Chapter 205: with translation of chapter title

Each Pesche Arrancar here appears to be an independent individual with its own thoughts, but in fact every one of them shares an extraordinarily close connection!

I see, these Pesche Arrancar are less a group and more a single entity that merely looks like a group—no wonder they all share the same name~

Oh ho ho, that Aizen fellow really came up with something quite interesting! Or perhaps this Menos named Pesche is also a natural product of Hueco Mundo?

Mayuri cradled a tablet in his hand, continuously analyzing; before him, this group of Pesche Menos, in less than a moment, he had already analyzed their secrets almost completely.

Interesting, this is truly too interesting...

Indeed, Hueco Mundo is a vast treasure! For such a treasure to be occupied solely by Sosuke Aizen is nothing short of wasteful, a squandering of resources~

Anyway, to Aizen, these Arrancar are nothing but pawns! It would be better if I took them into my possession; only I can unleash their full potential!

When Mayuri confirmed the life form of the Pesche, he instantly became excited, grinning widely at those around him and laughing loudly.

Captain Mayuri, please stop playing with your computer! Instead of standing there spouting cold remarks, help us think about how to defeat these Pesche Arrancar! Damn it! I don't know if it's my imagination, but I feel the more we kill, the more they multiply—like locusts or cockroaches—killing one just brings forth thousands more, endlessly annoying.

As Mayuri laughed hysterically, Haiyan, wielding a trident, had already stabbed to death over a dozen weak Pesche, yet Haiyan's expression showed no relief, only growing irritation……

Because Haiyan surprisingly discovered that, after his trident pierced the Pesche he had slain, their spiritual pressure did not vanish but was transmitted to other Pesche individuals……

However, that wasn't the end; each time a Pesche was killed by them, a brand-new Pesche would emerge from the pallid sands of Hueco Mundo and spontaneously join the battle, which the Pesche regard as a game~

If it were just a single Pesche, it would pose no threat to us!

But once their numbers begin to rise, their power escalates in geometric progression!

It would take only about a hundred Pesche to match Byakuya's Shikai after his diligent training! And here there are certainly over a thousand Pesche; if they all attacked Byakuya at once, even if he promptly released his Bankai, he could not overcome them~

Mayuri spoke to Byakuya Kuchiki based on the analysis on his tablet.

Oh? You're saying these little guys can surpass my Bankai?!

Don't joke, Mayuri! Your data seems inaccurate as well! Simply because you know nothing about the power of my Bankai……

Byakuya, who had been repeatedly cutting grass with his Shikai, upon hearing Mayuri's words, his face darkened instantly; after giving Mayuri a deep look, he retracted his Shikai, letting his Zanpakutō revert to its sealed state, and pointed the blade at the sand beneath everyone's feet.

Bankai! Senbonzakura Kageyoshi!

Byakuya wasted no words, directly initiating his Zanpakutō's Bankai.

Only saw Byakuya lightly release the grip on his Zanpakutō's hilt, letting the Zanpakutō fall vertically to the ground; the instant his Zanpakutō touched the ground, the surface rippled like water struck by a stone, and his Zanpakutō was swallowed within……

Boom!!

As Byakuya's words fell, blade after blade, like skyscrapers, sprang forth from his sides, numbering in the thousands!

Those thousand blades, responding to Byakuya's will, instantly shattered into countless shards as beautiful as cherry blossom petals, which gathered together to form a vast ocean that surged straight toward the countless Pesche before everyone……

Swish!

As the ocean formed from the myriad cherry blossoms fell upon this white sandy expanse……

Countless Pesche were ripped to shreds by those sharp blades!

Do you see? This is the true power of Senbonzakura……

Byakuya silently observed everything before him, his expression utterly calm; his heart felt not the slightest disturbance from the deaths of these Pesche!

Truly worthy of Byakuya Kuchiki~It seems your power exceeds my data~

Mayuri glanced at the side where Byakuya, emanating strong spiritual pressure, stood; he lightly stroked the mustache at the corner of his lips and then let out a soft chuckle.

