Inoue Orihime and Chad moved quickly toward the source of the massive spiritual pressure ahead. The oppressive energy felt as though it was crushing the air itself, thick and suffocating. The weight of it carried the unmistakable presence of a Hollow, yet in its structure, there was also a trace of Shinigami power that made it feel disturbingly different.
As they arrived near the source, Orihime's gaze caught a figure collapsing to the ground. The scream was brief but sharp, and in the next moment, the surrounding souls were drawn into a single direction, vanishing into the same dark spiritual force that waited ahead.
"Wait, Chad, someone just fell, we need to help them," Orihime called quickly, her instinct to heal overriding hesitation for the moment.
But Chad's tone was firm as he pressed forward without pause. "It's too late, Inoue. He's already gone. You saw it just now... every soul in this area has been completely consumed."
He slowed only when the oppressive atmosphere grew heavier, lifting his eyes toward the sky. The sheer terror of that spiritual pressure was undeniable. The thought formed in his mind with unease: what kind of being could devour souls so completely?
Orihime's voice was subdued as she tried to process it. "Why... why is this happening?"
Still, the two of them continued forward.
Then Chad spoke again, his voice calm but weighted with resolve. "Inoue, I need you to do something for me."
"What is it?" she asked.
"When we arrive... if there are survivors, take them immediately and get them away from the field."
Orihime's steps faltered slightly. "But, Chado, if you're fighting alone-"
"I know what you're thinking. But only you can treat the wounded and protect them. That's something only you can do."
Orihime hesitated but gave a small nod, understanding his intent.
Ahead, Ulquiorra's expression remained unchanged as his eyes shifted briefly toward Orihime. "She's nothing but trash," he remarked coldly before looking away again.
Yammy's grin widened at the comment. "Trash, huh?" His massive finger leveled at Orihime, moving with a speed that belied its size, aiming to crush her where she stood.
"Shun Shun Rika, I reject!"
The words spilled from Orihime's lips with urgency as one of her fairies darted forward. A triangular golden shield materialized instantly before her, intercepting Yammy's blow and halting the strike in its place.
"Huh? What's this...?" Yammy muttered, surprise flickering in his expression as the shield held for that instant.
Noticing Chad's damaged arm, Orihime's hairpins released more of her Shun Shun Rikka, the fairies spreading outward before two of them converged.
"Sōten Kisshun: I reject!"
The twin spirits formed a healing shield, bathing Chad's arm in pale light as the injury mended visibly before their eyes.
Yammy's eyes widened at the sight. "What? He's healed? This guy's still alive? Unbelievable."
Ulquiorra's calm voice cut in from the side as he watched carefully. "That wasn't an ordinary recovery spell." His gaze narrowed faintly. "No... it's something else entirely."
To an Arrancar who understood spiritual mechanics, Orihime's technique defied categorization. The restoration wasn't healing-it was rejection of damage itself, a reversal of what had already occurred.
He studied her more closely, his green eyes unblinking. "An intriguing ability for a human."
At that moment, Ichigo Kurosaki appeared, his shihakushō trailing behind him as he raised Zangetsu.
"Getsuga Tenshō!" he called out, the arc of spiritual power cleaving toward Yammy in an explosion.
The blast struck, kicking up a storm of dust and flame.
Through the haze, Ichigo landed protectively in front of Orihime, his blade resting at his side. "Don't worry. I'm here now," he said firmly, not turning back.
"Kurosaki..." Orihime breathed with relief.
He steadied his stance. "Leave this to me."
But in the very next instant, Yammy's colossal palm struck with brutal force, swatting Ichigo aside as if he were a child.
The impact sent Ichigo barreling through the trees, each collision with the trunks echoing with splintering cracks. His body tumbled uncontrollably until he finally skidded to a stop, coughing up blood as his entire frame ached from the strike.
Pain radiating across his body, Ichigo stared up in shock. How... how can he be this strong? He had trained under Urahara, awakened his Shinigami powers, wielded Zangetsu-and yet, the opponent before him carried a Hollow's hole in his chest and a Zanpakutō at his side, wielding both powers with devastating strength.
"One strike..." Ichigo muttered weakly to himself. "One strike was enough to crush me..."
Yammy glanced back toward Ulquiorra. "So he's one of the targets?"
Ulquiorra's reply was calm and clipped. "Yes. He is."
"Good," Yammy said with a grin. "Then I'll kill him here."
Before Yammy could advance further, Orihime raised her hand desperately.
"Koten Zanshun: I reject!"
Her black fairy, Tsubaki, shot forward in a blade-like charge, aiming directly for Yammy.
But Yammy swatted lazily with his hand, shattering the attack instantly into fragments that vanished in the air. He smirked. "That's it? Weak little insects buzzing in my face?"
"Tsubaki... even you couldn't..." Orihime whispered in disbelief. Her strongest attack had been neutralized effortlessly.
Yammy tilted his massive head toward Ulquiorra. "What do you think? Should we take her back to Aizen? She's got interesting tricks."
Ulquiorra's tone offered no hesitation. "No. End her here."
"Understood." Yammy's enormous hand reached forward suddenly, descending toward Orihime with lethal weight.
Her body stiffened under the shadow of his palm, cold sweat breaking across her forehead as she realized she couldn't dodge in time. Her fairies had been scattered, her last defense already broken.
Her thoughts flickered in desperation as she forced herself to hold her ground. She had promised herself she would protect the others-Kurosaki, Chad, Tatsuki.
But as the shield formed with a final call-
"Shun Shun Rika, I reject!"
The golden barrier appeared again before her, trembling violently under Yammy's weight. It lasted only moments before shattering under the pressure of his full grip.
This time Yammy laughed with satisfaction. "Your little trick held me back for a finger strike, sure. But this is my full hand. That much power won't mean anything."
Orihime stared forward as the pieces of her shield dissolved into fragments of fading light. For the first time, she wondered if none of her abilities mattered at all in front of such overwhelming strength.
PS GOALS: 150 PS= 5-10 extra chapter on an update.
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