Chapter 287: Coming Down?
"Bankai!!"
"Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō!!"
With Komamura's roar, a colossal armored warrior erupted from the ground, towering over the earth.
"Wow."
Not far away, Satoru stood atop a small hill, unable to suppress his admiration.
The current Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō had undergone tremendous changes compared to when he first saw it.
Under Mayuri's direction, Komamura's Bankai had undergone two modifications.
Normally, Bankai resets with each use—any injuries or modifications sustained would be erased.
Yet, Mayuri managed to make the modifications permanent.
Using technology from the "Sleep Plan," he integrated artificial cells into the Zanpakutō, combined with Gigai energy for stabilization, allowing him to reshape the Bankai into any form he desired.
Originally, Mayuri's Bankai resembled an insect-like centipede.
To facilitate modifications, he fused the deceased Sleep No. 5 into his own blade.
After the transformation, his Zanpakutō took on a bizarre form—half-insect, half-infant.
Satoru, who was assisting on-site at the time, nearly fled in terror upon seeing this Bankai form.
Not because he was scared of the Bankai itself, but because he feared Mayuri might be unable to accept reality and come after him in a frenzy.
Unexpectedly, Mayuri was quite satisfied with the modification and even thanked him.
Shifting focus back to Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō.
Its hundred-meter-tall robust frame was clad in black armor.
Perched on the left shoulder of the armor was a massive rotating Gatling gun.
On the right shoulder sat a large cannon barrel.
Inside the barrel were engraved seals exclusive to the Kidō Corps.
By channeling Reiatsu into it, a devastating Kidō Cannon would be unleashed.
In the Memories of Nobody movie, under Yamamoto's orders, the Kidō Corps used such cannons to annihilate an entire pocket dimension.
Its destructive power goes without saying.
The two biggest limitations of this cannon are, first, mobility.
The massive Kidō Cannon is notoriously difficult to transport and reposition. Unless enemies formally notify the Soul Society in advance to arrange a pitched battle, it's practically impossible to pre-deploy such a devastating weapon.
But with Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō, things are different.
Its hundred-meter-tall colossal form can carry the cannon anywhere.
Wherever it aims, it strikes.
The second limitation of the Kidō Cannon is its Reiatsu requirement.
Under normal circumstances, it takes hundreds of Kidō Corps members working together, gradually building up power, to fire a single shot.
But... Komamura's Reiatsu has always been extraordinary.
The fact that he can sustain a Bankai like Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō—such a ferocious entity—speaks volumes about the depth of his spiritual reserves.
In most battles, Komamura falls too quickly, making it hard to showcase the true intensity of his Reiatsu.
In fact, based on Satoru's tests, Komamura can fully meet the Kidō Cannon's demands.
Though he can fire at most two shots in a short period, that's more than sufficient.
In the deity's hands, it still wields the same great blade as before.
But this is merely an illusion.
Against ordinary foes, Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō simply swings its blade to cut them down.
If the enemy proves formidable, it unveils its secret weapon—
On the deity's back rests a large black canister.
Inside is the "Risō Jakumetsu, Shinga Tsūmei" that Satoru pre-charged.
With a mere gesture, Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō can pull a nozzle from its hip and unleash the stored flames.
Since the deity is inherently a fire-type Zanpakutō, it can partially guide Satoru's flames to achieve superior attack coverage.
However, the most significant change to Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō lies in the dense array of small square plates covering its armor.
These plates are the latest technology developed by Mayuri.
When they detect an attack exceeding their tolerance, these plates explode outward, generating shockwaves.
The deity's shoulders and arms are especially densely layered with these plates.
Satoru remembers clearly how, in every past battle where Komamura summoned Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō against powerful opponents, its arms would invariably get severed by a single slash.
This time, he can proudly deliver that line—
"Your slashes are indeed formidable, but—and I say but—if I cover the very spot you intend to strike with explosive reactive armor, how will you respond, my lord?"
Imagining that scene, Satoru couldn't help but grin triumphantly.
Beside him, Mayuri stroked his chin.
"Lord Satoru, I believe the current modifications are still insufficient. There's room for enhancement."
"Oh? Elaborate."
"Observe. If we modify Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō's hands to split into seven or eight tentacles, each gripping a weapon, wouldn't the damage output increase dramatically?"
