"Gran Rey Cero!!!"
The roar echoed through Las Noches. The massive blue beam painted everything in dreamlike blue light—pillars, walls, everything!
Behind Grimmjow, Shigure's slash had carved deep. White bone gleamed through torn flesh.
Blood poured from the wound. The sand beneath him turned dark red.
His regeneration was nothing compared to Ulquiorra's. This kind of damage would take time to heal.
But his eyes still burned with fighting spirit.
His right hand stretched forward like a claw, condensing spiritual pressure. His left gripped his right arm tight.
Gran Rey Cero wasn't like normal Arrancar Cero. Only Espada could use this ultimate technique!
It needed blood as a catalyst. His blood.
This was his only shot at hitting Shigure after taking such damage.
Because Gran Rey Cero's massive range and speed made dodging impossible. Shigure would have to take it head-on!
Grimmjow bit down hard against the pain and recoil. He focused ahead.
The blue-green light was blinding. But he could still see that figure.
Shigure walked forward calmly, blade in hand.
The massive energy distortions and heat waves didn't seem to affect him at all.
Gran Rey Cero reached him instantly. Dust vanished around him. The ground cracked beneath his feet.
But then everything around Shigure went still.
His hair. His haori. Completely isolated from the chaos. No movement at all under that crushing force!
He raised his hand casually. One simple swing.
BOOM!!!
Blade met Cero. The spiritual pressure clash made blood spill from Grimmjow's mouth.
Then horror. The rushing beam split in half! Both halves shot past Shigure's sides!
BANG!!
The split Gran Rey Cero tore through Las Noches. Stone pillars and walls exploded on both sides!
But amid the deafening roars, Grimmjow's face went blank.
The pain disappeared.
Not just pain. Touch, smell, taste, hearing—all gone.
Only sight remained.
Shigure stood on cracked ground, lowering his Zanpakutō. Behind him, explosions thundered. Storms raged. Dust filled the air.
This whole area was collapsing from his own attack.
Moments later, chest pain hit him hard. More blood.
It stained his chest and silver armor. He tried using spiritual pressure to dull the pain.
Nothing happened.
He lowered his gaze:
"Is this... over...?"
No spiritual pressure meant no fighting ability. The result was clear.
He'd lost.
Lost completely.
Even after Resurrección and all his strongest techniques, he still lost to this Soul Reaper who hadn't even released his blade.
Catching a charged Cero barehanded... Undetectable Shunpo... Cutting through Gran Rey Cero...
What kind of strength could do such impossible things?
The ceiling started collapsing above him.
Heavy stones fell toward him. He didn't react. No strength left to dodge.
In his condition, one hit might knock him out for who knows how long.
Suddenly, wind rushed over him.
WHOOSH!
Too strong to see through.
When it stopped, he was somewhere else.
No collapse here. No ruins.
He looked up. Shigure stood across from him.
"Why... why save me...?!"
Grimmjow stared at him through gritted teeth.
Obviously Shigure had moved him here at high speed.
Shigure chuckled.
"Save you?"
"Don't get it wrong, Grimmjow."
"I can't let you die before you give me what I want."
Shigure looked down at him, calmly sheathing his blade.
Grimmjow froze.
The shock of that battle had made him forget. Shigure had come here for information.
After a moment, Grimmjow lowered his eyes:
"Tell me your name first."
Shigure's expression didn't change: "Segawa Shigure."
"Segawa... Shigure..."
Grimmjow repeated it quietly. Then he clenched his teeth and glared up:
"Segawa... if I survive this, I'll definitely evolve enough to beat you!!"
Shigure raised his eyes slightly:
"Isn't that premature?"
"When you can actually touch me, then say those words."
"?!"
Grimmjow's pupils shrank. His face went rigid. After a moment, he lowered his head.
Shigure was right.
He hadn't touched his opponent once. Complete suppression from start to finish.
The gap was like a chasm. Victory seemed impossible.
Shigure spoke again:
"Now then. Time to fulfill your promise, Grimmjow."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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