Chapter 148: I'm Coming Soon!
Watching Satoru charging at him like a demon, Kōga couldn't help but feel terror.
He hurriedly raised his Zanpakutō, pointing the tip directly at Satoru.
He planned to release Hyōga Seiran, using ice power to stop Satoru!
"Hyōga..."
Satoru hadn't seen this technique before, but his intuition told him it would be troublesome if he let Kōga release it.
The moment the thought emerged, he didn't hesitate, immediately firing off an air pillar.
The rampaging wind pressure struck Kōga's sword-wielding arm.
He pointed at Satoru's Zanpakutō, was pushed back by the air column, and pointed behind him.
The howling icy Reiatsu shot from the tip of his blade, blasting into the distant sand dunes, instantly freezing a large expanse of desert!
"Guh!"
Kōga's expression twisted.
In that instant, the demon-like youth had already charged before him.
Under Kōga's gaze, Satoru threw a punch—
BOOM!!!!
A massive Reiatsu suddenly descended from the sky.
The air trembled, light distorted!
Over a kilometer away, Yoruichi grunted and nearly collapsed to her knees.
Under her astonished gaze, Kōga in the distance erupted with a dazzling deep purple Reiatsu!
The towering pillar of Reiatsu formed a defensive layer with powerful impact force.
Satoru's figure was thrown backward, trailing a long line of dust through the air.
Kōga gasped for breath, revealing a somewhat ferocious smile.
"Satoru... you are indeed powerful."
"Despite having just graduated, you already possess captain-level strength."
"Even the invincible Muramasa cannot defeat you!"
"But even so, you still have one major flaw..."
"You have not mastered Bankai!"
He spread his arms wide, extending them to both sides.
"The greatest strength of Bankai isn't some miraculous ability, but the enhancement of Reiatsu!"
"As a genius, my Reiatsu increases twelvefold when using Bankai!"
"How can you possibly resist me with such power!"
Seeing Kōga's nearly insane appearance, Satoru scratched his head.
"If it's so useful, why didn't you use it earlier?"
"Because the Reiatsu for Bankai isn't something that can be used casually."
Aizen's voice sounded from nearby.
Satoru turned to see Aizen holding his Zanpakutō, still dripping with blood, stepping forward on Reishi footholds.
Seeing Kyōka Suigetsu gleaming coldly again, Satoru raised an eyebrow.
"Finished?"
"Yeah."
Aizen nodded lightly.
Personally "killing" his own Zanpakutō felt rather strange.
However, thanks to this, he gained a decent understanding of the principles behind Zanpakutō's existence.
It would be even better if he could do it a few more times.
He looked toward Kōga:
"After Bankai, a Shinigami's Reiatsu does increase dramatically, but this Reiatsu actually serves as 'fuel' for the Bankai."
"A Shinigami's Bankai is a marvelous, incredibly powerful ability, so it requires equally powerful Reiatsu to support its use."
"Truly powerful captains can flexibly adjust Reiatsu allocation as needed."
"But... Kōga, you lack such capability."
"You rely too heavily on your Zanpakutō's ability, never utilizing the Reiatsu meant to sustain Bankai during its activation."
"Unfortunately, you never imagined there would be someone like Satoru who completely ignores your abilities."
"With no other options, you had to abandon Bankai and use all tenfold Reiatsu to strengthen yourself..."
Hearing Aizen's analysis, Satoru showed an expression of sudden understanding.
Kōga angrily shouted: "Stop looking down on people with that attitude!"
Relying on Zanpakutō, relying on Zanpakutō—was that all these people could say?
As a Shinigami, what's wrong with relying on one's Zanpakutō!
Aizen shook his head: "Looking down on you? No, I actually quite admire you."
"As someone not adept at long-term vision, it is already quite remarkable that you could resolve to make such changes..."
Kōga roared with fury, charging forward before he could finish speaking.
"Hmph."
Aizen curled the corner of his mouth slightly, preparing for battle.
After Kōga unleashed his Reiatsu, the effectiveness of Aizen's complete hypnosis greatly diminished.
However, he didn't mind this at all.
His earlier taunts toward Kōga weren't just casual remarks.
A truly powerful individual should be well-rounded.
Even with his Zanpakutō's abilities restricted, he remained confident in defeating Kōga.
It was time to show Satoru what an elegant victory looked like!
Just then, he suddenly froze.
The Reiatsu within his body was rapidly declining.
It had been nearly second-class just moments ago, but now it had dropped to early third-class.
Soon, it would fall to fourth-class.
Had the drug's effects worn off prematurely?
Perhaps the portion of his soul that had separated with his Zanpakutō, now returned to his body, had interfered with the drug's efficacy.
He needed to call Satoru for help immediately!
He turned to look at Satoru, about to speak.
Only to see that the latter had already rushed over at some unknown time.
No, to be precise, he had launched a flying kick.
Aizen: "?"
Under his stunned gaze, Satoru delivered a flying kick, landing a solid blow that sent him flying through the air.
Aizen drew a long straight line and crashed headfirst into a sand dune.
With the desire to kill Satoru, he climbed out of the sand and looked up at the sky.
He saw Satoru standing in front of Kōga, passionately exchanging blows.
Did that guy notice my Reiatsu dropping and make me leave the battlefield?
My Reiatsu decline had just begun, barely showing any signs.
To detect the problem in such a short time, instantly make a judgment, and take action...
Aizen quietly watched the figure engaged in battle.
He recalled the first time Satoru revealed his true strength.
Back then, facing Satoru's sudden rise, although surprised, he felt little pressure.
He firmly believed that with his own talent and effort, he would soon surpass Satoru.
Yet by the time they graduated and joined the squads, this goal remained unachieved.
Suddenly, he frowned.
His Reiatsu had already fallen below the threshold.
Though temporary, the intense discomfort sharply reduced his combat power.
Looking up again at that vigorous and energetic guy in the sky.
Aizen's gaze held a touch of emotion.
Just moments ago, he had been somewhat anxious, wanting to quickly recover and assist Satoru.
Now, he was completely unhurried, even sitting down on the spot to rest.
That guy has already grown up.
Whether it was previously protecting Yoruichi Shihōin alone or now fighting Kōga solo, it proved Satoru already possessed the ability to hold his own.
So next, the one who needs to prove their growth is me.
Watching Satoru, he raised the corner of his mouth.
Wait for me ahead.
I'll be there soon!