I see, in fact you don't have any data on my Bankai……

You brought me up just now only to have me demonstrate the power of Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, right?!

Upon hearing this, Byakuya slightly turned his body, gave Mayuri a glance with his icy eyes, a flicker of realization crossed his expression, and he spoke softly.

Oh dear~

You've really figured it all out~

Upon hearing that, Mayuri dropped the pretense, looking at Byakuya and chuckling hehehe.

Boring!

Byakuya gave a cold snort and no longer paid attention to Mayuri.

Regardless of whether Mayuri's earlier provocation was a goading tactic……

Mayuri's purpose was clearly achieved! In the moment Byakuya unleashed his Bankai before Mayuri, he grasped the extent of Byakuya's Bankai power.

Whoosh……

Indeed stronger than I imagined~

But relying solely on your Bankai cannot defeat the Pesche~

Mayuri first gave a light chuckle, then looked at Byakuya Kuchiki and spoke coldly.

You claim I cannot kill these Pesche?!

Upon hearing this, Byakuya's face flashed a hint of displeasure.

Yes, if I'm not mistaken, that Aizen fellow modified the Pesche so that whenever a Pesche dies, its spiritual pressure transfers to the nearest Pesche~

Upon hearing that, Mayuri gave a slight nod.

In other words, this Pesche Menos grows stronger as we kill it; meanwhile, the Pesche continually evolves resistance to our attacks based on our assaults—perhaps that's unclear, so let me explain another way……

If we liken our attacks to pesticide, then undoubtedly the Pesche are like locusts harming crops that we keep spraying! Although these locusts are weak, they also possess a trait called pesticide resistance; once they endure our attacks to a certain extent, our attacks cease to work……

Mayuri said, giving an example.

Then, if after Byakuya Kuchiki's slaying only a single Pesche remains! And at the same time, these Pesche, according to their special autonomous evolution ability, have evolved the capacity to resist our attacks……

Wouldn't that mean we will soon face a single entity that concentrates the spiritual pressure of all Pesche and has evolved to counter everyone's Zanpakutō abilities? How then should we respond when that time comes?!

At that moment, Pingzi Zhenzi, who had remained silent, suddenly thought of something, beads of cold sweat breaking out on her forehead, and she asked Mayuri.

Hahaha……

Perhaps by then it will be our doom……

Upon hearing that, Mayuri burst out laughing loudly.

Hey! Mayuri, with your intellect, you'll surely not fail to guess what kind of monster will be born after we kill these Pesche……

But you from beginning to end have not reminded us at all, and even deliberately angered Xiumu Baizai, letting Baizai use Complete Release to attack these Pikaros.

You wouldn't be doing this for the birth of that Super Pikaro, deliberately angering Baizai, would you? All this is in your plan, right? Nie Juanli...

Zhibo Haiyan looked at the wildly laughing Nie Juanli, first slightly stunned, then his eyes narrowed immediately; he solemnly looked at Nie Juanli, speaking in an extremely cold voice.

Huh? What are you saying?

"Sorry, I completely can't understand, what exactly are you saying……"

Nie Juanli, after hearing Zhibo Haiyan's words, began to imitate Heiqi Yihu's appearance, as if he completely couldn't understand what Haiyan was saying.

"You bastard……"

Haiyan, hearing that, twitched his eyelid slightly.

"Boom!!"

That was precisely the moment Haiyan's words fell.

Just as if to verify Haiyan's guess, a Pikaro radiating golden light all over broke through Bai Zai's sea of flowers and appeared in the sky above.

"Boom!!"

At the moment that Pikaro was born, an infinite spiritual pressure instantly burst forth from his body, descending like golden rain upon everyone.

"Oh dear……"

"He really evolved~!"

"So what should we call this guy now? Super Pikaro?"

Nie Juanli looked at the humanoid Pikaro in the air and muttered to himself.

