join p atreon.com/KeyofStars for advance chapters | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter | Every 500 powerstones = free membership | Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr
[Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck Affection +1, gained 600 experience points, current Affection: 1.]
[… …]
[Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck Affection +1, gained 1200 experience points, current Affection: 10.]
[… …]
[Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck Affection +1, gained 2400 experience points, current Affection: 24.]
[Loly Aivirrne Affection +1, gained 300 experience points, current Affection: 1.]
[Loly Aivirrne Affection +1, gained 600 experience points, current Affection: 10.]
[Loly Aivirrne Affection +1, gained 1200 experience points, current Affection: 20.]
[Loly Aivirrne Affection +1, gained 2400 experience points, current Affection: 36.]
… …
After helping the two with their modifications and treatments, their affection for Ishikawa increased significantly, but it didn't skyrocket like Cirucci's did, directly because of it.
Unlike Cirucci, neither Nel nor Roka had any interest in increasing their strength. Their affection for Ishikawa was simply because he saved them. Roka's greater increase was also partly due to Cirucci.
In total, the two provided Ishikawa with 66,900 experience points.
This sum of experience was entirely invested in his physique by Ishikawa before his full-power strike at Aizen.
Physique: Top-tier (867,742 / 1,000,000)
It could be said that, putting aside his Reiatsu, Ishikawa's current physique was infinitely close to the first stage.
If he could reach the first stage in the system's rating, his physique would undoubtedly undergo a qualitative change.
It's just a pity… …
Current Experience Points: 0.
Ishikawa suddenly felt an urge to flee from here, return to Soul Society, and find a way to earn more experience points.
Given his current situation, defeating Aizen was almost impossible.
And just as Ishikawa was contemplating his next move, the atmosphere over the ruins of Karakura Town grew heavier.
Although the battlefield was divided into four areas, in reality, it was Ishikawa's side, the Gotei 13's side, and the Visored's side, all three jointly targeting the Arrancar army led by Aizen.
From a numerical standpoint alone, Ishikawa and his allies could be said to hold an absolute advantage.
Behind Aizen, there were only the First Espada, the Third Espada, and the Fourth Espada, a total of three Espada. In addition, there was Wonderweiss, a seemingly idiotic fellow whose strength was hard to gauge. However, this seemingly simple-minded Arrancar boy was now staring intently at Ishikawa.
The reason was simple: Fura, who had accompanied him to the Human World, was gone.
Although he wasn't eliminated by Ishikawa, the death of that behemoth was somewhat related to Ishikawa.
Unlike the others, that massive creature, which spat out Gillian, had no time to dodge when Ishikawa and Aizen clashed, and was directly pulverized by the impact of their battle.
Neither Aizen nor Ishikawa paid attention to this, but Wonderweiss clearly held a grudge against Ishikawa because of it.
Getting back to the main point, besides these Espada and Wonderweiss, the accompanying Fraccion had mostly been eliminated. Cirucci's three Fraccion were spared by Commander Yamamoto, but they were severely wounded and completely lost their combat capability.
When Ishikawa discovered them, he actually thought about whether to help them three with their treatment… to earn some affection, but after careful consideration, he gave up on this tempting idea.
It wasn't because the timing was wrong, but because they were on opposing sides. Even if Ishikawa healed them, it would most likely be seen as having ulterior motives, not only failing to gain affection but also making people wary.
Ishikawa would absolutely not do something that was a thankless task!
It wasn't difficult to hold back the three Espada. The Gotei 13 alone had held them for so long, and now with the help of the Visored, it would obviously be even easier.
But unlike before, Aizen, Tosen, and Ichimaru Gin had now broken free. Leaving Aizen aside, the opposing side had six Captain-level powerhouses, some even far exceeding Captain-level.
And Aizen alone, without Commander Yamamoto intervening, could single-handedly hold back, or even instantly defeat, the vast majority of those present.
When individual strength reaches a certain level, the concept of 'numerical advantage' simply doesn't exist.
"I'm very curious…"
Just as Ishikawa was assessing the strength of both sides, Aizen suddenly spoke:
"Why don't you use Bankai?"
At these words, everyone couldn't help but turn their gaze to Ishikawa, because Aizen's question was also their own doubt.
Bankai?
Ishikawa's brow furrowed slightly.
Aizen didn't wait for Ishikawa's reply, but instead swept his gaze over Commander Yamamoto and Kyōraku Shunsui of the Gotei 13:
"Is it too detrimental to the environment? Or is your Bankai not suitable for use in plain sight?"
After speaking, Aizen glanced at Shinji and continued, "Or perhaps it cannot be used when companions are present?"
Many people present couldn't understand Aizen's words, but some knew who he was referring to.
Shinigami's Bankai are diverse, and many of their abilities are extremely powerful, but overly powerful abilities often come with some restrictions.
