Wandenreich.
Yhwach observed the deceased Kurosaki Ichigo with a grave expression, muttering to himself:
"Inconceivable. Is this truly the end of Kurosaki Ichigo's existence?"
"I absolutely cannot accept this outcome."
"Must I ultimately be the one to save him?"
"He was slain by a Hollow due to his weak friends. What a disappointment!!"
Yhwach could only sigh internally. The next time he encountered Ulquiorra, he would ensure the Quincy retaliated with blood to vent his frustration!
Witnessing such rare emotion on Yhwach's face, Haschwalth couldn't help thinking privately: There exists no power capable of saving Kurosaki Ichigo from this state. We cannot expect His Majesty to sacrifice other Quincy through Auswählen just to transfer power to Kurosaki Ichigo and preserve his life, right? This seems unrealistic...
Other Quincy who envied Kurosaki Ichigo's special status even felt secret satisfaction.
Regardless of circumstances, Kurosaki Ichigo was destined to perish.
Hmph! His Majesty held such high expectations for him, yet he still ended up killed by a Hollow.
While everyone remained puzzled, the screen continued playing, showing no intention of stopping.
The audience felt equally confused. Wasn't this battle concluded?
In the projection:
After piercing Kurosaki Ichigo with Cero Oscuras, Ulquiorra maintained his blank expression and discarded the thoroughly deceased Ichigo to the ground.
Though aware of her weakness, Inoue Orihime's mind went blank as she rushed forward recklessly. She used her "Santen Kesshun" to barely catch Kurosaki Ichigo's falling form.
Seeing the devastated and lifeless Ichigo, Inoue Orihime felt her heart shatter. Afterward, she panicked, lost composure, and desperately attempted using "Sōten Kisshun" to heal him.
Witnessing this scene, the audience remained perplexed.
Will it still be Inoue Orihime who saves Kurosaki Ichigo? But with Ulquiorra present, how could she possibly succeed?
Indeed, in the projection, Inoue Orihime couldn't even begin healing Kurosaki Ichigo. After all, Ulquiorra's spiritual pressure was overwhelmingly powerful, and Ichigo's injuries were equivalent to death itself. Inoue Orihime's spiritual pressure was too weak to resurrect him.
Observing this, Ulquiorra approached Inoue Orihime and declared indifferently:
"Abandon hope. You cannot heal him."
At this moment, though Ishida Uryū understood the enormous power gap, he could only rush forward to engage Ulquiorra, giving Inoue Orihime time to attempt healing Kurosaki Ichigo.
Naturally, Ulquiorra easily overwhelmed Ishida Uryū, beating him into a miserable state and even breaking his left arm.
Meanwhile, Inoue Orihime exhausted herself trying unsuccessfully to save Kurosaki Ichigo. Her entire body trembled violently, pupils dilated with heartbreak and anguish.
As Ishida Uryū faced mortal danger in this desperate situation, Inoue Orihime nearly lost all ability to think, only managing to scream in despair:
"Don't die... Kurosaki-kun..."
"I... I don't know what to do anymore..."
"Help me, Kurosaki-kun!!!"
As if infected by Inoue Orihime's desperate plea, deep within his consciousness, Kurosaki Ichigo heard her voice.
Kurosaki Ichigo's true instincts, dormant for so long, officially awakened!
Orihime is calling me...
I...
I will come to protect you!!!
BUZZZZ!!!!!!
Strange spiritual pressure continuously surged from Kurosaki Ichigo's body. He abandoned reason entirely, allowing instinct to control him completely!
Only this way could he defeat enemies and protect his friends!!
The next moment, a monster with waist-length hair, a horned mask covering his head, and crimson markings on his neck and limbs suddenly materialized!
BUZZZZ!!!!!!
Majestic power exploded forth!
Even Ulquiorra, who had been tormenting Ishida Uryū, felt a chill.
This Kurosaki Ichigo has resurrected again? Outrageous!!
Witnessing the sudden appearance of this monstrous form, the entire audience was shocked anew, immediately launching heated discussions!
[Hitsugaya Tōshirō]: Who is this being? Why have I never seen him before? Why did he appear so suddenly?
[Matsumoto Rangiku]: Wait a moment. Judging from this entity's posture, he resembles Kurosaki Ichigo!
[Kuchiki Byakuya]: Does this Kurosaki Ichigo still possess strength to rise and assume such a horrifying state?
[Ishida Uryū]: In such a bizarre condition, the only possibility is complete Hollowfication... But even becoming a Hollow should send his soul elsewhere. Resurrection on the spot should be impossible, right?
[Liltotto Lamperd]: Wow. It seems after Inoue Orihime cried, Kurosaki Ichigo instantly powered up! This plot feels too familiar, right?
