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Whoosh—
A gentle breeze swept through, dispersing the surrounding dust.
Including Baraggan and his four Fraccion, a total of ten figures stood around the basin, all looking at Ishikawa in the center with cold eyes.
Bang!
Baraggan casually tossed Zommari Rureaux aside, resting his chin on his elbow, and said in a flat tone, "Since Aizen isn't here, I'll take command. You all…"
Baraggan paused, his gaze sweeping around, "No objections."
Harribel glanced at Baraggan and did not refute, merely observing Ishikawa below.
She didn't know much about Ishikawa.
She only knew that before she became an Espada, he had twice infiltrated Hueco Mundo, killed the former Espada Number 9, and severely wounded Nnoitra.
But it was said that…
The reason he was able to defeat Nnoitra was entirely due to a trick, so before coming here, everyone present had already understood the weakness and method of breaking his Shikai.
However, the moment he attacked, Harribel realized that this Shinigami named Ishikawa was far more powerful than the intelligence they had on him suggested.
"Stay by my side."
Harribel said to Cirucci beside her with a grave tone, "Don't get too close to him. Although his Reiatsu isn't particularly strong, his destructive power shouldn't be underestimated."
"Uh…"
Cirucci nodded, using her lowered head to conceal the strangeness in her eyes.
She had to admit, this new Number 3 was simply too kind, so kind that she didn't seem like a Hollow at all…
But on second thought, whether it was Harribel or Nel, the female Espada who became Number 3 didn't feel like Hollows.
Perhaps because they were both female Espada, Harribel had been taking good care of her ever since she became Number 3.
This made Cirucci feel a bit uncomfortable about making a move against her.
However, Ishikawa had also never asked her to make a move.
…
A look of solemnity flashed in Ishikawa's eyes, and he did not continue to launch attacks as he had before.
He wasn't ready to expose Cirucci at this time, firstly because Ishikawa needed someone to help him monitor Aizen's movements, and secondly because... he still couldn't provide a place for Cirucci to stay.
After betraying Aizen, Cirucci returning to Hueco Mundo before Aizen was sealed would be tantamount to seeking her own death.
And if she didn't return to Hueco Mundo, Soul Society would find it very difficult to tolerate the existence of an Arrancar like her.
Even if this Arrancar could bring great help to Soul Society, Commander Yamamoto would not allow an Arrancar to remain in Soul Society.
At least not before he clearly recognized Aizen's threat…
Although the defection of Aizen and the other two had caused a huge stir in Seireitei, Ishikawa always felt that Commander Yamamoto seemed to not take Aizen seriously at all. From beginning to end, he treated Aizen and the others' defection with an extremely arrogant attitude, as if looking at rebellious children.
Of course, he certainly had the right to be arrogant, although he was eventually quite miserable due to Aizen's schemes…
Shaking his head slightly, Ishikawa collected his thoughts.
If nothing unexpected happened, Ganju should have already established contact with Seireitei by now.
Even if he hadn't, the appearance of eleven Arrancar in Rukongai would certainly be detected by the Shinigami Research and Development Institute.
So, reinforcements should arrive very soon.
But what Ishikawa feared was…
They would rush to the West 38th District before Ganju could call for help, because Ishikawa knew better than anyone the exact time it would take to get from Seireitei to the West 38th District.
Even if he used Shunpo at full speed, it would take at least half an hour to get back to the Everything Store in West 38th District from Byakudo Gate.
However, if they departed after Ganju called for help, they could use the transfer stakes under Ganju's guidance to directly teleport from the East 1 District to the West 38th District.
This was precisely why Ishikawa, knowing that the Shinigami Research and Development Institute would detect the Arrancar's attack, still asked Ganju to go to Seireitei to request reinforcements!
After all…
Leaving aside the distance from Byakudo Gate to West 38th District.
Whether it was sounding the alarm, transmitting information, or even rushing from the center of Seireitei to the East Gate or West Gate, all of these required time.
Based on Ishikawa's understanding of the Gotei 13, these steps would take at least 5-10 minutes.
This meant he would have to hold out against these seven Espada for at least 5-10 minutes, and that was assuming Ganju managed to contact Seireitei in time.
As for Yoruichi, Ichigo, and the others, Ishikawa didn't count on them being able to arrive at all…
The reason was simple: if they rushed directly to the 38th District for support, it would take at least half an hour. Yoruichi might be faster, but likely not within ten minutes.
And going to the East 1 District to use the transfer stakes was even more ridiculous; it would take several days to travel from the western Byakudo Gate along the Seireitei Wall to the eastern Kokuryōmon Gate.
By the time they arrived as reinforcements…
Ishikawa might already have been captured and taken to Hueco Mundo, placed on an operating table by Aizen.
Fortunately…
He wasn't truly isolated and helpless.
