As the one who understands fighting instincts better than anyone, Kenpachi Zaraki's analysis was indeed reasonable!
No matter what the underlying reason might be, Ulquiorra should have eliminated Kurosaki Ichigo as quickly as possible. Yet he kept prolonging the battle... What could he possibly be waiting for?
Was he simply enjoying the pleasure of tormenting his prey? Ulquiorra didn't seem like that type of Hollow.
Kenpachi Zaraki continued his observation: "In my previous battle with Kurosaki Ichigo, I have to admit I learned considerably. That guy really has a talent for inspiring others!"
Abarai Renji nodded enthusiastically beside him. "Exactly right! Before meeting him, I had no idea how to achieve Bankai... But afterward, I made rapid progress. Now that I think about it, it's all thanks to Kurosaki Ichigo!"
Kuchiki Rukia spoke thoughtfully: "Yes! After following him, my strength improved continuously and rapidly. I feel I'm now at least at lieutenant level."
The more the Shinigami discussed, the more they suddenly realized:
"That's right! We've been complaining that after every battle, Kurosaki Ichigo improves rapidly, like he's cheating..."
"But thinking carefully, don't the people around him also gradually grow stronger?"
"It seems he truly cannot be measured by conventional standards!"
"In that case, Ulquiorra temporarily mastering Segunda Etapa becomes understandable."
With this realization, the Shinigami's attitude toward Kurosaki Ichigo became increasingly attentive!
Of course, discussing this now seemed somewhat meaningless... After all, these were future scenes, and the Shinigami could only pray for Kurosaki Ichigo to not die too miserably.
It would benefit them if he could force out the Arrancars' strongest abilities and provide more intelligence about their enemies. At most, they hoped Kurosaki Ichigo would be more cautious in the future and avoid fighting such overwhelmingly powerful opponents.
Otherwise, if he really kept distributing power-ups and making enemies stronger and stronger... that would be truly terrifying!
Everyone unanimously agreed with these conclusions!
The screen continued its live broadcast!
Even facing this more terrifying and suffocating spiritual pressure, Kurosaki Ichigo shakily stood up once again. He maintained his focus, fighting purely on instinct.
Ulquiorra felt genuine anger. Even now, Kurosaki Ichigo still possessed the will to fight?! There was no hint of surrender in his eyes.
This was truly incomprehensible to him. Is this the human heart?
Very well! He would reduce Kurosaki Ichigo completely to ash and force him to accept reality!
Soon, the battle resumed!
However, this couldn't be called a battle at all... Ulquiorra, who could previously overpower Kurosaki Ichigo with ease, was now unilaterally torturing and slaughtering him!
WHOOSH!!!
In Kurosaki Ichigo's pupils, Ulquiorra's figure burst forth and rapidly enlarged. He prepared to resist this attack once more...
But Ulquiorra's form suddenly flashed and vanished before him. Kurosaki Ichigo's pupils dilated in shock!
Before he could track Ulquiorra's movement, a hand suddenly pressed against his head like a phantom, launching him sideways through the air!
BANG!!!
A head-crushing blow with spectacular visual impact!
Ulquiorra had broken through his vision and spiritual perception with absolute speed alone! Complete domination!!
The audience watching from their omniscient perspective felt even more stunned. In one moment, Kurosaki Ichigo held his sword defensively; in the next, Ulquiorra had flashed to his right and seized his head.
It was simply oppressive editing!
In this exchange alone, Ulquiorra possessed absolute power and opportunity to completely eliminate Kurosaki Ichigo!
[Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez]: Good lord, that looked painful just watching it!
[Nnoitra Gilga]: Remember this head-crushing technique—it'll be tested later.
[Kenpachi Zaraki]: White's the most vengeful one. He'll definitely return this to Ulquiorra intact.
[Yammy Llargo]: He had the chance to kill Ichigo directly but still chose torture. Is this really the always-calm Ulquiorra?
[Szayelaporro Granz]: Ulquiorra, have you fallen to sadism?
[Starrk Coyote]: No, Ulquiorra's returning to his nature—going back to his true instincts!
[Baraggan Louisenbairn]: Ichigo stimulated Ulquiorra's instincts, so Ulquiorra must fully reveal his Hollow nature!
[Harribel Tier]: This battle is instinct versus instinct!
In the projection, Ulquiorra continued ravaging Kurosaki Ichigo.
He pivoted, grasped Ichigo's Zanpakutō, then swept him aside with his whip-like tail!
CRASH!!!
Kurosaki Ichigo was sent flying again! Debris scattered everywhere as he used the falling rubble to adjust his aerial posture, entering Hollow form once more.
But if he couldn't even defeat base Resurrección before, how could he possibly resist now?
Ulquiorra streaked forward again, ignoring Ichigo's defense entirely. He extended his hand and pressed against Kurosaki Ichigo's Zanpakutō...