[Abarai Renji]: Ichigo's aura is too terrifying! I feel Ulquiorra's spiritual pressure is no longer suffocating by comparison.
[Kuchiki Rukia]: Yes, I can't even sense his spiritual pressure level—it seems to have transcended what I can perceive.
[Ōmaeda Marechiyo]: Ulquiorra previously made me feel completely terrified. But this Kurosaki Ichigo makes me feel as if he doesn't exist. Is he a powerless entity?
[Kyōraku Shunsui]: No. You may not sense it, but I can faintly feel it. This spiritual pressure is so enormous it defies description!! He's not dead—he's become stronger again! Even if I faced him, I'd probably be in danger.
[Ishida Uryū]: No way... are you serious? Did Kurosaki really become powerful enough to stand here again? But what just occurred—I don't understand at all!
[Ukitake Jūshirō]: Wait, have you forgotten that this series of videos relates to White? This completely Hollow existence must be the so-called White!!
Ukitake Jūshirō's words caused tremendous uproar!
[Suì-Fēng]: Yes! His entire body is indeed white!
[Kurosaki Isshin]: Hmm... I cannot be mistaken! He's definitely the White mentioned by the Three Realms Projection! I'd recognize him even as ashes!
[Urahara Kisuke]: Fascinating, Mr. Kurosaki. Is he completely controlled by White now? Didn't White supposedly disappear entirely? Can he still fight for Ichigo?
[Kuchiki Byakuya]: If this is truly the same being who defeated me previously, then the enemy might be doomed.
[Kurosaki Ichigo]: Is this really me? You must be joking...
Kurosaki Ichigo couldn't accept this reality at all!
This appearance—not just Inoue Orihime and Ulquiorra in the projection, but even Ichigo himself found it terrifying and unfamiliar!
This wasn't a substitute... this was directly kicking the original owner aside and fighting personally!
[Ulquiorra Cifer]: This is ridiculous. I don't know what this creature is, but at most it's Kurosaki Ichigo's death throes.
[Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez]: Ulquiorra, you cannot fail. I have a bad feeling...
[Ulquiorra Cifer]: Don't worry! I can definitely handle this easily. Even if he becomes slightly stronger, he can only match my base form! There's absolutely no way he can defeat my Segunda Etapa.
At this moment, the chat group erupted in massive storms with countless fierce arguments. For a while, no one could determine the victor.
The screen continued playing.
Time seemed frozen, suspended.
As Kurosaki Ichigo stood, Inoue Orihime stared at the monstrous form with a bewildered expression, unable to comprehend what was happening.
This somewhat familiar yet extremely strange aura—could it be Kurosaki Ichigo? How could he become even more alien than his previous Hollow mask?
Inoue Orihime was completely stunned.
Ulquiorra spoke coldly: "Impossible! Kurosaki Ichigo cannot be alive! Who... are you?"
The unconscious monster didn't answer Ulquiorra. He used his hand to draw Tensa Zangetsu from the ground into his grasp.
Then he gently swung it!
BOOM!—————
Behind him, a massive mountain-sized boulder exploded instantly. The powerful shockwave spread everywhere, blowing Inoue Orihime and Ishida Uryū away!
At this moment, comment erupted along with the screen!
Ulquiorra, run quickly—this time it's really too late.
Ichigo : You can use Segunda Etapa, so it's reasonable for him to use second-stage Hollowfication, right?
Once the horned mask is equipped, no one shows mercy.
White: The account owner is gone, so I must painfully steal the account.
Hello, your power-up has been credited to your account!
This should be White's instinct—he can't even speak.
He blew away Orihime and Ishida, completely losing his mind. What have you protected!
White: Have you memorized all the previous test material? Now the exam begins!
The scene continued playing.
Kurosaki Ichigo had become a horned beast that had broken free from all restraints, roaring and howling at the sky!
ROOOOOAAAAAR!!!
Just his roar transformed into seemingly tangible sound waves, impacting surrounding objects.
Seeing the monster wouldn't respond, Ulquiorra acted directly, condensing Cero Oscuras once again!
The horned beast released a crimson Cero from the horns on his head, meeting the attack head-on!
BOOM!—————
Massive spiritual pressure rushed skyward! Las Noches' sky transformed into a sea of flames!
Ulquiorra reluctantly used Cero Oscuras again! But the monster simply used ordinary red Cero to disperse it!
BOOM!———————
That's right! White was paying tribute to Ulquiorra's previous humiliation. Even the most basic attack could shatter the opponent's ultimate technique! Basic attack beats ultimate move!
In the thick smoke rising straight into the sky, the horned beast circled behind Ulquiorra, slashing his arm with the blade.
SLASH!!!
