Chapter 54 Hueco Mundo Moves Again (3)
Once Fiander released his zanpakuto sword, the temperature plummeted sharply, causing the surrounding frost to rapidly encase all sword blades in the vicinity, visible to the naked eye.
"To this day, I still find no interest in your so-called noble pride. "
"The decayed Soul Society is the pivotal reason Aizen turned against it, and this stems from the arrogance of your so-called nobility! "
"In my view, that's not pride but rather egotistical arrogance! "
"Fools who think the entire world should revolve around you! ! ! "
After delivering this statement, Fiander raised both hands earnestly, casting a piercing glance at Byakuya Kuchiki once more.
"If you're unable to stop this blade, you will genuinely perish! "
"You're merely an Arrancar exceedingly rude who lacks understanding of all we've sacrificed! ! "
As brilliant light enveloped Byakuya Kuchiki's body, luminous wings materialized from thin air, and spirit particles around began gathering towards his hands uncontrollably.
"Final Scene - White Emperor Sword! ! "
A halo of radiant light formed above Byakuya's head from the stunning wings, and a colossal white sword materialized in his grip.
"Is this how you fought that boy, Kurosaki Ichigo. "
"Indeed, you, appearing dull on the surface, are also eager for battle."
"You can mislead others, but you can't deceive your own soul. The power of the Zanpakutō reveals the deepest desires of its master's heart. "
"Those techniques after your Bankai resemble a coliseum, haha! "
"Fascinating, truly fascinating! "
Fiander abruptly exhaled a chilling breath, and the moisture in the air transformed into icy mist, enveloping the environment.
"Are all Espada as verbose as you? "
Byakuya Kuchiki was intensely focused at this moment, his speed significantly increasing. Gripping the sword firmly with both hands, he lunged at Fiander and thrust hard.
"Crack! ! "
As several icicles went flying, an icy wing emerged instantaneously from the frost on Fiander's back, intercepting the attack.
Upon seeing the ice wings resembling Tōshirō's Bankai, Byakuya Kuchiki's gaze sharpened, the light sword in his grip suddenly radiated with various hues, and the blade began to elongate.
"Superb View Rainbow Blade! ! "
At this juncture, the wings behind Byakuya Kuchiki began to wither, and the brilliant white aura enveloping his body converged towards the blade in his grasp.
At this moment, Byakuya Kuchiki appeared before Fiander, resembling an angel in decline, embodying a withered sight.
"What. . . is this technique? "
"I've never encountered it before."
Fiander's pupils widened, murmuring to himself.
"After clashing with Kurosaki Ichigo, I developed a new technique! "
"You should consider yourself fortunate, Espada! Because you're the first to witness this move, and you're also the one who will meet your end from it! "
Whether in Shikai or Bankai form, Senbonzakura only transforms into pink Sakura petals. In this instant, the scattered petals have metamorphosed into brilliant white light and vibrant feathers.
As a blinding light suddenly emerged, Fiander found himself encased in a cocoon of white spirit particles.
"Farewell, Espada—"
As the radiant light illuminated all of Karakura Town, Byakuya Kuchiki's Senbonzakura reverted to its Zanpakutō form due to the depletion of his spiritual energy.
"Boom—! ! "
The white light detonated, creating a massive wave of air that compelled even Zaraki Kenpachi and Reinhard to pause their battle to brace against the explosion's aftermath.
"Hey! So you and that guy are both Espada, huh? Too bad, I can't kill him! "
Zaraki Kenpachi scoffed, glancing at Reinhard.
"Naive! "
"You don't really think that guy can handle Lord Fiander, do you? " Reinhard shot back coldly.
"Isn't that the case? "
"Did you not notice that guy's Reiatsu has vanished? "
"Or do you need to go down and check it yourself? "
With that, Kenpachi swung his sword with force and hacked downward.
Reinhard calmly raised his Zanpakutō to block, not even bothering to use resurrecion.
"Initially, I aimed to finish you off quickly, but Master Fiander seems intent on handling it himself. "
"I won't go overboard."
As he spoke, Reinhard withdrew a few steps, allowing Kenpachi's slash to miss entirely.
"Trying to escape? Don't think so! ! "
Just as Zaraki Kenpachi was about to pursue, the air dampened suddenly, and heavy rain began to pour over Karakura Town.
The difference was that each raindrop contained a hint of Reiatsu, increasing in intensity.
"What's happening here? "
Zaraki Kenpachi looked up in confusion at the previously clear sky, which now poured rain seemingly out of nowhere.
"Strange, isn't it, Shinigami? "
Reinhard clarified for Zaraki Kenpachi: "When Reiatsu thickens to a certain threshold, it becomes tangible. "
"And the raindrops you feel aren't real rain, but spirits descending from the sky, overwhelmed by Reiatsu. "
Just as Reinhard finished explaining, Byakuya Kuchiki, who believed he had vanquished Fiander, sighed in relief—only to have an arm emerge from the smoke and grip his throat tightly.
"Impossible! ! "
"You. . . are. . . still alive? "
Byakuya Kuchiki stared in disbelief at Fiander, who had found the strength to retaliate after enduring his greatest attack, his eyes wide as saucers.
"I'm truly sorry for revealing this side of me. "
"I wished to keep it concealed, but I must confess, your last move genuinely affected me."
"In Shinigami mode, I might really have died "
"So, to survive, I have no choice but to ensure your demise, Byakuya Kuchiki! ! "
The voice was devoid of any emotion, lacking the earlier humorous tone, and bony dragon horns manifested atop Fiander's head.
His eyes appeared to have double pupils, black and blue alternating in a striking manner.
His entire figure was enveloped in an icy mist, resembling an ice sprite.
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Kurosaki Ichigo and Grimmjow, who had been engaged in a lively battle, suddenly caught sight of Grimmjow going still, prompting Ichigo to ask instinctively.
"Hey! What happened? Grimmjow? "
Kurosaki Ichigo looked on in confusion.
"You. . . can't…can't feel it? Shinigami! "
"What? "
Grimmjow replied with gravity: "The entire… space is frozen! ! "
Upon hearing Grimmjow's statement, Kurosaki Ichigo glanced upward. The clouds that once flowed and the birds soaring in the sky were now suspended in the air, completely still, as if time had come to a standstill.