Chapter 3

Honestly, you don't seem to realize how generous I've been.

Yhw... Don't you know why I went to all the trouble of slashing your power in half? It was for your sake.

Think of how you would lose face in the eyes of the Quincies if I was able to crush you while you were at full strength!

Who really gives a damn about their reputation once they're dead, right?

Blut Vene Aufheben.

Incredible. Not only have you trespassed upon the Royal Palace, you dare to trespass upon the body of a Squad Zero member, a servant of the Soul King?

That will be enough of your impertinence, you lowly human. It's time you were punished.

Paint it black, Ichimonji!

............

What's the matter? Not sure if you're seeing a brush or a blade, is that it?

What kind of blade is that? As far as I can tell, it just splashes ink around and doesn't cut a thing!

I hope it's not a blade that can cut names in half, like you did earlier. Because you should have learned by now what a pointless exercise that is.

You can't defeat me with such a weapon. I will cut more than your name in half with my...

............

With your what, Yhw?

You don't know, do you? Or rather, you know that your sword has no name at all now.

You see, anything that gets painted over by my Ichimonji loses its name.

That without a name has no power. A sword without a name. A cross without a name. Did you actually think you could kill me with those things?

Very well...

Then I shall simply steal your powers! Not with something that doesn't have a name, but with my own natural power!

And now for Sankt Altar!

............

I've stolen it... Your "Black" is mine now.

Yes, my power is "Black," as you say.

Once I unleash Ichimonji, it doesn't matter who you are. Soul Reapers, Quincies... The dead and the living...

All the "Black" that exists in this world. It all becomes mine!

Yhwach, or rather, the one who used to be Yhwach, losing your name must be humiliating.

Poor fellow, don't take the loss of your name too hard, because I'm going to give you a new one!

Shinuchi Shirafude Ichimonji.

If I had to use a more modern term, I guess this would be called a Bankai.

You see, this was the first evolved Zanpakuto. It was around long before Bankai ever existed in the world.

The beauty of this sword is that it can inscribe a new name on whatever has been painted over by Ichimonji.

Well? How do you feel now, "Black Ant" formerly known as Yhwach?

Knowing your power's no more than that of a tiny ant crawling over the ground for the length of its fleeting and insignificant life.

I... I never imagined...

No, you couldn't imagine it. The difference between your powers and mine, and that it was your fate to end here.

You will bear the weight of the lives of all those Soul Reapers that you've killed and be crushed to dust like the crawling black ant that you are!

Fare you well, you king of the bugs. Fare you well.