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Human World, Karakura Town.
Under the moonlight, the void opened like a gaping maw, forming a black hole-like passage.
A gentle breeze swept through, and figures appeared silently in the void, immediately releasing their Reiatsu upon arrival.
"No matter how many times I come, I still can't get used to a place like the Human World. When I still wore my mask, I quite liked dining here."
"What? Do you also want to eat the souls of ordinary people, like Yammy?"
"Who would do such a thing? It's utterly disgusting."
"..."
Harribel looked at the people beside her and said in a deep voice, "You haven't forgotten our purpose for coming here, have you?"
"Isn't it just to capture a Shinigami? What's so difficult about that?"
A beautiful Arrancar with short black hair, a slanted fringe, wearing a long-sleeved, crop-top shirt, and the number 'NO. 7' carved on the front of her right hip, spoke with disdain.
Harribel looked at the person who replied and shook her head slightly, "He's not as simple as you think."
Luppi Antenor!
He was originally a member of Lord Aizen's personal guard, but since the original NO. 7, Zommari Rureaux, was killed by Ishikawa during the last incident in Soul Society, he filled Zommari's vacancy.
Luppi snorted at the remark but didn't continue to argue. Instead, he changed the subject, "However, didn't Ulquiorra say that there aren't any strong people in the Human World?" As he spoke, he looked to the side and said mockingly, "Or are you saying you didn't even sense such obvious Reiatsu?"
Standing where he looked was a man with short, spiky black hair, pale skin, green eyes, and deep green, tear-like markings on his face.
NO. 4 — Ulquiorra Cifer.
Ulquiorra didn't speak, nor did he even glance at Luppi. He simply stood silently in place.
"Idiot, before we came, Lord Aizen already said there was a Shinigami squad dispatched to the Human World."
Szayelaporro glanced at Luppi, his eyes openly disdainful.
"Do you want to die?"
Hearing this, Luppi's face immediately darkened, and a hint of killing intent was revealed in his gaze towards Szayelaporro.
Tier Harribel, standing beside Harribel, looked at Harribel's subtly unpleasant expression and couldn't help but shake her head. It was truly wishful thinking to expect the Espada to follow orders.
"Grimmjow?"
Harribel's gaze shifted, and the scene that met her eyes made her frown. Grimmjow, who had been silent since arriving in the Human World, was now looking in one direction.
"I'm not interested in what you all want to do. The person I'm looking for isn't here!"
After Grimmjow spoke, he actually got up and rushed in that direction. Grimmjow's subordinate officers in the squad, as if they had known all along, followed directly behind him.
Several figures vanished in the blink of an eye.
"Tch, that guy really doesn't listen to orders at all. I really don't understand why Lord Aizen made him an Espada," Luppi said.
"It doesn't matter. Anyway, only four Espada are needed. He wasn't in the lineup to begin with. Like Tier Harribel, he volunteered to come along."
Szayelaporro glanced at Tier Harribel, chuckled, and then looked into the distance, "However, the Shinigami sent to the Human World are about to arrive. Let's go play with them. After all, if we ignore them, the support personnel won't rush here either."
...
"How did they arrive so quickly?"
Several miles away, Tōshirō Hitsugaya stomped on the void, and his entire being burst forward.
Behind him were Matsumoto Rangiku and Abarai Renji.
"Where are the others?"
"Ikkaku and Kiyone are looking for a place to stay, I don't know where they ran off to," Matsumoto Rangiku replied with a solemn tone, "And Rukia is with Ichigo."
"Should we wait a bit longer?"
Abarai Renji hesitated for a moment, catching up to the two and saying, "According to the Shinigami Research and Development Institute's report, multiple Espada may have come to the Human World. The Shinigami Research and Development Institute is in the process of Release (Limited Release), and Captain Ishikawa will also soon lead the Ninth Division to provide support."
Wait a bit longer?
Hearing this, a hint of hesitation flashed across Tōshirō Hitsugaya's face.
He had never encountered the Espada, because when the Espada attacked last time, he and Kuchiki Byakuya were still lying in the Comprehensive Relief Station.
But it is said...
The Espada who attacked back then each had combat power above Captain-level, and some among them could even directly contend with Captain-Commander Yamamoto.
Moreover, just from the Reiatsu they sensed, they could already vaguely feel the opponent's strength. It is said that these Espada can also perform Zanpakuto release, just like Shinigami.
The three of them rashly engaging the enemy was indeed a very foolish thing to do.
However, for the Arrancar to come to the Human World and for Tōshirō Hitsugaya to pretend not to know and ignore them, this was something he absolutely could not accept.
Thinking of this, Tōshirō Hitsugaya bit his lip slightly and asked, "How much longer until the Limited Release is complete?"
