Chapter 95: Suzumebachi, Watch Carefully, This is How Suzumebachi is Used!

However, Uehara Shiroha's swordsmanship alone possessed combat power in the millions, perhaps even tens of millions.

Even if the opponent fought until complete exhaustion, it could never hope to surpass him.

Uehara Shiroha's blade flashed repeatedly, each strike inflicting effective damage on the mutated White. Yet he deliberately avoided attacking vital points.

Relying on its extraordinary regenerative abilities, the mutated White quickly regrew its severed arm, retaining its combat effectiveness.

It roared in frustration, retreating step by step as the red light and spiritual pressure surrounding its body intensified. The two blue chains also began emitting a faint azure glow.

Observing this development, Uehara Shiroha nodded thoughtfully:

"It seems these chains, similar to a Quincy's weapon, aren't merely for show. This creature can indeed utilize Quincy power.

Ordinary high-speed regeneration isn't this robust. Reishi manipulation combined with regenerative abilities allows it to barely withstand my offensive.

But if this is the extent of its capabilities, there's little more to observe."

The mutated White launched another devastating attack. Red and black energy gathered between its horns, condensing into a powerful Cero in the blink of an eye. It fired directly at Uehara Shiroha from point-blank range.

In an instant, the crimson and ebony ocean of spiritual power completely enveloped him.

"That Cero is stronger than before, and why was it so fast?" Suì-Fēng exclaimed in shock, preparing to rush forward to his aid.

The red and black Cero from the mutated White was even more powerful than the Gran Rey Cero of an Espada. Wherever it passed, everything turned to ash, all obstacles obliterated.

In mere moments, the landscape was dramatically altered.

Though Uehara Shiroha stood surrounded by the overwhelming power of the Cero, his body remained motionless—as indestructible as a reef against crashing waves.

With casual precision, he delivered a barehanded strike that shattered the powerful Cero before him into countless fragments.

"Amazing hakuda..." Suì-Fēng murmured in awe, her delicate features filled with admiration.

As a master of unarmed combat herself, she understood all too well the significance of such a display. Initially, when she had seen the strange Hollow unleash its terrible Cero, she had moved to intervene.

Instead, he had completely neutralized the threat with a single barehanded strike.

In this battle, she realized she didn't even qualify to participate.

Once again, Suì-Fēng was confronted with the reality of her own limitations.

After its failed Cero attack, the mutated Hollow swung its arm in a vicious arc toward Uehara Shiroha. The Reishi chains encircling its limbs gleamed menacingly.

Uehara Shiroha understood perfectly why the creature's Cero could be launched with such speed—it was the influence of these spirit chains. The ability to control reiatsu not only enhanced the lethality of attacks but also allowed for rapid deployment of special techniques.

Kurosaki Ichigo exemplified this principle. His Getsuga Tenshō possessed both exceptional speed and devastating power. Rather than a simple Zanpakutō release, it more closely resembled a Quincy's Heilig Pfeil.

However, the Hollow before him displayed poor mastery of Quincy powers, its abilities too weak to pose any real threat.

Encountering such a resilient opponent was rare, and Uehara Shiroha was reluctant to waste the opportunity. He glanced at Suì-Fēng, the corner of his mouth lifting into a subtle smile:

"I noticed you were struggling against this Hollow earlier. Suì-Fēng, you don't truly understand Suzumebachi. Watch carefully—this is how to properly wield Suzumebachi!"

A large question mark might as well have appeared above Suì-Fēng's head.

There should be a limit to arrogance, she thought indignantly.

She acknowledged his power, but her centuries of training with her Zanpakutō hadn't been for nothing. Whether utilizing Suzumebachi's Shikai or Bankai, she had mastered it completely and needed no instruction.

Moreover, Suzumebachi was her Zanpakutō's Shikai—others simply couldn't use it. Additionally, the area remained enveloped by a strange barrier. Since the battle began, she had repeatedly attempted to release her Zanpakutō without success.

Under these circumstances, how could Uehara Shiroha possibly demonstrate the use of Suzumebachi?

However, in the next moment, Suì-Fēng's expression transformed dramatically from confident skepticism to utter astonishment.

Uehara Shiroha concentrated his spiritual pressure and recited Suzumebachi's release command: "Sting all enemies to death, Suzumebachi!"

As spiritual energy flowed through the blade, the Zanpakutō in his hand began to transform. It shrank and reshaped until it adorned his middle finger, taking the form of a golden bee-shaped stinger.

Of course, while he spoke the words to release a Zanpakutō, he was actually employing the power of his EX-level ability: Unlimited Blade Works.

Under the influence of the Unlimited Blade Works, Uehara Shiroha effortlessly activated Suzumebachi's Shikai.

The barrier that had hindered them was merely an inconvenience to the Unlimited Blade Works.

EX abilities weren't something just anyone could interfere with. Even the Blood Oath's Seal that had sealed the Bankai of the Zero Squad couldn't restrict the Unlimited Blade Works.

A simple temporary barrier in Naruki City stood no chance.

He simply exerted the power of the Unlimited Blade Works, which transcended the limits of what most beings could comprehend, let alone imagine.

