Naruto: Copy System#743+744: Overdoing It, Dominating the Vasto Lorde

"All Soul Reapers below the rank of Captain, retreat immediately."

Chōjirō Sasakibe commanded. The lower-ranked squad members would only be a liability here.

"Join me in surrounding this Vasto Lorde."

Chōjirō released his Zanpakutō, Gonryōmaru—a blade that combined direct attacks with Kidō-type abilities. The power of lightning made it an exceptionally strong Zanpakutō.

"<Bankai: Kōkō Gonryō Rikyū!>"

Dark clouds gathered in the sky. An oval of electric light split into eleven bolts, striking down at the Vasto Lorde with the speed of lightning.

At this point in time, Chōjirō's Zanpakutō was the only one capable of controlling the weather. While Hyōrinmaru would later possess a similar ability, it had yet to appear.

With his Bankai released, Chōjirō, along with the other Captains who had released their Shikai or Bankai, charged toward the Vasto Lorde.

Shin, meanwhile, was engaged with an Adjuchas. It wasn't just a single Vasto Lorde—there were ten Adjuchas and a countless number of Gillians.

"Is that all the strength you have, Soul Reaper?"

A disdainful voice cut through the air. The Adjuchas fighting Shin was looking down on him.

Shin shot the Adjuchas a sideways glance. 'I'm pulling my punches, you know that? Otherwise, I would have ended you with a single slash.'

Shin felt that killing an Adjuchas instantly would attract too much attention. Better to spar for a bit before finishing it off.

"<Hadō #33: Sōkatsui!>"

A burst of blue fire slammed into the Adjuchas's face, sending it flying.

"Vice-Captain is so strong!"

A few members of the 2nd Division, seeing Shin send the Adjuchas flying with a single blow, showed expressions of great excitement.

"What are you all still standing here for? Run!"

Shin turned and yelled at the 2nd Division members. He was starting to wonder if they were idiots. Why weren't they running at a time like this?

'Am I supposed to be your babysitter?'

Just then, hundreds of Gillians unleashed their Ceros. A terrifying volley of energy blasts shot towards them, with Shin caught in the line of fire.

Though a Gillian's Cero was slow, its power was considerable, and the threat was magnified when so many were fired at once.

"Ye Lord! Mask Of Flesh And Blood, All Creation, Flutter Of Wings, Ye Who Bears The Name Of Man! On The Wall Of Blue Flame, Inscribe A Twin Lotus. In The Abyss Of Conflagration, Wait At The Far Heavens!"

"<Bakudō #81: Dankū!>"

This was the first time Shin had used a Kidō with its full incantation. A translucent wall materialized, blocking every single one of the hundred-plus Ceros.

Feeling all eyes on him, Shin's expression remained calm. The power he had just displayed was probably a bit beyond that of a Captain, wasn't it?

"What are you all staring at? Hurry up and get these people out of here," Shin said.

These Vice-Captains were idiots, still gawking at a time like this. So what if he showed a little more strength than expected?

Well, to Shin it was "a little," but to everyone else, it was a whole lot more.

Watching them finally retreat, Shin turned his gaze to the Gillians. 'I've already shown some of my strength. Annihilating them in one go shouldn't be too over the top, right?'

"<Hadō #88: Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō!>"

Shin raised his hand, and an endless torrent of lightning gathered in his palm, forming a beam of pure energy that he then unleashed.

The terrifying, destructive lightning caused the surrounding sand to collapse inward. With a single spell, Shin had annihilated over a hundred Gillians.

The Vasto Lorde, which had just sent Chōjirō Sasakibe flying, turned its gaze toward Shin, its eyes filled with a terrifying light.

It had felt a threat from that last spell—a mortal threat.

Shin's Hadō #88 was horrifyingly powerful, wiping out countless Gillians in a single strike. Although Gillians were just cannon fodder to a Vasto Lorde, easily disposed of, annihilating over a hundred in one go was still an exaggeration.

The Vasto Lorde felt that even its own Gran Rey Cero would, at best, be on the same level, and certainly no stronger.

