At this moment, Aizen, Yhwach, and others had no idea how the next battle would conclude.
At this critical juncture! Ulquiorra attacked, severing the horned beast's horn.
CLANG!
After losing his horn, the monster could no longer skillfully control his Cero and could only let it explode on his own head.
BOOM!—————
The explosion shattered the horned beast's mask, revealing a pale face that barely resembled the real Kurosaki Ichigo.
THUD!!!
He collapsed heavily to the ground. White's power continuously dissipated.
Before White completely vanished, he used high-speed regeneration to completely repair the hole in Kurosaki Ichigo's chest.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!!!
Kurosaki Ichigo was resurrected at full health! He stood up in confusion, unaware of what had just transpired.
When he witnessed the bleeding Ishida Uryū beside him and the severely wounded Ulquiorra, Kurosaki Ichigo was horrified!
Although Ulquiorra possessed high-speed regeneration, he had sustained critical internal injuries and reached the end of his life.
He dragged his broken body toward Ishida Uryū, pulled out the Tensa Zangetsu lodged in his body, and threw it to Kurosaki Ichigo.
He still wanted to fight Kurosaki Ichigo to the death.
But Kurosaki Ichigo couldn't accept any of this!
"No! That person just now was only me after losing consciousness, not the real me!"
"Ulquiorra! Quickly cut off my left hand and left foot!"
"This is the only way to have a fair fight!"
Kurosaki Ichigo's words shocked the audience once again!
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[Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez]: My goodness, does this Kurosaki Ichigo deny that he's cheating?
[Baraggan Louisenbairn]: Hmph, if it weren't for White, you would have died long ago. Do you still have the nerve to discuss fair fighting?
[Tier Harribel]: What a hypocritical Shinigami! You're already so powerful, yet you ask others to cut off your limbs instead of doing it yourself?
[Nnoitra Gilga]: He lost his life, then White replaced him. After White disappeared, he could revive and fight again. What's the point of such combat?
[Coyote Starrk]: Hey, Ulquiorra, just stop—there are only cheaters here!
[Kenpachi Zaraki]: Haha! I'm familiar with self-mutilation! It seems Kurosaki Ichigo still can't forget his fighting instincts at this time. He still wants a fair fight now.
[Unohana Retsu]: Kurosaki Ichigo is truly touching.
[Ōmaeda Marechiyo]: I dare not move, I dare not move.
At this moment, the audience was madly complaining about Kurosaki Ichigo.
In the projection:
Ulquiorra was about to satisfy Kurosaki Ichigo's request, but his body began dissipating into nothingness.
It seemed he was already at death's door and wouldn't survive much longer.
"It's the end... Kurosaki Ichigo! Kill me quickly! I can't even walk anymore. If you don't kill me, this battle's outcome will never be determined..."
But Kurosaki Ichigo still couldn't accept it and shouted:
"I refuse! How can there be such a fight?!"
Ulquiorra observed Kurosaki Ichigo's expression and seemed to sense his heart.
Is this the human heart? How interesting...
At this moment, Ulquiorra seemed to have truly become human! However, this was also the final moment of his life.
It's somewhat ironic to think about it... Is this how I die? Although I am nothingness, I have also gained a genuine human heart!
While his life was sublimated, Ulquiorra reached the end of his existence. He completely turned to ash and departed the world entirely, leaving no trace behind.
After reaching this point, the projection began gradually darkening.
The climactic duel between Ulquiorra and Kurosaki Ichigo could finally reach its conclusion.
Witnessing this spectacular and poetic battle, the audience couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
[Hitsugaya Tōshirō]: It's finally over. I don't know why... I don't feel excited at all.
[Kyōraku Shunsui]: Indeed, in the end, Ulquiorra no longer resembled a Hollow, nor an enemy.
[Kenpachi Zaraki]: It's truly unsatisfying. This spectacular battle still couldn't have a perfect ending. It's really sad.
[Ulquiorra Cifer]: Is this the end of my life? Well, I seem to have realized much... Even the battle's victory or defeat isn't worth caring about.
[Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez]: Hmph, Ulquiorra, what are you sighing about? I was expecting you to defeat Kurosaki Ichigo. Forget it, leave the future to me.
[Ishida Uryū]: How ironic! I was about to be killed by my own companion, but it was this enemy—the Hollow I hated most—who saved me.
[Inoue Orihime]: Ishida-san... Kurosaki-san...
Aizen offered full praise for this:
[Aizen Sōsuke]: It's finally concluded. This was a battle that truly satisfied me, regardless of loser, winner, or any other character.
