Chapter 52 Hueco Mundo Stirs Once More (1)
A month back, in the human realm, Kurosaki Ichigo, still unsettled from his clash with Grimmjow, has finally discovered the captains sent out by the Soul Society a century ago, who are now known as the Visoreds.
With their guidance, Ichigo aims to master the hollow within himself, aspiring to harness it's power.
If not, each time he engages in battle and activates Bankai, the entity residing in him will emerge and interfere in his duels.
Thanks to Hirako Shinji and others, Kurosaki Ichigo has successfully learned to manifest the mask at will, significantly boosting his battle prowess.
His Reiatsu, speed, and strength have seen considerable enhancement, yet this improvement can only be sustained for a mere 11 seconds!
"One month has passed, yet my duration barely exceeds 10 seconds. "
"Sure enough, it seems that short training time isn't adequate."
Watching Ichigo continuously train and spar with the members of the Visored in the training area, Hirako Shinji felt a surge of emotions within him.
"It appears I need to speed up the process. "
Concurrently, within the twelfth division of the Soul Society, the Shinigami of the Technical Development Bureau were alarmed by the sudden blaring of a red alert, rushing to ascertain the cause as several ominous Reiatsu signatures emerged in the world anew.
"What does this Reiatsu indicate? ! "
"It must be Espada! ! "
As the personnel from the Technology Development Bureau displayed shock, in the human realm, Tōshirō, Ikkaku and others, who were engaged in sword Zen training at the park, suddenly detected an alarming Reiatsu manifesting amidst the ripping of a black void within Karakura Town.
"Could that be. . . Arrancars? "
"Regardless, it's far too soon for them to arrive now."
"Captain Zaraki and Captain Kuchiki are also in Karakura Town. Since they can sense this Reiatsu, they should arrive swiftly! "
Toshiro and Matsumoto Rangiku stared in disbelief at the Arrancars emerging from the black void into the human world. Within less than two months, Hueco Mundo has dispatched four successive waves of Arrancars to this realm.
Tōshirō lifted his gaze, his blue eyes narrowing, then sighed: "Indeed, it's clearly too soon."
"Without even offering us a moment to strategize, what precisely does Aizen intend to achieve? "
"Oh? ! "
"How fortuitous we are to be here! There are several Shinigami with extraordinarily high Reiatsu down below! "
"Let's begin by addressing those individuals! "
Yammy grinned widely, his face betraying evident excitement.
"What are you blabbering about, Yammy. "
"The folks down there are Shinigami! Could that imply they are the reinforcements dispatched by the Soul Society that number '6' mentioned? "
Ruby Ant Noel, currently No. 6, displayed a sly grin before turning her gaze to Grimmjow, who sported a damaged arm, and glanced around with a mischievous smile.
"Apologies, I suppose I should refer to you as Mr. Ex-No. 6 now."
Ruby Ant Noel straightened up with an air of superiority, glanced down at Tōshirō, and then addressed Yammy, saying, "What do you say? Are you coming with me? "
"The person I intend to eliminate isn't present; I'll track him down myself. "
At that moment, Grimmjow unexpectedly emerged from the shadows, focusing on sensing Kurosaki Ichigo's Reiatsu before taking off in a specific direction alone.
"Hey! Hold on, Grimmjow! "
Yammy attempted to stop Grimmjow, but he was so quick that he vanished in an instant.
"This bastard is acting on his own again! " Yammy exclaimed in frustration.
"Leave him be; he's no longer Espada, so he's not a concern. " Ruby Ant Noel remarked to Yammy dismissively.
Concurrently, Wanda Wise, a newly created Arrancar, joined them. These individuals were the fighters chosen by Ulqiorra to venture into the human world.
"Tch, the target of my wrath isn't down there. " Yammy sneered as he observed the Shinigami below.
"Who do you want to kill? The one who severed your arm, the one who knocked you senseless, or the one who blocked your Cero? "
This was based on intelligence brought back by Ulquiorra earlier, including the imagery of Yammy being confronted by Urahara Kisuke, Shihouin Yoruichi, and Kurosaki Ichigo.
"Hey! I want to take them all out! ! " Yammy scoffed, then turned to Wanda Wise behind him and barked, "Hey! New guy! "
However, Wanda Wise, having lost his mind due to Aizen's manipulation, was engrossed in playing with a butterfly.
