Chapter 594

Outside Las Noches, Jugram and Gin Ichimaru's group stood in confrontation. A major battle was inevitable, especially after what Jugram had just said.

After all, everyone present was a powerful genius, each with their own pride. Being looked down upon by Jugram like this, it would be strange if they could accept it calmly.

"Such arrogance is truly irritating. I hope you have the strength to back up that arrogance."

Tosen spoke as he drew his zanpakuto. 

Looking at Jugram, although he was annoyed by his arrogant words, he didn't dare underestimate him in the slightest.

After all, Jugram had pursued Grimmjow to Las Noches, and upon arriving, he remained fearless even when confronted by the four of them. This was enough to prove Jugram's strength.

So when Tosen made his move, he started with his strongest attack.

"Bankai!

"Suzumushi Tsuishiki: Enma Kōrogi!!!"

Tosen's zanpakuto released Reiryoku, instantly transforming into a giant elliptical barrier that enveloped both Tosen and Jugram.

Inside the barrier, Jugram immediately felt his hearing, sight, and smell completely disappear, leaving only his sense of touch.

"Controlling the senses? A decent ability."

Even though he was enveloped by the barrier and had lost his hearing, sight, and smell, Jugram's expression remained unchanged as he spoke calmly.

Hearing this, Tosen's expression grew more serious.

But he didn't hesitate, instead charging directly at Jugram, his zanpakuto swiftly slashing down.

The battle came quickly, with Tosen giving it his all from the start.

His ability was impressive, befitting a captain of Gotei 13.

Even if he might rank near the bottom or even last among all the captains, being called a captain was enough to prove that Tosen was a powerful Shinigami.

However, Tosen was only considered strong compared to ordinary Shinigami.

To Jugram, the leader of the Sternritter and Yhwach's most important subordinate, Tosen couldn't even be considered strong.

The gap in power between him and Jugram was absolutely enormous.

They weren't even in the same league.

Inside the barrier, Tosen was covered in wounds, breathing heavily as he glared at the still composed and handsome man before him.

This was his barrier, yet he was the one who had sustained serious injuries.

"What... kind of ability is this?!!!"

Tosen spoke with difficulty, unable to understand what kind of power Jugram possessed that could accomplish this.

"The Balance."

Jugram had somehow regained his hearing. 

He didn't conceal anything and calmly revealed the name of his ability.

"The Balance?"

These words only confused Tosen more. Just from these words alone, he couldn't analyze any useful information.

However, after speaking, Jugram showed no intention of explaining further.

Not only would such explanations be out of character for him, but facing a weaker opponent, Jugram felt no need to elaborate further.

"Is this all? How disappointing."

Jugram spoke as he raised his sword and swung it forcefully.

Crack! Crack! Crack!!!

The barrier shattered.

Light appeared once again, and the two inside the barrier came back into view of the other three.

However, seeing the scene before them, both Gin and Tier were shocked.

Even Grimmjow, who knew how formidable Jugram was, felt extremely grave.

"Are you alright?"

Gin quickly moved to Tosen's side, supporting him as he asked with concern.

"His ability is very strange, it seems to be some kind of damage transfer, which he calls 'The Balance'."

Tosen spoke, breathing heavily, his gaze fixed intently on Jugram.

Hearing this, Gin's already shocked heart grew even heavier.

An ability to transfer damage, this kind of power was truly absurd.

"He has already demonstrated his ability. What about you all? Will you come one by one, or all at once?"

Jugram looked at the four as he spoke, his words once again stirring waves in their hearts.

His tone was actually quite flat, with little emotion discernible.

Yet these bland words made all four of them clearly feel the contempt directed at them.

This mysterious man before them had never taken them seriously from the beginning.

"You seem to be hesitating. Are you cautious? Afraid? If that's the case, then come all at once. I don't care whether you come one by one or all together."

Jugram continued speaking. 

