Chapter 72: Chapter 72 ⥤ A Bad Premonition
"Alright, I've been waiting for those words."
Akira eagerly rolled up his sleeves, having eyed the thunder beast with displeasure for some time.
If not for Yoruichi's request, he would have joined the fight immediately. With creatures like this, martial honor seemed pointless — why fight one-on-one when you could overwhelm it together?
As for warrior's spirit, this priest had made it clear he cared nothing for such things.
"I'll take the lead, you support."
With these words, Yoruichi's expression turned fierce. Her legs tensed like coiled springs before she shot forward like an arrow, charging straight at the thunder beast.
Akira stood rooted in place, watching her sleek silhouette, words dying in his throat.
"Why do I feel like someone stole my line..."
As Yoruichi and the thunder beast clashed again, they locked in an intense battle of techniques.
Born to the Shihōin clan, Yoruichi had trained since childhood alongside elite Shinigami, mastering various combat techniques. In every aspect of the Zankensoki, she far surpassed others.
{T/N: Zankensoki (Cut-Fist-Run-Spirit): Basic Shinigami fighting techniques. Zan refers to sword fighting techniques. Ken refers to unarmed fighting techniques. So refers to moving techniques. Ki refers to Kidō.}
Her fighting was mesmerizing to watch. She twisted and turned at danger's edge, dancing between deadly strikes.
The thunder beast, in contrast, relied on raw power and brute force. Its natural lightning and massive frame served as its primary weapons.
⤫ Hadō #31: Shakkahō ⥤ Red Fire Cannon! ⤬
Relegated to support, Akira's enjoyment dimmed. He could only stand at the battlefield's edge, firing occasional Shakkahō blasts for interference.
Yoruichi's Reiatsu-wrapped fists met lightning-wrapped claws in brilliant displays of sparks.
Their collisions created impact waves that built upon each other like endless ocean swells, stretching to the horizon.
The raw power tore through the heavy air, ripping open the low-hanging storm clouds to reveal dancing lightning within.
⤫ Hadō #31: Shakkahō ⥤ Red Fire Cannon! ⤬
Akira's Shakkahō burst forth, adding a brilliant fireworks display to the spectacular battle.
BOOM!
The red fireball struck true, leaving an indelible scorch mark on the beast's wheat-colored hide.
Yoruichi's face showed astonishment. How could someone with weaker Reiatsu produce such a powerful Shakkahō?
Was this what Tessai meant about his talent for Kidō?
Its proud golden skin now burned, the thunder beast unleashed a furious roar and power far beyond what it had shown before.
The force sent Yoruichi, who had been trading blows with it, flying backward.
Akira calculated her trajectory perfectly, opening his arms to catch her in a princess carry.
"Young lady, shall we continue?"
Yoruichi gnashed her teeth in frustration, saying reluctantly, "This time you take the lead!"
"As you wish, Milady."
After gently setting down the girl in his arms, Akira faced the roaring, charging thunder beast as burning fighting spirit blazed in his eyes.
He had wanted to find someone to test his strength against for a long time now. But there were few in the Shin'ō Academy who could truly go all out with him, and he couldn't beat Aizen.
Mere practice matches couldn't ignite the warrior's fire within him. Only at the precipice between life and death could one grasp battle's true essence.
Yoruichi watched in confusion.
She struggled to comprehend how the youth before her transformed so completely in battle.
He had seemed so carefree moments ago...
Wait... Why was his mouth curling into that unsettling smile?!
A sense of foreboding gripped her heart.
⤫ Shunpo ⥤ Flash Steps ⤬
Before she could move to stop him, his figure vanished — only to reappear directly before the thunder beast.
Though he stood merely at human height, dwarfed by the mountain-like creature, their auras matched in intensity.
The thunder beast grew alert, wariness flickering in its eyes.
⤫ Hadō #33: Sōkatsui ⥤ Blue Fire, Crash Down! ⤬
Wild laughter mingled with Kidō incantations as an extraordinary scene unfolded.
Blue flames ignited the air, turning the battlefield white-hot.
Silver lightning announced its challenge, driving the battle to new heights as piercing shrieks echoed across the field.
⤫ Hadō #11: Tsuzuri Raiden ⥤ Bound Lightning! ⤬
⤫ Hadō #14: Tetsu Kiri Ha ⥤ Iron-Cutting Blade! ⤬
⤫ Hadō #20: Tenkyūtama ⥤ Celestial Orb! ⤬
⤫ Hadō #32: Ōkasen ⥤ Yellow Fire Flash! ⤬
Endless Kidō spells created a display of sublime beauty.
Rays of light wove together, enveloping the enormous beast in their radiance.
This was the true might of Kidō!
"A natural Kidō master..." Yoruichi murmured, "No wonder Tessai said it would be Soul Society's great loss if he didn't join the Kidō Corps. What kind of normal person can release so many Kidō at once..."
While she stood amazed, Akira was just warming up. His increased Reiatsu had enhanced his stamina.
First, probe with Kidō, then lure the enemy.
⤫ Bakudō #21: Sekienton ⥤ Red Smoke Escape! ⤬
The Bakudō blanketed the area as crimson smoke swallowed the thunder beast's form. Bird-like shrieks pierced the air before crimson flames erupted violently.
The Sekienton intertwined with traces of Byakurai and Shakkahō.
⤫ Hadō #?: Akaden Shiraiko ⥤ Red Smoke White Lightning Cannon! ⤬
Next moment, praise the sun!
Raging thunder merged with searing heat, connecting to the storm clouds above as blinding light exploded forth.
The wasteland cracked beneath the thunder beast's feet as the massive light source flooded outward, drowning its furious roars.
Scorching winds howled across the battlefield, driving burning smoke and dust downward.
The ground trembled as dust particles swirled in a massive whirlwind, blasting outward in all directions beneath the thunder's roar.
Akira raised his right hand high, white lightning and red fire flowing into his palm and merging into a dazzling sword.
⤫ Hadō #?: Raienken ⥤ Thunder Fire Sword! ⤬
With an unchanging expression, he charged forward with fierce valor.
Despite the thunder beast's body being burned and scorched in many places, its natural lightning resistance meant it remained largely unaffected.
They would need to be even more ruthless to defeat this creature.
Yoruichi's pupils contracted as she realized her mistake in letting Akira take the lead.
In battle, he transformed into someone entirely different.
Without hesitation, she pushed her injured body forward with Shunpo to provide support.
⤫ Jigoku Arashi Kire ⥤ Hellish Storm Cut! ⤬
The moonlight filtered hazily through the storm clouds above.
In Akira's palm, lightning and fire interwove with explosive force, their radiance outshining even the moon itself!
The thunder beast's roar summoned lightning from above as pure destruction rained down, tearing through the vibrating air.
Their collision ripped apart the heavy storm clouds, sending visible shock waves sweeping across the wasteland.
The impact sent Akira flying backward until he crashed into something soft.
Yoruichi caught him in her arms as they carved two deep furrows into the ground, finally coming to rest in the ashes.
⤫⤬⤫
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