is.'
Because if there really was.
'Then I could reincarnate to find you.'
'I'd experience the joy of being human through different lives.'
'Eat things you like to eat, maybe become a Soul Reaper? Try what it feels like to personally slay Hollows.'
'Maybe I'd become that kind of beast that only knows how to fight, then maintain your favorite kind of bottom line, becoming a noble beast!'
'Then... mm! Being a Quincy wouldn't be bad either, right? Those palaces in your memories are gorgeous—the type I'd like too~'
Then.
At the very end.
'I'd definitely encounter you more than once.'
'Cling to your side, try every way to make you fall in love with me.'
'Can't help it! I'm just that troublesome. From the moment we were together, our fates were already intertwined.'
So...
'Don't die...'
'Seiya.'
'Wait for me to find you...'
Bang!!!
After a moment of confusion.
Time began flowing again.
What shattered before Seiya wasn't just the silver arrowhead.
But also the fragments of his Zanpakutō.