"Captain Unohana, Shin Uzumaki, he...?" Chōjirō Sasakibe's eyes were filled with confusion.

The advanced Kidō Shin had just used was not something easily learned. Had he learned it from Retsu Unohana?

"I taught him Kidō," Retsu Unohana said, though she herself had never known any advanced Kidō.

But no one doubted her words. They simply assumed she preferred not to use Kidō in battle, unaware that she had never learned any.

"That took a lot out of me. I don't think I can keep this up."

Just then, Shin put on a show of weakness. But to everyone else, it seemed perfectly normal. After all, he had just used two incredibly powerful Kidō spells back-to-back.

"Hahaha, then I won't hold back! I'll kill you!"

The Adjuchas that Shin had been fighting before charged at him, radiating immense killing intent. But just as it closed in, it was repelled by Jūshirō Ukitake.

"Vice-Captain Shin, you should retreat," Jūshirō said to him.

"Alright. I'll leave it to you, Vice-Captain Ukitake."

The current Jūshirō Ukitake was still a Vice-Captain and had not yet been promoted. But it wouldn't be long before he became a Captain.

Shin turned and left, ignoring the Vasto Lorde for now.

Though he wanted to copy its power, he didn't know what changes it might cause. There were too many people here. If he underwent a Hollowfication, he'd be branded a public enemy by the Soul Reapers.

So, he planned to wait until there was no one else around before copying the Vasto Lorde's power.

Surely this Vasto Lorde wouldn't be defeated so easily. If it was, then it wouldn't be worth copying its power anyway.

Retreating with the main force of Soul Reapers, Shin saw that despite their speed, they had still suffered heavy losses.

"This is real trouble," Jūshirō said as he also retreated. He was very worried.

None of the Captains had managed to escape. The Hollows that had been chasing them had suddenly stopped and turned back to surround the Captains.

"Shin, how are you now?" Jūshirō asked with some concern.

"I'm fine. I'll be alright after a little rest," Shin said, shaking his head.

Of course he was fine. It was all an act. Casting two Kidō spells was nothing to him. He just didn't want to make an even bigger scene.

To unleash a Kidō that could annihilate hundreds of Gillians and show no signs of fatigue would be too shocking.

<><><><><><><><>

"The Hollows didn't follow us. I'm afraid the Captains are in danger."

Jūshirō Ukitake said worriedly. He gripped his Zanpakutō, ready to charge back in, but just as he moved, Shin stopped him.

"Are you planning to go back? With your current strength, you'd be no help. You'd just be throwing your life away."

Shin reminded him.

Jūshirō was certainly strong, but even if he went back, he wouldn't be able to save anyone.

"Perhaps..." Jūshirō sighed. He'd probably just be a burden.

"Vice-Captain Shin, could I ask you a favor?" Jūshirō asked.

"Go ahead," Shin nodded.

"We'll transfer our Reiryoku to you. We hope you can go back and help the Captains," Jūshirō said.

As he spoke, Jūshirō looked a little embarrassed. He was asking Shin to take on a dangerous task.

"Sure." Shin's eyes lit up slightly, and he immediately agreed. Hearing his agreement, Jūshirō and the other Vice-Captains were overjoyed. They, along with the other Soul Reapers, began to transfer their Spiritual Power to Shin.

"We're counting on you, Vice-Captain Shin."

Jūshirō said solemnly. Shin nodded. His quick agreement wasn't out of kindness but was part of his own calculations.

He then charged back, seemingly empowered by their strength. In reality, he was using his own power.

With a flash of Shunpo, he vanished. Shin found that Shunpo was much more effective than the Rokushiki's Soru.

————————

Not long after, Shin arrived at the Forest of Menos. Several Captains had already fallen.

His gaze shifted to Retsu Unohana. Seeing that she was unharmed, Shin breathed a sigh of relief.

He didn't care about the others, but he couldn't let anything happen to Unohana. Though he knew she was strong, this situation was still a considerable threat to her.

So, even if Jūshirō hadn't suggested it, Shin would have found a way to return. If for no other reason than to save Unohana.

