Chapter 75: Rejecting the Shield of Space
At the same time,
"Are we almost there, Miss Kuchiki?"
"Yes. No mistake, we are already in the Fifth Division's jurisdiction. Inoue, just a little farther."
Orihime, who had come from the World of the Living, could only rely on Rukia, a local who was temporarily unable to use her powers, to navigate Seireitei. Even so, under Rukia's direction, she had managed to move through the maze of streets with surprising ease and even avoid several search parties.
However, their good fortune ended there.
At the far end of a quiet, tree lined path, two figures wearing Captain's haori stood waiting.
"?!"
Orihime skidded to a halt, panic flashing across her face.
"That is…"
On her back, Rukia turned even paler. She was just about to warn Orihime when the girl spoke up first, recognizing them.
"I remember Miss Yoruichi said that the Captains of the Seventh and Ninth Divisions, they were among the ones who blocked us from entering Seireitei on the first day."
"Did she also tell you that your best option right now is to surrender as soon as possible and avoid unnecessary pain?"
A voice came from their left.
Orihime and Rukia looked over to see Hisagi Shuuhei, the Ninth Division Lieutenant, standing casually on a low wall, looking down at them as if they were already prisoners.
"Hisagi, you should not have spoken and startled them. Acting first would have been better."
Another voice came from the right, drawing their attention again.
Hidden among the dense greenery, a burly man in sunglasses stood balanced on a tree branch.
Iba Tetsuzaemon, Lieutenant of the Seventh Division.
"Then why did you not act yourself, Mr Iba?"
Shuuhei rolled his eyes.
"The Captain would scold us. His desire to act is stronger than ours. As Lieutenants, we cannot steal our superiors' fun, right? Besides, leaving Kuchiki aside, that orange haired ryoka is said to have fought Captain Kenpachi. That is not the kind of opponent we can just charge at recklessly."
Iba's expression grew more serious as he spoke. The spiritual pressure rolling off him showed how wary he was.
Shuuhei fell silent, simply tightening his grip on his Zanpakuto.
Although neither Lieutenant intended to move first, their positions formed a perfect pincer from left and right.
If Orihime tried to flee with Rukia, there was no way they would stand by and watch.
"Inoue…"
Rukia's eyes filled with worry.
"Say no more, Miss Kuchiki. I will not surrender."
"…Then at least put me down. I cannot fight like this. Do not worry, they will not lay a hand on me until you have been defeated. After all, they already believe victory is in their hands. They will not mind granting a desperate opponent a fair fight."
Rukia did not lower her voice.
Both Shuuhei and Iba heard every word.
Neither objected, which was as good as admitting she was right.
Seeing this, Orihime solemnly set Rukia down, then stepped forward and drew her Zanpakuto, facing the enemies ahead.
"A fair fight? You are mistaken, Kuchiki Rukia."
Though Tousen Kaname's eyes were closed, he could still accurately pinpoint everyone's positions, and his tongue was as sharp as ever.
"The justice we uphold has no fairness, and certainly no so called Bushido spirit. It is simply that such things are unnecessary."
"The mission of the Gotei 13 is to defeat the ryoka. Once the ryoka are defeated, the execution will continue as planned. Do you understand? No one ever planned to capture you. You have never escaped Seireitei, never escaped our grasp."
"…!"
The words pressed heavily on Rukia's heart, but she did not bow her head or waste breath arguing with him. Her determined gaze mirrored Orihime's.
"I did not think there would be a day when I would raise my blade against such a young girl. Even so, now that Captain Commander Yamamoto himself has moved, I will not hesitate."
"Wait, Komamura."
Komamura Sajin, his head hidden beneath a wooden helmet, was just about to move when his friend restrained him.
"I will do it. Your Zanpakuto's destructive power is too great. You might accidentally harm the prisoner."
"Then I will leave it to you."
The two reached a decision almost instantly.
It might have seemed dismissive toward their opponent, but Orihime actually felt a faint sense of relief.
