BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
As Makoto approached the battlefield, a series of deafening clashes echoed through the air.
The two spiritual pressures he had sensed earlier became increasingly distinct—both were at the pinnacle of the Adjuchas class.
At the very least, they were several leagues above Apacci, Mila Rose, and Sung-Sun.
The moment Makoto reached the battlefield's edge, his gaze fell upon the two battling Hollows.
One resembled a giant, bipedal mantis, its massive scythe-like forelimbs cleaving through the air with each ferocious strike, sending waves of sand surging in all directions.
The other was a sleek, white panther, agile and swift, darting around the mantis in rapid, ghostly afterimages, launching relentless attacks from every angle.
Their fight was locked in a deadlock—intense yet cautious.
Because in the world of Adjuchas, losing even a portion of one's body to the enemy meant permanent stagnation—never evolving further.
As a result, while their battle was fierce, both fought with careful restraint, unwilling to risk the fatal consequences of reckless aggression.
But to Makoto—who had spent fifty years playing life-or-death games with Unohana—this fight lacked… the proper amount of bloodshed.
Finally, eager to locate Nelliel, Makoto spoke up.
"Enough. Stop fighting. You're not going to kill each other like this."
The moment he said that, the intense battle halted in an instant.
Both Adjuchas instinctively leaped away from each other and turned their attention toward Makoto.
Even now, he remained in the Hollow disguise he had used before Harribel—half-masked, with subtly altered features, long black hair reaching his waist, and a cloak that concealed his spiritual pressure.
"Who the hell are you?" the mantis Hollow narrowed its eyes and demanded.
"Just passing through," Makoto replied indifferently.
Then, with a flicker of movement, he appeared between them, his tone suddenly carrying a sharp edge of irritation.
"While I'm here, I've got a question for you two."
Though both Hollows were wary of Makoto's speed, neither was particularly afraid. Instead, they were offended by his arrogant tone.
The mantis sneered. "And what if I say no?"
The panther scoffed. "I don't know where you crawled out from, but get lost, trash."
Makoto arched an eyebrow, tilting his head slightly.
Then he smiled.
"You're going to regret saying that."
The next instant—
The mantis Hollow vanished.
In a blur, it reappeared behind Makoto, its massive scythe-like limbs swinging down like a crescent moon, aiming directly for his throat.
BOOM!!
A massive shockwave erupted, sending towering sand dunes soaring dozens of meters into the air before crashing back down like an avalanche.
As the dust settled, the panther Hollow's pupils contracted.
Makoto and the mantis were now clearly visible again—standing right where they had been.
But…
Something was very, very wrong.
The mantis Hollow's massive blade-like forelimb—easily the size of Makoto's entire body—was buried against his neck.
Yet Makoto…
Hadn't moved an inch.
Not even a scratch.
It was as if the mantis's full-power strike, capable of carving through entire sand dunes, had merely brushed against a strand of hair.
Horrifying.
The white panther staggered backward.
The mantis?
Its mind went blank with terror.
Impossible.
IMPOSSIBLE.
Even against a Vasto Lorde, this attack should have at least left a mark!
Why?!
WHY?!
As if refusing to accept reality, the mantis let out a deafening roar.
Its spiritual pressure exploded, and another set of massive scythe limbs emerged from its body.
Four massive blades now surrounded Makoto.
Then—
It attacked again.
A flurry of razor-sharp slashes rained down upon Makoto's throat, each strike capable of ripping apart Hollows by the dozens.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Amidst the deafening impacts, a calm, amused voice rang out.
"As much as I appreciate the deep tissue massage, I think it's time we stop playing around."
Makoto's voice was gentle—yet mocking.
"After all, if you ruin my cloak, not even turning your entire body into a specimen will be enough to repay me."
In that instant—
The mantis suddenly realized—it couldn't move.
Its four scythe-like limbs, once drenched in the blood of countless Adjuchas, were now—
Clutched effortlessly within Makoto's hand.
The reflection in its bloodshot eyes showed the terrifying reality.
Makoto wasn't straining. He wasn't fighting back.
He was holding its blades like a child pinching a tiny insect.
Makoto smiled.
"I did warn you—you'd regret this."
Then—
Makoto's fingers tightened.
The mantis howled in agony.
That pale, elegant hand, which looked no stronger than an ordinary human's, was sinking into the dense, armor-like carapace of the mantis's limbs.
Deep finger-shaped indentations formed along the hardened exoskeleton.
The mantis thrashed.
"You… you bastard! Let me go!!"
Consumed by panic, it roared and opened its mouth—a Cero forming at point-blank range.
BOOM!!!
A blinding explosion erupted.
The mantis stumbled back—and broke free!
Its limbs had finally been released from Makoto's grip.
"It worked! That means… it worked!"
It could hardly believe its own words.
But before the mantis could even process its escape—
The smoke cleared.
Makoto was still standing there.
Completely untouched.
His expression?
Mildly inconvenienced.
"Ah. Seems I gave you the wrong idea," he said nonchalantly.
"The only reason I let go—"
Makoto slowly drew his Zanpakutō.
"—was because I needed to free up my hands."
He took a step forward, his smile deepening.
"I let you slice at me all you wanted."
"But it's only fair that I get a turn, don't you think?"
His voice grew colder.
"It's been a long time since I've seen fresh, warm blood."
He tilted his head slightly.
"So do try not to die too quickly, alright?"
"I still need you alive to answer my question."
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