"Hey! Don't you feel this guy's spiritual pressure is ominous~"

"This is no longer the level that an Adjuchas-level Menos can reach!!"

"Could he have already risen to the Vasto Lorde level?"

Pingzi Zhenzi raised his head, gazing at the Pikaro whose body radiated golden, violent spiritual pressure far above him, whose every movement brought immense pressure, and muttered to himself.

"Bai Zai, since you've already heard what I said, you should have stopped slaughtering the Pikaros; why, knowing that leaving only one Pikaro alive would cause it to evolve, did you still do that?!"

Zhibo Haiyan looked at Bai Zai's expression, which showed incomprehension; he truly couldn't understand why Bai Zai, despite knowing the Pikaro's special nature, still acted this way……

"Don't worry, as long as we also take care of the one up there~"

"The condition for Pikaro's evolution is that one must be left alive, but if I kill all the Pikaros, wouldn't that solve it?!"

Bai Zai, hearing that, countered Haiyan.

"Are you brain-dead?!"

"That Pikaro is obviously already evolved!"

Haiyan felt for the first time how powerless he was; sometimes he really envied his uncle living in the 'present world', for at least his uncle, when encountering someone like Bai Zai, could call the police for help, whereas he, living in the 'Soul Society', could not do that—after all, strictly speaking, their 'Court Guard Squads' are the police of the Soul Society~

"Boom!"

Just as Haiyan and Bai Zai were talking, the Pikaro in the sky had already blasted open the thousand cherry blossom petals surrounding them, and in an instant fell from the sky to stand before Haiyan and Bai Zai……

"What!?"

For a moment, both Bai Zai and Haiyan, watching the Pikaro suddenly fall from the sky, had their pupils twitch slightly; this Pikaro's speed was too fast, surpassing both of their reflexes.

"Big brothers, come play with me~"

The Pikaro said that, revealing a sinister, evil smile before Bai Zai and Haiyan, while releasing an incredibly violent spiritual pressure.

"Swish!"

Haiyan and Bai Zai, without any hesitation, retreated straight backward.

At the same time, one manipulated the thousand cherry blossoms to form a defense around himself, while the other manipulated countless streams of water to form a wall at his side……

"Hehe, big brothers, I'm here~"

The Pikaro did not let up on Bai Zai and Haiyan just because they retreated.

Only saw the Pikaro turn into a bolt of lightning, flying straight to Bai Zai's front; with a light swing, endless wind blades shot from his hand, blasting the thousand cherry blossoms blocking Bai Zai into countless fragments……

Seeing this, Bai Zai's eyes held a hint of disbelief: 'How is this possible?!'

"Swish!"

Before Bai Zai could think further, the Pikaro's eyes twitched slightly and instantly locked onto distant Zhibo Haiyan! Seeing the Pikaro's form like lightning, it instantly arrived before Haiyan, just as it had destroyed Bai Zai's defense, effortlessly using wind blades to slice Haiyan's barrier into countless fragments.

"As expected, the worst thing has happened……"

"The Pikaro has already evolved; now he's as strong as a monster!"

Haiyan only felt a hint of rust in the air; looking down, he saw his arm had been sliced open by the Pikaro's wind blade at some point.

In an instant, Haiyan's expression darkened; a monster as fast as lightning, able to strike through his water barrier, is really not easy to deal with~

"You guys are really useless~"

"Just stand there and watch; leaving this to me will be enough~"

Nie Juanli looked at Zhibo Haiyan and Bai Zai, who were facing a formidable foe, sighed helplessly, his expression tinged with disdain, and then stepped forward toward the Pikaro.

"Hey! Nie Juanli, don't be careless; that guy is very strong……"

Pingzi Zhenzi looked at Nie Juanli, who utterly disregarded the Pikaro, and spoke with extreme tension. He didn't want anyone in this team's assault on Aizen to sacrifice themselves in the 'Hollow Realm'.

