A terrifying wave of spiritual pressure surged around Shimo's chest like a rising tide.
A fully-incanted Hadō #31: Shakkahō released within the Nest unleashed explosive destructive force.
Blinding red light devoured the entire prison corridor.
In an instant, a crimson pillar of fire burst forth, piercing through several prison cells in succession before finally dissipating.
The corridor was scorched pitch black, and the air was thick with the acrid stench of burnt flesh and molten stone.
As for the so-called Gluttonous Demon Sasazuka, he had vanished without a trace.
No one knew if he had been vaporized on the spot, or blasted into some distant, smoldering corner.
Of the two, the dangerous inmates were clearly more inclined to believe the first outcome.
Gulp—
Someone in the surrounding cells audibly swallowed.
The oppressive silence that followed was broken only by the crackling heat and the red light flickering in the fissures across the scorched floor.
Step. Step.
Shimo stepped out from his cell, an expression of faint exasperation on his face.
"I was hoping to get some rest…"
"But I guess this is what you call suppression?"
He looked at the mission's side objective and sighed.
"Well, just to be safe—
…I'll just screw up every dangerous inmate here."
Clearly, the residents of the Nest had no idea what was coming for them.
Except perhaps for those on the now-charred corridor.
Shimo began his sweep from his own cell, moving along the right-hand wall, going from one cell to the next.
"Submit… or die."
Unsurprisingly, none of the inmates chose submission.
Even though he had just demonstrated overwhelming power, most still resisted—out of pride, instinct, or sheer foolishness.
---
The first inmate was a gaunt, wiry middle-aged man.
To Shimo's surprise, the man's Shunpo was extremely sharp and fast.
His disfigured face made it impossible to identify him, but the movement bore subtle traces of the Second Division's style.
"Bakudō #63: Sajō Sabaku! (Locking Bondage Stripes)"
With a snap of his finger, Shimo released a roaring black chain, serpent-like and ferocious, surging from his hand.
In mere moments, it engulfed the entire cell in bindings.
At that range, not even masterful Shunpo could slip through.
Crack!
Because the man resisted too forcefully, Shimo had no choice but to crush several of his ribs with the chain's pressure.
"I suggest you behave yourself."
Shimo's tone turned frigid—like a winter wind cutting through bone.
His words stabbed directly into the man's heart.
"Death isn't the scariest thing."
"The real fear… is what comes before it."
The thick, black chains tightened further.
The gaunt man quickly realized Shimo wasn't bluffing.
If he didn't submit, this chain could squeeze the life out of him right here, right now.
"I-I… I submit!"
Shimo's expression softened slightly. He released the Bakudō bindings.
"Good. You'll be glad you made that choice."
A good start meant the rest would go more smoothly.
Before entering, Shimo had already scanned the area briefly.
There didn't appear to be any truly powerful individuals in the Nest—at least not on the surface.
Clearing out the cells one by one took him nearly an entire day.
Now, only one section remained: the central plaza.
It was the first bright, open space he saw upon entering the Nest of Maggots.
Without delay, Shimo stepped out of the dark corridor and re-emerged into the illuminated courtyard.
Dozens of eyes instantly locked onto him.
"Gentlemen—I assume I don't need to explain myself any further?"
His voice was calm, but to these dangerous inmates, it sounded arrogant and mocking.
"One at a time? Or shall we do this all at once?"
The words were laced with such disdain that it set off a wave of fury—like tossing fire into a room full of powder kegs.
Dozens of Shinigami lunged at him simultaneously, rage boiling in their blood.
An avalanche of spiritual pressure surged toward Shimo, like a thunderstorm crashing down over the sea.
Shimo stood tall, palms pressed together, his gaze locked firmly on the oncoming wave of criminals.
A torrent of spiritual energy surged around him.
At that moment, the entire Nest felt the weight of a crushing, mountain-like force.
From his hands, a radiant blue light burst forth—
"Hadō #88: Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō! (Flying Dragon-Striking Heaven-Shaking Thunder Cannon)"
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