[Bleach: The Invincible Slacker] Chapter 221 - 225

Chapter 221

There had been countless instances where she made the swiftest, most precise, and most appropriate decisions with her life hanging by a thread.

Under relentless pressure, this judgment capacity had long since become instinctual.

Eyes and ears might deceive, but instinct remained infallible.

Yet this encounter proved different—her instincts betrayed her.

She couldn't grasp the trajectory or position of her opponent's movements.

Shiroha stood clearly before her, yet she couldn't land a single strike.

Logically, a Zanpakutō should possess only one distinct ability.

His power should relate to ice manipulation, so what explained this perception-distorting capability?

"There exists a fundamental disparity between our perspectives," Shiroha remarked while casually wielding the simple ice blade in his hand. "Your judgment suffices when confronting others, but proves inadequate against me! Ultimately, this stems from our divergent understanding of power. The perceptual abilities you consider formidable represent mere child's play to me. I can confound them effortlessly."

To be candid, he felt a measure of admiration for Harribel.

To achieve the position of Tercera Espada, regardless of shortcomings, her talent was undeniable.

Her beloved subordinates had been incapacitated within seconds, and she faced an opponent she could never defeat regardless of effort. Most individuals would have surrendered long ago.

Harribel maintained composure, and even now hadn't unleashed her full capabilities, instead methodically gathering intelligence.

This capacity for endurance was truly remarkable, but that remained its limit.

Though currently engaging with merely an ice clone, he remained an adversary beyond Harribel's reach.

Across from him, Harribel clenched her teeth and continued exchanging strikes with Shiroha.

She deliberately refrained from employing her unique abilities.

Shiroha's freezing power proved too formidable.

Confronted with the terrifying capacity to manifest a massive ice sword from nothingness, her own capabilities would prove ineffective.

However, even in pure swordsmanship, she found herself thoroughly outmatched.

If not for Shiroha's minimal killing intent and infrequent counterattacks, Harribel would have fallen long before.

She had never witnessed such extraordinary swordplay. It appeared deceptively fundamental, yet was executed with overwhelming mastery.

Such swordsmanship transcended conventional metrics of speed, strength, and reiatsu.

At this juncture, Harribel acknowledged that even in the purest form of blade combat, she and Shiroha existed in entirely different realms.

Such an opponent was genuinely terrifying.

Furthermore, Shiroha possessed another peculiar ability that disrupted her rhythm.

This placed her at a profound disadvantage, her attacks stifled like a child being disciplined by a parent.

Observing how Shiroha toyed with her repeatedly, Harribel grew increasingly bewildered:

"This defies comprehension. With movements such as yours, you couldn't possibly exceed my speed. This transcends ordinary swordplay! Could this be another form of illusion?"

Though different masters employed different styles, all techniques fundamentally relied on spatial awareness.

When masters engaged in combat, they competed for the space and time required to strike effectively.

Whoever secured advantageous positioning before their opponent would emerge victorious.

However, Shiroha defied this principle.

His movements appeared to transcend the constraints of space and time.

When Shiroha attacked, he seemed to command infinite space and infinite time.

How could one counter such swordsmanship? How could one defeat such an adversary?

Meanwhile, in the replica of Karakura Town, Starrk, having released his Resurrección, didn't immediately attack, instead engaging in heated argument with his weapon.

He quarreled intensely with the gun in his right hand.

This weapon actually represented Lilynette's incarnation.

Their relationship was characterized by constant bickering yet underlying affection.

Additionally, following Resurrección, Starrk's attire featured wolf-mane decorations.

This signified his latent soul power had awakened.

Henceforth, he could employ more powerful abilities.

Yet these abilities remained far from representing his complete potential.

Jūshirō Ukitake, positioned below, observed this sight with astonishment:

"The gun... the gun speaks! Could it be that small girl?"

Comprehension dawned suddenly.

Moments earlier, he had attempted to persuade the Arrancar named Lilynette to abandon combat.

He consistently showed particular leniency toward children.

As a gentleman, he believed children should remain uninvolved in warfare.

Ukitake didn't realize such perspective might cost him his life.

With this mindset, he had refrained from employing serious force against Lilynette, merely engaging her casually through several exchanges.

