"Is this the old man's sword?"
Kurama's gaze was serious as he spoke softly.
Neither he nor Naruto had ever seen the Captain-Commander's *shikai* (initial release). During the previous battle between the Captain-Commander and Aizen, both Naruto and Kurama had been in Hueco Mundo. By the time Naruto arrived in the World of the Living, the fight had ended, and the Captain-Commander's Zanpakutō had already been "sealed."
Naruto remained silent, his hand resting on his sword hilt.
The oldest and most powerful flame-based Zanpakutō, just by its presence, radiated an overwhelming scorching pressure.
Intense heat… burning…
It was as though all the moisture in the air had evaporated, and even within his body, there was a sense of being "dried out." His skin felt parched, and his body was screaming for water.
No technique had even been unleashed yet.
Its mere appearance caused such a disturbance.
However…Why did Muramasa leave the sword behind instead of taking it, leaving it with us?
"Be careful, Naruto," the Captain-Commander warned. "Ryūjin Jakka is no longer under my control."
"It's not something to be trifled with."
Flames coiled around, forming steps for Ryūjin Jakka to walk upon.
"Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, you've grown too old." The sword's gaze swept over the people and Zanpakutō before finally resting on its master.
The Captain-Commander responded calmly, "I've lived for over two thousand years. Even stone would erode with time; I've merely grown old."
"It's not your appearance—it's your heart," Ryūjin Jakka shook his head. "Weak, frail..."
"You've become weaker."
"You've even started to fear your own power."
The Captain-Commander said nothing.
"You're not even as impressive as this youngster," Ryūjin Jakka waved its blade, sending a wave of fire, and pointed the tip at Naruto. "At least he understands where power should be wielded."
"Aizen wasn't wrong after all."
"Foolish and outdated, Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto."
The Captain-Commander lowered his voice: "You and I have witnessed many things together. Power is not the only solution."
"Even Naruto knows better than to abuse his power."
Ryūjin Jakka turned away, uninterested in his words: "Then what was the point of training so hard, using me to cleanse the Soul Society, and founding the Gotei 13?"
"To create a comfortable hole for yourself."
"And then to hide in it, becoming a piece of stone?"
The Captain-Commander wanted to say more.
"Let me prove to you that you are wrong," Ryūjin Jakka raised its sword, but its gaze wasn't on the Captain-Commander—it was fixed on Naruto. "This young one, the one you've placed all your hopes in… If I destroy him..."
"Maybe then you'll understand me."
The sword slashed downward.
In an instant, the world turned to two colors: "orange" and "gray."
Orange was the withered blade, and the slash that emanated from it.
Gray was everything else in the world, including the fiery wall of "Jōkaku Enjō."
"Zanka no Tachi, Kita—"
"Tenchi Kaijin."
Naruto raised his hand and gently tapped the air.
"Bakudō #39. Enkōsen (円閘扇, Round Lock Fan)."
A golden shield materialized in front of him.
But this technique, which usually provided at least some delay, was utterly ineffective this time, as if "chakra" had encountered the "Truth-Seeking Orbs"—the barrier was instantly obliterated upon contact.
However, unlike the Truth-Seeking Orbs, it wasn't pure energy that obliterated it...
It was the intense heat—blazing, incomprehensible heat—without a single spark, the expanding orange light devouring everything, growing from a small point to consuming the world.
Kurama drew his sword.
"Shine, Kogarashi Kagami."
He released his *shikai* and swung lightly.
The mirror-like surface flickered.
"Mirror Reflection."
It had the power to reflect any attack within its own spiritual pressure range.
But Kurama had no confidence that his ability could surpass the Captain-Commander's, even though they were dealing with just the sword itself. After using the technique, both he and Naruto were already prepared to flee with *shunpo*.
Kurama's worries were justified.
The "Mirror Reflection" only absorbed part of the spiritual pressure—just a fraction.
Kurama could feel that the mirror hadn't yet reached its limit before it shattered under the searing heat.
The attack, almost unobstructed, surged forward.
The slash struck the cave wall where they had been standing moments ago without making a sound. The stone, vaporized, sent steam rising, and a small portion turned into molten lava. These changes didn't drain much energy from the slash.
Moments later, it pierced through the deepest part of the cave.
Moonlight streamed in, and even the cold, pale moon seemed uneasy under the oppressive heat.
"What a terrifying slash!" Kurama exclaimed, his face growing even more serious.
