Chapter 234: Ōgi—Yomei!
Hyakuretsu Ōgi—Yomei!"
The original weather at the outer perimeter beyond the outer perimeter—which had been raining due to Kurosaki Ichigo's peculiar Reiatsu—already proved somewhat gloomy. At this moment, Reinhard unleashed his most powerful strike. His full-strength Reiatsu even surpassed Ulquiorra's Segunda Etapa.
The clouds above were surrounded by tremendous energy and rushed downward. The light rain that had been falling previously ceased entirely.
At some point, the dome above both combatants had shattered. A round, brilliant white full moon could be clearly witnessed within the broken aperture.
At this moment, a tremendous fist transformed from gathered clouds—containing all of Reinhard's Reiatsu—rushed rapidly toward Kurosaki Ichigo. This oppressive sensation of collapsing sky represented something Kurosaki Ichigo had witnessed only once throughout his life. If any technique proved sufficiently comparable, only the Mugetsu he'd employed when battling Aizen existed.
The surrounding light had vanished. No! Rather, the light source had been consumed entirely, leaving only silent, bleak night.
A reason existed why Aizen hadn't permitted the top four Espada executing Resurrección beneath the artificial sky. After all, constructing the zenith proved extraordinarily expensive. Damage resulting from his subordinates' battles wasn't worthwhile.
The sky descended. The tremendous fist landed heavily upon Kurosaki Ichigo's body. At that instant, Kurosaki Ichigo felt his mind go blank. The spiritual transformation coating his body's surface was breaking layer by layer.
The black spirit particles transformed into liquid and splashed forth from Ichigo's body surface. The tremendous impact oppressed his flesh and blood. The terrible pressure nearly deformed his body. The sensation of being crushed filled Ichigo's consciousness.
Accompanied by the creaking sound of Ichigo's bones fracturing, azure spirit particle lines reappeared across his body and skin. At this life-and-death critical moment, the genuine Quincy blood concealed within his body was activated once more.
Azure luminescence released from his form. A spiritual film covered his entire being soundlessly. The oppressive sensation brought to Kurosaki Ichigo by Reinhard's full utilization of [Yomei] was gradually weakening.
Reinhard hadn't anticipated that his secret technique would be successfully defended by this fortunate youth. Not only had Reinhard not expected this—even Kurosaki Ichigo himself didn't comprehend it.
He only recalled that his mind had been blank then, possessing almost no consciousness. At that time, he vaguely remembered striking something with the weapon within his grasp.
After considerable duration, when he regained his senses, Reinhard's chest had already sustained a deep, bone-visible scar.
This slender wound had nearly bisected Reinhard completely. If not for his powerful physique and self-healing capabilities, perhaps he genuinely would have fallen before this youth.
Observing Kurosaki Ichigo's eyes gradually regaining consciousness, Reinhard extended his hand to caress the nearly scorched wound. He couldn't help sighing and declaring:
"What a fortunate youth. No wonder Lord Fiander has stated more than once—never engage someone who possesses such advantages. Because you cannot know how many trump cards your opponent conceals!"
The black flames attached to Kurosaki Ichigo's Zanpakutō possessed targeted lethality for individuals with High-Speed Regeneration like Arrancar.
Locations burned by the black flames wouldn't heal within short duration whatsoever. They would even spread throughout the body.
After regaining consciousness, Kurosaki Ichigo's body began heaving uncontrollably. The clouds above had begun dispersing. Obviously, being attacked by Reinhard previously hadn't proven extraordinarily serious.
Because the black flame coating transformed from spirit particles across his body's surface had begun dissipating. Within several seconds, he'd returned to his original Bankai appearance.
Here, one must admire Kurosaki Ichigo's profound physical constitution and foundation. Even under such circumstances, he could still maintain Bankai posture. Perhaps this represented the protagonist's fundamental operation.
"Although your subconscious strike proved remarkable, however... the Reiatsu within your body can no longer maintain you in that previous form."
Reinhard extended his rough fingers toward the wound across his chest. He inserted his fingertips into his own flesh and blood, then withdrew them and positioned them within his mouth, licking them while declaring:
"As expected... After the Reiatsu dissipated, the injuries caused by the black flames also gradually weakened. The corrosiveness to the body also decreased substantially. Do you wish surrendering? Kurosaki Ichigo!" Reinhard addressed Ichigo with a smile while clasping his hands behind his back.
Witnessing that his opponent still wished fighting, Ichigo frowned. Just as he prepared raising his blade to respond, suddenly a sensation of emptiness struck his body. His footsteps grew weak. He nearly couldn't stand upright and almost collapsed.
WHOOSH—
At this moment, Urahara Kisuke utilized Shunpo, materializing before Kurosaki Ichigo. He fed an azure pill into the other's mouth. When Kurosaki Ichigo swallowed the pill, his pale complexion instantly returned to healthy color. His entire appearance seemed fairly normal too.
"Hah..."
"Thank you, Manager Urahara."
"Since the opponent refuses surrendering, I believe I can continue fighting!"
Observing the stubborn Kurosaki Ichigo, Urahara Kisuke shook his head and addressed him: "It's concluded, Ichigo!"
"If you don't believe me, you can inquire with the other party's Espada. Am I correct? Reinhard Cavendish!"
As he spoke, Urahara Kisuke turned his head and regarded Reinhard seriously.
"Irritating individual!"
Gazing into Urahara Kisuke's dark eyes, Reinhard cursed angrily.
He understood that Urahara Kisuke spoke correctly. Because Fiander had instructed him coming to escort them to Las Noches. However, he despised Kurosaki Ichigo who didn't comprehend circumstances, and Urahara Kisuke who'd harmed Fiander and nearly caused his downfall.
Consequently, this battle could be considered Reinhard's self-initiated action—the purpose being teaching them a lesson. However, he hadn't anticipated nearly capsizing.
Kurosaki Ichigo—who'd only recovered Shinigami power for less than two months—would undergo such tremendous transformation. Was it genuine that, as Fiander stated, the year of losing power represented Kurosaki Ichigo's most precious experience?
"Hmph!"
After a cold snort of dissatisfaction, Reinhard reluctantly tore open a Garganta and addressed them: "Let's proceed. My lord requests your presence!"
"Really? I apologize for the inconvenience then! Let's go, Kurosaki, Sado!"
Hearing Urahara Kisuke's hypocritical voice, Reinhard snorted coldly and declared: "If you know it's bothersome, don't come here!"
"My apologies, my apologies! I possess important matters requiring discussion with your leader, His Majesty!"
After stating these words, several figures walked into the Garganta and vanished from the outer perimeter.
When the sound of footsteps echoed once more beyond the corridor of Las Noches' throne hall, accompanied by the heavy sound of tremendous doors being pushed open, Urahara Kisuke finally arrived at Hueco Mundo's core region.
"Welcome to my humble abode! Please forgive the inadequate hospitality!"
One hundred meters distant, Fiander positioned upon the throne crossed his fingers and legs with a playful smile.