Fragments of dead memories began assailing Higashi Shuuichi.
He vaguely remembered that name—Shūsuke Amagai, a Shinigami who, in the original timeline, had served as the captain of the 3rd Division. After Aizen's defection alongside Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tousen, the Gotei 13 had recalled Tenbai from the Expeditionary Force to fill the vacant position.
But the weapon he wielded wasn't a true Zanpakutou. It was a Bakkōtō—a secret creation of the upper noble family, the Kasumiouji Clan.
Ambitious in their reach, the Kasumiouji had designed the Bakkōtō to replicate Zanpakutou-like powers. It granted its user abilities similar to Shikai and Bankai, but unlike a Zanpakutou, whose power stemmed from the Shinigami themselves, a Bakkōtō drew its power from an internal core—an artificial nucleus.
The result was a weapon that offered consistent powers regardless of its wielder. Any Shinigami who took up the same Bakkōtō would manifest the same abilities. Yet this boon came at a price: Bakkōtō constantly drained the user's spiritual energy, and when the supply ran dry, it turned on its wielder, consuming them in turn.
So to see one appear here, now, in the hands of a Captain-level Shinigami in Hueco Mundo, was more than unexpected.
Shuuichi's eyes narrowed. "So this is why Senjō Ryū managed to attain Bankai so suddenly... and why he volunteered for the Expeditionary Force."
Given the Bakkōtō's capabilities, even a Shinigami who struggled with basic Shikai could awaken immense strength overnight. A temptation few could resist.
Still, Shuuichi could tell: this weapon, "Raika," was not a finished product. Its current form, Kurenshou Renga, was only the most basic application of its power. He had yet to see the advanced technique, Houenshou Renga. That alone proved its limitations.
Not that it mattered. Even at its current level, it was enough to force Coyote Starrk, the Primera Espada, to finally stop playing.
"Infinite Load: Cero Barrage!"
What was a single Cero? A common attack. Predictable. Defensible.
What about ten? A hundred? A thousand?
There was no spectacle. No elegant flash or trick of technique. Just overwhelming force.
A tidal wave of cerulean destruction surged forward. Senjō Ryū had only one option.
Escape.
"Oh? My cue already?"
Far off, watching through his Reishi clone's eyes, Shuuichi chuckled.
"Bakudou #75: Gochuu Tekkan."
In the path of Senkiryuu's escape, one of Shuuichi's spirit clones emerged from the sands and vanished, triggering the fall of five iron pillars from the heavens.
"Bakudou?!"
Senjō Ryū's mind reeled. One look, and he knew—if he was caught, he would be locked in place for at least five seconds. In a battle like this, five seconds meant death.
"Bankai—Raika: Gouretsukaku!"
A black dragon coiled around Senjō Ryū's arm. His blade's hilt became a silver-scaled gauntlet.
"Sonic Howl of the Dragon!"
The Bakkōtō vibrated. A ripple of sound, invisible to the eye, tore through the pillars of iron mid-fall. They shattered into fragments.
Even two of Shuuichi's clones, standing just outside the battlefield, disintegrated from the residual resonance.
Far away, Shuuichi couldn't help but wipe a tear from his eye.
Or rather, drool from his chin.
In the original timeline, Raika had been infamous. It neutralized Zanpakutou abilities and could halt a Shinigami from releasing their blade at all. Even Yamamoto Genryuusai, the strongest Shinigami of the millennium, had not been immune.
If Aizen had possessed Raika, he wouldn't have needed the "extinguisher" Arrancar. He could have waltzed through Soul Society, leaving a mountain of corpses in his wake.
But Aizen hadn't known about the Kasumiouji Clan's secrets. Not then.
Now, Shuuichi would not make the same mistake.
Today, Senjō Ryū would die—and the Bakkōtō would not return to the nobles.
"Hado #88: Hiryuu Gekizoku Shinten Raihou!"
At long range, two spirit clones combined their power to unleash a titanic surge of lightning.
"Futile!"
Senjō Ryū roared. His weapon resonated again. The beam unraveled into harmless motes.
But Starrk had already rejoined the fight.
"Infinite Load: Cero Barrage!"
Not all Hollows were created equal. Starrk's spiritual power was vast. His "big moves" were small talk. It was his nature.
And Senjō Ryū knew—Raika wasn't built for this.
Against Shinigami? A menace.
Against Hollows? A liability.
With no choice, Senjō Ryū vanished in a flash step.
But this was why Aizen had ordered Shuuichi's involvement.
"You won't escape. Hado #96: Ittou Kasou."
On Senkiryuu's escape route, six Reishi clones had gathered.
Five clasped each other, merging their energy. The last raised a spectral blade and struck.
The resulting blaze engulfed the sky in an inferno of finality.