Within the Hollow Domain...
Aaroniero's death was like a signal.
Across the battlefield, the remaining clashes began to draw toward their conclusions.
Among them, the most one-sided battle was undoubtedly the one involving the Visored.
After all, Zommari had always been one of the weaker Espada.
As a substitute member among the Ten Espada, his overall strength was limited.
Even without activating their Bankai, Hirako Shinji and the others were gradually suppressing him through sheer attrition.
After several near-fatal exchanges, Luppi finally revealed his Resurrección.
"Hang him… Trepadora!"
With a violent surge of reiatsu, eight massive tentacles burst forth from his back, writhing wildly through the air.
Both sides released their blades almost simultaneously.
From Shimo's perspective, there was a faint but undeniable resonance in their spiritual pressure—a subtle linkage between them.
A causal chain…?
Shimo pondered briefly, then dismissed the thought.
Such matters were better left to specialists.
As for how Aizen had split the Arrancar and boosted their power so drastically, Shimo couldn't be certain.
But based on Urahara's speculation, it likely involved not only the Hōgyoku's power, but also Aizen's own centuries-long research into the soul.
The existence of White, and now the emergence of Hollow hybrids and dual-soul constructs, proved how far Aizen had gone.
Luppi's Resurrección greatly enhanced his strength, yet even so, he was gradually being worn down by the Visoreds.
His reiatsu was thinning.
His wounds were accumulating.
Blood splattered across the sand as his tentacles began to fail.
Shimo withdrew his attention.
With Shinji controlling the pace, the outcome of that battle was already decided.
...
The vast, dark-green barrier suspended over Hueco Mundo shimmered ominously.
Shimo raised his eyes slightly.
'If this barrier were destroyed, the battle would end much faster…'
Yet even the residual shockwaves of his spatial slashes failed to damage it.
Aizen's understanding of Hueco Mundo clearly surpassed his expectations.
Shimo exhaled softly.
"I really shouldn't underestimate him…"
Then he shifted his gaze.
Two figures flickered endlessly through the battlefield.
Yoruichi Shihōin, the Goddess of Flash,
and Zommari, the fastest Sonído user among the Espada.
Unlike the other clashes, theirs was silent.
No roaring reiatsu.
No explosive collisions.
Only blurred afterimages darting across the battlefield, weaving through the domain itself.
Their speed was so great that even Kenpachi growled in irritation when they passed too close.
Finally, Zommari slowed.
His voice was calm, devoid of emotion.
"Shinigami… your speed surprises me."
"But you still cannot win."
Suddenly, multiple afterimages split from his form, encircling Yoruichi.
She immediately shifted into a defensive stance.
Then—
Zommari stopped.
Hands clasped together.
His Zanpakutō floated before his chest.
Dark smoke poured forth.
When it cleared, Yoruichi's eyes widened slightly.
Black markings crawled across Zommari's face.
His lower body had transformed into a floating, pumpkin-like mass.
Dozens of golden eyes opened across his body.
"Accept judgment, Shinigami."
Deep violet beams fired from his eyes.
Yoruichi reacted instantly—but the attacks multiplied too quickly.
Just as several beams converged...
Her body vanished.
Only her cloak remained, marked with black sun-shaped sigils.
Way of Onmitsu, 3rd of the Shihō: Utsusemi.
She reappeared behind him, lightning crackling in her palm.
But—
Zommari's back split open.
An eye opened.
"You cannot escape judgment."
A beam fired.
At that instant—
A calm voice spoke beside her.
"Bakudō #81: Dankū."
A translucent barrier snapped into place.
The violet beam crashed against it and dispersed.
Yoruichi found herself pulled into a warm embrace.
"…Shimo."
She looked up slightly, a hint of relief in her voice.
Then, smiling faintly:
"You saved me again."
She withdrew gracefully, leaving the battlefield to him.
Zommari turned slowly, eyes fixed on Shimo.
"Kyōraku Shimo…"
"Interfering in another's battle… how very Shinigami of you."
Shimo looked at him indifferently.
"You call that a battle?"
"It looked more like children playing."
The veins on Zommari's arms bulged.
Yet his expression remained eerily calm.
"Then I shall prove myself."
"Even if it costs my life."
His eyes widened.
Purple light flooded the battlefield.
"Witness the power of devotion."
Shimo didn't move.
Black sun-patterns bloomed across his palm.
Zommari's pupils shrank.
"Impossible…"
"Why aren't you affected?!"
Shimo studied his hand calmly.
"Maybe… you simply don't love deeply enough."
Silence.
Then rage.
"BLASPHEMY!"
Zommari screamed as his body twisted grotesquely.
Dark mass spilled from beneath him, spreading like living sludge.
His form warped again—more eyes, more flesh, more madness.
"Behold the power granted by Aizen-sama!"
"Brujería! (Curse-Eye Monk): Release!"
Crack—!
Shimo sighed.
"So this is faith taken too far…"
He raised his hand.
"Hado #88: Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō."
Lightning erupted.
Zommari's limbs disintegrated instantly.
He tried to flee—
But space itself turned against him.
"Void-Slashing Sword."
A single slash, and reality itself is teared apart.
Zommari's body was torn apart from within.
His scream echoed once...
Then vanished.
Soul dispersed.
Reiatsu scattered.
Another Espada has been slain by this very man standing on the battlefield.
...
Shimo exhaled slowly.
"That makes two huh."
Elsewhere, the battlefield fell eerily quiet.
The remaining Espada felt it.
The tide had turned.
Far above, within Las Noches, Aizen closed his eyes briefly.
"…So that is your answer."
He rose from his throne.
"Then it's time I move as well."
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