The black blade light that covered the sky and the sun came down like judgment, tearing the earth apart as the heavens trembled beneath its edge. That pitch-black brilliance swept across the sky, cutting through everything in its path with a force that seemed capable of dividing the world itself into two realms. The moment that blade appeared, all who watched froze in terror. They could not sense the Reiatsu within it, yet instinct screamed of the absolute, supreme power it carried—one that stood above even Aizen himself.
Everyone was shaken, for if Kurosaki Ichigo had truly reached the strength to transcend all living beings, then the world itself had changed. But awe quickly turned to despair, because the one that sword aimed at was not their enemy—it was their companion. Disciple, friend, lover, the one admired by all. The boy who would bear that cataclysmic strike was Su Li.
He stood alone beneath the dark sky, his figure small against the roaring storm of shadows, and despair rippled through every heart that saw him. He had already faced Aizen, and that battle beyond the reach of any Shinigami had consumed the last of his strength. Before that, he had fought endlessly across Hueco Mundo, one battle after another, each leaving him more worn and bloodstained than the last. Now, at the edge of victory, when the long struggle was finally nearing its end, Kurosaki Ichigo—lost to rage and unable to distinguish friend from foe—brought death upon him.
Everyone watching felt their hearts tear apart. If it had been before, Su Li might have had the power to resist. But now, even if his strength was vast, how could one man fight against two transcendents in succession? All eyes turned toward the young man's back—thin, straight, motionless—and an unbearable grief rose within them, heavier than despair itself.
"Captain Su Li…" Rukia's lips trembled, her eyes clouded with hopelessness. "A-Li…" Sui-Feng bit her lip hard, her pale face drawn tight as frost. All around them came cries of disbelief and sorrow, yet none of them could be heard, because at that moment, there was only one sound left between heaven and earth—the wailing rush of wind as the blade cut through the air.
The overwhelming black sword light surged forward, devouring the sky. Even before it reached him, its sheer pressure shattered everything it touched. The haori on the boy's shoulders whipped and tore in the gale, blood and dust blurring its once-white folds. Through the haze, they could see it—his haori, ripped and soaked in blood. The original "Twelve" upon his back was now only a faint remnant of ink, drowned beneath sweat and crimson stains. The dull flap of cloth sounded like a broken banner of war, frail before that overwhelming darkness, ready to fall at any heartbeat. Every heart felt crushed beneath its weight.
The boy stood unmoving beneath the sky, without stance or guard. Aizen's cold smile deepened. "What, frozen in fear?" he sneered, taking delight in what he saw as weakness. He wanted to see the young man break, to watch his suffering, to watch him die. Then he could rise again above the world. Even if another troublesome foe awaited, it didn't matter. As long as it wasn't this boy, Aizen was confident in his victory. For Su Li alone possessed the power to kill him—and that was why he had to die.
Though Aizen himself stood within the range of Ichigo's attack, he did not flinch. He knew this black light carried no power that could end him; even if his body were cut, he could regenerate. So he waited, calm and almost joyous, watching the end approach. "Still not moving?" he taunted. "It's about to reach your face." The black light roared closer, but Su Li did not respond.
Because at that instant, another voice echoed within his mind. "I woke up." It was Xia Ji's voice—cold, distant, without emotion—yet to Su Li, it felt warmer than anything. He understood instantly. Use me.
A flicker of emotion crossed his face. It was like raising a child for years and finally hearing that child speak. Until this moment, he had wondered how to counter Kurosaki Ichigo's "Moonless." But all those thoughts vanished with those two simple words—I woke up.
Thousands of thoughts churned through his mind, condensing into a single, quiet reply. "Ok." I understand. Let's face it together. He asked no questions—not about the rule that "the day can only be used once," not why she awakened now. He simply raised his hand to his waist. One blade. One soul. Two consciousnesses bound in one existence. There was no need for words. Su Li did not ask if she could do it; Xia Ji did not ask if he trusted her. He drew the sword in silence. She unsheathed in answer.
In that instant between life and death, there was only perfect trust. Only thus could one be invincible—able to face everything. A faint whisper left his lips. "Play it, Xia Ji."
The air exploded as a burst of white mist erupted outward, flooding the crater beneath the heavens. The Shinigami coalition held their breath, straining to see through the blinding fog. Even Aizen narrowed his eyes, his gaze fixed upon the boy's blade. The black sword light struck into the mist—and from within it, a blade of white jade and glass rose slowly, gleaming like moonlight.
A heartbeat later, a white blade light erupted before the shadow, illuminating the sky. In that instant, the world split into black and white. The two sword lights collided—and the world fell silent. Time itself froze, every sound erased, leaving only the stillness before the storm. Every gaze locked onto the lights.
Then the sky screamed.
BOOM!
Like spring thunder breaking a century of drought, like divine wrath unleashed, an earth-shattering roar split the silence and tore the heavens apart.
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