The Espada.
They had finally shown up.
Standing before these special Arrancars, each carrying a different expression yet radiating overwhelming power, Ryūjin Uchiha felt a spark of excitement in his eyes.
Aizen really knew how to send gifts.
The Espada were his ultimate trump cards.
"Who... who are they?"
"Just their Spiritual Pressure alone is suffocating."
"That level of pressure... it's insane!"
The sound of people swallowing nervously echoed across the battlefield. The ordinary members of the three divisions were drenched in cold sweat.
To them, even standard Adjuchas-class Hollows were like towering mountains. The Espada, who stood at the level of Vasto Lorde, were far beyond that.
In front of enemies like these, they were nothing more than ants.
"All members below Captain-level, fall back beyond a three-kilometer radius," Ryūjin ordered without hesitation.
A battle at this level had no place for them. Staying behind would only turn them into dead weight.
"You heard Captain Ryūjin," Tōshirō Hitsugaya added firmly.
"Follow his orders," Soi Fon said, her expression tense.
"Captains, please be careful!"
The lower-ranking members understood the situation immediately. Without wasting a second, they retreated at full speed.
The Espada made no move to stop them.
The only person they cared about was Ryūjin Uchiha. The other captains barely registered in their eyes.
"Uchiha Ryūjin, you don't look like much in person," Grimmjow said as he stepped forward, his tone full of arrogance.
"Grimmjow, don't get careless. You know how strong he is," Harribel warned in a low voice.
"He's strong, sure. But I'm not weak either," Grimmjow shot back.
"If I die by the blade of someone like him, I wouldn't regret it," Ghilga, the Sixth Espada, muttered with a crazed grin. His demeanor carried the same kind of battle hunger as Kenpachi Zaraki.
"No. Uchiha Ryūjin will die by my hand," Zommari, the Eighth Espada, declared coldly.
No matter how strong Ryūjin was, everyone had weaknesses. Zommari had no intention of believing otherwise.
"Are you all done talking? You never shut up."
"I've had enough waiting."
Kenpachi Zaraki swung his zanpakutō impatiently and charged forward without another word.
The Espada exchanged glances, clearly uninterested in him. Their focus remained fixed on Ryūjin.
Killing Kenpachi meant nothing.
Killing Ryūjin was everything.
"Fine. Since none of you want to move, I'll handle it," Szayelaporro, the Ninth Espada, said with a sigh as he stepped forward.
He immediately released his zanpakutō.
"Sip, Fornicarás!"
As the words left his mouth, he shoved the blade directly into his throat.
His body twisted and changed grotesquely. His lower half transformed into writhing tentacles, while strange wings sprouted from his back.
"What the hell is that? Disgusting," Kenpachi spat, gripping his weapon tighter as he rushed in.
Sizzle.
A massive spray of blackish-purple liquid burst from Szayelaporro's back, pouring down like rain.
The sheer volume made dodging impossible without proper Kidō, something Kenpachi had no interest in using.
It was a perfect counter against someone like him.
As expected, Kenpachi was hit head-on.
"That's fucking vile!" he roared.
Then he froze.
Another Kenpachi Zaraki stood in front of Szayelaporro.
"So that's your trick? Not bad," he snorted, charging again.
The clone moved at the same time.
Steel clashed as the two Kenpachis collided, locking each other into battle. Szayelaporro had successfully stalled him.
"What a strange ability," Hitsugaya muttered, his expression darkening.
Soi Fon's face mirrored his.
These Hollows weren't just overwhelming in Spiritual Pressure. Their abilities were just as troublesome.
Swoosh. Swoosh.
The two captains moved at the same time, launching themselves toward the Espada.
They were intercepted immediately.
Aaroniero blocked Hitsugaya, while Zommari stepped in front of Soi Fon.
The remaining Espada did not interfere.
Instead, as if by silent agreement, they surrounded Ryūjin.
Their objective was clear.
Kill him.
"Grind, Pantera!"
Grimmjow lost patience first.
His Resurrección activated instantly, transforming him into a sleek, feral leopard-like form.
In a flash, he vanished.
His speed tore through the air like a storm. In less than a blink, he was already in front of Ryūjin, claws slashing forward.
Blue streaks ripped through the air, carved out by the sheer force of his Spiritual Pressure.
It was a powerful strike.
"Grimmjow? Someone like you should know your place," Ryūjin said flatly, eyes full of contempt.
A lightning blade formed in his hand, crackling with intense energy.
He swung.
One clean motion.
Slash.
Grimmjow, still in his released state, was cut cleanly in half.
Boom. Boom.
Both halves of his body slammed heavily into the ground.
The impact echoed across the battlefield.
Every Espada froze.
"How is that possible..."
Shock spread instantly across their faces.
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