"The release process began as soon as the Arrancar appeared, it will take about two more minutes."
"Two minutes?"
Hearing this, Tōshirō Hitsugaya's face immediately turned somewhat grim.
Two minutes is not long for ordinary people, but in a Captain-level battle, these two minutes can already determine life and death.
Suddenly, Toushiro's steps halted, and he abruptly stopped in mid-air.
Matsumoto Rangiku and Abarai Renji, seeing this, also stopped and instinctively prepared to inquire.
But before they could say anything, a whooshing sound came, and two figures appeared in front of them.
Leading them was an Arrancar with short black hair and a slanted fringe, the new NO. 7, Luppi, and beside him stood Tier Harribel.
"Are you the only three Shinigami who came?"
Luppi looked at the three of them, sensed the Reiatsu on their bodies, and immediately showed disdain on his face, "Hey, are you kidding me? Are these guys really from Soul Society? They're too weak, aren't they?"
After Luppi spoke, he looked at Tōshirō Hitsugaya, who was wearing a Captain's haori.
"And is Soul Society out of people? Even a kid like this can become a Captain."
Two people?
Hitsugaya wasn't angered by Luppi's words; he simply looked at the two in front of him with a solemn expression.
Are they both Espada?
"Tier Harribel, neither of you should make a move."
Reiatsu surged around Luppi, and a strange smile appeared on his face, "I'll take care of all three of them myself."
...
At the same time, Karakura Town, South Karakura Town.
Two figures stood in mid-air, confronting each other.
"You're the Shinigami that Ulquiorra spared, aren't you?"
Ichigo didn't reply to the question, instead looking past Ulquiorra into the distance, where Kuchiki Rukia was engaged in battle with two Arrancar.
Grimmjow looked at Ichigo, a sinister smile on his face, "You have time to worry about others, but you should think more about how to survive against me. If the battle ends in an instant, I'll be bored!"
"Is that so?"
Ichigo held out the massive Zanpakuto on his shoulder, and said softly, "Then I'll finish you in an instant!"
"Bankai..."
Dark Reiatsu surged skyward, completely engulfing Ichigo, with faint flashes of lightning visible within the Reiatsu.
"Tensa Zangetsu!"
And not far from the two, three figures rapidly collided.
Clang, clang, clang — !
The clash of swords was incessant, and one figure was sent flying backward, directly smashing through the wall of a residence.
"Hahaha— Is this all you've got?"
A burst of wild laughter erupted, and an Arrancar with a large, hat-like mask sneered, "I should have known and gone with Shawlong and the others to find other Shinigami."
"Other Shinigami are probably like this too."
A tall, slightly bloated Arrancar beside him said disdainfully, "I imagine Shawlong and the other two have already finished their battle."
"It's indeed over."
A voice suddenly came from behind the two, causing both their faces to change.
Pshhh—
But before they could react, two hands, like blades, pierced through their Soul Binding at the neck.
"Hmm... Ishi... Ishikawa??"
In the ruins, Kuchiki Rukia wiped away the blood from the corner of her mouth, the ice crystals on her pure white Zanpakuto gradually dissipating.
Looking out, she saw a figure appear out of thin air behind the two Arrancar.
This figure was none other than Ishikawa.
Ishikawa glanced at the ground, then smiled, "It seems I was being a bit too meddlesome."
Even if he hadn't intervened just now, Kuchiki Rukia's Zanpakuto ability would have been more than enough to eliminate these two Arrancar who hadn't entered their Release Form.
"You're just in time, Ichigo's side..."
"You can leave that to him."
Ishikawa interrupted Kuchiki Rukia, looking up at the night sky. Under the moonlight, two figures were constantly clashing.
Vaguely, waves of impact could be seen freely spreading out.
However...
Compared to Ichigo who had just activated Bankai in Soul Society, his aura was extremely unstable at this moment. A remarkably violent Reiatsu could be distinctly felt awakening within him.
Or rather, that was his original Reiatsu!
Is it coming?
A flicker of surprise crossed Ishikawa's eyes. Last time in Soul Society, Ichigo didn't display his Hollowfication power.
But now...
He subtly gave Ishikawa an extremely strange Reiatsu fluctuation.
If nothing unexpected happens, his latent power should be activated in this battle.
"But..."
Kuchiki Rukia instinctively started to say something, but before she could finish, she heard Ishikawa say, "He's not the only Espada who came. There are five other Espada in the same location as Captain Hitsugaya and the others."
Five Espada?
Hearing this, Kuchiki Rukia's face changed, and she looked up at the sky.
There are five more monsters like that?
"I need to go provide support elsewhere now. You can just watch from here; don't get involved."
Ishikawa looked at the worry in Kuchiki Rukia's eyes and smiled slightly, "Don't worry, Ichigo is not as simple as you think, and as long as... after this battle, he will gain new power. If you trust me, it's best not to interfere."