Commander Yamamoto, Kyōraku Shunsui, Shinji… these three were examples.
However, compared to the three, Ishikawa's situation was actually more similar to Ichigo's. The reason he was unwilling to use Bankai was simply because he couldn't control his Bankai, and would instead be influenced by his Zanpakuto after Bankai, just like Ichigo was constantly controlled and went berserk by his Zanpakuto.
However, unlike Ichigo, Ishikawa was not facing a rampage; instead, he was incredibly rational.
So rational that… …
For victory, he could resort to any means necessary.
In other words, after Bankai, if sacrificing those around him could defeat Aizen, then Ishikawa after Bankai would absolutely not hesitate to use Cirucci, Soi Fon, and others as expendables.
Moreover, most importantly… …
The Kokumei was inherently connected to Cirucci, Soi Fon, and others.
If he used Bankai here, Ishikawa wasn't sure what would happen.
This was not because of the Zanpakuto, but because of Ishikawa himself. The Zanpakuto only acted as a catalyst in this. If Ishikawa were strong enough to reach the first stage, he could completely avoid being affected by the characteristics of the Zanpakuto.
But now he couldn't completely immunize himself. What he feared was not his own Bankai, but the overly rational self that would result from the influence of Bankai.
Ishikawa knew better than anyone what he would become if he had no attachments and became overly rational.
"Don't listen to his nonsense."
Hiyori's freckled little face was filled with long-accumulated resentment, looking at Aizen with gloomy eyes, but Aizen didn't even glance at her, or rather, the entire Visored was not in Aizen's eyes.
And on the Gotei 13's side, they all looked at the three Arrancar behind Ishikawa, with somewhat strange expressions.
They were now somewhat unsure whether Ishikawa was still on their side.
After all… …
Ishikawa now looked so similar to Aizen.
Behind both of them were three Arrancar who were opposed to the Shinigami, and these Arrancar were extremely respectful to them, completely in the posture of subordinates.
What made Soi Fon feel the most bizarre was… …
Among the three Arrancar, one was actually one of the Espada!
Although the other two hadn't been seen before, Cirucci was not unfamiliar to most of those present; she had even invaded Soul Society to encircle and suppress Ishikawa back then.
When did she become Ishikawa's person?
As for the other two, the Arrancar girl in the green burlap clothes, although not one of the Espada in the intelligence, her aura was extremely terrifying, not much weaker than the three higher-ranked Espada behind Aizen.
This made the Gotei 13 somewhat suspicious, wondering if another Ishikawa would emerge to take over after Aizen was eliminated.
"Ishikawa."
Just as everyone was hesitant, Commander Yamamoto at the front of the formation suddenly called out.
"Yes."
Ishikawa first responded to Commander Yamamoto, then looked at Hitsugaya Tōshirō, Komamura Sajin, Soi Fon, and Kyōraku Shunsui behind him, a smile appearing on his face:
"Don't worry, they are friends I made in Hueco Mundo."
Ishikawa finished speaking, glanced at Cirucci beside him, and continued: "Although they have provided me with a lot of intelligence and assistance all along, we are only equals in a friendship, not a superior-subordinate relationship. You absolutely don't need to worry about this."
Commander Yamamoto nodded, not saying much, as if his calling Ishikawa was just to have Ishikawa explain to the other Captains.
Upon hearing this, Komamura Sajin and Hitsugaya Tōshirō, though still somewhat hesitant, said nothing more.
Soi Fon, on the other hand, didn't react much. With her affection for Ishikawa at max, she never believed Ishikawa would become the next Aizen, from beginning to end.
Of course, if it were in the past, she might have been the one to react most intensely.
As for Kyōraku Shunsui, he didn't look at Ishikawa, but instead glanced at Commander Yamamoto, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes.
"Captain Ishikawa, and our friends wearing Visored."
Just then, Komamura Sajin suddenly stepped forward, looking at Kaname Tōsen behind Aizen, and said: "I hope you can let us handle Tosen."
"Whatever."
Shinji chuckled strangely, looking at Aizen: "My goal is only one, and that is Aizen. I have absolutely no interest in small fry." With that, he ignored the reactions of others and charged directly towards Aizen. The resentment accumulated for over a century had made him impatient.
Now, Shinji only wanted Aizen to pay the price for turning them into their current state.
As Shinji moved, the standoff immediately broke down.
Cirucci, behind Ishikawa, was the first to act after Shinji, and she unhesitatingly cut her finger.
Buzz—
Accompanied by a crimson seep, a black Cero streaked across the sky, instantly enveloping Aizen and the others.
Rumble—!
A tremendous roar echoed, and endless smoke billowed over the ruins of Karakura Town.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh… …
A series of whooshing sounds rang out, and figures collided in mid-air.
And high above, Ishikawa, Commander Yamamoto, and Shinji converged, all three looking across at Aizen Sōsuke, who was also high in the sky.
