Chapter 220: Hueco Mundo's First Battle—Ichimaru Gin's Bankai Stolen
"Oh my~ The master here isn't pleased!"
Ichimaru Gin addressed the masked figures present with his characteristic tone, then withdrew the dagger-like Zanpakutō from within his wide collar and smiled lightly:
"I've heard you can steal Shinigami Bankai. So I'm quite curious—can you steal mine?"
Ichimaru Gin's words caused considerable commotion among all the masked figures assembled. They hadn't revealed this secret to outsiders—why would these Hueco Mundo individuals possess such knowledge?
However, since their identities had been exposed, concealment proved unnecessary.
Swish—
Simultaneously, these masked figures lifted the white cloaks covering their forms. Their masks were also removed, revealing their appearances.
"Hmph. I don't know where you obtained this intelligence, but it matters little... Our companion Äs Nödt perished at your hands, so this knowledge isn't particularly surprising!"
The leader—a bespectacled man wearing a military cap—possessed a sinister expression across his features, appearing extraordinarily treacherous.
Ichimaru Gin tilted his head and observed the Quincy assembled before him. They all appeared rather strange, with nothing particularly distinctive about them whatsoever.
"Hmm? What are you discussing? I'm simply asking how you people intend stealing Shinigami Bankai. Allow me to witness this! Bankai..."
"Kamishini no Yari!"
At this moment, Ichimaru Gin—who'd been smiling at the Quincy continuously—suddenly averted his gaze. A white luminescence directly dazzled everyone present.
"Retreat!"
The leading bespectacled man sensed something profoundly wrong. The instant he voiced his warning, he immediately withdrew backward, dodging to the sides.
Slash—
When the bespectacled man turned his head to look behind, most of those who'd been positioned behind him were instantaneously decapitated. Blood accompanied by the sound of shattering bones—the white radiance swept past once more. Now, among the Quincy present aside from himself, not a single complete corpse remained.
The bespectacled man, sweating profusely, gazed down at Ichimaru Gin, who still appeared harmless with his head tilted characteristically.
The blade within his grasp had moved so swiftly that not even traces of blood adhered to its surface. Had the opponent's Reiatsu not remained unhidden, he wouldn't have even perceived how the strike was executed.
Different from the confrontation with Kurosaki Ichigo in Karakura Town previously, Ichimaru Gin at that time had possessed no intention of killing Kurosaki Ichigo. Consequently, his attacks hadn't been so ferocious. However, facing enemies like the Quincy—who were ultimately doomed—Ichimaru Gin's Zanpakutō represented the optimal killing instrument.
"Why are you regarding me with such expressions? I've been waiting for you to make your move!"
Ichimaru Gin regarded the sole remaining bespectacled man, the corner of his mouth curving upward.
"Come now—allow me to witness what methods you possess for stealing Bankai!"
Being mocked by a Shinigami repeatedly made Quilge Opie—who bore the designation "J" among the Sternritter and also served as captain of this "Hueco Mundo Hunting Squad"—feel profound shame and fury.
Drawing the spirit sword at his waist, Quilge Opie regarded Ichimaru Gin with a cold sneer: "A mere Shinigami dares such shamelessness!"
After his voice fell, a cross-shaped bow constructed from spirit particles materialized upon Quilge Opie's weapon. Then utilizing Hirenkyaku, after several consecutive flash steps, Quilge Opie materialized above Ichimaru Gin's head. Rain composed of arrows gathered from countless spirit particles descended densely from the heavens.
Witnessing this scene, Ichimaru Gin bent slightly and continued adopting a combat posture, preparing to launch his Bankai once more.
"Kamishini no Yari!"
Just as Reiatsu gathered within the Zanpakutō gripped in his hands once more, a figure suddenly approached Ichimaru Gin. A petite girl with long purple hair—also wearing a white military cap—rapidly closed the distance to Ichimaru Gin and spoke with a spirited voice:
"Thank you! I'll be accepting your Bankai!"
While speaking, the girl retrieved a star-shaped medallion, pointed it toward Ichimaru Gin's direction, then kicked Ichimaru Gin away forcefully. At this instant, a stream of Reiatsu floated forth from the Zanpakutō blade within Ichimaru Gin's grasp, absorbed by the star medallion within the purple-haired girl's hands.
After Ichimaru Gin fell heavily to the ground, the dense arrow rain suspended in the air had already begun descending before he could rise.
"CRACK! CRACK!"
The arrow rain impacted the sand, raising tremendous clouds of dust. Quilge Opie—believing the Shinigami whose Bankai had been captured could no longer escape—approached Bambietta Basterbine and demanded angrily:
"Bambietta! Why didn't you strike immediately when he first employed Bankai? Are you aware your actions caused the valiant Quincy warriors behind me to lose their lives?!"
"What? Are you blaming me? Those worthless men lost their lives meaninglessly—should that be blamed on me? Besides, if I hadn't observed his ability first, how could I determine whether his Bankai suited me?!"
"You..." Witnessing Bambietta Basterbine's entirely unrepentant expression, Quilge Opie's features turned ugly. He snorted coldly and ceased pursuing the matter. After all, the other party was a Sternritter just like himself. Those who'd perished were merely ordinary Quincy.
No matter how much he mourned his subordinates, if this incident became widely known, he himself wouldn't escape criticism!
While both conversed, before Las Noches' gates, the smoke and dust created by Quilge Opie's arrow rain had dissipated. However, what the Sternritter hadn't anticipated was that an enormous yellow barrier had materialized before their eyes, protecting the Shinigami who'd just been kicked away by Bambietta.
"Hmm? Why are there reinforcements? Weren't they supposed to restrain him?"
As Bambietta Basterbine spoke, she witnessed an orange-haired girl materializing beside Ichimaru Gin. When the girl lowered her arm, the massive barrier shattered instantaneously. Then Inoue Orihime rushed to Ichimaru Gin's side and inquired:
"Ichimaru, are you alright?"
"Ahaha~ How embarrassing! Miss Inoue actually saved me. Didn't Fiander forbid you from leaving Las Noches?"
Ichimaru Gin rubbed his head with an awkward smile, then rose to his feet.
"It can't be helped. His Majesty Fiander mentioned that Ichimaru enjoys concealing his true abilities most of all!"
Inoue pursed her lips, pretending to expose him mercilessly.
"Eh? How could anyone say such things?" Ichimaru Gin first teased Inoue with an exaggerated expression, then shouted loudly toward Fiander positioned in the air: "Hey! Lord Fiander, my Bankai is gone! That means I don't need to participate in battle anymore, right?"
As he spoke, Ichimaru Gin waved the Zanpakutō that had lost its Reiatsu, appearing to possess legitimate reason for avoiding combat. He seemed extraordinarily pleased.
The two Sternritter present appeared somewhat perplexed witnessing the Shinigami—whose Bankai had just been stolen—displaying not anger but apparent excitement.
Just as Bambietta prepared inquiring regarding this situation, she suddenly felt her hand grow empty. The star medallion she'd been gripping had somehow changed possession.
When both Bambietta and Quilge Opie regained their composure, a slender purple-haired man had quietly materialized behind them. The other party lifted the star medallion that had belonged to Bambietta, examined it, and spoke:
"Is this the device that stole Gin's Reiatsu? What a fascinating item!"