Shinigami: Medicine Can't Save The Soul Reaper Society

"You naive Shinigami... Have any of you ever set foot in Hueco Mundo? That desolate, lonely, and murderous realm..."

"A forest teeming with countless Gillians. To regain even a shred of consciousness and evolve into an Adjuchas, one must devour an untold number of kin and endure countless years."

"But even after becoming an Adjuchas with individual consciousness, stopping the consumption of souls risks regression into a mindless Gillian."

"And in this process, a single bite from an equal or higher-class Hollow can permanently halt one's evolution."

"The battles among Adjuchas are far more brutal than you can imagine. To survive, Sparx evolved the abilities of spiritual pressure concealment and false appendages..."

As Sparx spoke, the gaping mouth on his abdomen stretched even wider.

"In other words, feigned death—then devouring the predator as they savor their meal."

"And now, the only Shinigami capable of posing a threat to Sparx cannot even hold their sword. It's finally time for the feast."

With those words, Sparx vanished completely.

However, instead of targeting Sōjun, Sparx charged towards the other Sixth Division Shinigami.

It was indisputable—ordinary Shinigami had no hope of resisting an Adjuchas.

In mere moments, Sparx's abdominal mouth was already stuffed with the spiritual bodies of the Sixth Division Shinigami. The horrifying sound of chewing filled the air, leaving Sōjun enraged, his eyes bloodshot as he roared:

"Stop it, you bastard!"

Witnessing this, Makoto's breathing grew heavy.

Makoto understood this was Sparx's ploy to provoke Sōjun into a desperate counterattack.

One had to admit—Sparx was a cunning Adjuchas.

"Makoto, when will reinforcements from the Seireitei arrive?" Byakuya asked urgently.

Makoto fell silent at this question.

The reinforcements, led by Eighth Division Captain Kyōraku Shunsui, were supposed to arrive with a rescue unit. Jūshirō Ukitake had even insisted that Makoto wait for Kyōraku before setting out.

But Makoto had learned from Urozakuro that Kyōraku, at the time, was drinking at a bar in broad daylight, playing a risqué ikebana game with a group of women.

Even the Hell Butterfly's messages couldn't rouse the inebriated Kyōraku.

Makoto realized that waiting for Kyōraku would mean Sōjun's body would grow cold by the time reinforcements arrived.

However, he couldn't explain how he knew Kyōraku's condition to Ukitake at the time.

"Hopefully soon..." Makoto finally answered vaguely.

At that moment, under the healing power of Shinro Bansho, Sōjun's severed arm had stopped bleeding, but his face was deathly pale as he stood and said:

"Byakuya, Makoto-kun, I'll hold off this Adjuchas. You take the others and retreat."

Byakuya was shocked and instinctively protested:

"Father, you can't force a Bankai! If you do, you'll—"

"Byakuya!"

Sōjun's voice rose sharply, uncharacteristically stern.

"The blood and lives required to uphold the Kuchiki family's honor are not mere words of resolve. We Kuchiki are the epitome of nobility. We lead as the pinnacle of the nobility. We are the embodiment of honor!"

"When has a Kuchiki ever fled before a Hollow? Protecting subordinates is my duty as Kuchiki Sōjun. Power and life exist for moments like this."

Sōjun's declaration, steeped in unyielding honor, moved Byakuya to tears and even gave Sparx pause, causing him to halt his slaughter.

"Father..." Byakuya choked out, his eyes reddened.

Raising his remaining arm, Sōjun willed the blood he had shed to bloom into countless red spider lilies.

The blade Sparx had discarded began to disintegrate as the flowers gathered around Sōjun.

"Bankai—"

Before Sōjun could complete his resolve, a thick vine-like plant sprouted from behind him, swelling to cover his mouth and forcibly silencing him.

"Vice-Captain Sojun, forgive my rudeness. Your resolve is moving and admirable, but throwing your life away before a healer is a grave insult."

Makoto's gentle yet firm voice echoed.

"Makoto? What are you doing?" Byakuya stared at him, stunned, as though a martyr had just been pulled back from the grave.

"Fulfilling my duty as a healer—to save lives," Makoto said.

"If I'm not mistaken, Vice-Captain Sojun planned to sacrifice himself with a Bankai, correct? But this isn't the final moment yet."

Makoto shifted his gaze to Sparx, who had been cautiously keeping his distance.

"Actually, I should thank him for his caution. It gave me ample time to prepare."

As Makoto finished speaking, massive trees erupted around him, forming a small forest in the blink of an eye.

Sōjun and the remaining Sixth Division Shinigami were enveloped within.

"This ability was specifically developed after I failed to protect a patient against an Adjuchas. It was meant for a moment like this!"

"Shinro Bansho: Jukai Kotan!"

As Makoto's voice rang out, the towering trees sprouted leaves, forming what appeared to be a real forest before Sparx.

"Another attempt to stall for time? Then let me show you the true power of an Adjuchas!"

The mouth on Sparx's abdomen grinned, a blazing red orb forming and steadily growing larger.

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