Chapter Eleven: The Mark of Fire
“Bankai...”
Once again, the sky was shrouded in thick, oppressive clouds. Rolling thunder surged endlessly within them, flashing and vanishing, each time accompanied by a deafening crash.
“Resplendent Palace of Divine Severance!”
Boom!
A colossal curtain of lightning descended behind Nagatsujirou, but this time, the aura radiating from him was on a completely different plane from before.
“Do you now understand what so-called ‘fear’ truly is, Shigenkuni Yamamoto?”
Nagatsujirou stood before the storm, his face twisted even more grotesquely by the flickering lightning.
“...”
Frozen in place, forced to watch his foe’s arrogance unfold just before him, Yamamoto’s murderous intent grew heavier still.
“I’ve tested the limits of my shikai well enough; now it’s time to explore the depths of my final power.”
He let out a low, mocking laugh. “But to be honest, Shigenkuni Yamamoto, I never intended to use my bankai at first. Still, it seems there’s no harm in unleashing it now, is there...?”
Grinning savagely, Nagatsujirou aimed his forefinger, dancing with a thread of lightning, at Yamamoto.
“Descend, Resplendent Palace of Divine Severance.”
Boom!
A thick bolt of lightning burst from the clouds, striking the immobilized Yamamoto straight on.
Crack!
Unable to move, Yamamoto took the full strike.
“Hundreds of thousands of volts coursing through your body—shouldn’t that be just a massage for someone like you? Well then...”
He extended his finger again, thunder rumbling above.
Boom!
A second bolt followed the path of the first, landing with perfect precision upon Yamamoto.
“...Lost consciousness already?”
Nagatsujirou chuckled as he gazed at Yamamoto’s charred body.
“What’s this—ended so easily?”
!!
Suddenly, the scorched Yamamoto spoke, startling Nagatsujirou.
Creak...
Cracks began to appear in the blackened skin, then, as if shedding an old husk, the charred flesh flaked away bit by bit.
“That didn’t even sting, boy.”
Coldly eyeing Nagatsujirou, Yamamoto rolled his shoulders, bones grinding with a chilling sound.
Whoosh!
His right sleeve disintegrated into ash, the flames of Ryūjin Jakka licking up his arm.
This spiritual pressure...
For the first time, sweat broke on Nagatsujirou’s brow, the first stirrings of fear taking root—he had always dismissed Yamamoto until now.
“Ryūjin Jakka, Second Form...”
Yamamoto leveled his burning right arm and blade at Nagatsujirou.
“Pillar of Subjugation.”
Boom!
A massive pillar of fire roared from Yamamoto’s arm, crashing down upon Nagatsujirou.
Even the clearest mind would know—it would be suicide to face that inferno head-on; nothing would remain.
Tap.
Barely evading Yamamoto’s strike with flash step, Nagatsujirou had scarcely steadied himself when Yamamoto swooped down from above, sword slashing.
!!!
Clang!
Their blades collided, making the very earth tremble.
Ugh... oooh...
The searing heat radiating from the blade, the blazing flames—both were agony for Nagatsujirou.
Ryūjin Jakka—what kind of zanpakutō was this? The mightiest of all.
His lightning could not hope to compare.
Damn it, the power of lightning isn’t enough... Damn it... Damn it!!
Boom!
Another bolt fell—not upon Yamamoto this time, but surging into Nagatsujirou’s own blade, Divine Severance.
Crack!
Lightning surged, and the sword’s aura leapt to a new level. Spurred by the jolt, Nagatsujirou’s strength swelled, forcing Yamamoto’s blade back a fraction.
“Oh? Gained some more power? Still, you’re far too naive.”
Whoosh!
But as the founder of the original Gotei, the Grand Master of the Genji School, and the shinigami who would be known as the strongest a millennium hence, Yamamoto Shigenkuni’s power was not something a mere bolt of lightning could overwhelm.
Uuuuh... aaahhh!
The fierce flames seized the opportunity, leaping from Ryūjin Jakka to Divine Severance, then racing over Nagatsujirou himself.
How agonizing was this burning? How excruciating the flames of Ryūjin Jakka?
Nagatsujirou could not even begin to ponder—pain had already obliterated his capacity for thought.
Scars and severe burns marred what skin remained uncovered.
And worse—the flesh beneath his shihakushō was also burned, as the garment was reduced to ash.
“Do you recognize your mistake now?”
Despite the searing fire clinging to his arm, Yamamoto’s voice was glacial as he addressed Nagatsujirou.
“Heh... heh... Impossible...”
Nagatsujirou forced a grin through the pain. “I’ll never lose!”
Crackle, crackle!
A thin current detached itself from the curtain of lightning cast by Resplendent Palace of Divine Severance, racing toward Nagatsujirou’s blade.
Bankai... changing form of its own accord?
For the first time, Yamamoto witnessed such a phenomenon—the bankai’s form morphing of its own will.
Crackle! Snap! Crackle!
The lightning on Divine Severance intensified further until its power surpassed even Nagatsujirou’s control, finally detonating along the blade’s edge.
Boom!
Tap.
With practiced ease, Yamamoto slipped clear of the explosion’s blast and landed gently upon the ground.
Out of control—how foolish.
He lifted his gaze, tightening his grip on his sword.
Endless pursuit—such are the consequences. Has he finally come to his senses?
Whoosh... whoosh... whoosh!
The wind swept away the lingering smoke, revealing Nagatsujirou’s battered form.
His shihakushō hung in tatters, his flesh was terribly burned, Divine Severance glowed fiercely with lightning in his hand, and his arm was scorched black by the force of his own attack.
Just one direct clash had left Nagatsujirou, even in his bankai, grievously wounded.
What terrifying power did Yamamoto Shigenkuni truly possess?
“So, compressing lightning onto the blade yields such force?” Despite his injuries, Nagatsujirou glanced at his weapon and gave a smug little smile. “Impressive, I’ll admit.”
“Have you finished admiring it?”
Nagatsujirou paused, then his cold, mocking smile returned. “Yes, and it’s high time your funeral began, Shigenkuni Yamamoto.”
“You’re mistaken.”
Yamamoto slowly sheathed his blade and turned away, as if preparing to leave.
“Showing your back to the enemy—how confident you must be. Do you really think I won’t strike?”
“Do you still have the chance?”
“What...!”
Fwoosh!
Suddenly, his wounds blazed, and flames erupted from the injuries, instantly engulfing Nagatsujirou.
“What’s this...?”
Nagatsujirou was shocked to discover he could not break free—not even with his bankai-compressed Divine Severance.
“Ryūjin Jakka Sealing Style: Mark of Infernal Retribution.”
Yamamoto stood unmoving as he spoke. “This seal buries the enemy’s consciousness deep within, through the heat of the flames. Even after a thousand years, it cannot be broken. It is the ultimate seal.”
“Shigenkuni Yamamoto... you bastard...”
His senses grew dim. The flames’ heat did not scorch Nagatsujirou’s flesh, but ceaselessly gnawed away at his mind.
“This will be our last meeting. Now disappear...”
“Boy.”
Thud!
All strength seemed to be drained from him in an instant. As his consciousness collapsed, Nagatsujirou fell helplessly to the ground.