Fate In Bleach (496)

Chapter 496 - Gin Ichimaru Steps In

Bang!

Shhh!

Rangiku Matsumoto's Zanpakutō clashed with Cang Du's claws and was directly repelled by the immense force, her feet carving two long gashes in the ground.

"So strong!"

Rangiku Matsumoto was inwardly alarmed.

If not for Captain Ailin retrieving her soul from the Hōgyoku and returning it to her during the battle with Aizen two years ago, allowing Rangiku Matsumoto's spiritual pressure to increase considerably in these past two years, she would likely have been killed by Cang Du in that last blow.

"Oh?"

Cang Du was also slightly surprised that he hadn't killed Rangiku Matsumoto in one move.

In Cang Du's mind, apart from the captains, everyone else in the Gotei Thirteen was merely an ant.

Even though Rangiku Matsumoto was a vice-captain, Cang Du hadn't paid her much heed.

Therefore, in that previous strike, Cang Du hadn't used Blut Vene Arterie.

Now it seemed, without using Blut Vene Arterie, it was simply impossible to quickly dispatch this vice-captain.

Immediately, with a thought from Cang Du, his spiritual pressure was injected into his blood, and several blue patterns appeared on the surface of his body.

Swoosh!

"Growl—Haineko!"

Seeing Cang Du rushing towards her again at extreme speed, Rangiku Matsumoto dared not be negligent and directly released her Zanpakutō.

Boom!

White spiritual pressure erupted from Rangiku Matsumoto's body. Subsequently, her Zanpakutō transformed into countless particles of ash, surging towards Cang Du under her control.

Swish!

Cang Du swiped with his claw, and the ash transformed from Rangiku Matsumoto's Haineko was directly swept back by a fierce gust of wind.

"Hah!"

Rangiku Matsumoto swung the hilt of her Zanpakutō. Instantly, the swept-away ash, aided by the gale Cang Du had created, formed a grey tornado and continued to assault Cang Du.

"Hmph!"

Cang Du snorted coldly. He had already probed this vice-captain's Zanpakutō ability in the previous exchange.

Her Zanpakutō turned into ash, and the moment that woman swung her sword, the ash would cut the enemy like blades.

Perhaps, for other Quincy, Rangiku Matsumoto's Zanpakutō ability was decent, capable of fighting many at once.

However, for Cang Du, Rangiku Matsumoto's Zanpakutō posed no threat at all.

Even if he didn't use "Blut Vene," relying solely on his own Schrift ability "The Iron," Rangiku Matsumoto's Haineko couldn't inflict the slightest damage on him.

Therefore, facing the incoming grey tornado, Cang Du didn't even bother to dodge, directly charging into the dust devil.

After Haineko's ash tornado completely enveloped Cang Du, Rangiku Matsumoto let out a delicate cry, and the hilt of the Zanpakutō in her hand swung downwards—

Clang clang clang clang clang…

In an instant, the sound of countless weapons clashing rang out on Cang Du's body. Each sound created sparks in the darkness. Cang Du looked as if he were a comet wreathed in starlight, rushing towards Rangiku Matsumoto.

"This guy's body is so hard!"

Her attack not harming Cang Du caused Rangiku Matsumoto a slight shock.

However, this small difficulty was not enough to stump Rangiku Matsumoto.

Due to the attack power issue of her own Zanpakutō, Rangiku Matsumoto had encountered opponents whose defenses she couldn't break before.

But why, after so many years, was she always the one who survived?

"Neko Rinbu!"

Rangiku Matsumoto swung the hilt in her hand. Instantly, the ash surrounding Cang Du spun rapidly. The sparks generated by the friction with Cang Du's body seemed to turn him into a large fireball.

Of course, this ash attacking Cang Du was merely a diversion by Rangiku Matsumoto.

Some inconspicuous ash, within these vortexes, slowly entered Cang Du's body through his mouth and nostrils.

When the amount of ash entering Cang Du's body reached a certain level, Rangiku Matsumoto abruptly swung down the Zanpakutō in her hand.

Slash!

Clang!

"Cough cough, cough cough…"

Under Rangiku Matsumoto's attack, Cang Du's body swayed, and he halted his charge, covering his mouth with one hand, coughing incessantly.

"Quincy, you are defeated."

Countless ash particles returned, coalescing into the form of a blade on the hilt of Rangiku Matsumoto's Zanpakutō.