The corner of Ishikawa's eye subtly glanced in the direction of the West 38th District, where a group of villains from the Everything Store were gathering. He just didn't know how much they could contribute in a battle of this magnitude.
Back to the point.
The silent atmosphere didn't last long. Although Ishikawa wanted to continue delaying, the surrounding Espada gave him no such opportunity.
Because before they came, Aizen had already estimated the approximate time for Seireitei's reinforcements to arrive.
Unless the Captains of the Gotei 13 happened to all be at the Everything Store, Ishikawa would not receive any support for at least several minutes.
Without any communication, several figures disappeared from their original positions almost simultaneously.
Ishikawa frowned, and almost at the same time, slapped the ground with one hand.
"Bakudo #21: Sekienton!"
Red mist, like the glow of the setting sun, spread out, enveloping the entire area where Ishikawa stood.
Although all Arrancar present could sense his location after the unknown vessel was crushed, obscuring their vision in a chaotic battle could still give Ishikawa some advantage.
Without hesitation, almost as the dust rose, Ishikawa drew a line in the air with his left hand.
"Bakudo #39: Enkosen."
A circular shield immediately appeared behind Ishikawa.
"Bakudo #8: Seki—"
Urgent incantations continued to emanate, and a repulsion barrier appeared on the back of Ishikawa's right hand.
Bang~
A collision sound came from behind Ishikawa. The circular shield formed by the Enkosen was directly slashed with cracks by six blades.
At the same time, Ishikawa raised his right hand, his palm facing inward to protect the side of his head.
Clang—!
The repulsion barrier collided with Grimmjow's sharp claws.
Before Ishikawa could even breathe a sigh of relief, a gust of wind struck from his left side.
Overwhelmed!
Ishikawa gritted his teeth slightly. His left hand maintained the Enkosen with Reiatsu, his right hand used the repulsion barrier to block attacks, and his right leg suddenly kicked out to the left.
Unlike the previous surprise attack that scattered the Espada, they were now gathered together, putting immense pressure on Ishikawa. And this was still without the most formidable individuals making a move.
He couldn't fight like this!
The attacks from Grimmjow and Nnoitra alone were already enough to overwhelm Ishikawa.
If this passive state continued, Ishikawa wouldn't be able to last long at all.
Thinking of this.
Ishikawa took a deep breath, increasing the force of his kicked right leg.
In an instant, he collided with the incoming person. Among the three who attacked him simultaneously, this Arrancar attacking from the left was undoubtedly the weakest point.
Ishikawa didn't have much impression of the opponent's identity, who should be one of Baraggan's Fraccion.
And in the direction Ishikawa kicked, a humanoid hawk flapped its wings, swooping down from high altitude through the red mist.
However, before its sharp claws could reach Ishikawa, a foot rapidly expanded in its vision.
Although he could sense Ishikawa's position, with his vision obscured, he didn't detect the incoming kick at all. With a dull thud, Abirama Redder only felt a sharp pain in his abdomen, and his entire body curled up like a shrimp, then…
Bang—!
Blood spurted, Abirama Redder looked at the huge hole in his abdomen, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Under this kick, the power unleashed directly penetrated his abdomen, leaving only the flesh on both sides of his waist still connected.
How could the difference be so great?
Abirama's confusion was destined to remain unsolved, because neither his attack nor his critical injury and near-death state attracted even a tiny bit of Ishikawa's attention.
Ishikawa had no time to concern himself with the status of these Fraccion, whose Reiatsu was between Vice-Captain and Captain level.
With one kick, Ishikawa used the force of the kick to twist his body, and as he stepped on the ground, he severed the Reiatsu support for the Enkosen and Repulsion behind him.
Clap—
With a crisp sound, Grimmjow and Nnoitra, one to the right and one to the back, attacked Ishikawa.
And in that instant, Ishikawa clamped Grimmjow's sharp claws and Nnoitra's crescent-shaped blade with both hands. Using the twisting force from before, and simultaneously leveraging their strength, he swung them violently.
Caught off guard, both their expressions changed. Under Ishikawa's extremely clever guidance, they collided with each other.
Bang—
A visible impact exploded between them. The combined force of their power and Ishikawa's push caused both of them to grunt.
But they were not Abirama. They almost instantly regained their balance after separating.
However, Ishikawa didn't miss this opportunity.
"Bakudō #63. Sajō Sabaku."
Two golden chains immediately formed in Ishikawa's left and right hands. Supported by immense Reiatsu, they coiled around the two like giant pythons, binding them in place simultaneously.
However…
Whoosh~
A sharp whooshing sound echoed. Almost as Ishikawa released the chains, a blade swung horizontally.
Pfft~
As blood spurted, Ishikawa's back was directly slashed open with a huge wound.
However, Harribel, who delivered this strike, frowned. Her eyes shifted, and instead of continuing to attack the Ishikawa in front of her, she spun her blade in her palm and swung it horizontally.
