Chapter 130: Gotei 13 And Espada's Full-Scale Battle
In the present world, in Karakura Town, because Aizen's trio was trapped by Captain Yamamoto's Jokaku Enjo, Baraggan took over command of the Espada and ordered the four subordinate officers behind him to launch attacks on the four barrier conversion pillars.
However, the assault situation was not going smoothly. After all, Soul Society had superior numbers. After a brief engagement, the group of four who attacked the barrier pillars failed, with three of them killed on the spot by the Shinigami defenders.
"Choe Neng, Abirama, Findorr, Poww..."
"You are all complete idiots!"
Baraggan on his skeletal throne angrily crushed the carvings on the armrest in his fury.
After a muffled grunt, Baraggan slowly rose from his throne. The two surviving subordinate officers saw this scene and knelt on the ground in terror, bowing to Baraggan as they spoke.
"Forgive your subordinates, Master Baraggan!"
"Your subordinates will immediately go clean up this mess. Please rest for a while and await our good news!"
At the moment when Ggio Vega said these words, the Shinigami captains who had been observing the battle for some time finally made their move, beginning to select their opponents and encircle them.
First, Kyoraku Shunsui, captain of the 8th Division, and Ukitake Jushiro, captain of the 13th Division, chose Starrk and Lilinette as their opponents.
Next, Captain Hitsugaya Toshiro of the 10th Division and his lieutenant Matsumoto Rangiku approached Harribel and her subordinates.
Soi-Fon and Omaeda Marechiyo confronted Baraggan and his two surviving subordinate officers.
7th Division Captain Komamura Sajin and Lieutenant Tetsuzaemon Iba positioned themselves near a fourth Arrancar.
At this moment, Kyoraku looked at Captain Yamamoto, who remained in full combat readiness. The head captain's haori continued swaying even without wind, demonstrating how precisely he controlled the airflow around himself.
"Ah, my shoulders are getting sore."
"If I stay near that terrifying old man Yamamoto, even I'll be affected by the tension."
Kyoraku lowered his head with a smile, speaking to Ukitake beside him.
"Yes, when this battle ends, why don't we both give the teacher a shoulder massage? It's been quite a while since we visited him."
Ukitake thought Kyoraku was referring to Captain Yamamoto, but Kyoraku smiled and said: "You misunderstood—I mean my own shoulder hurts!"
Saying this, Kyoraku massaged his own shoulders, completely ignoring Starrk, who watched him with a puzzled expression.
Just when the tension at the scene reached its peak, Baraggan suddenly declared: "Kill them all! Not a single ant is to be left alive!"
"Otherwise, the losers needn't expect to return alive."
"Don't disappoint me, Ggio Vega, Nirgge Parduoc!"
"I want our path paved with enemy blood. Answer me! Whose subordinates are you!"
Suddenly, Baraggan roared loudly.
"Yes!"
"We are subordinate officers of the great His Majesty Baraggan Louisenbairn!"
As they spoke, Ggio Vega and Nirgge Parduoc drew their Zanpakuto simultaneously, standing before their opponents and declaring: "We will crush all enemy forces and let you enjoy the beauty of their blood and flesh scattered across this battlefield!"
Saying this, the two engaged Sui-Feng and Omaeda Marechiyo respectively in combat.
On another front, after Kyoraku and Starrk had stared at each other for some time, the surrounding wind began to howl ominously.
At this moment, Kyoraku suddenly pointed to Lilinette and said to Starrk: "That girl—can you have her leave this area?"
"Why?"
Starrk tilted his head, puzzled.
"Well, because with a girl nearby, I can't fight with complete peace of mind."
Kyoraku said seriously: "Isn't it the same for you?"
"What are you talking about, you squinty-eyed old man!"
Feeling belittled by the enemy, Lilinette stamped her feet angrily and shouted.
"Stop arguing, Lilinette. This opponent... is not to be underestimated!"
Starrk, who had been completely relaxed until now, looked at Kyoraku with a serious expression, and Lilinette stopped her tantrum, calming down.
"It doesn't matter..."
"It's fine if we don't have to fight with full strength."
Starrk looked at Kyoraku thoughtfully and said: "Because I don't actually need to fight seriously."
"What do you mean?"
Regarding Starrk's words, Ukitake asked suspiciously.
"Because I genuinely have absolutely no interest in fighting!"
"That's just my nature, so can we just pretend to battle and wait absent-mindedly for the others to finish their fights?"
Starrk scratched his head casually.
"What are you saying?"
Just when Ukitake wanted to question this, he heard Kyoraku clapping his hands and saying: "Alright, not bad!"
"I think that sounds pretty good—after all, I'm also afraid of getting hurt!"
"But just this once, I don't think we can get away with it so easily."
"Anyway, I apologize, but we can't accommodate that request!"
"Really? That's genuinely troublesome!"
While speaking, Starrk drew his Zanpakuto from his waist and said: "I was hoping to take the easy way out, but you won't give me that opportunity!"
"Then I'll have to kill you all so I can find another place to sleep!"
On yet another front, Hitsugaya and Rangiku first observed Harribel, Apache, Mila Rose, and Sun-Sun, then Hitsugaya asked Harribel: "Are you an Espada?"
Seeing his actions, Harribel asked puzzledly: "Why are you asking?"
"Nothing special, just wanted to ask what your ranking is."
At this time, Hitsugaya still recalled the number 10 on Fiander's hand when they had fought previously.
"What ranking? Is there any significance to such things? Or do you want to pick a weaker opponent to fight?"
Harribel's words made Hitsugaya shake his head and say: "No, I just wanted to know why that guy who used ice like me didn't come with your initial group?"
"Someone with ice? Do you mean Fiander?"
"It seems you've fought him before and still managed to survive."
"That's quite impressive."
As she spoke, Harribel extended her finger, hooked the ring on her Zanpakuto's handle at her back, drew the weapon and held it ready as she said: "I am Tres Espada, Tier Harribel. And you?"
"I'm Hitsugaya Toshiro, Captain of Gotei 13's 10th Division. I hope you're stronger than that guy!"
Saying this, Hitsugaya raised his Zanpakuto and faced Harribel directly.
The atmosphere had frozen to its absolute limit, and the battle between both sides was initiated when Captain Yamamoto struck his Zanpakuto, which had returned to its wooden cane form, heavily against the ground.
"Everyone!"
"Fight with everything you have to defeat all enemies! Even if your bodies are shattered to pieces, cast your final remaining bones into walls of iron and steel, and never allow them to take a single step closer to Soul Society!"
"Give them everything you've got!"
Thus began the full-scale battle between the Espada and Gotei 13!
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