To him, these four individuals before him, whether Shinigami or Hollows, were just four weak beings not worth his concern.

"Shoot to kill, Shinso!"

"Cero!"

Gin Ichimaru and Tier Harribel attacked simultaneously, each using their strongest techniques.

Regardless of how arrogant Jugram's words were, with Grimmjow being hunted and Tosen severely injured, both Gin and Tier knew that attacking together was the best plan.

It wasn't just Gin and Tier. 

While they launched their ranged attacks, Tosen also forcefully swung his blade for one more strike, and Grimmjow had already begun moving, charging toward Jugram.

This was a rare instance of teamwork. 

Despite being in the same faction, Gin, Tosen, Grimmjow, and Tier were technically from two different systems and rarely had opportunities to fight together.

The combined strength of these four would be something that perhaps only Aizen could contend with in all of Hueco Mundo.

Of course, using the word "contend" wasn't quite right.

Given Aizen's current strength, not only could he handle these four working together, he could easily overwhelm them along with all the other Espada by himself.

And Jugram's power, strictly speaking, was not much inferior to Aizen's current level, it might even be considerably stronger.

The current Aizen probably couldn't defeat Jugram.

Because Jugram's ability was truly absurd.

The Balance—an ability that could directly inflict misfortune upon opponents through his sword.

Things affected by misfortune became incredibly fragile before Jugram's power.

When Jugram's sword could not bring misfortune to an opponent, it meant the opponent possessed some degree of good fortune. By gathering misfortune from across the world to offset the opponent's fortune and correct the balance, the opponent's good fortune in inflicting damage on him would be forced to bear an equal amount of misfortune.

This explanation might sound convoluted, but it could be understood this way:

The damage you inflict on me, I can distribute to others throughout the world.

If my personal misfortune cannot harm you, then I can mobilize all the misfortune in the world to damage you.

Of course, if that were all, this ability wouldn't be particularly strong, giving somewhat of a forced 50-50 feeling.

But there was a reason why Jugram was referred to as a "Cockroach like man" in the original work.

He could take the misfortune that befell his body and have his "Freund Schild" bear it, then reflect that damage back to his opponent twice over!!!

This was truly terrifying, essentially, the damage you inflicted on him could not only be nullified, but he could even return double that damage back to you.

Just as Jugram had once used The Balance to negate Cang Du's "The Iron" ability, causing Cang Du, who originally couldn't be harmed by a sword due to his ability, to be unable to block Jugram's attack.

Even in the original work, Uryu Ishida, who possessed the Antithesis ability, was completely overwhelmed when facing Jugram.

If not for Yhwach activating Auswählen at the end, Uryu would likely have died at Jugram's hands.

It was only because of Auswählen that Jugram suffered a plot death. 

Otherwise, not only Yhwach, but Ichigo Kurosaki's group might not have been able to defeat Jugram in the end.

So the attacks from Gin's group, while appearing powerful, truly meant nothing to Jugram.

After their attacks ended, Jugram remained standing in place, his clothes not even rustling, completely unharmed.

Instead, it was the four attackers who fell to the ground with severe injuries, looking at Jugram with nothing but terror in their eyes.

They had lost, without any suspense, unable to last even a single round against Jugram.

"So it really is an ability to transfer damage..."

Gin spoke, his tone somewhat bitter.

Tosen was injured even more severely, lying limp and powerless, his body covered in wounds with blood flowing from them.

Though Tier and Grimmjow were in much better shape than Tosen, they were also seriously injured, now looking at Jugram with unreadable expressions.

"You've been watching the show for so long, aren't you entertained enough? Shouldn't you be come out now, Sosuke Aizen?"

Jugram paid no attention to the four injured fighters, instead looking toward Las Noches and speaking to someone inside.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

The sound of applause rang out, and then a figure emerged from the gates of Las Noches.

"What a truly astonishing ability."

Aizen spoke, looking down at Jugram below.

And Jugram looked back at Aizen.