The moment the light cannon shot forward, the tengu mask spoke again—
"Hadō #88, Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō."
CRACKLE!!!
A blue-white lightning pillar over two meters thick erupted from the tip of his Zanpakutō, following Senjū Kōten Taihō as it surged toward the three of them!
"Hey, hey... you've got to be kidding me. The 91st Hadō, and you can cast it without an incantation?!"
Aikawa was starting to panic.
He raised his massive spiked club high, crimson flames erupting along its length as spiritual pressure condensed.
Kirio moved faster than him.
The beautiful woman with a slender waist and ample curves took a commanding step forward—
"Bakudō Number 81: Dankū!!!"
HMMMMMMMMM!!!
A massive translucent barrier erupted from the ground as her foot landed!
BOOOOOOM!!!!
The Senjū Kōten Taihō collided with the barrier, unleashing towering waves of fire.
Since Dankū could only block energy from one direction, vast amounts of flames surged outward to either side.
If left unchecked, just these scattered forces would be enough to destroy half of the Second Division!
Shunsui leaped high into the air, crossing his swords with a swing.
"Kageoni: Fūsatsu Gaeshi!!"
The blades whipped up two swirling cyclones of azure wind.
Each tornado rushed toward one side of the Dankū barrier, containing and restraining the spreading flames, preventing them from escaping.
Meanwhile, Aikawa had finished charging his attack.
Holding his seven-to-eight-meter-long spiked club aloft, he roared and brought it down with devastating force.
By now, the entire club was blazing with brilliant flames—
"Tengumaru... Enrakyōten!!!"
The massive spiked club smashed into the ground, its explosive power surging forward.
The Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō had just shattered the Dankū barrier when it was intercepted by the flaming club.
The two forces wrestled for several seconds before finally dissipating together.
Surveying the vast expanse of scorched earth before him, Shunsui couldn't help but click his tongue.
To suppress three captains single-handedly...
Just who the hell was that guy?
Closing his eyes, he tried to track the opponent's spiritual pressure, only to find all traces had been severed.
Shaking his head helplessly, he landed and hurried to tend to Satoru.
...
...
An indeterminate amount of time later, Satoru slowly opened his eyes.
"An unfamiliar ceiling."
Lying on a soft bed, he squinted contentedly like a large cat.
"Though the ceiling may be unfamiliar, the doctor is a familiar one."
A somewhat teasing voice sounded from beside him.
Satoru turned his head.
There sat Seinosuke Yamada beside the hospital bed, legs crossed with a thick book resting on his knee, flipping through it leisurely.
"Yo, how does it feel to cheat death?"
Seeing Satoru look over, Seinosuke asked cheerfully.
Satoru sighed: "Terrible... Why isn't it a beautiful nurse?"
Seinosuke chuckled: "Because this genius's medical skills are so outstanding that even before officially joining the division, I've earned Captain Unohana's recognition."
"The captain believes my current medical expertise far surpasses any beautiful nurse, hence assigning me to watch over you."
"You should be grateful for the captain's immense kindness, you idiot Satoru."
Satoru raised his hand to flip him off.
But as soon as he lifted it, he froze.
Both his hands were wrapped in thick bandages, barely recognizable as hands.
After a moment of confusion, he suddenly remembered what had happened.
Earlier, to defeat Yasushi Takada, he'd forcibly used a technique that had only existed in theory.
While the results were impressive, his hands had been basically wrecked in the process.
Seinosuke set down his book, his expression turning serious.
"Satoru, I know you're not one of those weak-willed good-for-nothings, so I won't bother with empty platitudes."
"Your hands... the situation isn't good."
"For the next few months, maybe even years, these hands might not be usable for combat."
His expression darkened as he continued: "But don't worry, I, Seinosuke Yamada, swear upon my honor as a medical practitioner that I'll find a way to heal your hands!"
"The noble families all have their secret healing techniques hidden away—who knows, one of them might help you."
"And there's Captain Unohana too—she'll do everything in her power to find a solution!"
Seeing Seinosuke's serious face, Satoru couldn't help but chuckle.
Seinosuke frowned. "Don't think I'm joking here, I—"
"I know," Satoru nodded.
"Relax, Seinosuke. I, Satoru, am a genius on the same level as Sōsuke."
"Just a pair of hands—we'll figure it out eventually."
"If all else fails, I've always got you as my mediocre backup plan."
"I'm not worried in the slightest, heh."
Seinosuke: "..."
Seeing that Satoru wasn't just putting on a brave face, Seinosuke clicked his tongue in amazement.
This kid... really knows how to take things in stride!
Putting his hand down, Satoru asked, "How are Yoruichi and Soi Fon?"
"The head of the Shihōin family is fine. Nobles have their own specialized hospitals, and I heard she was discharged yesterday."
"As for that short-haired girl, her injuries were more severe. One of her arms was broken in several places."
"While her life isn't in danger, how much her arm will recover depends on luck."
Hearing this, Satoru frowned slightly.
If she lost the use of one arm, Soi Fon's career in the Onmitsukidō might very well be over…
As the two were talking, the hospital room door was knocked.
After receiving a response, the door slid open, and several figures entered one after another.
Leading the group was none other than Shunsui Kyōraku.
Seeing Satoru awake, he grinned.
"See, Jūshirō, what did I tell you? Our little junior here is tough as nails."
Ukitake couldn't help but glare at him.
If you hadn't been such an unreliable senior, Satoru wouldn't be lying here in the first place!
Suppressing the urge to argue in the hospital room, he swallowed those words.
Following behind them was Retsu Unohana.
She walked to the bedside, examined Satoru's hands, and frowned slightly.
She turned to Seinosuke.
Seinosuke smiled. "Captain, don't worry. This kid's got a strong will. I've already explained the situation to him, and he's taking it pretty well."
Nodding at this, Unohana made a promise to do everything possible to find a treatment before giving Satoru another thorough checkup.
After completing the full examination, she smiled and nodded.
"Aside from your hands, everything else is recovering well."
"Barring any complications, you can be discharged today."
After Unohana left, Seinosuke also stood to take his leave.
Once the two were gone, Shunsui and Jūshirō sat down and chatted with Satoru for a while.
But before long, the door was knocked again.
This time, it was the vice-captain of the 1st Division, Chōjirō Sasakibe.
He brought a box of sweets, comforted Satoru, and told him to focus on recovery without worrying about outside matters.
After Chōjirō left, Shunsui and Jūshirō also said their goodbyes.
Satoru stretched and was about to take another nap when the door was knocked yet again…
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