[Aizen Sōsuke]: Ulquiorra was defeated with honor! At life's end, he could understand the human heart. If he could barely survive, his future power would be immeasurable...
[Aizen Sōsuke]: And Kurosaki Ichigo, you finally managed to overcome your instincts and return to normal. I am very relieved!
[Kurosaki Ichigo]: What's there to be relieved about... Sigh... I'm speechless. I'm too tired to talk...
Witnessing this scene, Kurosaki Ichigo was in complete confusion.
On one hand, he worried about entering the horned beast mode and completely losing his mind. How will I handle the Hollow power within my body in the future?
Originally, he felt somewhat pleased seeing himself defeat the Hollow. But now, having witnessed the Hollow's true power, he no longer felt confident.
Can I really defeat White like this?
Meanwhile, after feeling sorry for Ulquiorra, many viewers actually pondered a question: Is this White really that powerful?! Then why did the previous White never seem capable of defeating Kurosaki Ichigo?
When White was in control of fights, Kurosaki Ichigo never lost. But in spiritual space battles, White never defeated Kurosaki Ichigo.
Ichimaru Gin was also very confused about this and wanted to ask Aizen:
"Captain Aizen, White was once a powerful being you created using countless Shinigami souls. It seems he wasn't as powerful as he is now! Moreover, why is it that such a powerful White has never been able to defeat Kurosaki Ichigo?"
Aizen was equally confused at this time. After all, this arrogant White—even Kurosaki Ichigo, who was so close, couldn't understand his mind! How could Aizen comprehend it?
He could only provide a partial answer:
"There's one thing I'm certain of: after integrating with Kurosaki Ichigo's power, White is no longer the original Hollow. And now, he's essentially not White himself!"
"After all, the real White has already merged into Kurosaki Ichigo's body. So this should just be the white portion."
"It can be said that it's White's instinct to protect Kurosaki Ichigo well! Because if Kurosaki Ichigo dies completely, he definitely won't survive."
"So, under instinctual influence, they wanted to completely eliminate Ulquiorra."
Ichimaru Gin, Tōsen Kaname, and other Arrancars nodded thoughtfully.
In present-day Karakura Town, Kurosaki Isshin also found Urahara Kisuke to discuss matters only they understood.
"Urahara, when I fought White, it didn't seem so devastating! If it was the horned White in this state, Masaki and I would never have been able to defeat him."
Even though Urahara Kisuke was highly intelligent, he couldn't determine this arrogant White's nature. He was even somewhat frightened!
"I don't understand either... When I was training your son, I nearly killed him. If he had awakened then, I would have been doomed! Even using my Bankai with Yoruichi joining—I think it would be dangerous."
Urahara Kisuke had many tricks and could even handle Aizen. But facing this inhuman horned beast that couldn't be reasoned with at all... he probably really couldn't do anything!
Meanwhile, the Visored shared Urahara Kisuke's sentiment: Don't let them train Kurosaki Ichigo in Hollowfication in the future! Isn't that playing with fire?
Don't mess with him! Without Aizen, who dares train Kurosaki Ichigo?
Before everyone could sigh for long, bright light appeared on screen again! The video of Kurosaki Ichigo—or rather, White—seemed still playing!
And the person everyone was most concerned about, Sōsuke Aizen, appeared on screen!
The Battle of Karakura Town!
Kurosaki Ichigo tore a crack in space-time and launched a surprise attack from behind Aizen!
SLASH!!!
He struck at Aizen with a skillfully executed Getsuga Tenshō.
Unfortunately, Aizen still made a light movement and resolved this technique.
"The power of your move just now was excellent, but the positioning was wrong. Although the back of the neck is a fatal weakness for living beings, I have 360 degrees with no blind spots."
Then, as the old father who knew Kurosaki Ichigo best, Aizen continued analyzing his son's thoughts:
"Kurosaki Ichigo, were you just regretting why you didn't activate Hollowfication earlier? That's why your attack didn't work?"
That's right! Aizen was messing with his son's mentality now!
Kurosaki Ichigo was correct. Before launching this move at Aizen, he was thinking about winning with one blow. But before attacking, Ichigo hesitated.
Remembering he would transform into the horned beast after Hollowfication, he couldn't decide to Hollowfy.
Damn... Is this the crucial reason for my failure? Hesitation leads to defeat!
After witnessing this scene, others were surprised again.
Kurosaki Ichigo just defeated Ulquiorra, and now he's fighting Aizen again? What high-intensity matches!
Everyone's expectations were once again filled!
[Hirako Shinji]: Obviously, after the horned beast battle, Kurosaki Ichigo no longer dares use Hollow Mode. Just like me back then—I was afraid to put on the mask...