This was the first time something like this had happened—his Zanpakutō hadn't reached its limit, yet the technique was broken.
Naruto drew his sword.
"Disrupt, Vortex."
Blue light expanded, wind stirred within the cave, swirling outward, sweeping toward Ryūjin Jakka.
It only bent slightly and swung its sword.
"Zanka no Tachi, Nishi—"
"Zanjitsu Gokui."
The sun rose! Right within the small cave.
Ryūjin Jakka was bathed in the sunlight, its body, arms, and sword all aflame, clad in fiery armor.
The power of the whirlwinds from Vortex rushed toward it.
Destruction, disintegration, chaos…
The flames flickered, waves of fire undulating, slowly dissipating in a nearly imperceptible manner.
"What an extraordinary ability," Ryūjin Jakka remarked, glancing down at itself. "Since this technique was created, this is the first time someone has been able to disrupt it."
Naruto's voice was calm: "Should I take that as a compliment?"
The wind carried "spiritual particles" toward him, gathering around him in radiant golden light, forming the power of Sage Mode.
Ryūjin Jakka reversed its grip on the sword, the tip pointed downward: "If given enough time, you might become an exceptionally difficult opponent, even if you still don't understand fully."
"But for now..."
"Brace yourself, youngster."
It plunged its sword into the ground.
The earth immediately turned black, as something was released.
Charred hands clawed their way out of the ground, followed by scorched limbs, and soon, skeletal bodies began to rise.
They numbered in the thousands, each only possessing strength around that of a third seat at most.
Kurama's Yin-Yang Release creations were stronger, but fewer in number. These skeletons were numerous but weak, creating a balanced situation.
Ryūjin Jakka smiled softly, with a grin that was strikingly similar—almost identical—to Kenpachi Zaraki's: "Now this is interesting."
"To handle this move…"
"You're truly worthy, Naruto Uzumaki."
It closed the gap, Naruto wielding his twin blades, engaging in close combat.
Ryūjin Jakka was strong.
Its spiritual pressure was overwhelming, its combat experience vast, seamlessly blending its swordsmanship and hand-to-hand combat.
It was almost an exact replica of the Captain-Commander.
Elsewhere in the cave…
Tōshirō Hitsugaya stared at the man in front of him, who claimed to have lost his memory—*Hyōrinmaru*.
At that moment, the ice that had frozen the entire area melted away, and no matter how hard he tried, Tōshirō couldn't generate new ice.
Hyōrinmaru stared at his own hands and sword in disbelief.
His powers had failed…
What was happening?
Tōshirō reached up, touching his parched throat, coughing uncomfortably.
The air had suddenly become incredibly dry.
Hyōrinmaru's *bankai* relied on moisture in the atmosphere. Without moisture, none of its abilities could activate.
Tōshirō had never considered such a situation before.
How could there be no moisture in the atmosphere?
Not just one, but many.
A legion of corpses.
"Zanka no Tachi, Minami—"
"Kaka Jūmanokushi Daisōjin."
The Captain-Commander warned: "Be careful!"
"This technique..."
"The ones it summons are all enemies I've killed."
"Their lives and existence are tied to Ryūjin Jakka's spiritual pressure."
"As long as Ryūjin Jakka's flames continue to burn, they will relentlessly pursue their targets."
Naruto drew a golden sword.
Kurama grumbled, but there was no other option. In this battle, Kurama wasn't completely useless, but his current form wasn't providing much assistance either.
"Let's go, Kurama."
In their inner world, the recently returned fox reluctantly agreed: "Fine, let's go."
"This is such a mess."
Naruto's sword released.
He swung lightly, spiritual energy surging, condensing in the air before him.
Several creatures, each with the spiritual pressure of at least a lieutenant, took shape. Naruto hadn't even bothered to form their heads, leaving them with only basic torsos and limbs.
They charged into the skeleton army.
Pouncing and tearing, they fought with a distinctly fox-like combat style, wrestling with the charred skeletons.
The skeletons were numerous, almost filling the entire cave.
But they would revive after being killed. They retained none of their previous powers, not even their spiritual pressure.
And yet, this was happening.
Why?
Was it because of Ryūjin Jakka?
Elsewhere in the cave…
Shunsui Kyōraku looked disheveled as he faced the two figures before him—one large, one small: "Katen, let's end this game."
"The Captain-Commander is angry."
"He's even used his *bankai*."
