Chapter 109: Manipulation

Shijima Chigiri’s Captain-level Reiatsu was undeniable, yet his sword, lodged in Yamabuki Haruto’s shoulder, couldn’t budge him. Haruto’s sinister grin widened as he advanced, dragging Shijima backward despite the assassin’s desperate push against the hilt.

Monster, Shijima thought. No wonder he tamed Yachiru Unohana. Human? Hardly.

Haruto didn’t draw Reversal, Silver Angel. Instead, he smashed a fist into Shijima’s face, sending blood and teeth flying. Shijima soared dozens of meters, collapsing Rukongai buildings in a heap.

“Don’t play dead,” Haruto sneered. “Your Reiatsu’s fine. Get up and fight.”

Shijima crawled from the rubble, clutching his bruised face, spitting bloodied teeth. Ruthless! Why the face?

“Didn’t expect you to be my biggest problem tonight,” Shijima said bitterly. “Name?”

“Yamabuki Haruto, Chief of Staff, Gotei 13.”

“Chief of Staff? A desk job? Your civilians are this strong?” Shijima’s horror grew.

“Don’t just talk about me. Who are you? Name, or I’ll beat you to a pulp,” Haruto said, cracking his knuckles, advancing.

“Shijima Chigiri, small-time assassin, just scraping by. A big shot like you wouldn’t care,” Shijima said, grimacing.

Shijima Chigiri? First Captain of Squad 4? Haruto’s eyes lit up. The gentian flower, Squad 4’s emblem, matched the killer’s mark from Hachimayo Chiyo’s murder (Chapter 103). Found you.

“I can’t let you go,” Haruto said. “Two choices: come quietly, or—”

“Option two!” Shijima interrupted, flinging two steel spikes at Haruto’s eyes. No one’s eyes are invulnerable.

Haruto vanished, not with Shunpo—his Reiatsu disappeared entirely, as if spirited away. Supernatural, Shijima thought, on edge.

A finger tapped his shoulder. Shijima spun, punching Haruto’s stomach. The blow barely swayed him; Haruto brushed dust off his shihakushō.

“That’s it?” Haruto taunted.

Shijima’s face paled. Not human. He slashed fiercely, his Captain-level Reiatsu carving shallow cuts into Haruto’s skin. But Haruto’s super-regeneration healed them in seconds.

Shijima struck over a hundred times, then retreated, panting. Haruto stood unfazed.

“My turn,” Haruto said, vanishing again. He reappeared, his fist sinking into Shijima’s abdomen.

Shijima spewed blood, pain exploding as he staggered, kneeling, clutching his gut. Blood poured from his mouth and nose, eyes bloodshot. Still alive, barely.

“Cough!” Shijima rasped. “I hate trouble. Why me?”

“Forgot to mention option two,” Haruto said, patronizing. “I beat you senseless, then drag you back. Don’t interrupt next time.”

Haruto reached for Shijima’s collar, but Shijima dodged with Shunpo. “Still got fight? Tough guy, surviving my punch,” Haruto said, advancing.

Shijima wiped blood from his lips, eyes glinting fiercely. Cornered rabbits bite. He hadn’t used his full strength; Haruto was testing him, probing Squad 4’s future Captain.

“No choice. Forbidden techniques it is,” Shijima said, stabbing steel needles into his body.

Haruto paused, watching the self-harm.

Shijima’s Reiatsu surged chaotically, veins bulging, eyes crimson, muscles swelling. His slender frame turned hulking.

“Secret technique? Boosts strength, harms the body?” Haruto asked, curious. “You okay using that?”

Shijima, believing Haruto meant to kill him, ignored the cost. He’d unleash everything to end this. In a flash, he appeared before Haruto, slamming a fist into his stomach.