The two had reached stalemate when Lilynette suddenly merged with Primera Espada Starrk overhead, then vanished.

Shunsui Kyōraku, positioned above, recalled Starrk's statement preceding transformation:

"Dividing one's soul to transform it into a weapon. So that's the meaning! The time has come for serious engagement. However, my Katen Kyōkotsu refuses cooperation, necessitating fundamental approach initially. How troublesome!"

With this consideration, he activated Shunpo and tossed his hat toward Starrk.

When his opponent's vision became momentarily obstructed, Kyōraku slashed with his blade, intending to cleave both hat and Starrk in two.

He achieved only the first objective, slicing the thrown hat cleanly.

Starrk behind it had evaded.

When attacked, Starrk immediately ceased arguing with the "gun spirit" Lilynette and activated Sonído to escape.

Having narrowly avoided the strike, Starrk, wielding his dual pistols, regarded Kyōraku with grim expression:

"You actually attacked while someone was speaking..."

Before completing his statement, Kyōraku swung both swords, generating a spiral of compressed air: "I'm not particularly courteous!"

A tornado erupted with incredible velocity, momentarily trapping Starrk.

Starrk hadn't anticipated his opponent's sudden aggression and initiative.

Given current circumstances, Kyōraku needed merely to delay.

Logically, the Espada should have exhibited greater urgency.

After all, the Shinigami possessed an absolute powerhouse in Shiroha.

Meanwhile, their leader, Aizen, remained confined within flames.

Additionally, Kyōraku's earlier performance had been so convincing that Starrk misjudged his character.

He assumed the other man resembled himself.

This assumption proved incorrect.

At this critical moment, Starrk reacted swiftly, raising his left hand and firing a blue Cero skyward.

"Takaoni!" Midair, Kyōraku activated his Shikai ability and slashed fiercely at Starrk below.

"As the name suggests, 'Takaoni' dictates that elevated position determines victory.

Chapter 222

Those occupying higher ground receive enhancement to their swordsmanship.

The greater the elevation, the more substantial the advantage, and the more devastating the attack.

However, Kyōraku hadn't anticipated that upon initiating his strike, a Cero would blast toward his face.

He reacted with equal swiftness, immediately employing Shunpo to escape.

But upon regaining stability, he found Starrk's right hand raised, gun barrel already aligned with his position.

Rather than firing, Starrk inquired:

"You exhibit unusual urgency. Why such haste?"

"That's attributable to your formidable nature," Kyōraku shrugged.

"Actually, I had hoped to conclude our engagement with a single strike. I failed. Your weapon presents greater challenge than anticipated. If my assessment is correct, your firearms discharge Ceros, correct?"

"Precisely!" Starrk answered candidly, without deception or mystery.

These twin guns represented merely his basic armaments, not his ultimate capabilities.

And as an unusually forthright individual, dishonesty wasn't his practice.

Kyōraku's tone adopted greater seriousness:

"Your implication is that, beyond Ceros, your weapons can discharge other projectiles?"

Though he had largely gauged the Espada's character, confirmation remained essential to avoid miscalculation.

Starrk responded earnestly: "Negative! Exclusively Ceros!"

"Starrk, you imbecile, cease providing intelligence to the enemy and eliminate him promptly!" Lilynette, transformed into a pistol, urged with evident frustration.

Combat resumed.

This time, Starrk's engagement rhythm accelerated considerably, and he remarked provocatively:

"Is this the extent of your capability? Where is your Bankai? Do you intend to withhold it indefinitely?"

While evading via Shunpo, Kyōraku displayed a slick, indolent smile:

"You perceive urgency in me? I believe that sentiment more accurately describes your condition. Are you concerned for your companions? Understandably so. They confront our Commander Uehara, the most prodigious talent in Soul Society's history. Candidly, I feel somewhat sympathetic toward their predicament."

His apparent passivity wasn't reluctance to engage, but strategic intelligence gathering.

Once possessing sufficient information, Kyōraku would transform this knowledge into advantage to seize initiative.

This represented warfare, a conflict determining Soul Society and the Gotei 13's continued existence.

Consequently, he wouldn't relinquish any opportunity for victory, and employed whatever tactics necessity dictated.

