With his father's help, Uryū Ishida had regained his powers as a Quincy.
He had even grown stronger.
'Even if it's not quite at the level of using the Sanrei Glove, there's no way that attack didn't do any damage…'
Uryū's expression turned grim.
And there were still four others just like him?!
The bulky man he had hit shook his head with disdain.
"Tch… Looked impressive, but there's no punch to it at all."
"That technique… I think Lord Seiya mentioned something about Quincies."
"Ha! If that's all they can do, they're just bugs to be squashed."
Their voices carried, making no effort to hide their disdain from Uryū. He caught one crucial phrase—
Lord Seiya.
Could they mean Seiya Arima, the one who betrayed Soul Society?
His father had brought up Seiya's name during their conversation… and Uryū had questions for that man, but—
Now is not the time.
He couldn't let them harm any more civilians. He had to stop them.
'Use Hirenkyaku to create distance… if my attacks don't work, I'll just stall until Ichigo gets here. We'll figure out a way together.'
Battle strategies swirled in Uryū's head.
While he lacked raw power, his calculated approach was another form of strength.
But—
To certain people, that kind of thinking meant nothing.
"Ugh, like a damn fly buzzing around… you're annoying just to watch."
Uryū's skin crawled.
Because the voice came from right behind him.
"—?!"
Before he could even turn halfway, a shadow crashed down from above.
No time to dodge.
He crossed his arms to block, but the blow sent him flying like a cannonball, crashing into the earth.
BOOM!!!
A small building was reduced to rubble.
"Ghh…"
Uryū emerged from the debris battered and bleeding. His glasses were gone, shattered somewhere. Blood from a head wound dripped into one eye, dyeing half his vision crimson.
He looked down to see his right arm twisted and broken.
Just one hit.
He understood instantly—he was completely outmatched.
These monsters…
Why had they come to Karakura Town?!
"Yo, seriously? You couldn't squash that bug with one hit?"
A blue-eyed man with cobalt eyeshadow strolled atop the rubble, grinning viciously.
"Want me to finish the job for you, loser?"
Espada No.6 – Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez.
"No, I…"
The larger man seemed strangely conflicted, staring at his palm.
"I swear I hit him hard…"
Espada No.10 (Zero) – Yammy Llargo.
This dimwit clearly lacked brainpower. Another calmly clarified from nearby.
"You didn't notice? He used reishi to form a protective layer just before your attack."
"Huh? He did?"
"You really should try using your brain."
Espada No.4 – Ulquiorra Cifer.
He looked down at Uryū with complete emotional detachment.
"Quincies once rivaled Shinigami. But they were wiped out. Our kind—Hollows—are like poison to them."
"Hah?! We're supposed to be careful with these weaklings?"
A thin man with slit-like eyes leapt forward, full of sneers.
"I hate guys like you… probably just parroting what Lord Aizen or Lord Seiya told you."
Espada No.5 – Nnoitra Gilga.
He pointed a finger toward Uryū.
"Don't kill him yet. I want to taste what he's made of."
Four of them now.
Uryū watched as monster after monster emerged from the rift.
A dread like a natural disaster closed in.
He even considered—maybe it's better if Ichigo doesn't come.
This wasn't a battle they could win. Soul Society needed to get involved…
His thoughts were cut off by a cold voice from the fading portal.
"Less talk. Focus."
The nearly sealed rift trembled as someone else emerged—
Espada No.3 – Tier Harribel.
Only half her face was visible beneath her jacket. Her posture was proud, voice cold.
"We came with a mission. Don't forget it. Understand me?"
Her authority instantly changed the atmosphere.
Grimmjow clicked his tongue, casting a mocking glance her way.
"Loyal to a fault… What a pain, having her as No.3."
"You… you're from Hueco Mundo?"
Uryū's question made Grimmjow grin.
"Yep. We're Hollows who've surpassed the mask—something completely different."
"...!!!"
Uryū broke into a cold sweat.
Unheard of—yet terrifyingly powerful.
Clearly, they were a well-structured, organized group.
Did Seiya bring them after betraying Soul Society?
He tried to ask more—but his throat burned.
He coughed hard.
Cough cough—spurt…
Chunks of half-congealed blood splattered from his mouth.
Poison.
He was poisoned by Hollow reishi.
His composure shattered. He curled in pain.
Grimmjow lost interest.
Revealing information was foolish.
But whether these beasts listened was another story.
CRACK!
He stepped forward, hand raised in a blade-like gesture.
"Weaklings like you deserve to die painfully."
From above, Yammy shouted angrily.
"Hey! That's MY prey!"
"Who cares what you think?! I do what I want!"
Grimmjow swung down—
About to cleave Uryū's spine—
"GETSUGA TENSHŌ!!!"
A roar sliced the air.
A blue surge of power slammed into Grimmjow like a freight train.
"Wh—?!"
Caught off guard, he was blasted away.
Uryū lifted his head—
Ichigo was here.
"Uryū!!! Are you okay?!"
Ichigo looked panicked, not expecting Uryū to be this badly hurt.
Uryū grabbed Ichigo's collar and whispered with shaking breath—
"Idiot… run…"
His last words before losing consciousness.
Ichigo froze.
He smelled the blood.
Saw his friend mangled.
His comrade, who had fought beside him time and again—now in this state—
Ichigo clenched his teeth and looked up.
"You bastards… was it YOU?!"
Reiatsu surged.
Waves of raw energy spiraled like dragons across the earth.
Above, the Espada reacted.
Ulquiorra's eyes remained void.
"That one… He's our target. Kurosaki Ichigo."
Nnoitra narrowed his lone eye but didn't speak.
He was bloodthirsty but calculated.
'Let someone else test him first.'
Harribel's response was mild, almost relieved.
"So this is him? Then let's get it over with."
She crouched slightly, poised.
Efficiency and obedience ruled her. She bore the title of Espada No.3 with ruthless practicality.
Yammy raged like a child.
"Hands off! He's mine!"
But another acted before he could.
BOOM!
A massive crash erupted from the rubble.
Grimmjow reemerged—unscathed and exhilarated.
"You bastards… HE'S MY PREY!!!"
He dashed, claws aimed at Ichigo's face.
"...!"
Ichigo braced himself, blade clashing with claws.
CLANG!!!
Air spiraled, the force ripping through the atmosphere.
They clashed, evenly matched in raw power.
Sparks flew.
Grimmjow grinned wider.
"Not bad, Shinigami! Come on—show me more!"
"You've got a zanpakutō, right?"
"You'd better use it—"
"Or you won't get another chance!"
A twisted kick slammed Ichigo into the ground.
He skidded back meters.
It didn't hurt much—but the insult stung more.
Grimmjow was right.
This was no time to hold back.
Ichigo glanced at the five enemies before him.
Could he really fight all of them?
Answer—YES.
With that power, he could.
Determined, he raised his zanpakutō.
"Bankai!"
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Powerstones?
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