In fact, it wasn't just Conqueror's Haki Infusion.
It was the fusion of Conqueror's Haki and Observation Haki-
Conqueror's Observation Killing!
Kyoya didn't even physically touch the Bakkoto. Instead, he channeled his Conqueror's Haki through the perception of his Observation Haki, directly wrapping and attacking the Bakkoto at its location, utterly destroying it.
The three types of Haki in the One Piece World encompass offense, defense, and evasion.
Observation Haki represents the pinnacle of evasion.
Whether it's foreseeing the future, hearing the voice of all things, or even mind-reading, altering memories, or manipulating personalities… its essence lies in avoiding harm.
Armament Haki, on the other hand, is primarily for defense.
Whether it's hardening the body, flowing Haki, or internal destruction, while all can enhance offensive power, the true nature of Armament Haki is defense.
Hardening is like donning armor, flowing Haki allows for better dispersion of force, and internal destruction is actually a means of further tempering one's own body.
Most people in the One Piece World, upon mastering Armament Haki's internal destruction, use it for offense.
But there are also those who use it to temper their bones, forging traits like 'Iron Fist', 'Black Arm', or 'Steel Bones', drastically improving both offensive and defensive capabilities.
Conqueror's Haki, while initially only capable of intimidation, at intermediate levels can clear out weaklings, and at advanced levels can ignore numerical disadvantages, truly shines in its offensive potential only when it reaches the highest tier… where it can inflict physical damage on the real world.
By condensing and infusing Conqueror's Haki, its power far surpasses that of Armament Haki!
Otherwise, why would it be called the [Color of the Supreme King]?
A [Supreme King] has never been about persuasion… it's about domination by force!
This Bakkoto was indeed extraordinary, capable of controlling a Captain-level fighter like Kisaragi.
But under Kyoya's Conqueror's Haki, it met only one fate… complete annihilation.
After the sword was destroyed, the tentacles that had been wrapped around Kisaragi, draining his Reiatsu, lost their vitality.
Though they still writhed, it wasn't with the same frenzy as before. Instead, they thrashed like the severed body of a snake, struggling in death throes.
By the time Kyoya reached Kisaragi's side, the tentacles had already begun to wither, eventually turning into black ash and scattering.
Now, while Kisaragi had been freed from the Bakkoto's control, his Reiatsu had been drained for so long in such a predatory manner that it had severely damaged his very essence.
Earlier, while resisting the Bakkoto's will, he had managed to stay conscious for a while.
But now, without the sword's control, his mind relaxed… and he fell unconscious.
The wounds on his body where the Bakkoto's tentacles had pierced him began to bleed after the tentacles turned to ash, staining his Shihakusho a dark brown.
If left untreated, he would soon die.
Kyoya knelt, his hands emitting a green light that formed a square barrier around Kisaragi. Green light particles, like bubbles, merged into his body, swiftly healing his physical injuries.
But for the deeper wounds, Kyoya could do nothing about those.
The Bakkoto was an evil blade, feeding on Shinigami to grow.
A Bakkoto capable of controlling a Captain-level Shinigami must have absorbed the Reiatsu of countless Shinigami to reach that state.
Even though Kyoya had healed Kisaragi's external spiritual injuries, his soul's essence had been mostly devoured by the sword.
From Kyoya's perception, during his rampage, Kisaragi's Reiryoku had nearly reached the peak of 3rd-class spiritual pressure.
But now, it had plummeted to around 12th-class.
In other words, unless there was some method to restore his soul's foundation, Kisaragi was effectively crippled.
12th-class Reiryoku couldn't sustain a Zanpakuto's release. No matter how high his mastery of Zanjutsu, Hoho, or Kido, his combat ability would be reduced to that of a fourth- or fifth-year student at the Shin'o Academy.
At that moment, Kyoya felt a shadow fall over him. Looking up, he saw Yamamoto standing before him.
"Captain-Commander, when I arrived earlier, third seat Kisaragi seemed to be under the control of a strange sword."
"However, I destroyed that sword."
At this point, Kyoya shook his head and said, "That sword gave off a very evil aura. I originally wanted to keep it to see if the 12th Division could study it."
"But even after I severe third seat Kisaragi's arm and threw the sword over a dozen meters away, the tendrils on his body were still frantically absorbing his Reiatsu."
"So, I had no choice but to destroy the sword to save him."