Utilizing every available resource constituted his specialty, representing the most effective approach against his unpredictable adversary.

He incrementally enhanced his success probability.

"Companions? Perhaps!" Starrk forced apparent indifference and stated:

"But their circumstances remain irrelevant. I merely wish to witness your Bankai."

Due to his past experiences, the concept of "companions" carried excessive significance.

Though he considered the Espada and Aizen his comrades, in reality, he neither endorsed nor embraced their objectives and methodologies. He had believed the Shinigami before him represented a kindred spirit, a rare individual who understood his perspective.

Current evidence suggested otherwise.

"Note to self: Targeting me with ranged weapons proves unexpectedly challenging," Kyōraku launched another surprise attack following his assessment. During observation, he had identified something significant.

The Espada harbored complicated sentiments toward his associates.

This represented vulnerability ripe for exploitation.

However, it might equally constitute a trap established by his opponent.

Verification remained necessary.

Starrk responded confidently:

"I recognize this difficulty. That's precisely why I've been observing you. I've deciphered your evasion pattern."

Previously, he had fired continuously with his left hand, then with his right.

After each discharge from his right hand, he would momentarily holster the weapon before resuming fire.

This approach served dual purposes: primary analysis of enemy movement patterns, and establishment of a tactical trap.

Though averse to dishonesty, strategic implementation remained distinct.

"I'm gratified you mentioned that, because I've similarly identified your weakness."

Following this declaration, Kyōraku employed Shunpo to evade, then rushed toward Starrk's right, stating quietly:

"I've observed. Your right hand just discharged. Consequently, you cannot immediately fire again!"

While speaking, he disregarded the enemy's weapon and swung his sword with evident confidence.

However, Starrk's right hand pulled the trigger without hesitation, and a Cero pierced the sky, engulfing Kyōraku.

Starrk's earlier claim regarding Kyōraku's movement pattern wasn't aimless.

It deliberately pressured his opponent, compelling risk-taking and unexpected attack vectors.

The shot manifested with swiftness and ferocity, and coupled with the psychological trap Starrk had established for Kyōraku, achieved remarkable effectiveness.

But the "Old Silver Coin" Kyōraku possessed contingency plans, having conserved energy before the exchange.

Therefore, despite the attack's suddenness, Kyōraku still managed evasion.

Chapter 223

Though Kyōraku sustained minor injury, it was merely superficial—insufficient to compromise his combat capability.

The two combatants probed, parried, and analyzed one another.

Ultimately, Starrk secured minimal advantage.

With a slight laceration across his face, Kyōraku remarked with resignation:

"I presumed your attack pattern involved your right-hand weapon possessing greater power but limited to single discharge before requiring holstering. Your left-hand weapon, while less potent, enabled continuous fire."

He had indeed fallen into his opponent's tactical deception.

However, this posed no significant setback, as he had obtained his desired intelligence.

Kyōraku maintained confidence in eventual victory.

"No such assertion was made!" Starrk stated dispassionately. "What course will you pursue now?"

As he spoke, he involuntarily glanced toward Shiroha's position.

At present, Shiroha was "instructing" Harribel.

"Nothing exceptional!" Kyōraku preserved his victory assurance.

"I've now confirmed these Ceros represent standard variants. Even direct impact would inflict merely severe injury. Consequently, conventional combat approach suffices."

If the projectiles didn't guarantee fatality, their deterrent effect diminished considerably.

Absent mortal fear, one could maintain optimal performance while avoiding strikes.

Simultaneously, Starrk, wielding dual firearms, suffered compromised defensive capability.

Against such an opponent, Kyōraku's Katen Kyōkotsu could exert maximal advantage.

Concurrently, Kyōraku observed his opponent's subtle directional shift and remarked teasingly:

"Dismiss your concerns. Though your associate may not achieve victory, her survival remains probable. Brother Shiroha demonstrates particular proficiency with female opponents, especially those of exceptional beauty."

"What an enviable individual," Starrk sighed once more.

"Though mentally prepared, that man's capabilities prove genuinely formidable. And, for reasons unclear, I find him agreeable. He possesses distinctive temperament."

