Despite his vast experience accumulated through a hundred thousand battles, Roland felt the limitations of his borrowed body. It was a capable vessel, but a far cry from the peak human condition he possessed in his prime.
The same went for Ryujin Jakka. While it was undoubtedly a powerful blade, imbued with the spirit of a fire deity, Roland couldn't unleash its full potential like its true master, Captain Yamamoto, who had spent a lifetime forging a bond with the Zanpakuto. Yet, even with these limitations, a spark of defiance ignited within him. He had one trump card left – Bankai, the true release of a Zanpakuto's power.
Bankai, the true release of a Zanpakuto's power, was a feat not easily achieved. It required years of dedication, an unwavering bond with one's spirit weapon, and a deep understanding of its essence.
It was the culmination of a Soul Reaper's journey, a testament to their mastery over spiritual energy and their connection to their Zanpakuto spirit. For most, achieving Bankai was a lifelong pursuit, a pinnacle they strived towards with unwavering determination.
But Roland was no Soul Reaper. He was an anomaly, a being pulled from another world and thrust into this one. His experiences, though not directly tied to the art of the Soul Reaper, had honed his spirit and his connection to spiritual energy in ways most could only dream of. And Ryujin Jakka, though not his original Zanpakuto, resonated with him on a deep level. Perhaps it was cheat code of isekai system, or perhaps it was the sheer determination that burned brightly within them both. Whatever the reason, a connection had formed, a bond forged in the crucible of battle.
On the day Roland first held Ryujin Jakka, he felt a surge of power unlike anything he had ever experienced. It was a raw, untamed energy that pulsed within the blade, eager to be unleashed. And Roland, never one to shy away from a challenge, instinctively knew what he had to do. He poured his spirit energy into the blade, channeling his will and his experiences into the very essence of Ryujin Jakka. The response was immediate. The blade roared to life, engulfed in flames that burned with an otherworldly intensity. Ryujin Jakka, responding to its new master's will, had achieved Bankai instantly.
With a wry grin, Roland channeled his spirit energy into the blade. Ryujin Jakka, the sword, pulsed with a newfound intensity. The flames surrounding it danced wildly, morphing and swirling like an inferno trapped within the blade. It was no longer just fire; it was a living entity, a creature of pure, destructive heat that responded to Roland's will.
He didn't need a fancy chant or a dramatic pose. Roland, ever the pragmatist, understood that the situation called for a decisive action, not theatrics. With a swift, economical swing, he arced Ryujin Jakka across the sand. The movement was simple, almost casual, yet it was imbued with the weight of his experience and the raw power coursing through his veins.
As the blade met the sand, a shockwave erupted. The ground trembled, and a geyser of superheated sand erupted skyward. The inferno that had been contained within Ryujin Jakka was unleashed, spreading outwards in a tidal wave of fire. It wasn't just a wall of flames anymore; it was a sea of flames, a raging inferno that devoured the sand dunes and stretched outwards, easily engulfing an area of over ten square kilometers.
The force of the flames was so immense that it pushed back against the charging thunder bull. The colossal construct, caught off guard by this unexpected resistance, roared in defiance as the infernal sea licked at its electrified form. Dino, trapped within its belly, felt a surge of heat unlike anything he had ever experienced. The flames, fueled by Roland's shikai release, burned with an otherworldly intensity, bypassing his demonic defenses and searing his very soul.
He screamed in agony, the raw power of the flames threatening to melt his armor and incinerate him where he stood. The thunder bull, its electrical energy no match for the sheer ferocity of the inferno, began to falter. Its form flickered and wavered, the electricity crackling erratically as the flames ate away at its essence.
Panic began to set in. Dino, the mighty Bull Demon Lord, had never faced such a terrifying force. He had battled gods and demons, sated his bloodlust on countless foes, but this… this was something entirely different. This fire, fueled by the will of an unorthodox isekai tourist and the power of a foreign Zanpakuto, burned with a malice that chilled him to his core.
Back in the World Dungeon Council hall, pandemonium erupted. The council members, who had been stunned by Dino's ultimate attack, were now left speechless by Roland's counter. Belial, even he couldn't contain his surprise. A wry grin still played on his lips, but a flicker of awe flickered in his eyes. This isekai tourist was a force to be reckoned with, a wild card that defied all expectations.
The heat was so intense that the sand itself began to liquefy, transforming into a roiling sea of molten glass. Dino, trapped within the belly of the thunder bull, felt his demonic skin crackle and smoke. Panic clawed at his throat. He'd faced down gods and demons, reveled in countless battles, but this… this fire held a malice that defied even his demonic heritage. It gnawed at his very essence, threatening to consume him whole.
One wrong move, he thought with a tremor of fear, and this might just be his final breath in this world.
Just as Dino braced himself for the fiery oblivion, the inferno abruptly ceased. The flames, which had moments ago raged with an otherworldly intensity, vanished without a trace. Left behind was a desolate wasteland of glassy sand and an eerie silence that pressed down on the sand sea.
Standing amidst the devastation, Roland lowered Ryujin Jakka. The fire that had once danced around the blade was gone, replaced by a dull, charcoal-like material that seemed to absorb the light around it. It looked more like a burnt stick than a fearsome Zanpakuto.
"Bankai: Zanka no Tachi, Higashi: Kyokujitsujin," Roland declared, his voice echoing in the sudden quiet.
Dino, bewildered and slightly relieved, found himself staring at a world drained of color. Everything – the sand, the sky, even Roland himself – seemed shrouded in an oppressive gray. The only source of light emanated from the charcoal-like Ryujin Jakka, which cast an eerie glow on Roland's face.
Despite the lack of heat, a primal fear gripped Dino. This blade, though seemingly harmless at first glance, held a power that transcended mere fire. It radiated a chilling emptiness, a sense of utter annihilation that sent shivers down his spine.
Roland, ever the showman even in this desolate landscape, twirled Ryujin Jakka in his hand. "This, my friend," he said, his voice carrying an unsettling coolness, "is the true power of Zanka no Tachi. It doesn't burn you; it erases you. It turns everything it touches into nothingness, leaving behind a world devoid of light, warmth, or even the spark of life itself."
Dino swallowed hard. The playful isekai tourist was gone, replaced by a figure radiating a power that chilled Dino to his very core. He now understood, with a clarity that bordered on terror, what Belial meant by Roland's power exceeding anything in their world. This wasn't just fire; this was a power that could rewrite reality itself.
"So," Roland continued, his voice devoid of emotion, "do you want to continue this little duel, Dino, or shall we call it a draw?"
Dino, humbled and a little terrified, looked at the charcoal blade in Roland's hand, a stark contrast to the inferno that had almost consumed him moments ago.
For the first time in his long and storied life, the Bull Demon Lord found himself at a loss. His pride, his fiery temper, all seemed insignificant compared to the bleak oblivion Roland offered. He opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out.