"Thank you, Kyoya."
Yamamoto bowed slightly in gratitude before lifting Kisaragi into his arms.
"If not for you, I might have lost a disciple forever."
Indeed.
Had Kyoya not intervened, by the time Kisuke Tsukishima reached Yamamoto, he would have been completely consumed by the Bakkoto, turned into its enslaved puppet.
At that point, no matter how reluctant Yamamoto was, he would have had no choice but to personally end his disciple's suffering.
"This matter ends here for now."
With that, Yamamoto turned to leave, carrying Kisaragi away.
Although Kisaragi was no longer in mortal danger after Kyoya's treatment, Yamamoto still wanted to send him to the 4th Division for Captain Unohana to examine, hoping she could restore his condition.
Falling from Captain-level strength to something weaker than an ordinary Shinigami… Kisaragi would likely be unable to accept it once he awoke.
If even a fraction of his power could be recovered, Yamamoto's heart would feel slightly lighter.
"Captain-Commander Yamamoto."
As Yamamoto turned to leave, Kyoya spoke in a low voice, "What happened to third seat Kisaragi may be connected to the recent increase in Shinigami's deaths."
"Those missing Shinigami were likely devoured by these cursed blades, their Reiatsu completely drained."
"Simply declaring 'this ends here' isn't enough."
Kyoya knew that many of the deceased Shinigami had been victims of Aizen's Hollowfication experiments.
But since Aizen couldn't be dealt with yet, the Kasumioji Clan, who used Shinigami as fuel for their Bakkoto, had to be eradicated.
A noble house that treated Shinigami as disposable tools had no right to exist.
"Kyoya, I said this matter ends here!"
As the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, Yamamoto was well aware of the nobility's corruption.
A thousand years ago, if his disciple had suffered like this, he would have annihilated the perpetrators without hesitation.
But after a millennium of guardianship, his 'heart of slaughter' had been replaced by a 'heart of protection'.
The duty to 'safeguard Seireitei' was carved into his very soul.
Anything that threatened the stability of the Seireitei would be crushed by Yamamoto's own hand.
Undoubtedly, if Yamamoto investigated the Kasumioji Clan now, especially after the Central 46 had used their 'attack' as leverage against the Gotei 13, every noble house would revolt.
The Kasumioji Clan was the victim of an assault. But instead of protecting them and hunting the culprits, the Gotei 13 wanted to investigate them?
What kind of joke was this?
What were the Gotei 13 trying to do… rebel?
If even victims were treated as suspects, how could the nobility trust the Gotei 13 to protect them in the future?
This was no longer just about the Kasumioji Clan. Once the matter reached the Central 46, it became an issue for all noble houses in the Seireitei.
With Yamamoto's current resolve, he would never risk destabilizing Seireitei over Shinigami's casualties.
After all, in his eyes, the Gotei 13 existed to protect the Seireitei. If their deaths ensured peace, then their sacrifices were not in vain.
"Captain-Commander, save those words for the dead who fell to these cursed blades."
"Third seat Kisaragi clearly knows something."
"I will accompany you to the 4th Division and request Captain Unohana's aid."
"Once he wakes, I will personally question him about this incident."
"Whoever dares to slaughter Shinigami must be prepared to face their wrath!"
Boom!
A crushing wave of Reiatsu erupted from Yamamoto, bearing down on Kyoya.
Boom!
Kyoya's own Reiatsu surged in response, clashing violently with Yamamoto's.
Two towering pillars of white Reiatsu shot into the sky, tearing a massive hole through the clouds.
Crack-
The ground beneath them shattered under the pressure, collapsing into dust. Only the spots where Kyoya and Yamamoto stood remained intact.
Whoosh, whoosh-
Whoosh!
Within moments, Captains sensing the conflict arrived one after another.
"What's going on here?"
Isshin, the 10th Division's Captain, glanced at Yamamoto, then glanced at Kyoya.
"Why are Captain Kyoya and the Captain-Commander-"
"No idea."
Ginrei shook his head, "I just arrived."
"Earlier, I vaguely sensed Captain Aikawa's Reiatsu clashing with an unfamiliar one."
Despite his words, Ginrei subtly positioned himself behind Yamamoto.
As the captain of the 6th Division and the head of the Kuchiki Clan, Ginrei had always stood on Yamamoto's side.