Shiroha's uninhibited, unrestrained, and transparent character radiated conspicuously.

Kyōraku similarly exhibited comparable disposition, yet compared to Shiroha, his represented mere superficiality, perhaps even deliberate artifice.

Individuals with authentic temperament remained impervious to isolation, never succumbing to despondency or disillusionment.

Starrk didn't covet Shiroha's unparalleled strength, but profoundly desired the other's carefree disposition and psychological equilibrium.

That represented a realm beyond his attainment.

Others lacked this temperament.

Even as adversaries, they found themselves influenced by this quality, discovering the man inherently captivating.

Shiroha embodied such a personality.

Even Starrk hadn't escaped its effect.

"Indisputably," Kyōraku expressed understanding.

Beyond himself, even the characteristically austere Captain-Commander had been influenced.

This demonstrated Shiroha's extraordinary charisma.

Only the most obstinate nobles would actively antagonize Shiroha.

Such individuals truly warranted their eventual fate.

"In that case, let's conclude this," Starrk directed his left-hand weapon toward Kyōraku.

"Having finally activated this state, witnessing your Bankai—genuinely challenging that man—represents imperative opportunity. Therefore, behold—Cero Metralleta!"

Since individual Cero potency proved insufficient, quantity would compensate.

If subjected to ten, scores, or hundreds of simultaneous Ceros, even Kyōraku couldn't withstand such onslaught.

Cero Metralleta embodied precisely such capability.

Starrk could discharge ten, hundred, or thousand concurrent Ceros.

Such offensive capacity sufficed to overwhelm any adversary.

However, the energetic expenditure proved immense.

Among all Espada, only his reiatsu reserves could sustain such prolonged consumption.

"One moment!" Confronting the endless Cero barrage, Kyōraku exhibited moderate alarm.

Such technique proved genuinely astonishing.

What reiatsu reserves did this Arrancar command to endure such expenditure?

Did he genuinely believe reiatsu represented limitless resource?

"I'll permit no delay!" Starrk continued discharging Ceros while inquiring:

"How is your resistance progressing? Can you maintain defense further? Surely your Bankai activation is imminent?"

He maintained fixation on witnessing Kyōraku's Bankai.

His partial identification with his opponent compelled desire to observe ultimate technique.

Kyōraku complained: "This approach lacks honor!"

This large-scale attack—released rapidly and continuously with devastating cumulative effect—presented genuine countermeasure challenge.

The inability to evade or block such assault proved fundamentally frustrating.

"Honor remains intact!" Starrk clearly perceived his opponent hadn't approached limitation.

The Shinigami maintained reserve capacity, poised for counterattack.

Consequently, Starrk could only intensify offensive pressure.

Only through such escalation could he compel Kyōraku's Bankai revelation.

Chapter 224

Meanwhile, beside the Ice Giant Sword, Rangiku Matsumoto applauded enthusiastically:

"Commander Uehara, magnificent! Unparalleled! Commander Uehara, extraordinary! Superlative swordsmanship!"

Rangiku, vice-captain of the 10th Division and notorious "heartbreaker of male Shinigami," had transformed completely into Shiroha's ardent supporter.

She wasn't evading combat responsibility, but required time to regenerate reiatsu and recover from injuries.

Concurrently, Harribel, silent for extended duration, maintained her reserve. She appeared resigned, engaging perfunctorily like an employee who routinely deceived superiors while maintaining pretense of diligence.

But Shiroha penetrated her calculations and suddenly declared:

"Nearly complete, correct? Your disposition shows marginal improvement—suggesting preparations have concluded. Now demonstrate your genuine capabilities following Resurrección!"

He employed his reiatsu to precisely detect Harribel's thoughts.

His spiritual perception revealed her intentions with perfect clarity.

This represented merely fundamental capability of advanced reiatsu.

For Shiroha, this constituted elementary skill, yet for Harribel it represented absolute astonishment.

Harribel, adorned in her bone-chain attire, reacted with genuine shock:

"Impossible! How could you discern this?"

Moments prior, she had indeed been surreptitiously accumulating power, planning desperate counteroffensive.

She believed her concealment successful, yet he had perceived completely?

Though not characteristically duplicitous, Harribel maintained confidence in her expressionless composure.