New power?
A strange look flashed in Kuchiki Rukia's eyes. As the person most familiar with Ichigo, she naturally felt the change in Ichigo's Reiatsu.
But in her opinion...
That change exuded an eerie and dangerous feeling, making her subconsciously not want Ichigo to continue fighting.
"Although there might be a temporary loss of control, and you might even be attacked if you intervene, that is indeed Ichigo's power. You don't need to worry about him." With that, Ishikawa vanished from the spot.
He had said everything he needed to say. If Kuchiki Rukia still didn't trust him and rashly intervened, it would have nothing to do with him.
In place, Kuchiki Rukia hesitated for a moment, but ultimately chose to trust Ishikawa and did not rashly intervene.
Although she didn't know what Ichigo's power was, she firmly believed that Ishikawa would not harm her, nor would he harm Ichigo.
Besides...
As far as she knew, Ichigo's Bankai was learned under Ishikawa's guidance. Ishikawa, with his incredibly rich knowledge and experience, should have some understanding of Ichigo's power.
Clang — !
In the sky, Ichigo forced Grimmjow back, "Why are your movements suddenly so slow?"
"Could it be..."
"Are you wary of Mr. Ishikawa?"
"Hmph~ !"
Grimmjow snorted, not refuting, but instead charged directly at Ichigo.
...
At the same time.
"Ryūsenka!"
Accompanying a low shout, endless cold air swept across the night sky, forming a gigantic cross-shaped ice block that froze all the swirling tentacles.
Crack, crack, crack—
But this freezing lasted only an instant before it shattered.
Tōshirō Hitsugaya's face changed, and without hesitation, he quickly retreated backward.
However, the speed of the tentacles was simply too fast, catching up to him in the blink of an eye.
"Bankai, Hihio Zabimaru!"
A sharp cry suddenly came from below. The familiar voice startled both Hitsugaya, who was dodging, and Rangiku, who was preparing to provide support.
Boom—
Amidst a huge explosion, a colossal figure blocked the tentacles and Hitsugaya.
This is?
Tōshirō Hitsugaya looked down, and when he saw Abarai Renji, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
At this moment, Abarai Renji's shoulders and left arm were covered in fur, with skull decorations hanging from the fur on his left shoulder. The same skull decorations were also present on the chain adorning his chest.
"Are you alright, Captain Hitsugaya?"
Renji came to Hitsugaya's side and asked with a solemn expression.
"I'm fine."
Tōshirō Hitsugaya composed his surprised expression, and a sigh of relief escaped his heart. Although he didn't know when Renji had mastered Bankai, having his help with Bankai would make the upcoming battle a bit easier.
"The Limited Release is coming down!"
Just then, Matsumoto Rangiku's excited voice came.
Hearing this, Toushiro immediately looked towards Matsumoto Rangiku, but the sight that met his eyes made his expression change drastically.
"Watch out!!"
Matsumoto Rangiku froze, and then felt a fierce gust of wind behind her.
In her peripheral vision, a tentacle shot through the air, heading directly for her back.
Oh no!
Matsumoto Rangiku, distracted by the Limited Release, was startled. Her Zanpakuto immediately turned into sand, meeting the tentacle.
But in her haste, it crumbled at the first touch.
In an instant, the tentacle was already close.
Can't dodge it!
A thought flashed through Matsumoto Rangiku's mind. She instinctively concentrated her Reiatsu on her back, preparing to take the hit head-on.
And just then...
Whoosh, whoosh~!
Two dark figures, like boomerangs, collided directly with the tentacle, knocking it off course, causing it to graze past Matsumoto Rangiku.
"This is... Kazeshini?"
Rangiku was slightly stunned, and followed the direction the two boomerangs returned.
She saw a figure in the distant void rapidly approaching her location. In a blink of an eye, he arrived beside her.
It was none other than Hisagi Shuuhei.
Seeing his arrival, Matsumoto Rangiku's face lit up with joy, "Where's Ishikawa-sama?"
"Captain Ishikawa went to support the others. He told me to come here first and said he would arrive immediately."
Support the others?
...
Karakura Town, Sannomiya, Urahara Shop.
The sliding door of the general store slowly opened, and Urahara Kisuke stepped out, standing at the entrance, quietly waiting.
After about a few seconds, Ishikawa's figure suddenly appeared above the Urahara Shop.
"Ishikawa-sama, not going to provide support? Do you have any instructions for my little shop?"
"Do you really think I wanted to find you?"
Ishikawa glared at Urahara Kisuke in exasperation:
"You've tricked me so many times, it's time you helped me out for once!"
join p atreon.com/KeyofStars for advance chapters | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter | Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr