As soon as the space transfer ended, five black-robed figures moved at the same time. All of them cast high-level Bakudō without chanting.
In an instant, golden sheets of light, rods of energy, snake-like chains, giant iron pillars, and nine black orbs locked down Aiyan's body completely, pinning him to the ground.
His arms and legs couldn't move at all, not even his fingers or toes. His mouth was sealed too, unable to make a sound.
The smooth cooperation, along with the combination of different Bakudō, showed clearly that they had practiced this kind of attack many times before.
Otherwise, they wouldn't be this skilled.
"Spiritual Arts Academy's strongest genius in two thousand years?"
"This is it?"
"He couldn't even survive one wave of Bakudō. I thought he'd be impressive."
Seeing Aiyan fully restrained, the black-robed figures laughed coldly.
"His talent isn't fake, but he's only trained for a short time."
"He only stayed in the academy for one day."
"Against a carefully planned ambush like this, you really thought a rookie who just got his Zanpakutō could flip the situation?"
The man standing in front of the group spoke calmly. His tone made it clear he was the leader, and no one objected when he spoke.
"Captain, should we take him back now?" one of them asked.
"No," the captain said, shaking his head. "Cut off his limbs first."
"If he accidentally touches the adult, it'll be trouble."
Two black-robed figures stepped forward immediately, drawing their Zanpakutō.
The Bakudō wasn't cast randomly. There were small gaps left at the joints between his limbs and torso.
They had clearly left those on purpose to make it easier to cut his limbs off.
Pfft.
Under the pale moonlight, their Zanpakutō gave off a cold shine.
With a sound of blades slicing into flesh, Aiyan's arms and legs were cut off and fell to the ground.
"Captain, it's done," one of them reported after pulling back their blade.
The captain nodded, but then, from the corner of his eye, he noticed something strange.
What flowed from Aiyan's wounds wasn't blood—but golden light.
"…Something's wrong."
"Shunpo!"
His expression changed immediately, fear flashing across his face.
As he shouted, the group backed away quickly.
But it was too late.
Aiyan's body turned into golden particles, slipping out of all the Bakudō. Then, with a flash, those particles came together again—restoring his full body.
He stood calmly as the golden light faded away.
"Bakudō…"
"Enchantment…"
"I'll only ask once. Who's the 'adult' you mentioned?"
Aiyan stared at the ten black-robed people without emotion.
"You don't deserve to know his name," the leader replied coldly. Then, he raised his hand and said:
"Kill him."
As soon as the words left his mouth—
Some of the others pulled out their Zanpakutō and shouted their release lines.
Some cast Bakudō without chanting.
Others began chanting Hadō.
But before anyone could finish, Aiyan's entire body burst into a golden light, shining like the sun.
The moon in the sky was instantly covered up.
"Ahh!"
"My eyes!"
"I can't see anything!"
The sudden bright light stung their eyes. Everything in their vision turned completely white.
They couldn't see a thing.
Their releases, their chants, everything was interrupted.
"Way of the Sword… Sword Pressure."
In the golden light, Aiyan pulled out his sword with one hand and swung.
Boom!
His Reiatsu roared like a wild beast, spreading out with the sword slash. It turned into golden energy that burned the air as it passed, crashing into the black-robed attackers, who were still blinded.
Pfft.
The slash landed.
Blood sprayed.
Heads flew.
With one sword swing, nine black-robed figures were killed. Their heads separated cleanly from their necks.
Only the leader survived.
Even though the flash blinded him, he didn't panic. Before the sword pressure hit, he used Shunpo to dodge and land safely away.
"…Damn it."
"I underestimated you."
"But you won't get another chance."
He calmed himself, grabbed the hilt of his Zanpakutō, and drew it with a sharp motion while shouting:
"Howl, Kazekiba!"
Blue light flashed.
The Zanpakutō in his hand transformed into a blue blade.
Without moving, the air around him exploded. Huge wind currents appeared—nine of them—spinning like giant tornadoes.
Where they passed, the ground cracked and dust rose.
"It's time to end this, Aiyan Sōsuke."
"If we keep the master waiting too long, even if we bring him your limbs, he won't be pleased."
The captain's tone was sharp, and his eyes were cold.
As if responding to Aiyan's earlier sword pressure, he raised the Shikai blade and pointed it at the sky.
The wind howled.
It sounded like the roar of a Menos Grande, sending chills down the spine.
"…Are you from one of the Four Noble Houses?"
Aiyan suddenly asked.
The captain froze.
"…So I was right."
Aiyan's lips curled slightly.
"Die!"
The captain's face turned cold. He realized his slip-up had exposed him and gave up on catching Aiyan alive.
He held up his blue sword and slashed down.
Nine huge wind currents rushed toward Aiyan from all directions like dancing silver snakes, tearing the ground apart as they closed in.
"You investigated me, so you should know."
"Did you forget?"
"I have Shikai too."
Aiyan didn't dodge or attack.
He calmly put his sword back into the sheath and said:
"Open your eyes, Kōfuin."
As soon as the words fell—
A pillar of golden light shot into the sky like a beam connecting Soul Society to the moon. The sky filled with golden light.
The silver moon above was dyed gold, turning into a blazing sun that lit up the night.
The nine storm currents were instantly scattered—completely erased.