With natural reserve and taciturn demeanor, who could potentially discern her intentions?

Yet before this man, she remained utterly transparent, incapable of concealing any strategy.

How could this be possible? How could one defeat such an adversary?

Shiroha responded calmly:

"Generally, genuine interpersonal understanding remains unattainable, but reiatsu transforms impossibility into possibility. Possessing miraculous capability demands miraculous manifestation. Your comprehension of reiatsu remains fundamentally inadequate. Your approach proves excessively conservative!"

Advanced reiatsu represented transcendent power—the authority of ascendance.

This power conferred comprehensive advantage against lesser entities.

His reiatsu surpassed Shinigami captains and Espada limitations in every aspect—spiritual perception, defensive capacity, offensive potential, and beyond.

The fundamental capabilities of advanced reiatsu induced profound disorientation among Shinigami captains and Espada. During the Thousand-Year Blood War, the reiatsu generated by the Soul King's residual essence proved so overwhelming that it threatened ordinary Shinigami captains and potentially imperiled Soul Society itself. This exemplified advanced reiatsu's terrifying potential.

Though Shiroha's ice clone possessed limited reiatsu, it remained capable of exerting extraordinary combat effectiveness.

He derived particular satisfaction from employing fundamental techniques to overcome others' ultimate capabilities.

At this juncture, Harribel's options had exhausted. She could only proceed directly.

She swung her right hand, transformed into white bone broadsword—the Zanpakutō Tiburón following Resurrección.

Cold killing intent and immense reiatsu surged forth, dominating atmospheric reishi and moisture, forming tremendous torrent:

"Cascada!"

During her existence as Hollow, Harribel's entire form had been encased in bone armor, including facial features.

Following Resurrección, this aspect of her Hollow-level power transformed into weaponry and bone-crafted battle attire serving as adornment.

However, this attire remained minimalist, barely concealing essential areas, revealing glimpses when observed closely.

Two dark blue vertical stripes resembling lightning adorned her cheeks.

This rendered her appearance more striking and distinctive.

The dragon-like water surge advanced toward Shiroha, who observed from elevated position.

It resembled primordial serpent emerging from oceanic depths, ascending skyward to challenge divinity.

However, divinity remained beyond mortal challenge.

Shiroha gently maneuvered his ice blade, effortlessly piercing the "water dragon" and dispersing it completely:

"After such prolonged energy accumulation, this represents your outcome? You genuinely fail to comprehend my capabilities. Aizen demonstrates remarkable foresight!"

With his spatial manipulation, he represented the most formidable adversary.

If unable to defeat him, others might attempt escape. But against Shiroha, velocity proved irrelevant. Even Sonído couldn't outpace his reach.

Aizen understood this perfectly, yet provided no warning to the Espada.

Consequently, Harribel continued methodically preparing her ultimate technique, entirely unprepared for Shiroha's spatial attacks.

"You will not dishonor Lord Aizen!" Harribel exhibited moderate indignation.

She harbored complex sentiments toward Aizen, primarily desiring to reciprocate his preservation of her existence.

When confronting powerful enemies previously, Aizen had rescued her and her three companions, promising never to demand their sacrifice.

Shiroha's tone acquired coldness:

"Didn't he proclaim fulfillment of your aspiration—creating a realm where strength acquisition required no sacrifice? He assured you against forced self-sacrifice. Observe carefully where his guidance has led! This represents your terminus!"

Aizen disdained outright falsehood.

But genuinely believing his subtle deceptions guaranteed miserable outcome.

Chapter 225

For instance, Aizen's assurance that Harribel could develop strength without sacrifice was technically fulfilled—through the Hōgyoku's transformation into Arrancar. This genuinely liberated Hollows from perpetual slaughter and predation.

But did this actually reduce sacrifice? Fundamentally, no!

Refraining from forced self-sacrifice didn't equate to preventing all sacrifice. These represented entirely distinct concepts.

Aizen's rhetoric overflowed with righteousness, never explicitly stating exploitative intent.

Superficially, he fulfilled promises of reduced sacrifice and improved Hueco Mundo prospects.

In reality, Aizen's perception of Arrancar could be distilled to two concepts: instruments and expendable assets.

Following Aizen's operation, virtually all Vasto Lorde-level Hollows in Hueco Mundo were eliminated.

That constituted massive sacrifice.

The Hollows were deceived and comprehensively manipulated by Aizen. They represented nothing beyond puppetry.

Aizen merely articulated desires, and these Arrancar willingly marched toward destruction.

These Arrancar maintained excessive naiveté.

"Impossible!" Harribel rejected the notion of deception and declared firmly:

"Hueco Mundo surpasses its previous state. We have reduced sacrifices. Lord Aizen's promise maintains validity."

She harbored inevitable doubts.

But Aizen had undeniably assisted her and Apache.

For this benevolence, she felt obligated to maintain loyalty.

As an "honorable individual," Harribel preserved her dedication.

Shiroha's assertions resembled "whispers of ancient deities."

Though seemingly rational, she refused reception—she wouldn't acknowledge them!

"Then we shall await confirmation," Shiroha anticipated the moment her defenses would finally collapse.

Subsequently, Harribel would comprehend the adage that "honest individuals must exercise caution against eloquent manipulators."

Self-deception proved ultimately futile, as eventually all dreams conclude.

At that juncture, everything would achieve clarity.

In another battlefield sector, Starrk's Cero Metralleta failed to achieve intended outcome.

The Cero Metralleta demonstrated extraordinary potency, yet ultimately failed to compel Kyōraku's Bankai release.

This resulted from intervention by Kyōraku's longtime associate, Captain Jūshirō Ukitake.

Observing Kyōraku surrounded by Cero Metralleta, the ground-based "observer" Ukitake finally exceeded tolerance threshold.

He advanced wielding his Shikai [Sōgyo no Kotowari], immediately activating its capacity to redirect Starrk's relentless Cero barrage.

Sōgyo no Kotowari comprised dual short blades connected via slender black chain.

Five wooden talismans suspended from the metallic connection.

Compared to conventional armaments, Sōgyo no Kotowari more closely resembled ceremonial implement than aggressive weaponry.

However, upon contacting enemy Ceros, Ukitake adjusted the chain and dual blade positioning.

Starrk's discharged Ceros vanished instantly, but this didn't conclude the exchange.

"BOOM!"

Magnificent azure Cero erupted from Ukitake's blade tip, projected toward Starrk.

Following Resurrección, Starrk's capabilities had improved comprehensively.

Consequently, he rapidly evaded this extraordinary attack.

"Merely redirected Cero?! How was this accomplished?" Starrk experienced shock after unexpected targeting.

However, he reestablished composure immediately.

His translucent gray pupils reflected Ukitake wielding dual blades.

Previously, Starrk hadn't regarded this "white-haired captain" with serious consideration.

But instantaneously, his impression profoundly deepened.

Evidently, this captain transcended ordinary classification and possessed exceptional capabilities.

"Curious?" Kyōraku regarded Ukitake, who had abruptly joined combat, with puzzlement.

This longtime friend differed fundamentally from himself. Ukitake rarely intervened in others' conflicts and avoided numerical advantage engagements.

Essentially, Ukitake maintained fairness principles, whereas he did not.

Ukitake explained:

"They similarly represent dual individuals, thus my intervention maintains fairness. Given your reluctance to employ Bankai, alternative assistance became necessary."

From his perspective, the current Primera Espada Starrk and Lilynette engaged as partnership.

Of course, this didn't constitute primary intervention justification.

He understood Kyōraku intimately, recognizing his friend's willingness to employ any necessary means for victory, including surprise Bankai deployment.

However, Kyōraku had refrained from utilizing his most powerful technique.

The reason stemmed from Katen Kyōkotsu's Bankai possessing excessive area effect, potentially endangering allies—prompting Bankai abandonment.

A man ostensibly without principles nonetheless maintained principles, fears, and vulnerabilities because of comrade considerations.

Given this understanding, Ukitake willingly compromised his own principles marginally.

Kyōraku added with feigned distress:

"Without your arrival, my Bankai activation would have proven inevitable! This opponent's formidability left no alternatives!"

This, naturally, represented mere pretense.

Kyōraku genuinely couldn't employ Bankai under present circumstances.