"Not protecting your fire-extinguishing doll anymore?" Ishikawa looked at Aizen and smiled.
Aizen shook his head slightly at the words: "If the Arrancar I created still need me to protect them, then it already shows they are not fit to follow me."
"You weren't like that before."
Ishikawa chuckled, a grim look flashing in his eyes.
Because rather than saying he and Commander Yamamoto stopped Aizen, it was more like Aizen, while confronting Commander Yamamoto and Shinji, stopped him.
Originally, Ishikawa had planned to take advantage of Commander Yamamoto stopping Aizen to eliminate that fire-extinguishing doll.
Recalling this, Ishikawa glanced down with his peripheral vision.
"Hmm?"
The battlefield below was basically as Ishikawa had expected.
Komamura Sajin had stopped Tosen, and beside him stood a recently healed Hisagi Shuuhei, as well as Kuna Mashiro and Kensei Muguruma. These individuals could all be said to have connections with Tosen.
His best friend, his most respected Vice-Captain.
And… …
His former superior and former teammates, who had once trusted him immensely and were caught off guard by Tosen's Bankai ambush from behind.
In the distance, Kyōraku Shunsui had stopped Ichimaru Gin, and beside Kyōraku Shunsui stood Lisa, his former Vice-Captain.
Rose Ōtoribashi and Aikawa Rabu, the pair with avant-garde hairstyles, had stopped Wonderweiss, preventing him from intervening in the battle between Aizen, Ishikawa, and the other four.
These were all within Ishikawa's previous expectations.
But what surprised Ishikawa somewhat was… …
The opponent Cirucci chose.
"Ah—"
Starrk looked at Cirucci, who was blocking him, and couldn't help but sigh: "That's why I hate troublesome things like this."
"Then why not return to Hueco Mundo?"
Cirucci smiled slightly at Starrk: "I also don't like this kind of infighting. Isn't it better to let the Shinigami's affairs be handled by the Shinigami themselves?"
"Starrk, why are you wasting so much breath on her? She's just the weakest traitor among the Espada."
A clear voice suddenly came from within the twin pistols Starrk held.
Starrk ignored Lilynette, and instead looked at Cirucci, saying: "I sense Nnoitra's residual Reiatsu on you. He…"
"I killed him."
Cirucci nodded: "Not only him, Baraggan is also dead. That scoundrel Grimmjow is doing quite well, but he has decided not to participate in this battle."
Originally, after Cirucci discovered Ishikawa had gone to the Human World, she intended to gather forces to support him.
But the recovered Grimmjow turned and left without a word, completely ignoring Cirucci's calls.
As for Picaro, he was too severely exhausted from his battle with Baraggan to continue fighting. In the end, she could only persuade Nel and Roka, then brought the two of them to the Human World using that eccentric Shinigami's technique.
However, behind them, there were actually others.
That Fourth Division Captain and the blonde Substitute Soul Reaper, although they entered the Black Portal together, that Fourth Division Captain deliberately slowed down to help the Substitute Soul Reaper recover his Reiatsu, so only the three of them arrived in the Human World first.
"Is that so?"
Starrk didn't react much to the news, but his eyes were subtly dazed.
"You shouldn't have appeared here."
Cirucci looked at Starrk. As one of the first Arrancar, she was actually very aware of Starrk's strength, after all, he had already become an Arrancar on his own before they had even evolved into Arrancar because of Aizen.
The reason he followed Aizen wasn't because Aizen had helped him.
It was simply because… …
He wanted companions, companions who wouldn't have their souls automatically eroded and die just by being near him.
The Espada, to him, were such companions.
So from beginning to end, Starrk had no great interest in this battle; he was only repaying Aizen for giving him companions.
But while they were called companions, they were really just coincidentally together.
And the companions Starrk desired were like those Hollows who, due to their weakness, gathered together to huddle for warmth.
But for powerful Espada, huddling for warmth simply didn't exist.
Yet, even so, hearing that someone among the Espada had died, he would still be shaken and dazed by it.
"I used to not understand your thoughts at all. I felt you were childish and ridiculous, even disgusting!"
Cirucci looked at Starrk and shook her head slightly: "Both you and Nel, I used to particularly dislike. I believed people like you were completely unworthy of following Lord Aizen."
"But now, I've started to understand you, and I no longer understand my own past thoughts."
"So… …"
Cirucci looked at the twin pistols in Starrk's hands:
"Let's stop here."
Starrk looked at Cirucci for a long time, a smile appearing on his face:
"Sorry, perhaps because I've never experienced it…"
Starrk shook his head slightly, aiming his twin pistols at Cirucci's location:
"I, on the contrary, cannot understand your current thoughts."
… …
join p atreon.com/KeyofStars for advance chapters | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter | Every 500 powerstones = free membership | Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr