"It really hurts."
Out of the drifting smoke, a charred figure wreathed in visible, powerful spiritual pressure stepped forward slowly. Its hideous face was filled with distortion and resentment. Although an Adjuchas's Hierro has immense defensive power, being caught off guard and taking the full brunt of that strike had still broken through its defenses. This was especially true since it hadn't released its spiritual pressure in time to harden its skin before the impact.
"I didn't expect this sacrifice to lure in two Soul Reapers. Judging by that attack just now, you must be someone of note within the Gotei."
"If I can bring you back to Hueco Mundo, my Lord will surely reward me well."
As it spoke, the charred layer on the Adjuchas's outer skin peeled away at a visible rate, and the steel-like, grayish-black Hierro reappeared. Its strange gaze remained fixed on the two in the center of the field, as if they were already prey in its grasp.
"Actually, I'm a bit curious," Naraku Sora said, pointing toward the half-dead Yokota family head buried in the scorched earth nearby. "How did they reach a collaboration with you? Can a Soul Reaper's spiritual talent really be enhanced?"
The Adjuchas's mouth split open, once again revealing a hideous, lamprey-like maw that made one's sanity plummet just by looking at it. Naraku Sora had seen many Hollows, but one this ugly was a first.
"It doesn't matter if I tell you. They were the ones who took the initiative to seek out my Lord."
"At first, it was merely using our power to eliminate their rivals. But during a chance encounter, the possibility of enhancing a Soul Reaper's spiritual talent was discovered."
"From then on, our cooperation expanded on all fronts."
Hearing this, Naraku Sora felt a spark of curiosity. It was common knowledge that a Soul Reaper's spiritual talent was generally fixed, as its essence depended on the soul itself. Much like a Zanpakutō—every Soul Reaper receives the same Asauchi, yet no two Shikai or Bankai in the Soul Society are identical.
Of course, tapping into one's own talent was also a matter of skill. Some Soul Reapers master Shikai the moment they receive their Zanpakutō and can even comprehend Bankai on the day they graduate from the Spiritual Arts Academy. Meanwhile, the vast majority of Soul Reapers go their entire lives without ever grasping their true power. There was no sense in arguing with the unfairness of it.
Yet now, this seemingly intelligent Adjuchas was claiming that a Soul Reaper's talent could be enhanced. This undoubtedly shattered the iron laws of the Soul Society.
"Haha, I knew it. No Soul Reaper can resist the possibility of improving their talent." The Adjuchas laughed arrogantly, as if everything was under its control.
"Can you explain the general principle?" Naraku Sora raised his hand to ask a question.
The Adjuchas froze for a moment. It never expected that the guy who had been so reckless moments ago would now want to discuss the principles of altering talent. To be honest, hearing such words from this person felt quite out of place.
"I don't understand the principles myself. I only know it involves the soul. This is the supreme power of the one I serve. Even if all the Soul Reapers in the entire Soul Society were added together, they wouldn't match a ten-thousandth of my Lord's wisdom!"
Mentioning that 'Lord' brought an expression of extreme fanaticism to the Adjuchas's face—the mark of a true loyalist.
"So, what do you say? Do you want to follow the Yokota family's example and reach a cooperation with us? All you need to do is provide a regular quantity of souls or the souls of Soul Reapers."
"With your strength, you could do it easily. At that time—"
"I can propose to my Lord that your spiritual talents be enhanced!"
The exchange between the Soul Reaper and the Adjuchas caused Fong Shaolin's pupils to tremble in shock. She looked at Naraku Sora standing before her with a face full of worry, terrified that he might be tempted and choose to collaborate with the Adjuchas, falling to the same fate as the Yokota family.
If this man truly decided to betray the Soul Society, she would likely die in the line of duty today. Her only regret would be being unable to continue serving Lady Yoruichi.
Naraku Sora grinned. "Since you don't understand it, then you're useless."
Crimson spiritual pressure erupted violently, suppressing the entire area with a savage speed. The nobles hiding in the corners, clinging to life, nearly suffocated under this intense pressure. They looked at the aggressive figure with bewilderment, their faces filled with incomprehension.
If the strike from earlier was merely a greeting, then now, the war had officially begun.
Circuit-like patterns surfaced on his hands, emitting a faint glow.
"HADŌ #33: SŌKATSUI!"
Explosive flames condensed in the air, gathering between Naraku Sora's fingers and multiplying inch by inch. In an instant, the flames enveloped the cold, glinting blade.
The Adjuchas's crimson pupils shrank. Before it could react, the moment the blade swung, a low howl erupted in its ears once again. The shadow from moments ago reappeared.
In a flash, Naraku Sora's figure reached the limit of Shunpo's explosive speed, appearing directly above the Adjuchas. His raised Zanpakutō moved with unbelievable speed, slashing forward.
He poured all of his spiritual pressure and strength into this single strike without reservation. Terrifying heat erupted the moment the blade fell, and azure flames billowed out from within. A scorching wind soared into the sky, completely engulfing the Adjuchas's massive body.
But the prepared Adjuchas did not fall. Its hard Hierro was wrapped in thick spiritual pressure, adding several layers of toughness to its already formidable defense.
"A mere Soul Reaper dares to try and obstruct our great plan!"
The sound of sizzling and burning echoed continuously from the Adjuchas's body. Its already dark skin was overtaken by charred blackness, and its hideous features were extremely distorted. Clearly, Naraku Sora's attack had still caused significant damage.
However, relying on its massive and powerful body, the Adjuchas endured the searing pain of the burns and launched a storm-like counterattack against Naraku. Its claws unfurled, the sound of breaking air merging into a roar as they struck from various bizarre angles, aiming straight for Naraku Sora's head, throat, heart, and other vital points.
Countless afterimages collided and intersected over the manor. Intense light and Cero crisscrossed, leaving jagged scars on the already ruined earth. The nobles trembled and hid in their respective covers, terrified of being caught in the shockwaves of the battle.
Fong Shaolin watched the two tangled figures with anxiety. She tried to find an opening to help several times but could not find the right moment. At her current level, interfering in a battle of this caliber was simply too much.
The lamprey-like mouth suddenly opened, and a brilliant crimson light condensed and bloomed within. A shining Cero streaked across the sky, aimed directly at Naraku Sora's incoming figure.
Amidst the rising smoke, the release incantation rang out.
"Ten thousand billion kalpas, Vajrayati!"
Something incredible happened!
The nearly materialized red mist surrounding him turned into fuel, igniting a blazing fire of spiritual pressure. It was as if a scorching sun had descended over the manor.
Naraku Sora grinned and plummeted toward the Adjuchas like a meteor.
"Next up is the second stage!"