Chapter 117: Block It, Black Winged Demon
The red and black crescent struck with devastating force, pushing Ulquiorra back dozens of steps before he could finally halt his retreat. His pale features remained impassive even as he absorbed the impact, though a flicker of something—perhaps acknowledgment—crossed his emerald eyes.
"Yes, is that your answer?" His voice carried across the night air with crystalline clarity.
"Kurosaki Ichigo!"
Through the countless battles waged across Hueco Mundo's desolate landscape, Kurosaki Ichigo and the hollow power dwelling within his soul had achieved a level of synchronization that bordered on perfection. With each confrontation, each life-or-death struggle, his strength and spiritual pressure had grown at a rate that defied conventional understanding of power development.
It was a stark transformation—barely a month ago, he couldn't even withstand a single direct encounter with Ulquiorra without being overwhelmed completely.
"In that case, there is no further need for me to hold back!" Ulquiorra declared with finality, his voice carrying the weight of absolute judgment.
"I will end your existence with my own hands!"
The Cuatro Espada launched himself skyward with explosive force, landing atop the highest spire of an isolated tower that jutted up from Las Noches like a pale finger pointing toward the eternal night. The structure groaned under the pressure of his spiritual energy as he settled into position.
Beneath the brilliant crescent moon that hung like a silver eye in Hueco Mundo's star-scattered sky, Ulquiorra raised his Zanpakutō with ceremonial precision. The blade gleamed with reflected moonlight as he pointed it directly at Kurosaki Ichigo's position far below.
"Block it, Black Winged Demon!" The incantation rolled from his lips like a prayer to dark gods.
BOOM—!
The sound that erupted was like a tidal wave of pure spiritual energy crashing against reality itself. The dark green reiatsu that exploded outward made Kurosaki Ichigo's very soul recoil in instinctive terror. The overwhelming pressure pressed down on him like the weight of an ocean, threatening to crush him where he stood.
In that moment, what appeared to be emerald raindrops began falling from the zenith above. The ethereal "precipitation" swayed and danced as it descended, each droplet carrying traces of Ulquiorra's transformed spiritual essence. The otherworldly rain splashed against Ichigo's masked form, leaving him momentarily stunned by its alien touch.
The supernatural shower lasted only moments, but when it ceased, Ichigo's eyes beneath his hollow mask widened to their absolute limits. Ulquiorra's transformation under the moonlight was nothing short of apocalyptic.
After completing his Resurrección, the Cuatro Espada had become something beyond an Arrancar—he now possessed massive black wings that could eclipse the moon itself, their span so vast they seemed to swallow light. His body was clothed in a pristine white robe that flowed like liquid starlight, while an ornate two-horned helmet crowned his head like a dark angel's diadem. His fingernails had elongated into razor-sharp obsidian claws, and the tear-tracks at the corners of his eyes had become more pronounced, giving him an expression of eternal, beautiful sorrow.
From his elevated position, Ulquiorra gazed down at Kurosaki Ichigo with the detached authority of a deity passing judgment on mortal affairs.
"Do not waver. Assume proper stance and steel your nerves," his transformed voice resonated with otherworldly power.
"Never allow yourself to relax, not even for an instant."
The moment those words reached his ears, Kurosaki Ichigo instinctively gripped his blade's handle with both hands, every fiber of his being focused on the transformed Arrancar above. His spiritual senses screamed warnings as they detected the exponential increase in Ulquiorra's combat capability.
In the Cuatro Espada's grasp, a spear condensed from pure green spiritual energy materialized with deadly purpose. Despite the hundreds of meters separating them, Ulquiorra suddenly appeared directly before Kurosaki Ichigo, the distance crossed in less than a heartbeat.
BOOM—!!
The explosive impact of their collision sent shockwaves rippling across the entire zenith, the violent tremors reaching down through Las Noches' foundations and shaking the palace to its very core.
Within the ice barrier far below, Fiander faced Byakuya Kuchiki and his companions with casual confidence when the sudden tremor caused the crystalline walls to vibrate ominously. Sensing the massive spiritual pressure clash occurring above, he paused to tie back his silver hair with an expression of mild annoyance.
"Ah, what a troublesome situation," he murmured with theatrical exasperation.
"I specifically instructed Ulquiorra not to create such a spectacle, but that man simply cannot resist dramatic gestures."
His attention returned to Byakuya Kuchiki with an almost friendly smile. "I believe it would be more pleasant for all concerned if you chose not to resist. You could simply die here quietly, which would spare me the inconvenience of having to actively harm you."
Three minutes had already elapsed from their ten-minute deadline, and the temperature within the ice barrier had plummeted to approximately minus eighty degrees Celsius. As Shinigami, Byakuya Kuchiki, Rukia, and Renji possessed sufficient spiritual pressure to endure these extreme conditions, at least temporarily.
However, Inoue Orihime's human physiology left her desperately vulnerable. She was forced to maintain a constant protective barrier through her powers, her spiritual energy slowly draining as she fought against the killing cold that sought to claim her life.
Even without direct intervention from Fiander, the steadily dropping temperature would eventually prove fatal to everyone trapped within the crystalline prison.
"How insufferably arrogant!" Byakuya's noble composure cracked slightly as anger flared in his dark eyes.
"Does defeating me once truly inspire such overwhelming confidence?"
The captain stepped forward, drawing his Zanpakutō in a reverse grip as his spiritual pressure surged upward like a pillar of pure determination.
"Bankai!" he commanded with aristocratic authority.
"Senbonzakura Kageyoshi!"
For this encounter, Byakuya Kuchiki's Bankai had undergone further refinement and enhancement. As his blade sank into the ground, hundreds of massive swords rose from the earth like metallic flowers blooming in fast-forward motion.
