The Vanishing Seireitei

Bankai: Eight Aspects of the Heavenly Dragon – Gandharva.

As one of Seiya's Eight Aspects of the Heavenly Dragon, this power had been "revealed" years ago.

It manifested by releasing the sword, expanding the user's spiritual power across a vast area.

Years back, Seiya once used this ability to spread his spiritual pressure across all of Seireitei. Though it helped many, his injuries at the time prevented prolonged use.

On ordinary days, it might have had some practical value...

But now? In the current state of affairs—what use could it serve?

Not only others, but even Yamamoto Genryūsai himself furrowed his brows in confusion as he faced Seiya. He didn't understand.

More than confusion, though, he felt a creeping, inexplicable sense of dread.

As if something unseen was being forged at an uncontrollable speed—shifting, mutating—until it grew so immense that even the Captain-Commander couldn't ignore it.

Ding...

A faint, distant chime echoed.

Invisible ripples spread across the sky, like a massive stone plunging into a deep lake. That tiny "strike" stirred waves, setting change in motion.

Everyone present could feel it—

Something was changing.

Before questions could arise, Seiya, eyes gently shut, now slowly opened them.

A calm smile curled on his lips.

He spoke softly, like a man assured of his victory.

"Old man... do you remember everything I used to do in Seireitei?"

"…"

Silence was wise—Yamamoto wouldn't act recklessly with an unknown threat, even with all his strength.

Still, the air grew heavier.

Seiya's smile deepened.

"A long time ago, I mentioned something..."

"Gandharva allows my spiritual power to expand, enveloping all of Seireitei."

"Using that as a foundation, I created the Reishi Communication Network—connecting spiritual power across the city to enable the Eightfold Method."

At the time, as just another soul within Seireitei, Seiya's intention to enhance the fighting power of ordinary squad members seemed noble...

But now that he was a traitor—

That "noble purpose" had to be reconsidered.

What was the real goal?

"Could it be..."

Kyōraku Shunsui, always quick of thought, went pale as realization struck him.

"What is it, Captain Kyōraku?!"

Kyōraku's throat dried up—he didn't answer immediately.

He forced a strained smile.

"No… It can't be, right…?"

But from afar, Seiya, as though hearing the whisper, chuckled.

"Unfortunately, Captain Kyōraku, it's exactly that 'impossible' thing you guessed."

As he spoke, hesitation flashed in his eyes—only for a moment.

He raised his right hand.

It trembled slightly, as if lifting something unimaginably heavy.

And then—like some ancient command was issued—

Everything responded.

Not just the platform...

But all of Seireitei began to shake violently.

BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. BOOM!!!

Stone cracked and shattered beneath everyone's feet.

In Squad 12's barracks—

Mayuri Kurotsuchi was mid-operation, treating his wounds, assisted by Nemu.

"Bone saw..."

"Clamps..."

"Regenerative serum number three..."

Cold, clinical orders flowed. Nemu executed them flawlessly.

Suddenly—

The quake hit.

"What...?"

Even Mayuri's calm broke. He scowled deeply.

Seireitei wasn't a natural environment. Earthquakes didn't happen.

So this meant—

Someone had triggered it. Someone reckless and idiotic had destabilized the very structure of the city.

"Nemu, go—"

Before he finished, Nemu lunged forward.

She embraced Mayuri just in time.

The ceiling collapsed.

Dust swallowed them both.

At the Shihōin estate, Yoruichi's family began evacuating. The Kuchiki estate did the same.

Even in the prisons, detained Ryoka now saw a chance at escape.

All of it—

The butterfly effect unleashed by Seiya's rebellion.

Every corner of Seireitei was now in chaos.

Not just the Gotei 13.

The very foundation of Soul Society was collapsing like a breached dam.

Cries and shouts rang out.

Sui-Feng's furious screams went unanswered. Everyone was too busy saving themselves from being swallowed by the earth.

Komamura unleashed his Bankai, calling forth Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō.

"Everyone—onto the giant's hand!"

Thanks to the Bankai's large physical form, captains and lieutenants could gather atop its palm.

Even Yoruichi, lingering at the edge, was drawn in.

Ichigo Kurosaki, too, was carried into the corner of the giant's palm.

Sui-Feng glared at Yoruichi. The latter looked sheepish, saying nothing.

"…"

Now wasn't the time for grudges.

"Everyone... look."

Kyōraku pointed.

The captains gasped.

Their throats tightened. Even their breathing caught.

Then, in a trembling voice, Ukitake spoke—

"Seireitei... it's... gone?"

Seireitei—

Gone.

A place thought invincible. Center of Soul Society. Home to hundreds of Shinigami.

And now—

It was as if it had never existed.

Even Ichigo looked horrified.

"How… could this happen...?"

He remembered flying above Seireitei. Its size had been unimaginable.

Now—nothing remained.

But—

"It's true."

Seireitei had vanished.

Crushed, unraveled.

Walls, towers, structures—reduced to dust.

With just one move—

Seiya had erased a city that could house millions.

Even Yamamoto, as stunned as he was, remained composed.

This level of destruction...

"Impossible," he said flatly.

Standing above it all, Seiya hovered, supported by spiritual platforms.

Calm as ever.

"This wasn't spontaneous, Yamamoto."

"I lied."

"Gandharva doesn't just amplify spiritual power..."

"It lets me mark every inorganic object it touches."

"Everything in its reach—becomes mine."

A power of illusion and trickery—that's Gandharva's true nature.

The Reishi Communication Network was not built to support communication or strength.

It was to enable domination.

"You thought I spent decades walking all over Seireitei for what?"

The answer now was obvious.

It was all preparation.

Every stone, every structure—marked.

It was never about helping others.

"I don't kill for pleasure," Seiya said.

"This destruction has a purpose."

He clenched his fist.

The world seemed to bow in response.

BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. BOOM!!!

The ruins of Seireitei trembled and cracked.

Then—

A shimmering ocean of blue surged from beneath.

Bright. Radiant.

Like the sky mirrored on the earth. It was dazzling.

Even Unohana's eyes widened.

"These are..."

She paused, awe-struck.

"...Reishi. Reverted to their original form."

Yes.

That was Seiya's goal.

Everything in Soul Society has form—but its essence is Reishi.

The entire Seireitei had been converted into raw Reishi particles.

Now—

They all flowed toward Seiya.

Like stars streaming through space—his aura blazed with overwhelming power.

His body glowed blue.

Power built. Grew. Swelled.

He raised his right hand, pointing at Yamamoto.

"Eightfold Method – Foolish Blind Dragon…"

At that whisper—

The blue ocean boiled.

Three massive serpents of Reishi burst forth, shimmering like armored gods, and crashed down toward Yamamoto.

The Captain-Commander narrowed his eyes, raising his guard.

But—

Too late.

The wave swallowed him whole.

Blue light reflected in Seiya's eyes, casting a divine glow over his expression.

The Eightfold Method—

From the very beginning—

Had always been made… for him.

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Powerstones?

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