Chapter 58 Hueco Mundo Moves Again (7)
In the polished heights, icy blossoms have proliferated across the barrier. Urahara Kisuke, having unleashed the Splitting Void, finds half his form enveloped in frost, his complexion shifting to a bluish hue.
Amidst the extreme chill, the cold distorts half his face, and a slight tremor begins to envelop his body.
"What a frigid sensation, Mr. Arrancar,"
"No, Espada, Fiander Moros."
With a faint smile, Urahara Kisuke lifted his arm; the Zanpakutō in his grasp emitted a crimson glow. In a flash, much of the frostbite on him began to melt.
"Kidō? No, it appears to be a his zanpakuto. "
Fiander observed the red light emanating from Urahara's Zanpakutō, detecting the unusual energy within, and frowned as he spoke.
"Reform Kidō, a specialized Kidō that can only be invoked with his Zanpakutō's assistance. "
"You must be witnessing this for the first time! "
Urahara Kisuke chuckled, gripping benihime firmly with his right hand as his coat began to billow in the frigid air.
"Impressive skill,"
"Just as expected from the foremost scientist in the Soul Society! "
Fiander's afterimage materialized behind Urahara Kisuke, a sharp blade swiftly piercing through his form.
Yet, the Urahara Kisuke that Fiander struck quickly shrank, becoming merely a piece of skin.
His true body emerged behind Fiander.
"You're getting careless. "
"Constrain, Benihime "
Urahara's Zanpakutō blade radiated a net-like Reiatsu, swiftly ensnaring Fiander.
"A tedious ruse! Urahara Kisuke."
Reiatsu erupted from within Fiander, shredding Urahara Kisuke's web of Reiatsu.
Without hesitation, he drew the Zanpakutō at his hip and swung it heavily at Urahara Kisuke.
"Blood Cloud Red Shield! "
A crimson shield manifested at the tip of the opponent's Zanpakutō, intercepting Fiander's strike.
"Crack——"
In an instant, fractures appeared across the Red Shield, threatening to shatter.
"Shatter Benihime"
Seizing the moment amidst the collapsing red shield, Urahara Kisuke shifted his strategy once more.
The fragmented blood-red shield launched a multitude of crimson lightsabers toward Fiander.
"Child's play! "
Unfazed by the oncoming red lightsabers, Fiander barreled through the explosions and the resulting smoke.
Fixing a fierce glare at Urahara Kisuke, he declared sharply, "That's enough; the fun ends here! ! "
From Fiander's body, a cluster of icicles rapidly formed in response to the sudden drop in temperature, ensnaring both him and Urahara Kisuke in an instant.
The towering icicles pierced through the famed defensive barrier. During this precarious moment, the severe icy fog erupted within.
Zaraki Kenpachi and Reinhard, engaged in combat outside, along with Hirako Shinji, Kurosaki Ichigo, and others observing the battle, were immediately struck by the chilling air for the first time.
"What just happened? Could it be Mr. Urahara? ! "
Ichigo swung Tensa Zangetsu, unleashing a force that swept the frigid air away from him.
As he lifted his gaze, an imposing icicle hundreds of meters tall stood before him, revealing the forms of Fiander and Urahara Kisuke trapped within.
"Getsuga tenso! ! "
Upon witnessing this, Kurosaki Ichigo immediately launched a black crescent aimed at shattering the icicle to free Urahara Kisuke.
However, as the attack approached within 10 meters, it was swiftly encased in ice and transformed into a sculpture.
"What. ...…"
Kurosaki Ichigo's face drained of color, and his eyes widened in terror. Then, a surge of Reiatsu erupted from within him as he attempted to force his way toward the icicle's vicinity.
"Wait! Ichigo! ! "
In that critical instant, Hirako Shinji grasped Kurosaki Ichigo's shoulder to halt his advance.
"What are you doing, Shinji? "
"Both of them are restrained; we can utilize this chance to rescue Mr. Urahara and take down Fiander! ! "
Kurosaki Ichigo aimed to capitalize on the moment and end the battle, but was met with Shinji's objections.
"If you wish to rush in and meet your end, I won't stop you."
"However, I am fully aware of Urahara Kisuke's capabilities. He is not someone in need of saving right now."
"Your impulsive actions could disrupt his tactics! "
"Pay attention, Ichigo, the temperature around us is rising, indicating that he can't sustain it any longer! "
Finally regaining his composure, Ichigo ceased his reckless behavior and began to assess the battlefield.
The Arrancar known as Fiander appeared to wield a formidable freezing ability, yet he now struggled to maintain it.
True to Mr. Urahara's skill, though the details of their clash remain unclear, it seems that Mr. Urahara has gained the upper hand.
Out of nowhere, Reinhard, Fiander's subordinate, interrupted the fight with Kenpachi and rushed to the center of the icicles on the battlefield, delivering a devastating strike.
Fiander then collapsed into Reinhard, furiously stating, "Urahara Kisuke, you bastard! ! ! "
"You actually managed to drive this substance into my soul. . . "
As he spoke, Fiander's form oscillated between Shinigami and Arrancar.
He found himself caught in the liminal space between the souls of Shinigami and Arrancar, fluctuating back and forth and unable to stabilize his own power.
"Open the black Void; let's return, Reinhard!"
Ultimately, Fiander lost consciousness after maintaining his Shinigami form.
Gazing down at the unconscious Fiander in his arms, Reinhard glared menacingly at everyone present.
"You better hope Lord Fiander is unharmed; otherwise, I'll ensure your annihilation before the Soul Society does! ! "
In response to Reinhard's threats, Zaraki Kenpachi approached, menacingly declaring, "Don't wait for the Soul Society; let's settle this right now! "
"There will be another chance! "
With that, Reinhard placed Fiander over his shoulder, raised his hand, tore open a black void, and vanished from Karakura Town with Fiander.
Kurosaki Ichigo rushed to Urahara Kisuke, asking, "Mr. Urahara, incredible! You defeated that Arrancar! Did you emerge victorious? "
Urahara Kisuke, draped in purple, shook his head and replied with a slight tremor, "It's merely a ruse,"
"I can't shake the feeling that this approach poses significant hidden risks."
"What actions did you take with that Arrancar? "
At this moment, Hirako Shinji approached Urahara Kisuke with an inquiry.
"I injected a newly developed modified soul into his essence, this has been my research focus for quite some time,"
"It was intended for Aizen. "
"It doesn't appear useful now, and I can't determine whether the outcome is beneficial or detrimental! "
As he spoke, Urahara Kisuke showcased a palm that had transformed into withered wood.
This technique mirrors the method Aizen employed at Sokyuko Hill to draw Hōgyoku from Rukia Kuchiki.
However, Urahara Kisuke utilized that same technique to infuse a modified soul into the opponent's body at the moment of contact.
He recognized that the opponent possessed the powers of both Shinigami and hollow, suggesting they wielded two distinct soul energies.
The reformed soul serves as a stand-in created by Urahara Kisuke to avert the demise of the Soul King.
It encompasses the blended powers of Shinigami, Hollow, Human, and Quincy within it.
Indeed, much like Kurosaki Ichigo today, possessing four powers in his lineage.
Urahara Kisuke's intention was to trigger the disintegration of the opponent's soul.
Should the Arrancar named Fiander fail to withstand the internal strife of his soul, he would be swiftly consumed and die.
***
25+ advance chapters at patreon.com/Eatinpieces