Chapter 2

It's been a thousand years, Yhwach. I've come to take your life.

You've grown old, Shigekuni Yamamoto. But seeing you let your rage take over reminds me of when you were younger.

Nonsense!

You've finally drawn it.

You make it sound like you've been waiting for me to draw my sword.

Why do you think I've been waiting? It's so I can crush both your flesh and blood and your sword.

Bankai. Zanka no Tachi.

You've seen my Bankai once before, a thousand years ago. But is it still the same?

Feel for yourself whether it's still the same as a thousand years ago.

(It cuts. But no flames. What is going on? Has his Bankai really changed from a thousand years ago?)

(But the Shikai and Bankai of every single Zanpakuto are connected. The power of his Bankai is fire. That is for certain.)

(Then, where has that fire gone?!)

The tip of the sword!

Zanka no Tachi, Higashi. Kyokujitsuken.

I've concentrated all the heat of my fire into the tip of my sword.

It does not burn. It does not emit an explosive flame. It merely blows away everything it touches without a trace.

So what? In other words, all I have to do is slay you without coming in contact with that sword!

So naïve. Haven't you listened to anything I've said?

I told you, this is the "East" of Zanka no Tachi. If there is an East, there is also a West.

Fine. I'll make it so you can see it too.

Zanka no Tachi, Nishi. Zanjitsu Gokui.

Its heat reaches 15 million degrees. You cannot even touch me.

Think of my body and my blade as being enveloped by the sun.

The dead. The ashes of those who perished by my flame, give me a hand.

And I will give you a moment's joy of battle. Zanka no Tachi, Minami. Kakajumanoku Shidaisoujin!

What...? What the...? What the hell is this?!

Kakajumanoku Shidaisoujin. Waking those I've slain by heating their ashes with my blade.

The undead become my hands and feet, chasing those I deem my enemy until they turn to dust!

Hah! How laughable that the head of the Soul Reapers would awaken the dead!

You are a disgrace to all Soul Reapers, Shigekuni Yamamoto!

Do not think you can stop me with such a trick!

Your mouth works fine, but not your eyes.

Take a better look at the faces of the dead whose arms and skulls you just cracked.

Seydlitz, Argola... Huberdt!

Well? How does it feel to be restrained by your former subordinates?

Shigekuni Yamamoto, you...! Wait! Where are you going?!

Relax. I'm just putting some distance between us.

If you want to kill me, come after me by knocking down your former subordinates.

Ahh... Raaaaaaaa! Aaaaaaaaaa!!!

It seems you still have some human feelings left in you.

You know nothing! I told you already! Do not think you can stop me with this!

I can see your tears, Yhwach.

It must be painful to have to destroy the corpses of your men just to reach me.

It must be infuriating, my malevolent act of bringing your dead subordinates back to the battlefield.

But know this! It does not compare to the hatred and suffering of the Soul Reapers you killed!!!

Zanka no Tachi, Kita. Tenchi Kaijin.