Is the Bear Like Volibear, or is Volibear Like the Bear?
Flames and black smoke tangled like inseparable lovers.
Did it work?
Sweat dripped from Shattermine's eyelashes, her vision blurred. Thanks to Tōsen Kaname and Ukitake Jushiro's distraction, she finally had a chance to strike. If she had failed, she wouldn't have had the strength to try again.
"Well done, Death God!"
A thunderous voice descended from the sky, its massive form emerging from the fire and smoke. Its right leg was mostly bald, but white bear fur sprouted wildly across the area.
"I underestimated you before. You can still hurt my fur," Genjiro said with a hint of amusement. The explosion had startled him, though he had expected serious injury.
The resulting Hollow form was incredibly strong. The thick fur had immense defensive and regenerative properties, gradually weakening the explosion's impact. By the time it reached the main body, the damage was barely a scratch.
"Let me crush you with the utmost respect!"
Genjiro raised his right claw. Thousands of lightning bolts coalesced into a blue-white spear, the sheer reiatsu revealing its immense power even before it was unleashed.
"Shuifeng!" Ukitake Jushiro rose, coughing blood. Damn it, why did he always fail at crucial moments? Resentment filled his eyes, yet his body betrayed him.
Elsewhere, Tōsen Kaname allowed rubble to crush him. Numbness coursed through his limbs, making even standing, let alone saving someone, nearly impossible. A line of tears slowly traced down his blinded eyes.
Why does justice always demand sacrifice?
The question lingered in his heart.
Ignoring them, Genjiro hurled the lightning spear downward. The blazing light was dazzling, dyeing Shuifeng's pupils bluish-white.
At that critical moment, a thought flashed in Shuifeng's mind: how much better it would be if Shiraishi were here. Ridiculous, she knew—but she couldn't deny it. He was always strong, confident, and never expected others to save his life.
She had hoped to catch up and surpass him, but some things were destined. No matter how hard a cat tries, it can only be a barbed wildcat, never a roaring tiger.
Perhaps dying in battle wasn't so bad—it freed her from constant struggle. Exhausted, she lowered her eyes, awaiting her fate.
One second, two seconds—the Thunder Javelin flew, seemingly for eternity.
Then, her gaze met a familiar figure. Shock filled her face. "You… you're really here?"
"I'm glad I'm not too late."
Bai Shi looked through the wind wall at her superior, the storm-swathed Hollow. He resembled Volibear, except with a bone mask.
"Who are you?" Genjiro asked, surprised. He could understand dispersing or redirecting Thunder Javelins, but silently making them disappear was beyond comprehension.
"Kill your men." Shiraishi used Forward Slash to advance.
Behind him, Suifeng shouted, "Wait, don't be impulsive!"
"Arrogant!" Genjiro sneered, raising his leg and unleashing bear hair like a massive avalanche.
Shiraishi swung a wind wall, deflecting the fur, then slashed fiercely at the incoming leg. Their spiritual pressures collided, sending Shiraishi tumbling backward, kicking up dust.
"I told you not to be impulsive! Take me with you and run! This guy's too strong!" Suifeng urged.
"My true strength surpasses that hulking figure," Shiraishi declared. Sheathing his sword, he drew it again.
"Bankai: Mudakaya: Crimson Fire."
A black aura swirled violently around him, the chilling spiritual pressure freezing the air. Suifeng trembled, unsure if it was an illusion. Shiraishi's appearance transformed: long silver hair now black, dark metallic armor, pointed horns on elbows—almost unrecognizable.
"Are you Shiraishi?" she asked.
"Of course." His eyes flickered with determination, his tone magnetic. "Have I become too handsome?"
Boom.
Genjiro slashed downward with his claw. Shiraishi lunged, flashing like a dark shadow. An orange circular slash trailed hellfire across Genjiro's back.
"Ahhhh!" Genjiro shrieked. The hellfire seared his soul, leaving him unable to control his bear fur.
Shiraishi returned to Suifeng's side. "Do you think that sound is pleasant?"
"Yes," she nodded.
"You're perverted! You actually enjoy hearing people scream!" Shiraishi teased.
Suifeng choked back blood. The hellfire intensified, and Genjiro's massive body swayed, clawing lightning across the surroundings.
Void Lightning gathered at his mouth and erupted outward.
"Hurry and finish it!" Suifeng urged. If Genjiro continued, the entire North Thirty District would be doomed.
A trace of helplessness crossed Shiraishi's face. "I can't. Crimson Fire is slow torture—he will die, but not instantly. As long as I maintain Bankai, I can't give him a quick death."
"Can't you just hit him a few more times?" Suifeng asked.
"Once engulfed in Crimson Fire, his death is predetermined. No one can delay it. We just wait."
Her mouth filled with blood as she watched. Genjiro's frantic attacks finally gave way—he was engulfed by the orange fire, his shrieks fading as he dissolved into ash.
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