Pure Simplicity
A soft murmur escaped Seiya's lips—
And with a faint, resonant hum—
His Zanpakutō vanished completely.
Like drifting dust, countless tiny fragments rose into the air—
Surrounding Seiya's body—
Only to dissolve into nothingness.
"…???"
What just happened?
Even the gathered captains watching the battle were momentarily stunned.
"Did… Arima just release his Zanpakutō?"
Ukitake's voice carried an uncharacteristic hint of uncertainty.
"Yes, something definitely changed…"
Kyōraku narrowed his eyes, stroking his chin.
"This isn't simple Kido… nor an illusion-based ability."
"It feels like something beyond standard Zanpakutō classifications."
But beyond that—
There was something else even more intriguing.
"The name of that Bankai…"
A suffix.
A designation.
Did this imply multiple forms?
Now that—
"—is interesting."
Especially since my own Zanpakutō operates on a similar principle.
From the side, Aizen's expression remained unreadable—
But deep within his gaze, a gleam of intrigue flickered.
Even though he had previously discussed Seiya's Bankai with him—
Seeing it up close, witnessing it firsthand—
This was a first.
"Seiya Arima… just how far do your abilities extend?"
"Let me see it with my own eyes."
The expectation in the air was palpable.
And on the battlefield—
Sui-Feng held her breath.
She had given him ample time to prepare.
She had endured his mockery.
By now, regardless of the outcome—
He had to accept it.
There was no turning back.
Anger. Frustration. All of it—
"This ends now."
Her hatred surged, her spiritual pressure reaching its peak—
With a final, decisive movement—
She fired.
"SEIYA ARIMA!!!"
The moment she pressed the trigger—
A metallic roar erupted—
And the missile launched straight for him.
Seiya, unfazed, smirked.
"No need to shout."
His voice was infuriatingly calm—
Like he wasn't staring down a missile—
Like he was simply observing a firework.
"Losing your temper only proves how unconfident you are."
"You should really work on that, Captain Sui-Feng."
Then—
BOOM!!!
A red explosion erupted—
The sky turned crimson.
Light. Heat. Shockwaves.
The sheer force shook the entirety of the Seireitei—
For a moment, it was as if the world itself had trembled.
Even the gathered captains—each seasoned warriors in their own right—
Felt the impact from afar.
Aizen steadied Komamura—
And caught Tōsen before he could stumble.
"Much appreciated."
Komamura's deep voice rumbled, unwavering despite the momentary imbalance.
"…Apologies."
Tōsen spoke calmly—
Yet his head remained locked in the direction of the battlefield.
He needed to know the outcome.
—
Sui-Feng's hand fell limply to her side.
Her face had gone pale.
It was only natural.
She had just unlocked her Bankai—
And this Bankai…
Wasn't meant for prolonged combat.
It was a one-hit kill.
A single shot technique.
And now, with her spiritual energy nearly depleted—
She could not fire another.
But she didn't need to.
Sui-Feng knew her own power.
She had sacrificed stealth for raw destruction.
The trade-off was worth it.
"Even if it were Yoruichi-sama—"
"Even she couldn't have taken that head-on unscathed."
"And this bastard—this arrogant, insufferable bastard—"
"What chance does he have?"
She bit her lip.
A tremor of satisfaction flickered across her face.
Her lips curled slightly, betraying her anticipation.
She wiped the sweat from her brow—
Forced herself to stand tall—
And looked forward.
"Come on."
"Let me see it."
"Your broken body—"
"Your pathetic, defeated expression—"
"Your desperate cries for mercy—"
"Let me enjoy it."
But then—
From within the thick, suffocating smoke—
A voice.
A voice clear as day—
Unbothered.
Unscathed.
Mocking.
"Ahhh… what a spectacular fireworks show."
A figure emerged.
Seiya Arima.
Untouched.
His arms were crossed, his expression calm.
Not a speck of dirt on him.
Not a single burn.
Not even a scratch.
The very image of effortless defiance.
Standing tall—
With his white captain's haori billowing in the breeze—
Seiya Arima smirked.
Sui-Feng's world stopped.
Her smile froze.
Her breath hitched.
How…?
"How is this possible?"
For a split second—
She genuinely wondered if she had fallen into an illusion.
"There's no way."
"It should be impossible."
And she wasn't the only one.
"…This is…"
Even Komamura, who had remained silent this whole time—
Let out a voice of genuine shock.
Tōsen, however—
Remained calm.
If it had been anyone else—
He might have doubted reality itself.
But—
"If it's Seiya Arima…"
"Then miracles are merely expectations."
Aizen said nothing.
He merely watched—
Eyes locked onto Seiya.
It was as if—
He were engraving the sight into his very soul.
Then, finally—
A soft chuckle.
Aizen smiled.
"I see."
"So that's the nature of your power."
"How fascinating."
Kyoraku remained unreadable.
Ukitake furrowed his brows.
And Yamamoto—
For the first time—
His ancient eyes slightly widened.
"You've grown, Seiya Arima."
—
"This doesn't make sense."
Jakuho Raikoben had hit.
It had hit directly.
Sui-Feng's lips parted slightly.
Her fingers trembled.
She had to understand.
She needed to make sense of it.
Her mind raced—
But—
She found no answer.
"Then what the hell… happened?"
"Captain Sui-Feng."
A voice.
She snapped her head up—
And he was there.
Seiya Arima was already in front of her.
Five steps away.
His boots crushed the rubble beneath him.
"Did you think I dodged?"
Ten steps away.
His smile grew wider.
"But then you remembered—"
"Even Yoruichi-sama wouldn't have been able to avoid that."
Twenty steps.
"So you're confused."
"Because no matter how you think about it—"
"This outcome is impossible."
He stopped.
Just half a meter in front of her.
Close enough to smell.
His voice dropped—
Soft. Almost… gentle.
"People fear what they don't understand."
"It's human nature."
He tilted his head slightly—
"But as a Captain, shouldn't you at least try to control that fear?"
He took one more step forward.
Sui-Feng flinched—
Her knees buckled—
She collapsed onto the ground.
"Y-YOU—WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO?!"
Her voice was filled with desperation.
Seiya chuckled.
The sight—
The panic in her eyes—
It was almost cute.
"A Captain, reduced to this."
"How pitiful."
He exhaled softly.
"Honestly, I didn't do anything complicated."
His smirk widened.
"I simply—"
"Walked out."
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Powerstones?
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