Facing one Captain was better than facing two at once.
However, that thought did not escape Tousen Kaname.
"Do you feel relieved? That you need only face me alone?"
"…?"
"If so, you are far too naive. For those who stand on the side of justice, every choice is calculated with precision. You should not feel relief but a heightened sense of danger. Only then is there a chance of escape. If you lack that sense of crisis, it simply means you are not worth saving."
Tousen drew his Zanpakuto and took up a specific stance.
The moment his words fell, his spiritual pressure surged to its peak.
"Bankai, Suzumushi Hyakushiki: Enma Koorogi."
Darkness exploded outward.
A massive field of blackness swept across the area, engulfing everyone and forming an enormous oval barrier.
Orihime's vision went completely dark.
Then she realized she could no longer see anything at all.
Her reliable ability to sense spiritual pressure vanished as well.
"This is my…"
She could feel herself speaking, but she could not hear her own voice.
Of her five senses, only touch and taste remained.
That was nowhere near enough to maintain a proper battle.
Against a Captain class Shinigami, this was nothing short of a death trap.
Orihime tried to activate Soten Kishun on herself, hoping to restore her lost senses.
Nothing happened.
Tousen's Bankai remained active as long as the barrier existed. It was not the kind of effect she could dispel with a single technique.
Then what about Koten Zanshun?
Orihime swung her blade straight ahead, sending a bright orange slash of power forward.
It tore into the barrier of Enma Koorogi.
Clang.
Precious light rushed in through the rent.
Orihime realized that her opponent had already closed in and hastily raised her sword to block.
"You can even cut through a Bankai? How many times can you do that?"
Tousen was genuinely surprised by Orihime's absurd ability.
His Bankai's barrier might look thin, but it was not fragile. Otherwise an enemy could simply keep running in a straight line and punch through it eventually.
As expected, the torn barrier repaired itself in an instant, closing the gap.
Sunlight and perception vanished once more.
This time, Orihime was prepared.
She forced herself to calm down and recalled memories of her training in the World of the Living.
"…Miss Inoue, although I do have a method to make you reach Bankai in a short time, I do not recommend it. The danger is one thing. On the other hand, there is a super strengthening plan far more suited to you."
"…Ding ding ding ding. This is it, my carefully formulated vaccine. Are you not envious of how strong Ururu and Jinta are even at their age? I extracted their Reishi and made a customized enhancement agent for you. In my opinion, your abilities are highly compatible with theirs, so you can look forward to it."
…
"…This really is astonishing. I expected a good fit, but for your abilities to be amplified this much, and without a huge increase in your spiritual pressure, that far exceeded my expectations."
"…Do I look unhappy? No, not at all. I am very happy for you, Inoue. It is just that it made me think of something else. I cannot quite smile, because it feels a bit too easy, almost like… never mind. It must just be my imagination."
"…Let us talk about your power, Miss Inoue. There are still many mysteries surrounding you, but what is clear is that your abilities have indeed grown stronger, and they are truly powerful. In my view, this is a power that is absolutely not inferior to Bankai."
"…So, when you face an enemy using Bankai and you lack a better option, use that power. With your current spiritual pressure, you should be able to contend with Captain level strength. But my personal advice is this. Do not use it directly on yourself or on your enemies. When Koten Zanshun, Soten Kishun, and Santen Kesshun, this three in one set of attack, defense, and healing, are all ineffective, it usually means the enemy's restrictive abilities far exceed their raw combat power, leaving you no opening to use your strength."
"In those situations, activate it against space itself. That will help you break free and deliver an unexpectedly painful counterattack."
…
Rip.
The sharp pain of a blade cutting into her body snapped Orihime back to reality.
If she were still human, that slash might have been fatal.
As a Soul Reaper, her spiritual pressure mitigated the damage, leaving it far from a killing blow.
Still, a question rose unbidden in her mind.
Why did he not stab straight for her vitals?
