A Lot Can Change in Three Days
*Boom—!*
A deafening explosion resounded through the clouds as white shockwaves erupted from the center of the collision, sending terrifying, overlapping ripples of force spreading wildly in all directions.
The Zero Division Estate beneath their feet immediately let out an overwhelmed groan. Countless fissures cracked across the solid ground, rapidly spreading toward the edges.
In the sky, amidst the boiling shockwaves, two figures flew backward like cannonballs, dragging long trails behind them that sliced open the firmament like a massive rift.
Arriving near the battlefield, Kirio Hikifune instinctively released her Reiatsu, forming a sturdy shield to block the scorching, incoming gale.
Looking at the cracks ravaging the ground of the Zero Division Estate, her face was filled with shock.
The Reishi density in the Soul King Palace was incomparable to that of the Soul Society or Hueco Mundo. An ordinary Lieutenant-level Soul Reaper would find it difficult to even breathe upon first arriving here.
Because of this, all the structures in the Soul King Palace were vastly more durable than those in the Soul Society.
As for the Zero Division Estates where the members resided, they were reinforced with special Kidō, making them even tougher.
Yet, even so, the estate was left devastated just by the aftermath of their clash.
Judging by the current situation, if they kept fighting, they might literally knock the Zero Division Estate right out of the sky.
Although she had long known that Naraku Sora was strong—strong enough to exchange blows with Yamamoto without losing ground—she never expected him to be *this* absurdly powerful!
No wonder he dared to violate the laws enacted by the Zero Division and smuggle himself into the Soul King Palace alone.
Thinking about it now, it seemed Naraku Sora had taken less than a hundred years to go from making his mark to becoming a renowned figure in the Soul Society. For a long-lived species like Soul Reapers, that timeframe was unimaginably short.
Other Soul Reapers of his generation might still only be seated officers, yet Naraku Sora was already going toe-to-toe with the leader of the Zero Division.
This level of talent was simply terrifying.
Watching the two figures confronting each other in the sky, Kirio Hikifune instinctively held her breath.
She knew very well that with her current strength, she absolutely could not intervene.
Rebuilding her bones with the power of the Ōken required a period of adaptation. During this time, she was merely a scientist who excelled at research.
Nothing more.
Hyōsube Ichibē dispersed the smoke lingering around him. His appearance was no longer as pristine as when the fight began.
His thick palms were covered in bloody, cracked fissures. The flesh had been obliterated, revealing golden bones beneath, making him look exceptionally ferocious.
He looked at the fiercely imposing Naraku Sora opposite him, his eyes somewhat complex.
Strong. Too strong.
In just a few short decades—not even enough time for a long meditation—Naraku Sora, a Soul Reaper of the Soul Society, had grown to such an extent.
His original shortcoming, his Reiatsu, had been fully compensated for. Although there was still a gap compared to Ichibē himself, combined with Sora's unique traits, his overall combat prowess was barely lacking.
If he didn't bring out his real skills in this battle, he might genuinely get pinned to the ground and rubbed into the dirt.
Although conceding to that demand meant nothing to Naraku Sora, Ichibē was the leader of the Zero Division, the protector of the Spirit King!
The great monk released his Reiatsu, instantly restoring his shattered palms, and grinned. "As expected of the genius Soul Reaper chosen by Shigekuni."
"The student has surpassed the master. I'm afraid even Head Captain Genryūsai is no longer your match, is he?"
Naraku Sora's mouth twitched into a meaningful smile. "That's not necessarily true!"
"Great monk, you've been out of touch with the times for too long."
"Stop dawdling and get ready to take a beating!"
Without waiting for Hyōsube Ichibē to speak again, Naraku Sora tore off his haori and removed his Shishakushō. A terrifying Kidō Reiatsu erupted from his shoulders.
Magma-like, golden-red patterns covered his robust physique. Brilliant arcs of lightning flashed, constantly distorting the surrounding air.
A heavy, oppressive aura instantly permeated the battlefield.
*Shunkō・Blazing Lightning Hell!*
A Shunkō technique perfected to the absolute limit could provide a significant boost even in battles at the transcendent level.
Most importantly, this level of technique placed absolutely no burden on the current Naraku Sora; he could even maintain it as his base state.
The moment he unleashed his scorching Reiatsu, the searing wind rose from the ground once more. Like magma erupting from the earth's crust, the boiling heat surged outward—
A fist wrapped in black and red lightning broke through Hyōsube Ichibē's external Reiatsu, blasting straight toward his chest.
It looked as if it meant to smash right through him.
*BOOM!!!*
The fist, coiled in black and red lightning, collided with that thick palm once again.
But unlike last time, a materialized, brilliant light danced in the monk's palm.
He was the leader of the Zero Division!
Aside from the Spirit King, he was the true strongest existence across the three realms!
Even without using his rule-based abilities, his raw power was not something ordinary people could shake.
*Thud!*
It sounded like the beating of a heavenly drum.
Fist and palm clashed with a deafening bang. Visible shockwaves of Reiatsu roared and flashed, causing the city-sized Zero Division Estate beneath them to tremble violently from top to bottom, right down to its foundation.
A violent shockwave, several times more terrifying than before, began to sweep in all directions. The architectural structures on the Zero Division Estate collapsed layer by layer like paper.