"'Strong? I don't see it; where exactly is he strong?!' Upon hearing this, Nie Juanli glanced at Pingzi Zhenzi with a scornful look and said coldly: 'Perhaps you guys are mistaken; this Super Pikaro isn't as strong as you imagine; rather, you, as captains of the Court Guard Squads, are simply too weak……'"

"Huh?!"

After Nie Juanli's words fell, the faces of Pingzi Zhenzi, Bai Zai, and Zhibo Haiyan all changed!

"Swish!"

Just then, having found the right moment, the Pikaro suddenly charged at Nie Juanli; after evolving, his intelligence had increased as well, and he could tell that it was Nie Juanli who had just mocked him! So he wanted to kill Nie Juanli.

"Pfft……"

The Pikaro's speed was too fast; that lightning-like speed let him reach Nie Juanli's front in an instant, and before anyone could react, he pierced Nie Juanli's heart.

Eh…

Nie Jianli stared at Pika Luo, who had pierced his heart, his eyes showing a trace of disbelief; he never imagined Pika Luo would be this strong?!

Hehehe…

Big brother, come play with me~

Pika Luo gripped Nie Jianli's heart, suddenly let out a loud laugh, then, in front of all the captains, swallowed Nie Jianli's heart into his stomach.

Next, Pika Luo tossed Nie Jianli's corpse aside like trash, throwing it onto the ground without even glancing at him, his gaze falling on Bai Zai, Ping Zi, and Hai Yan~

Who's the big brother who'll play with me next?!

Pika Luo twisted his neck and coldly asked the captains present.

However, contrary to Pika Luo's expectations, the terrified expressions he imagined on the captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads did not appear on Bai Zai and the others' faces……

Bai Zai, Hai Yan, and Ping Zi just coldly stared at Pika Luo, as if the three of them were utterly unfazed by Nie Jianli's death~

Huh?!

This left Pika Luo feeling a bit puzzled and also somewhat bored.

Nobody will play with you, idiot!

Just as Pika Luo wondered why Bai Zai and the others weren't afraid……

Nie Jianli, lying on the white sand, suddenly, before everyone's eyes, rose from the ground as if feigning death.

Huh?!

This horrifying and terrifying sight caused the evolved Pika Luo to retreat several steps in succession, his gaze toward Nie Jianli filled with incredulity.

What the hell is going on with you?!

Why aren't you dead? I clearly destroyed your heart……

Pika Luo looked at Nie Jianli and demanded an answer.

Heart? Sorry! My brain's a bit faulty, so I forgot to bring my heart when I went out today……

Nie Jianli, hearing that, spoke to Pika Luo with a calm expression.

Huh?

Pika Luo, hearing that, showed confusion in his expression……

So, can you really forget to bring something like a heart?!

Yin Meng!

Having lost his heart and continually bleeding, Nie Jianli, too lazy to bother with the clueless Pika Luo, softly called his vice-captain, Nie Yin Meng.

Captain Nie, I'm here!

At the moment Nie Jianli's words fell, a girl wearing ultra-short hot pants, revealing two dazzling white long legs, with a voluptuous figure and a beautiful, graceful appearance, suddenly descended from the sky clutching a safe, landing before Nie Jianli.

Pa pa pa~

Nie Jianli took the safe from Yin Meng's hand, casually entered six eights, pulled a small hammer from behind him, and with one strike broke the safe's password lock.

Hey hey hey! Is this really your safe?!

If no matter how you input the password you have to pry it open with a hammer……

Why not just pry it open from the start?!

Hai Yan couldn't help but comment on Nie Jianli's actions.

What do you know?!

Whether you input the wrong password, or after entering the password you fail to smash the lock with a hammer within five seconds, or you skip entering the password altogether and directly strike my lock, the end result is the safe exploding……

Don't let its small size fool you; its explosive power can rival Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's Blazing Hell! An ordinary Shinigami would likely be instantly incinerated by the flames from its blast……

Nie Jianli stopped his actions, glanced at Hai Yan, and spoke coldly.

