Everyone should have their own duties to fulfill.
As a patrolman, one should properly manage their area, not allowing criminals to evade the law.
If one is a researcher, they should focus on 'new things' rather than attempting to play with so-called power tactics.
That's right.
The so-called responsibility is also like this.
The Soul Society's operation should also be like this.
And Yamamoto, his duty was equally clear.
To clear remnants for the three worlds, to give everything for a long-term governance pattern—this was the conclusion Yamamoto had reached based on knowing all the content.
He never wanted to change anything.
The nobles should be high above, commoners only need to live their lives well, guarding their own small piece of land is enough.
Perhaps some would despise his 'self-deception' behavior.
But none of that matters.
Because Yamamoto himself wouldn't care too much about these things.
He had always believed that he was merely a stone brick used for paving.
No need to leave his name in history, nor any dream of immortality... as the price for his youthful temper and ruthlessness, he was willing to use all the time of his remaining life to nurture the next person stronger than himself.
Although the goal could no longer be achieved.
But to this day.
Yamamoto could once again fulfill his duty.
Just like a thousand years ago, to eliminate this troublemaker who brought chaos to the three worlds.
Perhaps I have survived until today just for this moment.
With just such a feeling appearing in his heart, the old man's expression changed from subtle to solemn.
No further deep thought.
Focusing all attention on the present, dedicating all his efforts just for this moment.
Let's go, Yhwach.
Without verbal warning, merely tensing his entire body.
Then, taking that firm and fearless step.
The originally howling flames instantly contracted back, like a hedgehog curling up its body, no longer showing any sharp edges.
But.
This seemed to be merely the 'wishful thinking' of the onlookers.
Because with Yamamoto's stepping motion, the stone bricks under his feet were instantly melted, creating a terrifying depression.
Hiss...
The flames encircling his body without dispersing hadn't disappeared.
They were just continuously refined, compressed, and finally transformed into something more terrifying and exaggerated!
Yamamoto's form flashed forward, his sudden acceleration making even Yhwach show some surprise.
He lightly tapped with his toe, twisting his body, as if wanting to make an evasive movement.
Actions refined to the extreme could demonstrate strong fundamentals.
Not to mention the techniques of the ancestor of the Quincies?
But...
This composure quickly disappeared with the touch of the blade.
Yhwach's left hand was touched by the opponent's blade coming from that direction, despite making the maximum effort to avoid it...
But his little finger inevitably touched it.
The two passed each other.
Just in an instant, as if eroded by some invisible force.
Yhwach's little finger, at a visible speed, began to rapidly vaporize, dehydrate, until it became a miserable charcoal shape.
Crack crack crack...
The sound that could make one's teeth ache kept coming.
Yhwach frowned slightly as he looked at his left hand, as if it had been contaminated by some extremely virulent virus.
The charcoal-like body was slowly spreading, now seemingly spreading toward the entire palm.
"Tsk..."
After a tongue click.
Yhwach swung the Quincy blade in his right hand, cutting off his entire little finger.
The part that fell from his body merely shattered completely the instant it touched the ground.
Moving with the wind at the same time, turning into wildly dancing fragments, no longer showing any trace...
"Your Majesty..."
The onlookers tightened their lips, expressions extremely serious.
It was precisely because they knew Yhwach's power that they were surprised to such an extent.
To easily break through His Majesty's Blut, injuring the flesh, and destroying it.
Could a Soul Reaper really achieve this level?—Perhaps before today, many would have dismissed it as a joke.
But at present, things seemed to be developing in a completely unpredictable direction.
One successful strike.
Yet Yamamoto showed no joy at all.
He just slowly stood up, straightening his slightly bent spine, and at this moment looked towards the side.
He calmly gazed at Yhwach, raising his Zanpakutō until it was horizontal in front of him.
Zanka no Tachi - East - Rising Sun Edge.
"Concentrating all the heat of Ryujin Jakka at the blade's edge, neither burning nor releasing explosive flames, just erasing whatever it touches without a trace. Even the Quincy's Blut Vene cannot resist it..."
Yamamoto's flames could burn the three worlds.
To have such a description, what was relied upon was naturally such a terrifying and distinctive power.
So.
Please be ready for the subsequent techniques.
Yamamoto's form began to flash explosively again, his profound steps and extremely strong spiritual pressure working together. Even though Yhwach continuously evaded, he still couldn't completely shake off his opponent.
And during this relentless pursuit.
Intense, fiery flames appeared on Yamamoto's body.
The raging fire rolled, rose on his body, making him look like a terrifying vengeful ghost returning from the depths of the underworld.
Where there's East, there's West.
The fierce flames now enveloping his body were indeed one of Yamamoto's four directions.
Zanka no Tachi - West - Remnant Sun Prison Garb.
"Turning one's spiritual pressure into 15 million degree flames, like being wrapped in the blazing sun, covering both the body and blade. If one approaches the wielder carelessly in an unguarded state, they would instantly turn to ashes..."
Finding a similar weakness.
Yamamoto unhesitatingly charged forward, violently kicking Yhwach in the chest.
The latter's form was violently knocked back, like a comet falling from the sky, crashing heavily, instantly booming, raising dust waves visible to the eye.
Yhwach's figure emerged pathetically from within.
Several members of the royal guard instinctively wanted to go closer, but before they could act, a majestic voice came from the dust.
"Don't come over! I can handle him!"
