Chapter 103: Familiar Quincy

Chapter 103: Chapter 103: Familiar Quincy "A battle just ended in the middle section of the ravine—there are many injured here. Requesting medical team support!" A voice came from the communication device in Nanatsuki’s hand. "Received. We’re heading over now." Nanatsuki Katori put away the communicator and turned to the group. "We can’t be sure whether this is a trap. Stay alert." Nanatsuki had noticed a serious issue—when Shinigami used communication devices, they didn’t use any coded language. Right now, the Gotei 13 prioritized individual combat strength, but structurally, it was still a makeshift organization. If the Quincy happened to get hold of a communication device, they could easily set up ambushes using it. Moments later, Nanatsuki led the medical team to the middle section of the ravine. A brutal battle had just concluded here, with even more injured Shinigami than in the lower section. Upon seeing the badge Nanatsuki wore, the vice-captain of Squad 11 quickly approached. "Are you the Vice-Captain of Squad 4?" "Yes, I’m Nanatsuki Katori, Vice-Captain of Squad 4. I’m here with the medical team for support!" "Perfect timing!" the Squad 11 vice-captain said swiftly. "There are lots of wounded here—we’ve already gathered them. The fighting upstream is intense, so we need to assist there next. I’ll leave the injured to you!" Nanatsuki nodded. "Rest assured, we’ll transfer them to a medical station right away." Before departing, the Squad 11 vice-captain added, "We didn’t have time to completely sweep this area—it’s more dangerous than the lower section. Please be careful, Vice-Captain Katori!" "Thank you for the warning. I’ll be careful," Nanatsuki replied. After the Squad 11 vice-captain left, Nanatsuki immediately issued orders for the medical team to begin evacuating the wounded. He and Yoruichi’s Onmitsukidō squad took charge of security. But this time, things didn’t go as smoothly. Nanatsuki quickly detected an enemy presence. He raised two fingers and thrust them sharply into the forest. A Reiatsu Blade shot from his fingertips, piercing a large tree. But the enemy was cautious and had already used Hiryūkyaku to shift position. "So there really is a medical team here." Four Quincy stepped out of the woods. The leader, a black-haired man in a white uniform, was toying with a bloodstained communication device. Nanatsuki frowned. As expected, these devices need encryption protocols. These Quincy must’ve intercepted the transmission and come to ambush the medics. Nanatsuki smirked. "So it’s you. I spared you back in Karakura Town. You won’t be so lucky today." The black-haired Quincy was the same one he had briefly clashed with back in Karakura. Who would’ve thought they’d cross paths again? "Ridiculous!" the Quincy sneered, drawing his longsword. "If I hadn’t been in a rush that day, you’d be long dead!" Nanatsuki quickly drew his blade—Flowlight burst forth, slashing toward the Quincy like a streak of light. The Quincy’s eyes widened—he was caught off guard and couldn’t react in time. Boom! His body was hurled back, smashing through two trees before crashing to the ground. The Flowlight had pierced his skin but was blocked by a dense network of blue veins. Nanatsuki’s heart sank slightly. Blut Vene. Pure-blood or elite mixed-blood Quincy could infuse their veins with Reishi to enhance combat performance. Blut Arterie boosted offense; Blut Vene reinforced defense. A Quincy capable of using blood abilities was a formidable foe. "Keep evacuating the injured—the Onmitsukidō and I will handle the enemy!" Nanatsuki commanded. "Yes, sir!" Yoruichi and the stealth force engaged the remaining three Quincy. Seeing they were small fry, Nanatsuki turned his focus solely on the black-haired Quincy. The man stood up and brushed a strand of hair behind his ear, tidying his appearance. "You’ve improved a lot... What’s your name?" "Nanatsuki Katori," Nanatsuki replied casually, glancing at the opponent’s Status Interface. [Ishida Tsugene] [Talent: S] [Reiatsu: Lv75] [Reishi Manipulation: Lv85] [Reputation Level: Hostile] The Quincy interface differed from the Shinigami’s. While Shinigami relied entirely on internal Reiatsu, Quincy could manipulate external Reishi in addition to their own. Reishi Manipulation was a foundational ability for all Quincy. "Nanatsuki Katori, huh? You’re strong enough to earn a mark in my combat log." Ishida Tsugene’s cross-shaped longsword unfolded into a Reishi bow, releasing an arrow of light. "Remember this—even in Hell, don’t forget who killed you... Ishida Tsugene!" Nanatsuki’s Reiatsu surged, deflecting the incoming arrow. Then, he gently stroked the blade. "Shine upon all creation—Kagehime." "You can dive into shadows, huh? I won’t fall for that again!" Ishida swung his blade toward the rear in a flash. Clang! He blocked the black blade that came from behind—but before he could celebrate, he saw three more Nanatsukis appear in different directions. Each illusion crackled with arcs of lightning. "Damn!" Ishida thought in a flash. Quadrant Shun Strike: Raikiri! Shhk! Charred wounds opened simultaneously across his left arm, abdomen, and back. If not for Blut Vene, he’d have been sliced into pieces. Even so, the damage was severe. Whoosh! Ishida Tsugene used Hiryūkyaku again to widen the distance. "I let my guard down..." He was completely overwhelmed! He hadn’t expected Nanatsuki’s blade to grow this fast—or to pierce his defensive blood armor! Back when they’d last fought, Nanatsuki wasn’t this strong. Now the gap was enormous. Before he could catch his breath, Nanatsuki closed in with Shunko. Once Nanatsuki entered Shunko, Ishida couldn’t gain any distance. Nanatsuki ran alongside him, black blade sweeping in for another slash. Ishida had no choice but to raise his longsword to block. Bam! He couldn’t withstand Nanatsuki’s power and was smashed into the ground. Nanatsuki didn’t follow up immediately—instead, he vanished into a shadow. Multiple Reishi blades slashed through the air where he had just been. "Shit!" Ishida cursed. He realized he couldn’t keep up with Nanatsuki’s speed anymore. The injuries he’d sustained had already slowed him down significantly. He hadn’t gotten a good start—and now the fight was snowballing out of control! Just then, threads of light burst from Ishida’s body—countless strands of Reishi intertwined midair. The glowing threads tethered to Ishida’s limbs, making him look like a puppet on strings. "Ransōtengai!"