Chapter Forty-Two: Withdrawal

Boom!

A pillar of golden lightning crashed down, striking Saidritz with unfailing precision. The Bankai that had been mastered a century ago—how could it possibly miss now, after all these years? Yet, in this moment, Saidritz desperately wished that Chojirou's attack would veer off course, for the force of even a single bolt had already left him utterly exhausted.

Guh... ugh...

Saidritz braced his sword with his wrist, struggling to withstand the divine punishment descending from the stormy heavens. But the slender blade alone could not fully shield him. Stray bolts slipped past, lashing his body. Scarlet patterns surfaced beneath his skin, lightning tracing its path without leaving a mark—at first. In an instant, the voltage surged beyond all reckoning, and his flesh was charred black.

Even the Blood Veil, the essence of a Quincy’s defense, faltered and failed under the power of the Soul Reaper. Was our defense, the pride of the Quincy, so pale and powerless in the face of a Soul Reaper’s might?

Impossible!

Saidritz roared in fury. How could his race fail to rival the Soul Reapers? Quincy dignity would never allow it!

Crackle.

Chojirou extended his fingers once more.

Boom!

A second bolt crashed down, shaking the sky.

Guh!

The next lightning strike pressed down before the first had even dissipated.

Gah...

Though Saidritz possessed strength on par with a captain, Chojirou’s Bankai now far exceeded that classification. From the start, Chojirou had never been at risk of losing to Saidritz.

Snap.

!

Chojirou stepped forward. The lightning pinning Saidritz did not fade.

I recall you bear a “curse,” don’t you?

Sword in hand, Chojirou approached.

Is that the source of your suffering?

Crackle.

Lightning danced at the blade’s tip, concentrating its destructive force.

But you needn’t worry any longer. Your curse...

Step!

Saidritz, enduring the lightning, was powerless to resist, forced to watch as Chojirou drew near and—

The Western sword, blazing with golden lightning, pierced his left eye.

Aaghhhhhhhh!

Ignoring the damage the lightning wreaked on his body, Saidritz clutched his wounded eye and staggered out of the strike zone.

Gah... gah... gah...

Blood spilled through his fingers.

The so-called “cursed” left eye, blinded in this battle!

You bastard... how dare you...

Saidritz ground his teeth.

Oh my, what’s the matter?

Chojirou flicked his sword, sending droplets of blood flying.

I’ve relieved you of your curse—how can you be so furious?

!!!

What is happening...

The cursed eye... destroyed...

Why am I not jubilant?

If only I abandoned that eye, I could sever all ties to the Soul Reapers...

Why... am I enraged by its loss?

Am I... truly...

Do I secretly long for the power of the Soul Reapers?

However... now that you’ve lost the Soul Reaper’s power, you have no way to reach the Soul Society. How unfortunate...

Chojirou smiled.

The war is over.

Don’t get cocky!

Saidritz shouted, clutching his eye.

You think you’ve won? You think this ends the war? Don’t be so arrogant!

Buzz!

Suddenly, several black doors flashed open in the sky, and a dozen figures in white uniforms emerged.

...

Chojirou gazed upward, sensing the spiritual pressure from each—captain-level, all of them.

Oh... so many at once?

Don’t think blinding my eye can halt the Silver Cross Knight Order!

We’ve analyzed Soul Reaper powers to the finest detail! Even without my eye, we can enter and leave the Soul Society as we please!

You alone cannot end this battle—it’ll go on for centuries more!

Swish, swish.

The white-clad army encircled Chojirou.

The Silver Cross Knight Order...

So these are the leaders, then?

Twelve in all.

Meaning I must face twelve captains?

Heh... such an honor I never dared dream of...

Chojirou curled his lips into a smile and raised his Western sword with a swift motion.

This welcome is more than fitting.

Fearless.

Over the past century, Chojirou’s power—and his heart—had undergone a tremendous transformation.

Even if this were his final battle, he would meet it with a smile.

He was not the same man in combat as in daily life.

Boom!

A thunderous rumble echoed from the storm clouds above.

The last curtain call?

No matter—whether he saw the end or not, it mattered little...

He gritted his teeth and bared his smile.

Let us have one final contest, Quincy!

Don’t get cocky!

Saidritz raised his right hand, and all the Quincies readied themselves for attack.

How many enemies could Bankai defeat at once?

Controlling twelve bolts of lightning at once was exhausting...

Chojirou extended his left hand, fingers spread, his palm enveloped in lightning.

Rolling Thunder Fivefold Heavenly Rite!

Boom!

!!!!

A massive fireball suddenly crashed down beside Chojirou, halting his move and stopping the Quincies’ assault.

You are...

Saidritz stared in shock. Why was he here?

Shigekuni Yamamoto!

The blazing god of wrath descended!

Master of the First Character...

You’ve done well, Chojirou.

Yamamoto gripped his sword, flames roaring unchecked across his form.

Leave the rest to me...

He glanced upward.

...

In silence, Yhwach appeared in the sky, coldly surveying his twelve captains and the two Soul Reapers below.

Two against twelve.

The numbers were vastly unequal, but in terms of power...

The advantage likely lay with the enemy—unless he joined the fray.

The situation now is worthy of my blade. Is that not what you wished for, Yhwach?

Yamamoto narrowed his eyes, his killing intent blanketing the field.

So, you would risk your followers’ lives to keep me here?

!!!

All faces among the Silver Cross Knight Order changed color, and they raised their bows without hesitation.

Except for the man above, who did not even blink.

Clatter.

But the sword, already cracked, could not withstand the pressure and shattered into fragments.

Whoosh...

He released his grip, letting the blade slip from his hand.

Retreat.