Was he afraid that a single strike might not kill her, giving her time to recover with her ability? Or…
The thought flickered in her mind.
Perhaps it hid a weakness in his Bankai.
But there was no time to pursue that line of thought.
Orihime deliberately swung her sword in a broad, threatening arc to make Tousen wary. Then, reversing her grip, she drove the blade straight into the ground and softly intoned a new incantation.
"Shiten Koshun."
In an instant, orange yellow light erupted from the cracks underfoot, flowing like liquid beneath her, spreading outward and coating the ground in a metallic sheen.
When it reached the edge of the barrier, the light climbed up along its inner wall, spreading further until it had covered the entire interior.
Above and below, in every direction.
The completely black, oval space turned orange yellow.
"What?!"
Tousen could not see it, but he could feel an unfamiliar spiritual pressure saturate the enclosed space like a gas.
It was as if…
"I refuse."
With Orihime's shout,
The Bankai space of Suzumushi shattered.
In its place stood an orange yellow barrier of her own making.
"—!"
Tousen's expression changed dramatically.
He realized that he had lost both hearing and the ability to sense spiritual pressure.
Only the feeling of his sword hilt in his hand remained.
"To resist and destroy my Bankai, and even reflect the sense stripping ability back onto me?"
How could such an exaggerated power exist?
Did this woman think she was a god?
Rejecting the power of those who dared to wield the blade of a god and turning it back on them as punishment…
Before he could digest that thought, a large sword sliced down from above.
Orihime clenched her teeth and brought her blade down in a heavy strike.
She had no desire to harm anyone who was not a Hollow.
But to save Rukia, she had to injure the enemy.
If she wounded him enough, his comrades would be too busy helping him to continue the pursuit.
"Guh…!"
Blood sprayed from Tousen's chest. He dropped to one knee, staring in disbelief.
He looked nothing like the calm, composed Captain from moments before who had spoken as if victory were already decided.
"Tousen…!"
"Captain Tousen!"
The orange yellow barrier faded away, revealing Tousen's battered form, and the sight made Komamura, Shuuhei, and Iba cry out in shock.
What had happened?
Why had Tousen, who had gone straight to Bankai, been defeated so quickly?
"Back off."
Komamura swung his Zanpakuto, forcing Orihime away from his fallen comrade, then motioned for Iba to guard Tousen.
"Komamura, I am sorry…"
"Enough. Do not waste your breath. Leave the rest to me."
Tousen, blood filling his mouth, tried to apologize, but Komamura cut him off.
"Ryoka girl, to defeat Tousen with such courage is admirable. Now let this old man be your opponent. Tenken."
Spiritual pressure roared around Komamura like a storm.
In the air above, a giant arm appeared, holding a massive sword that descended in tandem with his swing.
"Santen Kesshun!"
Orihime raised her Zanpakuto and conjured a triangular shield, barely managing to block the crushing blow.
"Well done. Then… Bankai, Kokujou Tengen Myoo."
Komamura did not hesitate.
When Shikai was not enough, he moved straight to full power.
A giant armored warrior rose from the ground, towering like a skyscraper.
Orihime and Rukia gasped.
Only now did they truly understand Tousen's earlier concern about collateral damage.
The blade in the giant's hand alone was as wide as an entire street.
It was terrifying to imagine what a full strength swing, amplified by Captain level spiritual pressure, would look like.
It felt like the giant could level a mountain range in moments.
Orihime instinctively tried to retreat, but after dragging Rukia for only a few steps, Shuuhei released a high level Bakudo without a word.
If the dozens of light rods struck and pinned them, they would be unable to move.
With Tousen defeated and injured, Shuuhei, as a Lieutenant, could no longer stand aside.
"Since Captain Komamura's Bankai is prone to accidental harm, I, in the name of the Ninth Division's Patrol Corps, will first restrain the criminal."
However, the beams of Hyappo Rankan were intercepted mid flight.
A swarm of strange insects appeared out of nowhere and smashed the light rods aside before they could reach Orihime or Rukia.
