!
Whitebeard, currently locked in a confrontation with Yamamoto, had no time to react to the woman's sudden appearance before her blade swung toward him. The strike appeared to be a simple, ordinary slash, yet Whitebeard—who had just been matching Yamamoto's power—felt an incomparable force sever one of his arms in an instant!
?!
What!
This scene shocked Yamamoto, who was standing nearby. He knew better than anyone how terrifying this Whitebeard was. His physical strength was immense, and he possessed the ability to shake space itself; every punch and swing could release a "shockwave" through the air.
These shockwaves were different from a Shinigami's flying slashes. A Shinigami's slash primarily functioned via cutting and weakened over distance. Whitebeard's externalized power, however, could be molded into any shape and barely lost its potency. Yamamoto's Zanka no Tachi was certainly fearsome, but the opponent refused to clash blades directly, instead using emitted Haki to block his attacks.
Most terrifyingly, the opponent released this devastating power with every single swing, as if he had an infinite pool of stamina! Yamamoto, on the other hand, could not maintain his state forever. If his Bankai stayed active for too long, it risked destroying the entire Soul Society and incinerating himself in the process.
Yamamoto truly found Whitebeard to be a troublesome foe. Yet, this formidable enemy had just lost an arm to a single strike from this woman?!
The woman had long, flowing purple hair like seafoam and wore elegant aristocratic robes. In her hand was a Zanpakuto that resembled a standard Asauchi. Though he only saw her back, it was clear she was a woman of exceptional beauty. Given her overwhelming strength, if she were a Shinigami, Yamamoto would surely have known of her.
But... the shocks for Yamamoto weren't over yet! The arm Keiko had severed began to regenerate right before his eyes!
Though it was known that demons possessed regenerative abilities—seen previously in the demonized Shinigami and later in Harald—seeing the mighty Whitebeard regenerate so effortlessly left Yamamoto stunned once more. This man was a monster of pure terror!
Keiko narrowed her eyes as she watched him. Holding Enrakyoten, she observed Whitebeard's arm finish its regeneration at an incredible speed.
Kurotsuchi Mayuri had developed a method to release ordinary Shinigami from Domi Reversi, but that method wasn't suitable for Whitebeard. First, Whitebeard's strength was on a different level; what worked on average Shinigami wouldn't necessarily work on him. Second, those Shinigami were released after they had been rendered powerless. Rendering Whitebeard powerless... was a monumental task.
Even the current Keiko could at most kill him; she couldn't easily force him into a state of total submission. Was that the only path left, then? To kill him, just as they had done with Harald?
However, they were in the Soul Society. Whitebeard appearing here meant he had been converted into Reishi. If he were killed in this state, he wouldn't produce a soul like Harald or Sora did. If he died, he would be truly gone!
Of course, even if she wanted to kill him, it wouldn't be easy. Keiko had reached a terrifying realm by borrowing power from the future, but she couldn't maintain it for long. Taking Whitebeard down in such a short window was too difficult.
Fortunately, this was the world of Bleach. Beyond blood-soaked combat, there was Kido used for sealing!
"Prepare the sealing ritual!" Keiko commanded. Yamamoto realized she was addressing him. He watched as she gripped her blade with both hands, her aura becoming increasingly fearsome.
Boom!
Keiko and Whitebeard's blades clashed head-on! A massive explosion of Reiatsu erupted, making the entire world seem to vibrate.
At this moment, Keiko felt a twinge of regret. If only she could fully utilize the Op-Op Fruit's power, dealing with these immortal beings would be simple. Trafalgar Law could use the Op-Op Fruit to cut anything at will, but Keiko lacked the medical expertise to perform those versatile "surgical" feats. She had to rely on pure, raw power to suppress Whitebeard.
She forced down Whitebeard's Murakumogiri. The ten-meter-tall giant was actually being overpowered by a slender woman—a jarring visual contrast.
While Keiko pinned Whitebeard down, Yamamoto prepared the Kido. He had caught onto Keiko's plan: the enemy was immortal, so a war of attrition favored the foe. Sealing was the only way.
"Bakudo #63: Sajo Sabaku!"
"Bakudo #79: Kuyo Shibari!"
Instantly, chains of light bound Whitebeard, locking his body in place. Distracted by the spells, Whitebeard's strength wavered, leaving him unable to block Keiko's next strike! Keiko's blade carved a deep, jagged gouge across Whitebeard's chest!
Blood sprayed from the wound, but his immortality kicked in. The massive injury began to knit back together immediately. Simultaneously, nine black-hole-like symbols appeared behind him, pinning him to the spot along with the chains.
"Roar!" Whitebeard struggled with fury, seemingly on the verge of shattering the two Bakudo through sheer force. Under his immense strength, even these high-level spells cast by Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni were at risk of breaking!
But it seemed Yamamoto had anticipated this. In the next breath, his follow-up was ready.
"Bakudo #99: Kin!"
As Yamamoto shouted, Whitebeard's arms were forced behind his back by an Invisible Force. Huge black leather straps and nails materialized on his arms, pinning the straps into his flesh.
"Awoooo!!" Whitebeard nearly went insane from the sensation of this power.
Rumble!
Terrifying vibrations were released continuously, but as Yamamoto furthered the spell, more and more bandages appeared on Whitebeard, eventually wrapping him completely. They were no longer black straps, but white bandages, turning him into something resembling a mummy.
