Chapter 55 Hueco Mundo Moves Again (4)
"This Reiatsu presence? ! "
Grimmjow reflected on the time he first transformed into an Arrancar, prior to ascending to the rank of Espada, when he encountered this frigid and sharp Reiatsu in the Night Palace.
This Reiatsu is distinctive and, after experiencing it once, he could never forget it; he had always believed it originated from Aizen or Starrk.
Now it appears that it was Fiander himself who emitted this Reiatsu in the beginning, while he was still only partially Arrancarized.
"He. . . conceals himself remarkably well! ! "
Grimmjow focused intently on the direction of Fiander's confrontation, losing all interest in fighting Kurosaki Ichigo.
"Just a piece of advice, steer clear of that area. "
"Otherwise. . . it may cost you your life."
With that, disregarding the stunned Kurosaki Ichigo, Grimmjow leaped away and returned to the earlier battlefield in the park.
"Captain, did you do this? "
Matsumoto Rangiku approached Tōshirō, observing him in the midst of fighting Yammy while he used Bankai, sounding somewhat uncertain.
"Matsumoto, what are you implying? "
Tōshirō responded, looking confused.
"Captain, isn't your Zanpakutō the reason for the drop in temperature around us? "
Matsumoto Rangiku reiterated.
"This degree of cooling could be lethal for the people in Karakura Town. "
At that moment, Tōshirō, who had been absorbed in his fight with Yammy, recognized that the temperature had plummeted below freezing. It was puzzling, especially since it was still summer and typically the hottest time of year.
"Is it.. . that jerk? "
Tōshirō recalled the Espada with similar ice abilities, who had previously led the group he commanded to defeat.
"Hey! When you're facing off against me, don't lose your focus! ! "
Yammy discharged several deceptive projectiles while Tōshirō contemplated, evading the attacks, although he had sensed that individual's Reiatsu before.
But now that Reiatsu was absent; who could possibly achieve this level of control?
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"It's amazing that you're still alive! ! "
As Fiander emerged from the smoke, an elated Zaraki Kenpachi charged forward, using Shunpo to position himself between Fiander and Byakuya Kuchiki.
With a single slash, he aimed to sever Fiander's arm that was gripping Byakuya Kuchiki's throat.
"Crack! "
Fiander caught Zaraki Kenpachi's Zanpakutō with one hand, turned to him with piercing eyes, and said, "You're quite noisy. "
After speaking, a tremendous force surged through the Zanpakutō, as Fiander swung Zaraki Kenpachi around effortlessly before crashing him to the ground.
Byakuya Kuchiki, who was in Fiander's grasp, was swiftly encased in ice.
Just as he released his hold, intending for Byakuya Kuchiki to plummet from the air and shatter, a girl suddenly rushed forward and caught him to prevent the fall and destruction.
"Huh? It's you? Seems your injury has healed? "
"Rukia Kuchiki "
The individual who arrived here was Rukia Kuchiki, having journeyed from the Soul Society via the world-transmitting gate. Witnessing her elder brother, whom she had long idolized, on the verge of death ignited a surge of anger within her.
However, upon encountering the peculiar figure before her, the Arrancar announced her name directly. Rukia, filled with suspicion, asked, "Who are you? How do you know my name? "
Fiander, now reverted to his Arrancar form, bore no resemblance to a Shinigami, and his physical appearance and body had significantly altered.
Especially evident was the shift in Reiatsu; Rukia had no doubts about identifying him as a different person.
"What an oversight, Shinigamim "
"You just narrowly escaped the clutches of Master Fiander not long ago, yet here you are, forgetting. "
Reinhard was the first to speak.
"Fiander? ! "
"It's you! ! ! "
Despite Fiander's altered appearance, Rukia had not forgotten the lion Arrancar who had inflicted serious harm upon her. After her recovery, Rukia dedicated herself to extensive training to bolster her powers.
"Oh? Seems like you remember."
Fiander twirled, approaching Rukia while gesturing at the ice sculpture of Byakuya Kuchiki.
"Thirty-nine of Bakudō · Round Gate Fan! "
At a crucial moment, Rukia swiftly countered Fiander's strike with a Bakudō defense.
"Boom! ! "
The tremendous force sent Rukia, still holding onto Byakuya Kuchiki, hurtling backward for several meters, and Fiander's blow shattered the summoned fan-shaped shield.
"Ahem—"
Rukia coughed out blood from her mouth. Although the punch did not directly strike her, the residual force bypassed the circular gate fan's defense and harmed her.
"How could this be. . . is there such a vast gap between Arrancars? "
Before Rukia could ponder the implications, several icy chains descended from above and ensnared her tightly, rendering her immobile, causing the ice sculpture of Byakuya Kuchiki to slip from her grasp as she was restrained.
"Brother! "
As Rukia watched the ice sculpture of Byakuya Kuchiki plummeting, she cried out in anguish.
At that moment, a dark blur darted in, catching Byakuya Kuchiki just as he was about to hit the ground.
"That was close, Byakuya. "
Kurosaki Ichigo wiped sweat from his brow, a look of terror on his face.
Due to Grimmjow interrupting the combat, Kurosaki Ichigo rushed toward Fiander without regard for the ensuing obstacles. This also marked the official meeting between Fiander and Kurosaki Ichigo.
"Getsuga tenso!"
The black and red Reiatsu energy of his sword severed the icy chains imprisoning Rukia. Seizing the chance, Rukia moved swiftly to Ichigo's side, retrieving Byakuya Kuchiki.
"Rukia! "
"What's wrong? "
"Take Byakuya and get out of here! ! "
"But. . . "
"Go! ! "
Faced with the two Arrancars before him, Kurosaki Ichigo experienced an unprecedented wave of fear, stemming from White within him.
Not even against Grimmjow, Ulquiorra, or Aizen.
Seeing Rukia depart with Byakuya Kuchiki cradled in her arms, and noticing that the others showed no desire to intervene, Kurosaki Ichigo exhaled in relief.
"I'm Kurosaki. . . "
Just as Ichigo began to introduce himself, he was cut off by Fiander.
"Ah, I know you, Kurosaki Ichigo, substitute Shinigami."
"What I know about you is far clearer than your self-perception. "
Fiander looked at Ichigo, his mind racing with thoughts; perhaps this was a rare chance to eliminate him and thwart Aizen's potential success.
However, Ichigo's progression was also crucial to his strategy, leading Fiander into a deep contemplation, pausing to act for a while.
"Hey! I'm your opponent and I introduced myself , even if you're aware of my name."
"But I still don't know who you are. "
Noticing his silence, Kurosaki Ichigo gripped Tensa Zangetsu, pointing it at Fiander with a cool demeanor.
"Opponent? "
"It's ludicrous to think you can be my opponent at this point."
Fiander laughed derisively and addressed Kurosaki Ichigo, "Since you wish to know my name,"
"Then pay close attention,"
"I am Fiander Moros, Espada No.10,"
"And I am also the creator of the Espada system! "
"What! ! ! "
Upon hearing his introduction, Kurosaki Ichigo's eyes grew wide, his brow furrowing, as an ominous feeling surged within him again.