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Night deepened over Karakura Town as the sky split open with the soundless tear of a Garganta. From the darkness, figures emerged, their silhouettes sharp against the moonlight. At the front strode Ulquiorra, Yammy, and Grimmjow, followed by several lesser Arrancar.
Ulquiorra's pale face betrayed nothing, his voice flat as he gave the only command necessary. "Follow the plan." His figure blurred, vanishing into the night.
"Tch. Always acting high and mighty," Grimmjow muttered, spitting in disdain, but said no more.
Yammy's heavy eyes narrowed on him. "Don't drag us down at the end, runt." His tone dripped with arrogance.
Grimmjow's expression soured but he held his tongue. He no longer had the qualification to challenge openly. For now.
Yammy's gaze dropped to the streets below, where Karakura's lights burned. His body trembled faintly as his spiritual pressure leaked outward, oppressive and wild. "This time⊠I'll crush that bastard." His hunger for battle lit his eyes.
Grimmjow, too, felt the pull of anticipation, his own Reiatsu flickering with impatience. Both were waiting for him to appear. Behind them, the other Arrancar released their spiritual pressure eagerly, faces twisted with bloodthirst.
Ulquiorra had said the mission was simpleâdraw attention. But in their hearts they wanted more: to kill, to eliminate that boy and prove their devotion to Aizen. Excitement gnawed at their restraint as they awaited the clash.
---
At that moment, inside the Kurosaki house, Ichigo shot upright from his bed, sweat cold on his brow. The crushing spiritual pressure pressing down on the town was unmistakable. "Those Reiatsu⊠it's them!" He threw open his window, eyes sharpening at the night sky.
Without hesitation, he grabbed Kon's stuffed body, forced open its mouth, and yanked free the soul pill. Kon gagged and flailed, tears bursting from his button eyes as Ichigo shoved the pill into his own mouth. A flash of light split his body from his soul, and in the next breath Ichigo stood as a Shinigami once more.
"Baka! Every damn time! Can't you be gentler?!" Kon roared from Ichigo's now-occupied body, glaring.
"No time, Kon," Ichigo said grimly, already climbing onto the windowsill. The intensity in his eyes made Kon falter; even he could feel that dreadful pressure clawing through the air.
"Hey, IchigoâRukia saidâ" Kon tried, but Ichigo had already leapt into the night. His voice trailed back, fierce and resolute. "Contact Rukia! I'll go first!"
Kon's stuffed face twisted in rage. "This guy! Reckless, impulsive, no respectâevery time it's the same!" He fumed, then pulled out a cellphone. A moment later his tone melted into syrup. "Heeey, Rukia-chan~"
---
Elsewhere, Inoue Orihime's hands trembled. She had sensed that Reiatsu as well, but she could not move, could not flee, could not even step outside. A shadow stood in her room, white uniform stark against the lamplight.
She knew that face. Cold green eyes, expressionlessâUlquiorra.
"You⊠what do you want?" Her voice quaked.
"Take you away," he answered simply.
From his pocket he drew a silver-white bracelet, its pale gleam reflecting in Orihime's wide eyes.
"W-where?" Her body shook violently, already knowing the answer.
"Hueco Mundo. Master Aizen requires your strength." His voice was flat, unshaken.
The bracelet snapped shut around her wrist with a soft click. Orihime gasped as her body began to turn transparent, fading into ghostly translucence. She could not resist, could not struggle.
"This is a dimensional bracelet. With it, you can slip through matter. To anyone else, you no longer exist. Do not waste yourself waiting for rescue." His tone was merciless, designed to strangle hope before it could form.
Orihime's heart froze. The despair settled heavy in her chest.
"I grant you twelve hours," Ulquiorra continued. "Say your farewells. When time is finished, I will take you."
Her head bowed, tears clouding her vision. After a long silence, her lips formed a broken whisper. "Thank youâŠ"
Ulquiorra's expression never shifted.
---
Above Karakura, Yammy and Grimmjow still released their pressure recklessly, shaking the air.
"He's slow," Yammy growled.
"Then go find him yourself," Grimmjow sneered.
Yammy's eyes narrowed, but he did not move. They had tried to track the target, but his Reiatsu had vanished completely, leaving them only this crude method of bait. Taunts meant nothing when the enemy remained hidden.
Thenâa distant cry of air splitting.
A black figure rushed toward them. Yammy and Grimmjow's eyes brightened, sparks of battle igniting. But when the figure landed before them, their excitement collapsed.
"Damn it⊠why him?" Yammy muttered in disappointment.
"Tch. Trash again," Grimmjow spat, turning his head away.
Ichigo stood there, eyes blazing, ZanpakutĆ raised. "It's you! This time, I'll defeat you. Karakura Town will never fallâI'll protect it with everything I have!" His shout shook the air as his Bankai burst forth in a swirl of black cloth and crackling power.
Wind howled, his spiritual pressure roaring skyward.
Yammy and Grimmjow only stared down at him, their voices dripping disdain.
"Ant."
"Garbage."
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