Chapter 12 - Backed by the Four Noble Houses?
Blazing yellow lightning suddenly burst forth, with the sound of thunder tearing through the night as it fiercely charged towards Gilgamesh.
The higher the number in the Hadō series, the more powerful the spell.
Earlier, Sōkatsui was a Hadō #33 spell, while now, Raikōhō was a Hadō #63 spell, the most powerful Hadō that Ōmaeda Marechiyo had mastered.
Ōmaeda was confident in his Raikōhō, believing that Vimana wouldn't be able to block it.
Boom!
With an explosion, the fierce lightning illuminated the night, rising through the smoke.
In Marechiyo's hopeful eyes, the smoke and lightning gradually dissipated, revealing once again the fleeting light barrier.
Marechiyo's face froze in disbelief, unable to accept the reality.
Even a Hadō #63 spell couldn't break through Vimana's barrier—what on earth was this thing?
Could it really be a Zanpakutō?
But how could Gilgamesh's spiritual pressure be so weak?
Could it be some kind of device that suppresses spiritual pressure?
At that moment, Marechiyo's mind was in turmoil, flooded with questions.
Through the omniscient star, Gilgamesh saw through Marechiyo's thoughts, understanding his current state.
Feeling it was time to push further, Gilgamesh decided to fan the flames.
Still sitting lazily on his king's throne, Gilgamesh spoke slowly, "Ōmaeda Marechiyo, why did you stop attacking?"
"Hadō may be useless, but don't you still have your Zanpakutō and Shikai?"
"Are you giving up already?"
"If so, I'm truly disappointed."
"I didn't expect the vice-captain of the 2nd Division of the Gotei 13 to be this weak."
Marechiyo, already shaken, felt his blood boil and his spiritual pressure grow erratic as Gilgamesh's words struck a nerve. Veins bulged on his forehead as he roared, "You brat, I was going easy on you, not intending to take your life."
"But now, I won't hold back!"
"I'll show you the price of angering a vice-captain!"
With that, Marechiyo drew his Zanpakutō.
A terrifying spiritual pressure burst from him, making the surrounding air feel heavy and oppressive.
"Crush him, Gegetsuburi!"
As Marechiyo uttered the Shikai command, his Zanpakutō transformed from a sword into a massive flail.
This was Marechiyo's Zanpakutō, Gegetsuburi.
Gegetsuburi was a physical attack type Zanpakutō. After its Shikai, Marechiyo swung it heavily towards Vimana.
Gegetsuburi's power was immense, capable of shattering even the support pillars of tall buildings.
As the flail approached, Gilgamesh's expression remained unchanged.
In terms of raw destructive power, Raikōhō surpassed Shikai Gegetsuburi.
However, Raikōhō was a spiritual attack, while Gegetsuburi was a physical attack, making a direct comparison difficult.
For Gilgamesh, it didn't matter whether it was Raikōhō or Gegetsuburi.
He knew that Marechiyo's strength was insufficient to break through Vimana's defense system.
Unless he could achieve Bankai.
Apart from Bankai, Marechiyo's only chance was to keep attacking, depleting Vimana's energy reserves.
Only by exhausting Vimana's energy could he break through its defenses and reach Gilgamesh.
However, Marechiyo was oblivious to this.
His mind was too chaotic to notice.
Boom!
Watching as Vimana's light barrier rose again, blocking the Shikai Gegetsuburi, Marechiyo's expression froze, his pupils trembling.
At this moment, Marechiyo finally recognized a truth.
Regardless of Gilgamesh's personal strength, as long as Vimana existed, he was invincible, and Marechiyo couldn't defeat him.
Marechiyo was the vice-captain of the Gotei 13's 2nd Division, a position second only to the captains.
Yet, he couldn't defeat a child who looked around ten years old.
This fact made Marechiyo question everything.
Moreover, Marechiyo became increasingly wary of Gilgamesh's background.
In his view, only the Four Great Noble Houses of the Seireitei could possess such a divine artifact as Vimana.
And for Gilgamesh to pilot Vimana, he must be highly regarded by his family, likely the next clan leader.
Why someone of Gilgamesh's status was in a remote, chaotic place like Inuzuri, Marechiyo didn't know and didn't need to know.
All he needed was to understand Gilgamesh's background.
Forming ties with the Four Great Noble Houses would greatly benefit the Ōmaeda family.
After all, the highest judicial authority in the Soul Society, Central 46, was mostly composed of members from the Four Great Noble Houses.
Thinking quickly, Marechiyo's expression softened as he smiled, "I apologize for my earlier offense."
"I'll have my family send over some skilled architects. Just tell them what you need."
With that, Marechiyo turned and left.
Gilgamesh's deep crimson eyes watched Marechiyo's departing figure.
He had seen through Marechiyo's thoughts.
Everything was proceeding according to Gilgamesh's plan.
Time passed.
Marechiyo returned to his family's residence, explained everything to his father, and then went back to the 2nd Division barracks in the Seireitei.
Upon returning, Marechiyo felt a sudden chill.
A cold voice came from behind, "Ōmaeda, you're late. How did the mission go?"
Seeing his captain, Suì-Fēng, behind him, Marechiyo's demeanor became respectful as he replied, "The mission is complete."
Suì-Fēng nodded and started to leave.
Marechiyo hesitated, then asked, "Captain, do you know of any divine artifacts in the Soul Society that can carry people and fly?"
Suì-Fēng stopped and looked at Marechiyo with a frown, "Why do you ask? We Shinigami can use Shunpo to travel through the air."
Marechiyo chuckled awkwardly, "Just curious."
Suì-Fēng turned away, leaving a final remark, "The Shihōin family's sacred tool, the Tenchuren, can carry people and fly."
Tenchuren?
Marechiyo's mind flashed an image of a dragon bone-like structure.
He remembered that Tenchuren, when infused with spiritual energy, could unfold a single bone wing, allowing flight—a unique artifact in the Soul Society.
Compared to Vimana, though, Marechiyo could only think:
"Sorry, but Tenchuren is nothing but junk."
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