Chapter 25: You Must Pay the Price For Making Mistakes
Fierce wind blew!
The overwhelming Reiatsu was like a bursting river, crushing everything on its path.
Greenish wind currents entwined around Tokikaze's Zanpakuto, which was quite conspicuous within this dome.
As the blade was swung down, space seemed to be torn apart, and pitch-black fissures covered all directions.
Endless blue flames merged with the raging wind, transforming into a terrifying flame vortex that covered the entire dome.
At this moment, Kaname Tosen was taken aback.
He had never imagined that Tokikaze still possessed such terrifying power.
Amidst the majestic Reiatsu and raging wind, Kaname Tosen felt like a small boat in a stormy sea.
At this critical moment, he also exerted all his strength, and purple Reiatsu radiated above Suzumushi, transforming into countless blades that was hurled down at Tokikaze.
Boom!
Following the explosion, remnants of blue flames was blown all over the place in the dome.
If this happened outside, at least half of a courtyard would be levelled.
However, in the face of the impending strike, it was as if a mantis were challenging a giant tree, utterly powerless.
The sound of flesh being torn apart echoed in Kaname Tosen's ears.
His originally stiff expression was replaced by astonishment as blood gushed out, staining his shihakusho.
His left arm flew into the air!
The excruciating pain from having his arm severed caused Kaname Tosen's face contort instantly. Even his body trembled.
Tokikaze stepped forward and grabbed Suzumushi.
The dark dome filled with void collapsed, and Tokikaze's deprived senses were restored.
"It's over, Kaname Tosen," Tokikaze said calmly, "If you make a wrong decision, you must pay the price."
As he said it, another slash hit Kaname Tosen.
Blood sprayed like a fountain, and despair consumed his sanity.
Kaname Tosen knelt weakly on the ground. His Reiatsu dissipated, and the dome was crushed.
Inside the courtyard, under the tense eyes of the Division members, the massive black dome exploded like an overinflated balloon.
Countless black fragments scattered, turning into Reishi that returned into the air.
Two figures also appeared before everyone.
Tokikaze remained unchanged. His white Captain haori fluttered in the wind, and his expression was calm and composed.
However, the thing that caught everyone's attention was eye-catching aspect was the Zanpakuto he held in his right hand, which had undergone a significant transformation.
It was longer, and greenish wind circulated around it, and a faint whistling sound could be heard.
Strands of wind currents danced on the blade, even entwining around Tokikaze's body, matching the white Captain haori.
Tokikaze stood still, and as the wind currents surged, the ground around him was constantly being cut, forming ravines.
Even from a considerable distance away, it already sent chill down one's spine with just one look.
This was his Shikai—Arashigane!
Coincidentally, the previous Captain of the Ninth Division also had a wind-attribute Zanpakuto.
But Arashigane's potential far surpassed Muguruma Kensei's Tachikaze.
One could even say that they were in completely different leagues.
If the strongest fire-type Zanpakuto was Ryūjin Jakka, and the strongest ice-type Zanpakuto was Hyōrinmaru.
Then, the strongest wind-type Zanpakuto was Tokikaze's Arashigane!
Moreover, he had not yet fully explored the limits of this Zanpakuto.
Perhaps, as he continued to grow stronger, he could use it with another way.
At the moment, Tokikaze could only use its Shikai, and he was still some distance away from achieving Bankai.
However, for now, it was more than enough.
As witnessed, with just a Shikai, he easily subdued Kaname Tosen, who had achieved Bankai.
In contrast to Tokikaze, the figure on the ground remained motionless.
Kaname Tosen's left arm was completely severed, and a smooth wound still had faint traces of wind currents.
A massive gaping wound extended from his left arm to his waist and abdomen.
With wound all over his body and blood gushing out, it was clear that Kaname Tosen was severely injured.
Mind you, Tokikaze was holding back a bit.
If he had used a bit more Reiatsu in his final strike, Kaname Tosen might have been directly cleaved into two.
Tokikaze put away his Reiatsu, and Arashigane returned to its sealed state.
A sudden feeling of emptiness from deep within his body made his complexion turn pale.
Although he achieved victory in the battle through overwhelming force, the Reiatsu consumption was terrifying.
Dispelling Enma Korogi's ability alone took up more than half of Tokikaze's Reiatsu, and with the full force strike after releasing Shikai, even more of his Reiatsu was consumed.
Tokikaze might seem fine, but in reality, his Reiatsu was nearly depleted.
Fortunately, Soul Society's atmosphere was relatively rich with Reiatsu, allowing for a rapid recovery of Reiatsu.
"Yagawaki, Satoya, clean up this mess."
Upon hearing Tokikaze's command, the two Division members hesitated for a moment, then swiftly dashed out from the crowd.
They were the Seventh and Eighth Seats of the Ninth Division.
Originally, they had some reservations about Tokikaze becoming the Captain, but after witnessing his previous display of dominance and the current battle, any remaining reservations were thrown out the window.
Even someone like Kaname Tosen, who had achieved Bankai, was beaten this badly. If it were them, they would probably be dismembered into seventeen or eighteen pieces.
Regardless of the circumstances, the strong held absolute authority in the Soul Society.
Although the Ninth Division was not as extreme as the Eleventh Division, which revered absolute strength above everything, as Soul Reapers, the Division members still held respect and admiration for the powerful.
"This guy isn't dead yet."
Tokikaze sheathed his sword and said calmly, "Take him to the Fourth Division. Captain Unohana's Kaido expertise should be able to save his pathetic life."
Kaname Tosen still had some value.
If he died in the midst of the fight over Captain seat, Sōsuke Aizen, who was orchestrating things behind the scenes, would undoubtedly alter the entire plan.
At that point, the situation would become completely unknown.
At least for now, Tokikaze still held a bit of advantage.
Yagawaki and Satoya looked at Kaname Tosen's state and couldn't help but shiver.
After a brief moment of bewilderment, the two hastily tidied him up. Then, they carefully cleaned the remaining bloodstains on the ground. Finally, they carried Kaname Tosen on their backs and used Shunpo to quicklyreach the Fourth Division's barracks.
Once their figures disappeared, the courtyard of the Ninth Division fell into a silence.
Everyone looked at Tokikaze with eyes filled with awe.
Even the most rebellious Division members had undoubtedly been deeply impressed by the new Captain's overwhelming strength...