Hearing those words, Shimo raised an eyebrow slightly, a trace of surprise flashing across his face as he studied the unfamiliar figure before him.
This newly appointed Tenth Espada, Ferdinand Mantikor, didn't resemble the others at all.
Unlike most Arrancar—whose forms leaned toward twisted exaggeration—Mantikor looked almost completely human.
The only thing that stood out was his mouth.
A ghastly, bone-white zipper ran across his lips, giving him an unsettling, inhuman air.
Aside from that, Shimo couldn't sense anything particularly overwhelming from him.
His spiritual pressure was slightly stronger than the other Espada, but not by a dramatic margin. Certainly not to a level that warranted special caution.
Just then, Unohana lowered her stance slightly, spiritual pressure humming faintly around her.
With Shimo's approval, she activated a long-range communication Kidō.
"Oh, right," Shimo added suddenly. "Hana-ne—send one more message to the Captain-Commander."
She glanced at him in surprise.
"What is it?"
Shimo narrowed his eyes as he studied the nine Espada before them, speaking without restraint.
"Aizen's plan involving the creation of the Ōken… will likely be set in motion very soon."
"Tell Soul Society to prepare."
"At the moment, we're at a disadvantage in terms of top-tier combat power."
The moment those words fell, the Espada opposite them narrowed their eyes.
"So the plan's been exposed…"
"This Shinigami… he's not as harmless as he looks."
"Even Aizen-sama's designs couldn't escape him?"
Their murmurs only reinforced Shimo's suspicions.
Still, he didn't fully commit to the conclusion.
Reality rarely followed predictions exactly.
Aizen was not a man who moved according to expectation.
And Shimo himself was already the greatest variable in this world.
---
The term "Ōken" clearly confused some members of the expedition.
But those who understood—Byakuya, Yoruichi, Mayuri—immediately grasped the weight of what Shimo had just said.
Especially Mayuri, who had delved deeply into the Great Library.
Unohana paused briefly before speaking again.
"…Understood."
The communication spell was completed smoothly.
Despite the overwhelming pressure radiating from the Espada, the Kidō remained stable.
This was no accident.
Before entering Hueco Mundo, the spell had been modified specifically to withstand high-level spiritual interference.
Only someone with Captain-class reiatsu could sustain it.
Once the transmission ended, the spell dissipated.
The Espada made no attempt to stop it.
Because they knew—it was already too late.
—
"Let's begin," Ulquiorra said calmly as he stepped forward beside Mantikor.
"Let's finish Lord Aizen's orders as quickly as possible."
Mantikor's lips split into a horrifying grin. Pale vapor spilled from his mouth.
"If that's the case…"
"Let's start."
Ulquiorra reached into his coat and pulled out a dark green sphere.
It glowed faintly under the light.
Without hesitation, he crushed it in his palm.
Crack—
The sphere shattered into fine dust.
The moment it dispersed, a strange energy spread outward.
Shimo's eyes glinted as his Shared Soul Barrier activated.
"…No immediate danger."
The green particles drifted into the air, spreading endlessly.
Then—
A new pressure descended.
Ulquiorra raised his hand and pointed skyward.
"Arrancar Domain—Activate."
BOOM—
A massive emerald barrier unfolded above them, blotting out the sky entirely.
The scale was enormous—far beyond anything Shimo had anticipated.
"What is this?"
"It doesn't feel immediately hostile…"
"What's the effect?"
Grimmjow threw his head back and laughed.
"Ha! You idiots really don't get it?"
"This domain boosts our power by over three times!"
His grin twisted into something feral.
"Now then—let's see who's worthy of fighting me."
His gaze locked onto Kenpachi Zaraki.
The two locked eyes.
Beasts recognizing beasts.
"Let's go!" both roared at once.
BOOM—
The desert exploded as blue and gold reiatsu collided.
Shockwaves tore through the sand as the two clashed head-on.
Kenpachi howled with laughter.
"THIS is the kind of fight I live for!"
The battle had begun.
...
Elsewhere—
Yoruichi and Byakuya simultaneously engaged Zommari.
With his unparalleled Sonído, Zommari forced them into a difficult exchange—especially under the domain's amplification.
Meanwhile—
Szayelaporro clashed with Mayuri.
The two scientists locked eyes.
"How fascinating…"
Mayuri licked his lips. "I can't wait to dissect you."
...
On the other side...
Ulquiorra stood againts Unohana.
For the first time, unease flickered through his eyes.
This woman's presence… was different.
Dangerous.
Deadly.
"Captain of the Fourth Division… Unohana Retsu."
She smiled gently, resting her hand on her blade.
"You're quite perceptive."
Their reiatsu rose simultaneously.
...
At another side—
Shimo observed calmly as the battlefield split apart.
Only two enemies remained before him.
Yammy Llargo.
And—
Ferdinand Mantikor.
"Nel," Shimo said quietly, "the big one is yours."
She nodded.
"Be careful, Shimo."
Yammy gritted his teeth but didn't dare protest.
The memory of his prior defeat still haunted him.
He turned and charged after Nel instead.
Shimo's gaze shifted to Mantikor.
The Arrancar's lips parted slightly.
"I am the Tenth Espada—Ferdinand Mantikor."
"I was ordered to kill you."
Shimo smiled faintly.
"Then come."
And in the next instant—
The battle for Hueco Mundo truly began.
------------------------------///
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