Eh……

Just how dangerous a thing have you invented, you bastard?

Hai Yan couldn't help but retort.

Cut the chatter~

Nie Jianli ignored Hai Yan, took a beating heart from the safe, and pressed it against his chest in front of everyone.

Whoosh~

Once Nie Jianli's heart was back in place, his shattered chest immediately spewed scalding white steam, and before the astonished eyes of the crowd, the wound in his chest healed at a visible speed.

Ah! My own heart still feels the best to use~

After Nie Jianli reinstalled his heart, he comfortably twisted his neck, emitting a series of 'click, click, click' sounds.

Now it's your turn, Pika Luo!

You destroyed my artificial heart; as payment I'll recycle you~

Nie Jianli looked at Pika Luo, tilted his head, and gave a grim smile.

Hehe! You merely used some unknown method to restore your heart; don't think this means you can defeat me……

Since I can pluck out one of your hearts, I can pluck out your second as well! Wait for your death, you damned Shinigami……

Pika Luo laughed maniacally, confident he could, before all the captains, extract Nie Jianli's heart once again.

Do you know? Pika Luo~

Actually, I've researched a serum specifically for your kind—those capable of infinite division, achieving individual evolution through collective evolution—I've just never had the chance; I hope you can satisfy me~

Nie Jianli stretched a bit, looked at Pika Luo, and spoke calmly.

Huh?!

Pika Luo seemed a little afraid of Nie Jianli.

The moment Nie Jianli spoke, he immediately stepped back several steps……

Don't be nervous! I won't do anything to you!

Because that potion is already inside you...

Nemu looked at Pikaro, who was obviously emanating fear, and spoke calmly.

Hah? What kind of joke is this?!

You haven't even touched me, how could you possibly drug me?

After hearing Nemu's words, Pikaro roared hoarsely.

Pikaro, you're absolutely right~

I really haven't touched you~

But you did touch me, didn't you?!

Didn't your mother tell you not to eat strangers' things randomly?

Especially a stranger's heart...

Upon hearing that, Nemu gave Pikaro a light smile.

Huh?!

Exactly as Nemu's words fell, Pikaro felt his head suddenly swell! He felt as if something was wrong with his body, his temperature began to rise rapidly, and for a moment he started to feel difficulty breathing, his eyes gradually becoming unfocused.

Oh dear~

Looks like the medicine's effect is taking hold faster than I imagined~

How about it, Pikaro? Are you feeling short of breath and a swollen head?

Don't worry! This is a normal reaction, just feel dizzy...

Nemu seemed to notice Pikaro's symptoms, and he showed a faint smile.

What did you do to me?!

Pikaro staggered and fell to the ground, lying there, glaring hatefully at Nemu as he asked doubtfully.

The drug I injected you with is officially called an Immunity-Boosting Potion!

As long as you inject my potion, that person's immune organ will constantly evolve in response to invading bacteria and viruses~ At the same time, this potion effectively promotes wound healing—whether the head is blown off or limbs are chopped off, injecting my potion can heal it! It's practically a panacea~

Originally I invented it to replace the 'Fourth Division' potion~ I thought if every member of the 'Thirteen Court Guard Squads' had it, comparable to Commander-General Zaraki's recovery and resistance, then the 'Soul Society' would no longer need the 'Fourth Division', and then the annual medical division budget allocated by the Commander-General could be saved and given to me~

Unfortunately, although the panacea was indeed successfully invented, the evolution speed of the immune system in those injected with the potion is too fast, so ultimately the immune system may even choose to turn the tables and vie for control of the body with the host who received the potion! Thus, although this panacea can cure any disease, it ultimately failed~

Nemu explained his developed panacea in front of Byakuya Kuchiki and others.

Pikaro, if I'm not mistaken, you should have the ability to self-divide, right? I want to see whether your division speed is faster, or the evolution speed of your immune system is faster. If it's you, can you counteract the side effects of my panacea? Let's wait and see...

