Chapter 90 Espada No. 8 Zommari Rureaux
"Squeak~~"
The massive door, reaching a height of nearly three people, creaked open gradually, ushering in a brisk breeze that sent a shiver down the spines of Rukia and Renji.
"Rukia! "
Instinctively, Renji positioned himself in front of Rukia, unsheathing his Zanpakutō, and cast a watchful gaze into the interior.
"Stay calm, Renji! "
Rukia placed a reassuring hand on Renji's chest, advanced a step, and declared, "We're here to confront Aizen's group. "
"The Espada and Arrancar gate are, of course, part of it."
With that, Rukia unsheathed her Zanpakutō and stepped boldly into the vacant palace first.
"Step! Step! Step! "
Inside the expansive palace, there were no signs of life. Even the echoes of Rukia and Renji's entry were uncomfortably harsh against the silence.
"Hello? "
"Has the master not yet come to greet the guests? "
After standing in the hall for a while without encountering the enemy, Rukia felt compelled to call out.
At that moment, a tall figure emerged slowly from the upstairs corridor, leaning over the railing, and spoke in a frosty tone: "Guests? "
"I don't recall inviting Shinigami to Hueco Mundo. Let alone a band of intruders! "
Zommari Rureaux jumped from the second floor to the ground level, fixing his gaze on Renji and Rukia. "Since you've trespassed into my domain without any regard for your safety,"
"Though Master Aizen has instructed us Espada not to seek you out. There's no way I'll pass up an opportunity that presents itself! "
Observing the Arrancar, a man adorned with skull earrings, golden eyes, a sturdy build, and spikes on his head, Renji inquired, "So, are you an Espada? "
"Ignorance! " Zommari Rureaux chuckled derisively before continuing, "I truly admire your audacity; you burst into the enemy camp without acquiring any tactical intelligence,"
"I can't decide if I should commend your bravery or criticize your foolishness! "
As the last word lingered, Zommari Rureaux swiftly moved, appearing behind Rukia and Renji with a flurry, delivering simultaneous punches to their backs.
"Boom! ! "
The tremendous force propelled both of them through the air, crashing them into the wall and generating a thick cloud of dust.
"Ahag~~"
After a brief coughing spell, Rukia and Renji emerged from the haze, exchanging playful glances with their Arrancar opponent, before Rukia composed herself and queried, "Was that your Arrancar technique just now? "
"It seemed somewhat akin to Shunpo."
Upon hearing Rukia, Zommari Rureaux replied nonchalantly, "Shunpo? That technique is no match for my movement speed at all."
"My name is Zommari Rureaux, Espada No. 8, the swiftest in the realm! "
"You should feel privileged, as I will offer you your demise with my love! "
As Zommari Rureaux spoke, his form flickered, producing two afterimages beside him, resembling clones.
"That is. . . "Renji was on the verge of speaking.
Simultaneously, three Zommari charged at Renji, thrusting three Zanpakutō towards him from multiple angles.
At a crucial moment, Renji disregarded the need to conceal his power; his crimson Reiatsu surged, and he placed his palm against the blade, exclaiming, "Bankai! "
"Hihio Zabimaru! " The massive white skeletal serpent enveloped Renji and Rukia, shielding them from Zommari's assault.
Right after unleashing Bankai, the enormous Zabimaru lunged at Zommari.
"Boom! ! "
"Boom! ! "
The surrounding support walls began to crumble under Zabimaru's relentless strikes. The confined space was insufficient to endure Zabimaru's large-scale assault.
Finally, a loud crack reverberated as the ceiling gave way, causing the entire palace roof to collapse.
"Boom! ! "
A cascade of debris fell, transforming the previously unremarkable palace into ruins in an instant.
Protected by Zabimaru, Rukia and Renji remained mostly unharmed, while Zommari hovered in midair, casting a meaningful glance at Renji as he remarked, "This was my favorite room. I can't believe you destroyed it."
Noticing Zommari's irritation, Renji retorted provocatively, "My apologies, but it wasn't intentional; you were just too quick to escape. I had no choice but to demolish your home. Truly sorry about that! "
"Oh, and you claimed to be the fastest in the Espada, but I beg to differ. I believe there's an Arrancar who's likely quicker than you, and you're probably familiar with him."
Zommari Rureaux glared at Renji, with veins twitching on his forehead as he restrained his rage, stating, "Then enlighten me, who is this Arrancar faster than myself? "
"Listen closely! "
Renji suddenly appeared serious as he declared, "His name is Fiander Moros, said to hold the No.10 position in the Espada; you aware of him? "
". . . "
After Renji finished, Zommari remained silent. After a few moments of contemplation, he gradually replied, " Fiander Moros, you say? "
"Unfortunately, he is no longer part of the Espada; he shouldn't have been among their ranks to begin with. "
Zommari Rureaux abruptly clasped his hands together and transformed into five clones, stating, "Because Master Fiander is a being beyond the Espada! "
"What? ! "
Renji was taken aback as five Zommari simultaneously extended their hands, generating five red Cero in their palms.
"Boom! ! "
The five Cero launched all at once, and Renji attempted to retaliate, swinging Zabimaru and shouting, "Bone Cannon! ! "
Reiatsu flowed through Zabimaru's knuckles toward the head.
Finally, the red Reiatsu erupted at blinding speed, colliding with the Cero aimed at him.
However, Renji's Reiatsu fell short compared to that of an Espada's, and after a brief period, he found himself at a disadvantage. The Cero overwhelmed the blast from the Bone Cannon, continuing its assault on Renji.
"Watch out! Renji! "
In a critical moment, Rukia swiftly yanked Renji to safety, dodging the looming threat.
However, before they could respond, five forms of Zommari reappeared beside them, unleashing five blades simultaneously.
In that instant, Rukia's reflexes kicked in as she activated her Zanpakutō, proclaiming, "Dance, Sode no Shirayuki! "
The white blade, hilt, guard, and the white ribbons at the end billowed, resembling a snow spirit in graceful movement.
"First Dance-Moon White! ! "
The white formation that blossomed beneath them expelled a gust of chill that soared upward. Zommari, seeing this, had no choice but to take a step back to evade the onslaught.
But Rukia pursued relentlessly, continuing her offense with, "Second Dance- White current."
With three light taps in the air, three icicles emerged, aimed at Zommari's position, unleashing a fierce blast of frigid air that encased Zommari in a shell of ice.
"Did it work, Rukia? "Renji rushed over with excitement.
"No, not quite! The Reiatsu of our opponent hasn't vanished. "
As Rukia finished speaking, the icicles formed from the icy burst turned into a mist and faded, revealing Zommari's absence.
Suddenly, Rukia sensed a shift, instinctively shifting her stance, only to feel a blade pierce through her shoulder. Renji, witnessing this, quickly swung his fist downward.
But Zommari had already distanced himself.
"Are you okay, Rukia? " Renji asked, concern etched on his face as he saw the blood seeping from her shoulder.
Gripping her wound, Rukia replied with a strained expression, "I'll be fine, but his speed is overwhelming; we can't keep up!''
At that moment, Zommari smirked, remarking, "What a pity, you reacted so quickly. I had intended to pierce your heart to free you from pain, but it seems you don't appreciate it. "
With a resigned expression, Zommari placed his Zanpakutō on his chest, clasping his hands as he proclaimed, "In that case, let's defeat you with love! "
"Brujeria!"
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