Chapter 262: Bankai: Moriue Buddha

Chapter 263: The Bankai Representing Resolve

Bankai: Shinshou Kabutsu (森上化仏, Forest Ascends to Buddha)!

At this moment, countless Soul Reapers looked up at the colossal, eyes-closed Buddha, a sense of awe and grandeur rising within them.

The Bankai of the 7th Division Captain, Komamura Sajin, "Kokujo Tengen Myo'o (黒縄天譴明王, Black Ropes of Divine Retribution)," manifested as a massive armored black samurai, traditionally seen as a symbol of destruction and brute force by the entire Seireitei.

However, before the Buddha, who seemed to be seated upon countless giant trees, even the imposing Kokujo Tengen Myo'o appeared rather small.

"Vice-Captain Senju's Bankai... is this its form?"

"What a majestic and immense Bankai?! It undoubtedly surpasses my Kokujo Tengen Myo'o in sheer oppressive power."

"It seems somewhat similar to Elder Unohana's Zanpakuto. Did the healing abilities of his Shikai not extend further in his Bankai, instead evolving into this astonishing form?"

...

Amidst the captains' discussions, whispers, and speculations, Senju Makoto, standing atop the Buddha's head, slowly rose, his gaze shifting from the now clearly visible "Heaven's Lid" barrier.

Standing atop the Buddha, looking down...

The entire Seireitei seemed to shrink into insignificance.

A Buddha over a hundred meters tall—this was Makoto's limit in this state, nearly twice the height of the so-called giants of light.

Of course, this refers to the limit Makoto could reach without releasing "Shinra Banshou (森羅万象, All Things in the Universe)" and utilizing "Reishi Control (霊子掌握, Spiritual Particle Control)."

There's a rather interesting theory: the battles of Soul Reapers are essentially battles of spiritual pressure, or spiritual power!

This theory might not be entirely accurate, but it certainly reveals something.

As Makoto began to accumulate spiritual power with his fully transformed "Ultimate Spiritual Body," the amount of spiritual power within him had reached a level unimaginable to ordinary captains.

After all, Makoto wasn't accumulating spiritual power alone; he was backed by nearly 70% of the Seireitei's Soul Reapers with seat-level spiritual power or higher.

Therefore, when Makoto previously fought using "Zanpakuto: Shinra Banshou (森羅万象, All Things in the Universe)," he had to rely on it to absorb spiritual power from the atmosphere and bring it under his control.

But for Makoto now, there was no need. He himself was the forest of all things!

As his spiritual power continued to accumulate, Makoto realized that no matter how much he concealed his spiritual pressure, it would never be perceived as merely vice-captain level.

Coupled with this sudden captain promotion test, Makoto recognized this as a rather opportune moment.

Just as Aizen Sosuke had once deliberately released Kyoka Suigetsu (鏡花水月, Mirror Flower, Water Moon) during his vice-captain promotion, placing a large number of captains under "Complete Hypnosis" and disguising his Zanpakuto's ability as water-based.

Therefore, rather than letting his spiritual pressure become increasingly unhidden, leading the Central 46 and many Soul Reapers to speculate about his Bankai ability, this was undoubtedly a good opportunity to disguise it.

'This level should be slightly stronger than an ordinary captain, but not enough to arouse particular fear or attention...'

Standing atop the Buddha, Makoto's eyes flashed with a hint of thought, before he stated with earnest sincerity.

"Bankai: Shinshou Kabutsu (森上化仏, Forest Ascends to Buddha), is the ultimate form of Shinra Banshou (森羅万象, All Things), seated upon myriad forests to suppress all!"

"It is a form that completely abandons flexibility and healing abilities in situations where healing can no longer salvage the situation, trading them for extremely strong offensive and defensive capabilities. This represents the final lament and will of a healer."

At that moment, from Makoto's voice, the captains detected a hint of weakness and resolve...

Suddenly, many captains understood why Makoto's complexion had gradually paled in recent years.

Perhaps this was the price Makoto had to pay for mastering Bankai and using this seemingly desperate form.

"This is undoubtedly a Bankai embodying an unyielding and noble will, Makoto-kun..."

"What resolve! Vice-Captain Senju, as a healer, his will and belief are no less than my own, his resolve even surpassing mine!"

"No wonder it formed such a majestic Bankai form. It was supported by such resolve?"

"Hahaha, interesting, truly interesting. Wouldn't it be an extremely pleasurable experience to cut down Senju Makoto's Bankai?"

...

Amidst the captains' acknowledgments of the resolve displayed by Makoto's "Bankai: Shinshou Kabutsu (森上化仏, Forest Ascends to Buddha)," only Unohana Retsu and Aizen Sosuke's expressions seemed slightly out of place.

Aizen Sosuke... he felt that this Bankai was clearly unworthy of Senju Makoto, someone he considered his equal, and something about it felt off.

As for Unohana Retsu, based on her intimate understanding of Makoto, she had long recognized that his true Shikai ability was completely different from the apparent healing or wood-based offensive and defensive capabilities.

Over the past fifty years, Unohana had personally dissected Makoto's spiritual body countless times, so she was clearly aware of some of the changes in his spiritual body.

Or rather, some changes were impossible for Unohana to ignore, even if she tried.

After all, as Makoto's bones, muscles, skin, and everything else had completed "Ultimate Spiritual Body" transformation, unless he deliberately manipulated his spiritual body to create wounds, Unohana's normal sword swings couldn't penetrate his spiritual body's defenses.

And this so-called "Bankai: Shinshou Kabutsu (森上化仏, Forest Ascends to Buddha)" had little to no connection to the changes in Makoto's spiritual body.

'You're quite bold, Makoto, deceiving the entire Seireitei right in front of Captain-General Yamamoto?'

Unohana thought, but she had no intention of exposing Makoto, merely gazing at him with a gentle smile.

In contrast, Soi Fon and Ichimaru Gin, still in the training field, looked up at the giant Buddha, stunned and bewildered.

'Makoto-kun, what does this mean??'

Makoto, meeting Soi Fon and Ichimaru Gin's bewildered gazes, then said.

"Vice-Captain Ichimaru, Soi Fon, allow me to be your opponent next, let me confirm whether you possess the ability and qualifications to become captains."

However, these words sounded more like Makoto was worried they would lose, so he decided to sacrifice himself, using himself as a stepping stone for them to demonstrate their abilities to the Seireitei and be promoted to captain.

"Makoto-kun, do you think I can't defeat that Ichimaru Gin? Our fight can wait a moment."

"Hehe, that same pitiful and gentle tone, Vice-Captain Senju, you are truly so detestable..."

(End of chapter)