At this moment, Nemu had already regarded Pikaro as a lab rat.

What nonsense are you spouting?!

Naturally, Pikaro didn't believe Nemu's words; he stared at Nemu with blood-red eyes and asked in an icy voice.

Big brother, can you give me this body?!

However, just as Pikaro was about to counterattack Nemu...

A childlike voice suddenly echoed in his mind~

Who, who's speaking?!

Pikaro looked around suspiciously, asking.

Oh ho! Looks like evolution has already begun~

Seeing this, Nemu showed a faint smile and silently waited for Pikaro's continued evolution.

Evolution starts?!

Pikaro still didn't understand Nemu's meaning at this moment.

However, less than a second later, he understood...

Simply because Pikaro discovered he could no longer control his own body...

Brother, lend me your body! Brother, lend me your body! Brother...

Following that, Pikaro's mind kept hearing that childlike voice.

Damn! Damn! Damn...

Pikaro cursed, just as Nemu had planned, began to self-divide, intending to sever himself from this body and separate Nemu's potion from within him.

No way! My potion is fused into your spiritual pressure; even if you split a thousand times, it's meaningless~

Nemu looked at the splitting Pikaro and kindly reminded him.

Damn! Damn...

As Nemu said, after Pikaro split, the voice ringing in his ears didn't disappear; instead it became clearer.

Split! Make me split...

Pikaro's expression showed some panic as he began to continuously self-divide.

One, two, three, four...

In the blink of an eye, Pikaro had split over a hundred times!

In just a moment, before Byakuya, Makoto Hirako, and others, Pikaro once again filled the space~

Until Pikaro had split into over a thousand copies, he gradually slowed down...

Only to see these successfully split Pikaros, neither panicked nor noisy nor crying out in pain, moved in perfect unison, forming neat ranks before the several captains, then stepped forward one by one toward everyone...

Hey hey hey! What's going on?!

For a moment, Makoto Hirako and Umiyan Shiba, looking at each successive Pikaro, seemed to face a formidable enemy.

Greetings, Lord Nemu!

However, before Makoto and Shiba could think further, these Pikaros suddenly dropped to one knee before Nemu, their gazes upon him filled with unprecedented respect.

"Oh! Looks like you failed too, Pikaluo~"

Upon this, Nie Juanli showed a hint of disappointment.

So even Pikaluo, a top-tier Grande Hollow with self-regeneration and splitting abilities, cannot resist the side effects of his panacea? What a pity~

This……

However, in the eyes of Hirako and Haiyan, this was no longer the case~

They felt a chill run down their spines! Nie Juanli's methods were truly beyond comprehension! Just by feeding these Pikaluo a bit of medicine, these Pikaluo have become an undead army under Nie Juanli's command?!

"Cough cough~" At the moment when Hirako and Haiyan exchanged a glance, both shaken by Nie Juanli's ability, Nie Juanli softly coughed twice, then continued to the three before him: "Well then, let us proceed friendly toward the direction where Aizen is~"

"Eh! Okay, okay……"

As Nie Juanli's words fell, Hirako and Haiyan's gazes toward him grew much more respectful~

"Boring~"

Among those present, only Xiumu Baizai remained unmoved by Nie Juanli's recent actions, even feeling a hint of disdain.

Regardless of how Baizai scoffs, aside from Gengmu Jianba, who encountered no enemies, and Heiqi Yihu, who possesses overwhelming combat power, they were the quickest group to finish off the gate guardians~

"Boom!!"

Exactly then, the next second as everyone planned to head to the palace where Aizen resides……

Two massive and vast spiritual pressures, entirely on a different level from the Soul Reapers present, descended from the heavens and fell upon everyone……

"This spiritual pressure, is it from Heiqi Yihu and Lanran Songyoujie?!"

Haiyan felt these two massive spiritual pressures, unlike those of a Soul Reaper, and her expression changed dramatically.

