BLEACH: Blade of Purification

"What?!"

By the time Shihouin Souichirou noticed, Ling Qing was no longer there. Looking again, Ling Qing was already approaching the rift in the sky!

It wasn't just his footwork; Ling Qing's swordsmanship also followed its own unique system. Shihouin Souichirou knew this, having observed it during their half-month journey together. In terms of combat tempo, Ling Qing's swordsmanship had two main characteristics. One was that at close range, he could release power through the sword from its tip or blade, knocking opponents away as if striking them. The other was that at long range, he could use his slashes as a sort of anchor to rapidly close the distance to his opponent.

Right now, Ling Qing was undoubtedly using the latter technique.

Shihouin Souichirou had no issue with being completely ignored from beginning to end. That was because he felt an immense pressure and a sense of suffocation from the being named Baraggan. Though it was frustrating to admit, Souichirou believed that if he were to face that Baraggan, the losing party would most likely be himself. And he was the captain of Squad 2 of the Gotei 13.

It was already incredible that Ling Qing could defeat an Adjuchas-class Gillian. But not all Hollows were the same. The fact that Baraggan could have Ggio as a subordinate proved that his power was far greater than Ggio's. He was not an opponent Ling Qing could challenge right now!

"Don't be a fool!!"

The moment he realized Ling Qing was gone, Shihouin Souichirou finally sprang into action, interfering in the battle for the first time. And ironically, his interference was not to slash at Baraggan alongside Ling Qing, but to stop him!

Ling Qing, rushing towards Baraggan, seemed to sense something. He subconsciously twisted his body to the side, and in the spot where he had just been, Shihouin Souichirou appeared with a flicker of spatial distortion. However, the figure of Souichirou that appeared there was strangely illusory. Another Shihouin Souichirou appeared behind Ling Qing! Before Ling Qing could react again, this Souichirou placed a hand on his shoulder. Then, the two of them vanished from mid-air and reappeared on the ground.

Shihouin Souichirou had to be thankful. Ling Qing's footwork, while powerful, focused more on the rhythm of battle; it was a style born for combat and slaughter. It was a different path from Shunpo, which pursued greater speed and more powerful effects. This meant that in terms of pure speed, he could still firmly control Ling Qing for now. Of course, even a proud man like Shihouin Souichirou could only say 'for now.' He no longer dared to think about the 'future,' which might be just around the corner.

"That is not an opponent you can challenge right now!"

Back on the ground, without waiting for Ling Qing to speak, Shihouin Souichirou increased the force of his grip, holding Ling Qing down as he spoke with firm finality. "You don't need to rush. Once you achieve Bankai, even he will be no match for you!"

"Heh, is that so."

High in the sky, within the rift, sat Baraggan on his throne, with Szayelaporro standing seemingly respectfully behind him, and Ggio lying on the other side. Three beings, any one of which would cause a stir among several vice-captains or even captains if they appeared in Soul Society or the World of the Living—three middle- to upper-class Gillians—were gathered here in this desolate wasteland outside the 80th District of the Rukongai, their gazes fixed on Ling Qing and Shihouin Souichirou.

Seemingly hearing Souichirou's words, Baraggan spoke with interest. "I was feeling a bit of pity. After all, if you had charged at my throne, I would have had no choice but to turn you into decaying bones with a sigh. You should be glad there's someone sufficiently clear-headed by your side."

In terms of pure power, Shihouin Souichirou was definitely stronger than Ling Qing. Both Baraggan and Szayelaporro could see that, but neither of them was interested in Souichirou. Instead, they were more focused on Ling Qing. And Baraggan's words were, without a doubt, meant specifically for Ling Qing.

Held down by Souichirou, Ling Qing met Baraggan's gaze. The massive rift in the sky had almost completely disappeared.

In the end, only Baraggan's final words remained, unable to be scattered by the blowing wind.

"However, since you wish to fight me and have made the bold claim that even I would be no match for you, then the next time you slay Ggio Vega, I will give you a chance to challenge me. But that's only if you have the guts to step into Hueco Mundo..."

"Phew—"

Only after the rift in the sky had closed did Shihouin Souichirou relax, letting out a long sigh. He released his hand from Ling Qing's shoulder. "They're finally gone."

Due to Souichirou's interference, Ling Qing had not gotten close to Baraggan, let alone fought him. If it had been the man from Zaraki, with his personality, he would have probably slashed at Souichirou without a moment's hesitation. But Ling Qing didn't do that, because he hadn't forgotten that Shihouin Souichirou was his client.

He lifted the sword in his hand. Although it wasn't obvious on the outside, he also found it incredible. By what principle could a sword, without any forging or tempering, and even ignoring the law of conservation of mass, quietly become so much longer? When the sword in his hand transformed into this familiar yet strange form, the scabbard that was originally at his waist had disappeared. Now, Ling Qing could only carry this overly long tachi. But then again, a scabbard over two meters long wouldn't be easy to sheathe either.

While examining his new sword, Ling Qing spoke calmly without looking at Shihouin Souichirou. "I thought you would charge up and fight him directly. Regardless of whether he truly calls himself the King of Hueco Mundo, killing him would be beneficial, right? Mr. Souichirou, you're the Shinigami here, aren't you?"

Hearing this, Shihouin Souichirou gave a wry smile.

Shinigami were the foundation of everything in Soul Society, responsible for guiding the souls of the living to this world, allowing the world to cycle. By exorcising the evil souls known as Hollows, they became the hope of the people. This was how the deeds of the Shinigami were told in the Rukongai.

The king of the evil Hollows had appeared. As a righteous Shinigami, he should have drawn his sword and cut him down without hesitation, not stood aside and done nothing, even stopping others from striking.

But this was a question Shihouin Souichirou found difficult to answer, because it couldn't be explained in just a sentence or two. So, he changed the subject to something that was irrelevant to Hollows, Gillians, the Hollow King, or Hueco Mundo, but was far more important to Ling Qing.

"Yes, I am a Shinigami." There was no point in hiding it any longer. Besides, he had never really hidden it from the beginning. Ling Qing had probably figured something out long ago, but just hadn't said it aloud. After all, he was a businessman, not a detective who took pleasure in solving mysteries.

Shihouin Souichirou's gaze also fell on the ridiculously long tachi in Ling Qing's hand. "And I am the captain of Squad 2 of the Gotei 13 and the Onmitsukidō. Ling Qing, what I'm about to say next is very important for you. Please listen carefully and consider it seriously."

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