Yammy turned around and walked straight towards Kira Izuru, clearly targeting the only one still with some fighting power.
But there was no way Kira could be a match for Yammy. Especially now, with two injured comrades by his side!
Just as all hope seemed lost, a huge hole suddenly opened in Yammy's chest.
Standing where he had been observing until now, Genryūsai finally moved to rescue them.
Clearly, Genryūsai felt these vice-captains had done enough. Given a few more centuries of training, they would all become captain-class. He would never allow such promising subordinates to die meaninglessly.
His immense, ocean-like reiatsu washed over the battlefield, even making a monster like Yammy feel fear.
No – rather than fear, it was pure physiological despair.
"Ara ara… to think you made this old man, the Head-Captain, come all the way to the front lines myself. What a bunch of useless subordinates!" Genryūsai spoke with his usual sharp tongue, though his actions showed no mercy at all.
Yammy looked down at the blood pouring from the hole in his chest, confused as if he didn't understand what this red liquid even was. He slapped the wound repeatedly in disbelief that he could be injured at all.
When the blood wouldn't stop despite his slapping, Yammy flew into a rage. He roared madly, releasing such powerful reiatsu that it healed his wounds purely through its intensity.
And perhaps emboldened by that surge of power, he overcame his fear of Genryūsai and charged at him with a crazed howl.
Even Aizen would've given him a thumbs up for such reckless courage.
But his attack didn't even graze Genryūsai.
With a swift shunpo to dodge, Genryūsai shook his head lightly. "As I thought… just a mere beast."
He let go of his cane, revealing his zanpakutō.
"Ryūjin Jakka. First Form – Reduce All Creation to Ashes."
In a single, perfect iai slash, he cut the massive Yammy cleanly from head to toe.
No wonder Kenpachi's swordsmanship was learned from Genryūsai himself. This clean vertical bisecting technique was something Genryūsai could perform effortlessly.
Yet even when sliced in half, Yammy did not die. With his broken body, he continued to madly attack Genryūsai.
Having completely lost his patience, Genryūsai released his zanpakutō's flames and incinerated Yammy into ashes without a trace.
Seeing her pet monster obliterated so easily, Harribel's three Fracción inexplicably gained some courage and charged at Genryūsai together.
"Heh… the resolve to raise your swords against me is commendable. In honor of that, I shall ensure none of you suffer long."
Without moving a step, flames erupted naturally around him.
In an instant, the fires from all directions defeated Harribel's three Fracción.
Meanwhile, as Harribel fought Hitsugaya Tōshirō, she felt the reiatsu of her three Fracción disappearing one by one.
Closing her eyes for a moment, Harribel then snapped them open, calmly unzipping her top to reveal the Arabic numeral '3' engraved on her right breast.
Seeing that number, Hitsugaya tensed slightly.
Clearly, Harribel was ready to go all out to avenge her subordinates.
At the same time, Kyōraku Shunsui glanced at the middle-aged man before him – Starrk.
"Oh my, this beautiful lady is number three… I wonder, between her and you, old man, who is actually Primera Espada?"
Hearing Kyōraku's words, Starrk also looked at him calmly. "Why? You want to guess who is the strongest among the Espada?"
Kyōraku smirked. "No need to guess. The one giving orders is usually the weaker one."
Starrk smiled faintly and removed his glove, revealing the number '1' on his hand.
Kyōraku wasn't surprised at all. He had already felt Starrk's power surpassed that of Baraggan, who merely gave commands.
"Ah… what terrible luck," Kyōraku said lightly, adjusting his hat.
Meanwhile, Ichigo watched as Orihime was taken away, but he wasn't in a panic. He understood Aizen's aim was to keep them trapped in Hueco Mundo. If Orihime were killed, they could simply return to the Human World – something Aizen definitely didn't want. So, Ichigo calmly said to Unohana and Nel beside him:
"Retsu-nee, Nel, go help the others. I'll head to Las Noches to bring Orihime back."
Unohana nodded gently. "Don't worry. Leave them to me. I'll heal everyone back to full strength."
Ichigo nodded.
Nel wanted to follow Ichigo, but she was also worried about her Fracción Pesche and Dondochakka.
Seeing her hesitation, Ichigo said, "Nel, go protect Pesche and Dondochakka. This battle isn't something they can join in."
Nel nodded firmly. "I understand."
Jumping down from his shoulder, she called out, "Ichigo, when you leave, tell me, okay?"
"Of course," Ichigo replied with a smile.
"Kenny, thanks for saving us," Ichigo said to Kenpachi.
