Chapter 132: Quality and Quantity

"Gaaah!"

Ayon raised its arm high and brought it crashing down with tremendous force toward Komamura. While Ayon's sanity was certainly questionable, it was still capable of distinguishing the fundamental concepts of "enemy" and "master."

Consequently, Komamura, identified by Ayon as an "enemy" and tasked with engaging it, found himself in a precarious position. After all, in the world of Soul Reapers, not every character possesses the strength to single-handedly defeat four lieutenants and instantly render them combat-ineffective.

It must be said that as one of the few non-human entities in Bleach, Ayon truly possessed extraordinary capabilities. In the original story, it was among the few characters dealt with personally by Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni; furthermore, during its second appearance, it completely suppressed the Sternritter "J," Quilge Opie, in the early stages—though it was ultimately defeated quite miserably.

Yet, all of this serves to clearly illustrate the level of Ayon's power, which was sufficient to temporarily overwhelm a power-type captain like Komamura.

"Urgh..."

Komamura frowned slightly, his arm sinking under the weight of Ayon's fist.

'To think it could increase its strength even further... this creature...'

He had initially assumed it was merely a monster with brute force, but its power far exceeded his expectations.

"Uoooooh!"

Despite the massive disparity in their physical sizes, Komamura was clearly not at the point where he could be suppressed by the one-armed strength of a creature like Ayon. Channeling his full power into his grip, he executed a ruthless shoulder throw, sending Ayon flying through the air.

"Clang!"

Having flung Ayon away, Komamura immediately drew the blade at his waist and swung it through the air.

"Tenken!"

"Boom!"

A massive, spectral arm wielding a sword manifested in the sky. Although it was a phantasm, the oppressive pressure and the sound of the blade cleaving through the air served as a warning to all: to be struck by such a thing would be anything but harmless.

"Bang!"

Ayon's reaction speed was by no means slow. The moment it was thrown, it regained its composure, and as the great blade of Tenken followed, it simply raised its hand to neutralize Komamura's attack.

"...I see. I understand now."

Seeing his attack so nonchalantly blocked by Ayon, Komamura felt no anger; instead, he calmly withdrew his killing intent.

"I have a general understanding now. Your strength is indeed beyond what a Shikai can contend with. In that case..."

"How about this?"

Lifting his blade slightly, Komamura's spiritual pressure began to rise rapidly. If his Shikai would not suffice, was there not another, more straightforward method?

"Bankai—"

"Kokujo Tengen Myo!"

The colossal Myo appeared once more behind Komamura, brandishing its massive blade as if to slaughter any enemy standing between it and its master—which was exactly what it always did.

The pressure exerted by the giant Myo was naturally unbearable for an ordinary person; if one lacked sufficient strength, it was not impossible to be so terrified by the mere presence of the Myo that all will to fight would vanish. However, Ayon did not belong to that category.

Coldly observing the massive figure that had suddenly appeared, Ayon clenched its fists, then suddenly opened its eyes. Even its mouth, which had remained closed the entire time, snapped open in a display of sheer madness.

"Gaooooooooh!"

"Is it coming?"

Seeing Ayon transform in this manner, Komamura knew the beast was about to unleash its full power. He had to brace himself; after all, with a crazed monster such as this, one moment of carelessness could lead to total ruin.

"Swish."

However, on this battlefield, there were more than just these few at the captain level.

"Ah..."

Unnoticed by anyone, Wonderweiss suddenly appeared behind Komamura, his hand like a sharp blade, thrusting directly toward Komamura's unguarded back.

"Bang!"

But there was someone on this battlefield capable of reacting at the last second to intercept and prevent Wonderweiss's attack.

Soi Fon.

She had followed closely behind Wonderweiss from the moment he moved, intercepting his surprise attack at the critical moment. With one leg wrapped around the arm Wonderweiss had thrust forward, she used the force of her hand pressed against his head to vault over him, kicking him downward with a single strike.

"Ga... ooh..."

Though devoid of speech, Wonderweiss's strength was undeniably exceptional. Even after taking a direct hit to the head from Soi Fon's hand-to-hand combat technique, he acted as if nothing had happened, preparing to counterattack before he had even been sent flying.

"You look like a child, but those of your kind shouldn't be judged by their appearance, should they?"

The corners of her mouth curled upward; Soi Fon wore a cold sneer, staring at Wonderweiss as if he were her prey.

"Whatever. In any case, your age won't stop me from killing you."

"Ha... ah..."

"..."

"..."

On the battlefield, the only figures who had not moved were Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, who remained seated behind the Soul Reapers, and Ayon's creator, Allon, whose size rivaled a small mountain and who had vomited forth countless Gillian-class Menos.

Yamamoto Genryusai was, as mentioned, the commander-in-chief of the Gotei 13; he could not move lightly.

Allon, however, was entirely different. Despite having the freedom to act, it remained silent in the sky after spewing out the Gillians and gathering them around itself, showing no signs of movement.

"...Hmph."

With a heavy snort, Yamamoto opened one eye. Although he was staring at Allon and the swarm of Gillians, with his level of power, these things combined were not even worth his notice.

"Are you trying to test my patience?"

"..."

As a monster, Allon naturally could not answer Yamamoto in human language and could only respond with silence. Even the mindless Gillians remained deathly quiet, without a single sound.

"That's not quite right either. I do not believe a creature existing in your state possesses a 'heart'."

"Or should I say, are you simply acting on instinct?"

"Are you afraid of me?"

"..."

Regrettably, even after Yamamoto had said so much, Allon showed no reaction. Its giant eye did not even blink, and it was unclear where it was even looking.

"...Unable to communicate with words. How troublesome."

The cane in his hand began to drift upward, gradually disintegrating to reveal the Zanpakuto hidden within.

"It seems being direct is better."

"Moo!"

Seeming to sense something, Allon let out a loud roar. Droplets of saliva fell from its massive maw, and the swarm of Gillians, as if receiving an order, charged toward Yamamoto Genryusai in great numbers.

The roar, however, sounded remarkably like the lowing of a cow...

"...Come."

Grasping his blade, Yamamoto Genryusai made his first move on the battlefield.

"Let us bring this to an end."