MTLNOVEL Chapter 266: Chapter 267: What Went Wrong?
The residual shockwaves from the nuclear explosion rippled outward like a relentless tide, spreading from the First Division barracks in all directions.
"Boom!"
With a single strike of his cane, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni instantly dispersed the lingering aftermath around him. The sheer force of his presence alone pushed back the devastation.
Yet, as his eyes swept across the obliterated training grounds, the collapsed barracks damaged by the shockwaves, and the gaping hole torn through the Shakonmaku above the First Division, his expression darkened to an unprecedented degree.
His narrowed, authoritative gaze lifted slightly, looking skyward at the fading remnants of… a second sun.
"Captain-Commander!!!"
At last, the Vice-captains, who had remained on standby in their waiting chambers, rushed to the scene. First to arrive was Chōjirō Sasakibe, the First Division Vice-captain, his Shunpo far surpassing the rest.
The other Vice-captains scattered, each locating their respective captains, confirming their safety while simultaneously trying to grasp the situation.
The hundred-meter-tall Buddha…
The sun that had risen above the Seireitei…
Fon, still drained of all spiritual power, shifted her gaze slightly in the opposite direction of Makoto, as if trying to hide the turmoil in her expression. She muttered softly.
Spiritual structure alterations… spiritual power fluctuations… spiritual pressure intensity…
Makoto's voice was calm yet piercing as he pressed her.
"Do you understand where you went wrong?"
Fon hesitated, then nodded weakly.
Makoto continued, his tone gentle yet firm.
"Your Bankai is far too extreme. I examined your condition—your spiritual energy is completely depleted, and you won't be able to recover for at least a month. Your Zanpakutō will be in a dormant state during this time."
"Is this what a true one-hit kill means?"
He turned to the assembled captains.
"Soi Fon's Bankai comes with severe drawbacks and side effects. She requires immediate medical attention."
Just then, another figure appeared at Makoto's side.
There was no longer any doubt—after the battle they had just endured, the captains fully recognized Gin's strength. He was more than qualified to bear the title of captain.
Without hesitation, Makoto lifted Fon in his arms and vanished from sight.
Gin gave a fleeting glance towards Aizen before silently following Makoto.
—
Moments later, Makoto finally came to a halt, exhaling slightly before settling Fon down.
He looked at her and asked again.
"Do you understand now?"
Fon bit her lip.
"I… I do."
Even imagining the worst-case scenario, the captains understood that if things had gone differently, the entire First Division barracks could have been wiped out.
Terrifying.
Makoto let out a quiet sigh before speaking again.
But in contrast to the chaos she had caused, the only visible sign of Fon's exhaustion was the paleness of her face—she was otherwise completely unharmed.
Instead of returning to the Fourth Division barracks, Makoto opted for a temporary medical room within the First Division to examine Fon's condition.
What if he hadn't pushed the nuclear blast skyward?
What if he had allowed Jakuho Raikoben to fully detonate within the training grounds?
Makoto's voice cut through Fon's haze of exhaustion.
"You can't recklessly wield power that you neither understand nor control. Especially a Bankai with more destructive power than its effective range. That kind of carelessness will only get you killed."
Fon had been listening intently, but at his last remark, her heart inexplicably started pounding in an odd rhythm.
Makoto's words were practical. But why did they sound so... intimate?
Yamamoto's voice broke the moment. "This concludes the Captain Promotion Examination. Vice-Captain Senju, proceed to treat both Vice-Captain Soi Fon and Vice-Captain Gin Ichimaru without delay."
Among the gathered captains, Unohana and Aizen stood out.
Unohana's gaze was warm and tranquil as always, while Aizen adjusted his glasses, the reflective lenses obscuring his eyes and betraying no emotion.
Emerging from the smoke and wreckage of the training grounds, Makoto appeared before the gathered Shinigami, his shihakushō scorched and tattered, evidence of the trial he had endured.
Without waiting for Fon to finish her stammered reply, Makoto flicked her forehead lightly, his tone teasing yet concerned. "Rest now. You've done enough."
The captains, however, had little interest in entertaining the Vice-captains' questions. Their attention remained on the devastated training grounds, which were now cloaked in heavy smoke.
Gin's silhouette emerged, his usual smug expression replaced by one of utter exhaustion. His signature pale-purple hair was singed black in patches, and his disheveled appearance made him look even worse off than Makoto.
"Terrifying…"
Although Gin had retreated as soon as the explosion began, the residual force had left him battered and shaken.
In the temporary medical room within the First Division, Makoto performed a thorough examination of Fon instead of taking her directly to the Fourth Division barracks.
As he worked, Makoto silently pondered. If I hadn't pushed the nuclear explosion skyward, allowing the Jakuho Raikoben to fully detonate within the training grounds…
That lingering thought sent a chill through him.
Fon, still cradled in his arms, seemed physically unscathed apart from her pallor. However, her small frame trembled slightly, overwhelmed by both guilt and the residual effects of her Bankai.
Makoto's voice softened as he placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "It's alright now."
With a gentle reminder for Fon to rest, Makoto hurried out of the room. Gin was leaning casually against the wall outside, his sly grin returning as he observed Makoto approach.
"Vice-Captain Senju, I must say… surviving an explosion of that magnitude? You're something else…"
=======================
Consider joining me on P@treon For 50+ Advance Chapters:
P@treon: [email protected]/JustaPasserby