As soon as they realized the spell Shimo was casting, the expressions on the faces of the charging inmates twisted into sheer terror.
Even the onlookers who hadn't moved stood frozen, utterly stunned.
That brilliant blue light—
surging from Shimo's palms—
carried with it a horrifying spiritual pressure that instantly swallowed up every attacker.
The entire plaza was bathed in radiant blue, with not a single hint of any other color remaining.
"Impossible! He's just a newbie!"
"A brat like him can cast Hadō #88 without incantation?!"
"Who the hell is this guy?! How could someone this powerful be locked in the Nest of Maggots?!"
This was Shimo's first time unleashing such a powerful Hadō.
Though he'd omitted the chant, the spell's strength was still formidable.
BOOM—!
The roaring blast tore toward the surrounding walls, crashing into them with deafening impact.
Chunks of stone rained down, gouging deep holes into the floor below.
The sheer force of it all left many inmates dumbfounded.
As the light finally faded, what remained were dozens of scorched, charred bodies.
They looked like they had been roasted alive, not a single patch of unharmed skin left.
Dozens lay sprawled on the ground—alive or dead, no one could say.
"Advanced Kaido: Mass Healing!"
From Shimo's palm, a soft green glow spread outward, bathing the fallen figures in healing light.
Before long, their wounds began to mend at a rate visible to the naked eye.
"What the hell? Beat us half to death then patch us up?"
"Fuck. Why do I feel like this guy's got some twisted agenda?"
"Just keep watching... you'll understand."
As their injuries faded and they were pulled back from the edge of death, the victims of Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō slowly regained consciousness.
"Now, make your choice."
"Submit… or die."
Bewildered, the prisoners looked around at the wreckage: the scorched ground, the blackened walls… and the lingering pain in their bones.
Flashes of that terrifying blue beam came rushing back.
The memory of it was now burned into their minds.
"I submit!"
"Shit. I don't want to die!"
With that wave dealt with, Shimo turned toward the remaining group—the more composed ones who had watched from the sidelines.
Unlike the mob he'd just flattened, these were elite-level Shinigami—dangerous individuals with real skill.
In fact, Shimo could even recognize a few of them.
"Former Ninth Seat of Eight Division. Former Eight Seat of Eleventh Division…"
"I may not remember all your names… but you'd be wise to make the same choice as they did."
Just as he finished speaking, one man standing behind the railing raised his hand in a salute.
"Shimo-sama, I choose to submit!"
He clearly recognized Shimo's identity.
Once someone stepped up, the rest followed.
One after another, the remaining inmates dropped their resistance and swore allegiance.
[Check-in complete. Task rewards now distributing.]
[Congratulations to the host: Reward Unlocked – Peak-Level Shunpo!]
The moment the system voice finished, a flood of knowledge surged into Shimo's mind.
Countless techniques, intricate movements, and advanced theory of high-speed movement overwhelmed his consciousness.
Even with his enhanced soul, the flood of information caused him to momentarily stagger.
"Senka. Utsusemi. Kakegurui…"
As his mind rapidly absorbed the data, a growing sense of delight formed on Shimo's face.
He now possessed a deep understanding of even the most secretive forms of step techniques.
Based on what he knew about Yoruichi Shihōin,
his Shunpo had probably caught up to hers in raw proficiency.
"Master-level Kidō encompasses everything up to Hadō #88 and its equivalents.
That's about where most captains stand."
Shimo murmured, his face glowing with realization.
"But peak-level Shunpo… that's beyond mastery.
Even Yoruichi's Shunpo was top-tier among captains.
And maybe… there's an even higher realm—
one I'll discover myself."
With the mission now complete, Shimo's interest in the prisoners faded.
The Nest offered nothing else to hold his attention.
And so, he redirected his time toward deepening his swordsmanship.
"I wonder... can I combine shunpo with zanjutsu?"
---
Three days later, the entrance to the Nest of Maggots opened once again.
Through it walked Soi Fon, wearing her white captain's haori, her presence as cold and proud as ever.
"Villain," she said, expression stern and voice clipped.
"the Captain-Commander has verified your innocence.
You are now permitted to leave the Nest of Maggots, Villain."
But Shimo didn't budge.
His eyes locked onto her small, serious face.
"You know… the way you keep calling me a villain and a scroundrel—it's really getting on my nerves."
His voice was full of suppressed frustration.
"Hmph!" Soi Fon snorted.
"If it weren't for— mmph—"
She didn't finish her sentence.
Suddenly, her vision darkened—Shimo had appeared directly in front of her without warning.
His hands shot out—
and began vigorously squishing her cheeks.
"Villain, you say?"
"Fine! Today, I'll be a villain just this once!"
---
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