Splurt!!
Cherry blossoms scattered. Blood sprayed from both Quincy simultaneously!
Those were wounds carved by cherry blossom blades!
Renji Abarai froze completely. They... they broke through?!
The Blut Vene that had left him helpless moments ago—broken just like that?!
Just then, Byakuya spoke—
"Renji... those passive battles made you blind."
"You forgot—from the very beginning, Segawa said—"
"The Quincy's defensive and offensive mechanisms are controlled by different spiritual particle systems."
"Therefore, they cannot operate simultaneously."
"Meaning, the moment they switch to Blut Arterie is their weakest moment."
"Just now, when I stated their abilities, clearly... they tried switching to Blut Arterie to attack us..."
"So... if we seize that instant—"
Hearing this, Renji's eyes widened.
He finally remembered—he'd heard these exact words from Shigure not long ago...
However, he never expected his proud captain would trust Captain Segawa's words so completely...
At this point, Byakuya gave the two Quincy no breathing room.
Cherry blossom blade torrents appeared again, surging toward them!
But then, something changed!
White sword-shaped light suddenly burst from the masked Quincy's body, shooting outward in all directions!!
This white light completely ignored the incoming cherry blossom storm, rushing straight at Byakuya!
"...What?!"
Byakuya quickly Flash Stepped away.
But his arm was still caught by that light. A wound appeared instantly!
Whoosh!
Flash Step created distance. Byakuya steadied himself and looked.
The wounds both Quincy had just received were completely healed!!
Simultaneously, they straightened up, looking this way.
Byakuya's gaze sharpened. He prepared to attack again, but in that instant, his body suddenly stiffened.
This... this feeling of frozen limbs is...?!
Could that white light have already... poisoned him...?!
Byakuya's pupils contracted, staring at the masked Quincy ahead.
Then the opponent looked over, laughing strangely—
"I see... I see now..."
"You learned about us from a Soul Reaper named 'Segawa'... correct...?"
"I kept wondering... why that name seemed so familiar..."
"So it was him..."
"Truly worthy... of being His Majesty's designated [Special War Power]—learning our abilities before even engaging..."
"?!"
...What?
Special War Power... referring to Segawa...?!
Meaning, just as Segawa himself said, he'd already been targeted by all of them...
Byakuya bit down slightly, feeling numbness spreading through his limbs, thoughts racing.
Then the opponent spoke again—
"Heh... the proud Sixth Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki... worrying about others at a time like this?"
"But worry is useless."
"His Majesty already dispatched Askin and the others as the first step to eliminate that person—"
"?!!"
Hearing this, both Byakuya and Renji froze completely.
Eliminate...?!
So before the Quincy army arrived, Segawa was attacked first!
Realizing this, Byakuya immediately turned, shouting—
"Renji!! Notify all members immediately!! Find Segawa at all costs!!!"
Before Renji could react, both Quincy suddenly vanished!
This was... the Quincy's Hirenkyaku!
Next moment, they appeared behind Byakuya and Renji at extreme speed, attacking!
Enhanced by Blut Arterie, their assault's speed and power were incomprehensible!
BANG!!!
Like steel colliding. Both were sent flying without defense!
The masked Quincy raised his hand, voice cold—
"I told you—rather than pointlessly worrying about others, consider your own situation..."
"Next... we won't hold back anymore!"
Finishing, both began advancing slowly toward Byakuya and Renji.
Just then, Byakuya Flash Stepped directly in front of Renji!
Simultaneously, his cherry blossom blades gathered, condensing in his hand, aimed at both Quincy.
Seeing Byakuya blocking for him, Renji froze.
"C-Captain... you..."
Byakuya faced away from Renji. His blade began rising slowly.
Blood trickled from his mouth, but his expression remained calm as ever. Using spiritual pressure transmission, he spoke flatly—
"Regarding Quincy intelligence, though Segawa filled many gaps... currently, it remains overwhelmingly insufficient."
"Especially... Bankai theft... still holds countless mysteries."
"So even with the situation this critical..."
"Not a single captain in the Seireitei has used Bankai—"
"Because everyone knows—once Bankai is stolen, it strengthens enemy forces..."
"And this is something we Gotei members must never do... even unto death...!"
Hearing this, Renji's pupils began contracting slowly.
But Byakuya's expression remained unchanged, gaze profound, continuing transmission—
"Even so, Segawa also said—"
"He's already conceived methods to prevent Bankai theft or even reclaim them—only requiring further testing..."
"And currently, everything happening has completely validated his words."
"Whether Quincy abilities or weaknesses—all within Segawa's predictions—"
"So... you must leave here... then find Segawa."
At this point, Byakuya lowered his eyes slightly, speaking softly—
"This is a war determining the Seireitei's survival... Anyone can die. Anyone except him—"
"He cannot be allowed to die."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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