"Ban: Bankin!" "First Song: Shiryu!" "Second Song: Hyakurenzan!"
Dozens of iron bolts pierced into Whitebeard's body, completely locking the violent Emperor within the white bandages!
"Phew..." Seeing Whitebeard finally sealed, Keiko breathed a sigh of relief.
"..."
In the distance, Liltotto narrowed her eyes as she watched the sealed Whitebeard. There were experts of this caliber in the Seireitei? She didn't recognize Keiko and assumed she was some hidden powerhouse of the Soul Society. Just as she considered testing Keiko's strength, she heard Beltz's voice.
"Alright, don't waste any more energy. Come back."
"..."
Liltotto listened, spared one last glance at Keiko, and then looked at the Shinigami around her. She said coolly, "Consider yourselves lucky."
She was actually "stuffed" today. Having the Five Elders inside her body meant she had no appetite; otherwise, she would have devoured all these Shinigami. But now, it was time to go.
In an instant, she vanished!
!
The Captains' pupils dilated as Liltotto disappeared. Such speed!
Liltotto appeared outside the Seireitei almost instantly, where she met Beltz. "Why leave now?" she asked. "What about Whitebeard?"
"Why worry about him? He'll go back sooner or later," Beltz said. "As for you, you need to head back immediately. If you don't, I really won't be able to hold out. I have things to ask you later."
"Fine. Let's head back first."
Beltz patted Liltotto on the shoulder and teleported her back to the One Piece world. Then, he brought over Azashiro Soya, who had been stranded in the One Piece world. Thus, Azashiro Soya was essentially "teleported" from the depths of Muken to the outskirts of the Seireitei.
"Alright, our deal is complete," Beltz told Azashiro. "I won't interfere with whatever you do next. If you need help, you can find me in Hueco Mundo."
"Hueco Mundo? Aren't you a Quincy?" Azashiro asked, confused.
"Correct, but I spend most of my time in Hueco Mundo. I'm short on time, so I'll be going now." Beltz finished speaking and returned to the One Piece world.
The situation with Whitebeard was settled, but the business in the North Blue wasn't over yet! He had to hurry. Rukia and Harald were still there! Actually, the moment he had arrived at Sphinx, Erensig had already set off for the North Blue. He could now use a Garganta to bring his main body there.
Even as fast as Erensig was, he hadn't even covered a fifth of the distance yet. After all, barely any time had actually passed! Beltz traveled through the Garganta over the ocean, sent Erensig back to Hueco Mundo, and then moved toward the North Blue at high speed.
...
In the Soul Society, Seireitei.
With one culprit sealed and the other gone, the Seireitei suddenly fell quiet. But this kind of "peace"... was hardly welcome! The entire Seireitei was practically in ruins!
The Gotei 13 Captains looked at the mummified Whitebeard and then at Keiko standing beside him. "Who are you? I've never seen you before."
Keiko had already retracted her future power, but no one dared to underestimate her. They didn't know she couldn't maintain that state; they simply assumed the battle was over and she was suppressing her Reiatsu. Since she had helped seal Whitebeard, they weren't overly hostile.
"Tsunayashiro Keiko."
Keiko faced the Captains with a calm expression. After stating her name, she remarked coolly, "The Gotei 13 failed to guard the court. The word 'guard' is weeping."
The Captains' expressions shifted. First, because of the name "Tsunayashiro"! That was the head of the Five Noble Houses—the highest-ranking and most notorious family! They had never heard of such a beautiful and powerful woman in the Tsunayashiro house. Second, her words were a blatant jab at their incompetence. Yet, coming from a Tsunayashiro, it felt strangely characteristic; that family had always been like that.
Yamamoto looked enlightened. "You are the new head of the Tsunayashiro?"
Though Keiko's succession hadn't been widely publicized, Yamamoto, as Captain-Commander, knew a new head had emerged and that it was a woman. He just hadn't expected her to be this powerful.
Hearing that she was the head of the Tsunayashiro house, the other Captains were even more surprised! This woman was the head of the premier noble house? Didn't that make her one of the most powerful people in the Soul Society in terms of authority? Given the power she had just displayed, it seemed strangely fitting.
"This guy is your problem now." Keiko glanced at the mummified Whitebeard and turned to leave.
Leaving Whitebeard to the Department of Research and Development was the best option, as they had already been studying demons. If he could be cured, returning him to the One Piece world would mean he owed Beltz a favor. If not, the Seireitei could deal with him.
"Wait!" Yamamoto called out as she began to walk away. "I have something I wish to ask the Tsunayashiro Head!"
"You have things to ask, but I have no answers to give," Keiko said plainly. She didn't even look back as she left.
She desperately needed to rest. Her body was at its limit after overdrawing power from the future. However, the Soul Society was a place that demanded "style." If she collapsed here, she'd lose face—and someone without face couldn't survive in the Soul Society. She would find a secluded spot to pass out.
Ignoring the Captain-Commander's voice, Keiko vanished from their sight!
"That one..." Gin Ichimaru, Captain of the Third Division, squinted and stirred the pot. "Even for a member of the Five Noble Houses... isn't that a bit too much arrogance?"
"She is more than just a member of the Five Noble Houses," Sosuke Aizen said, a mysterious glint in his eyes as he watched Keiko's departing figure. He whispered, "She is the hero who saved the Seireitei. How can that be called arrogance...?"