Pointing her Zanpakutō at Cang Du, Rangiku Matsumoto said coldly, "Indeed, your defense is very strong. Even if my Haineko tried its best, it couldn't hurt you."

"However, is the defense of your internal organs as strong as your external defense?"

"While you were priding yourself on your strong external defense, a portion of the ash transformed from my Haineko had already entered your body."

"Just now, I already swung down my Zanpakutō. I imagine your internal organs have been completely destroyed by now."

After Rangiku Matsumoto finished speaking, she slowly sheathed her Zanpakutō.

No one could survive with all their internal organs destroyed.

Well, the Soul King was an exception.

"Is that so?"

However, just as Rangiku Matsumoto was about to turn around, Cang Du removed the hand covering his mouth.

"What?"

Rangiku Matsumoto's pupils contracted.

Generally, when internal organs were damaged, their shattered fragments would turn into bloody foam and be expelled from the mouth.

But at this moment, not only was there no bloody foam at the corner of Cang Du's mouth, there wasn't even a drop of saliva.

This meant that Rangiku Matsumoto's previous attack had not inflicted any damage on Cang Du at all.

Clang!

Rangiku Matsumoto instantly drew her Zanpakutō, her expression grave as she looked at Cang Du.

This Quincy was so strong!

Cang Du opened his hand, and a handful of ash scattered from it.

"This is my Haineko?"

Rangiku Matsumoto glanced down at her Zanpakutō and only then noticed a chip on its blade.

After Cang Du opened his hand, this ash flew to the chip on Rangiku Matsumoto's Zanpakutō, filling it.

"You were right, Shinigami."

"The ability His Majesty bestowed upon me is 'The Iron'."

"Which means, my body, both inside and out, possesses a hardness comparable to steel."

"Let alone you, even that fellow Haschwalth wouldn't be able to break my defense."

Originally, based on Cang Du's previous arrogance, he had wanted to say his defense was unbreakable.

However, having been slashed by Squad Eleven Captain Zaraki earlier, Cang Du had become somewhat unconfident in his own abilities.

Therefore, he had changed his target to the Sternritter's leader, Haschwalth.

After hearing Cang Du's words, Rangiku Matsumoto's heart sank.

His entire body possessed a hardness comparable to steel. In that case, her Haineko was useless.

It was highly probable that she might die here today.

"Heh heh, truly arrogant."

"There are quite a few Shinigami who can cut through steel."

"If you encountered those captains, you probably wouldn't even have a chance to escape."

Facing Rangiku Matsumoto's ridicule, Cang Du remained silent.

He was precisely afraid of encountering other captains, which was why he was hunting Shinigami in the patrol areas of various squads.

"That, I admit."

"But unfortunately, you are not a captain of the Gotei Thirteen."

"Then, let me make you the first vice-captain to die at my hands!"

After speaking, Cang Du slightly bent his body, intending to attack Rangiku Matsumoto again.

"Oh my, oh my, I wonder if this former captain of the Gotei Thirteen can cut through your steel?"

Just as Cang Du was about to launch his attack, a playful voice sounded from the darkness.

Hearing this voice, Rangiku Matsumoto's heart relaxed, and a smile appeared on her face.

"Gin, why are you here?"

Looking behind her, Rangiku Matsumoto didn't even bother with Cang Du in front.

It seemed she felt that as long as Gin was here, she would be in no danger.

"A former captain of the Gotei Thirteen?"

Cang Du was startled and was about to flee immediately, but seeing Rangiku Matsumoto reveal such a large opening, he instantly changed his mind.

Kill this Shinigami vice-captain instantly, and then escape. There shouldn't be any problem.

A mere former captain, could he be stronger than the Squad Eleven captain he had encountered earlier?

Even if this suddenly appearing former Gotei Thirteen captain possessed strength comparable to Zaraki, it would be impossible to kill him in an instant, right?

Thinking this, blue spiritual pressure patterns appeared on Cang Du's body.

To complete the kill on Rangiku Matsumoto instantly, he still activated "Blut Vene Arterie," which could enhance his defense to the maximum.

Subsequently, Cang Du's spiritual pressure erupted, transforming into a black light as he attacked Rangiku Matsumoto.

But unfortunately, Cang Du's attack did not succeed.

A white light erupted from the darkness, piercing Cang Du entirely.

The immense force sent Cang Du flying backward, crashing through house after house.

And at this moment, Gin Ichimaru's playful voice finally sounded in Cang Du's ear.

