Chapter 53 Hueco Mundo Moves Again (2)
"Hahaha! Here you are! "
"I've been searching for you for quite a while! "
Kenpachi said before gazing at Fiander with laughter. During the time Kurosaki Ichigo invaded the Soul Society for Rukia's rescue, Kenpachi confronted Fiander, who was seeking Tousen Kaname.
Ultimately, that confrontation turned out to be the most profound and lethal fight that Zaraki Kenpachi experienced since his promotion to captain. In fact, no matter how hard he tried, the individual in front of him remained unbeatable.
"Searching for me? What's your reason? I'm sorry to say this but I'm not into men, hehe."
Zaraki Kenpachi ignored his humourous response and simply raised his hand, bringing his sword down.
"Zheng! ! "
Reinhard intercepted the strike with his arm just in time before the Zanpakutō could strike Fiander. The steel skin of an Arrancar crashed into the Zanpakutō, producing a clash of metal against sword.
"How intriguing, it makes no difference if it's just one or two of you! "
"You're also someone who is eager for battle; allow me to take you down first, then I shall deal with the other! "
Thus, Reinhard and Zaraki Kenpachi, both fierce combatants in Hueco Mundo and Soul Society, began to clash.
"Captain with a blank expression, do you wish to face me? But I'm not here looking for a fight; can you let me pass? "
Fiander looked at Byakuya Kuchiki, who drew his Zanpakutō with a hostile gaze, and spoke with a peculiar look on his face.
"I believe I mentioned the last time we crossed paths that next we meet, I will take revenge for Rukia and the others! ! "
Just as Byakuya Kuchiki prepared to unleash Senbonzakura, Fiander utilized Shunpo to close the gap and seized the blade of Senbonzakura with his hand.
" Avenge Rukia? The same sister you abandoned when they were about to execute her? Heh. "
A wave of icy air erupted as frost rapidly spread from Fiander's palm toward the blade of Senbonzakura, attempting to freeze Byakuya Kuchiki as well.
"You know nothing, hollow. "
"Hadō no. 4 · White Thunder! "
Byakuya Kuchiki cast Kidō with one hand while his other sought to shake off Fiander's hold on Senbonzakura.
A ray struck Fiander's form, leaving nothing but a hole in his attire and a plume of smoke, causing him no harm whatsoever.
Yet, while Fiander stood momentarily stunned, Byakuya Kuchiki used Shunpo to create distance between them.
"Scatter, Senbonzakura! "
Instantly, Senbonzakura's blade transformed into swirling flower petals, filling the air.
Numerous blades sliced through Fiander's clothing but failed to inflict any damage. The gap in Reiatsu meant that Byakuya Kuchiki, still in Shikai state, was unable to breach Fiander's defenses.
"You really think you could distance yourself from me? "
"Is this what's termed the pride of nobility? "
Fiander unsheathed his Zanpakutō and remarked mockingly, "What can you possibly accomplish with your dull blade that can't penetrate my skin? "
Following this, he gripped the Zanpakutō firmly with both hands and made a powerful downward swing. The force from the sword generated an immense gust of wind that obliterated all the petals created by Senbonzakura.
"Bakudō's Sixty-Three · Lock Bar Lock! "
As Fiander destroyed Senbonzakura, Byakuya Kuchiki materialized behind him, restrainiy him with a golden chain.
Byakuya Kuchiki immediately spoke with a somber expression: "An Arrancar dares to speak of the honor of our four noble houses! "
"Hadō's eighty-eight. Flying dragons attacking thieves and shaking the sky! ! "
With an explosive release of Reiatsu, Byakuya Kuchiki's hand connected with Fiander's back, unleashing a massive blue beam that struck directly at close range.
"Boom! ! "
The shockwave from the blast caused Byakuya Kuchiki, despite using this technique and quickly retreating with Shunpo, to have his face slightly coated in dust.
Fixing his gaze on the slowly appearing figure amidst the blast, Byakuya Kuchiki grasped the hilt of Senbonzakura and lowered it with a backward motion, beginning to chant.
"Bankai, Senbonzakura kageyoshi "
As the hilt of Senbonzakura vanished into thin air, an array of enormous sharp blades emerged behind it, which swiftly transformed into fluttering flower petals.
While the Shikai version of Senbonzakura comprised merely tens of thousands of petals, the Bankai state generated hundreds of millions of petals swirling throughout the sky, blanketing everything in cherry blossom fragments.
"Ah--"
"Truly, what a stunning sight, Captain Facial Paralyzed, you wield such a beautiful thing in battle,"
"But… what a waste! "
Without delay, Fiander held the Zanpakutō with one hand, spread out the fingers of his other hand, and scoffed, "Is that all your Bankai has to offer? "
"You will perish! "
"Hadō no Ninety Nine Five Swirling Dragons of Destruction! ! "
As Fiander expelled all of his Reiatsu, the very fabric of Karakura Town began to tremble under the weight of his overwhelming spiritual energy.
Everyone engaged in battle in Karakura Town, from Tōshirō to Yammy, as well as Grimmjow and Kurosaki Ichigo who had previously clashed with him.
They all halted simultaneously, looking towards the source of the Reiatsu.
"Impossible! ! "
"This. . . level of Reiatsu! ! "
"Shield · Senbonzakura Kageyoshi! ! "
Byakuya Kuchiki's eyes widened, and his body tensed as the transformative blades of Senbonzakura immediately shifted into an injury-deflecting circle for protection.
In that moment, five blue dragon-shaped Reiatsu descended from above, affecting everyone present, including Zaraki Kenpachi and Reinhard who were still engaged in combat, as well as Byakuya Kuchiki amidst the chaos.
They were all propelled backward by the fierce air currents, flying hundreds of meters away.
"Ahegh——"
A small trickle of blood escaped Byakuya Kuchiki's lips; having absorbed the impact of the highest-level Hadō, he was still left with minor injuries.
"It's impressive, Captain Kuchiki. In this moment, you still manage to shield yourself with flower petals. However, the shockwaves from the blast have slightly impacted your internal organs. "
As Byakuya Kuchiki's form slowly emerged, enveloped in shattered and bloodied petals, Fiander raced forward wielding his Zanpakutō, bringing the blade down with force.
"Sword rain・Senbonzakura Kageyoshi! "
The sound of the sword slicing through the air met a heavy clash with a pink long sword.
Both Fiander and Byakuya Kuchiki found themselves surrounded by numerous independently transformed long swords, creating an impressive arena that contained them both.
"What a splendid technique! "
Failing to make his strike count, Fiander swung his blade down once more.
"Zheng! ! "
A pink long sword descended from above, intercepting Fiander's attack before it disintegrated into spirit particles.
"Then you should observe closely! "
Byakuya Kuchiki summoned it from the air, and once again, a long sword manifested in his grasp as he struck fiercely toward Fiander's neck.
A streak of crimson marked the blade in Byakuya Kuchiki's hand, catching Fiander off guard as the opponent successfully landed the blow.
Reaching out to touch the blood trickling from his neck, Fiander tasted it and smirked, "That's rather good. "
"I concede that I underestimated you captains; you are formidable, Zaraki Kenpachi is a combat enthusiast,"
"And even the silver-haired one, all of you are impressive! "
With that, Fiander raised his Zanpakutō and intoned, "Freeze it, Frosty heavens"