BOOM—————
He shattered Ichigo's Hollow mask!
His momentum continued undiminished, sending Kurosaki Ichigo retreating hundreds of meters and smashing through several elevated platforms!
Observing Kurosaki Ichigo's weakened state, Ulquiorra spoke coldly:
"It is truly incomprehensible that you wish to defeat an opponent with such an enormous power gap!"
"Is this what you call 'heart'?"
"You humans suffer and die because you possess hearts!!"
Kurosaki Ichigo, at his limit, continued gasping and answered with his dying breath:
"I'm not... fighting to win for myself, but fighting only when I absolutely must win!!!"
Kurosaki Ichigo's blood-soaked words carried tremendous power!
The audience was thunderstruck and couldn't help but admire and respect him. No matter how weak Kurosaki Ichigo appeared, they couldn't ignore his tenacious fighting spirit at this moment. He truly deserved to be the favored individual of so many factions!
Ulquiorra finally understood—this was Kurosaki Ichigo's fighting spirit.
He had always intended to destroy Ichigo's will first, then either eliminate or recruit him. That would constitute complete victory!
But now it seemed Kurosaki Ichigo's will was indestructible. The only way to stop him was destroying his body!
In the real world, witnessing Kurosaki Ichigo's indomitable fighting spirit, even Aizen felt slightly moved.
"As expected of my most perfect experiment! This never-surrender fighting spirit is truly unfamiliar to me..."
After all, for Aizen, what mattered was only the power gained through integrating different species. For someone like him, fighting spirit held no importance whatsoever.
Against absolute strength, no matter how powerful one's will, it remained useless.
Could Kurosaki Ichigo's so-called human determination to protect his friends be the crucial reason he became a perfect experiment?
Aizen could only wonder about this. A king who always considers himself supreme will likely never experience feelings like Kurosaki Ichigo's in his lifetime!
At this time, in Soul Society, even the Shinigami allied with Kurosaki Ichigo couldn't comprehend his emotions.
Although they possessed human-like feelings, they remained far inferior to Kurosaki Ichigo's convictions.
It wasn't an exaggeration to say that most Shinigami, if placed in Kurosaki Ichigo's position, would have surrendered long ago.
After all, facing Ulquiorra's absolute strength, they had no choice but capitulation! They possessed no means of sudden power-ups.
This type of willpower provided no assistance against such overwhelming power gaps.
The scene shifted again.
Inoue Orihime, led by Ishida Uryū, suddenly appeared in the sky above Las Noches.
Upon seeing them, Ulquiorra held up the lifeless Kurosaki Ichigo and declared calmly:
"You have arrived, woman! Observe carefully—the man you placed your hopes in is about to have his life extinguished!!"
Witnessing this scene, the audience was stunned.
Oh no! Why is it Inoue Orihime again? This plot feels familiar...
[Kuchiki Rukia]: Ah, Orihime has appeared. It looks like Ichigo has a chance to reverse the situation.
[Unohana Retsu]: If Kurosaki Ichigo can be healed, he should still be capable of fighting.
[Hitsugaya Tōshirō]: Every time, it's Inoue Orihime who plays the crucial role in changing battle outcomes...
[Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez]: Tsk, why is it this woman again? Kurosaki Ichigo won't power up again upon seeing her, will he? Seeing this woman makes me uncomfortable deep down.
[Ulquiorra Cifer]: Foolish! A weak human, no matter how much he powers up, remains useless! Even if he returns to normal condition, it won't help. He's far inferior to me—he'll simply be tortured again.
[Ichimaru Gin]: This presents an interesting scene. I wonder how Inoue Orihime will assist Kurosaki Ichigo?
[Gerard Valkyrie]: Oh, could our useless Quincy remnant Ishida Uryū finish off Ulquiorra? If so, I'd consider that normal.
[Liltotto Lamperd]: Ahem, although we Quincy are very strong, objectively speaking, Ishida Uryū seemed somewhat weak in previous showings.
[NaNaNa Najahkoop]: Hmph, let His Majesty take action. He can definitely eliminate Ulquiorra.
[Ulquiorra Cifer]: A Quincy wishes to interfere? Absolutely impossible! This woman does have some chance, but not much.
At this moment, even after seeing Inoue Orihime, the audience couldn't maintain much confidence in Kurosaki Ichigo.
After all, the gap between them was truly enormous!
Kurosaki Ichigo, who was easily crushed by base Resurrección, couldn't possibly cross multiple power levels and defeat Ulquiorra's Segunda Etapa, no matter how much he cheated, right?
This would be like asking a new lieutenant to fight a powerful century-old captain. Even cheating had to follow basic laws!
Previously, Kurosaki Ichigo's power-ups at most allowed him to defeat higher-level enemies.
So at this moment, unless a new powerhouse joined the battle, Kurosaki Ichigo would definitely die!
