Chapter 136: I, Satoru, Attain Sainthood on the Spot!
A mere insignificant insect, giving up on escape and daring to attack me on its own.
Although the outcome was to his liking, the arrogant behavior still displeased the Hollow.
Watching Satoru charge toward him, the giant Hollow grinned widely.
It spread its arms and slammed them together toward Satoru.
Each palm was larger than Satoru's entire body.
The moment these massive hands closed would mark the death of this insignificant insect!
Satoru's eyes widened, his expression as firm as steel, his black Shinigami Uniform flapping violently in the wind.
Facing the Adjuchas-class Menos Grande before him, he brought forth his complete seriousness.
Adjuchas... the second tier of Menos Grande.
If he remembered correctly, Adjuchas were designed to be on par with Captain-level Shinigami.
Although superficially, its Reiatsu didn't seem particularly strong, it was likely just well-concealed.
If he couldn't kill it quickly and it found an opportunity to contact its companions, he would be thrown into complete passivity!
Three moves!
Within three moves, he must kill it!
First, use a full-power "Ikotsu" to break through its defenses.
Next, have the shadow warrior attack from behind while simultaneously releasing the power of the Mod-Soul to assault its consciousness.
With this dual assault, this Adjuchas would surely reveal an opening.
Seizing that instant, use Sōkotsu to mercilessly take its life!
Almost instantly, Satoru completed his mental rehearsal.
In his mind, he considered all possible defensive, evasive, and counterattacking moves the Adjuchas might employ.
He had prepared responses for every possible scenario!
First, Ikotsu to break the defense!
"Die, Kakyoin!!"
Shouting at the giant Hollow, Satoru fiercely threw his punch.
"Die, Shinigami!!"
The giant Hollow also let out a roar, clapping its hands together with all its might!
But in the next instant, it was shocked to see Satoru suddenly accelerate.
Mid-air, Satoru seemed to perform a sudden second-stage acceleration, his entire body bursting with a ring of white shockwaves as he instantly appeared before the Hollow.
Then, he threw a punch straight at its face.
The giant Hollow sneered inwardly.
What was there to fear from a mere fist?
Even a Zanpakutō could, at most, leave a shallow wound on its body.
This punch probably wouldn't even break its defense!
With that thought, it changed the direction of its two massive hands.
One hand swerved to slap at its own face, intending to crush Satoru like a mosquito.
The other hand moved to block Satoru's potential escape routes.
Just as the giant Hollow adjusted its movements, Satoru's fist landed squarely on its face.
BOOM!!!!
The giant Hollow felt an overwhelming, unstoppable force violently surge into its head.
Then, it lost consciousness.
Under Satoru's somewhat stunned gaze, the giant Hollow's head exploded completely!
A terrifying shockwave radiated outward, kicking up violent waves of sand!
For a moment, Satoru wondered if he had fallen into a trap.
Could it be that this Hollow had a unique structure, with its head serving as bait to lure him in, while its true weak point lay elsewhere?
Or perhaps this Adjuchas had mastered an extremely high level of High-Speed Regeneration, capable of turning the tables even after losing its head?
He instantly used Shunpo to retreat and create distance.
Then, he watched as the giant Hollow's body rapidly disintegrated, turning into scattered ashes that eventually drifted down and merged into the endless sea of sand.
Satoru: "…"
It's really dead?
Yoruichi flashed to his side, looking at him with surprise.
"Impressive, Satoru! You actually killed an Adjuchas-level Menos Grande with just one punch!"
Satoru glanced at his hand, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"Yoruichi, I might be a once-in-a-generation genius."
"Even without losing my hair, I've still attained unparalleled power… Now, I am an invincible existence beyond even the Caped Baldy!"
"Who in the entire Soul Society could possibly defy me, the one who can kill an Adjuchas with a single punch?!"
"Even that old man Yamamoto probably isn't a match for me anymore… Life truly is as lonely as snow."
Satoru sighed with emotion.
It's a shame that, having achieved enlightenment in a single moment like a sage, he might never again enjoy the benefits Aizen used to bring him.
Well, since that's the case, it's his turn to carry Aizen and help him soar.
He really is such a kind and sincere friend…
Watching Satoru close his eyes and clench his fists, as if mourning his lost youth, Yoruichi gave him a complicated look.
"Satoru, don't overthink it… Instantly killing an Adjuchas is indeed an impressive feat, but there are quite a few Captains in the Soul Society who can do the same."
"Captain Hikifune, Captain Kuchiki, Captain Kyōraku, Captain Ukitake… All of them are powerhouses capable of slaying an Adjuchas with a single strike, not to mention the Captain-Commander."
"If he were to take action, even hundreds of Adjuchas wouldn't make it back alive."
Satoru opened his eyes, a question mark popping up in his mind.
"How is that possible? Aren't Adjuchas supposed to be terrifying beings on par with Captain-level fighters?"
Yoruichi chuckled. "How is that possible... While Adjuchas are rare, that's only in comparison to the nearly endless number of ordinary Hollows in Hueco Mundo."
"According to the Shihōin Clan's records, there are definitely no less than a hundred Adjuchas in Hueco Mundo."
"If all these guys had captain-level strength, the Soul Society would have been finished long ago."
Hearing this, Satoru silently looked up at the sky.
Damn it, my memories deceived me!
He shook his head regretfully and walked toward the spot where the giant Hollow had died.
From the sand dune, he pulled out his Zanpakutō, flicked off the sand, twirled it with a flourish, and sheathed it.
Then he turned back to the dark-skinned girl.
"Now's our chance, Yoruichi. Get ready, I'm going to open a Garganta so we can return to the Soul Society!"
Having killed this giant Hollow, Takatori probably wouldn't be able to catch up for a while.
Back in the Soul Society, the Central 46 meeting was still ongoing.
As the head of the Shihōin Clan, every minute Yoruichi was delayed increased the risk of complications.
Seizing this opportunity to quickly send Yoruichi back and let the Central 46 meeting reach its conclusion would prevent further troubles!
Hearing Satoru's words, Yoruichi was somewhat surprised:
"You can open a Garganta?"
"Yeah, with the help of a little tool."
Satoru nodded and pulled out a small device from his clothes.
It looked like a tiny crystal sword.
At this moment, he was extremely grateful that he had taken some gadgets from Aizen's laboratory before setting out.
Otherwise, he'd just be stuck waiting here helplessly.
Gripping the crystal sword, Satoru channeled his Reiatsu into it.
When it began to glow, he raised it high.
All he needed to do was swipe it through the air, and a Garganta would open.
He was quite familiar with this procedure.
But just as he was about to make his move, an intense sense of danger suddenly surged within him!
"Satoru!!"
Yoruichi suddenly screamed in terror.
Satoru turned his head.
He saw a man in white robes with long purple nails who had somehow appeared behind him without notice.
A hand was thrust straight toward his back, aiming for his heart!