The Unlimited Blade Works—a power surpassing even Transcendent beings—finally revealed its dazzling brilliance in the world of Soul Society!

Witnessing Uehara Shiroha's "Shikai," Suì-Fēng was utterly dumbfounded.

This was unmistakably Suzumebachi's Shikai!

She couldn't even release her own Zanpakutō, yet Uehara Shiroha could freely use another's Shikai?

Was this barrier somehow selective in its effects?

Where was the logic in that?

Suì-Fēng was bewildered, confused, and profoundly shocked.

But Uehara Shiroha's demonstration was far from over.

To achieve the maximum "educational" effect, he deliberately suppressed his spiritual pressure to match Suì-Fēng's level, then engaged the mutated White in combat.

Earlier, Suì-Fēng and the mutated White had fought evenly.

Now, facing the creature whose strength had multiplied several times over, she wouldn't last even a single round—assuming she survived the first second.

Yet Uehara Shiroha, using Suì-Fēng's power level as a template, completely dominated the mutated White.

In his hands, Suzumebachi moved with lightning speed, soon covering the mutated White's body with black "Hōmonka" markings.

If not for the creature's remarkable combat intuition—which prevented Shiroha from striking the same location twice—it would have been defeated long ago.

But even with this advantage, its defeat was merely a matter of time.

Observing the familiar butterfly-shaped crests, Suì-Fēng was utterly convinced.

This was undeniably her Suzumebachi's Shikai.

More importantly, the same Shikai, wielded with identical spiritual pressure, produced drastically different results in different hands.

In her grasp, Suzumebachi was like a grandmother's sewing needle—precise but harmless. In Uehara Shiroha's hands, it transformed into a Heaven spear, unleashing a hundred strikes in a single second.

Whether in terms of speed or power, his manipulation of Suzumebachi utterly outclassed her own.

The realization was deeply humbling.

Suì-Fēng felt profoundly uncomfortable with the demonstration.

She gazed at the Zanpakutō in her hand with resentment burning in her eyes.

Had Suzumebachi been able to speak at that moment, it would undoubtedly have retorted: "Don't glare at me—look to yourself. This is your own limitation, not mine!"

Deep down, Suì-Fēng acknowledged this truth.

It had nothing to do with the blade, but everything to do with its wielder.

With his masterful swordsmanship, even if Uehara Shiroha had wielded an ordinary needle with spiritual pressure equal to hers, he could still defeat her effortlessly.

This represented an absolute gap in skill and mastery.

Uehara Shiroha existed in an entirely different dimension from her in every conceivable aspect.

Meanwhile, the battle between Uehara Shiroha and the mutated Hollow was drawing to its conclusion.

With a graceful pivot, he appeared behind the mutated White.

Two overlapping Hōmonka crests materialized on the creature's back.

Suzumebachi's Shikai ability—Nigeki Kessatsu or "Death in Two Steps"—activated when the same area was struck twice, leaving a special butterfly-shaped mark called Hōmonka with each strike.

When two Hōmonka appeared in the same location, the two-hit kill ability triggered, instantly destroying the enemy.

Naturally, this technique proved ineffective against opponents of vastly superior strength.

In the original timeline, when Suì-Fēng had used Nigeki Kessatsu against Aizen, it had accomplished precisely nothing!

Aizen had demonstrated the principle that "battles between Shinigamis are battles of spiritual pressure" with devastating effectiveness against Suì-Fēng!

However, the mutated White lacked Aizen's overwhelming spiritual pressure.

Even with Uehara Shiroha restricting himself to Suì-Fēng's level, it proved sufficient to dispatch the creature in seconds.

With the activation of the Nigeki Kessatsu, the mutated White's massive form crashed to the ground with a thunderous impact. Even its extraordinary regenerative abilities couldn't save it from destruction.

In Uehara Shiroha's hands, Suzumebachi's Shikai proved more devastating than many Bankai.

"He actually won!" Suì-Fēng was astounded.

The techniques and spiritual pressure that Uehara Shiroha had just employed mirrored her own previous efforts exactly.

Yet where she had struggled desperately, he had triumphed with ease.

Moreover, the enemy he had vanquished was several times stronger than the one she had faced.

The disparity was staggering.

It could only be said that Uehara Shiroha's combat rhythm and fighting technique were so refined that they created absolute dominance over his opponent.

With identical spiritual pressure and weaponry, she could only extract 70% of their potential combat effectiveness, while he effortlessly drew out 200%.

This was the difference between their levels of mastery.

Looking at Uehara Shiroha—strong as a pine in the wind, emanating extraordinary presence—Suì-Fēng felt a curious relief wash over her. She couldn't help thinking:

"Although he has a questionable reputation and unpredictable nature, being acknowledged by someone of his caliber is, in some way, an honor in itself."

As the commander of the Onmitsukidō and a noble of the Seireitei, she was accustomed to all manner of darkness.

Compared to those lower-class nobles, Uehara Shiroha, who was merely somewhat promiscuous, was practically a moral paragon.

Moreover, in her worldview, the strong could have everything—three wives and four concubines was simply normal for those with power.

