Dual Pupils

Eight Aspects of the Heavenly Dragon: Ryūbu.

As one of Seiya's Zanpakutō abilities, it was also a trump card that had never been used until now.

Why hide this technique until this moment?

Naturally because...

"This is the final trump card prepared for you, Yhwach."

What?

Yhwach's dual pupils trembled slightly beyond his control, and the ancestor of the Quincy inevitably showed an expression of barely concealed panic at this moment.

"Impossible..."

The power of The Almighty could surely capture all changes, even the Soul King was no exception.

He just needed to observe a little more carefully, just needed to secure enough time to fight Seiya, and afterward he could slowly analyze the other party's 'mysterious' three-point line.

"Do you think having time would be enough?"

Seiya chuckled as he saw through Yhwach's current thoughts.

The spiritual pressure erupting from his body continuously stacked and increased at this moment, finally even forming something that completely pierced through the sky.

"Well... regarding securing time, we're of the same opinion."

The Zanpakutō spirit leaning against Seiya's back gradually became lighter, but this wasn't disappearance—rather, it was a phenomenon of power gradually being drawn into position.

What... exactly was this?

The three worlds were all trembling.

It wasn't like Yamamoto activating Zanka no Tachi with the momentum to burn everything.

Nor was it like Ōetsu's power of restart that carried madness and divinity.

This was a more noteworthy, sublime power that could even make people feel the urge to prostrate and worship.

Yhwach's mouth opened slightly, and something surprising happened...

At this moment, he actually sensed a familiar aura from the Soul Reaper before him.

What was that?

"Curious?"

Wild wind blew over, and the band tying Seiya's long hair scattered at this moment.

His black hair spread out like seaweed, yet was instantly drawn by the rising air currents, presenting a posture of rolling backward and floating toward the sky.

Flamboyant and unrestrained.

"Why did I hide this method until the end to use it?"

"Why go to such great lengths to lure you here?"

"Why can you sense this familiar yet strange aura from me?"

Yhwach unconsciously stepped back half a step.

"...Gulp."

The sound of swallowing came.

People would develop instinctive fear toward the unknown.

This was an unavoidable instinct, also a physiological self-defense mechanism.

After all, without acquired training, humans were still quite difficult to overcome such deficiencies.

Similarly.

Yhwach was the same.

He observed the other party anxiously and cautiously, the brutality and wantonness in his eyes no longer present, now only showing cautious brilliance.

—He was never a lofty ruler, from beginning to end only a villain who craved power, was narrow-minded and played with authority.

"What exactly are you doing..."

No immediate answer.

Seiya just purely, simply felt the power surging within his body.

And in his mind, his sword spirit was constantly communicating with him.

'The degree of fusion isn't very deep yet, with about 30% of energy still unable to be fully utilized.'

'Control ability over the current situation is also insufficient, but it's already much better than expected...'

'What remains is the bearer's capacity for endurance... Seiya, are you really prepared?'

Need that even be said?

"Long, long ago, I was already mentally prepared for this."

After a low murmur, the power belonging to the Eight Aspects of the Heavenly Dragon was completely activated at this moment!

Seiya entered an extremely mysterious state at this moment. He seemed to capture the flow of all things in the world. Even without doing anything, many things were surging toward him.

The power called control.

Was now firmly grasped in Seiya's hands at this moment.

He had experienced this form before, but that was only an 'attempt' under fortuitous circumstances.

However, now.

Seiya had made complete preparations, and had also long planned to... take his own steps toward an even loftier peak.

Eight Aspects of the Heavenly Dragon: Ryūbu.

As merely part of his Zanpakutō's Bankai ability, its power lay in restraint.

Sāgara Ryū could consciously control and organize and integrate all things currently mastered... just from this point alone, it might seem useless and pointless.

But it didn't matter.

Because this ability itself wasn't internal power.

But external control.

—As long as they were things Seiya had once contacted, attempted to touch.

They could all be brought under Sāgara Ryū's dominion.

But correspondingly, the Zanpakutō needed more time for preparation and analysis, until after making all preparations, could it achieve a degree of 'following one's heart'.

Of course.

This ability couldn't be used on things with owners.

After all, if it could achieve that degree, Seiya naturally wouldn't need to painstakingly orchestrate until now...

So, what was the key point of this ability?

Sāgara Ryū at this moment provided the answer.

'I've already disassembled and assembled spiritual particles from Soul Society, the Soul King Palace, and part of Hueco Mundo.'

'Though it's only to an emergency degree, this is about the limit I can support...'

'I'm a bit unwilling! Despite preparing for so long, I can only achieve this degree in the end.'

Faced with Sāgara Ryū's self-criticism, Seiya chuckled and said.

"No, you've done wonderfully."

After all, the goal had been achieved.

Gently stroking his eyelids with one hand, feeling the strange power surging and taking shape within his body, Seiya carefully savored all these things.

Until finally...

Like enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.

Seiya let out a long breath.

Gurgle...

Along with a familiar yet heart-trembling light sound.

Seiya slowly opened his eyes at this moment, and after both sides made eye contact, Yhwach uncontrollably drew in a sharp breath.

The same.

Exactly the same... dual pupils!

"You!!!"

Yhwach's mouth opened slightly. Since activating this power called The Almighty, this was the first time he'd shown such an expression.

"Why can you..."

"Master this power?"

Compared to Yhwach's panic, Seiya at this moment was much calmer.

"It's not that surprising, is it? The current you... yes, you're just like a brat whose toy was taken away."

Childishly laughable.