Countless pieces of rubble mixed with bamboo fibers spiraled upward in the sudden gale, drawn into the aftermath, and annihilated into the finest Reishi.
"Don't underestimate me too much," Hyōsube Ichibē said expressionlessly. "As a member of the Zero Division, I can construct a brand new body using the power of the Spirit King."
"Even if you use an ability whose name you cannot call out, I will not fall into a disadvantage."
Feeling the majestic power transmitted from his knuckles, Naraku Sora revealed a delighted expression.
Exchanging blows with someone like Hyōsube Ichibē, who could resurrect an infinite number of times, was completely different. He didn't have to worry at all about the severe consequences of accidentally beating his opponent to death.
He didn't need to think about anything; from here on out, he just needed to fully enjoy the thrill of the battle.
A black and red light flashed in Naraku Sora's pupils. His muscles rippled like water, the scorching aura rising once more as thick lightning tore through the air.
Beneath a ferocious, evil-spirit-like smile, his arms stretched out.
Then, under the monk's surprised gaze, he instantly erupted.
*Black Flash Barrage!*
Hyōsube Ichibē raised his hand to meet the attack, but the moment they made contact, he realized something was wrong.
Wasn't that straight punch wrapped in black and red lightning some kind of powerful ultimate technique?
Although the form was slightly different, the monk could still recognize that the posture and angle of the attack were exactly the same as the *Ikkotsu* created by Yamamoto.
A trump-card-level attack for ordinary Soul Reapers, yet Naraku Sora could use it like a normal, basic attack!?
This wasn't like a Soul Reaper at all!
Furthermore, with such a terrifying attack frequency, was there really no price to pay?
To the monk, other Soul Reapers were existences he could see through at a single glance. But Naraku Sora was full of mysteries from head to toe, a completely unknown entity.
If this level of technique was just his normal attack...
Then what would happen next?
The moment this thought arose, the monk's heart chilled. His eyes instantly turned blood-red as he sensed an unprecedented crisis.
Reiatsu erupted. Veins bulged on his thick, stone-pillar-like arms, making them look exceptionally ferocious.
Materialized light condensed in front of his palms.
In the next second, a giant palm infinitely expanded above the dome of the sky, instantly covering Naraku Sora's figure.
In contrast, Sora looked as small as an ant.
"Thousand-Ri Heaven-Piercing Palm!"
The muffled voice rumbled like thunder, and a suffocating power fully erupted.
Looking at the mountain-like giant palm, there was not a trace of fear in Naraku Sora's eyes; on the contrary, his fighting spirit burned even brighter.
Black and red lightning lingered around him as countless fist shadows poured down like a rainstorm!
*BOOM—!*
A Reishi storm soared into the sky, and the brilliant, surging light spread out like ripples.
Countless Reishi light spots burst forth, and the Thousand-Ri Heaven-Piercing Palm was instantly shattered!
Sweeping everything away!
The late-arriving Kirinji Tenjirō was already dumbfounded.
When they last met, he could still fight Naraku Sora to a draw. If he had gotten a little serious, he could have even completely crushed him.
But in the blink of an eye, this kid had actually become this strong.
*Could it be that he was holding back last time?*
*Looking at this situation, even if the other three of us committed suicide to undo the Blood Oath Seal that restricts our strength, I still wouldn't be Naraku Sora's match.*
*He is an absolute monster through and through!*
Just as Kirinji Tenjirō was complaining inwardly, a giant character emerged from the aftermath of the explosion—a flamboyantly written "Solid" character. It firmly locked down the crumbling Zero Division Estate, unfolding a majestic light and shadow that enveloped the entire floating island.
"To think he actually gained the upper hand."
On the Omotesandō, within a building woven from unfurled silk threads, Senjumaru pursed her red lips, a hint of excited flush appearing on her pale face.
*I originally thought I would have to fight alongside the Silly Boy and betray the Zero Division. I never expected that he would completely suppress the strongest, Hyōsube Ichibē, all by himself.*
*He even forced out the monk's Zanpakutō without even drawing his own sword.*
A pair of black eyes stared intently at the figure standing tall in the sky, filled with an inexplicable meaning.
Seeing his Thousand-Ri Heaven-Piercing Palm completely annihilated, Hyōsube Ichibē raised his eyes. A hint of excitement emerged within them as he stared intently at the distant figure.
*This is no longer an ordinary Soul Reaper.*
*I can see the perfect fusion of at least three types of power within him. He was born for that position.*
*If possible, perhaps I could let him meet the Spirit King!*
Thinking of this, the smile on Hyōsube Ichibē's face suddenly vanished. The five fingers of his right hand clenched together, and a giant calligraphy brush appeared out of thin air in his palm.
Facing the rapidly approaching Naraku Sora, he didn't retreat but advanced. Braving the tyrannical impact of the black and red lightning, he suddenly swung the brush in his hand forward.
"Blacken—"
"Ichimonji!"
Light flickered, constantly shifting between the tip of a brush and the edge of a blade. It broke through Naraku Sora's external Reiatsu and landed on those arms burning with fierce light.
In an instant, heavy black ink covered them, completely dyeing those arms black!