Chapter 56: Hueco Mundo Moves Again (5)
"What. . . "
The individual standing before him revealed himself to be the greatest adversary of the Soul Society - the architect of Espada. So why does he only hold the title of No.10 instead of being at No.1?
With his mind racing, Kurosaki Ichigo queried Fiander with suspicion: "You claim to be the founder of Espada.Why then are you merely ranked as No.10? "
Fiander shrugged his shoulders, a subtle smile crossing his face. "Why do you assume that, as the creator, I must be No.1? "
"I faced Grimmjow, who is ranked No.6,"
"And there's also the large one who identifies as No.9. If they are ranked numerically, shouldn't a higher number indicate greater strength? Don't imply that you are weaker than Grimmjow; my instincts tell me. You are a threat, even more so than Grimmjow. "
After this declaration, Kurosaki Ichigo placed one hand on his face, attempting to utilize Hollow to augment his power to confront Fiander. In the original narrative, Ichigo could only harness Hollow for a brief 11 seconds at this moment.
Nonetheless, the enhanced hollowness wouldn't burden his body. Even after 11 seconds, he merely needed a short reprieve to recuperate his strength before employing it again.
"I will. . . stop you here! "
Upon saying this, a white mask materialized on Ichigo's face. Observing the crimson patterns on the mask, Fiander remarked with disdain.
"At your current level, you can't possibly stop me, Ichigo! "
Just as Ichigo was merging his Reiatsu with the Tensa Zangetsu and preparing to unleash it, a hand had already pressed against his face.
"Crack! "
The mask was effortlessly ripped off by Fiander.
"Impossible! ! "
The sclera of Kurosaki Ichigo's eyes remained darkened, yet the mask had been forcefully removed.
The surge of explosive power from the Hollow.
It faded from his body in an instant.
As the mask disintegrated in Fiander's grasp, Kurosaki Ichigo covered his face, his body beginning to convulse uncontrollably as cold sweat streamed down his forehead.
"You bastard,"
"What have you done? "
Gazing into the disbelieving eyes of Kurosaki Ichigo, Fiander said with sympathy: "You, who have been ensnared by deception throughout your life, do you truly wish to know? "
"Deception? What are you implying? "
Fiander's words plunged Kurosaki Ichigo into a chilling abyss, reminiscent of when he ventured to the Soul Society to rescue Rukia, facing Aizen's overwhelming power and the last phrases uttered by him.
Although Ichigo maintained a stoic facade at that moment, the observant Fiander and Aizen had realized that he still dwelled on that incident.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have inquired with Kurosaki Isshin about the true situation. Ichigo's concern is valid, and he had no desire to make Kurosaki Isshin feel uncomfortable, so he refrained from probing further.
"You mentioned you didn't discover what you truly are? "
"Shinigami? "
"Hollow? "
"Human? "
"It's been a while —what do you know about who you are? Just aimlessly safeguarding the Soul Society,"
"For those despicable people, why do you feel compelled to battle us? "
Fiander brought his hands together, and in an instant, a throne of ice manifested behind him, allowing him to take a seat while fixating on Kurosaki Ichigo.
"You ought to reflect more deeply on these matters,"
"Otherwise, you wouldn't be seeking assistance from the exiled Visored. "
As Ichigo heard the details of his predicament being laid bare, a sense of unease washed over him, prompting a trembling response: "You. . . what do you know? "
"Didn't I previously inform you? "
"I possess all the knowledge, even your past—I understand it better than anyone,"
"This includes your mother. . . "
"Tweet! Benihime! "
Just as Fiander was poised to elaborate, an enormous crimson slash emerged from nowhere and interrupted him. Although Reinhard managed to block the attack, the arrival of Urahara Kisuke ignited Fiander's fury.
He believed that if he intensified his efforts, Ichigo, who would be aware of the truth, could potentially lose his will, succumb to white, and eventually join his side.
"What a perfect time for you to show up, Urahara Kisuke! "
With a frigid tone, Fiander cast his gaze upon the man adorned in a bucket hat and clogs.
"Mister Urahara! "
Kurosaki Ichigo exclaimed in astonishment.
"How did you get here? ! "
Urahara Kisuke, covering half his face with a fan, replied cautiously, "It's far too chilly to be at home during this weather, so I took a stroll."
"So, you just happened to wander here? " Fiander probed.
"Indeed, Mr. Arrancar, it's nice to see you again,"
"You've truly changed."
Urahara Kisuke remarked, observing Fiander back in his Arrancar form with a grave expression.
"Mr. Kurosaki."
"Yes? "
"If you trust me, might I ask you to vacate this place first? It's no longer safe for you here. You should recognize the capabilities of your opponent."
The same exchange between Ichigo and Rukia unfolded once more, directed at Kurosaki Ichigo by Urahara Kisuke.
"Urahara, I believe this is the third time this has happened."
Fiander rose from the Ice Throne, exhaling a chilling breath, and grimly stated, "You interrupting me..."
Urahara Kisuke suddenly shifted to a serious demeanor: "Why are you insistent on coming to this realm? "
"When exactly did the human world become the domain of the Soul Society? Who established that rule? "
"Is it the case that members of your Soul Society can freely enter and exit, while those from Hueco Mundo are barred? "
"Is this what you requested, or perhaps regarding Gotei 13, or those guys from the Soul King Palace? "
Fiander interlocked his fingers, and a flurry of icy crystals swirled around him.
"No, your existence is merely going to impact the human world. "
"Ninety-Three of Bakudō·Ruri Amaterasu! ! "
With a single-handed gesture from Urahara Kisuke, the vast yellow dome encapsulates Urahara Kisuke and Fiander.
"What is your objective in doing this? You simply wish to prevent that boy from discovering your past,"
"Or is it the reality of this world? "
Fiander inquired with a grin while gazing at the yellow glass ceiling.
"You are not just any Arrancar; you have comprehension,"
"These matters, at their core, are all interconnected. "
"I cannot allow you to influence Ichigo, so I must insist you stay contained! "
As he spoke, Urahara Kisuke gripped his Zanpakutō and fixed his gaze on Fiander.