"Hmph! Looks like that Aizen guy has succeeded……"

"In that case, Aizen is beyond our ability to handle; we should go support others. After all, to intervene in the battle between those two monsters, Aizen and Ichigo, we would need at least the combat power of a Gengmu Jianba-level. Unfortunately, we don't have that kind of power……"

Nie Juanli let out a cold snort, speaking somewhat displeasedly.

"This is also unavoidable~"

Hirako Shinji and the others, upon hearing Nie Juanli's words, sighed helplessly.

As Nie Juanli said, given the current spiritual pressure erupting from Heiqi Yihu and Lanran Songyoujie, the two's power is already on a different dimension from these Soul Reapers; even if they went, they couldn't help Ichigo at all……

Meanwhile……

As the battle between Heiqi Yihu and Lanran Songyoujie continually escalated! Under the absolute power pressure from Heiqi Yihu, Lanran Songyoujie's form further changed~

All that could be seen was Lanran Songyoujie's originally short hair at the back disappearing! In its place flowed waist-length hair behind him……

On Lanran Songyoujie's face, his appearance further diverged from that of a Soul Reaper! His eyes, usually full of sharp light, now seemed inhuman! A pair of indifferent pupils flickered with a pale purple glow, the whites completely blackened by some mysterious power……

As for the Collapsed Jade on Lanran Songyoujie's chest, although it still exists, it has also undergone a significant change; the luster the Collapsed Jade originally emitted has begun to dim, as if the Collapsed Jade's will has been completely subdued by Lanran Songyoujie! As for his front chest, it is now hollowed out, resembling a great Hollow hole that sustains the Collapsed Jade's rest~

"Aizen, how did you become like this?!"

Heiqi Yihu, who was battling Aizen, looked at Aizen's inhuman form, only feeling his scalp tingle, and couldn't help but ask aloud.

"Isn't this form good? This is practically a god-like posture……"

Upon hearing this, Aizen gave Heiqi Yihu a light smile~

Just as Aizen's words fell, his entire face suddenly split open down the middle, the crack extending straight to the back of his head……

After Aizen's handsome face split open, what appeared before Heiqi Yihu was a pitch-black, hideous cheek, comparable to a demon from hell!

At that very moment, the three pairs of translucent wings behind Aizen suddenly gained a layer, resembling a white bone-like substance akin to a Hollow, and at the tips of those white bone-like wings, snow-white skulls coiled around!

As for the Soul-Cutting Sword in Aizen's hand, it has completely fused with his arm! Aizen now shows no trace of a Soul Reaper; calling him a Soul Reaper is less fitting than saying he is a monster with human traits~

"Aizen, you have completely become a monster!"

Heiqi Yihu gazed at the monster-transformed Aizen, his expression shifting in shock.

"Monster? No! This is not a monster's form……"

"This is a god's form! It is the posture attainable only when a mortal reaches the realm where true gods dwell! It is my final form after ascension……"

Aizen said, having already arrived before Heiqi Yihu, he lightly swung his Soul-Cutting Sword, sending Heiqi Yihu flying.

"Hum!"

At the same time, the skulls on Aizen's wings began continuously releasing attacks similar to a Hollow Flash toward Heiqi Yihu!

However, the Hollow Flash of an ordinary Grande Hollow is utterly incomparable to the light cannon Aizen releases; even a Vasto Lorde-level Grande Hollow, after evolving into an Espada as an Arrancar, the kingly Hollow's flash they emit cannot match Aizen's light cannon……

Aizen named this technique 'Radiant Burst Break'!

"My individual combat power now surpasses the sum of the Espada!"

Aizen, utilizing his formidable skill and immense power, suppressed Heiqi Yihu's initial release form while expounding on his own strength.

"Aizen, you've gone mad!"

Heiqi Yihu looked at the frenzied Aizen, beads of cold sweat appearing on his forehead.

With the power Aizen now displays, he has completely surpassed even him who, after training in the Soul King Palace, attained true Shikai!

