Ulquiorra Cifer, having entered Segunda Etapa, released a terrifying surge of Reiatsu. The oppressive spiritual pressure spread outward like a crushing abyss, causing even Soi Fon to feel an involuntary chill crawl up her spine.
Puff.
Ulquiorra vanished.
He appeared beside Soi Fon in an instant, swinging his arm horizontally. His elongated, razor-sharp nails tore through the air
Slash.
A spray of blood burst from Soi Fon's back as she was sent flying forward.
So fast…
Soi Fon forcibly stabilized herself midair and attempted to widen the distance, but before she could complete her Shunpō, a blue spear of condensed Reiatsu formed in Ulquiorra's hands. Gripping it with both hands, he hurled it toward her without hesitation.
BOOM!
A violent explosion erupted, swallowing the surrounding airspace. When the blinding light faded, the nearby mountain range had vanished completely, reduced to nothing but drifting debris and crumbling reishi.
Soi Fon barely avoided the core of the blast, yet she was still violently thrown aside, crashing into the ground.
"So powerful… yet you still missed," she said as she rose unsteadily, blood streaking across her back. Her eyes flicked toward the annihilated mountains behind her, a trace of shock flashing through them.
Even if Soi Fon had remained still, Lanza del Relámpago would not have struck her directly. However, the aftershock alone would have inflicted severe damage.
Lanza del Relámpago was a technique formed by shaping Reiatsu to its absolute limit far more condensed than a Cero, yet extremely difficult to control.
Ulquiorra looked down at Soi Fon calmly.
"If this is all you possess, then you will die here. Use your Zanpakutō."
"…You're right."
Soi Fon exhaled slowly. Drawing her Zanpakutō, she spoke in a low, resolute voice.
"Bankai. Jakuhō Raikōben."
In an instant, her Zanpakutō transformed into a massive, missile-shaped launcher resting upon her shoulder, its barrel aimed directly at Ulquiorra.
"…What is that?" Ulquiorra asked, genuine curiosity flickering across his expression.
His answer came immediately.
The missile fired.
After reinforcing her body through advanced Hierro-like conditioning, Soi Fon no longer needed support equipment to counteract the recoil. She relied purely on physical strength and Reiatsu control.
Ulquiorra crossed his wings defensively and retreated at full speed.
BOOOOOOM!!
A far more violent explosion tore through the sky. Ulquiorra was blasted backward, completely engulfed by the blast.
Gravel and debris rained down as thick smoke spread through the air.
"What an explosion… Is that where Soi Fon is fighting?"
From afar, Kyōraku Shunsui felt the tremor ripple through the ground, surprise flashing across his usually relaxed face.
At that moment
Flash.
A Cero streaked past him.
Kyōraku dodged lightly as a lazy voice followed.
"Hey, could you not get distracted while fighting me?"
It was Coyote Starrk, dual pistols in hand, fully released.
"Ah, my apologies," Kyōraku replied with a grin. "It's just that those explosions were even louder than your Cero."
"…Yeah," Starrk muttered, firing again. "Seeing power like that almost makes me feel hopeless."
Two Cero were unleashed in rapid succession.
Kyōraku evaded swiftly.
"Still," he remarked, "your firing speed really is terrifying."
Neither Lanza del Relámpago nor Jakuhō Raikōben could match Starrk's rate of fire. The former was near-instant but unstable, while the latter was devastating yet slow.
The ability to fire Cero endlessly and effortlessly placed Starrk firmly among the strongest Espada.
When the smoke finally dispersed, the battlefield was unrecognizable. The mountains had vanished completely.
Ulquiorra hovered in the distance, his black wings visibly damaged.
Yet in the blink of an eye, they regenerated fully.
"…So even that couldn't injure you?" Soi Fon said grimly.
Ulquiorra regarded his restored wings.
"It was powerful. More destructive than my Lanza del Relámpago. However… you cannot use it freely, can you?"
Soi Fon nodded.
"At most, three times a day. And with your speed and regeneration, it still isn't enough."
Her Reiatsu had reached the eighth level, her body reinforced to rival Arrancar Hierro, surpassing even her future battles. Yet Ulquiorra's defense and regeneration rendered her attacks ineffective.
"If this is all you have," Ulquiorra said calmly, "you will lose."
"…Exactly," Soi Fon replied. "Which is why I'll use everything."
Thunder erupted behind her, not condensing but separating. Six three-tomoe lightning crests formed behind her back, continuously feeding power into her body.
Shunkō: Thunder God Battle Form.
She vanished.
Ulquiorra barely had time to register her presence before a fist slammed toward him.
Too fast!
He turned to counter, but Soi Fon struck his abdomen instead.
BOOM.
Ulquiorra was sent flying.
She pursued relentlessly.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
Her fists moved faster than perception, striking Ulquiorra repeatedly in midair. He couldn't react at all.
Then
Puff.
Her movement halted.
Ulquiorra's tail pierced through her abdomen.
He flung her away, sending her crashing into the mountain.
"Cough!"
Blood spilled from Soi Fon's mouth as she forced herself upright.
Ulquiorra's damaged body regenerated steadily.
She charged again, kicking him downward.
Ulquiorra blocked but she twisted midair and struck again.
Boom.
He slammed into the ground.
Soi Fon followed, but her vision suddenly flooded with dark green light.
Not good!
She dodged instinctively as a massive Cero Oscuras tore into the sky.
Ulquiorra appeared beside her, stabbing forward.
She blocked instantly and counterpunched but his tail struck her chest.
She deflected it just in time.
From then on, Ulquiorra fought with limbs and tail together, forcing a deadlock.
Soi Fon was faster but she was gravely wounded.
Time favored Ulquiorra.
Just then
Slash.
A blade cut across Ulquiorra's back.
Two more figures appeared, striking both sides of his head simultaneously.
Ulquiorra remained unharmed but was halted.
Soi Fon's fist pierced through his chest.
Ulquiorra fell from the sky, crashing heavily into the ground.
Soi Fon turned sharply.
"…Who are you?"
"And me."
A voice echoed from the distance as a blade slammed down toward Ulquiorra, who was attempting to rise.