One slash, certain death!
Blood gushed like a fountain!
Starrk's lone figure, carrying a final trace of exhaustion, crashed into the ruins before everyone's eyes!
The legendary Primera Espada met his end in his debut in the showcase video!
His death sparked another wave of heated discussion!
---
Thirteenth Division
"Well… Shunsui, I think you went a bit heavy-handed. This fight hardly matches the name 'children's game'…"
At the steaming tea table, Ukitake Jūshirō coughed weakly, his gaze on Starrk's fallen figure filled with pity.
He could clearly sense that in Starrk's final moment, there was no resentment or unwillingness in his eyes—only relief and acceptance.
It felt as though…
Starrk had long grown weary of fighting!
For him, death was perhaps a better fate!
"Hey, Ukitake, why do I feel like you're scolding me?" Shunsui chuckled helplessly, shrugging, "Fighting is never child's play, especially between Shinigami and Arrancar. It's always been a matter of life and death!"
"I know what you're thinking, and I understand your feelings."
"But…"
"Being too merciful can harm yourself. If my opponent was another Espada, showing mercy might've made me the corpse!"
Shunsui's eyes were resolute.
Though he sensed Starrk was like him, it didn't waver his resolve to strike!
"You're right… you had no choice back then!" Ukitake shifted the topic, "But, speaking of which, relying solely on Katen Kyōkotsu's Shikai doesn't seem to surpass Captain Kenpachi's Bankai! I bet you have more screen time coming!"
"I think so too…"
Shunsui nodded noncommittally.
Killing the Primera Espada single-handedly was indeed a glorious feat.
But with Kenpachi Zaraki's precedent, ranking above him with just Shikai was unconvincing.
Unless…
Shunsui's mind flashed to the previous round's battle in True World City—the towering divine soldier, Valkyrie!
"Unless I can kill someone of that caliber, there's no reason I'd rank above Captain Kenpachi…"
Shunsui mused to himself.
---
Hueco Mundo, Las Noches
The moment Starrk fell, the palace fell deathly silent for the umpteenth time.
Within a single day, the Arrancar had been on an emotional rollercoaster!
In the past, with the Espada's fiery tempers, they'd have torn the damn screen to pieces!
But now…
After repeated blows, the Arrancar's confidence was shattered, their edges worn down by the harshness of reality.
Shinigami?
Fine! You're tough!
If we can't beat you, can't we just hide?
The Gotei 13 wouldn't wipe out Hueco Mundo, right?
As for Starrk himself, seeing his future death didn't faze him.
He wasn't disappointed or angry but accepted it calmly.
Clearly, compared to fighting or victory, he valued the simple life of companionship, free from loneliness.
At least this way, he wasn't alone!
"Ugh… I hate to admit it, but that Shinigami, the so-called Second Generation Captain-Commander, didn't even use his Bankai, did he?" Szayelaporro Granz's voice was weary.
For a Shinigami, Bankai was the true trump card, no question!
In other words, this fight was just the tip of Shunsui Kyōraku's strength iceberg—his full power hadn't even been revealed!
"His Shikai's already that strong. Could his Bankai materialize all his rule-based abilities?" Grimmjow remarked casually, a flicker of disdain in his eyes.
Like Nnoitra, he was cut from the same cloth as Kenpachi Zaraki, favoring straightforward, brutal combat.
Facing Katen Kyōkotsu's mind-games was frustrating!
"No matter. Keep watching. Don't let this shake you…"
Ulquiorra issued a cold command, "My shared vision will record all his abilities. Early exposure means more weaknesses for us to study!"
"It might even be a good thing!"
---
Just then—
Flash—!!!
The screen flickered with static, jumping to the next scene.
The familiar setting reappeared—True World City, scarred and broken!
Boom—!!!
Boom—!!!
Boom—!!!
As massive explosions bloomed across the landscape, countless towering Western-style buildings turned to dust in the firelight.
The camera rose, focusing on a colossal figure blotting out the sky!
Beneath an angelic halo floated a dark, yellow-striped face, like a judge from hell.
Its body resembled a cicada's chrysalis, with four pairs of massive, hollow white wings!
Neither human nor angel, it looked more like a grotesque monster!
Upon its appearance, a booming, trumpet-like voice declared:
"Shinigami…"
"Despite your severe injuries, you keep escaping. Your tenacity is astonishing…"
"Even within the Sternritter, few match your willpower…"
Its holy wings flapped majestically as Lille Barro rose, coldly pronouncing judgment like a divine messenger:
"But…"
"This boring game of cat and mouse ends now! I'm tired of chasing you! Prepare for divine judgment!"
This scene sent shockwaves through the three worlds!
---
Silver Frame City
"That's… my Vollständig! Divine Judgment!"
Lille Barro's exclamation echoed through the empty hall.
As the one in question, seeing himself transform into his Vollständig state, his first reaction was surprise!
"Didn't expect that…"
Frowning, Lille Barro marveled, "This Shinigami captain named Shunsui Kyōraku forced out my Vollständig. Impressive!"
His heartfelt praise reflected his absolute confidence in his Schrift power and his haughty disdain for Shinigami!
"This place again?"
At the end of the corridor, Haschwalth frowned, "This doesn't seem to be Silver Frame City! Nor the Shinigami's Soul Society!"
"Could it be…"
Haschwalth suddenly thought of a possibility:
"This is the Soul King's Palace, as His Majesty once mentioned?!"
---
Eleventh Division Barracks
"As expected…"
"The fight with the Primera Espada was just an appetizer! Now's the real moment of crisis for Captain Kyōraku…" Madarame Ikkaku held his breath, not daring to exhale.
Lille Barro's Vollständig form exuded an overwhelming pressure!
Near suffocating!
"Yeah, just flapping its wings creates such intense oppression. It's monstrously terrifying!"
Pausing slightly, Ayasegawa Yumichika couldn't hold back, grimacing as he complained, "Seriously, do all pure-blood Quincy have delusions? Always talking about 'divine messengers' and 'divine judgment'…"
"It's giving me second-hand embarrassment!"
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