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"Fate Transference…"
The low, eerie voice of Furofushi Saito echoed in Shuren's ears, making his entire body freeze.
Before he could react, a searing pain suddenly erupted all over his body!
Hshhhh—
Thin wisps of smoke rose from his skin, and a roasted meat smell hit his nose.
"What is this, a BBQ in hell?"
Then agonizing pain exploded throughout his body! His skin began to burn and blister like it was being scorched alive!
"H-Haaah!!"
Shuren's body was trembling in pain, eyes filled with confusion and disbelief.
What the hell is going on?!
Fighting through the agony, he glanced over—only to see Saito's hand resting casually on his shoulder.
His expression twisted in pure shock. Saito's skin—burned and scorched just moments ago—was… healing? It looked smooth, brand new, like nothing had ever happened?!
No way.
Shuren's pupils narrowed, a chilling thought creeping into his mind.
Without hesitation, he yanked himself away from Saito. But the pain didn't stop!
The burning sensation still clinging to him like a curse.
Never in his wildest dreams did he think this would happen—he, a master of flame, getting roasted alive by fire.
What kind of twisted reversal is this?
Right now, it was like he was the one standing in the middle of an inferno.
That damned Furofushi Saito, Did she—
Just as he was trying to piece it all together, Saito's lively voice came floating out from within the flames.
"Heyyy, Little Shu~"
Little Shu?
Shuren's eye twitched violently.
Saito's voice continued, totally unfazed. "It's kinda warm. You should go train with old man Yamamoto or something?"
She sounded genuinely disappointed.
This level of heat wasn't enough to push the limits of [Fate Transference] at all.
What she really wanted was to see if she could transfer something fatal—something that would normally kill her.
But this guy? Shuren?
Completely useless.
Train with Yamamoto? Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto?
Shuren's mouth twitched so hard it was a miracle his jaw didn't fall off.
Seriously? Did she even realize what she was saying?
She's comparing himto the head captain of the Soul Society?
What an overestimation.
But—wait.
Looking at her again, something didn't sit right.
Was this woman… enjoying his flames like a hot spring soak?
Sure, he wasn't Yamamoto-level, but come on! He couldn't possibly be that far off! Right?
With that thought, Shuren immediately dispersed the flames.
And as the flames faded, the burning pain in his own body finally began to ease.
He blinked.
So… he'd been feeling the pain because he had somehow taken the damage for her?
After a bit of mental math, it all clicked.
So that's her power…
She can transfer damage to someone else?
As he stood there quietly absorbing it all, Saito rested her zanpakutō lazily on her shoulder, grinning like a schoolyard bully.
"Hey! Got anything better than that? If you're holding back, now's the time to show off!"
Shuren didn't answer.
If his theory was correct… Attacking her was basically attacking himself.
What kind of broken, overpowered cheat skill is that?!
He glanced at her smug, taunting expression.
Yeah. No doubt about it. She was cheating.
So, Shuren decided to go the diplomatic route.
"Furofushi Saito, listen—I'm here for peace. I'm here because—"
Too bad for him, he was talking to Saito. And she didn't give a damn about conversation.
She vanished in a blur of movement. In the blink of an eye, she was right in front of him—blade swinging down without hesitation!
Shuren raised his arms to block.
Because of what he'd just figured out, he didn't dare fight back!
From the sidelines, Taikon and the others watched as the usually proud and composed Shuren flailed around, ducking and dodging like a headless chicken.
They looked at each other in disbelief.
Was this really the same Shuren they had always respected? The one who used to radiate confidence and power.
Now looked like a scared child getting smacked around.
Their faith in him visibly wavered.
Could Shuren really lead them out of hell?
They were starting to have serious doubts.
On the other side, Saito kept swinging lazily, clearly enjoying herself as she chased him around.
"You? Escape hell? Such a joke~" she scoffed.
Shuren, of course, didn't respond. He just kept dodging.
Saito smirked.
Yeah, he definitely figured it out. But so what?
Now that she'd made a connection with him through [Fate Transference], she could pass off any injury she took straight to him.
And if she really wanted to go nuts, she could injure herself on purpose, and he'd be the one to suffer for it.
"Hmm…"
Her eyes suddenly sparkled.
Wait a sec. Why not do just that?
This could be the perfect use of the skill!
First, tag the target, then—Kekeke~
Her grin widened.
Her blade paused mid-swing.
"???"
Shuren blinked, confused—but a break in the assault was a relief either way.
Until he saw what she was doing.
"Wait Wait Wait...!!"
"Please WAIT!!!"
He raised a hand, voice trembling. "What the hell are you doing?!"
Saito paused, gave him a kind little smile…
And stabbed herself in the chest with brutal precision.
SHUNK—!
"GaaaaaaAAAHHH!!!"
Shuren's knees buckled.
A fresh, gaping hole opened up in the middle of his chest, right where the heart should be.
The pain was blinding.
Blood poured out of him like a fountain as he clutched his chest, eyes wide in horror, staring at Saito.
She wasn't hurt at all.
So it was true!! Every bit of damage went straight to him!
This… this was insanity!
What kind of broken, disgusting power even was this?!
Saito, meanwhile, looked him over with a glint of amusement in her eyes—like a child who had just discovered a new toy.
She started sizing up her own body, like she was picking the next spot to "experiment" on.
Shuren's survival instincts screamed.
No hesitation.
He compressed his Reiatsu on the spot.
This woman's a goddamn psycho! I'm out!
BOOM!
He self-destructed.
After all, this was hell. He'd just respawn.
Better to blow himself up than stick around for more of her twisted fun.
Taikon: "???"
Wait… what about us?!
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