Bankai (First Order Request)
Zaraki Souya could use Hollows to open and close the Black Chamber at will, but he couldn't pinpoint specific locations in Hueco Mundo.
A fused being couldn't perform precise operations, only simple commands—it was unavoidable.
He passed through the dim severance and burst through the exit, space dancing and falling like shattered mirrors.
The scene before him differed from the previous two. Thick white walls stretched endlessly to the left and right, so wide that they seemed without end. Looking up, the high walls of the Hueco Mundo Palace appeared to support the entire night sky.
Zaraki Souya turned, and faint dark shadows appeared on the flat sea of white sand. Were they branches? Hollows? People? He couldn't tell.
He pursed his lips. Shiraishi's Reiatsu concealment made it difficult to locate him in the vast Hueco Mundo, but he remembered he was within sight of the building and moved forward.
Merging with the surrounding spirit particles, he became a wisp of smoke, darting forward at high speed. Not far away, the white sand below surged upward.
Boom.
A massive figure formed from the sand, blocking Zaraki Fuuya's path. It resembled a middle-aged man wearing a crown and a Holo at his waist.
"I, Runuganka, guardian of the White Sand, will not let any thief invade the Palace of the Nightingale unpunished!" the enormous Holo declared.
Zaraki Fuuya revealed himself but said nothing, merging again with the surrounding spirit particles and forming invisible air blades that slashed at the opponent's body.
The white sand cracked, but it didn't collapse. Runuganka said slowly, "To attack me while I am inattentive is an even greater crime."
Zaraki Fuuya frowned slightly. Being immune to physical attacks was a daunting ability.
Runuganka opened his mouth, and a drill made of sand emerged. The white sand beneath collapsed into quicksand with powerful suction, pulling Zaraki Souya down.
Remaining calm, he merged with the surrounding white sand. By the time he reached his waist, he had the entire area under control. The quicksand stopped, and sand spears shot out, piercing Runuganka.
He knew it was temporary. The enemy's attack would continue. Vanishing into smoke, he prepared for the next move.
"No one can escape the grasp of the guardian of the White Sand!" Runuganka shouted, fusing more sand between his palms and hurling it outward as a sandstorm erupted.
Zaraki Fuuya exited the smoke state to dodge. A shadow loomed overhead, and a massive fist crashed down. He remained still, letting the white sand beneath him shoot upward, blocking the fist.
This Hollow had the attack power of a vice-captain and was immune to physical damage. Judging by the situation, the ghost's attacks posed little threat. But killing it? That was the challenge.
The sandstorm intensified, covering dozens of kilometers and obscuring the sky and moon. The whistling wind sounded almost like a herald for the emperor's return.
"It's really exaggerated," Bai Shi sighed, kneeling on the ground and extending his hand. The wind wall opened in front of him; the sandstorm hit it, dissipating gradually without causing ripples.
"Hmm." The wind roused the sleeping Nelliel. Her gray-brown eyes fluttered open, confused as if waking from a dream.
Her expression sharpened as she stood, realizing the Kyūya Palace ahead and the massive Runuganka before her. "Oh no, now is not the time to sleep. The matter of the two blades hasn't been resolved."
From serene beauty to a determined warrior, her transformation was rapid. Sword drawn, she assessed the guardian, noting its near-immunity except to water. If its attack power were higher, it could have been an Espada candidate.
Recognizing the Shinigami engaging Runuganka, Nelliel smiled. "My dear husband, thank you for your care. I should have treated you well, but I have duties with the Espada."
Shiraishi stood. "Zaraki and I will stay clear of Kyūya Palace to avoid trouble."
Nelliel nodded. "For your sake, I'll let him go this time."
Shiraishi waved and rushed into the battle area. Several sand spears pierced him, stopping just before his face.
Zaraki Fuuya paused attacking, letting the spears pierce Runuganka instead. "This Hollow is tough. Any suggestions?"
"Sand's weakness is water," Shiraishi replied, just two hundred experience points shy of level 12.
Zaraki Fuuya raised an eyebrow and poured a large ball of water from the Seireitei down. Runuganka's pierced body solidified further, and it panicked. "Wait! Pause!"
Shiraishi ignored it, leaping and slashing it in half.
"Ignorance: Crimson Fire of the Red Lotus."
The name flooded Shiraishi's mind. Runuganka gave 300 experience points, reaching level 12, boosting Reiatsu to 10,470, and maxing Forward Slash.
These were expected.
But the Bankai name? That wasn't. Shikai required boarding first and paying later, and now Bankai seemed the same.
His guess was correct: reaching a certain level unlocked Bankai.
Had his prior efforts been wasted? No.
Once he used Infinite Bankai, he would transform into Yasuo's Nightbringer skin, his blade tinged with fire. The flames would burn enemies slowly, sparing inanimate objects.
Could other Yasuo skins also change with Bankai? If so, each could have unique abilities—a thrilling prospect.
Were the other forms level-dependent, or would he need research? Likely the latter. The system wouldn't automatically provide all forms in one Bankai.
As he pondered, multiple Reiatsu pressures gathered around the area.
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