Sasuke's figure appeared before Ishida Uryu like a ghost, his blade tracing icy arcs through the air.
In just a few seconds, the Hollows that had been roaring around Uryu moments ago silently dissolved into Reishi.
The surrounding chaos came to an abrupt halt.
Sasuke sheathed his sword and slowly raised his head. His eyes, especially deep under the moonlight, settled on Uryu.
"That thing in the sky, you released it, didn't you?"
Uryu adjusted his glasses, the lenses reflecting a cold glint. A flicker of surprise crossed his face.
"So what if I did?" He lifted his chin, the spiritual bow in his hand emitting a faint blue light, "You're a Shinigami too? Perfect timing."
Uryu raised his spiritual bow, pointing it at Sasuke from a distance, and declared in a righteous tone, "Listen well, Shinigami! My name is Ishida Uryu. I am a Quincy! Today, right here, I will use the Quincy way, through this duel, to prove to you Shinigami..."
The Quincy, a unique group of humans possessing the ability to destroy Hollows.
In the distant past, the Quincy were allies who fought alongside Shinigami. The Shinigami used Soul Burial to guide souls and maintain the world's balance, while the Quincy believed in utterly 'destroying' Hollows.
But ultimately, because this Quincy practice disrupted the cycle of souls and threatened the world's equilibrium, the two races eventually split.
Uryu's grandfather, after that tragedy, died exhausted in a lone battle, coldly watched by Shinigami who offered no aid.
Thus, Uryu harbored a deep-seated hatred for Shinigami.
He longed for a fair contest. He longed to use the bow in his hand to prove the Quincy's honor to these arrogant Shinigami.
"Battle?"
A sarcastic sneer escaped Sasuke's mouth.
'The word 'duel' should be written with blades and blood, a clash wagering life and dignity. Not like this brat in the pristine uniform, using the lives of innocents as stakes to put on a farcical show of self-righteousness.'
Sasuke's gaze imperceptibly swept over the mother and child below, who were still trembling with fear. His voice grew even colder, "Dragging innocent, weak people into it, making them wail in terror, just to get your opponent's attention..."
"...You call that a duel?"
Uryu was taken aback by Sasuke's accusation, but he retorted forcefully, "It's to make you arrogant Shinigami see the power of the Quincy! It was the only way!"
"How pathetic, Quincy."
The moment the words fell, Sasuke's figure vanished from his original spot.
Without any warning, he simply disappeared, moving with extreme speed.
Uryu couldn't even track his movement, only feeling a gust of wind hit his face.
The next second, Sasuke was already behind Uryu. Uryu's body froze in place. He instinctively tried to turn, to create distance, but his body wouldn't obey.
He slowly looked down. On his left shoulder, a deep gash, reaching to the bone, was slowly seeping blood, staining his pristine white uniform.
The intense pain, delayed, suddenly flooded his entire body like a bursting dam.
"Ugh…!"
Uryū let out a pained grunt. The spiritual bow in his hand could no longer be maintained, dissolving into points of blue light that vanished into the air.
He fell to one knee, clutching the wound tightly with his right hand. Cold sweat instantly soaked through his back.
'What happened?'
'I hadn't seen the other party draw his sword at all. I hadn't even seen a glint of the blade.'
"This is a duel." Sasuke's cold voice sounded behind him.
He slowly walked around to stand before Uryu, looking down at the trembling youth.
He raised his foot and placed it on Uryū's uninjured right shoulder, pressing him heavily to the ground.
"Tell me, Quincy."
Sasuke's voice echoed in his ear, "Using the lives of others as bait to satisfy your own pathetic vanity… is this what you call 'honor'?"
His blade was raised high, a clear declaration of his cold killing intent.
As far as Sasuke was concerned, Uryu's actions warranted death.
"Stop!"
Just as the blade was about to descend, a furious shout rang out!
Ding…!!!
A metallic clang resounded. Sasuke's seemingly inevitable strike was blocked by a massive Zanpakuto.
Ichigo stood protectively in front of Uryu, his arms trembling slightly from the impact.
"You... you can't kill him!" Ichigo gritted his teeth, enunciating each word clearly.
Sasuke's eyes grew colder. He slowly withdrew his blade, not pressing the attack further, but fixed his gaze on Ichigo, "Step aside. This has nothing to do with you."
"How can it have nothing to do with me?!" Ichigo shouted back, "He's my classmate!"
"Classmate?" Sasuke let out a derisive snort, "He's the one who turned Karakura Town into this state, and he nearly got innocent people killed."
"That..." Ichigo faltered momentarily. He glanced back at Uryu, then turned to face Sasuke again, "Anyway, his crime isn't punishable by death! And the grudge between Shinigami and Quincy... I don't care about that! But right now, he's my classmate. I won't let you touch him!"
"I'm not discussing racial issues with you, fool." Sasuke said, his patience wearing thin, "I'm simply stating that he deserves to die."
"What are you even saying? I said no!"
"Are your ears clogged or something?!" Sasuke's tone was now laced with clear anger.
"Enough talk!"
Just as the two were locked in their standoff, Ichigo's expression suddenly sharpened, and he roared, "Think about how we're getting out of here first!"
Sasuke and Uryu were both taken aback.
Unnoticed by them, the entire block they were on had been completely surrounded by hundreds of Hollows.
Dense clusters of pale white masks glowed with an ominous light, their greedy eyes firmly locked onto the trio.
"Tsk." Sasuke sneered, showing not the slightest panic at their predicament.
His hands quickly formed a series of hand seals in front of his chest.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
…
Accompanied by puffs of white smoke, dozens of perfect replicas of Sasuke appeared at various points across the battlefield. Each one held a Zanpakuto, their eyes equally cold.
"What?!"
In the distance, Rukia, who had been watching the battle, covered her mouth in shock, "What ability is this?!"
The shadow clones instantly charged into the horde of Hollows. Blades flashed, and agonized shrieks filled the air.
However, the number of Hollows was simply overwhelming. New monsters continued to pour out of the fissures in the sky incessantly.
"Truly troublesome."
Seeing the endless tide of enemies, Sasuke finally lost his patience.
He gripped the hilt of the sword at his waist. His entire aura became sharp and solemn in an instant. A pure, powerful Reiatsu erupted from him!
A low chant reverberated across the entire battlefield.
"Carve the thunder, become the blade, Takemikazuchi!"
---
Check out My Patreon For 40+ Advanced Chapters:
Pat reon.com/IamPoorGuyToo