BLEACH: Blade of Purification

The dark clouds covering the Seireitei's sky gradually dispersed. The scorching temperature also vanished. Perhaps due to the rapid and repeated shifts between hot and cold in a short time, it felt, though it might have been an illusion, even colder than before.

The sky was once again covered by clouds, and large snowflakes began to fall again, descending upon the Seireitei.

The Squad 1 barracks—a place that was assumed to be the last place in the Seireitei that would ever have a problem—was half-destroyed in the explosion of power. Fortunately, even Squad 1 had let its members rest early today; otherwise, such an explosion would have inevitably caused unnecessary casualties.

What on earth had happened at the Squad 1 barracks?

Everyone wanted to know the answer. But before they could act, they sensed the powerful Reiatsu of several Captains radiating undisguised from the barracks. This was followed by a notice from the Onmitsukidō about the situation.

The Onmitsukidō informed all thirteen squads and their members that this incident would be handled entirely by the Onmitsukidō and Squad 1, and that no other squad was to take any action. Thus, despite their burning curiosity, the members of the Gotei 13 could only suppress their urges.

The newly falling snow drifted down onto the rubble of the ruined Squad 1 barracks, slowly but surely covering the scene of destruction in a blanket of white.

Where the Squad 1 training grounds used to be, all one could see were destroyed buildings. An unknowing observer might have thought it was an abandoned and yet-to-be-rebuilt district within the Seireitei.

And amidst these ruins, several people were still standing.

The countless minor scratches on Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's battle-hardened and still-powerful old body were almost negligible. The wound that truly drew attention was the massive gash that had nearly split his chest open. But Yamamoto stood tall, his expression unchanging, as if he hadn't even noticed the wound.

His gaze fell on the man who had collapsed unconscious on the other side. He narrowed his eyes again and remarked with a tone of deep meaning, "If he had a thousand years... his strength might even surpass my own."

A thousand years in the Seireitei. How many Shinigami have truly lived for a thousand years? And how many are known to all?

Only one.

Only the founder of the Gotei 13, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.

For Yamamoto to say such a thing was almost tantamount to placing Ling Qing on the same level as himself.

But not a single Captain present raised an objection, not even Chōjirō Sasakibe, who unconditionally defended Yamamoto's honor in all matters.

If anyone had expected Ling Qing to defeat Yamamoto before this, even a Yamamoto who was holding back, that would have been a childish fantasy. Even if Yamamoto held back, he was not someone who could be defeated by a brat who had only held a sword for half a year and had just achieved Shikai.

But what they had just witnessed forced them to admit that even if Ling Qing couldn't do it now, it was not impossible in the not-too-distant future.

Ling Qing still needed a long time to accumulate power, to train and temper his Zanpakutō, and to master the power of his release. But even so, the power he possessed now already surpassed the Bankai of several of the weaker Captains. Not to mention the further improvement he could gain after completely mastering this power, and the five-to-tenfold increase in power he could achieve when he completed his Bankai!

Never in history had a Shinigami forced Yamamoto to wield his sword with both hands using only a Shikai. Not even Chōjirō Sasakibe had managed that.

In the end, no one needed to remind Ling Qing. He could not defeat Yamamoto. Even if he seemed to have the upper hand, his defeat was only a matter of time. Ling Qing himself clearly recognized this, so he had no intention of dragging out a battle he was bound to lose. He gathered all his power and put everything into his strongest slash.

Yamamoto, sensing Ling Qing's intention, responded in kind by gripping his sword with both hands and delivering an equally powerful blow!

And the result was…

Another scar would be added to Yamamoto's body, one that could not be erased for many years to come.

And on the other side, Ling Qing had collapsed, completely unconscious. No, to say he was unconscious was a kind way of putting it. To be precise, he was barely breathing. Even Yamamoto, when clashing with such power, found it difficult to perfectly control all of his strength and the damage inflicted on Ling Qing.

Yamamoto waved away Seinosuke Yamada, who was about to treat him, and said in a deep voice, "I will not fall from such a minor wound. Go see to the boy. His condition is far more serious than mine."

Seinosuke Yamada was stunned for a moment. He instinctively looked over at Ling Qing, his eyes widening slightly in confusion. Because what he saw was not Unohana immediately starting treatment on Ling Qing, but squatting beside him, hesitating to act.

Beside Unohana were Shihōin Sōichirō and Saitō Gotsuki. In addition, Kenpachi Kuruyashiki was also there. Jūshirō Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku, however, had not joined them, instead staying with Chōjirō Sasakibe by Yamamoto's side.

After a slight hesitation, Seinosuke apologized to Yamamoto and walked over to Ling Qing. Even Seinosuke, who was accustomed to all kinds of injuries, couldn't help but be taken aback by the state of Ling Qing on the ground. He didn't know whether to marvel at "The Captain-Commander is truly the Captain-Commander" or "Troublemakers always have tougher lives than others."

But even if his life was tougher, it was only by a little.

Compared to Yamamoto, who was still standing, Ling Qing's condition could be described in one sentence.

That is—the fact that he was still alive right now was a miracle in itself.

"Captain, why aren't you starting treatment?"

His eyes never leaving Ling Qing, Seinosuke Yamada, a mere Lieutenant, dared to speak to Unohana in a tone that was almost accusatory.

"Seinosuke, you should have seen it as well."

Unohana did not mind Seinosuke's disrespectful tone. She spoke with a tone of regret and helplessness.

"His injuries... are even beyond what I can handle."

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