Chapter 11 – The Shadow of Menos
As the Shinigami regrouped after the battle with the Hollows, the night fell quiet once more. The streets of Karakura Town were still, illuminated only by the soft glow of streetlights and the pale moon above. Despite the calm, there was a lingering tension in the air. Nanami, standing tall with his black hair blowing gently in the night breeze, was surveying the aftermath, his mind focused as he ensured all threats had been eliminated.
However, just as the Shinigami began to relax, something changed. A shift in the spiritual pressure around them—a darkness, deep and suffocating—began to creep into the area. The ground seemed to tremble ever so slightly, and a powerful, overwhelming aura filled the air.
The Shinigami felt it first, a wave of spiritual pressure so immense that it froze them where they stood. It was an aura unlike any they had felt before.
"It's… it's huge!" one of them gasped, his voice trembling as he clutched his Zanpakutō, trying to steady himself.
Another Shinigami, still bandaged from their earlier injuries, fell to one knee, unable to maintain their composure in the face of the crushing spiritual pressure. "What… what is this?" they whispered, their eyes wide with fear.
Nanami's sharp senses immediately picked up on the presence. His eyes narrowed behind his glasses as he tilted his head slightly, listening to the hum of energy that filled the air. He knew this spiritual pressure—it was unmistakable.
Menos Grande.
But this wasn't just any Menos. The aura was more refined, more intense, and carried a dangerous intelligence. This was an Adjuchas, a high-ranking Menos that had evolved beyond the typical Gillian.
The presence emerged slowly, casting a long, dark shadow across the battlefield. From the depths of the forest on the outskirts of Karakura Town, a massive figure stepped forward. Its towering, grotesque form was unmistakable—a creature of pure darkness and malice. The Adjuchas' mask glowed in the moonlight, its sinister eyes staring down at the weakened Shinigami below.
The Shinigami stared in horror, unable to move, their bodies frozen by the overwhelming pressure. Their reiryoku was depleted from the earlier battle, and they had no strength left to stand against such a powerful opponent.
"This can't be happening…" one of them muttered, their voice barely a whisper.
"We don't… we don't have the strength to fight that thing…" another Shinigami added, their voice shaking with fear.
But then, through the haze of panic and fear, they saw him—Nanami.
Standing tall atop a high street pole, Nanami's figure cut a striking image under the moonlight. His black hair fluttered in the breeze, and the gleam of his glasses caught the pale glow of the moon. Despite the crushing spiritual pressure that immobilized his comrades, Nanami appeared completely unaffected.
His calm, composed expression remained unchanged, and his posture exuded confidence and control. It was as though the immense power of the Adjuchas meant nothing to him. He stood there, cool and unbothered, his presence a stark contrast to the panic around him.
The other Shinigami stared at him in disbelief.
"Nanami… he's not even flinching…" one of them whispered in awe, their fear momentarily forgotten.
"He's… he's so calm," another said, their eyes wide with amazement. "How… how can he stay so composed against something like that?"
The Adjuchas, sensing Nanami's lack of fear, shifted its gaze toward him. Its massive form seemed to vibrate with malevolent energy as it let out a low, guttural growl, the sound reverberating through the air like an earthquake.
Nanami glanced down at his comrades, who were still struggling to stand under the weight of the spiritual pressure. His cold, calculating eyes scanned the situation, assessing the threat and formulating a strategy in a matter of seconds.
"It's an Adjuchas," he said calmly, his voice steady as he addressed the Shinigami below. "Stay back. I'll handle this."
The Shinigami, still shocked by his composure, hesitated but ultimately obeyed. They knew that in their current state, they stood no chance against a Menos of this level.
Nanami, however, had no such reservations. He leaped from the pole with ease, landing gracefully on the ground below. His movement was fluid, precise, and effortless. He took a moment to adjust his glasses, his hand moving with practiced care, as though this battle were no more than an annoyance to him.
The Adjuchas, irritated by Nanami's lack of fear, let out a roar and charged forward. Its massive clawed hands tore through the air with brutal force, aiming to crush Nanami where he stood. The ground shook with each step it took, but Nanami remained still, watching with sharp eyes.
At the last possible moment, Nanami moved.
With a burst of Shunpo, he vanished from his spot, reappearing in the air behind the Adjuchas. The creature's claws slammed into the ground, missing him entirely.
Nanami's movements were swift and calculated. In a blur of motion, he raised his hand, calling forth a powerful Kido spell.
"Hado #88: Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō!"
A massive wave of electrical energy erupted from his palm, crashing into the back of the Adjuchas with devastating force. The sheer power of the spell caused the ground to crack and tremble, sending shockwaves through the air. The Adjuchas roared in pain as the blast engulfed it, its dark form momentarily illuminated by the searing energy.
The Shinigami below watched in stunned silence as Nanami unleashed one of the highest-level Kido spells with ease, his precision and control over the energy unparalleled.
"Did you… did you see that?" one of them gasped. "He didn't even hesitate!"
"He's… he's incredible," another whispered, their fear replaced with awe. "I've never seen anyone use Kido like that…"
But Nanami wasn't finished. He knew that an Adjuchas wouldn't fall so easily. As the dust and smoke from the explosion began to clear, the massive form of the creature emerged, wounded but still standing. Its mask was cracked, and its body was scorched from the blast, but it was far from defeated.
The Adjuchas let out another roar, its fury evident as it lunged at Nanami again, this time faster and more aggressive.
Nanami, however, was ready. He didn't flinch as the creature approached. Instead, he raised his hand again, this time channeling a Bakudō spell.
"Bakudō #81: Dankū!"
A massive, translucent barrier appeared in front of him, blocking the Adjuchas' attack entirely. The creature's claws collided with the barrier, but the spell held firm, repelling the blow with ease.
Nanami, unfazed by the attack, used the brief moment of respite to position himself strategically. He leaped backward, creating distance between himself and the Adjuchas, all the while keeping his eyes focused on the creature's movements.
As the Adjuchas roared in frustration, Nanami's expression remained calm and composed. He knew he had the upper hand, and now it was time to end this.
With a swift motion, Nanami raised his hand once more. His voice was low and steady as he called forth another high-level Hado spell.
"Hado #90: Kurohitsugi."
Black spiritual energy began to swirl around the Adjuchas, forming a massive, coffin-like structure of dark energy. The creature thrashed and roared, but it was too late. The Kido spell closed in around it, trapping it within the inescapable darkness.
With a final burst of power, the Kurohitsugi spell crushed the Adjuchas, its body disintegrating into nothingness.
The battlefield fell silent once more.
Nanami lowered his hand, his glasses catching the light of the moon as he turned to look at his comrades. The Shinigami, still recovering from their earlier exhaustion, stared at him in awe.
"Unbelievable…" one of them muttered. "He took down an Adjuchas… by himself…"
Nanami adjusted his glasses, his calm demeanor unchanged. "Let's return to base," he said simply.
The Shinigami, still in shock, nodded and began to gather the injured. As they moved, they couldn't help but steal glances at Nanami, marveling at the sheer power and control he had displayed.
But Nanami, as always, remained calm.