Boom!
A terrifying figure, like a demon god, descended from the sky. Before any reaction could be made, a low whistle erupted from the air once more.
The Zanpakuto, wreathed in fierce light, roared through the sky, slashing down in a savage arc. The moment it made contact with the Cero, the devouring pillar of light was erased by force.
The Adjuchas's ugly face was filled with shock; it simply could not comprehend what was happening before its eyes. The Soul Reaper's Reiatsu clearly had not increased significantly, yet by merely changing his form, he had effortlessly wiped away a finishing blow.
It was as if nothing had happened at all.
Given time, such a terrifying existence would surely become a massive obstacle to the Master's march into the Soul Society. For the sake of the Great Goal, he must—
Kill him!
Murderous intent surfaced in its crimson pupils, but immediately after, it felt a bone-chilling cold. The figure burning with Reiatsu was faster than it.
The Zanpakuto, shrouded in a blazing flame of Reiatsu, hacked straight downward, howling through the air amidst a thunderous roar. Even from a distance, the Adjuchas could clearly feel the stinging sensation of the sharp wind hitting its body.
With the acceleration of a Flash Step, he cut a straight path through the wind.
A horizontal sweep, aimed right at the Adjuchas's chest!
Even though it had prepared itself, it was still terrified by this horrific speed. However, the ferocity inherent in the Adjuchas's instincts also exploded. It instinctively raised its claws as surging Reiatsu rose like a tide to block the path ahead.
And then.
In a brief moment that couldn't even be called a second, everything fell apart.
It was cut down with overwhelming force!
The sharp blade collided with the claws, sending countless sparks flying, and a power even more terrifying than before erupted. The moment Vajrayati was released, Naraku Sora's power reached the absolute limit that his current spiritual body could withstand.
After a brief stalemate, the Zanpakuto, wrapped in burning Reiatsu, swept through. In a flash, it was like a hot knife through butter.
The sharp claws were severed directly, and the massive body was nearly cut in half at the waist. A thick, bright red liquid erupted from its abdomen, instantly staining the scorched earth crimson.
A few drops of blood fell onto Naraku Sora's cheek, adding a touch of cruelty to his already violent aura. In that fleeting pause, the Adjuchas saw the Soul Reaper's eyes.
Deep within them was a pitch-black darkness, like an abyss.
"Im... possible..."
Its lamprey-like mouth opened as the Adjuchas let out a hoarse hiss. Its massive body crashed to the ground, its severed spine leaving it unable to remain standing.
"Is it over?"
Fong Shaolin felt as if she were in another world, her gaze somewhat vacant as she looked at Naraku Sora. Just moments ago, it was a life-or-death crisis, yet in the blink of an eye, an Adjuchas that even a Captain-level Soul Reaper would find troublesome had died just like that?
However, just as she thought the battle was finished, the blood on the ground gathered together in a bizarre fashion. In an instant, it transformed into a towering, mountain-like shadow that completely enveloped Naraku Sora.
A surging tide of Reiatsu pressed down, causing the surrounding air to solidify instantly, allowing Naraku Sora no room to struggle.
"The greatest weakness of you Soul Reapers is that you easily underestimate others."
A grim voice rang out from the mass of blood. The Adjuchas's face re-emerged, its hideous mouth splitting open once more.
"My strongest ability is not combat, but regeneration."
"This is an ability you Soul Reapers simply cannot understand, and it is the most precious treasure the Master bestowed upon me."
"It's over, Soul Reaper."
"Remember the name of the Adjuchas who killed you, Lumina Griffith!"
The viscous blood poured down. Upon transferring its consciousness into the blood, Griffith's method of attack had also changed. As Naraku Sora was completely shrouded in shadow, Fong Shaolin had already drawn her short blade, her tensed body launching forward like an arrow from a bow.
Although she hated this detestable guy who was trying to take Lady Yoruichi away, she absolutely could not stand by and watch him die.
Fong Shaolin gritted her teeth, gripping her Zanpakuto and preparing to tear a hole in the giant beast from the side, hoping to create a chance for Naraku Sora to survive.
The next moment.
The smile on Griffith's face suddenly froze. Its mountain-like body fell apart in an instant as crisscrossing sword pressure intersected from within the shadow, and blood splattered everywhere.
A terrifying heat erupted as a brilliant pillar of fire soared into the sky, incinerating everything in the vicinity. At this moment, no amount of regeneration could make up for the parts that were missing.
Naraku Sora stepped out from the shadows, the scorching rain of blood evaporating off his shoulders and turning into Reishi, dissolving into the atmosphere of the Soul Society.
"Compared to us Hollows, you are the true monster."
The remaining blood-body split open into a mouth that would make anyone lose their sanity. Griffith's smile was manic; the concepts it had built up over countless years collapsed in the face of imminent death.
It could not understand Naraku Sora's power.
He was not like the same species as the Soul Reapers it had devoured before. Or rather, it would be more appropriate to describe him as a Hollow.
"Those aristocratic fools actually hope to become the strongest Soul Reapers by improving that bit of insignificant talent..."
"How short-sighted!"
In its final moment, Griffith's gaze became exceptionally deep, staring fixedly at Naraku Sora, as if it wanted to carry this figure into the next cycle of reincarnation.
With the death of the Adjuchas, the air in front of Naraku Sora rippled like silk, and the long-lost black light screen reappeared.
[Successfully suppressed and killed Sinful Hollow Lumina Griffith, Sin Value 3502, Participation 100%!]
[Your Reiatsu has increased!]
[Your understanding of Hakuda has increased, perfectly mastering Ikkotsu!]
[Your Hollow power has increased, currently at 20%!]
An undeniable heat erupted from the depths of his soul, and a surging, agitated power constantly hammered his spiritual body. Like steel being tempered, it transformed at a visible speed under extreme high pressure.
His limbs and bones felt as if they were being reorganized, and his Reiatsu boiled as hot as lava!
However.
In a place Naraku Sora did not notice, a small piece of bone quietly surfaced, landing on his forehead like some kind of ornament.
It vanished in a flash.
Seeing that Griffith had finally died, Fong Shaolin, whose body had been tensed, finally breathed a sigh of relief. She subconsciously looked at the figure in front of her and hesitated.
"N-Naraku, Sixth Seat, what do we do next?"
Hearing the girl's voice, Naraku Sora snapped out of his enlightenment regarding Ikkotsu and looked around.
The nobles who had been hiding behind cover scrambled out in an embarrassed mess. As soon as they regained their footing, they cast angry looks at the two of them.
"You idiot! You almost hurt us just now! Don't you know that protecting nobles is the primary objective during combat?!"
"Who is your Captain? I'm going to file a complaint against him!"
Naraku Sora shook his head, a flash of helplessness in his eyes. He looked at the girl beside him, who was casting a disgusted gaze at the nobles, and whispered:
"Tell me, does this reason sound pleasant to the ear: 'A clash between Adjuchas broke out, and the nobles were caught in the crossfire and died'?"
Fong Shaolin: "?"