Declare war...?!
Yamamoto's expression remained unchanged, but his heart stirred.
At this moment, the leader across from him raised his hand and spoke again:
"However..."
"How surprising. Though we received orders from 'His Majesty' beforehand, to think we could infiltrate so easily..."
"This is supposedly the Captain-Commander's private office within the 1st Division."
"Captain-Commander, is your security awareness... a bit too lax?"
The lead invader spoke unhurriedly.
Hearing this, Yamamoto slowly turned to face them directly, his eyes deep as he spoke quietly:
"No need for your concern."
"As long as I'm here, there's no better security than this."
His tone was calm. Yet his words revealed immensely powerful and steady confidence.
"...Is that so?"
"What a surprising answer. However... that may be your final arrogance, Yamamoto Genryūsai."
The leader finished speaking softly. From beneath that pitch-black concealed face, a faint smile seemed to emerge.
But just then—
"BOOM!!!"
A massive explosion suddenly erupted from one side. The office wall shattered!
Through flying debris, a blood-soaked black figure blasted inward from outside!
Before his body—a cross-shaped pillar radiating sky-blue light!
That sharp light directly pierced through the person's body!
Splurt!!!
Blood sprayed as the black figure crashed to the ground. The light gradually faded.
Yamamoto focused his gaze, finally seeing the person's face clearly.
The instant he recognized them, his eyes contracted sharply. His expression completely froze.
"Chōjirō?!"
The figure pierced by light was none other than... 1st Division Lieutenant Chōjirō Sasakibe, who'd just left!
Though his Zanpakutō remained in hand, his body was covered in wounds, blood everywhere. He could no longer move.
From those shocking wounds, spiritual particles were beginning to scatter!
His soul was starting to disintegrate...?!
Flames of fury ignited in Yamamoto's chest.
But at this moment, the lead invader spoke again:
"No need to lament. You should actually praise him."
"Because he alone... demonstrated your future doom."
"Meaning... even fighting us with everything, the result is still dying in despair."
"..."
Yamamoto's mouth opened slightly, teeth clenched. The cane beneath his right arm had already begun transforming into a blade.
Yet even so, the several figures across from him remained unmoved. Instead, they stepped forward.
"Listen well."
"Five days from now, Soul Society will be completely annihilated by us—the 'Invisible Empire.'"
"This is... our declaration of war."
The leader spread his arms, proclaiming loudly.
But as his words fell, Yamamoto's figure suddenly vanished from his position!
The next moment, he appeared directly behind the invaders!
Flash Step!
He swiftly slashed down with furious killing intent and resolve!
Spiritual pressure surged along the blade!
Yet even facing this strongest Soul Reaper's attack, these people remained unhurried, taking no defensive action whatsoever.
But the next moment, another change occurred!
As Yamamoto's blade swept through, their bodies suddenly disappeared, then reappeared in the distance!
Yamamoto's expression shifted slightly. With his rich combat experience, he naturally recognized—
This wasn't Flash Step or any footwork technique. Not movement at all, but direct spatial teleportation!
And just then, they spoke again:
"That look in your eyes..."
"You must want to demand 'who are you people,' correct?"
"And you surely understand—we won't answer such an obvious question."
"Because our true identity becomes clear with slight deduction."
"Well then, until we meet again."
As the words fell, Yamamoto's expression darkened. He stepped forward.
"STOP!!!"
Then he swung his blade!
The instant it swept through, no longer just colorless spiritual pressure—massive flames like an ocean instantly crashed forth!
"All things in the universe, turn to ashes"—Ryūjin Jakka!
BOOM!!!
At this moment, he directly released his Zanpakutō!
Under Yamamoto's unmatched powerful spiritual pressure, the explosive flames instantly engulfed all the figures ahead!
Those flames, like divine punishment from hell itself, directly demolished every building in their path!
But the next moment, as flames dispersed and smoke cleared...
Those figures had vanished without a trace!
'They escaped...?!'
'Within the Seireitei... I can no longer sense their spiritual pressure...'
'They can ignore the soul-concealing membrane's existence and move freely...?'
Yamamoto narrowed his eyes, expression extremely grave.
"Gen... Genryūsai-sama...!"
Just then, the wounded Chōjirō spoke.
Yamamoto immediately looked over. Chōjirō struggled to raise his head, speaking painfully:
"There's... something..."
"Something I must... must report to you!"
"They... they... they can seal Bankai!!!"
As Chōjirō's words fell, fresh blood spilled from his mouth again.
Hearing this, Yamamoto's eyes widened sharply, pupils contracting violently!
The next moment, he looked at the Zanpakutō gripped in Chōjirō's hand.
He finally understood why earlier he'd faintly sensed Chōjirō's Bankai "Kōkō Gonryō Rikyū" for a moment, but it had suddenly vanished...
'His Bankai wasn't released... but... sealed...?!'
Notice! This novel returns to four chapters daily!!
Due to inadequate preparation, the new book's performance was poor.
After much consideration, I've decided to pause it and properly complete this novel first!
For personal reasons, I've delayed everyone for so long—my deepest apologies!
So starting today, this novel will officially return to four+ chapters daily until the Thousand-Year Blood War arc concludes!
Author's grateful thanks!
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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