Chapter 162: Lilinette Coyote Starrk
Boom!
Those who were closer to Lilinette could clearly feel a rush of extremely hot wind surging toward them. Accompanied by an almost suffocating sense of oppression, this was the phenomenon where weaker beings would die simply from proximity once Reiatsu reached a certain level.
The appearance of Lilinette, who had risen into the air once more, had changed dramatically. The previous Starrk had looked like an uncle—unshaven beard, lazy expression.
But the current Starrk possessed the appearance of a mature woman with a cold face. The features resembled Lilinette's, but the height and temperament were completely different. It was hard to imagine this was the same person.
"Yeah, something's wrong. Not only the appearance, but even the gender has changed."
Kyoraku rubbed his forehead, feeling his heart sink slightly.
"Reiatsu so dense it's nearly materializing? Truly a rare existence seen only once in a thousand years."
Unlike the other young Shinigami present, Genryūsai, who had lived for thousands of years, understood very clearly what level of opponent Reiatsu at this degree represented.
"Stand back, Kyoraku Shunsui, and you as well, Hirako Shinji!"
Genryūsai slowly drew his Zanpakuto, staring at Lilinette with slightly narrowed eyes as he spoke to those behind him.
"But... Captain, we..."
Tōshirō seemed to want to say something, but Kyoraku returned his Zanpakuto to its sheath and pulled Tōshirō back by the collar. "Let's stop here, Captain Hitsugaya. Our current enemy isn't limited to just this one."
"Perhaps those guys over there will be emerging soon."
Saying that, Kyoraku looked toward the direction where Aizen and the others were covered by the firewall.
"Yes, I understand!"
Hitsugaya lowered his head and said nothing more, but secretly resented his limitations. He hadn't expected that despite training so hard for so long, he still didn't even have the qualifications to participate in this battle.
Hearing Genryūsai still giving him orders as before, Hirako Shinji felt irritated, but still said, "Tch, I'm not your subordinate anymore. But fine, let's save our strength to deal with Aizen."
After speaking, Hirako and the others also moved away from Genryūsai's vicinity.
At this moment, within a radius of dozens of kilometers, only Genryūsai and Lilinette, who continued releasing tremendous Reiatsu, faced each other. Both sides remained at a stalemate in terms of spiritual pressure.
"I am the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, Yamamoto Genryūsai!"
"May I have your name!"
"Lilinette Coyote Starrk!" The beautiful woman whispered out her full name—the combined name of what had once been Lilinette and Starrk.
"I see. Then please survive this technique, if you can!"
"All things in creation, turn to ash—Ryūjin Jakka!" During the Shikai chant, Genryūsai had already released his Zanpakuto. The slender blade flowed with flames as hot as molten rock.
Every swing of the blade caused moisture in the surrounding air to evaporate instantly, turning to steam and dissipating. This was Soul Society's oldest and strongest fire-type Zanpakuto—Ryūjin Jakka.
Boom!
Just after releasing his Shikai, Genryūsai was about to attack when the woman Arrancar before him suddenly appeared at his side and swung out a fist.
"Nadegiri!"
Naturally, the seasoned Captain-Commander wouldn't dodge like others. Instead, he danced his blade in the air, creating a tornado-shaped flame wrapping around himself. Facing this kind of close-range combat, Genryūsai's response was to break force with force.
"Jōkaku Enjō!"
The fire tornado pushed back Lilinette's figure. Genryūsai pressed his advantage, gripping Ryūjin Jakka with both hands and swinging heavily toward his opponent.
"This technique is the same swordsmanship that defeated that lion Arrancar!"
Hitsugaya and the others watching from a distance were shocked seeing the battle between Genryūsai and the woman Arrancar. Is this the true strength of Captain-level combatants?
The blade swept through with flames that seemed solid, directly knocking Lilinette's body back hundreds of meters and demolishing several buildings in succession.
"Haa!!"
The blow connected. Genryūsai didn't pursue, but instead released his own Reiatsu with full force. With Genryūsai's roar, all of Fake Karakura Town trembled once more.
Genryūsai's purpose in doing this was twofold: to pressure his opponent, and simultaneously teach the group of young ones behind him a lesson. Don't become complacent with small achievements. In real battles between the strong, those without sufficient strength don't even have the qualifications to spectate.
Whoosh!
Genryūsai's entire body wrapped in flames, transforming into a shooting star as he charged toward Lilinette's position. Where he had struck, nothing remained except scorched earth.
Reaching Lilinette's position once more, the blazing blade in his hand swung down again.
Clang!!
The sound of clashing blades rang out. Lilinette raised a long sword formed from spirit particles with an expressionless face, receiving Genryūsai's strike.
Immediately afterward, a trace of crimson flashed in Lilinette's cold eyes. Her entire body transformed into dozens of afterimages, launching attacks at Genryūsai from various angles within seconds.
Clang clang clang!
Every rapid slash from Lilinette collided with Genryūsai's blade, scattering countless sparks. Although the speed was tremendous, the Captain-Commander blocked them all.
"Your swordsmanship is chaotic, like a wild beast simply relying on instinct and swinging randomly." After deflecting Lilinette's attack once more, Genryūsai extended his left hand to grab her. The muscles of his left arm tensed instantly, veins clearly visible.
"Let's end this here. I already noticed your condition is unstable, so... this battle was decided from the very beginning."
With that, a heavy punch struck directly into Lilinette's abdomen, launching her into the air once more. "Ennetsu Jigoku!"
Genryūsai's figure flew rapidly into the air. Ryūjin Jakka, dragged by his right hand, transformed into a flaming bird and shot directly toward where Lilinette was falling.
Just as Lilinette was about to fall, a strangely-shaped ice coffin suddenly appeared to envelop her, blocking Genryūsai's blow that contained explosive flames.
"Who is it?"
Genryūsai shouted sharply. At the position where Aizen and the others had been, a slender Garganta quietly opened.
(this is the Original Author's Note: Originally, according to the original story's plot, even when the surviving captains and Visored members faced the seemingly invincible Aizen simultaneously, Genryūsai did not initially intervene.
Yamamoto Genryūsai understood it would be extremely difficult for those who had been affected by Kyōka Suigetsu to defeat Aizen. Especially after learning about Hōgyoku's existence and function from Urahara Kisuke, Genryūsai understood that Aizen would never set foot in the Human World without full preparation.
Conversely, when Aizen actively attacked, it proved his fusion with Hōgyoku had reached a certain level. Therefore, when Kyoraku, Tōshirō, Hirako and others joined forces to besiege Aizen, Genryūsai didn't intervene. Instead, he arranged a scorching hell throughout the entire barrier range—powerful enough to destroy everything.
From this perspective, even Yamamoto Genryūsai, who bore the title of strongest Shinigami, lacked sufficient confidence to defeat Aizen.
However, facing the newly awakened and fully released Starrk, Genryūsai understood very clearly that gaps in Reiatsu cannot be overcome through numbers or abilities alone. Everything else was merely superficial.
Once Reiatsu's gap reaches a certain level, everything you do becomes like child's play—not worth mentioning at all.)
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