"…?"
Shuuhei's pupils shrank.
He and Komamura saw two more figures flash into place beside the girls.
A boy and a girl.
Their first impression was that these two were far from ordinary. Their auras were unique.
Their spiritual pressure was not weak either, at least at the level of a high seated officer.
But they were unfamiliar. There were no such members in the Gotei 13.
Instead, Orihime and Rukia recognized them at a glance.
"Miss Hachihara, and Rindo kun!"
"Weren't you with Takeru and the others that day?!"
Orihime almost burst into tears of relief.
Rukia finally let out a long, shaky breath. Reinforcements had arrived.
"Yo, Orihime. Rindo and I have been waiting forever. Watching you fight so hard, we decided we had to come help."
Hachihara flashed a bright, confident smile.
Beside her, Rindo Yu typed quickly on his device and held it up.
[We will take Kuchiki first, okay?]
"Mm."
With allies at her side, Orihime's spirits rose sharply. She nodded hard.
"I will hold off that Seventh Division Captain."
"Great. Let us go."
"Whoa, I am going to throw up at this angle…"
In one smooth motion, Hachihara hoisted Rukia over her shoulder, then vanished with a burst of Shunpo.
Rindo followed, but not before glancing at Shuuhei as if to silently warn him not to give chase.
The look left Shuuhei furious and anxious.
"Hisagi, pursue them."
Tousen's weak voice sounded behind him.
"Yes."
Shuuhei obeyed without hesitation.
"Iba, you go as well."
Tousen turned to the Seventh Division Lieutenant tending to him.
"But Captain Tousen, you…"
"I am fine. It is only a sword wound. If necessary, I can still return to battle."
Watching Tousen stand, bracing himself against the wall, Iba looked toward Komamura with clear concern.
"Since Tousen says so, then go."
"Understood."
Iba took off at once.
In the end, only Komamura remained to watch over Tousen and face Orihime alone, continuing their unfinished fight.
"Let us begin, ryoka girl. Show this old man whether your ability can break my Bankai."
Komamura roared, sending Kokujou Tengen Myoo lunging forward.
"Hoo…"
Orihime drew a long breath and tightened her grip on her sword.
If she could defeat yet another Captain…
Surely no one else would dare chase them.
"Soten Kishun."
Bang.
A thunderous impact echoed in the distance.
Hachihara and Rindo could not help glancing back.
All they saw was the distant giant summoned by Komamura's Bankai flailing wildly, stirring up dust and smoke until its lower half was completely swallowed in the haze.
"What was that?"
"I do not know. But it looks like the left arm of Captain Komamura's giant samurai is a bit shorter."
Jostled by Hachihara's movement, Rukia endured the rolling sensation in her stomach and squinted, trying to make out what was happening behind them.
[The two Lieutenants are closing in.]
Rindo suddenly raised another message.
"Ah, I feel them too. That Shunpo really is fast. As expected of Vice Captains. With our current strength, we cannot handle a two versus two. So we move to plan two. Rindo, find a way to stall them. I will take this girl to the Research Institute."
As soon as Hachihara finished speaking, she sped up.
The level of Shunpo she displayed in that moment subtly exceeded even that of a Vice Captain.
Under these conditions, the chance of Shuuhei and Iba catching up quickly was not zero, but it was extremely slim.
With even a little interference from Rindo Yu, it would be more than enough time for Hachihara to deliver Rukia inside, then come back out to join forces and block the two Lieutenants, buying all the time Hinamori Momo needed in the Research Institute to begin the procedure.
Then let us go.
Rindo's expression remained calm.
He deliberately decreased his speed, waiting for the two Vice Captains behind to close the distance.
Once they did, he used his Zanpakuto to create creature after creature, sending them forward in waves of relentless harassment.
Takeru and Ichigo, and Hachihara too, were already fighting with everything they had.
He did not mind adding himself to that list, and holding the line here against his opponents to the very end.
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