NOVEL NEXT Chapter 262: Chapter 263: Something About It... Is Off
Bankai: Shinjo Kabutsu!
At that moment, countless Shinigami lifted their heads to gaze upon the colossal Buddha with closed eyes. A sense of awe and grandeur involuntarily surged within their hearts.
The Seventh Division Captain, Komamura Sajin's Bankai—Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō—manifested as a towering black-armored warrior, long regarded as a symbol of raw destruction and power within the Seireitei.
However, even the imposing Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō seemed diminutive when compared to the Buddha perched atop an infinite forest of massive trees.
"Vice-Captain Senju's Bankai… is in this form?"
"What an overwhelmingly massive Bankai! Its pressure surpasses even my Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō by several levels."
"It feels somewhat similar to his Zanpakuto's Shikai. Instead of extending its healing properties in Bankai, it has transformed into this awe-inspiring form?"
As the captains whispered, speculated, or marveled, Makoto stood steadily atop the Buddha's head, his gaze withdrawing from the faintly visible Shakonmaku of the Seireitei.
Standing atop the giant Buddha, he gazed down upon the Seireitei below.
The once-vast grounds of the Seireitei now seemed almost insignificant.
The Buddha, towering over a hundred meters tall, was the absolute limit of Makoto's current state.
Of course, this limitation applied to the form achieved without fully releasing Shinro Bansho and merely using Spiritual Particle Control
A fascinating theory came to Makoto's mind: The battles of Shinigami are battles of spiritual pressure—fights dictated by spiritual energy.
Though the theory wasn't entirely accurate, it certainly hinted at the truth.
Makoto's spiritual energy, refined into its Perfect Spirit Body form, had now reached levels unfathomable to ordinary captains.
After all, Makoto wasn't gathering spiritual energy alone—behind him stood nearly 70% of the Seireitei's seated officers and their spiritual pressures.
In the past, when using his Zanpakuto Shinro Bansho in battle, Makoto needed to draw upon the surrounding atmospheric spiritual particles.
Now, however, such measures were unnecessary. He himself was the Forest of the Buddha.
As his spiritual energy continued to accumulate, Makoto realized that no matter how much he suppressed his spiritual pressure, it was impossible to pass as merely a Vice-captain.
The sudden announcement of a captaincy promotion test was a perfect opportunity for him to conceal his true Bankai.
Makoto thought back to Aizen's promotion to Vice-captain, when Aizen had released Kyoka Suigetsu and hypnotized many captains at once, disguising its true abilities as merely as a normal zanpakuto.
Similarly, this test was the ideal moment for Makoto to mask his own Bankai's true nature.
"This level of power should seem slightly above an average captain's strength, yet not so overwhelming as to arouse suspicion…"
Standing atop the Buddha, Makoto's gaze grew contemplative. Then, with a voice full of sincerity and solemnity, he declared:
"Bankai: Shinjo Kabutsu! The pinnacle form of all things—the Buddha seated atop the Infinite Forest to suppress all chaos!"
"This form is meant for moments when healing can no longer salvage the situation. It sacrifices mobility and healing abilities entirely to achieve unparalleled offensive and defensive power. It represents the healer's final lament and resolute will."
Hearing Makoto's voice, the surrounding captains caught a faint tone of weakness and determination.
Suddenly, many began to understand why Makoto's complexion had gradually paled over the years.
This must be the price of mastering and utilizing such a Bankai—one seemingly born of desperation.
"This is a Bankai embodying unyielding and noble conviction. Makoto…"
"What courage! Vice-Captain Senju's will as a healer is no less than mine, and perhaps even surpasses my resolve!"
"No wonder this towering Bankai form exists—it is supported by such determination!"
"Hahaha! Interesting! Truly interesting! Fighting this brat's Bankai would surely be a thrilling experience!"
While many captains admired Makoto's conviction, only Unohana and Aizen wore expressions that stood apart.
Aizen's sharp instincts told him that this Bankai didn't align with what he knew of Makoto as his equal. Something about it felt… off.
As for Unohana, her understanding of Makoto was far more personal. She had long realized that Makoto's Shikai abilities—whether in healing or wood-element combat—were vastly different from what he openly displayed.
Over the past fifty years, Unohana had personally cut through every inch of Makoto's spiritual body. Any changes in him were impossible to hide from her.
The so-called Shinjo Kabutsu was so far removed from Makoto's true state that it was almost laughable.
"You're quite bold, Makoto, to deceive the entire Seireitei before Captain-Commander Yamamoto himself," she thought, though her lips remained sealed. She simply watched him with a gentle smile.
Meanwhile, Fon and Gin, still on the training field, looked up at the massive Buddha in a state of shock and confusion.
"Makoto, what does this mean?"
Makoto, meeting their bewildered gazes, spoke with an air of calm authority:
"Vice-captain Gin Ichimaru, Vice-captain Soi Fon—allow me to test your capabilities. Let me see if you are truly worthy of captaincy."
To Gin and Fon, however, his words felt like an act of self-sacrifice. It seemed to them that Makoto feared they would lose and had chosen to become a stepping stone for their promotion.
"Makoto, do you think I can't defeat Gin? Wait for me—I'll deal with him first."
"Heh… such tender, condescending words. Vice-Captain Senju, you are as insufferable as ever…" Gin remarked with a sly smile, his voice dripping with mockery.
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