Yamamoto landed nimbly between the two sides. He removed the flames that had been continuously wrapped around his body, his calm expression showing no change in mentality.
"The tone of your boasting hasn't changed a bit."
To mockingly speak out at such a time.
It's hard to imagine what kind of mindset this comes from.
But regardless, the battle situation that originally seemed evenly matched now appeared to have an obvious tilt.
Yhwach staggered slightly, slowly walking out from the thick dust.
The styling that should have been kept immaculate was now dirty and disheveled.
Large areas of burn marks appeared on his chest, with no effect even with specially made protective clothing...
Through the already charred flesh, one could even see the faintly beating heart inside.
"Gu..."
A mouthful of blood flowed from the corner of his mouth.
Yhwach's steps, which had originally intended to continue forward, stopped with a slight tremble at this moment, and he finally fell down directly.
What couldn't hold up wasn't his will, but his body.
His expression became slightly confused.
"You..."
Before the words were finished.
Yamamoto had already spoken before him.
"I have become stronger."
Not self-praising in a soliloquy, but a unilateral statement of existing things based on reality.
The old man's gaze was calm, but his thoughts had already returned to that period in the past.
"I realized my shortcomings in the last encounter."
"So I made improvements, understood some things... people will not stop moving forward."
"Even at this stubborn age, I will absolutely not allow my abilities to decline."
Moreover.
Things didn't seem so simple.
"Rather, it's you, Yhwach."
Yamamoto calmly stepped forward.
His steps were steady, and his tone, his mindset, all became transparent and bright at this moment.
"So many years have passed, yet you're still using these old-fashioned things."
"Do you really think these things that have already been seen can have any effect on me?"
"Are you looking down on me, or are you simply tired of living?"
No progress in a thousand years.
Such carelessness is not only inappropriate but even disgusting.
The old man watched Yhwach's silence, yet he raised his head to gaze. At this moment, his lips trembled slightly, but only a dull cold snort flowed out.
"Don't want to speak? No explanation for your imperfect skill?"
"Fine then, after all, you've always been that kind of person..."
"Back then, apart from still having some mercy for your subordinates, you were an absolute tyrant."
So.
Perhaps those people should see.
The once-invincible emperor, now reduced to such a pathetic state.
"I can't stand by anymore!"
Lille disobeyed Yhwach's will, gritting his teeth and raising the spear in his hand at this moment.
Rather than watching the monarch die in battle for the sake of orders, it would be better to actively break this unreasonable constraint...
To fulfill his duty.
The situation behind him didn't provoke a reaction from the old man; his gaze had been on Yhwach all along.
And even at this moment.
Yamamoto merely lightly waved the Zanpakutō in his hand.
Whoosh...
Until he completely inserted it into the ground.
Accompanied by a long howl.
Everyone present felt a strong sensation of shaking!
As if some invisible, untouchable monster was hidden underground... amidst the surging 'waves,' everyone saw numerous black corpses crawling out.
The crimson magma showing through the cracks continuously rolled and broke.
The scorching air coming through was as exaggerated as the breath released from some hellish place.
Just smelling such a scent was enough to change the expressions of everyone present.
Askin, who was already very careful and standing at the edge, even screamed as the magma scalded him.
"Aaaaaah! What are all these things?!"
What was surprising wasn't just these emerging ghosts and the dead.
What was more astonishing were the blue crosses mixed in.
These markers weren't things possessed by Soul Reapers... but abilities that only Quincies could use!
Then according to this logic, doesn't it mean...
What now appeared before them were Quincies who had already died?!
Zanka no Tachi - South - Great Burial Realm of Crackling Flames.
Yamamoto stood in place. With the help of the protruding rocks, he looked down at Yhwach, who was now surrounded by the ghosts.
With a cold tone, he said:
"By stabbing Zanka no Tachi's blade into the ground, the high temperature of the Zanpakutō awakens the ashes of the dead who died by my blade in the past, transforming them into a legion of charred skeletons that endlessly slaughter all objects considered enemies."
How is it?
"Reuniting with your subordinates whom you haven't seen for a thousand years."
"Even for a tyrant as cold as you..."
"Would you shed tears of emotion?"
No response whatsoever.
Only through gritted teeth and hateful eyes did he convey his thoughts and feelings.
Undoubtedly, for this behavior of toying with the dead, Yhwach showed his deeply abhorrent attitude.
But...
The old man remained unmoved.
"Unwilling, Yhwach? But think carefully..."
"The defeat of these people was also by your hand. If not for your unjust war."
"Their lives would definitely not have ended at these prime years... the war you started brought pain."
Yet now you show such an expression?
That really is...
"Almost made me start to reflect on myself."
Being the aggressor, yet showing the expression of a victim, stop it.
Yhwach's body burst forth with bright blue light, symbolizing that the power of the Quincies instantly boiled, completely shaking off the corpses that had originally surrounded him.
This behavior itself had no meaning.
But it seemed doing so... could make Yhwach feel somewhat better?
And at the moment of completing this action, looking at the front, the surroundings, all already empty.
Heaven and earth had, at some unknown time, become a sheet of white, like an overexposed negative. In this transparent and extremely bright world.
Yhwach, as if realizing something, suddenly turned around at this moment.
He saw Yamamoto standing not far away.
Firmly gripping his Zanpakutō.
He just stared straight at Yhwach, until he took a step forward.
Come, the final strike.
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Powerstones?
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