In everyone's eyes, the battle seemed to reach its final conclusion.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!!!
Ulquiorra began gathering Cero Oscuras and aimed it at the chest of the nearby Kurosaki Ichigo!!!
At this moment, time seemed to stop.
In the audience's eyes, Ulquiorra showed no mercy and destroyed Kurosaki Ichigo's heart in one decisive blow!
BOOM!—————
A hole in the same position as Ulquiorra's appeared in Kurosaki Ichigo's chest.
Ulquiorra achieved his second kill of Kurosaki Ichigo after their first encounter! Perfect score! Brilliant record!
"NO!!!"
Inoue Orihime's agonized scream echoed across the sky.
In the end, she still couldn't save Kurosaki Ichigo's life...
The Shinigami could only sigh and close their eyes. They couldn't bear witnessing this brutal scene.
The Quincy felt mixed emotions, looking at Kurosaki Ichigo who had combined Shinigami and Hollow power! They muttered inwardly: When will Kurosaki Ichigo awaken Quincy power? When can he kill Ulquiorra and demonstrate His Majesty's and the Quincy's might?
The Arrancars felt proud, thinking Ulquiorra had finally reclaimed their Hollows' honor!
This is Aizen's most perfect creation, right? Combining the strongest Vasto Lorde Hollow power, right? He still had to be defeated by Ulquiorra!
A trace of disappointment crossed Aizen Sōsuke's face.
Kurosaki Ichigo, is this your end? What other means could he use to grow stronger? It's impossible no matter how one considers it, right?
Is this my most perfect experiment? How ironic that he was killed by Ulquiorra, who was inspired to develop Segunda Etapa!
Aizen couldn't understand it.
What kind of reversal could possibly occur next? Such a perfect experiment couldn't be only this capable, right?
The plot couldn't be so clichéd as to have Inoue Orihime heal Kurosaki Ichigo! If that's the case, it would be truly meaningless!
The Shinigami remained silent in the chat group.
[Ikkaku Madarame]: It seems Ichigo has no chance to turn the tide.
[Yumichika Ayasegawa]: This time the hole is much larger than before.
[Hisagi Shūhei]: Moreover, it wasn't pierced by Ulquiorra's hand but directly vaporized by Cero Oscuras, making regeneration absolutely impossible.
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni spoke solemnly:
[Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni]: This Ulquiorra is indeed terrifying. We must pay attention to this opponent in the future. If you cannot defeat them, don't force confrontation. If he fights seriously without toying with prey, life and death become matters of moments.
Hitsugaya Tōshirō gripped Hyōrinmaru, feeling somewhat frightened.
[Hitsugaya Tōshirō]: Kurosaki Ichigo has contributed to our cause—this is the only way to reveal Ulquiorra's strongest form.
Unohana Retsu lowered her eyes, appearing gloomy.
[Unohana Retsu]: Even if I could reach Kurosaki Ichigo in time, I couldn't help him recover from such severe injuries. Even my Kaidō master, Royal Guard's Kirinji Tenjirō, would be helpless seeing Kurosaki Ichigo in this state!
Kurotsuchi Mayuri spoke coldly:
[Kurotsuchi Mayuri]: Kurosaki Ichigo is thoroughly dead. Unless I invent something bizarre, there's absolutely no way to salvage this situation. Former 12th Division Captain Urahara Kisuke might have some ideas, but not many. And he probably couldn't reach the scene in the projection anyway.
At this moment, countless Shinigami pronounced Kurosaki Ichigo dead.
The only thing they discussed now was protecting Kurosaki Ichigo and preventing him from traveling to Hueco Mundo.
In the Human World, Kurosaki Ichigo's friends couldn't accept this reality.
Although these were only future scenes, Inoue Orihime couldn't help bursting into tears.
Ishida Uryū was equally shocked. He had brought Inoue Orihime along—could he still not change the situation?
Also, if Kurosaki Ichigo died in battle, would he and Inoue Orihime die too?
Could he handle this enemy whose spiritual pressure was as vast as an ocean? Impossible!!
Kurosaki Isshin was deeply shaken witnessing his son's tragic death.
As a father, can I only watch my son fight desperately while being unable to do anything?
Damn it! Ulquiorra, if I don't avenge this, I'm no Shinigami! Once my full strength returns, no matter what your Segunda Etapa is, I'll kill you!
At Urahara's shop, Urahara Kisuke, who possessed the most tricks, looked stern while staring at Kurosaki Ichigo on screen.
Mr. Kurosaki wouldn't finish so easily, right?
Urahara Kisuke, who had trained Kurosaki Ichigo multiple times and understood his capabilities, seemed to be contemplating something.
He had witnessed Kurosaki Ichigo on death's edge and on the verge of Hollowfication before. Kurosaki Ichigo, as a mixed-blood, always seemed to possess the power to survive...
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