Upon his return, Shin unleashed a decisive slash, and a dozen Hollows were instantly incinerated in a burst of flames.

"I'll handle the Vasto Lorde. You all deal with the other Hollows," Shin declared.

"Are you sure you can handle it?"

Chōjirō Sasakibe was shocked by Shin's return, but he still had to ask. He couldn't have them retreat only for Shin to be unable to handle the Vasto Lorde.

"Just leave it to me."

Shin waved at Chōjirō, and Chōjirō chose to trust him.

“Be careful.”

Retsu Unohana, in her Bankai form, looking like a demon from hell, said to Shin.

"Don't worry. It's just a Vasto Lorde."

Shin smiled faintly, not taking the Vasto Lorde seriously at all. But when the Vasto Lorde heard this, it truly became enraged.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed? You're on your own now."

Chōjirō didn't know how Shin had managed to return, but deliberately provoking the Vasto Lorde was definitely not a wise move. He couldn't help Shin now. He'd have to fend for himself.

"Retreat for now," Shin said softly to Unohana.

"No, let me stay and face this with you," Unohana shook her head, refusing his suggestion.

Shin didn't try to persuade her further. Unohana was a very stubborn person. Once she made a decision, not even he could change her mind.

"Vice-Captain Chōjirō, lead the Captains and break through. I'll help Shin hold off these Hollows."

Unohana said to Chōjirō. She knew that with the other Captains here, Shin's abilities were limited. He couldn't use his full power.

“Alright. I hope Captain Unohana and Vice-Captain Shin will be careful.”

Chōjirō didn't refuse. If they didn't retreat now, all the Captains would be wiped out.

"Damn you, Soul Reaper! I'll tear you to shreds!"

The Vasto Lorde roared, and a terrifying Reiatsu erupted from its body, pressing down on Shin.

"Oh? You're going to tear me to shreds? I don't think you have the strength for that."

Shin ignored the Vasto Lorde's terrifying Reiatsu, and with a flash, appeared behind it, slashing down with his sword.

CLANG!!!

The sound of steel on steel rang out, as if striking solid metal. This was the Vasto Lorde's Hierro.

Hierro, High-Speed Regeneration, Sonído, Cero—these were all abilities of an Adjuchas. But even a Vasto Lorde couldn't master all of them. It had to sacrifice some abilities. This Vasto Lorde had an extremely strong Hierro, but its regeneration was relatively weak.

"Your attack can't even break my defense."

The Vasto Lorde mocked Shin.

"<Gran Rey Cero!>"

This was a more powerful Cero. In the original story, only the Espada and Ichigo Kurosaki had used it. This proved it wasn't exclusive to the Espada. The Vasto Lorde before him could also use it.

The incredibly powerful Cero distorted space. If it hit the Seireitei, it would definitely destroy a large portion of it.

"No matter how strong the move, it's useless if it can't hit its target."

Shin's figure had already appeared behind the Vasto Lorde. Before it could react, he stomped on its face.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!

The ground caved in, forming a deep crater. The other Hollows didn't dare to approach, staring at the scene in terror.

Then, with a whip-like kick, he sent the Vasto Lorde flying again. Even with its strong Hierro, its defense was still broken.

He was being completely dominated. The fight had just begun, and the Vasto Lorde was already being stomped into the sand by Shin.

Thankfully, Chōjirō and the others had already left. If they had seen this, they would have been speechless with shock.

"What a monster," Unohana couldn't help but sigh.

To dominate a Vasto Lorde with just Hand-to-Hand Combat... even Captain-Commander Yamamoto probably couldn't do that.

Though Captain-Commander Yamamoto was also very strong, his physical strength certainly couldn't compare to a Hollow's. Hollows were physically powerful.

A Soul Reaper's strength was partly in their Zanpakutō, their Reiatsu, and their Kidō. In hand-to-hand combat, Hollows definitely had the advantage.

Compared to Hollows, Soul Reapers were relatively fragile. But now, a Hollow was being stomped on by Shin, unable to even get up.

That was why Unohana had called him a monster. Especially since she knew Shin was a human, not a true Soul Reaper.