The gigantic weapons immediately dissolved into countless cherry blossom petals that danced through the confined space of the ice barrier with deadly grace, their pink surfaces gleaming like razor-edged silk in the crystalline light.
"Nothing innovative, Byakuya Kuchiki!" Fiander's voice carried genuine disappointment as he observed the familiar technique.
"I had hoped you might surprise me with some new development since our last encounter."
With deliberate slowness, Fiander drew his own Zanpakutō from its sheath at his waist. Rukia, standing behind her adoptive brother, felt a chill of dread that had nothing to do with the supernatural cold surrounding them. She understood all too well how severely her brother's abilities were countered by this particular opponent.
Senbonzakura's scattered blades had proven utterly ineffective against Fiander's power during their previous battle, though she took some small comfort in recalling his earlier words about not wishing to harm them unnecessarily.
"Although I employed various methods to defeat you previously, this time I desire for you to properly witness and appreciate..." Fiander's voice took on an almost educational tone.
"The true power of my Zanpakutō."
Placing two fingers against his blade's edge, he smiled with quiet satisfaction before chanting the release command: "Hyōga!"
Under the stunned gazes of everyone present, the Zanpakutō in Fiander's grasp began transforming into ice mist that dispersed throughout the air. The weapon seemed to dissolve into nothingness, becoming invisible and intangible as if it had never existed at all.
"Is this some new ability your Zanpakutō has developed?" Byakuya inquired with cautious wariness, his tactical mind already analyzing potential countermeasures.
"New? No, this demonstration is perhaps unnecessary on my part," Fiander replied with casual dismissiveness. "I hardly require my Zanpakutō's release to accomplish what I intend."
"However, to ensure you observe carefully, and to thoroughly crush your so-called noble pride, I felt a proper demonstration was warranted."
His smile turned predatory. "Afterwards, you should express appropriate gratitude, Byakuya Kuchiki!"
"Hmph! I maintain my previous statement," the captain responded with defiant dignity.
"My pride as a nobleman cannot be easily destroyed by the likes of you!"
Byakuya extended his palm and swept it downward in a commanding gesture, directing the thousands of airborne petals to converge on Fiander's position in a coordinated assault.
However, the expected attack never materialized. Throughout the confined space, millions of cherry blossom petals remained perfectly motionless in the air, completely unresponsive to Byakuya Kuchiki's spiritual commands.
"No... impossible! My Bankai!" For the first time in decades, genuine panic flickered across the noble captain's composed features.
This was the first instance since becoming a Shinigami that he had completely lost control over his Zanpakutō's power.
"Cannot be easily crushed?" Fiander's amusement was evident as he raised two fingers in a casual gesture.
"You mean I can shatter it with just the slightest application of force, correct? Byakuya Kuchiki!"
The petals that had been beyond their master's control suddenly reversed their intended direction, surrounding Byakuya himself with their razor edges poised to strike.
"You accomplished this?" After his brief moment of shock, Byakuya quickly regained his composure.
Although losing access to his Zanpakutō would reduce a Shinigami's combat effectiveness by at least fifty percent, this was no reason to surrender or despair. Zanpakutō mastery was far from the only skill in a Shinigami's arsenal.
"Hadō Number Eighty-Eight: Flying Dragon-Striking Heaven-Shaking Thunder Cannon!"
A massive azure beam erupted from Byakuya's palm, but Fiander merely smiled with contemptuous ease. The airborne petals instantly coalesced into a defensive barrier, moving to intercept the powerful spell.
"Hadō Number Fifty-Eight: Tenran!"
Rukia's voice joined the battle as she unleashed a hurricane-force wind from her outstretched hand, dispersing the concentrated petals and creating an opening through which her brother's attack could reach its target.
"Excellent cooperation," Fiander acknowledged with genuine appreciation. "What a pity it proves futile!"
"Bakudō Number Eighty-One: Splitting Void!"
With a single extended finger, he manifested a massive barrier that completely absorbed Byakuya's assault. But he wasn't finished yet.
"Don't blink—your own attack is about to return!" he warned with theatrical flair.
"Bakudō Number Eighty-One: Extended Splitting Void Reversal!"
The Hadō that Byakuya had unleashed was perfectly absorbed by Fiander's barrier technique before being reflected back at its originator with doubled intensity.
"Brother, be careful!" Rukia cried out, rushing forward to shield Byakuya from the redirected attack.
Before she could reach him, a golden barrier materialized in front of the captain, intercepting the reflected spell. After a brief, thunderous roar, the protective shield shattered like spun glass.
Not far away, Inoue Orihime trembled violently, her face pale as death from the supernatural cold. Despite her condition, she extended her hand and chanted with chattering teeth: "Santen Kesshun—I reject!"
"Inoue?" Rukia stared in amazement at the supposedly fragile girl who had found the courage to act at such a critical moment.
"How interesting... truly fascinating!" Fiander applauded slowly as he regarded Inoue with newfound respect.
"Are you not afraid of death?"
"I... I am afraid!" Inoue's response came through violent shivers, her honesty stark and vulnerable.
"You understand that without your protective abilities, you will perish here, don't you, Miss Inoue Orihime?"
Fiander's observation sent chills through everyone present that had nothing to do with temperature. They all knew that Inoue's powers were channeled through the fairy-like entities housed in her hairpins. If those abilities were interrupted or destroyed, she would be unable to access them again for an extended period.
In essence, Inoue had just sacrificed her only means of survival to protect others. If she hadn't intervened, either Rukia would have been severely injured trying to shield her brother, or Byakuya himself would have suffered serious harm.
Either outcome was something the gentle girl's heart couldn't bear to witness.
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