Kamado Yamiko, dressed in the standard Las Noches uniform, responded to Kisuke Urahara's words with a calm, "It's not wrong to say 'cousin.'"
Although Kamado Yamiko's public identity was as Yoshio's cousin, cousins were typically considered peers. However, with her new status as the "Daughter of the Soul King," she was unmistakably Yoshio's junior. Kisuke Urahara was unaware of this; he simply sensed instinctively that Kamado Yamiko was more than she appeared. He hadn't expected his casual probing to be correct.
"…"
Urahara fell silent, scrutinizing her carefully.
"Aren't you going to make a move?" Kamado Yamiko asked indifferently. "Then, allow me."
With a smooth motion, she drew her Zanpakutō from her waist. The blade, catching the moonlight, reflected a silvery gleam. As it left its sheath, an invisible pressure radiated from her body.
Both Kisuke Urahara and Shihōin Yoruichi dared not act rashly. They understood the consequences of attacking without knowing Kamado Yamiko's abilities could be dire.
"According to the Gotei 13's records, your Zanpakutō is called 'Ferocious Beast.' But I don't think that's its real power, is it?" Urahara observed, watching her carefully. He was sure Kamado Yamiko had hidden her true strength in Seireitei, perhaps even her Zanpakutō's name.
Kamado Yamiko answered with action.
"Three-Aspect War Beast!"
The blade completed its release as she called its true name. Three-Aspect War Beast—this was her Zanpakutō.
The so-called "Three-Aspect War Beast" referred to three monstrous creatures:
The Griffin, a fusion of golden-winged roc and lion.
The Dobhar-chú, a blend of otter and fish.
The Triton, a creature born from a sea monster and a conch.
Each was a synthesis of natural predators, symbolizing the three powers within Kamado Yamiko: Quincy, Shinigami, and Hollow.
The true ability of the Three-Aspect War Beast was to harmonize and subdue all conflict. Within its domain, conflict was not permitted. Any attack would be met with a counterforce—multiplied depending on the number involved. If there were two people, the backlash was double; with ten, it was tenfold!
Urahara's caution was wise. As the domain's master, Kamado Yamiko possessed certain privileges. She was the source of harmony, already having subdued her internal predators, so within the domain, she could drastically reduce damage taken.
In other words:
Within this domain, others could not attack Kamado Yamiko. Any strike against her would rebound with three times the force. Meanwhile, Kamado Yamiko could attack others, suffering only a weakened backlash—about three-tenths of the attack's force.
This was the ultimate "I can hit you, but you can't hit me" ability!
Kamado Yamiko's figure vanished, reappearing instantly before Yoruichi.
Yoruichi's pupils shrank in alarm. Instinctively, she threw a punch, but it was as if she struck a wall of quicksand—her fist slowed, then stopped.
A blinding force suddenly struck Yoruichi's own face, harder than her original punch. She was hurled backward, crashing into the building behind her with a heavy thud.
Within the domain, attackers took triple damage as backlash, while their intended attacks never landed. Kamado Yamiko, meanwhile, remained untouched.
After dealing with Yoruichi, Kamado Yamiko appeared beside Kisuke Urahara, who remained calm. He'd learned from Yoruichi's fate and didn't move an inch.
He didn't even retreat.
Seeing this, Kamado Yamiko made the first move. She raised a finger to Urahara's chest and intoned,
"Hado #4: Byakurai."
A white bolt of lightning pierced through Urahara's chest in a flash. Kamado Yamiko felt a faint tingling in her own chest—a mere three-tenths of a Byakurai's strength, hardly enough to harm her.
The secret of her domain: attacks without malice could bypass the 'harmony' mechanism. Otherwise, an attacker would be blocked by a barrier formed from the spiritual pressure of everyone present.
Just like Yoruichi—her punch had never stood a chance against the combined pressure of all three.
This was the power of a god!
Such complex abilities were the mark of those touched by divinity—like Haschwalth, Yhwach, or the Soul King's chosen. Kamado Yamiko's power was terrifying, her potential near Yhwach's, though she had not yet fully matured.
Even so, at this stage, few in the Three Realms could rival her.
After using her god-tier ability, Urahara and Yoruichi were left helpless. At that moment, Kamado Yamiko noticed Urahara's body fading, becoming illusory.
As the Kisuke Urahara before her dissipated, she looked down and saw another Urahara below, who said with a wry smile, "As expected, your power is formidable. If I hadn't used the Portable Gigai, I might have died just now."
So that had only been a clone.
"It's nothing," Kamado Yamiko replied coolly, standing atop the building. "If a single strike kills a fake, another will kill the real one."
A new voice rang out.
A mass of black mud surged from the floor—it was Angra Mainyu!
Seeing him, Kamado Yamiko's expression turned serious. She had come here precisely to deal with Angra Mainyu; no one else could match him.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Mister Angra," Urahara called from below. "I need to check on the others."
…
Battles raged elsewhere—Hueco Mundo's side had the upper hand. Ukitake, pressed by Hinamori and Kira, was overwhelmed. Both had been hiding their real strength; they had already mastered Bankai and fused with Quincy power, reaching Captain-class.
Hitsugaya faced Gin and was temporarily at a disadvantage. Soi Fon was locked in a tough battle with Tōsen Kaname.
On Ichigo's side, things were even worse.
They had managed to suppress Grimmjow, but with Ulquiorra's appearance, the battle turned into a rout. But the real enemy's target was not battle—it was the Soul Society.
…
Inoue Orihime, following Urahara's guidance, trained in the Soul Society, rapidly growing stronger. But as she finished her session, Rangiku entered.
"Miss Rangiku?" Orihime asked. "Is today's training over?"
"Sort of," Rangiku replied indifferently. "Now, come with me."
"Go? Where to?"
"To Hueco Mundo, of course," 'Rangiku' said.
Orihime's eyes widened. "You're not Miss Rangiku! It's you again—the imposter!"
"Heh. You saw through it, but I wasn't hiding this time," 'Rangiku'—now revealed as Beelzebub—smirked. "You have no choice. The lives of your companions are all in our hands."
A snap of the fingers, and a light screen appeared, showing Ichigo collapsed before Ulquiorra, Rukia's head gripped by Grimmjow, and Captains locked in fierce battle.
"Kurosaki! Kuchiki!" Orihime cried, alarmed. "What have you done?!"
"As you see," Beelzebub said softly. "Their lives depend on your obedience. Come with us, and they live. Refuse, and… who knows?"
Orihime's heart raced. "You want what's inside me? Take it—just let them go!"
"I want it, but Captain Aizen's orders are clear. You must come, unharmed."
"Decide quickly. Wait too long, and I can't guarantee their safety." His tone was cold.
Orihime gritted her teeth. "Fine, but let them go first—then I'll go with you!"
"No problem," Beelzebub replied. "We can take their lives whenever we want."
The fighters in Karakura Town suddenly withdrew, as if receiving a silent message.
"Let's go."
A Garganta opened. Orihime waited until she saw her friends retreat, then stepped in. Beelzebub followed.
Back in the Human World, the Shinigami and Captains could only watch as their enemies vanished. The enemy's purpose had been achieved.
…