Chapter 22: Responsibility

Chapter 22: Responsibility

Kazuya flexed his arms. The strengthening of his muscles by Oppression was still present and would remain until he used Oppression again to lower the density of his muscles.

He looked at Dordoni. “How will Baraggan respond when he gets today’s report?”

“Depending on his mood... In the best-case scenario — he sends more Espada. The worst-case scenario — he sends more Espada.”

“Huh? What’s the difference in the best and worst scenarios then? The orders he gives to Espadas?”

Dordoni grinned. “You wouldn’t want to know the worst orders.”

“I won’t ask then. Let’s start.”

“I was about to say the same, Niño.”

Kazuya charged recklessly. Dordoni roared like a ferocious beast, and his Reiatsu swelled to nearly its peak. More tornadoes emerged from his armor pieces, bird heads attached to their ends.

Dordoni launched kicks and punches from a distance. The bird-headed wind creatures mimicked his movements and struck Kazuya. The assault flung Kazuya towards the ground. Using his wings, he steadied himself and assessed his chest. Apart from superficial cuts, he had sustained no significant injuries.

‘This method is brilliant for improving my defense.’

Dordoni widened his eyes. “Even an Arrancar’s Hierro is cut upon contact with my razor-sharp wind. What kind of technique are you using to protect your body, Niño? Why are your clothes unharmed?”

“My clothes are special.”

"Niño," Kazuya called Dordoni with a wicked grin as a blue Reiatsu surged from his wounded hand. "Say goodbye to your Zanpakutō."

Before Dordoni snatched away his Zanpakutō, Kazuya activated his Aspect of Death.

An Arrancar’s Zanpakutō embodied their Hollow powers from before they became an Arrancar. It also sealed away their Hollow attribute, allowing them to attain human-like emotions.

One could argue that an Arrancar's Zanpakutō held equal or perhaps more importance for a Hollow than it did for a Shinigami.

Despite Zanpakutō's extraordinary capabilities, the katana clutched in Kazuya's hand was a physical object. With the power of Oppression, he could manipulate any physical matter, as long as he understood its nature or brute force it with immense Reiryoku.

As Kazuya tightened his grip on the katana, the entire blade cracked before snapping in two.

Dordoni stood frozen, clutching the hilt. After a tense moment of silence, he lowered his head. “I should have been more cautious after I saw you fooling Cirucci.”

Dordoni fell victim to his own veteran experience. A true warrior would cut down their enemy without hesitation. That very impulse led to the demise of his Zanpakutō.

“I have been outsmarted... your ability, your Reiatsu can alter physical properties of anything it touches.”

“Yeah. I made your Zanpakutō extremely brittle.”

Despite his defeat, Dordoni threw his head back and laughed heartily. "Well played, Niño. You might give the old king some trouble... I certainly hope you do. Well, you have to conquer me before you go anywhere... As long as I breathe and my body can move, I’ll continue to fight. That’s what a soldier does, Niño."

Refusing to grant Kazuya a simple win, Dordoni lunged forward, showing his sharp combat abilities with an intense barrage of punches and kicks. Unyielding, Kazuya expertly parried each of Dordoni's strikes, ensuring that none found their mark on his body.

After what seemed like minutes, Kazuya found an opening and struck Dordoni's face, propelling him toward the ground. He caught up to Dordoni using Sonído and unleashed a powerful kick that sent him crashing into a nearby mountain. Blood splattered from Dordoni's mouth as he gasped for breath.