"Why are these guys so strong?"
"It's completely different from the intelligence we gathered. What on earth happened to them?"
"This is impossible!!"
"…"
Incredulous screams continuously echoed, and terrifying Reiatsu fluctuations reverberated throughout Las Noches.
Whoosh—!
A young man stumbled back a few steps. After steadying himself, he looked at the chaotic scene around him and sighed softly, "Tsk, isn't this battlefield a bit too terrifying? If I had known Hueco Mundo was this scary, I would have hidden in the main camp."
"Huh? He's actually a cowardly good-for-nothing."
"Gorilla woman, you really have no self-awareness about your gorilla-like physique. You're blocking my view, you bastard."
"Apacci, what did you just say, you gorilla woman!?"
"Heh heh, is Hueco Mundo a matriarchal society now?"
The young man looked at the two bickering behind him and flicked his bangs, "Ever since I came here, I've really encountered a lot of terrifyingly strong women."
"What?"
A voice came from behind the two arguing women. Cyan Sung-Sun walked around the bickering pair, covering her face with her sleeve, "Are you looking down on women? However, these two gorilla women next to me don't count as women, so it's normal for you to look down on them."
"I wouldn't dare to underestimate women."
The young man turned his head and glanced into the distance, "It took me a lot of effort to escape from over there. That Third Espada was just beating down several of my companions, which scared me into fleeing immediately. I didn't expect to run into you three instead."
"Ah, this fatal situation makes me regret escaping. Compared to facing you three alone, I'd rather fight that deadly woman with my companions. At least I'd have companions to use as shields."
"Huh?"
Apacci, who was arguing with Mila Rose, turned her head and looked at the young man with disdain, "You really are disgusting."
"Oh?"
The young man tilted his head slightly in surprise, "My beautiful lady, your words truly hurt. Since when did Hollows, who are ingrained with self-slaughter, start having a sense of companionship?"
"Why waste so much breath on him?"
Mila Rose snorted coldly, "Just kill him, and then we'll go help Harribel-sama."
"You don't get to order me around!!"
Apacci habitually retorted, then turned to face the young man, "However, there's really no need to waste too much breath on a coward who deserts in battle."
"Calling you gorilla women really wasn't wrong at all."
Cyan Sung-Sun, who was standing by, snorted at the young man, "You managed to escape from Harribel-sama's attack unharmed, without any injuries. Do you really think I'm as easy to fool as those two gorilla women?"
Although she didn't use her Second Cero, Harribel-sama had already released her Zanpakutō upon arriving here, yet this guy in front of them managed to escape from Harribel-sama's terrifying assault unharmed. Clearly, he wasn't as simple as he appeared.
"You bastard…"
Cyan Sung-Sun's words angered Apacci and Mila Rose, but the scorn in their eyes towards the young man lessened.
"You're really giving me too much credit."
The young man smoothed his hair and said with a wry smile, "Among the Sternritter, my ability is extremely limited. I'm the most unremarkable person, and I only escaped by using my companions as shields…"
"Rip her apart, Gold Lioness General!"
A sharp cry directly interrupted the young man's words.
Buzz—
As the air vibrated, a large black sword instantly appeared above the young man's head, slashing directly down towards him!
"Ah~"
The young man sighed, "Why don't you believe what I'm saying? I really…"
Clang—!
Mila Rose's pupils constricted as she looked at the large sword in her hand.
Following the blade of the black sword, she saw a hand gripping the blade.
"…really dislike killing women."
The young man's words entered Mila Rose's ears, making her snap back to reality. She instinctively tried to pull the blade from her hand.
However…
Thud—!
With a dull thud, Mila Rose herself slammed directly to the ground, and the large sword in her hand also flew out.
"Gorilla woman!!"
This scene made Apacci, who had just arrived, change her expression, and she quickly moved towards Mila Rose.
"Don't come over!"
But Mila Rose let out an anxious cry.
"It's too late."
The young man shook his head, "The range my Poison Pool can affect isn't just my immediate surroundings, but this entire area…"
Thud Thud
Two consecutive dull thuds sounded, and Apacci and Cyan Sung-Sun, who had remained cautious, both fell to the ground in unison.
"From the very beginning, you were already within this range, in a state of [Reishi Poisoning]!"
Reishi… poisoning!?
At these words, the expressions of Apacci and the other two couldn't help but change.
"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Askin Nakk Le Vaar, my Schrift is 'D', and the name of my Schrift ability is 'The Deathdealing'!"
"To put it simply, it's about manipulating the lethal dose of 'designated' things to kill enemies. Of course, my Poison Pool doesn't cause death, it just lowers the tolerance to whatever I designate. And this time, what I designated is 'Reishi', which means all of you are currently in a state of Reishi poisoning."
As if deliberately toying with the three, Askin didn't kill them, but instead, with a relaxed expression, explained his ability to them.
"You're quite the gentleman, but is it really alright to expose your ability so simply?"
A lazy voice reached Askin's ears. Almost as soon as he heard it, Askin tilted his head slightly, and a Cero grazed his cheek. "Does that mean as long as I don't step into that area, it's fine?"
"Hmm, you could say that, actually."
Askin turned his head and looked into the distance, where Starrk stood. A pistol with purple markings had appeared in his hand at some point, and he was now aiming it at Askin.
"After hearing your words, I do regret it a bit, although…"
Askin chuckled, "Even if it's exposed, it doesn't matter at all."
With that, he looked at Starrk, who stood in the distance with no intention of approaching, and smiled, "Your three companions have completely lost their combat ability. I can kill them with a flick of my hand. Don't you want to save them?"
Compared to these three good-for-nothings, he was actually more interested in this former First Espada. Although he always appeared timid and cowardly, in his opinion… there was only one person present who was qualified to be his opponent.
That was Starrk, who had not participated in the battle from beginning to end, constantly vigilant of Yhwach!
However…
Starrk made a gesture with his hand, and the purple-patterned pistol in his hand instantly dispersed into Reishi. He actually withdrew his gaze and looked back at Yhwach in mid-air.
Hmm?
This scene instantly turned Askin's normally languid expression grim.
Although he considered his own ability limited and unremarkable, Askin absolutely could not tolerate being underestimated by others.
"It's really a bit un…"
"Don't get too full of yourself! You curly-haired bastard, I'll kill you!!"
A sharp cry interrupted Askin's words, making his gaze grow even darker. He turned to look behind him, "I really hate strong-willed women, and I also hate it when people constantly interrupt me… Hmm?" Askin's words trailed off, and a strange glint flashed in his eyes.
Behind him, although Apacci and the other two were still lying on the ground with pained expressions, all three now wore cruel, distorted smiles. And what puzzled Askin the most was…
All three of their left arms had disappeared!
No, wait!!
Askin's pupils constricted, and he suddenly looked up towards the sky.
Buzz—!
Almost as he looked up, a colossal, boundless shadow, like a meteorite, descended from the sky.
It was a fist larger than Askin himself, and the owner of the fist was a terrifying giant beast.
"Blut Vene."
Before the fist even landed, Askin had already sensed the terrifying power emanating from this punch. His face darkened, and tree-like patterns appeared on his exposed skin.
The next second, the fist landed.
The entire world fell silent, and then the ground, like a balloon being inflated, suddenly bulged.
Then…
Rumble—!
A deafening roar echoed across the battlefield, and a violent shockwave spread out. Looking down from the sky, one could clearly see the white sand spreading out in a fan shape under the impact, and the terrifying power even sent nearby people flying.
Among those who were sent flying were Cyan Sung-Sun and her two companions.
"Roar—!"
A beast's roar reverberated across the battlefield as Ayon, formed by the fusion of Apacci's, Mila Rose's, and Cyan Sung-Sun's left arms, slammed his fists down on Askin like a torrential rain.
So that's how it is…
Askin, caught in the midst of it, was like a tattered rag in a storm. With the first punch, his Blut Vene was breached, and Askin's body was distorted by the blow.
These three women actually had such terrifying techniques hidden away.
No wonder the First Espada stopped paying attention to him.
What a pity…
"Hahaha~! Let him be arrogant. Kill him, Ayon."
Apacci looked at Askin, who was being unilaterally beaten by Ayon, with a cruel, grinning smile.
However, Mila Rose, who was nearby, suddenly frowned, a golden light flashing in her eyes: "Something's not right."
"Huh?"
Apacci subconsciously asked, "What's not right?" Despite her words, she still carefully observed Askin at the center of the impact.
Upon closer inspection, she also noticed something amiss.
Because at this moment, although Askin was still like a tattered rag, being tossed around by Ayon's blows...
But…
No blood!
The three of them knew Ayon's power better than anyone, and after being modified by Ishikawa, Ayon had been further strengthened, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to heavily injure Askin with just one punch.
However, Askin, who had been severely injured and distorted by Ayon's first punch, now looked disheveled, but there was no blood around him.
And most importantly…
The distortion was gone!
Askin, who had been severely injured and distorted by Ayon's punch, had now returned to his original state.
Bang~!
The scene that followed made the three of them show an incredulous expression.
Askin was once again slammed down, but he landed softly on the ground. Then, with a raised hand, he actually caught the fist, which was even larger than him, with his palm!
"This is impossible!!"
"What's impossible?"
Askin tidied his hair and said with a melancholic expression, "Sigh, my ability is truly annoying. If I had known I'd be beaten this badly, I wouldn't have retreated to your side. There was a lady over there taking care of those brats who looked much easier to take advantage of."
As he spoke, he pressed his hand down, and an invisible wave spread out.
Bang—!
Ayon was pressed down as if by a great mountain, his massive body directly forced to the ground.
Seeing this, Apacci and her two companions, ignoring their shock, gritted their teeth.
"Hang her, White Snake Princess!"
"Throw her, Blue-Green Doe!"
Cyan Sung-Sun and Apacci, having left the poison pool, unleashed their swords without hesitation, but the changes in their bodies did not stop there.
Sizzle sizzle—
Strange purple flames burned from their bodies, forming branch-like purple Spell Inscription on their skin, and terrifying energy fluctuations spread from them.
Second Cero!
And with the changes in the three, Ayon, who was pinned to the ground, also underwent a huge transformation. Features such as deer antlers, deer legs, lion's mane, and white snake tail all showed different degrees of change, and purple Spell Inscription also appeared on his body.
This scene made a strange look flash in Askin's eyes, but then he shook his head:
"If you had appeared in this form from the beginning, I really wouldn't have dared to stand in front of you. Unfortunately, it's too late now."
Askin paused: "I said before, didn't I? I can control the lethal dose of a specified substance by ingesting it, which means…" Askin looked up at where the three were: "No matter how strong you become now, as long as the essence of your Reiatsu doesn't change…"
"Then you won't be able to cause me any harm!"
Thud—!
Cyan Sung-Sun and her two companions, who had just entered their Second Cero, their faces changed, feeling a suffocating sensation spread throughout their bodies, and they all knelt to the ground simultaneously.
"Does it feel bad?"
Askin looked at the three with a smile, stepping on Ayon and showing an amazed expression: "Your state is truly bizarre, completely beyond my understanding of Arrancar. Within my poison gas domain, not dying immediately has already surprised me, but you can actually remain conscious. This is truly a bit terrifying."
"This suddenly makes me a little interested in killing you."
As he spoke, Askin slowly walked towards the three who were struggling to get up: "Be proud, you know I really dislike such barbaric things as personally killing people… Hmm?"
Askin stopped, then suddenly let out a strange laugh:
"It seems I truly have good fortune with women; I've actually attracted another beautiful lady."
His words made Cyan Sung-Sun and her two companions freeze. Before they could understand what was happening, strands of silk suddenly wrapped around them, pulling them away into the distance.
In mid-air, the three realized that a figure had appeared where they had previously lain, without them noticing.
That was…
Cirucci's only subordinate - Loly Aivirrne.
"Idiot, get out of there!!"
Seeing this, Apacci anxiously shouted.
Although they no longer held their former contempt for Roka after more than a year, they also knew very well… Roka was not skilled in combat; they had never even heard of Roka fighting anyone.
After reorganizing her spiritual nucleus, she had only simply strengthened her healing abilities, and had always been like a nanny, helping Cirucci take care of and teach the Picaro.
"He's not someone you can deal with."
Cyan Sung-Sun also couldn't help but shout a reminder, "Don't mind us."
If it were the Las Noches of old, where strength was revered, they wouldn't care if such a combat-incapable individual died. But the current Las Noches was different. They didn't want Roka, who completely lacked combat ability, to participate in the battle.
"Don't worry, Miss Cyan Sung-Sun, Miss Apacci."
Roka smiled at the three, her smile very gentle, completely unlike her former emotionless self: "I should be able to deal with him."
"Huh?"
At these words, not only the three of them, but even Askin's gaze towards Roka became somewhat strange.
Because compared to those three, the woman whose half-face was covered by a mask, her Reiatsu was not stronger than theirs, even a bit weaker. Askin truly couldn't understand where she got the courage to stand in front of him.
Askin shook his head slightly: "Sorry, I don't have the habit of letting captured prey go!"
After his words, Askin held his right hand horizontally in front of him, and a giant Reishi bow instantly materialized. As Reishi gathered, three arrows appeared on the bowstring.
Clang—!
The bowstring vibrated, and three arrows shot through the air, heading directly towards Cyan Sung-Sun and her two companions who were being carried away by the Negación's ribbon.
However…
Bang bang bang!
Three consecutive impact sounds rang out, and the three arrows simultaneously shattered.
This scene made Askin's pupils constrict, not because of the shattered arrows, but because of… the things that shattered his arrows.
That was…
Reishi arrows!!
He abruptly pulled back his gaze and looked at Roka not far away, only then noticing that an unusual weapon had appeared in the woman's hand at some point. It glowed with a blue light, and its main body was composed of interlocking long and short cross shapes and octagonal shapes.
"Ginrei Kojaku."
Askin slowly uttered the weapon's name. He was not unfamiliar with this weapon, as it had been prominently marked in the intelligence provided by Yhwach. It was the Reishi weapon held by Ishida Uryū.
And most importantly, the opponent had not only simulated the external appearance of the Reishi weapon, but even her own Reiatsu had become identical to Ishida Uryū's Reiatsu in the data.
If he hadn't personally witnessed her Reiatsu change, he might have even thought that Ishida Uryū had put on women's clothes and disguised himself as an Arrancar to stand before him.
What…
What exactly is going on with this guy?