"Shoot to kill—Shinsō!"

The white light dissipated, and Gin Ichimaru, dressed in a white chef's robe, appeared before Rangiku Matsumoto.

"Gin, why are you here?"

"Well, I sensed some fluctuations in your spiritual pressure from the shop, so I came to take a look."

Gin Ichimaru said, squinting his eyes as he explained to Rangiku Matsumoto.

"Is that so? Then thank you so much, Gin."

"If you hadn't come, I might have died here."

"You…"

Seeing Rangiku Matsumoto's cheerful demeanor, Gin Ichimaru could only shake his head dotingly.

"By the way, Gin."

After the crisis was resolved, Rangiku Matsumoto looked curiously at Gin Ichimaru's hand.

"I remember your Zanpakutō was confiscated, wasn't it? How can you still use its abilities?"

Rangiku Matsumoto would not mistake that previous white light.

That was Gin's Zanpakutō, "Shinsō."

Moreover, Gin Ichimaru had just spoken Shinsō's release command.

However, according to Rangiku Matsumoto's understanding, without a Zanpakutō, one shouldn't be able to use its abilities.

Otherwise, when the Gotei Thirteen apprehended criminal Shinigami, there wouldn't be a rule to confiscate their Zanpakutō.

Yet, Gin had indeed released his Zanpakutō earlier.

"You mean that…"

If anyone else had asked, Gin Ichimaru certainly wouldn't have told them.

But the one asking this question was Rangiku Matsumoto. Before Rangiku, Gin Ichimaru had no secrets.

"This is what Teacher told me, the three stages of a Shinigami's Zanpakutō training."

"The first stage, the Shinigami nurtures the spirit within the Asauchi with their own soul. When the spirit within is cultivated to a certain extent, the Zanpakutō spirit will tell the Shinigami its name."

"This stage is called the Zanpakutō's 'Shikai' by Shinigami."

"The second stage is when the Shinigami has nurtured the spirit within the Zanpakutō to its limit. If they successfully materialize it in reality and make it submit, they can complete the second stage of Zanpakutō training."

"This stage is called the Zanpakutō's 'Bankai' by Shinigami."

"The third stage is the complete fusion of the Zanpakutō's power with the Shinigami."

"Teacher said, the Zanpakutō spirit is nurtured by the Shinigami, two sides of the same coin with the Shinigami."

"After the Zanpakutō spirit has been nurtured to its limit, the Zanpakutō's 'spirit' can be completely fused with one's own soul, thereby allowing the Zanpakutō's abilities to completely return to oneself, completing the final training."

"My Zanpakutō, 'Shinsō,' had already grown to its limit in Hueco Mundo, thanks to the power of the Hōgyoku."

"After returning to the Soul Society, although my Zanpakutō was confiscated, the connection between it and me was not severed. I could still use 'Zazen' to connect with my Zanpakutō."

"After two years of training, I finally lived up to Teacher Ailin's hopes and completed the fusion of my Zanpakutō with myself."

"Which means, now, I can condense my own spiritual pressure into 'Shinsō' at any time and use Shinsō's abilities to attack enemies."

"Just like now…"

After speaking, Gin Ichimaru extended his hand forward.

Rangiku Matsumoto followed the direction Gin Ichimaru's hand was pointing and saw Cang Du, who had been attacked by Gin Ichimaru earlier, currently fleeing rapidly.

"How is this possible?"

"That man actually pierced me with just one sword strike?"

At this moment, a hint of panic was on Cang Du's face.

Before coming to the Seireitei, Cang Du had been very satisfied with his abilities, believing himself to be the strongest Quincy aside from the Sternritter's leader, Haschwalth.

In his first battle with a Shinigami captain, he had nearly had his defense broken by Squad Eleven Captain Zaraki.

It was fortunate that other Sternritter members had tied down Zaraki, allowing Cang Du to escape. But Cang Du never imagined he would encounter a "former Gotei Thirteen captain."

In just an instant, his body was pierced.

Although this time, because he was attacking that Shinigami vice-captain, he hadn't used the defense-enhancing "Blut Vene," Cang Du felt that even if he had used "Blut Vene," he probably couldn't withstand a few more attacks from the opponent.

This fellow's attack power was no weaker than Squad Eleven Captain Zaraki, whom he had encountered earlier.

Clutching his chest, he stood up from the ground, blood dripping from between Cang Du's fingers.

"I must escape quickly…"

"If I stay any longer, I will die!"