Ulquiorra's severed arm spurted blood, flying through the air like crimson rain.
After witnessing this scene, the entire audience burst into discussion again.
[Hirako Shinji]: My god, is this Kurosaki Ichigo's power? Is he really Kurosaki Ichigo? I can't see any human-related power at all! I can't see through him—it seems he's not undergoing Hollowfication, but is the Hollow itself...
[Sarugaki Hiyori]: This isn't a substitute—it's direct replacement! Does Kurosaki Ichigo still exist?
[Suì-Fēng]: We were discussing whether Ichigo Kurosaki could survive battling White. White seemed to have said that if Ichigo continued using his power, he'd be completely controlled...
[Kusajishi Yachiru]: Will this Hollow only emerge from the depths of Ichigo's heart after he completely loses his life, or even his sanity?
[Kuchiki Rukia]: Too frightening. Even if he can defeat Ulquiorra now, is this still Ichigo? Will Ichigo... disappear from this world?
Although the Shinigami witnessed Ichigo beginning his counterattack, they felt no joy whatsoever.
[Ulquiorra Cifer]: Damn it, I can't believe I was defeated like this. If I'm serious, I should be able to regain the advantage.
[Hitsugaya Tōshirō]: Haha, too naive. I don't think you can continue defeating Kurosaki Ichigo. According to his previous pattern, he'll definitely win after multiple failures.
[Ukitake Jūshirō]: Yes! You know, this is an inventory of the most powerful Hollow—White! Previously we didn't understand, but now we finally comprehend—this is indeed the most powerful Hollow!
Aizen also offered high praise in the chat group:
[Aizen Sōsuke]: How fascinating! Is this truly my perfect experiment? I didn't expect it to manifest like this!
[Aizen Sōsuke]: I finally understand the issue when the video began playing. This is undoubtedly my perfect experiment.
[Aizen Sōsuke]: The only thing still puzzling me is whether this absolute power alone can surpass the Hōgyoku?
[Aizen Sōsuke]: Wouldn't that mean surpassing me?! I'm looking forward to it!
[Kurosaki Ichigo]: What are you all talking about...
Witnessing this, Aizen in Hueco Mundo displayed an extremely rare excited smile.
The other Arrancars, especially Ulquiorra, didn't know what expression to make after seeing this... It seemed Aizen would be even happier witnessing the horned beast kill Ulquiorra...
Oh, how exhausting! This really is Aizen's biological son!?
Meanwhile, Kurosaki Ichigo's already fragile mentality collapsed repeatedly...
What exactly is this abominable Hollow?! Why does it exist within my body? Why did I become this monster? What will my future hold?
The more Kurosaki Ichigo contemplated, the more distraught and discouraged he became, deeply confused about the future.
What's more terrifying than being weak and powerless, unable to protect friends, is potentially no longer being yourself!?
Kurosaki Ichigo's eyes turned white as he stared at his body with mixed emotions!
To become strong, must I really become a walking corpse?
Soul Society.
The Shinigami also fell into silence at this moment.
Although they felt somewhat pleased knowing Kurosaki Ichigo could surpass Ulquiorra, thinking carefully—if Kurosaki Ichigo now became the so-called most powerful Hollow, White, could he still stand with the Shinigami in the future?
Probably impossible, right?
Though he didn't seem aligned with Hollows now, after Aizen, would he find methods to control White?
Could Kurosaki Ichigo still exist then? Would Aizen gain another general?
Regarding this, the Shinigami couldn't see through future plot directions! They always felt that no matter how they considered it, this wasn't beneficial for the Shinigami.
As for the Wandenreich, Yhwach also felt disappointment!
"Kurosaki Ichigo finally stood up! Unfortunately, the power he relied upon wasn't the Quincy power I expected... Will he become a walking corpse from now on?"
Other Quincy also commented:
[Askin Nakk Le Vaar]: Then there's no point in defeating enemies!
[Bambietta Basterbine]: If he becomes a Vasto Lorde, he'll eventually be destroyed by us Quincy.
[Candice Catnipp]: He really can't become a member of our Sternritter!
Gerard also sneered: "Considering he was once half our compatriot, I'll personally send him to his death!"
At this moment, Kurosaki Ichigo seemed despised by all factions.
The screen continued its live broadcast.
Ulquiorra's expression grew increasingly grave. He first regenerated his severed hand, declaring that his greatest strength wasn't power, but his ultra-fast regeneration ability!
Then, Ulquiorra brought his hands together, creating an even larger emerald light spear.
This was his strongest technique while in Segunda Etapa!
"Lanza del Relámpago!!!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Support me at [email protected]/goldengaruda and check out more chapter of this or more early access chapter of my other fanfic translation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~