Chapter 95: Ishida Vs Szayel Aporro
"Unharmed? "
As the smoke and debris faded, Ishida observed Szayel Aporro gradually become visible, letting a silver bottle fall from his sleeve into his hand.
"Could it be that you're also one of the Espada? "Ishida drew his bow and inquired of Szayel Aporro.
"You appear anxious, Quincy? Was that last attack your strongest ? Honestly…it was rather weak. "
Szayel Aporro seemed unfazed by the earlier assault, playfully teasing by using his little finger on his ear.
"Why is it so hard for you to accept that the Quincy have cast you aside? "
"Nonetheless, it's the truth; I can hardly recall anyone as weak as you among the Quincy Masters! "
Following this, Szayel Aporro slowly revealed his palm, and a purple Cero erupted instantly, without any delay.
Caught off guard by the sudden Cero , Ishida moved quickly and fired multiple arrows at the Cero while reinforcing himself with reiatsu.
Boom! !
The Cero impacted the ground, leading to the immediate collapse of the already weakened building. Countless pieces of debris fell from above, and the surrounding walls shattered and crumbled to the ground.
"Ahem——"As the dust cleared, Ishida's cough was heard from within.
While he managed to fend off his opponent's random strike, the difference in Reiatsu indicated that Szayel Aporro was indeed stronger, though not overwhelmingly so.
What remained uncertain was whether this Arrancar possessed any hidden abilities; he realized that direct confrontation would not be wise, and he would need to exploit openings to gain an advantage.
Quickly, Ishida crafted a combat strategy in his mind, his high-speed movements darting back and forth across the devastated battlefield.
Watching Ishidajump around and occasionally fire arrows at him, Szayel Aporro felt a wave of boredom.
"Ah~" After a casual yawn, Szayel Aporro deflected another one of Ishida's arrows.
At that point, two Arrancar subordinates approached from behind and reported: "Lord Szayel Aporro, Zommari Rureaux has been defeated! "
"Oh? Was he the first Espada to be killed? "
As Szayel Aporro confirmed this information, his expression shifted. The Zanpakutō in his grip suddenly released a wind blade, shattering Ishida's arrow.
With a swift move, he positioned himself behind Ishida, casually swinging his sword.
"Puff~"
Blood splattered across Ishida's shoulder, and Szayel Aporro grinned, stating, "Well done, though I was not referring to you."
"Your allies are quite impressive. Espada No. 8 Zommari has fallen."
"While I truly want to commend you for your efforts, you remain far too weak! "
With Szayel Aporro adjusting his glasses and smirking disdainfully, Ishida's body gradually leaned forward.
As soon as Ishida collapsed onto the ground, a smirk crept onto his lips.
"Sprenger formation! Rise! "
Upon hearing Ishida's word, Szayel Aporro sensed a rush of unease and watched as the fallen Ishida drove a silver metal pipe into the soil.
A circle of blue pentagrams abruptly manifested beneath SzayelAporro's feet.
Just as he prepared to leave the formation , four transparent threads unexpectedly ensnared his limbs, hindering his movement.
"I was contemplating how to draw you closer, but you've been quite obliging! "
"Though I'm not familiar with your name, honestly, I don't think I'll bother to remember it! "
"Farewell, nameless Arrancar. "
In the interim, a colossal beam of pentagram light erupted from beneath Szayel Aporro, and the immense Reiatsu held explosive might that engulfed him entirely.
Boom—! !
Ishida had invested considerable effort to establish the power of the piercing formation, a force that couldn't be dismissed. The resulting explosion sent an airwave that propelled him several meters away as the shockwave subsided.
The smoke and dust at the center of the formation began to gradually clear away.
"Did it work? "
At that moment, Ishida felt a wave of anxiety. Should his recent attack fail to defeat his adversary, the following encounter would be a direct contest!
"Hoo-hoo-hoo—"
As the smoke cleared, Szayel Aporro appeared with his body marred by burns, and his jacket, along with half of his pant legs, had melted due to the explosion's intense heat.
After taking several deep breaths, Szayel Aporro composed himself, lifted his head, and gazed at Ishida with a wan smile, but the ease in his expression had vanished.
It had been replaced by a dark demeanor.
"Hehe, hehe! Quincy! I truly underestimated you! "
Szayel Aporro suddenly extended his fingers, seizing the two Arrancar subordinates who had been lurking behind him.
"Please forgive us! Master Szayel Aporro! "
"We don't wish to die, Lord SzayelAporro! "
The two Arrancars pleaded for mercy, but Szayel Aporro revealed a twisted grin, licked his lips, and sneered, "Silence! You two worthless beings! "
"You were created to serve me. I designed you for this moment. Now, when it's time for your sacrifice, you become so cowardly. It's incredibly infuriating."
As he spoke, a purple glow flickered in SzayelAporro's hand, prepared to absorb the two Arrancar subordinates. With the distance too great for Ishida to intervene, he could only watch as his foe began to mend his wounds.
Then, out of nowhere, a blade surged forth, and a figure materialized behind him, severing SzayelAporro's arm in a swift strike.
The two Arrancar subordinate officers who narrowly escaped death had no choice but to quickly support each other and flee from the battlefield.
"Ah~~"
The agony of having his arm severed caused Szayel Aporro, to cry out in pain.
Clutching the injury on his lost arm, Szayel Aporro glared at his assailant with bitterness. As he turned to face his opponent, he noticed a figure clad in a black cloak wielding a long blue laser sword.
"You scoundrel! How dare you take my hand! I'll kill you! "
A fierce grin spread across Szayel Aporro's face as he pulled out a syringe and injected it into his injured arm. Moments later, a new arm began to form.
After a few seconds of trying to gather himself, Szayel Aporro glanced at his attacker and asked sullenly, "Who are you? "
"Who am I? "
The cloaked man repressed his fury and gradually removed his cloak, revealing long green hair. The moment he looked up, a shattered mask was visible on his face.
A young man with a grotesque scar extending from his forehead to the bridge of his nose emerged.
"How forgetful of you, Lord Szayel Aporro! "
"I still remember vividly the harm you've caused us! "
Pesche gripped the laser sword firmly in his hand, grinning slightly as he regarded Szayel Aporro with an unruffled expression.