Almost simultaneously, the Ishikawa in front of her suddenly dissolved into a blur, leaving only a pitch-black coat sliced in two.
Clang—!
A long, crisp sound echoed as Ishikawa's figure appeared in mid-air, sent flying backward by the strike.
Was Utsusemi seen through!?
Ishikawa's arms, crossed in front of his chest, were stained with blood. Even though he had immediately concentrated Reiatsu to defend, it crumbled at Harribel's single strike.
Compared to Grimmjow and Nnoitra, Harribel's Reiatsu was still extremely formidable even without entering her Release Form.
However, this was not surprising.
After all, she had a fundamental difference from the two of them; she was one of the few Espada who had transformed from a Vasto Lorde.
Although her performance, according to the information in his memory, was not good, it was entirely due to her attributes…
And the person who ultimately defeated her was not the several opponents who ganged up on her, but rather she was severely wounded by her own boss.
Harribel didn't give Ishikawa time to regain his balance. After one strike, water vapor filled her surroundings, and waves seemed to surge on the blade in her hand at this moment.
"Sever it—Chakuraitetsu!"
But at this moment, a figure suddenly blocked her and Ishikawa, causing Harribel to frown and retract the aura from her blade.
"Broken Wings: Scatter!"
Cirucci, with her sprouted wings, antennae, and arms, flapped her wings, and countless broken blades, like raindrops, assailed Ishikawa.
Ishikawa thanked her in his heart, then Reiatsu surged in his fists, turning into a sky full of fist shadows.
Bang bang bang bang bang…
Accompanied by a series of explosions, the countless broken blades were all repelled back by the fist shadows.
"Hey—!"
Nnoitra appeared behind Ishikawa, a sinister smile on his face. The six blades in his hand cut through the air, slashing towards Ishikawa.
Seeing this, Ishikawa frowned.
Because in front of him, Harribel had already bypassed Cirucci and was attacking him once again.
Both sides, no matter which one, had to be fully defended.
If he continued to defend against both attacks simultaneously as before, he would only suffer more severe injuries.
A flicker of hesitation crossed his eyes. Ishikawa glanced at the remaining experience points in the system interface and decisively chose to ignore the attack from behind, concentrating all his Reiatsu on the Reiatsu output points in his hands. He let out a soft chant:
"Bakudo #39: Enkosen."
Under Ishikawa's frantic infusion of Reiatsu, a huge circular shield immediately appeared in front of him, while the sharp aura from behind was already close.
"Wahahahahahahaha—"
But just as Ishikawa thought he was about to be severely injured, or even have his blood stolen, a burst of wild laughter suddenly erupted.
A golden Reiatsu pillar of light shot into the sky, colliding with Nnoitra, who was attacking Ishikawa, like the sun.
Rumble—!
Huge explosions erupted almost simultaneously from both in front and behind Ishikawa. Under the impact, the dust that had just risen was completely dispersed.
Crack—
Cracks appeared on the golden light shield in front of Ishikawa, and then it shattered like pieces of glass.
"Little Zaraki, we're here to play with you."
A clear and cute voice came. Ishikawa turned his head and saw Zaraki, carrying his sword and with Yachiru on his back, looking excitedly at Nnoitra.
How did he get here?
No!
Considering the time, he should have arrived…
Ishikawa's mouth twitched slightly. In an instant, he understood why Zaraki had appeared here.
If nothing unexpected happened…
This guy probably rushed to his Everything Store as soon as he was discharged from the hospital this morning, wanting to fight Ichigo or himself again.
"You bastard, you found such an interesting opponent and didn't even tell me."
Zaraki's words further confirmed Ishikawa's suspicion.
This guy…
He wasn't here to support him at all, but to cause him trouble!
However, it was perfect!
If the timing wasn't so inappropriate, Ishikawa would have wanted to call him 'Brother Zaraki' with a grateful expression.
Yachiru jumped off Zaraki's back. After looking around, she decisively charged towards the remaining three Fraccion.
Having already developed a great fondness for Ishikawa, she didn't, as usual, stand excitedly on the side to watch Zaraki's battle.
Whoosh—
Ishikawa took a deep breath, looking up at Harribel in the distance and… Baraggan, who was still sitting in his chair, looking at him with disdain.
Ishikawa didn't feel annoyed by Baraggan's arrogance, which prevented him from ganging up on him with others. He only felt fortunate.
Harribel alone was already forcing Ishikawa to concentrate fully. If he also joined in, Ishikawa wouldn't be able to delay any longer.
If possible, Ishikawa would prefer to personally advise this old comrade, whose age rivaled Commander Yamamoto, to behave himself, remember the dignity of the 'former' Lord of Hueco Mundo, and continue to sit arrogantly.
Don't gang up with others…
On this young comrade, who was only in his early forties!
join p atreon.com/KeyofStars and become a Sequence 9: Reader for advance chapters | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter | Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr