The towering flames engulfed Pernida like a raging tornado, the intense heat so overwhelming that even the rubble from the destroyed buildings began to melt, turning into liquid and flowing across the ground.
Pernida’s body was continuously incinerated and torn apart by the inferno. However, with the immense regenerative power granted by its Schrift, it wasn’t immediately reduced to ashes.
From a distance, Gerard also felt the scorching heat, but instead of retreating, he grinned with excitement.
"Hahaha! It’s hot... but not hot enough!"
He let out a deep growl as his massive body continued to expand.
Boom!
Gerard launched himself forward, charging straight into the inferno unleashed by Banshō Senran. His speed had multiplied several times compared to before his first death.
Others might be unable to withstand the flames of Banshō Senran, but Gerard had no such fear.
"Burn! Keep burning! All shall be forged into the power that will flatten this world! I am the miracle!!"
Masatsuki Aozaki watched the scene with a grave expression. He could sense the terrifying spiritual disturbance emanating from the distant palace—things were reaching their critical moment.
Raising one hand, he called out:
"Caja Negación!"
As soon as his voice fell, a black hole tore open in midair, and a small black box dropped into his palm.
The next second, dazzling ribbons of black and white light burst from the box, swiftly wrapping around the burning Pernida—before vanishing completely.
Caja Negación was a technique developed by Aizen, designed to imprison spirits in another dimension. This small black box was precisely that—a tool for confinement.
Unfortunately, it was a Reishi-based device, meaning its effectiveness wasn’t determined by the user’s strength but by the strength of the one being sealed. Given Pernida’s Reiatsu, it could only hold it for a few minutes.
However, with Ryūjin Jakka’s flames suppressing it, that time could likely be extended.
Even a few minutes would be enough.
Suddenly, the figures of the Banshō Senran sisters and Enrakyōten appeared behind Masatsuki Aozaki, materializing out of thin air.
"Finally!"
Banshō exclaimed excitedly.
She had been itching for action. Ever since Masatsuki Aozaki had undergone his evolution, his power had soared, and it had been a long time since he had summoned them for such a serious battle.
"It’s best not to use Bankai," Masatsuki Aozaki warned.
"...I understand," Banshō nodded.
However, upon hearing this, Haschwalth frowned, his heart tightening.
This Shinigami... he even knew about Medalize, the technique that lets them steal a Bankai?!
That was one of the Wandenreich’s most closely guarded secrets!
Medalize was a newly developed technique, one that even most ordinary Echt Quincy within the Empire knew nothing about. Only members of the Sternritter were privy to its existence.
Haschwalth’s gaze instinctively shifted to Bambietta and Bazz-B— the first Sternritter to have encountered Masatsuki Aozaki.
He had already foreseen Bazz-B’s future. Before his arrival, there had been no chance for Bazz-B to leak any information.
That left only Bambietta.
His expression turned ice-cold, as if he intended to freeze the entire world itself.
In his mind, Bambietta was already as good as dead.
Had their secret remained undiscovered, they would have had the perfect opportunity.
They could have caught Masatsuki Aozaki completely off guard. free.webn\ove(l)(.)c(o)m
But now, that advantage was lost.
A Shinigami as powerful as Masatsuki Aozaki would undoubtedly possess Bankai.
Even though this knowledge wouldn’t weaken the power he had already displayed, the psychological impact was where the true advantage lay.
It was only natural for a Shinigami, when faced with numerous Quincy, to instinctively activate their Bankai.
And at that crucial moment— when they relied on it most— that power would suddenly be stripped away.
How would they react?
Would they be filled with doubt? Panic?
It didn’t matter.
Victory and defeat were often decided in mere moments.
A brief lapse in awareness.
That was all it would take.
They could deliver a devastating blow to Masatsuki Aozaki— perhaps even kill him outright.
...
Sching!
A piercing slash echoed through the air, sharp and deafening.
What came into view next was a brilliant burst of crimson— dazzling like fireworks exploding in the sky.
At the same time, a blinding arc of sword energy tore through Gerard’s body, slicing him cleanly from his right shoulder to his left hip.
Once again, he was dead.
"Hey, big guy, still having fun with your endless sit-ups? How about taking a break?"
Enrakyōten smirked, placing one hand on her hip.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō