Bazz-B was exhausted from parrying and found himself in a miserable, desperate state.
"Damn it!"
"Burning Full Fingers!"
He accumulated all the heat in the five fingers of his left hand, firing a swirling, cone-shaped flame toward Shin.
In an instant, Shin condensed a giant fireball in his palm, resembling a sun falling from the sky down to the mortal world.
Under Bazz-B's horrified gaze, his attack was swallowed whole, and the fireball continued straight toward him. He used every skill he had, unleashing his full power to desperately fend off this attack.
As the aftershocks of the explosion faded, Bazz-B's Vollständig had deactivated. His body looked scorched, yet his hair remained completely untouched.
He gave Shin a deep look, and without a word, he used 'Shadow' to flee.
Bazz-B's shadow gradually enveloped him, and he subsequently vanished, dissolving into 'dust.'
[Mission Complete: Defeat Bazz-B]
[Mission Reward: 800 Points]
[Points: 900]
Bazz-B's strength far exceeded Shin's expectations. Bazz-B, who had supposedly been instantly killed by a single slash from Yamamoto, shouldn't have possessed this level of power—it was as if he were on drugs.
The Points for the mission hadn't changed much, they were about the same as previous ones.
Following this, Shin and Ikaros left the Garganta.
"Master..."
Ikaros finally spoke, sounding slightly worried.
Shin knew what Ikaros was thinking. He rubbed her head and said, "Ikaros, you did very well today."
"Mhm."
Only after receiving Shin's affirmation did Ikaros return to her normal state.
—
At Urahara Shop.
Shin handed Jerome's Medallion to Kisuke.
"What is this?" Kisuke looked at the circular metal disc in his hand, though he already had an answer forming in his mind.
Shin explained, "This is the item they use to steal Bankai."
"Oh? Where did you obtain this, Nohara-san? Don't tell me..."
"That's right. Two guys calling themselves the 'Sternritter' came after me. I killed one, and the other escaped."
As he spoke, Shin retrieved Jerome's body from Yogasa.
"See if this body is of any use."
"Of course it is." Kisuke quickly scanned the body, noting it was clearly killed by a single blow.
"Nohara-san, do you have any other information?"
Shin said, "The one who escaped, Bazz-B, used an ability called Vollständig. His strength increased dramatically after activating it."
"There's also this. When Bazz-B fled, it looked like he escaped through his own shadow."
"Shadow?" Kisuke mused thoughtfully.
"Therefore, I believe those guys are likely hiding within the shadows of Seireitei."
Kisuke nodded. "That's true. If that's the case, it perfectly explains why they know Seireitei like the back of their hand, yet Seireitei can't detect them at all."
"But if they operate like this, it will be extremely difficult for us to guard against their sudden attacks."
Shin then asked, "Urahara, is it possible to research a countermeasure against their Bankai-stealing ability within the next few days?"
Kisuke pondered for a moment before replying, "With less than five days left, that would likely be very difficult."
"As for the Vollständig, I do know a little. Captain Kurotsuchi mentioned that Ishida's previous form bore some resemblance to it."
Shin realized the connection. The form Uryū used during his fight against Mayuri could be called a 'Semi-Vollständig.' That state exceeded the physical limits of a human body, and after using it, the user would lose their Quincy powers, making it highly restrictive.
In contrast, the Wandenreich's Vollständig, while still placing a burden on the body, can be activated at will.
Shin said, "I'm also aware of Ishida's ability, the side effects are too severe. Given how easily Bazz-B activated his, I doubt it carries any serious consequences."
Kisuke responded, "Hmm... besides that point, the composition of this so-called Sternritter group is what truly concerns me."
"According to you, Bazz-B is H—The Heat, and the other one was R—The Roar."
"Therefore, I suspect this organization has 26 members, arranged according to the English alphabet, each possessing a corresponding power."
Shin nodded.
Kisuke's guess was highly accurate, although the actual number of Sternritter was slightly higher because there are instances of two individuals sharing the same Schrift.
He then added, "Regarding their strength, there's quite a disparity. Bazz-B exceeds the level of an average Captain-class Shinigami, while the other one falls short."
Kisuke's gaze darkened. "If there are too many enemies whose power surpasses that of a Captain, our side is in a very precarious situation."
Most Captain Shinigami rely heavily on their Bankai for combat. If they can't use their Bankai, their power will drastically decrease. Looking at it this way, Seireitei has very little chance of victory in the battle five days from now.
—
The next day.
"You're going too?" Shin stared at the resolute Nel.
"Mm. I want to help big brother."
As a Vasto Lorde-class Hollow, Nel's strength was beyond question, yet she loathed battle.
