Chapter 140: What Kind of Genius Is This?
"What nonsense! We are—"
"Haisi!"
Tsunayashiro quickly spoke up, cutting off his subordinate.
Behind the council partition, he was already drenched in cold sweat.
As a second-generation core member of the Tsunayashiro Clan, he clearly understood Soul Society's history.
Throughout, Yamamoto Shigekuni had always been an honest, dutiful executor.
He never participated in nor expressed opinions about major matters in Seireitei.
Yet once Central 46 made a decision, he would execute it without hesitation, decisively.
For centuries, Yamamoto Shigekuni had maintained this image.
So much so that in the eyes of many young nobles, Yamamoto was merely a useful tool, a blade they held in their hands to wield as they pleased.
Only those like him, who knew the complete historical legacy, understood what kind of existence Yamamoto Shigekuni was a millennium ago.
To speak without exaggeration—this old man, when willing, naturally served as Central 46's loyal hound.
But if he were unwilling... all the nobles and clans of Central 46 combined would likely be no match for him!
He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his anger:
"...Lord Genryūsai, this meeting concerns matters of great importance. May I ask when you expect to stabilize the situation and when we might resume proceedings?"
"Unknown."
Yamamoto shook his head. "I have ordered a full investigation. Lord Tsunayashiro, please wait patiently."
He held no pleasantries for the Tsunayashiro.
On his way here, he had met with Shunsui.
He had already gained a general understanding of what happened in Rukongai.
The madness of the Tsunayashiro and the betrayal of Kōga Kuchiki both filled him with profound anger.
If it were him from a thousand years ago, he would likely have drawn his blade immediately and eradicated the Tsunayashiro Clan.
But now, he had resolved to maintain the stability of the Soul Society.
Even if it was only superficial, even if countless darkness and filth lay hidden beneath, he would do his utmost to preserve the existing order.
Yamamoto slowly narrowed his eyes and gazed at the sky outside.
Satoru...
Now, all hope rested on that guy.
If he could protect Yoruichi Shihōin and bring her back, this decades-long chaos would finally come to an end.
Though he was a troublesome, foolish disciple, Yamamoto felt an inexplicable confidence.
If it was that kid, he would definitely succeed.
Until then, the only thing he, as a teacher, could do was stall this meeting.
He would never allow the Shihōin Clan to state their position until Satoru returned.
If anyone tried to overturn the table, he wouldn't mind obliging them!
...
...
In the Forest of Menos Grande, Kōga and Satoru were locked in fierce combat.
As a genius, Kōga had always been supremely confident in his abilities.
He firmly believed that only three people in the entire Soul Society surpassed him in strength.
The first was naturally Yamamoto Shigekuni.
The second was the head of the Tsunayashiro Clan.
The third was his father-in-law, Ginrei Kuchiki.
After defeating Shunsui, his confidence swelled even further.
He felt that even his father-in-law might not be his match now.
He had reached the pinnacle of the Soul Society!
He was among the rare few who could behold the same scenery as Yamamoto Shigekuni!
Yet now, facing Satoru, he suddenly began to doubt himself.
Muramasa's abilities were completely ineffective against Satoru.
No matter how he tried to guide him into lowering his mental defenses or how he manipulated the flow of battle, there wasn't the slightest flaw in Satoru's soul.
Muramasa's expression was extremely grim.
From past to present, he had never encountered such a bizarre opponent.
As for direct combat, it was even more bizarre.
Looking at Satoru before him, Kōga felt utterly exasperated.
At some point, Satoru had already discarded his Zanpakutō.
His upper body clothing was now completely torn, reduced to tattered strips like rags.
His robust physique was fully exposed to the air.
The Kidō spells he took pride in, one after another, struck Satoru's body but failed to cause significant damage.
This guy was like a madman, growing more excited the more he was beaten!
In a moment of distraction, Satoru flashed forward and closed the distance between them.
Startled, Kōga swiftly swung his blade: "Fierce Light!!"
As Reiatsu poured into it, over a dozen beams of green light shot out from the tip of his Zanpakutō!
This Kidō spell was his own creation, possessing terrifying destructive power.
Being a self-developed Kidō, it was highly compatible with his Reiatsu attributes, elevating its lethality to another level!
Instantly, the light completely engulfed Satoru.
"Mikami, be careful!"
Not far away, Aizen cried out in alarm.
Because Yoruichi was present, he didn't use the familiar "Satoru" address.
Hearing this, Kōga grinned:
"It's too late for words now!"
"Satoru is already doomed to d—"
Before he could finish, Aizen's voice cut through:
"Don't hit him too hard! I still need him!!"
Kōga: "?"
As he stood bewildered, he saw a hand emerge from the raging light of Yagi Rekkō.
Under his horrified gaze, that hand viciously tore apart the green beams!
Behind the shattered light, Satoru's face was revealed.
It bore a maddened grin worthy of hell's fiercest demons.
Illuminated by the green Kidō rays, the ferocity of that smile intensified beyond measure!
From over a dozen meters away, Satoru suddenly threw a punch toward Kōga—
Kōga froze momentarily.
You're attacking me with your fist... from that distance?
The next second, under Kōga's stunned gaze, a cylindrical blast of air pressure erupted with a violent boom from Satoru's fist!
——————!!!!
The air pressure column swallowed him whole.
For a moment, Kōga's hair whipped about wildly.
His facial skin and lips trembled uncontrollably, exposing his teeth and gums beneath.
His clothes were torn to shreds by the gale.
The intense wind pressure made Kōga feel completely immobilized!
The moment the air pressure column vanished, he hurriedly opened his stinging eyes, trying to locate Satoru.
Only to see that Satoru had already appeared right in front of him—
"Ikkotsu: Face-Punching Fist!!"
Satoru threw a punch directly at Kōga's handsome face.
The overwhelming, irresistible force distorted Kōga's entire face.
His head yanked his neck, his neck yanked his body, and he was sent flying backward like a cannonball, tracing a straight trajectory before crashing with a boom into the silver desert!
Satoru shook his hand and snorted.
"This is the punishment for trying to peek into an innocent youth's heart!"
Witnessing the scene, Aizen couldn't help but feel somewhat conflicted.
Just how strong was this guy Satoru?
His Kyōka Suigetsu had basically been useless here.
This guy, wielding nothing but his fists, had actually managed to pummel Kōga into submission!
What kind of genius was he, really...