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Current Experience Points: 31350
Ishikawa glanced at the remaining experience points in his mind, his expression not relaxing because of the enemy's reduction in numbers; instead, having just experienced a brush with death, Ishikawa's expression became incredibly solemn.
When Baraggan had clamped him earlier, Ishikawa felt as if his Reishi had become stagnant, completely unable to be mobilized.
If Grimmjow hadn't cut off his arm, Ishikawa would have only been able to consume experience points to continue enduring.
"Oh?"
On the other side, Baraggan wasn't angered by Zommari's death; instead, he looked at Ishikawa's newly regenerated arms with interest.
High-Speed Regeneration?
Not quite.
Baraggan shook his head; having been the Lord of Hueco Mundo for so long, he had seen countless instances of High-Speed Regeneration.
Although it was very similar, it was distinctly different from a Hollow's High-Speed Regeneration.
Harribel, meanwhile, looked at the spot where Zommari had disappeared, her brow furrowing slightly, and her gaze towards Ishikawa turned somewhat cold.
…
However, while Ishikawa was facing off against Baraggan, Harribel, and the others, On the outskirts of the basin, Szayelaporro's face was filled with fanaticism, his eyes bloodshot from excitement.
"Fight on, keep fighting… Fight even more intensely!"
It was simply too interesting!
Szayelaporro held a strangely shaped instrument in his hand, continuously collecting the Reishi and blood overflowing from the battlefield…
A Zanpakuto ability similar to Negative Mask, formidable power distinct from a spiritual body, defensive capabilities comparable to a Hollow's steel skin, and recovery power on par with a Hollow's High-Speed Regeneration… This was simply too interesting!
Szayelaporro had forgotten how long it had been since he had felt such fanaticism over a research subject.
And…
There was also that blood capable of masking internal aura, and even sealing the Hōgyoku.
There were too many things on this Shinigami named 'Ishikawa' that were worth exploring further; if possible, he even hoped this battle could last longer.
"I should have brought more research instruments with me."
…
How much longer?
Ishikawa frowned; almost three minutes had passed since Harribel crushed the vessel in her hand.
According to Harribel's earlier words, that vessel capable of tracking him wouldn't last long. If the vessel's effect disappeared, he could continue to hide, rather than confronting them head-on as he was now.
However…
Ishikawa's gaze shifted, looking into the distance.
Zaraki and Nnoitra had fought further and further away, completely separated from this battlefield, and even Yachiru was nowhere to be seen.
If the vessel's effect disappeared, it shouldn't be difficult for him to leave, but those two would become targets.
If there was truly no other way, Ishikawa could only abandon them.
But the premise was…
That the vessel's effect disappeared!
These people appeared on the outskirts of West 38th District as soon as they arrived. If the vessel's tracking effect didn't disappear, he wouldn't be able to escape these Espada at all.
"It hasn't disappeared."
Tier Harribel's voice came from his mind.
"Why don't you let me help you?"
The previous scene had left Tier Harribel feeling a lingering fear, even making her want to activate her second Release Form.
"And before I came, I notified Picaro; as soon as they receive my signal, they will immediately come to Soul Society."
Ishikawa didn't refuse this time as he had before, as Tier Harribel and Picaro were also part of his confidence in daring to face several Espada.
But regarding Tier Harribel's strength after her second Release Form…
Ishikawa was somewhat uncertain, as Ishikawa had only witnessed it once.
At that time, Tier Harribel in her second Release Form had brought a great shock to Ishikawa, but at that time, Ishikawa's strength had only just reached Captain-level, making it impossible to confirm Tier Harribel's specific strength.
He could only be certain of one thing: in the system's rating, Tier Harribel at that time was far stronger than Captain Soi Fon.
Coupled with so many years of accumulation, Tier Harribel's second Release Form must have made great progress compared to before.
As for Picaro…
One could say he was at the opposite extreme to Baraggan; in some respects, Picaro and Baraggan could be said to mutually restrain each other!
If both of them made a move, he wouldn't need to run at all.
With thoughts swirling in his mind, Ishikawa looked up at Tier Harribel, who was already standing behind Baraggan, a sharp glint in his eyes.
Whoosh~!
But just as Ishikawa was about to agree, a whooshing sound suddenly came, and thousands of azure arrows enveloped Baraggan, Harribel, Grimmjow, and Tier Harribel.
Although those arrows weren't large, each one carried immense power.
"Flick the silver whip, strike the five-handed stone bed — Five-Pillar Bind!"
Almost simultaneously with the arrows falling, an aged incantation sounded, and countless arrows that landed in empty space suddenly glowed.
Immediately…
The arrows scattered everywhere transformed into capsules with five-pointed star markings, enveloping all four of them.
This is?
The sudden change startled Ishikawa.
"Sorry, Ishikawa."
A gentle breeze swept by, and a figure appeared silently beside Ishikawa: "Condensing Reishi weapons from a spiritual body is harder than I imagined."
Ishida Soken?
Ishikawa looked at the old man who suddenly appeared beside him, his eyes full of strangeness.
Was this old man really that strong?
Although the arrows just now weren't aimed at him, Ishikawa could clearly feel the power emanating from them; that power… even if he stood within the attack range, he would have to deal with it seriously.
Completely not weaker than a Captain-level Shinigami.
Ishikawa's gaze shifted to the blue-glowing, five-pointed star-shaped Reishi weapon in Ishida Soken's hand.
So…
How did you, of all people, get killed by a few small Hollows?
"Quincy are ultimately just humans; whether it's physical fitness, Reishi, or physical quality, they will weaken with old age."
As if sensing Ishikawa's thoughts, Ishida Soken pushed his glasses: "Although it sounds a bit boastful coming from me, I was, after all, a Quincy who once held the 'Quincy Cross' in my lifetime, so I can still be of some help to you."
"And most importantly…"
Ishida Soken's aged face showed a smile: "In these past few years in Soul Society, the injuries I sustained from using the 'Quincy Final Form' have completely healed."
Quincy Final Form?
Ishikawa's eyes lit up, and he immediately understood why Ishida Soken had died under the siege of a few small Hollows.
Because his grandson, when defeating Kurotsuchi Mayuri, had also used the Quincy Final Form, which caused him to lose all of his Quincy abilities.
"Like your grandson?"
"Yes."
When mentioning his grandson, Ishida Soken couldn't help but show a hint of regret in his eyes: "I'm already regretting leaving the Sanrei Glove to Uryū, but fortunately, he is still young and can endure the recovery process."
Ishida Soken couldn't help but sigh heavily at the end of his sentence.
"Ryūken, if he knew, would probably resent me too."
Ishida Soken smiled bitterly: "When Ryūken… that is, Uryū's father, was very young, due to some matters, I, like Uryū, used the Sanrei Glove…"
"To regain my Quincy abilities, I completely disregarded my wife's and child's feelings, staying alone in the fifth training ground at home every day, trying to recover my power myself. As a result, I was too reckless, causing permanent damage to my soul."
"At that time, I was like a madman, not returning home for months, or even years… It wasn't until Uryū was born that I woke up, but it was already too late."
"Because of this, my son and I have never had a good relationship."
"Um…"
Ishikawa's mouth twitched slightly: "I'm really not interested in your family matters, but is that thing you used to bind them really okay?"
As he spoke, Ishikawa pointed to the four capsules with five-pointed star markings in the distance.
"Don't worry, Five-Pillar Bind has the characteristic of absolute subordination; it can continuously evolve by absorbing Reishi…"
Ishida Soken's words abruptly stopped, and he sharply turned his head to look at where the four capsules were.
Only to see that one of the capsules suddenly began to corrode around its edges, revealing Baraggan's figure within.
The shattering of the first capsule was like a trigger; the remaining three capsules shattered simultaneously.
Ishida Soken's face darkened as he watched the four figures emerge from the Five-Pillar Bind.
"Tsk, I'm suddenly curious how you managed to provoke so many powerful Arrancar… I've lived my whole life and never encountered a single one."
"That just means your whole life was too short."
"…." Ishida Soken.
Although he wanted to retort, saying "lived my whole life" in Soul Society did sound a bit strange.
Not to mention anyone else, just Ishikawa beside him, despite their vastly different appearances, if you calculated by age, he was only a dozen or so years older than him…
At this thought, Ishida Soken couldn't help but look at Ishikawa beside him.
To what extent was Ishikawa strong?
He had fought with these terrifyingly powerful Arrancar for so long without getting injured.
Judging by the Reishi unleashed by these four Arrancar when they destroyed his Five-Pillar Bind just now, he could probably only…
Ishida Soken looked at Tier Harribel at the very back.
…stall her.
Noticing his gaze, Ishikawa quickly placed his hand on his shoulder.
"Ah?"
Ishida Soken's expression immediately became a bit strange, and he managed to swallow the words that had almost come out.
"What about the other one?"
"Don't know her yet."
"…Yet?"
Ishida Soken's mouth twitched slightly; so you really want to get to know her?
Although he had long heard of Ishikawa's preferences, Ishikawa's words just now truly shocked him regarding Ishikawa's circle of acquaintances.
Among the four, one was…
An ally?
Ishida Soken shook his head and turned his gaze to Grimmjow, his aged face showing a solemn expression.
"Don't drag this out any longer."
Harribel looked at Ishida Soken, a blue glow appearing in her eyes, and her Zanpakuto began to ripple like waves at that moment.
Her already incredibly terrifying aura became even more terrifying in that instant.
"Con…"
Screech—!
Just then, a circular black hole suddenly appeared in the void.
This scene immediately attracted everyone's attention.
Senkaimon?
Everyone almost instantly determined what that circular black hole was.
Looking into the black hole, a middle-aged man wearing a dark green short haori and light green clothing, with a fisherman's hat on his head, slowly walked out of the black hole.
"Sorry, Ishikawa, opening a Senkaimon takes some time. Even after receiving Yoruichi's message and immediately preparing, I still arrived a bit late."
"You might as well not have come at all!"
Ishikawa glared angrily at the newcomer, as the reason he was being pursued by several Espada was entirely because of this scoundrel.
The newcomer was Urahara Kisuke.
"Haha~"
Urahara Kisuke laughed, then turned to Baraggan and the others. Just as he was about to say something, his face suddenly sank: "Is that your true objective?"
Then…
He turned and re-entered the black hole.
"???"
This scene left everyone present with a look of confusion.
"You goddamn…"
Ishikawa's face immediately darkened as he looked at the black hole that had vanished in mid-air.
But then, he remembered Urahara Kisuke's words just now.
Is that your true objective?
Could it be…
Ishikawa turned to Baraggan, a flash of realization in his eyes.
Aizen couldn't possibly be unaware of Baraggan's intentions; he simply didn't care.
His previous guess was that Baraggan's desire to kill him was entirely his own decision, but Aizen sending him naturally meant he was well aware of what results sending him would lead to.
Which meant Aizen simply didn't care if he died at Baraggan's hands.
And given Aizen's consistent caution, and his unwillingness to venture into Soul Society, it was impossible for him to place all his hopes on Baraggan and the others; more strictly speaking…
He wouldn't prepare only this one plan.
That bastard!!
Ishikawa couldn't help but curse inwardly; the person he was cursing wasn't Aizen, but Urahara Kisuke.
Because, if there were no surprises…
The Espada who hadn't come to Soul Society, and even Aizen himself, might be currently at the Urahara Shop.
And the objective, without a doubt.
His blood!
Over the years, to obtain some spiritual tools and intelligence support from Urahara Kisuke, he had given a large amount of his blood.
Although a significant portion of it was used for sealing, given Urahara Kisuke's nature as a research fanatic, it was impossible for him not to keep some for research, and the amount… was definitely not small!
Otherwise, he wouldn't have turned and left immediately without even saying a word.
"Hahahahaha, it seems your helper got scared away."
Baraggan laughed loudly, slowly drawing the massive double-bladed battle-axe from his back: "Next, I shall grant you death."
"Rot, Arrogante!"
Black flames surged from the double-bladed battle-axe, directly engulfing Baraggan and rapidly spreading outwards.
Seeing this, Ishikawa immediately pulled Ishida Soken beside him in the opposite direction from Baraggan.
Not only Ishikawa, but even Harribel, as a companion, her first reaction was to retreat backward with Tier Harribel, with Grimmjow closely following them.
In an instant, only Baraggan remained in the entire basin!
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