Powerful Reiatsu swept across the battlefield like a violent storm, impacting heaven and earth.
The overwhelming pressure from the Vasto Lorde-class Arrancar was unmistakable, filling the air with despair. The faces of the Shinigami captains hardened, their expressions growing stern. Even Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni frowned.
According to intelligence reports, the top three Espada were all Vasto Lorde-class Arrancar who had mastered Resurrección. The power of a Vasto Lorde Hollow itself surpassed that of a captain, not to mention they had been further strengthened by the Hōgyoku and mastered their release forms.
This would be a tough battle!
Compared to the captains, the vice-captains' faces showed much more concern. This scene was far too intimidating for them. With their level of Reiatsu, they shouldn't have been facing such powerful enemies. Fighting against opponents of this caliber would be a severe test of their abilities.
The vice-captain of the Second Division, Ōmaeda, tried to shrink his body behind his captain, attempting to minimize his presence while muttering: "Their Reiatsu is monstrous... It's terrifying!"
Ōmaeda preferred fighting when the odds were in his favor. When advantaged, he dared to challenge even Aizen himself, shouting: "Back off, Aizen!" But when disadvantaged, he ran faster than a rabbit. Now was definitely a time of disadvantage.
The captain of the Second Division, Suì-Fēng, stared at Aizen and the Arrancar, saying coldly without turning her head: "If you dare run away, I will definitely kill you!"
Hearing his captain's ruthless words, Ōmaeda, with food residue still hanging on the corners of his mouth, began sweating profusely. He forced a smile and said: "Ha! Ha! Ha! Captain, you really know how to joke!"
"You'll find out whether this is a joke or not in a moment." Suì-Fēng drew her Zanpakutō—a great battle was about to begin.
Meanwhile, in Hueco Mundo, several columnar structures outside Las Noches had collapsed, leaving only ruins and black holes. Countless craters scarred the vast desert, and numerous sand dunes had been completely leveled.
Red blood spattered everywhere, black smoke curled into the sky, angry roars echoed endlessly, and powerful Reiatsu waves filled the air. In a short time, this place had become an incomparably tragic battlefield.
After another shock wave, two agile figures dashed across the sand, slashing at a towering giant.
Byakuya Kuchiki and Kenpachi Zaraki were attacking the enormous body of Yammy with all their strength. To them, although Yammy's attacks after entering Resurrección were formidable, he was essentially a sitting duck.
Yammy, who called himself the Zero Espada, had unleashed a terrifying burst of energy after entering Resurrección. His power, combined with his immense size, was like the arrival of a demon.
Faced with this amazing transformation, neither Byakuya Kuchiki nor Kenpachi Zaraki seemed affected at all. Both were among the strongest captains, and they weren't intimidated by the increasingly powerful and massive Yammy—they only felt excitement.
Their powerful slashes blew away the air, stirred up dust storms, and left wounds of varying sizes across Yammy's body.
After his Resurrección, Yammy became increasingly enraged. He had been beaten before his release, and he was being beaten again after it. Was his Resurrección meaningless?
Yammy's eyes glowed red, and the angrier he became, the more his bestial power strengthened. His body expanded rapidly like an inflated balloon, and in the blink of an eye, he transformed into a colossal demon that blotted out the sun.
An enormous shadow engulfed the battlefield, making the surrounding boulders seem tiny by comparison. His Reiatsu and destructive capabilities amplified simultaneously. Every move he made carried world-shattering power. His physical strength and regenerative abilities were also greatly enhanced.
However, Yammy had the misfortune of facing both Byakuya Kuchiki and Kenpachi Zaraki.
Confronted with an increasingly terrifying enemy, the two competing captains showed no fear. Their attacks only grew more ferocious, and when they attacked, they habitually covered for each other as well.
What had begun as a straightforward two-on-one battle threatened to turn into a three-way melee as the captains competed to land the killing blow.
Their strikes became stronger and more fierce. Such powerful attacks continued to penetrate Yammy's defenses, causing significant damage.
Boom!
Yammy punched fiercely, causing the sky and earth to tremble, emitting bursts of enormous energy.
Unfortunately, his lack of mobility made it impossible for him to dodge the swift attacks of Byakuya Kuchiki and Kenpachi Zaraki.
If there had been only one enemy, Yammy might have managed. But with two senior captains attacking simultaneously, the pressure was too intense, and he soon began to tire.
In truth, after his earlier battle with Uehara Shiroha, Kenpachi Zaraki had grown much stronger. Not only had he remembered the technique of holding his sword with both hands, but his Reiatsu had also greatly exceeded its normal state.
Uehara Shiroha had put so much pressure on him that many of Kenpachi's self-imposed seals had broken. Against an enemy like Uehara Shiroha, no amount of unlocked power would have been enough. But when he recovered, Uehara Shiroha had disappeared.
Now Kenpachi could only vent his frustration on Byakuya Kuchiki and the Arrancar before him. Though it seemed incredible, Yammy's defeat was only a matter of time.
...
In the Fifth Tower of Las Noches, Ulquiorra regarded Orihime Inoue and Ichigo Kurosaki with his emerald eyes: "It seems you've made up your mind. However, the result won't be different. You and your companions will die. So, are you ready to face despair?"
He had just received orders from Lord Aizen to kill Ichigo Kurosaki. He genuinely needed to understand this troublesome human Shinigami better.
Ulquiorra had to admit he had underestimated human resolve. But ultimately nothing had changed—the other's determination was about to be extinguished by him, just like a candle flame blown out by a strong wind.
He had complete confidence in this outcome.
Ichigo Kurosaki, who had chased after him to rescue Orihime Inoue, did indeed possess remarkable determination. On his way to the tower, he had been blocked by the Exequias.
Although Rudbornn, the leader of the Exequias, had been frightened by Uehara Shiroha and dared not appear personally, his endless subordinates proved troublesome obstacles.
Fortunately, Rukia, Sado Yasutora, and Ishida Uryū, who had recovered from their injuries, helped him fend off the endless Exequias, allowing him to reach Las Noches in time.
Now, Ichigo Kurosaki drew Zangetsu and aimed it at Ulquiorra, shouting: "Ulquiorra, stay away from Inoue!"
"Your eyes have changed," Ulquiorra's emerald green pupils contracted slightly. "Your resolve has become stronger. Was it Uehara Shiroha who gave you this confidence? He does have that quality, but now, Uehara Shiroha isn't here."
"That's not it," hearing this, Orihime Inoue stepped forward and retorted: "What we seek isn't victory and killing, but peace and harmony. This is where our hearts are connected."
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