Seeing Kaelith Yurei charge directly into his chest instead of retreating, Takada Tai's expression turned into one of surprise.
But when he noticed Kaelith clench his fists and thrust them forward, his confusion instantly turned into shock.
Under the astonished gazes of Yoruichi and Shaolin Fēng, Takada Tai—who had nearly caught Kaelith—was suddenly sent flying backward.
After flying dozens of meters, he slammed heavily into a wall—
Debris and dust rolled up in thick clouds!
Kaelith stood his ground, shaking his hands lightly.
As he moved, spiritual pressure surged outward, sweeping away the dust.
Takada Tai's figure re-emerged in everyone's sight.
Upon seeing his condition, Shaolin Fēng could hardly believe her eyes.
The massive rock-armored figure was sprawled amidst the rubble.
On his stomach, the rock armor had begun to crack and fall off in chunks.
Beneath the shattered armor, a bloodied hole—ten centimeters wide—gaped openly.
She instinctively turned toward Yoruichi, doubting her own vision.
Yoruichi, however, wore the same expression of shock, her mouth slightly agape.
Noticing Takada Tai's injury, Kaelith's expression grew slightly regretful.
"Uncle, you recognize this technique?"
As if responding, Takada Tai groaned faintly from the pile of stones. Supporting himself with a nearby boulder, he slowly raised his body.
"…I had the honor of witnessing the Captain-Commander's martial arts once," he said, his voice strained with pain.
After all, with a hole in his stomach, an ordinary Shinigami would have been long dead.
Kaelith's tone remained somewhat regretful.
Moments earlier, when he used the Sōkotsu (Double Bone), Takada Tai had instinctively released a burst of spiritual pressure and retreated backward at high speed.
This reflex allowed him to mitigate part of the impact force.
Otherwise, the fight would likely have been decided already.
Under Kaelith's watchful gaze, Takada Tai stood up once more.
His bloodied abdomen was promptly re-covered by his regenerating rock armor.
Watching this, Kaelith couldn't help but wonder.
Is this rock armor sanitized? Doesn't direct contact with flesh risk infection?
As these stray thoughts crossed his mind, Takada Tai began to speak:
"If I recall correctly, you've only been the Captain-Commander's disciple for a little over a month."
"Yet, in such a short time, you've managed to master this technique."
"And in that fleeting moment earlier, the spiritual pressure you unleashed…"
"I must retract my previous statement. The term 'genius' is inadequate to describe you."
"With time, you might surpass the Captain-Commander himself and become the strongest Shinigami."
Kaelith shrugged nonchalantly.
"Flattery won't get you anywhere with me."
"Do I look like the type of person who cares about titles like that?"
At his response, the two women behind him exchanged glances, their admiration evident.
To receive such high praise from a captain-level figure at his age—most would be over the moon.
Yet Kaelith remained composed, his indifference only adding to his charm.
As they observed him, Kaelith continued,
"You're severely injured and can't even use your Bankai now."
"Even if I can't cause you more harm, all I need to do is stall until reinforcements arrive."
"Come on, Captain Takada, show me what other tricks you've got!"
Moments ago, he seemed like a heroic savior. Now, he sounded like an arrogant mid-tier villain.
Takada Tai chuckled, nodding slightly.
"You've indeed forced me to this state. By all accounts, this round is yours."
"For someone your age to achieve this, it's truly admirable."
Noting his continued dialogue, Kaelith pursed his lips.
Still, his primary objective was to buy time.
If Captain Takada wanted to chat, Kaelith was happy to oblige.
However, just as he was about to respond, something struck him.
Did Takada Tai say, "Until now, it's my loss"?
Kaelith's mind raced as he pieced together the situation.
The Seventh Division's sudden ambush.
A pathway cleared of patrols, directly leading to the Second Division.
A captain-level assailant…
With Takada Tai's strength, clearing patrols or launching a direct attack wouldn't require much effort.
This could only mean one thing: there were others who had infiltrated the Second Division.
Given that Takada Tai had focused on Yoruichi, the intruders' target wasn't to assassinate the head of the Shihōin family.
Then what was their true objective?
Kaelith's expression darkened as realization struck. He turned toward the prison gates.
"Yoruichi! Take people to the Maggot's Nest!"
Yoruichi froze for a moment before her face turned pale.
Ignoring the wound on her shoulder, she stood abruptly.
"Shaolin, gather whoever's still standing and follow me down!"
Hearing their exchange, Takada Tai let out a low chuckle.
His voice, slightly muffled beneath his rock armor, carried a deep resonance:
"Impressive. You deduced my intentions so quickly."
"Kaelith Yurei, you truly are remarkable."
"But, unfortunately, it's already too late."
As if to confirm his words, an overwhelming spiritual pressure erupted from within the prison behind Yoruichi.
The prison gates burst open from the inside!
Amid the swirling dust and debris, a figure emerged, flanked by several masked operatives.
Seeing the figure, Yoruichi gritted her teeth.
"Shinchira Renzosuke…"