Katen smiled softly: "Oh? Was it something you hadn't expected?"
"Or are you just looking for an excuse to leave our game?"
"This isn't the Captain-Commander's *bankai*—it's just the power of Ryūjin Jakka itself."
Shunsui Kyōraku leaned forward, issuing an invitation: "Who could possibly warrant Ryūjin Jakka using such power?"
Katen seemed thoughtful.
"It can only be Naruto," Shunsui Kyōraku answered his own question.
"Aren't you curious to see who will win the fight between Naruto and Ryūjin Jakka?"
Katen hesitated for a moment before nodding: "I'll let you off this time."
She waved her hand, dispelling the game's domain.
Shunsui Kyōraku sighed in relief, spreading his arms: "Then come back."
Katen smiled but shook her head: "I can't go back."
Shunsui Kyōraku was startled.
"Muramasa's ability materialized us," Katen continued. "I thought I could return at any time, so I brought Kyōkotsu out to play."
"But..."
"Once we were materialized, we couldn't return. It seems we'll have to wait for Muramasa to release his ability."
Shunsui Kyōraku chuckled: "That's not so bad."
"I've always been jealous of Naruto. His Kurama can materialize whenever he wants."
Katen brushed her hair aside, her eyes drifting to her master's chest: "Is that so?"
"What are you looking forward to, Shunsui?"
The disturbance caused by Ryūjin Jakka's power was felt by every Zanpakutō and every person present.
Kenpachi Zaraki was the only one who didn't care. He simply swung his sword and cut down anything in his path.
Deep within the cave…
Ryūjin Jakka was covered in wounds, and the blood that flowed out was instantly dried by the flames.
Naruto wasn't faring much better.
Upon realizing that the blonde boy possessed an extraordinary healing ability, much like *Unohana Retsu*, capable of using healing techniques during battle, Ryūjin Jakka had incorporated "flames" into every attack.
Each slash left a wound, and a fireball would ignite within it.
As a result…
Naruto had to first use Vortex's power to extinguish the flames, which would otherwise interfere with his healing or even worsen his injuries, slowing down his recovery compared to earlier.
The injuries were inevitably affecting the battle.
Both Naruto…
And Ryūjin Jakka.
At this moment, Ryūjin Jakka's flame armor flickered, reduced to a thin layer. Vortex's power was eroding it, on the verge of consuming it completely.
Ryūjin Jakka sheathed its sword: "Impressive."
"To have fought to this extent."
"Even though you're just a kid who hasn't mastered *bankai*."
Naruto raised his sword and waved his hand, sending golden chains spiraling forward.
Ryūjin Jakka's eyes seemed to ignore the chains, as he gripped his sword tightly: "I have one final strike."
"If you can take it…"
"Then I'll concede, without hesitation."
The chains shot forward, wrapping around his body.
At that moment, he drew his sword.
"Zanka no Tachi, Higashi—"
"Kyokujitsujin."
Both spiritual pressure and heat converged at the sword's tip in an instant!
It was a swift, decisive strike.
Even space itself seemed to evaporate, tearing and melting, revealing the void beyond.
Naruto didn't dodge.
Ryūjin Jakka's "Zanjitsu Gokui" was entirely broken by Vortex's power. The chains swiftly coiled around his arm, locking it in place.
The sword was drawn, but it couldn't be swung.
With a hiss, the intense heat ignited Naruto's chest, setting his clothes ablaze.
But the mere hundreds of degrees of heat caused little damage. The flames flickered around him, obscuring the lower half of his face.
Ryūjin Jakka's pupils widened.
He had used such a method…
"A terrifying ability," Naruto said quietly, raising his hand.
Golden chains flowed like tails behind him, coiling around Ryūjin Jakka's body.
"As expected of the oldest and most powerful flame-based Zanpakutō."
Ryūjin Jakka remained still, unable to move even if he wanted to: "Yet you still defeated me."
"Was there ever any doubt?" Naruto smiled, shaking his head. "Your defeat was inevitable from the start."
"You are incomplete."
"You possess the power of the sword, but not the power of the man."
"The true strength comes from both you and the Captain-Commander, not just you."
The Captain-Commander chuckled: "That's enough, Naruto. No need to say any more."
He turned to look.
Aside from Kenpachi Zaraki, all the other captains involved in the mission had already gathered.
"Now we need to focus on Muramasa."
~~~
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
— Completed in Patreon
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter