"Is this a Shinigami of captain rank? Just as I thought. "
"They appear formidable. "
Di Roy savored the moment, licking his fingers, and declared, "Then let me sample you! "
An afterimage lingered as Di Roy swiftly approached Zaraki and Byakuya, extending his arm to pierce Zaraki's form.
Kenpachi seized Di Roy's arm with a tight grip and sneered, "Is this the extent of an Arrancar's power? How disappointing. "
"You bastard! Don't underestimate me! "
With his other hand wielding the Zanpakutō, Di Roy aimed a slash at Zaraki, but the disparity in their Reiatsu was insurmountable, resulting in a clash that sent sparks flying as Di Roy's blade met Zaraki's flesh.
Granz, witnessing his ally ensnared, darted in and swung his Zanpakutō at Zaraki's arm. Zaraki turned his gaze briefly towards him, tightly grasping Granz's arm with his free hand, questioning skeptically, "Honestly, at this level, how did you defeat Tōshirō and the others? "
As he spoke, he swung both foes together before discarding them like waste.
Boom! !
The jarring collision left both disoriented, and as they regained focus, they were met with Zaraki's dismissive stare.
"Hey! Arrancars, are you acquainted with a fellow sporting dark purple hair and a hole in his throat? "
Zaraki paused before proceeding to inquire about a specific individual's location.
"Dark purple hair? ! "
"Could it be Fiander? "
Granz whispered to himself.
"Oh, so that scoundrel goes by Fiander. He never revealed his name when we clashed. "
"Hey! In gratitude for sharing his name, I'll ensure a swift end for you."
Without waiting for their responses, a flash of steel erupted, and with a torrent of blood, Di Roy of Arrancar No. 16 was cleaved in two at the chest by Zaraki, tumbling to the ground.
"Oh, what a weakling. "
Zheng! !
As Zaraki prepared to strike again, Granz hastily raised his Zanpakutō.
"How can a mere Shinigami possess such strength? "
Despite Di Roy being the weakest of the five, his rapid demise at Zaraki's hands underscored the overwhelming power of the Shinigami before him.
Using Zaraki's offensive momentum, Granz distanced himself and spotted Byakuya Kuchiki emerging from the gate, seemingly uninterested in the unfolding battle, his eyes closed.
"I've been underestimated! "
"Crush it, Prince Ashen Horn! "
Granz lifted his Zanpakutō to his chest and commanded.
As his Reiatsu surged, a radiant light enveloped him and transformed him into a colossal bull with immense horns protruding from his forehead.
"Bring it on! Shinigami, I am Arrancar No. 15, Yylfrondt Granz! "
A red Cero began to coalesce from Granz's horns, and Zaraki, standing nearby, smirked and remarked, "Oh~ you can shift forms? How fascinating! "
"I am the captain of Gotei 13, Zaraki Kenpachi! "
"I'm the one who's about to end your life. "
Boom! !
The powerful Reiatsu caused the air around to quake momentarily as the crimson Cero sped directly towards Zaraki.
Faced with the impending impact of the Cero, Zaraki chose not to evade; instead, he stoically lifted his Zanpakutō and brought it down as the Cero approached him.
With a swift motion, Zaraki sliced through the Cero unleashed by Granz, scattering it into the atmosphere.
"No. . . this can't be true, my Cero? ! "
Watching in disbelief as his Cero, which he had unleashed with utmost effort, was shattered so effortlessly, Granz froze in shock. An afterimage flickered past—the slash from Zaraki had arrived.
"Ugh—"
As Granz regained his senses, the blade had already cut through his body, severing his arm and a portion of his head.
Ilfurt Granz cradled his head with his remaining left hand, blood streaming from his injury.
"Am. . . am I going to die? "
Before he could react further, a multitude of Sakura petals enveloped him, encasing him completely. With no time to respond, the petals tore him apart, reducing him to dust that dissipated into the air.
"Kuchiki, you bastard, why did you interfere in my battle? "
Byakuya regarded Zaraki with a serious expression.
"Quit dawdling; Tōshirō and Kurosaki are facing opponents with significant Reiatsu. "
"I'm heading to Rukia; you go support Kurosaki. "
After finishing his words, Byakuya Kuchiki vanished into the air, leaving Zaraki Kenpachi to grumble as he sheathed his Zanpakutō and, sensing Kurosaki Ichigo's Reiatsu, disappeared as well.
-
Outside the Kurosaki clinic, the menacing Reiatsu of Grimmjow engulfed Ichigo, who, already uncertain, lost the desire to fight as Grimmjow continued his relentless assault, leaving Ichigo barely managing to withstand the barrage.
"I can't defeat this guy at all."
"But Yuzu and Karin are right behind me! "
Noticing the hesitant Shinigami in front of him, Grimmjow grew angry; just as he spotted an opening in Ichigo's defense and prepared to strike.
Grimmjow paused for a moment, halting his advance.
Seizing the chance with Grimmjow's sudden change, Ichigo quickly steadied his breathing while gripping his zanpakuto. After a few seconds, he raised his Zanpakutō and directed it towards Grimmjow, "Hey! Why did you stop? Let's keep going! "
"Hehe! This is getting interesting. "
With the Reiatsu of Di Roy and Grants fading, Grimmjow realized something had occurred to his two subordinates, but he was irritated by the audacity of the half-baked Shinigami before him. Originally intending for amusement, Grimmjow sneered, raking his nails across his palm, and extended his hand toward Ichigo.
"I'm done with games, so you can head to hell! "
With that declaration, a colossal blue Cero erupted from Grimmjow's hand, the overwhelming Reiatsu causing anyone with spiritual sensitivity in Karakura Town to feel an oppressive force.
"Cero! "
"Getsuga. . . . Tenso! "
To prevent the conflict from extending to the residences below, Ichigo had no choice but to ascend into the air, opting to absorb the impact preemptively.
The surging red and black Reiatsu was desperately countering the Cero unleashed by Grimmjow; the implications of this Cero striking the ground were dire.
Boom--! !
The tremendous explosion caused the entire area to shake. As the blue Cero threatened to engulf Ichigo, a white mask began to form on his face, adorned with three crimson markings. In the blink of an eye, Ichigo's eyes turned completely black.
"You're wasting your effort, Ichigo! Allow me to handle this! "
An ominous voice emerged, and the Reiatsu coursing through Ichigo surged instantly, stabilizing without the fluctuations from before.