Kenpachi smirked. "Hmph, no need to thank me. But Ichigo, next time, we're fighting for real."
"Sure. I'll spar with you anytime," Ichigo replied confidently.
With that, he shunpoed towards Las Noches.
After Ichigo left, Unohana silently began healing Kenpachi. Yachiru watched the two of them, sensing something was off, but asked nothing.
Nel reverted to her adult form and headed off to find Pesche and Dondochakka.
The Karakura team, now healed, also resumed their advance towards Las Noches.
Inside Las Noches.
Ulquiorra slowly approached Orihime once more.
"Woman. Are you still afraid? Aizen-sama no longer has any use for you. No one can protect you anymore. Everything is over."
"You will die alone in this tower. Tell me – do you feel fear and despair?"
But Orihime merely stood there calmly, unmoved by his words.
"No… I'm not afraid. Because everyone came to save me. My heart is with them now," she said without fear.
Hearing that, Ulquiorra tilted his head in confusion. "Heart? What is a heart?"
"If I tear open your chest, will I see this 'heart' inside?"
He raised his hand towards her chest.
Orihime simply stared blankly at him.
"If I smash your skull, will I glimpse its secrets then?" Ulquiorra continued, moving his hand towards her head.
Before he could finish, an immense reiatsu rapidly approached.
He knew this spiritual pressure all too well.
"BOOM!"
The ground beneath Ulquiorra and Orihime exploded violently.
Ichigo landed between them.
"Ulquiorra. Picking on a girl? How about fighting me instead?" Ichigo spun Tensa Zangetsu confidently.
"Black… Kurosaki Ichigo? So fast…" Ulquiorra was genuinely surprised. He'd only exchanged a few words with Orihime, yet Ichigo had already found them.
Seeing Ichigo, Ulquiorra slowly drew his blade.
He knew – unlike with Grimmjow, he couldn't afford to waste time showing off here. If he didn't draw his sword immediately, he would never stand a chance against Ichigo.
Ichigo saw him draw his blade and remained calm. Honestly, he felt he could beat Ulquiorra barehanded at this point.
"Kurosaki-kun!" Orihime called out, relief flooding her heart. She was now certain – no one could defeat Ichigo.
Seeing Ichigo's approach, even Aizen raised an eyebrow. Is he… coming straight here?
Ichigo chuckled. "What's wrong, Ulquiorra? Afraid I'll kill you instantly if you don't draw your sword?"
Ulquiorra eyed him warily. In all their past fights, he had always been the one forced on the defensive.
"No… I'm not afraid. I'm simply following Aizen-sama's orders to completely destroy you," Ulquiorra replied coldly.
With that, the two clashed.
Their zanpakutō collided violently, black and pale green reiatsu exploding, shattering the ground beneath them.
Ichigo's blade cut across Ulquiorra's chest, blood dripping down Tensa Zangetsu.
Ulquiorra instantly regenerated with his high-speed healing, but this first exchange alone made him realize their overwhelming difference.
Still, he showed no fear, launching a flurry of attacks at Ichigo. Yet Ichigo dodged them effortlessly with a simple shunpo and countered with a swing that forced Ulquiorra into the sky.
At that moment, a black Getsuga Tenshō shot out, slamming into Ulquiorra mid-air, detonating violently.
If Ulquiorra hadn't reacted at the last second to deflect part of it, that attack could have taken half his life.
"Not bad at dodging," Ichigo said with genuine praise.
But Ulquiorra didn't react. Regenerating his wounds, he sonidoed behind Ichigo and thrust his blade straight at his lower back – a truly lethal stab.
However, Ichigo twisted slightly, catching Ulquiorra's blade easily with Tensa Zangetsu.
Sparks flew as their blades clashed.
Ulquiorra attacked madly, slashing over and over, but Ichigo blocked each strike with one hand.
"Got you!" Ulquiorra finally saw an opening and stabbed Ichigo in the shoulder.
But his blade didn't even pierce Ichigo's shihakushō.
"Static Blood – Yhwach's Quincy power," Ichigo thought calmly.
Seeing Ulquiorra's surprised face, Ichigo smirked, grabbed him by the arm, and threw him aside.
Mid-air, Ulquiorra fired a green Cero at Ichigo.
Without even looking, Ichigo swung his sword, deflecting it away into the palace wall, blowing out a huge chunk.
"Ulquiorra, tricks like that won't work on me," Ichigo said confidently.
"Is that so…" Ulquiorra responded coldly and sonidoed forward to attack again.
(End of Chapter)
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