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Under Rudbornn's command, the Hollows behind him raised their blades and charged straight at Ichigo!
Ichigo swung Zangetsu with lightning speed, cutting down the oncoming Hollow soldiers. But there were just too many—within moments, he was completely surrounded.
"Damn it… how many of these guys are there?!"
Right then, Renji rushed in."Go, Zabimaru!!!"
His Zanpakutō elongated, snapping out like a whip and sweeping through the Hollows in wide, vicious arcs. Thanks to its reach and flexibility, he quickly cleared out a swarm of enemies in the sky.
"Renji!" Ichigo shouted in surprise.
But before he could say more, a devastating attack crashed down."Gigante Impacto!!!"
The massive blow sent countless Hollows tumbling into the abyss below.
Ichigo's eyes lit up. "Chad!"
Chad raised a thumb in silent acknowledgment.
Rudbornn's expression hardened as he saw his men fall in droves, throwing his formation into chaos. In the blink of an eye, his speed peaked—he vanished with a sharp swish and reappeared right behind Ichigo.
But before he could strike—
"Second Dance, White Ripple!!!"
A surge of freezing power exploded across the battlefield. Frost raced over Rudbornn's arm and blade, locking them in ice.
Rukia stood there, Zanpakutō raised and eyes blazing.
"Rukia!" Ichigo called.
"Idiot! Save the reunion talk for later," she snapped. "Go, Ichigo! Now!"
"Got it!"
Ichigo broke into a sprint, heading straight for Las Noches.
With a roar, Rudbornn shattered the ice around his arm. "You think that level of power can stop me?! Don't flatter yourself. You're just another unstable nuisance!"
Elsewhere, Ulquiorra's voice rang out—flat, cold, merciless."Pointless. You and your comrades are fated for the same end."
"Even if your allies come, it changes nothing. Hell is all that awaits you."
"Sharing feelings with the soon-to-die? Absurd. Nothing but a hollow human trick—an instinct to flee fear and despair."
Just then, a black figure burst from underground—Ichigo, cloak billowing, Zangetsu in hand.
He locked eyes with Ulquiorra.
"Kurosaki-kun!!!" Orihime cried.
Ichigo turned just enough to give her a small, reassuring smile before refocusing on his enemy."Orihime, get out of here."
Ulquiorra's reply was calm, almost bored."As it happens, that was my intention. My mission is to guard Las Noches until Lord Aizen returns triumphant. I was never ordered to kill this woman… so she'll live, for now. But you, Kurosaki Ichigo—killing you is the same as protecting Las Noches."
He drew his blade, its chill biting into the air."I'll erase you with my sword."
Ichigo smirked. "Didn't think you'd draw right from the start. Guess I don't have to waste time waiting for it."
"So I'll take it—you're acknowledging me as a worthy opponent?"
Ulquiorra's eyes narrowed. "Not a worthy opponent. A threat that must be destroyed."
"…That's enough for me."
In the next instant, they both lunged forward. Blades clashed, and Ichigo's spiritual pressure erupted outward like a shockwave.
Black and green power surged, colliding again and again. The clash of their energies whipped up a violent storm, shaking the very foundations of Las Noches.
In the World of the Living
Ichigo sat slumped over his classroom desk, staring at the screen."Was that really… me? Since when was I that strong? And my Zanpakutō—it didn't even look like the usual Zangetsu…"
Orihime's cheeks were flushed pink."Kurosaki-kun risked his life for me… he went straight into enemy territory…"
Rukia studied the screen, her voice low with awe."Has Ichigo already mastered Bankai? And that spiritual pressure—it's terrifying. He really might become one of the strongest Soul Reapers."
Kenpachi grinned wide."Not bad, that Ichigo kid. He's got some spirit pressure worth cutting into."
The Captain-Commander watched in silence, his face grave."So Aizen really has betrayed us… If that's true, we can't sit idle."
Without another word, he vanished, heading straight for Aizen's quarters.
In the Shinobi World
"So that's Kurosaki Ichigo, huh? That power's insane…" Naruto muttered, awe and unease in his voice. "Wonder if he's stronger than my future self…"
Sasuke clenched his fists tight."If I could become that strong… strong enough to be like Ichigo… then maybe I could finally kill my brother."
Back at Las Noches, Rudbornn raised his Zanpakutō before his chest, preparing to strike Rukia.
Rukia sneered."Your Execution Squad's already been wiped out. You're the only one left standing."
"Hmph. Foolish girl," Rudbornn spat. "Even if you throw your life away to let Ichigo through, all that awaits him is death."
"Don't kid yourself," Rukia snapped back. "I never planned on dying here."
Rudbornn's grin widened. "Is that so? Then I'll carve your blood into this ground!"
Dark violet energy erupted around him, swirling upward in a storm.
Ichigo and Ulquiorra clashed again, blades ringing with every strike. Sparks danced as raw force surged through each blow. Ulquiorra barely moved, deflecting Ichigo's furious attacks with chilling precision. Lightning crackled between their blades.
Ichigo hacked down wildly, forcing Ulquiorra's weapon back. Seizing the chance, he swung again—Ulquiorra leapt aside, avoiding the strike by a hair.
Then, faster than Ichigo could track, Ulquiorra countered, his speed splitting the air into afterimages. He unleashed a barrage of slashes, each one sharper than the last.
A monstrous shockwave sent Ichigo flying. He smashed into a stone pillar, dust and rubble exploding around him.
Before he could recover, Ulquiorra was already there, pressing the attack. Their blades collided in a flurry of strikes—clang, clang, clang! The relentless rhythm made it clear: Ichigo was being pushed back, barely hanging on.
"Kurosaki-kun!!!" Orihime cried, her voice trembling.
Ulquiorra's assault only grew more merciless. Ichigo stumbled backward under the pressure, his arms aching from the constant defense.
With one final burst of speed, Ulquiorra's blade knocked Zangetsu clean from Ichigo's grip. A searing line opened across Ichigo's shoulder, blood spraying in a crimson arc.
Ichigo gritted his teeth, retreating quickly. He thrust out a hand—Zangetsu snapped back into his palm as if answering the call.
Ulquiorra's eyes stayed cold."You still want to continue this fight?"
Ichigo growled. "What did you just say?"
"The Garganta is sealed. Your fate is sealed with it. You'll die here, nothing more. Karakura Town will vanish soon enough. And Soul Society will fall, crushed beneath Lord Aizen's Key."
"You humans can only watch as everything you care for is destroyed."
Ichigo roared back at him."Shut up! This isn't over yet!"
"Don't you dare underestimate my power!!!"
"..."
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