Chapter 113: The Battle Of Karakura Town Begins
"Ahhhhhhh!"
Nell desperately clutched at the broken mask fragment atop her head, her slender fingers digging beneath its edges. The mask emitted an ominous creaking sound as stress fractures began spreading across its surface. Seeing it was about to shatter completely, Ichigo lunged forward and seized her wrists, trying desperately to pull her hands away.
But despite using all his strength, Ichigo couldn't budge Nelliel's grip even slightly.
"How is this possible?!"
Panic seized Ichigo as Inoue rushed forward, immediately activating her "Sōten Kisshun" to repair the deteriorating mask. However, her healing ability couldn't keep pace with the rate at which Nell's mask was fragmenting.
"What should we do... Kurosaki-kun!"
"Nel-chan... she's..."
Inoue was on the verge of tears. During their journey together, she had grown genuinely fond of this adorable little girl. The knowledge that her most precious companions had sacrificed themselves to save Ishida and Sado only intensified the crushing guilt weighing on her heart.
Just as the mask on Nell's head was about to split completely in half, a broad palm suddenly appeared above it. Blue spiritual energy poured forth, rapidly repairing not just the immediate damage, but also the original crack caused by Nnoitra's surprise attack long ago.
Looking up at this unexpected savior, Ichigo's eyes widened in recognition, fear flickering across his features.
"You're... Fiander."
Upon seeing the newcomer's face, cold sweat broke out across Ichigo's forehead as he instinctively stepped backward.
"Kurosaki Ichigo... Kurosaki Ichigo..."
Fiander gently lifted Nell into his arms, his gaze briefly scanning Inoue and Sado before returning to focus intently on Kurosaki Ichigo. "You've truly disappointed me, Kurosaki Ichigo."
"Is he... is this Fiander? Why doesn't he feel as oppressive as the other Espada?" Sado pondered silently. "He feels like a normal human being, completely devoid of any detectable reiatsu."
While Sado processed this observation, Ichigo steeled himself and addressed the figure before them. "Why are you here? You were captured by Urahara Shop Manager..."
"Urahara Kisuke? I must admit, he's talented—truly talented. Unfortunately..." Fiander's expression grew contemplative. "He's always remained loyal to Soul Society. As for you, Kurosaki Ichigo, Nell trusted you completely, yet you failed to protect her properly."
Without warning, Fiander extended a single finger and lightly touched Ichigo's forehead. An overwhelming sense of dread that seemed to emanate from the very core of his soul caused Ichigo to collapse, vomiting violently onto the scorched ground.
"Ugh—cough!"
"Kurosaki-kun!"
Inoue moved to help him, but Fiander raised two fingers and flicked them upward, instantly encasing her within a transparent barrier.
"Eh? What is this?"
Seeing Inoue trapped by Fiander's power, both Sado and Ishida prepared to attack, but Ichigo's urgent shout stopped them.
"Don't! Don't do it, Sado, Ishida!"
Ichigo spat bile from the corner of his mouth, clutching his stomach as he spoke with a pallid complexion.
"Heh, at least you have some self-awareness, Kurosaki Ichigo. For Nell's sake, I won't make this more difficult than necessary." Fiander's tone grew more serious. "But as punishment..."
He moved closer to Inoue, placing his hand against the barrier surrounding her, then turned back to Kurosaki Ichigo. "I'm taking this girl with me. If you want to save her, come to Las Noches. Prove to me, Kurosaki Ichigo, that you possess that potential!"
With those words, Fiander's body transformed into swirling ice mist, carrying both Inoue and Nell with him as he vanished completely from sight.
"He disappeared?!" Ishida exclaimed, startled by the fact that he couldn't detect any trace of how the departure had been accomplished.
"What do we do now, Ichigo?" Sado asked grimly.
"Heh, what choice do we have? We're going to Las Noches..." Ichigo's gaze turned cold as he stared in the direction of the massive fortress. Without another word, he began running toward their destination, with Ishida and Sado following close behind.
Meanwhile, Inoue, who had experienced a moment of darkness, suddenly opened her eyes to hear a voice that filled her with terror.
"Welcome back, Orihime!"
"What's wrong? You look so sad?"
Aizen Sōsuke slowly descended from his throne, approaching Inoue and reaching out to gently stroke her cheek. "You should smile instead! Because the sun casts shadows, everyone experiences sadness. As long as you smile and wait here patiently, because..."
Just as Aizen paused dramatically, a massive Garganta began opening behind him.
"You only need to wait until we destroy Karakura Town and return."
"Destroy... Karakura Town?" Inoue whispered nervously.
"That's correct! We'll destroy Karakura Town and create the King's Key!"
After delivering this proclamation, Aizen dismissed Inoue from his attention and walked over to Fiander, studying him carefully before smiling knowingly. "Congratulations, Fiander!"
"You've already surpassed me..."
Aizen's words sent shockwaves through everyone present. What level of power could possibly make the supremely arrogant Aizen—who didn't even respect the Soul King—speak such words of acknowledgment?
Tōsen Kaname and Ichimaru Gin, who had just arrived from another chamber, were simultaneously stunned, though Reinhard appeared to regard this development as perfectly natural.
"Sorry, sorry, Captain Aizen, I need to prepare something!" Ichimaru Gin interjected with his characteristic grin.
"It's quite alright, Gin!" Aizen was clearly in excellent spirits, as Fiander's success had validated his theories. If Fiander could achieve such heights, then he was absolutely certain he could as well.
"Congratulations, Mr. Fiander!" Ichimaru Gin offered with his perpetual smile.
Fiander remained nonchalant, shrugging his shoulders with a wry smile. "Please, everyone, there's no need for such formality."
"Is Aizen-sama departing for Karakura Town now?"
"Yes, the timing is perfect!" Fiander hesitated for two seconds before continuing, "Have you noticed that the spiritual energy gathering point in Karakura Town has been relocated?"
"Hehe, that's merely one of Urahara Kisuke's little tricks—nothing to be concerned about!" Aizen maintained his composed demeanor, as if everything continued to unfold according to his grand design.
"Would you like to witness this new chapter of history with me, Fiander?" Aizen extended his hand toward him in invitation.
"I'll join you later, Master Aizen. After all, I have no interest in dealing with small fry." Fiander's response seemed to please Aizen, who smiled and nodded approvingly.
"Very well, then I'll trouble you to keep watch over Las Noches."
After speaking, Aizen turned toward the Garganta leading to Karakura Town and called out, "Kaname!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Tenteikūra!"
Following Aizen's command, Tōsen Kaname swung his right arm, revealing an intricate rune carved into his flesh, and began chanting: "Bakudō Number Seventy-Seven: Tenteikūra!"
At that moment, Aizen's voice suddenly resonated in the ears of every intruder currently within Hueco Mundo, including Ishida and Sado.
"Can you hear me, invaders?"
"Aizen!" Ichigo's blood ran cold.
"It's Aizen..." came whispered responses from various locations.
Ichigo, Unohana Retsu, the recovered Zaraki Kenpachi, Kurotsuchi Mayuri, and Byakuya Kuchiki—who had been concealing himself in the shadows—all froze simultaneously upon hearing that familiar voice.
"From this moment forward, we are launching our assault on the World of the Living!"
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