Chapter 235 The Massacre Begins!
"North District 3032, Liuwei, District Three... Twenty-seven squad members perished..."
"Third Seat Togakushi, Fifth Seat Gori, Sixth Seat Katakura's Reiatsu has vanished! Additionally—Vice-Captain Kira's Reiatsu has also disappeared simultaneously!"
Hearing the report from a Technology Development Bureau member, Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō responded with blank expression: "Really? I understand..."
Former Third Division Captain Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō had fled to the human world beneath Aizen's conspiracy persecution. With the Karakura Town war's conclusion, the vacant captain position was once again occupied by these captains from one hundred years prior.
At this moment, Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō stood at the location where spirit particle flames had materialized. He'd just rushed here and witnessed soldiers' corpses scattered everywhere. Already enraged, upon hearing this devastating news just now, the expression across his features grew so grim it appeared horrifying.
"It appears no favorable news exists! Who perished?"
Before Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō, a dark-skinned, thin, tall man regarded him with peculiar smile.
This Sternritter wore a jacket exposing his abdomen, possessed five braids standing upright, and wore a yellow helmet with thick belt covering his forehead and eyes. His attire proved extraordinarily ridiculous.
"I don't need answering you!"
Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō replied blankly.
"Hee hee hee! You've already answered! Just now, twenty-four Reiatsu signatures vanished from Bazz-B's vicinity. If no other casualties occurred, then that individual made errors. If that's the case, then I'm returning to mock him."
Sternritter "U"—Nanana Najahkoop—continued gloating while provoking Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō.
CLANG—
After withdrawing his Zanpakutō from its scabbard, Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō spoke with sneer across his paralyzed features: "Are you celebrating something? That's not an artistic act whatsoever."
"Observing Kira Izuru, my Reiatsu sense becomes uncontrollably inspired. With him beside me, simply holding my guitar—melodies rush forth like oil and water. If Izuru isn't here, both Kinshara and I feel sorrowful."
"Ah? Is that so? That's unfortunate. I don't understand anything regarding art!"
Nanana Najahkoop spread his hands weakly and continued: "However, don't worry. You and your Kinshara won't possess opportunity lamenting anymore, because you only possess five minutes to live."
Observing Nanana Najahkoop's damned smiling expression, the gloom across Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō's features was about to overflow. "You remain utterly inartistic! How can any guitar exist that doesn't weep? My guitar and I have been weeping for considerable duration. You won't return alive, Quincy!"
"Play, Kinshara!"
Without any hesitation, Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō directly released his Zanpakutō. Facing vicious Quincy, any mercy toward enemies constituted crime!
Kinshara—transformed into a long golden whip—was waved toward Nanana Najahkoop by Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō from considerable distance.
Nanana Najahkoop retreated, attempting distancing himself. Kinshara—waving through the air—continued extending at this moment, pursuing him at extraordinarily rapid speed and coiling around his arm.
"Are you frightened now? It's far too late!"
After restraining Nanana Najahkoop's body, Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō extended his other hand to grasp the whip's extension and chanted: "Kinshara Concerto Number Seven—Hakuya Toga!"
Accompanied by Reiatsu stream injected into Kinshara, the whip's body advanced toward Nanana Najahkoop with violent sonic boom.
DING—
A piercing scream resonated. Nanana Najahkoop appeared paralyzed throughout his entire body, frozen in position, incapable of movement. Witnessing his attack succeeding, Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō displayed triumphant smile.
At this moment, Nanana Najahkoop's body transformed into grid-shaped spirit particles and scattered in all directions, evading Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō's assault.
"Want escaping?"
Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō frowned. He bent his arm slightly, waved vigorously once more and declared: "I won't grant you opportunity!"
Just as Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō prepared utilizing the Reiatsu within his body, numbness sensation flooded his entire being instantaneously. Nanana Najahkoop—who'd reappeared in the air—gestured theatrically and declared:
"No! No! No!"
"It's me who didn't grant opportunity. You're finished, Captain Shinigami!"
***
Within Las Noches' throne hall, Reinhard led Urahara Kisuke's group of three to the throne's base, gazing upward at Fiander Moros positioned above.
"What unfortunate circumstances, Reinhard!"
Fiander greeted these uninvited guests politely, then joked toward the scarred Reinhard.
"Please forgive my recklessness. I originally intended teaching that youth who'd refused Lord Fiander's kindness a lesson. I hadn't anticipated the other party had grown to such extent within such brief duration."
Reinhard's Arrancar possessed an advantage that satisfied Fiander tremendously—specifically, he must acknowledge his errors and accept punishment when beaten.
"Don't lose heart, Reinhard. He's the genuine protagonist!"
While consoling his favored subordinate, Fiander pointed toward Kurosaki Ichigo and declared: "I provided you a choice at that time. It appears you finally selected Soul Society!"
"Then matters have concluded. What constitutes your purpose visiting me again? Are you wagering that I dare not eliminate you?"
As his voice concluded, chill struck the entire hall. Thin frost layers surged across the surrounding walls and ground surface.
Firmly gripping his trembling arm, Sado Yasutora regarded the man before him who appeared no different from humans. He couldn't help thinking: What manner of monster is this? A single statement makes me feel immobilized.
"I never chose joining any faction. I simply represent myself. I only wish protecting my family and friends."
The identical topic made Reinhard positioned aside feel extraordinarily harsh. Consequently, he spoke sarcastically: "Protect your friends? Pleasant words! All harm your friends have suffered thus far stems from you! You must acknowledge..."
"That's enough, Reinhard!"
"Stating such matters proves meaningless. You're simply displeased with this youth, aren't you?"
Before Reinhard could conclude, Fiander interrupted his speech.
"My apologies, Lord Fiander!"
Witnessing that Fiander didn't blame him for speaking without authorization, Reinhard quietly released relieved breath and stepped aside.
"It's acceptable! I hope no next occasion occurs."
After glancing slightly at Reinhard, Fiander regarded Kurosaki Ichigo once more and declared: "Very well, let's continue our previous topic. You stated that you only wish protecting your friends and family—protecting the world. Consequently, now I pose a question to you: if the world approaches destruction, would you sacrifice your life protecting it?"
"Naturally!" Kurosaki Ichigo responded without hesitation.
"Really? I hope you don't speak so facilely, Kurosaki Ichigo! What I conveyed to you earlier was hypothetical. Consequently, now I'll inform you about something currently transpiring."
At this moment, Fiander extended one finger and pointed toward the air. Slight ripples fluctuated through space.
One second later, dozens of scenes depicting Seireitei being massacred and even destroyed materialized before them.
"Does it appear familiar? Don't doubt—that's precisely what's transpiring presently."
Witnessing the shocked expressions of Kurosaki Ichigo, Urahara Kisuke, and others, Fiander chuckled and continued: "Very well, Kurosaki Ichigo. I'll pose the identical question once more. Currently, Soul Society is being ravaged and destroyed. Your trusted companions exist on crisis's precipice. So... are you willing sacrificing yourself saving them?!"