Karakura Town Suburbs
As if influenced by an overwhelming aura, the blue sky was devoid of clouds, replaced by biting cold winds howling fiercely.
A majestic shout echoed:
"Bankai: Daiguren Hyōrinmaru!"
The camera zoomed in, focusing on Tōshirō Hitsugaya's youthful figure.
Gripping his Zanpakutō tightly, his emerald eyes blazed with confidence and pride in wielding the strongest ice-type Zanpakutō.
Boom!
As his words fell, a torrent of chilling reiatsu, laced with white icy energy, surged from his small frame, freezing everything in its path.
In mere breaths, the clear sky turned apocalyptic, as if an icy cataclysm had descended.
Sunlight dimmed, moisture evaporated, and everywhere Hyōrinmaru's reiatsu touched, transparent ice crystals formed.
This was merely the prelude to his Bankai, yet it was powerful enough to alter the climate!
---
10th Division Barracks
"Wow! The video's cinematography is insane! It captured Daiguren Hyōrinmaru's prelude with such intensity!"
Rangiku Matsumoto covered her mouth, staring at the screen in disbelief.
Her voluptuous figure accentuated her excitement.
At the desk, Hitsugaya leaned forward, nearly shouting, "Exactly! The director nailed it! These shots perfectly showcase Daiguren Hyōrinmaru's overwhelming power!"
His arms trembled with excitement.
He hadn't expected to be the next ranked character!
---
11th Division Barracks
"Changing the climate with just its aura? Hyōrinmaru lives up to its reputation as the strongest ice-type Zanpakutō!"
Yumichika Ayasegawa shivered, his meticulously cared-for skin drying out under the chill.
The cold wasn't confined to the video—it seeped into the room, dropping the temperature by over ten degrees, causing discomfort.
"You're right, Yumichika," Ikkaku Madarame said, brushing frost from his bald head, marveling, "It seems during this battle, Captain Hitsugaya's mastery of Hyōrinmaru advanced further…"
Everyone knew that despite becoming a captain at a young age, Hitsugaya's control over his Zanpakutō was immature.
His Bankai, awakened just a few years ago, had a fatal flaw—Daiguren Hyōrinmaru could only be sustained for a limited time.
Once the purple petals behind his ice wings wilted, the Bankai ended, and Hyōrinmaru's power plummeted.
"Brr, it's freezing! Ken-chan, hug me, I need warmth!"
Nearby, Yachiru Kusajishi leapt into Kenpachi Zaraki's arms, clinging like a sloth.
"Tch, can't handle this, Yachiru? You're so weak!" Kenpachi grinned, unaffected by the cold.
As a captain who rose through raw power, his immense reiatsu easily repelled the chill.
The video continued.
The camera shifted from Hitsugaya to his opponent.
"Shinigami…"
"Your Bankai is indeed troublesome. Against that cold, ordinary Hollows would be helpless."
"But… don't forget, I'm the 6th Espada!"
Confident and arrogant, Luppi Antenor, already in Resurrección, smirked wickedly.
Her octopus-like tendrils writhed in the air.
"Oh? Espada? Sounds strong!" Kenpachi raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the title.
Though straightforward, he caught the significance of "sixth."
"Sixth-ranked? Doubt it," Ikkaku frowned. "Besides her weird appearance, she doesn't seem that strong."
As the strongest non-captain officer, Ikkaku's instincts told him Luppi was all bark, no bite.
---
Las Noches, Inner Hall
Unlike the Soul Society, the Arrancar were stunned by Daiguren Hyōrinmaru's climate-altering aura.
But when Luppi declared herself the "6th Espada," the atmosphere turned bizarre.
"Huh? Did I hear that right? Luppi said she's the 6th Espada?" Szayelaporro adjusted his glasses-like mask, baffled.
What the hell?!
Luppi, an Espada?
And replacing Grimmjow as the sixth?
Most Arrancar shared his confusion.
Even outside the Espada, many were stronger than Luppi.
No way she'd overtake Grimmjow!
Her strength didn't justify it.
"Tch, interesting…" Nnoitra grinned, sensing an opportunity. Turning to Grimmjow, he taunted, "From what we've seen, these scenes are likely future events. So…"
He amplified his voice with reiatsu, sneering, "Luppi might not be lying! In the future, she'll replace you as an Espada!"
His words echoed through the hall, reaching every Arrancar.
Silence.
The atmosphere froze.
All eyes turned to Grimmjow, the crowd watching eagerly.
"Replace me? That's a good one… hahaha!"
Grimmjow's hunched figure shook with manic laughter.
His arm left his pocket, clenching into a furious fist.
His gaze swept the crowd, landing on Luppi.
"Hey, Luppi, you've got some guts, dreaming of taking my place?!"
His expression turned feral, his eyes murderous.
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