"Otherwise, I would never have reacted. If I could see the moment he attacked, I might have been able to dodge it entirely."
Ulquiorra, who had distanced himself again, said calmly, "You blocked my attack with Getsuga, that's good. Your Hollowfication has become more harmonious, and you can maintain it longer. But I broke your mask with just one attack. Is your struggle still not meaningless?" His emerald eyes were devoid of emotion, cold and analytical as he assessed his opponent.
After saying that, he swung the energy lance in his hand again, hurling it like a javelin directly at Ichigo's head. The lance cut through the air with a high-pitched whistle, trailing green energy like a comet.
Ichigo made a quick assessment: "Although his strength has increased dramatically, his fighting style hasn't changed. Just like before, this guy is extremely methodical. His moves are precise and efficient, and he never wastes motion, almost like a robot."
"His sword techniques are the same. The weapon in his hand is just an extension of his arm, without any superfluous movements—just a tool. Just like before, if he can block the Getsuga with one hand, he will. If one hand isn't enough, he'll use both. If both hands fail, he'll switch to his sword."
"Realizing he couldn't defeat me in his normal state, he immediately released his Resurrección. His actions are emotionless and mechanical, following a set procedure. So, he'll target my head again."
With this clear analysis, Ichigo opened his eyes wide, focusing all his attention, and finally managed to track Ulquiorra's attack.
With his few opportunities, he twisted his body and avoided having his head pierced. But the energy lance moved too quickly, and he couldn't completely evade it.
The emerald green projectile grazed past his shoulder, generating unparalleled impact and destructive power. Ichigo's body was flung backward, and his black robe that resembled a coat was damaged.
This coat was part of his Bankai. If it was damaged, it meant he was injured and his Reiatsu affected.
At the critical moment, Ichigo, half-kneeling on the rocky surface of the dome, thrust Tensa Zangetsu into the ground to maintain balance and slow his momentum. The black blade sank deep into the white stone, sending cracks radiating outward.
Relying on this leverage, he quickly retreated a distance, then stabilized and stood. His golden eyes, transformed into beast-like pupils, reflected an unyielding spirit.
After missing his attack, Ulquiorra didn't immediately pursue. Instead, he looked up at the cold moon above and spoke coldly:
"I was born in a cave, where my kind were all black. Except for their mouths and eyes, they were completely dark, seemingly devouring something constantly. They were like masters of shadow."
"Unlike them, I was pure white, covered in white bone armor, with only my eyes exposed. Eventually, I left the cave and began to wander aimlessly. Then I encountered the void—an indescribable deep light, neither black nor white. There was nothing there."
"No color, no taste, no sound, no breath. Only nothingness. I plunged into that void and discovered happiness and meaning. If you possess nothing, you cannot lose anything—and that is supreme happiness."
"Everything you see is meaningless, and everything you don't see does not exist. In your heart and mine, there is nothing. This is my world."
The missing heart had become the Hollow's symbol and obsession. Ulquiorra thought it was merely appearance. What is lost can never be found again. All yearning and pursuit are meaningless. Eventually, these obsessions return to nothingness.
Of course, another purpose for his monologue was to release his Reiatsu to scan the surroundings. After all, the terrifying Shinigami Shiroha remained somewhere in Hueco Mundo.
No matter how much he embraced the philosophy of nothingness, Ulquiorra couldn't ignore Shiroha's existence. That man was undeniably real and extraordinarily powerful. When caution was warranted, he remained vigilant.
"You've become more talkative!" Though at a disadvantage, Ichigo wasn't discouraged. His breathing was labored, but his grip on Tensa Zangetsu remained firm. Ulquiorra appeared to be the silent type, but after several encounters, Ichigo realized his opponent actually had a strong desire to communicate. He spoke extensively and could even be called verbose.
This guy seemed to live in his own world, which Ichigo found ridiculous. In his view, the very admiration and pursuit of nothingness was itself a form of belief. Ultimately, Ulquiorra was simply deceiving himself.
After confirming there was no trace of Shiroha's Reiatsu nearby, Ulquiorra launched a lethal offensive.
He first used an energy lance to force Ichigo to release a Black Getsuga, then absorbed the blow intact.
Ulquiorra said calmly, "Your so-called Hollowfication is the key to competing with the Espada. Black Getsuga is your strongest technique after transformation. This move resembles Cero, but it's useless against me." His wings spread wide behind him, casting an ominous shadow across the dome.
"Cero?" Ichigo grew anxious. "Don't confuse the two." Sweat beaded on his forehead as he felt his remaining strength draining away.
Though he had awakened his inner power, the transformation remained incomplete. Even as Ichigo began using Hollow abilities, it didn't mean he fully accepted his uniqueness. Deep down, he still resisted this power because he didn't want to become a Hollow.
Therefore, Ichigo refused to acknowledge that his Getsuga Tenshō was a form of Cero. Because only Hollows could release Cero.
Although his Hollowfication had reduced the possibility of his inner Hollow taking control, it also limited his maximum potential. In this battle, he fought with constraint, lacking the bold decisiveness he'd shown in Soul Society.
"It seems you've never witnessed the unique techniques of the Espada after Resurrección," Ulquiorra extended his fingers and condensed a black light. "Cero Oscuras!"
Cero Oscuras was a terrifying technique that only the Espada could use at full power. Its destructive capability was ten or even a hundred times greater than an ordinary Cero.
The black Reiatsu surged skyward like a raging wave, completely engulfing Ichigo's figure. The darkness was absolute, seeming to devour even the moonlight as it expanded outward.
Ulquiorra had been right. This technique closely resembled Ichigo's Black Getsuga.
Already weakened, Ichigo couldn't withstand such an attack. With a single blow, his mask shattered completely, and even a large portion of his Bankai coat disappeared. He had nearly lost all fighting capability.
"After all, they're just humans," Ulquiorra remarked with a hint of disappointment. "It seems this is your limit. Now do you understand? No matter what form or technique you use, you can never approach our level."
"Your imitation of us only reveals your weakness and fear. Neither Shinigami nor human can truly obtain our power or comprehend the meaning of nothingness. You will never compare to us!"