"Useless trash! ! " Yammy disregarded Wanda Wise and leaped down, heading towards Toshiro.
"Clang! ! "
After a clash of blades, Tōshirō and Yammy engaged in direct combat.
"I am the captain of the 10th Division, Hitsugaya Tōshirō! "
In response to the silver-haired youth before him, Yammy grinned and replied, "Hey! I'm Arrancar No. 9, Yammy! "
"Espada? ! "
Yammy's declaration instantly reminded Tōshirō of his battle with Arrancar No. 10 Fiander. The opponent's overwhelming strength was utterly unmatched.
"Does that mean. . . you're on par with that guy? "
Tōshirō observed Yammy intently, gripping his Zanpakutō tightly, his eyes brimming with determination.
"That guy? You mean. . . Fiander Moros? ! "
"Exactly, that's what he referred to himself as back then. "
Remembering how a month ago, he had brought a team of Shinigami reinforcements into the world with high hopes, only to end up with serious injuries plaguing all but himself and Matsumoto Rangiku.
Meanwhile, Rukia and Abarai Renji had returned to Soul Society to start their healing process.
"That bastard Fiander? "
"Although he is just Espada No. 10, he hasn't revealed his true capabilities in battle against you. "
After Yammy completed his remarks, his fists emanated a crimson glow, and he exclaimed with intensity, "Wittnessed my new technique."
"False bullet."
Following that declaration, two small red Cero shot from Yammy's fists and struck Tōshirō head-on.
Once the clash between Yammy and Tōshirō commenced, Yumichika, Ikaku, and Matsumoto Rangiku encircled Ruby Ante Noel.
"Are you also an Espada? "
Yumichika recalled that about a month ago, he had been bested by an Arrancar utilizing Kidō. The sense of embarrassment and anger fueled his rigorous training this month, as he aimed for the day he could reclaim his honor.
Now that he faced another Arrancar, it was time to demonstrate the fruits of his month-long discipline.
Ruby Ante Noel glanced at the three Shinigami nearby, casually indicating the No.6 insignia at his side, and declared with pride, "I am Ruby. "
"The rank is. . . 6! "
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Meanwhile, Kurosaki Ichigo, in the midst of training, felt the formidable Reiatsu of the Arrancars. After a month of hard work, he shouted to engage, despite the resistance from other members of the Visored.
"Let me go! "
"The Arrancars are here; what's the use of hiding! "
Kurosaki Ichigo found his hands firmly grasped by Love Aikawa and Muguruma Kensei, stopping him from rising and escaping.
"Your Hollow mask lasts only ten seconds; what can you even accomplish in that time. "
"And you should trust your allies from the Soul Society; aren't they here precisely for this situation? "
Love Aikawa continued attempting to reason with Ichigo.
However, his stubborn nature wouldn't allow him to stand by while his friends fought, waiting anxiously for news.
"Didn't I train right here with you in preparation for this moment? "
"If I don't act now, what will it mean? "
Kurosaki Ichigo's eyes widened as he frowned.
"Let him go! "
Out of the blue, Hirako Shinji ignored everyone's attempts to dissuade him, pulled Kensei and the other away, speaking deliberately.
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In the Soul Society, Inoue Orihime, eager to enhance her abilities, returned to the Soul Society alongside Rukia.
Since they had experienced the Arrancar invasion of the human realm at the 13th Division training grounds, they intended to push forward for support, but Inoue Orihime, as a human, lacked the Shinigami hell butterfly.
To facilitate her safe passage through the barrier, the members of the Technology Development Bureau needed to boost the boundary wall, a process that would take an hour.
In Karakura Town, Byakuya Kuchiki and Zaraki Kenpachi, who had sensed the Reiatsu of Yammy and Ruby, were preparing to rush to the battlefield when a black void appeared before them.
The figures of Fiander and Reinhard emerged in front of them instantly.
"I asked not to be summoned, but I had to come."
Observing Byakuya Kuchiki and Zaraki Kenpachi as they rested their hands on their Zanpakutō, Fiander's eyelids twitched, and he addressed them with a grin: "Hey! What a coincidence, did you also step out for a stroll after your meal? "