"All right, Nel, you'll move with Riruka. Watch each other's backs."
With that, Shin produced some Senzu Beans and handed them to the women.
"These are what brought Lieutenant Sasakibe back?" Yoruichi asked, turning the two bean-like pellets in her palm.
Shin said, "Yes. They're called Senzu Beans. No matter how grave the wound, as long as there's a breath left, they'll heal it instantly and restore stamina. I only have a few, keep them for emergencies."
"Yoruichi, give your spare to Soi Fon."
He'd already used two. After giving one to Chōjirō, only nine remained. Sharing them left him with five.
Yoruichi arched a brow. "So the extra was for Soi Fon? I thought both were for me."
"Can they restore reiatsu too?"
"No idea."
Shin wasn't sure. In theory they should.
"Then let's move out."
...
The moment Shin's group set foot in Soul Society, they convened with the captains. There he relayed the analysis he and Kisuke had made.
Unohana mused, "So the Shakonmaku is useless, the enemy may appear anywhere in Seireitei."
Shunsui added, "Exactly, Captain Unohana. We can't relax for an instant. The promised five days might be a ruse to strike early."
...
Finally, Yamamoto issued the order, "From this moment, Seireitei is on maximum alert. Patrols everywhere, captains ready to deploy at once. At any sign of trouble, reinforce immediately."
After the dismissal Shin sought out Unohana.
"Retsu, this is for you."
"Oh? And what might it be?" Unohana pinched the Senzu Bean between finger and thumb.
"It's what I used to heal Lieutenant Sasakibe —remarkably effective. You may not need it as a remedy, but it still restores stamina."
"Is that so?" Unohana tucked it away.
Then she asked abruptly, "Am I the last?"
"Uh…"
Unohana merely smiled and strode ahead.
—
Four days vanished in a blink.
Every Shinigami in Seireitei stayed wound tight, dreading an enemy burst from nowhere.
Today—foretold day—tension peaked.
Guards watched every flicker, every breeze.
Suddenly sapphire pillars of flame erupted across Seireitei.
"Enemy raid! Enemy raid!"
Startled Shinigami scrambled, racing to report.
More than twenty Quincy reiatsu signatures bloomed inside the walls.
As captains moved, patrol squads were already butchered.
The Wandenreich had dispatched over twenty Sternritters. Common Shinigami fell in a single exchange.
Two minutes later, each captain and Lieutenant had engaged one foe.
Unohana started to advance, but Yamamoto halted her.
"Captain Unohana, oversee Fourth Division treatment."
Hands serenely folded, Unohana replied, "Captain Commander, if you fear I cannot restrain my bloodlust, set your mind at ease."
Yamamoto's eyes narrowed slightly. "Meaning?"
"I've found the one who can keep it in check." She glanced at Shin and sped toward a pillar of flame.
"Nohara?" Yamamoto's gaze demanded an answer.
"Exactly as she says. We crossed blades and I won."
Shin made it sound simple, yet Yamamoto knew the ordeal that entailed.
"See that you do."
"Don't worry, old man."
With that, they waited, watching for Yhwach to appear.
Unohana found her opponent—Driscoll Berci.
Driscol had rough features, a towering frame and a thick beard. He was butchering common troops.
Seeing a captain's haori, he grinned. "Finally a worthy foe?"
Ninth Division soldiers brightened, then sank when they recognized the Fourth-Division captain, famed for healing, not fighting.
"Hahaha!"
"My lucky day!"
"Fourth Division Captain Unohana Retsu—the greatest criminal of a thousand years ago!" Driscoll laughed, exposing her past.
Nearby soldiers blinked, bewildered.
Unohana gave them a "gentle" smile. "Leave, would you?"
"Y-yes, ma'am." They bolted.
She turned to Driscoll. "So your intel is thorough."
"Allow me: Sternritter, Driscoll Berci, Schrift O—Overkill."
"Overkill?" Unohana's eyes flickered.
"Right. The more I kill, the stronger I get. Heard you've slain legions—mind showing me your Bankai?" He gloated.
"You're not worthy." Unohana answered calmly.
Driscoll slapped his forehead. "Then I'll borrow your First Division Lieutenant's."
He raised the medallion. "Bankai!"
Clouds blackened and an oval of violet lightning split into eleven beams like a noble canopy.
With a sweep of his arms, purple thunder caged Unohana.
"How's it feel—your Gotei 13's Lieutenant's Bankai? He hadn't used it in two millennia."
Unohana stood unruffled amid the lightning. "It's a pity that you're only wielding half its might at best."
She was already behind him, sheathing her sword.