"Hmm, why not add a few tentacles on its back too, all armed."
"Ah, merely thinking about it gets me a little excited!"
Satoru fell into deep thought.
Mayuri's concept was indeed tempting.
But suddenly, as if remembering something, he looked at Mayuri.
"Just out of curiosity—where would these tentacles come from?"
"Kekeke, an excellent question, my lord." Mayuri grinned, baring his white teeth.
"I captured several Hollows in Rukongai. They appear to have undergone some modifications, each possessing unique abilities."
"One of them has the power to summon tentacles out of thin air."
"By modifying the tentacles it summons..."
"Alright, that's enough." Satoru interrupted him expressionlessly.
Transferring a Hollow's limbs onto a Shinigami, even just onto a Zanpakutō—this technology was too dangerous. He wouldn't permit Mayuri to test his blades on Komamura.
Mayuri wasn't surprised by Satoru's refusal.
When he had time, he'd go try to fool Kisuke.
Given that guy's personality, he'd definitely be willing to help.
Hmm, and there was Aizen too... Although that guy had an eerie aura that made people uneasy, for the sake of science, it was nothing.
Occasionally thinking about it, Satoru really had gathered quite the talented people around him.
Mayuri's hands flew across the keyboard, making final adjustments to Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō.
As the adjustments were nearly complete, Satoru could no longer contain his excitement.
He leaped into the air, shouting loudly:
"Come on, Sajin! Show me your current power!"
"Ooh!!"
Komamura Sajin had also been curious about what he could achieve now.
Facing Satoru who was leaping high and charging toward him, he controlled Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō to fire a railgun right from the start.
A brilliant silver light tore through the sky, piercing the heavens.
Even though it was daytime, this light illuminated the sky, making even the distant Seireitei aware of the commotion here.
At the Fifth Division barracks, Shinji lay on the roof, lazily yawning.
Recently, he hadn't been idle.
Although there was no evidence, his intuition told him that the various incidents happening recently in the Soul Society were probably quite related to his own vice-captain.
To verify his suspicions, he had secretly followed Aizen several times, but found nothing wrong.
Watching the light cannon tearing through the distant sky, he clicked his tongue.
Unlike Sōsuke who liked to hide everything, that kid Satoru was really good at creating various spectacular events.
He really couldn't understand how such an idiot could become friends with someone like Sōsuke.
Ah... if his intuition proved correct, and Sōsuke was really doing bad things, how would that kid Satoru react when he found out?
He definitely wouldn't be able to accept it.
Thinking about that scene, Shinji felt somewhat emotional.
Just as he couldn't help but sympathize with Satoru, a voice suddenly sounded in his ear.
Two or three seconds later, he abruptly sat up.
"...Yes, I understand."
"I'll be right there!"
He slightly furrowed his brows, as if thinking about something.
Then, with a flash, he disappeared from the spot.
....
...
Rat-tat-tat-tat!!!!
The rotating Gatling gun spat long tongues of flame, covering the entire sky with a rain of bullets.
Satoru flickered back and forth, occasionally reaching out to catch bullets flying toward him and throwing them aside.
"The speed needs to increase more. At this speed, it's hard to injure highly agile enemies."During gaps in his dodging, he even found time to fly over to Mayuri and offer some guidance on the situation."
Mayuri couldn't help rolling his eyes.
When he designed weapons, he considered enemies at about Komamura Sajin's level.
Don't you have any... awareness of what level you're at?
If the weapons I designed could harm you, I wouldn't need to work on artificial life—wouldn't it be better to just be responsible for making weapons for the Seireitei?
He had even thought of names for the weapon series: Anti-Satoru Type One, Anti-Satoru Type Two...
After trying all of Komamura's various weapons, and even taking a direct hit from a Kidō Cannon, Satoru showed a satisfied expression.
"Though there are still many shortcomings, it's already much stronger than the original version."
"With this level of effectiveness, just a few more modifications and you'll rank among the strongest captains!"
Hearing Satoru's evaluation, Komamura showed a pleased expression.
Just as he was about to speak, a member of the Soul Reaper messenger corps suddenly appeared using Flash Step.
"Captain Satoru, the Captain-Commander orders you to report to the First Division immediately!"
Upon hearing this, Satoru's first thought was that there might be clues about the Wandenreich.
