Chapter Nine: Another Chojirou

Defiant—
It is indeed a courage worth praising, but—
This is not a battlefield worthy of staking your life and risking everything for such a display. To act so recklessly—
It is sheer folly.
To trade away everything for the power you seek.
If you lose your life, what meaning does the strength you pursue truly have?
Answer me, Nagatsuro...
Yamamoto lowered his head, silently watching Nagatsuro struggle to stand.
It must be said, the two whose thoughts had diverged to opposite extremes now faced the same situation, yet their choices were entirely different.
Nagatsuro merely wished to use Yamamoto Shigekuni’s strength to hone his own mastery of Yanlingmaru, so it wasn’t surprising he would challenge Yamamoto, but it was undoubtedly the worst possible plan—an act born of desperation.
Yamamoto Shigekuni, on the other hand, used such overwhelming power not for his own sake, but to prevent Nagatsuro from losing himself in the pursuit of strength, hoping to awaken him.
The result—
Nagatsuro was gravely injured.
Is this not self-inflicted misery?
Nagatsuro cursed inwardly.
He had expected injury, but to stand against Yamamoto at full force was beyond anything he’d imagined.
Four full-powered strikes had left Nagatsuro barely able to move a finger, and to even stand while gripping Yanlingmaru was a feat in itself.
“Still stubbornly refusing to wake up?”
Yamamoto slowly drew his sword from his waist.
“I am deeply pained.”
“Isn’t that so—”
‘It’s coming...’
Nagatsuro’s nerves were stretched to the breaking point; he knew what it meant for Yamamoto to draw his blade, and how terrifying it was, but he had no choice but to face it.
“Ryūjin Jakka.”
Endless hellfire!
What is this temperature?
Facing Ryūjin Jakka for the second time, Nagatsuro was afraid.
Yes, afraid.
Last time, the presence of Bankai had shielded him from the true pressure of Ryūjin Jakka.
But now, Yanlingmaru’s Shikai was utterly incapable of withstanding Ryūjin Jakka’s power.
Nagatsuro was crushed, and fear was only natural.
After all, he was not some invincible figure; faced with Yamamoto Shigekuni’s strength, how many could confront it without flinching?
That seemingly limitless heat raged uncontrollably, enveloping Nagatsuro’s body.

‘Amazing, the moisture in my body is vanishing bit by bit.’
Nagatsuro lifted his hand and wiped his face; his fingers collected a trace of white crystals.
‘Was my sweat evaporated the instant it appeared?’
He looked around at the flames encircling himself and Yamamoto Shigekuni.
‘Even without Bankai, such power—looks like the manga never truly captured the full extent of Ryūjin Jakka’s might.’
A flash of lightning flickered across Yanlingmaru, then faded back into silence.
‘Even you... are afraid?’
“Heh heh... haha... hahahaha!”
“!”
Laughter erupted, wild and unhinged, as if reason had slipped away.
“Interesting, so interesting, Ryūjin Jakka!”
“In such a desperate situation, my potential can be pushed further.”
Words tumbled incoherently; was his mind unraveling?
That was Yamamoto’s assessment of Nagatsuro’s current state.
“Mental collapse? Such a thing does not exist.”
Seeing through Yamamoto’s thoughts, Nagatsuro grinned with pride.
“True collapse is confusion born of an inability to accept what’s before you.”
Nagatsuro raised his hand: “As you can see, I stand here calmly conversing with you—”
“Do I show any signs of breakdown?”
“Then, who are you?”
Yamamoto tightened his grip on his sword, surprised that a simple lesson had led to such a confrontation.
“Please don’t worry, I hold no hostility toward you or the Soul Society. As for your question, isn’t it obvious?”
“I am Nagatsuro Suzaku.”
“Nonsense.”
Without hesitation, Yamamoto denied Nagatsuro’s claim.
“Ever since Nagatsuro returned with Bankai, I’ve noticed subtle changes in him, but at first, I dismissed them.”
“Perhaps it was just a temporary shift brought on by joy.”
“But the situation is not as optimistic as I’d hoped.”
“I’ve witnessed Nagatsuro’s changes: his unusual cheerfulness, his entirely new approach to life.”
“Nagatsuro—he’s truly changed.”
“Oh? I’m surprised you noticed from the very beginning. As expected of Ryūjin Jakka, no...”
“Yamamoto Shigekuni.”

For the first time, Nagatsuro addressed him by that name.
No matter how much he’d cursed him inwardly before, he had never called Yamamoto Shigekuni anything but “Ryūjin Jakka.”
“As you know, I became ‘Nagatsuro Suzaku’ at that moment.”
“You thought my cheerful demeanor was the true Nagatsuro after the change?”
Nagatsuro raised his blade; the pain from Yamamoto’s previous attack seemed to have vanished, and even broad movements brought no hint of discomfort.
“Utterly mistaken.”
“That was merely a facade.”
“Like a spy infiltrating enemy territory, one must disguise every aspect—name, personality, daily habits—with not a single error allowed.”
“Do not be deceived by appearances—”
“To have lived so long, and yet not grasp such a simple truth? Yamamoto Shigekuni.”
“...”
Silence. But the killing intent in Yamamoto’s eyes only grew stronger.
“Back to the point—who am I?”
“I am the hidden, true personality.”
“I rarely let this side show, whether before crossing over or after being reborn...”
Nagatsuro aimed his sword at Yamamoto, his tone relaxing but still cold.
“No matter which persona, my purpose remains the same.”
“To increase my power.”
A strange calm spread between them; now, only the sound of flames could be heard.
“Such obsession with strength—do you have a reason?”
“A reason? If I must name one, it’s simply that I don’t wish to die in future battles.”
“I am no noble soul; self-preservation is my minimum requirement, surely you understand, Yamamoto Shigekuni.”
“I cannot agree.”
“!”
Unexpectedly, Yamamoto rejected Nagatsuro’s words; clearly, Nagatsuro’s actions had gone against his will.
“If everyone thought only of themselves, do you think Soul Society would have lasted so long?”
“Let me show you...” Yamamoto stepped forward, his anger and murderous intent blazing like fire.
“Selfishness is unforgivable, boy.”