Chapter 236: The Stolen Bankai!
Observing the tragic scene before him, Kurosaki Ichigo couldn't believe such devastation was occurring within Seireitei. Seireitei—guarded by so many powerful captains—was suffering such tremendous casualties.
"I..."
Just as Kurosaki Ichigo's lips parted slightly and he wished stating something, a figure materialized before him and halted him.
"Don't be deceived, Kurosaki!"
"Don't you believe in Renji, Byakuya, and Kenpachi? Even if the scene presented proves genuine, with Captain-Commander Yamamoto present, everything will stabilize eventually!"
Listening to Urahara Kisuke's words, Kurosaki Ichigo also realized he'd appeared slightly too anxious just now. He quickly relaxed his tense body and murmured: "Yes... everyone is there."
"Hehehehe..."
"Urahara Kisuke, are you so impatient assisting Kurosaki Ichigo making choices? I distinctly recall warning you that if you appeared before me again, I would definitely eliminate you!"
CRACK—
The instant Fiander concluded speaking, Urahara Kisuke's feet were frozen, rendering him immobile. Witnessing that circumstances appeared escalating beyond control, Fiander suddenly spread his hands and spoke with a smile:
"Forget it. Arguing with you—a stray dog—proves genuinely disrespectful!"
The chill from his thigh's base directly stimulated Urahara Kisuke's consciousness. He inquired with slightly purple lips: "What do you mean by that...?"
"What do I mean? Literally! If you expect Kurosaki Ichigo believing in Gotei 13's worthless forces, you might as well depend upon Yhwach showing mercy and not slaughtering them!"
Fiander's words made Urahara Kisuke feel profoundly uneasy. At this moment, the other party snapped his fingers suddenly. The scene within the air transformed. They witnessed Kira's destroyed body and Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō's fallen figure within the projection, making them feel extraordinarily disturbed.
"Vice-Captain Kira, he..."
Witnessing Kira Izuru's miserable condition, Urahara Kisuke and Kurosaki Ichigo finally comprehended that the other party wasn't merely speaking idly.
"Remember when I mentioned Yhwach to you previously, Kurosaki Ichigo?"
"You mean the individual claiming to be the Quincy ancestor!"
Ichigo recalled everything the other party had conveyed to him, then considered what was transpiring in Seireitei. He spoke with solemn expression: "Could it be that... all of this was orchestrated by Yhwach...?"
"Wait a moment!"
Suddenly, Urahara Kisuke urgently questioned Fiander: "I've felt extraordinarily concerned since that statement just now. You appear knowing about Yhwach's existence?"
Witnessing a trace of panic suddenly manifesting across Urahara Kisuke's features, Fiander finally sensed circumstances growing interesting. This self-proclaimed wisest individual throughout the Three Realms always appeared perceiving everything. Even when beaten so devastatingly previously, he hadn't displayed the current expression.
"Indeed, correct. Not only do I know him—I've engaged with him directly!"
Urahara Kisuke already contemplated the worst possibility. "Did you... form an alliance?"
"Are you joking? Hollows and Quincy joining forces?"
Fiander regarded Urahara Kisuke as though he were mentally deficient and declared: "Your composure is deteriorating, Urahara Kisuke!"
Yes—with this individual's personality before him, how could he ally with Yhwach? However, when considering that the other party had been lurking beneath Aizen for hundreds of years, Urahara Kisuke believed this wasn't impossible.
"My apologies. It appears I overthought matters. However, I maintain my statement—with Captain-Commander Yamamoto present, Soul Society won't be destroyed!"
Observing Urahara Kisuke's rarely firm gaze, it appeared Yamamoto Genryūsai had provided these juniors tremendous expectations.
Fiander shook his head and spoke with emotion: "One matter you stated incorrectly! Although Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni defeated Yhwach and sealed him one thousand years ago, that doesn't guarantee the identical story will transpire once more presently. Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's Zanpakutō proves genuinely powerful—extraordinarily powerful! Even I can only maintain my own invincibility without utilizing special methods. However, your Commander-in-Chief's strength is predicated upon possessing his Bankai. You should understand that the Quincy possess capability countering Zanpakutō Bankai."
"That's correct! According to intelligence from Chōjirō Sasakibe—former First Division Lieutenant—Quincy possess means to seal or eliminate Zanpakutō Bankai!"
Urahara Kisuke nodded in acknowledgment.
"You're mistaken, Urahara Kisuke! That's not sealing—but theft!"
"Theft?!"
Fiander's words made Urahara Kisuke feel extraordinarily disturbed. Because sealing and stealing Bankai represented two entirely different concepts. He couldn't imagine what manner of catastrophe the Quincy would inflict if they could utilize Gotei 13 captains' Bankai.
"You... what evidence do you possess...?"
Although he believed most of it within his heart, he still maintained slight hope. Honestly, anyone experiencing hope proves understandable. However, this happened to Urahara Kisuke specifically.
"Evidence? Two days ago, Yhwach brought his forces to Hueco Mundo investigating my capabilities. Following a brief confrontation, he fled!"
"Before that, I witnessed his subordinate's technique—which stole Gin's Bankai with a star medallion—and used against me."
"...!"
This time, not only Urahara Kisuke but also Kurosaki Ichigo and Sado felt completely shocked. Such words emerging from the other party's mouth couldn't possibly prove false. Now Urahara Kisuke urgently wished informing Soul Society immediately: Never employ Bankai when fighting Quincy.
Just as he withdrew a communication device from his chest to contact Soul Society's Technology Development Bureau, the scene Fiander presented transformed once more. The projection within the air divided into several new images.
Within the scenes, each division's captains and vice-captains confronted Sternritter members simultaneously. They first stated something beneath Urahara Kisuke's watchful gaze, then raised their Zanpakutō and employed their Bankai.
"Stop it! Stop this!"
Urahara Kisuke clenched his fists and shouted loudly. Meanwhile, Fiander positioned aside smiled and spoke lightly: "Do you wish warning Soul Society? It appears far too late!"
At this moment, within Seireitei, facing enemies extraordinarily difficult to defeat, the captains held death-defying determination and informed their vice-captains positioned behind: "These are enemies that cannot be defeated without Bankai. If my Bankai is sealed, I'll continue fighting with my Shikai!"
"Only by witnessing clearly how they seal can we discover methods to counter it!"
"As long as we can defeat enemies before Bankai is sealed, no problems will arise!"
Rather than facing the difficult mentality regarding whether to employ Bankai or worry about being sealed after utilizing Bankai, attempting breakthrough might prove superior.
Consequently, Second Division Captain Suì-Fēng, Sixth Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki, Seventh Division Captain Komamura Sajin, and Tenth Division Captain Hitsugaya Tōshirō employed their Bankai simultaneously.
"Bankai..."
"Jakuhō Raikōben!"
"Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō!"
"Senbonzakura Kageyoshi!"
"Daiguren Hyōrinmaru!"
At this instant, the Sternritter engaging them withdrew star medallions with smirks across their features and directed them toward the captains who'd just released Bankai.