He revealed an excited expression and without another word, transformed into a long streak of light disappearing across the sky.
Watching Satoru's retreating figure, Komamura slowly withdrew his Bankai.
Having mastered Bankai, he was undoubtedly already one of Soul Society's rare powerful fighters.
But... had he truly grown enough to repay Lord Satoru's kindness?
As Mayuri approached using Flash Step to conduct his physical examination, Komamura couldn't help but ask this question.
Hearing this, Mayuri grinned.
"A foolish question."
"Whether you can be of help is undoubtedly a false premise."
"What kind of help are you referring to? To what extent?"
"No matter how strong a person is, there will always be things they cannot do, or are unwilling to do."
"If you want to surpass that guy in strength and fight enemies even he cannot defeat, I suggest you abandon such fantasies early."
"Looking throughout Soul Society's history, I've never seen anyone with such rapid growth."
"If you truly want to help him, do it in your own way."
"Let me think... hmm, for example, I recall that guy likes fluffy things. You could let him pet your head—he'd definitely be very happy."
Komamura was speechless.
What kind of suggestion was this?
Mayuri scoffed: "What, looking down on such simple matters?"
"There are more complex options too."
"Though Lord Satoru is powerful, he has a soft heart."
"There are many things he can't bring himself to do if he has to handle them personally."
"Anticipating his needs and handling these matters for him is the greatest help we can provide."
"However, with your level of intelligence, achieving this is still far beyond you."
"Perhaps you should consider the first suggestion more seriously?"
As he spoke, he had already completed Komamura's physical examination. Waving his hand, he strode away with an eerie laugh.
Komamura fell into deep thought.
...
...
At the First Division barracks, Satoru looked at the several people in the room with a surprised expression.
Yamamoto, Kirio, Shinji, and... a white Captain's Haori floating mid-air.
Seeing the Haori, Satoru raised an eyebrow.
"Who is it? Leaving a Captain's Haori here like this... What do they take the Haori for?!"
Yamamoto: "..."
You're the last person qualified to say that.
Before he could say anything, the Haori angrily retorted:
"You brat, are you doing this on purpose? Knowing full well about my abilities, yet asking such a question... Are you challenging me?"
Satoru chuckled: "What, you don't like it?"
"If you're not satisfied, you can come down from the Soul King Palace and face me one-on-one."
Satoru wasn't the least bit afraid of provoking her.
He had long heard from Kirio that Zero Division members rarely descended to the Soul Society.
Between the Soul Society and the Soul King Palace, there were 72 layers of powerful barriers, and the distance was absurdly vast.
Traveling from the Soul King Palace to the Soul Society was more troublesome than walking around the world.
Therefore, the only Zero Division member who frequently visited the Soul Society was Senjumaru Shutara.
Of course, it wasn't her true body that came, but rather her consciousness transferred to a pre-placed "Robe of Heaven" in the Soul Society, achieving a similar effect to descending.
Just like now.
For a mere verbal dispute, someone of Senjumaru's character wouldn't specially come down.
Unexpectedly, upon hearing his words, Senjumaru wasn't angry but instead let out a mocking laugh.
"Oh... Well said."
"I hope you can remain this bold when we meet, little Satoru~"
The smile on Satoru's face froze.
"Wait, are you really coming down?"
He asked suspiciously.
The Captain's Haori swayed, probably meaning a shake of the head.
"No, it's not me who's coming down."
"It's you, Satoru, who's coming up."
With that, Senjumaru floated over to Kirio Hikifune.
"By the order of the Soul King, in three days, Kirio will be officially promoted to become a member of the Zero Division."
"At that time, Kirio will leave the Soul Society and head to the Soul King Palace."
"Fifth Division Captain, Shinji Hirako, and Eleventh Division Captain, Satoru Mikami... the two of you will serve as escorts and accompany Hikifune to the Soul King Palace!"
Upon hearing this, everyone in the room showed surprised expressions.
Even Yamamoto couldn't help but widen his eyes.
Satoru felt his heartbeat quicken slightly.
Although he had long known about the existence of the Zero Division, he never thought he would get to visit the Soul King Palace so early.
But the question was... why him?
Shinji Hirako was at least a veteran Captain, so it made sense for him to serve as an escort.
Why was he chosen?