"Whether I have gone mad or not is not for you to decide~"

"Nor is it for me to decide; it is the power that decides……"

"Heiqi Yihu, you see my power now; even if it is evenly matched with yours, capable of fighting you, do you still claim I've gone mad?!"

Aizen looked at Ichigo and spoke softly.

"It seems there's no way to make this clear to you, Aizen……"

"In that case, let me knock some sense into you! Complete Release!"

Heiqi Yihu hesitated not, and at the moment he fell into a disadvantage, he directly completed the Complete Release of his Soul-Cutting Sword!

"Boom!!"

Accompanied by a violent surge of aura, a single bovine horn sprouted from Heiqi Yihu's forehead as he rose from his body, gripping a Soul-Cutting Sword resembling a long-life lock, and he instantly appeared before Lanran Songyoujie.

"Moon Fang Heaven-Piercer!!"

Heiqi Yihu showed no hesitation, directly unleashing a full-power Crescent Moon Heaven Piercing!

"Boom!!"

Under Heiqi Yihu's fully realized Complete Release, the Crescent Moon Heaven Piercing, even if it cannot match the final Crescent Moon Heaven Piercing of the Moonless Form, is not lacking……

Just a single encounter, and it completely blasted apart the six wings on Lanran's back……

"Whoosh! Boom!"

Lanran fell like a meteor from high altitude, crashing hard onto the ground.

"It's over, Lanran……"

After Heiqi Yihu defeated Lanran with a single blow, he descended from the sky to stand before Lanran, looking at the incarnation of charcoal that was Lanran's body before him, he couldn't help muttering to himself.

"Yes, you're absolutely right! It's over, Heiqi Yihu~"

Just as Heiqi Yihu confidently believed he had defeated Lanran, a Soul-Cutting Sword silently pierced his heart from behind Yihu.

"Pfft……"

Yihu's pupils violently trembled, and he immediately spat out countless mouthfuls of blood.

"How is this possible!!"

Yihu turned his head, looking behind at Lanran Souzuke, who had returned to his original Death God form, wearing a white Broken Mask wind coat, his style points back at their peak, his eyes filled with disbelief.

"Yihu, there's nothing unbelievable about that~"

"With your help, the Collapsing Jade has completely fused with me~"

"As for the guy who just fought you, he's merely my shed shell~"

Lanran said, pulling the Mirror Flower Water Moon from Yihu's chest, and spoke lightly.

"Yihu, you have fully served your purpose; I have completely evolved! Next, you can rest well~"

Lanran had one hand in his pocket and the other holding the blood-stained Mirror Flower Water Moon, giving Yihu a light smile. Immediately, the Mirror Flower Water Moon, under Yihu's gaze, shattered completely and merged with Lanran……

"What did you say!!"

At this moment, Yihu collapsed to the ground, clutching his chest, his eyes still filled with disbelief and deep doubt.

"Don't you understand yet, Yihu!"

"From the very beginning, I've been using you~"

"Including making you feel sympathy toward me, including making you lower your guard against me~"

"Yihu, your greatest weakness is that your heart's excess kindness prevents you from going all out from the start; you always hold back your power in battle, afraid to kill your opponent, and that is why you lost to me……"

Lanran looked at Yihu crawling on the ground, his voice icy, unlike a normal person.

Yes, he has been using Yihu all along; the feelings he showed toward Yihu before were all just deceiving Yihu~

He deliberately guided Yihu, treating him as a so-called comrade who had gone astray, so that Yihu would want to save him, forcing Yihu to not go all out in fighting him……

He thus used Yihu as a whetstone, step by step reaching the peak state!

"Next, it's time to settle the score with my beloved teacher~"

"Yihu, you're right here watching how I ascend to the peak~"

"Thank you for the effort you just put in for me!"

Lanran looked at Yihu with murderous intent and spoke.

Ten-thousand-word chapter~ Master and disciple prepare for the decisive battle, Lanran's defense-breaking countdown~

(End of chapter)