[Kuchiki Rukia]: Alas, he can no longer set aside concerns and fight with full strength. It can really be said that after training so hard for so long, his strength has returned to previous levels.
[Kuchiki Byakuya]: In his Bankai and Hollow states, he must be much stronger now than before! After all, he levels up slightly with every battle.
[Ukitake Jūshirō]: But I guess it's still far from sufficient! After all, even when Ulquiorra was weaker before, he still crushed him with base Resurrección. The gap between them is too large.
[Komamura Sajin]: Then it will be even harder for him to handle Aizen.
In the projection:
Realizing Kurosaki Ichigo's intentions, Aizen continued his psychological assault:
"Very well! You might as well try again with your Hollowfication! I'll show you how naive your thinking is!"
Aizen couldn't wait to have a sword fight with Kurosaki Ichigo! Hey! Just for fun!
Kurosaki Ichigo was furious. He quickly began Hollowfication, using Bankai + transformation, and launched his strongest attack!
"Getsuga Tenshō!!!"
BOOM!—————
Dazzling red and black spiritual pressure light waves seemed to transform into a turbulent vortex, engulfing Aizen.
The vortex continuously compressed and twisted, destroying everything within!
However! Aizen instantly appeared behind Kurosaki Ichigo.
"I'm sorry, young man, you didn't seem to hit me!"
Kurosaki Ichigo was unyielding and continued attacking! He first used long-range Getsuga Tenshō as a feint. While his opponent defended, he flashed above Aizen and launched a second move! He used Tensa Zangetsu enhanced with Getsuga Tenshō and slashed directly at Aizen!
CRASH!!
Unfortunately, facing Kurosaki Ichigo's assault, Aizen still dodged easily.
Kurosaki Ichigo was shocked. Damn... Is this his Zanpakutō's ability?
Aizen saw through Kurosaki Ichigo's mind:
"Don't worry, I didn't use Kyōka Suigetsu on you—that's just my basic ability."
Indeed! Aizen's normal combat power alone sufficed to crush most enemies!
As soon as he finished speaking, Aizen took a step forward. Kurosaki Ichigo seemed frightened and took a large step backward.
Seeing the panicked Kurosaki Ichigo, Aizen smiled slightly:
"What's wrong? If you want to attack me, shouldn't you get as close as possible?!"
"Let me tell you—keeping distance is only useful in contests between equals!"
"The distance between you and me is meaningless..."
Aizen once again used his absolute strength and words to make his opponent lose fighting spirit.
After saying this, Aizen instantly appeared before Kurosaki Ichigo and touched his heart with his hand:
"For example, right now, I can touch your heart!"
Aizen touched his son's body for the first time. Not bad! Really sturdy! He's indeed worthy of being his experimental subject... No, his son! Well developed!
Kurosaki Ichigo was so frightened he quickly fled.
Aizen smiled like an old father and asked Kurosaki Ichigo:
"Now that you're here, Inoue Orihime should be safe. Do you hate me to the core? No way! You're only swinging your blade at me out of responsibility!"
"Fighting without hatred is like an eagle without wings—a blunt blade that can't protect anything!"
"Weak friends will only drag you down!"
After hearing this, Kurosaki Ichigo's entire body trembled slightly. Once again, even his will to fight gradually disintegrated.
As expected of Aizen! With just a few words, Kurosaki Ichigo lost courage to continue fighting.
Witnessing such a scene, the audience once again wanted to complain madly!
[Gerard Valkyrie]: Wow, this Kurosaki Ichigo really looks like Aizen's biological son!
[Gremmy Thoumeaux]: His gentleness is beyond my imagination...
[Liltotto Lamperd]: Yes! The gap between Aizen and Kurosaki Ichigo at this moment is much greater than the gap between Ulquiorra and Kurosaki Ichigo, right?!
[Haschwalth Jugram]: Ulquiorra was constantly trying to kill Kurosaki Ichigo before, while Aizen is clearly toying with him. If he truly fought, ten Kurosaki Ichigos wouldn't be enough for him to eliminate.
The Shinigami had to admit this at this moment—they really couldn't find any reason to boast about their own side. Anyone speaking now would probably just make Aizen proud.
Aizen smiled, witnessing this long-awaited battle. Kurosaki Ichigo is really too far from me at the moment. I wonder what state he can achieve? Can he use the horned beast mode while controlling his own reason?
It seems somewhat difficult, right? I guess I'll have to take the approach of letting him develop at that time. Let Kurosaki Ichigo grow slowly in the future, so he can have a chance to fight me properly, right?
Come on!
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