Cherreads

Chapter 328 - A Soul No Longer Flawed

Robert Accutrone.

As a member of the Sternritter, his experience was even richer than some members of the royal guard.

Although he hadn't participated in the previous Thousand-Year Blood War, his knowledge was not lacking at all, and he even knew some important intelligence about Yhwach.

For this very reason.

He had such firm belief in His Majesty's plan—Robert Accutrone couldn't imagine a scene where this awakened tyrant would be defeated again.

It was as if this man's existence was a manifestation of the world's will, also the answer derived from the Three Worlds.

And he, Robert Accutrone, would always stand by the victor's side from beginning to end.

This was his philosophy of survival.

However, this firm belief had some slight wavering at this moment.

He looked expressionlessly at Shunsui, who wore a playful smile, silently raising his left hand and lightly pressing it on his chest.

What is... this?

The sense of uneasiness surging from deep inside was like a wet, slippery hand that instantly wrapped around Robert's viscera, then sinking down bit by bit.

A bluff?

It didn't seem like such a nonsensical thing... if so, the answer seemed all too obvious.

Something unexpected was manifesting at this moment, growing rapidly until it expanded to a degree that made one hesitant to approach.

"At a time like this, it's better to worry about yourself first."

It wasn't Shunsui's tone.

But that steady and calm tone had a sort of "subtle similarity."

—Before Robert could analyze or investigate, the prickling sensation on his back had already made his body react first.

Sidestep, twist waist... dodge!

The movements were concise and swift, even from a professional standpoint, no flaws could be found.

However, such quick reactions were still somewhat "too late to evade."

Accompanied by a deep, muffled sound that could make space itself hiss and crumble.

A black light pillar thrust directly from behind Robert, grazing fiercely past his waist.

Without time to savor this pain, Robert's vision was already completely engulfed by several light beams that followed closely.

Boom boom boom boom boom...

One couldn't even count how many attacks there were.

It was as if the entire world had been rendered into a black curtain, covering from top to bottom, completely submerging Robert's field of vision.

"...?!!!"

An expression of surprise appeared on his face, as Robert finally seemed to feel pressure as substantial as reality, revealing an expression that was somewhat difficult to accept.

What is this thing?

Is it a method Soul Reapers can employ?

Before his thoughts could settle, these light pillars, almost without distinction between before and after, completely pieced together, began to merge, contacting each other.

Until...

They became a ball of light that started to contract.

Explosion!!!

Bang!

Accompanied by a burst of light and heat, Shunsui in the distance directly turned around, opening his arms to protect Nanao in his embrace.

The Captain-Commander's broad back blocked the gusts and rubble, his expression unchanged, only calmly looking at the shaken "niece" in his arms.

"How are you? Not hurt?"

Before Nanao could respond, a lazy tone had already come from the side.

"Bringing such an immature person into the battlefield, you're a bit too vicious, aren't you?"

Lightly patting Nanao's head, as if comforting her 'not to mind,' Shunsui turned his gaze toward the figure not far from his side.

"Though that's what you say, aren't you pretty much the same? Let me think... that girl called Lilynette, isn't she also an innocent and adorable little thing?"

"Lilynette is different."

"Oh~ What a pale defense."

Coyote Starrk.

The man who was once one of the Espada was also included in the cooperation plan between Hueco Mundo and Soul Society.

Like Ulquiorra, he had been hiding inside the new Seireitei from the beginning, and with the help of Shunsui's shadow demon ability...

In the moment when the opponent's mind wavered, he accurately grabbed that fleeting moment, delivering the most fatal blow.

Consecutive Cero blasts, this was the former Espada #1's trump card.

A simple yet effective offensive method.

And now he stood at the end of the alley, casting a substantial "disdainful" glance at Shunsui.

"Moreover, I wouldn't bring Lilynette to such a dangerous place."

Letting Nanao quickly leave his side, Shunsui straightened the straw hat on his head, his tone light.

"Indeed, after all, that little girl who's usually inseparable from you, now who knows where she's gone."

Protecting important people in suitable places, there's nothing inherently wrong with this method.

But Starrk didn't seem to agree with this view.

"Shallow insight."

His right hand lightly rested on his chest, and his expression gradually became serious.

"With the help of several great figures, now we Espada are not only stronger in power, but our forms are also no longer in that immature state."

Shunsui hummed and rubbed his chin, showing a thoughtful expression.

"That's a bit abstract... but anyway, you've indeed become stronger now, right?"

"More or less."

"What about that Quincy just now?"

"Still not dead."

Hah... I guess that was expected?

Both turned their heads, watching as the smoke dispersed and a staggering figure emerged.

Robert silently clutched the gap where his left hand should be, his expression serious and disheveled.

Despite using the power of God's Step, Robert's figure had been constantly darting around in the limited space, but in the end, he was inevitably hit several times.

The emerald wings had become tattered and thin, along with the spirit particle rings around his hands and feet dissipating in silent dissolution.

His left arm from the elbow down had been completely hit and blown away.

A large chunk of flesh had been bitten off from his waist.

The flesh all over his body was like it had been rolled over by a heavy hammer, trembling uncontrollably, and the organs inside were contracting violently, dispersing the spirit particles used for stabilization, turning back into a state of collapse.

Guh...

Poof!

A mouthful of fresh blood spilled from the corner of his mouth, and Robert didn't even have the strength to wipe it.

His body was in critical condition in all aspects, but the most troubling was other issues...

Blut Vene wasn't working.

Like a blocked signal, no matter how he mobilized the spirit particles in his blood vessels, attempting to weave them into usable forms.

In the end, he would still end up with a "wasted effort."

The spirit particles that should have been as easy to control as his own limbs now exuded a somewhat unfamiliar and strange aura. Robert could no longer use them completely, causing his brows to furrow.

"What on earth, are you... thing?"

"Thing? That's quite a disrespectful way to put it."

Starrk raised his right hand, rubbing his chin while speaking in a serious tone.

"I am a native of Hueco Mundo, one of the Espada, Coyote Starrk."

As you can see.

"I'm an Arrancar."

A simple self-introduction has no meaning.

And after seeing Robert vomit another mouthful of fresh blood, Starrk slightly tilted his head, expressionlessly adding.

"How is it, the poison of a Hollow doesn't feel good, right? I've heard people say before... you Quincies are very good at manipulating spirit particles to achieve various purposes."

"But correspondingly, you have no way to deal with something called Hollow poison."

"I thought it was just an exaggerated metaphor, but it seems indeed true."

As if accumulated to the limit.

Robert finally uncontrollably showed an expression of angry humiliation.

"You've got to be kidding me? You've got to be kidding me... you, shouldn't you already be dead?!!!"

Completely different from the intelligence.

The Karakura Town battle should have cleared most of the Espada from Hueco Mundo.

Even if there were survivors, they should have fallen to the previous Hueco Mundo subjugation team.

Two consecutive actions were supported by various intelligence, and it was a result that the members of the Invisible Empire could accept.

His Majesty's conquest was constantly spreading, and now there should only be the Thirteen Court Guard Squads left... but what was the fact?

Where did this Espada come from?!

Robert gritted his teeth, his glasses slipping, his hairstyle disheveled, now completely lacking that "resemblance to Colonel Sanders."

"You bunch of bastards, beasts! You have no idea what you're facing! Your actions are just like an ant trying to stop a chariot, it's..."

Click...

Raising his gun in his left hand again, he just made a simple aiming gesture.

Starrk's death sentence had arrived.

"Sorry, I don't have a habit of listening to enemy complaints... go reflect slowly in hell."

The air folded back, accumulating into shape. A humming light pillar broke through space, thrusting straight toward Robert.

In a literally last-moment situation.

A figure descended from the sky, with speed that surpassed even the fastest, directly crashing to the ground, completely blocking the mighty Cero in front of him.

Like a substantial energy beam continuously advancing, hissing, finally uncontrollably expanding, exploding.

A hearty and cheerful laugh came from the smoke.

"Huhahaha! Interesting, Robert, that you would be reduced to such a miserable state... living long really does broaden one's horizons!"

"Unlike my hero Mask! He would never show such an expression!"

A robust figure emerged.

Wearing the standardized Quincy cloak.

Wearing a golden mask imprinted with a red pentagram emblem, a necktie around his neck, a star-emblemed belt around his waist...

With slightly upturned short beard, his physique as thick as two Shunsuis.

Ah...

How should I put this.

The Soul Reaper and Arrancar standing side by side glanced at each other.

"Another troublesome fellow has come... what do you think, Mr. Arrancar?"

"My name is Coyote Starrk. But it's just more trouble, let's finish it quickly and get done."

"Oh, I completely agree with this idea. It seems my intuition wasn't wrong... we should be people with a lot in common."

Ignored.

This seemed to displease the 'hero' who came to rescue, to the extent that he couldn't help but widen his eyes, showing a ferocious expression.

"Cunning villains! Using sneak attacks to harm our dear friend, and now not even taking me seriously?! It seems you are indeed evil to the extreme... unforgivable!"

Robert had already fallen to his knees, seeming to not even have the strength to breathe.

Standing beside him was a short, bespectacled, chubby fellow, who was now raising both hands above his head, making encouraging calls.

"Mr. Mask! Mr. Mask!"

"A hero should appear at times like this! Catch all the villains in one sweep!"

"Now is your finest moment! My hero! Go for it!!!"

Wooooooooh!

Brilliant gold overflowed from the big man's body, he let out an inexplicable roar from his mouth, and his entire body also expanded several degrees more at this moment.

His clothes were stretched and torn, revealing the striking muscles underneath that would make people turn their heads, sigh, and even envy.

The golden mask on his head emitted a brilliant light, and the smile on his face was incomparably radiant.

"Mask De Masculine!"

"That is my name! And also the righteous person who will take your lives!"

"Villains, bare your necks for execution!!!"

Schrift S - The Superstar.

As a special entity of two-in-one, the little guy named James could bring various enhancements to Mask through his cheering.

Literally a 'hero' who would appear in times of crisis, with an absolutely unmissable posture, to catch all evil in one sweep!

But...

Is that really so?

Shunsui sighed lightly, positioning himself in a ready stance.

Starrk, however, had already calmly walked in front of him, silently standing in a forward position.

"The wounded should honestly exit the stage, otherwise leaving behind ailments will only trouble oneself."

Huh?

Is he talking about me?

Shunsui blinked in confusion, only to see Starrk put the two guns used to fire Cero back into his pocket.

Twisting his neck, taking a deep breath.

Starrk half-raised his right hand, tearing open his clothes, revealing his chest.

A black Hollow hole appeared in the center position, once again emphasizing his identity as an "Arrancar."

As is well known.

The Hollow hole is a weakness of Arrancar; if hit, they would inevitably suffer injury.

But, this situation no longer exists.

Because that defective hole has been filled with a new power.

Coyote Starrk was no longer lonely.

"I don't like delaying time, so I'll make this quick."

As soon as the words fell, surging light flashed around him, condensing into a visible torrent at this moment.

A soul no longer flawed.

This is...

The Arrancar's new form.

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Powerstones?

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