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Bankai is unleashed.
The spiritual pressure surges instantaneously, causing the air itself to seem to distort.
A colossal and magnificent statue rises from the ground with a thunderous roar.
Shattering the restraints of adamantine chains, fragments of the chains scatter chaotically.
Naruto halts and looks up.
Is this... the ultimate form of a Zanpakuto, Bankai?
It's the first time I've seen it.
Truly awe-inspiring!
"Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō" is clad in brown-tiled armor, wearing a steel helmet, and has two bull-like horns.
Eyes without pupils, mouth without a tongue, as if returned from hell.
The sheer presence of the giant already exudes immense pressure, and when the spiritual pressure matches its size, the sense of oppression multiplies exponentially.
The shadow cast is as if the sky is falling.
"Captain Uzumaki, be careful!" Komamura Sajin called out softly.
He leaped into the air, standing in midair, standing on the chest of the Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō.
He raised his sword.
The Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō also raised its sword.
Then they slashed down—
The fierce wind howled, creating a loud and chaotic noise that seemed to tear the ears apart.
But the speed wasn't much faster.
Only the strength was more formidable, the range wider.
Naruto easily dodged with a flash step, crossing his hands, and drew his swords.
One long, one short; one red, one gold.
"Roar With Lamentation, Sing With Compassion, The Cycle Of Rebirth, Nine-Tailed Ashura!"
Zanpakuto's release, with spiritual pressure starting from these two swords, swept through his entire body.
His body was coated in gold, with six arms extended.
Still retaining some "fox" features.
Unohana Retsu narrowed her eyes.
The Shikai has changed.
It looks completely different from before.
The aura has also become calm, no longer so violent and ferocious.
The spiritual pressure contained an extremely vigorous "breath of life."
"Naruto's Shikai is also quite astonishing," Shiba Isshin observed more intently, "The third pair of dual swords in the Soul Society."
"Truly beautiful and charming."
"However, it's not quite the same as Captain Kyōraku or Captain Ukitake's."
Kyoraku Shunsui nodded.
Indeed, it's not the same.
Whether his dual swords or Ukitake's, both are complementary and symmetrically balanced in shape and power. Even though "Katen Kyokotsu" differs in size due to its unique origin, being "mother and child," it still maintains the essence of a single lineage.
But the two swords in Naruto's hands...
Neither in appearance nor in their core powers can any similarities be found.
"Sajin's sword is not bad, and the Bankai is quite powerful," Unohana Retsu said softly, "But it seems he has already lost."
The remaining two captains agreed.
Although the battle was still ongoing, the outcome was already crystal clear to them.
The giant statue continued to swing its sword.
Its momentum was grand.
Its strengths were evident, but its weaknesses... were also prominent.
Naruto dodged several times.
He captured crucial information.
The movements of this Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō statue synchronized with Komamura Sajin; when its master swung the sword, so did it.
This means...
To defeat Komamura Sajin, one cannot avoid the synchronized giant statue.
But it also means...
Komamura Sajin's weaknesses are the giant statue's weaknesses.
He wasn't fast to begin with.
And when this relatively slow speed is applied to a statue tens of times larger, it appears even more sluggish and slow.
The increase in size does greatly enhance the attack range.
This somewhat compensates for this weakness.
But Naruto's flash step is at the level of pursuing Yoruichi—the former Captain of the 2nd Division, renowned as the "Flash Goddess."
Moreover, despite the increased spiritual pressure of Komamura Sajin after Bankai, it wasn't strong enough to overwhelm Naruto, forcing him to slow down or making it difficult for him to move.
In just an instant, Naruto could flash step out of the attack range.
No matter how large the range or how strong the attack.
If it can't hit, it's ineffective.
The most crucial point...
Naruto initially thought the appearance of the "Armored Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō" was to protect Komamura Sajin.
But he soon realized.
The life force of this magnificent armored giant is linked to Komamura Sajin.
The injuries it sustains will be reflected exactly back onto its master.
If it comes to a life-and-death struggle,
There's no need to attack Komamura Sajin directly.
Just destroying this armor would mean killing Komamura Sajin.
Naruto clapped his hands together.
"Adamantine Sealing Chains!"
Thicker than before, the golden chains danced, dozens of them layering and binding the hands of the "Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō."
This time, it struggled mightily.
The chains creaked, making the sound of being overburdened.
But augmented by the "Ashura's Strength," they were tough and firm, barely holding together without breaking.
Komamura Sajin himself wasn't bound, raising his hand to strike with his sword.
The golden chains surged again, wrapping around him as well.
The Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō struggled again, breaking a few chains.
At that instant,
A flash of white lightning appeared.
"Hadō #4. Byakurai (白雷, Pale Lightning)."
It was the last pair of Naruto's hands, forgoing the chant and firing the spell.
It passed through the chains and the statue, hitting Komamura Sajin on the head.
A low-numbered Kidō spell, even augmented by "Ashura," could hardly deal any significant damage to a captain.
Not to mention Komamura Sajin was wearing a helmet.
However...
He was unharmed.
The wooden helmet was easily shattered, split in two.
Revealing his furry appearance.
"So he's from the Wolfman Clan." Shiba Isshin paused, holding a sake cup, staring intently at Komamura Sajin, "No wonder."
The reputation of the Wolfman Clan was not good among ordinary Shinigami.
The "unusual appearance" brought "rejection."
His reluctance to become a captain suddenly made sense.
"Naruto's methods are quite rough." Kyoraku Shunsui glanced at the observing lieutenants, smiled, and drank his sake, "But very effective."
Unohana Retsu softly said, "We have gained another reliable colleague."
The origin of the Wolfman Clan was "sinful."
But...
Those things were insignificant compared to "true evil."
As captains, how many of them did not have their hands stained with sin?
Unohana Retsu looked down at her sword.
The Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō broke the Adamantine Sealing Chains.
But Komamura Sajin did not continue to attack.
He stood in the air, holding a fragment of his helmet.
"Sajin, turn your head boldly." Naruto looked at the lieutenants, "See their reactions."
Komamura Sajin took a deep breath and turned his head.
The lieutenant of 7th Division were cheering for him.
"Well done, Third Seat Komamura!"
"Your Bankai is so powerful and impressive."
"I didn't expect you to be this strong!"
The lieutenants of the other squads were more reserved.
The members of 3rd Division and 9th Division looked at him with fervent eyes, full of admiration.
Of course...
There were also some frowning and expressing malice.
But such people were few.
A far cry from the number Komamura Sajin had previously anticipated.
"Am I... not so detestable?" Komamura Sajin swung his sword, retracting his Bankai's power.
Naruto sheathed his sword and asked him in return, "Why would they dislike you?"
"You are a good person."
"You will also be a great captain."
Komamura Sajin softly said, "Is this what Captain Uzumaki wanted to tell me?"
Those who disliked him for his appearance still existed.
But those who respected him for his character and strength were far more numerous.
"Captain Uzumaki." Komamura Sajin landed and bowed to Naruto, "I... am willing to take on the role of captain."
He was willing to admit defeat.
Even though he had not made such an agreement with Captain Uzumaki.
But this was indeed a good reason to convince himself.
And thanks to Captain Uzumaki, he had witnessed something different.
Naruto grinned, beaming brightly.
Komamura Sajin also grinned.
Captain Uzumaki was not as poor with words as he claimed.
~~~
Not that heavy Talk-No-Jutsu… but still!