The greater one's ability, the greater their privileges.

Uehara Shiroha stood among the strongest of the strong, and thus could be forgiven almost anything.

But immediately, Suì-Fēng's face flushed crimson, and she cursed inwardly:

"What a fool I am! How could I forget about Lady Yoruichi?

No, I've already forgotten her. She abandoned me, and I wanted to make her regret it.

But I can't... It seems that I just can't..."

In the underground meeting hall, witnessing this scene, Gin and Tōsen were both stunned.

We need to analyze your Zanpakutō ability... but how can you possibly use someone else's Shikai? What is happening?

As captains of the Soul Society, the two considered themselves quite knowledgeable.

They could accept that Uehara Shiroha's Zanpakutō was a space-time Zanpakuto, perhaps even more powerful than Ryūjin Jakka.

Even so, they believed they could find methods to counter it, to exploit its weaknesses.

But each time they encountered him, he displayed yet another new ability.

Though he spent his time indulging in pleasures rather than training, his strength increased more rapidly than their own.

How could they possibly target and defeat such an unpredictable enemy?

Even Aizen appeared momentarily confused. He knew Shiroha was formidable, but this defied expectations.

The long-awaited surprise had arrived too suddenly, transforming into complete shock.

But his pupils quickly contracted as realization dawned. He nodded, his expression settling into one of relief:

"A simple Shinigami existence no longer satisfies you. It seems you aspire to touch the throne above the heavens itself.

Only with an opponent of your caliber can the Hōgyoku's potential be fully realized.

Uehara Shiroha, I eagerly anticipate your future performance!"

Upon hearing this, Tōsen visibly relaxed and nodded:

"Uehara Shiroha is indeed a formidable enemy. Fortunately, Lord Aizen has located another fragment of the Hōgyoku. Otherwise, such an adversary would prove truly difficult to overcome."

"The Hōgyoku? This complicates matters," Gin grew more alert.

This world made less sense to him with each passing day.

He had believed his deceptions ran deep, but it seemed everyone possessed hidden talents and agendas.

He had underestimated both Aizen and Shiroha's concealed strength.

Under these circumstances, he would need to act before Aizen fully integrated the Hōgyoku.

"Lord Aizen, should we retrieve the experimental subject?" As Aizen's loyal subordinate, Tōsen couldn't bear to see his master's creations destroyed.

The new White Hollow had been a precious experimental subject—even its corpse held significant research value.

Therefore, he suggested recovering the remains of the mutated White.

Aizen responded without hesitation:

"No need to concern yourself. It was merely a defective specimen.

Once we possess a complete Hōgyoku, we can create as many experimental subjects as necessary.

We must maintain our distance and steadily advance our plans."

Deep in his heart, he felt profound disappointment with this new Hollow variant.

Even as a disposable tool, the creature had proven inadequate—less useful than an ordinary Arrancar.

Though powerful enough to defeat standard Shinigami captains, it had fallen far short of its intended potential.

By any measure, it represented a complete failure.

Aizen concluded that Kurosaki Ichigo's power wasn't so easily replicated.

Miracles were miraculous precisely because of their uniqueness.

Given this setback, alternative strategies would need to be implemented.

Meanwhile, the sealing barrier and surveillance signals surrounding Naruki City had vanished. Uehara Shiroha extended a helping hand to the wounded Suì-Fēng.

He chose not to use healing kidō to instantly restore her, instead tending to her injuries personally.

Such intimate treatment wasn't something he offered to just anyone.

Feeling his incredibly warm touch, Suì-Fēng—momentarily lost in her thoughts—blushed and pulled away. "What are you doing?"

"You're injured. Don't move—let me treat you," Uehara Shiroha replied, his expression pure, his eyes clear and innocent.

Anyone who suspected ill intentions behind such sincere eyes surely lacked conscience.

Ultimately, Suì-Fēng couldn't resist that innocent gaze, and surrendered to his ministrations.

But soon, she had regrets, speaking in a softening voice: "There's something wrong with your treatment!"

"What's wrong? It's perfect—it's effective!"

"Let me go... no, be gentle!"

The Zanpakutō at Suì-Fēng's waist silently witnessed the scene.

In a way, Uehara Shiroha was now demonstrating to Suzumebachi how to handle Suì-Fēng herself!

Just as Uehara Shiroha effortlessly dispatched the mutated Hollow, Ichigo Kurosaki and Uryū Ishida found themselves facing a crisis of their own.

A massive black fissure had appeared in the sky above them.

The smaller Hollows on the ground began flying toward the enormous crack, as if drawn by some invisible, terrifying force—lured into a trap.

As an oppressive spiritual pressure suddenly manifested, the two young warriors beheld the true face of this fearsome entity.

Its visage resembled a clown's, magnified dozens of times, with a white bone mask and an elongated red nose.

Before their astonished eyes, this powerful and terrifying Hollow tore through the fabric of reality and descended upon Karakura Town.

Shrouded in a black robe, its body was so colossal it seemed to blot out the sun itself.

Standing a hundred meters tall, it dwarfed the surrounding buildings like a giant among toys.

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