[Bleach: The Invincible Slacker] Chapter 206 - 210

Chapter 206

With Yamamoto and Shiroha around, how could they lose?

"Well, it seems we can only make a quick decision." Despite his words, Starrk's attacks remained unhurried. His movements were graceful but lacked the killing intent that defined true warriors.

It would be more accurate to say he wasn't suited for combat rather than lacking fighting intent. So the two continued their drawn-out exchange.

The other Arrancars followed a similar pattern. Although the Espada held the advantage, they couldn't transform that edge into victory. On one hand, the shadow of Shiroha affected their morale, making them hesitate during attacks; on the other, compared to the Arrancar who relied primarily on innate talents and physical abilities, the Shinigami possessed a complete power system and stronger fighting spirit.

After all, the Espada only went to war with the Shinigami because of Aizen's orders. If they lost, the worst consequence would be retreating to Hueco Mundo. If the Shinigami lost, everything would be over.

Watching this scene, Aizen frowned slightly. This wasn't what he had anticipated. Had these Arrancar become frightened after encountering Shiroha? How useless.

Meanwhile, in Hueco Mundo!

The wounded Yammy continued fighting ferociously. The injuries from his opponents' zanpakutō couldn't immediately bring him down. He grew braver and stronger as the battle progressed.

After releasing his Resurrección, he displayed amazing recovery and defensive capabilities, and his attack power increased exponentially. Against an ordinary captain, he could have easily crushed them with his strength.

Unfortunately for Yammy, he faced the elite among Shinigami captains, Byakuya Kuchiki, and the monster among captains, Kenpachi Zaraki. Despite his valiant performance, it was futile.

If Byakuya and Kenpachi had any concept of cooperation rather than simply targeting him individually, Yammy would have fallen long ago. With his current injuries, he could barely hold on—his defeat was merely a matter of time.

The only complication was that Kenpachi had been severely injured previously. Although his wounds had mostly recovered, he had lost considerable physical strength and Reiatsu. Moreover, his healing remained incomplete. After this battle, he wouldn't be able to fight again.

Chad, Uryū, and Rukia found themselves in a similar situation. With their abilities, handling the lower-ranked Arrancar wasn't difficult. The challenge was preserving their strength, and they needed time to recover. Consequently, they could only watch as Ichigo continued fighting.

At the same time, in a secluded room within Las Noches, Aizen's subordinate Loly shivered and complained:

"That damned bitch is still alive. If it weren't for that Reiatsu, I would have sent her to hell! Damn it!" Her voice trembled with rage and fear, her thin fingers digging into her palms.

As a female Arrancar, she typified a bully who targeted only the weak and cowered before the strong. The more submissive others behaved, the more aggressive she became—and conversely, the more powerful others appeared, the more submissive she became. Victims like Orihime were born to be tormented by her.

Yet somehow, Orihime had maintained a dignified composure and even earned Lord Aizen's appreciation. Unforgivable! Absolutely unforgivable!

Loly vowed to make her pay the price. She couldn't tolerate being defied by someone she considered beneath her, even if that person had saved her life.

However, despite her burning desire to confront Orihime and reassert her dominance, her body trembled uncontrollably, and her legs refused to move.

The Reiatsu she had felt earlier was terrifying—as if it had split the heavens and threatened to collapse Hueco Mundo itself. Facing such overwhelming spiritual pressure, she'd been rendered as helpless as a puddle of mud. Even now, Loly couldn't escape the nightmare-like sensation.

"I don't want to provoke the Shinigami anymore," Menoly beside her whispered, trembling. Her normally confident posture was gone, replaced by hunched shoulders and wide, frightened eyes.

In truth, after witnessing Orihime's abilities firsthand and being rescued by her, Menoly had lost her desire to antagonize the human girl. More importantly, the spiritual attack they'd experienced was too frightening.

Having lived in Hueco Mundo for a long time, Menoly was accustomed to the law of the jungle and had encountered genuinely powerful beings. The Arrancar were evil spirits that had crawled from the depths of Hell itself.

But the will contained in that Reiatsu had been more terrifying than anything she'd witnessed—even more horrifying than the hell she'd personally experienced. This time, she was genuinely frightened, her former arrogance completely shattered.

The older Menoly was actually more timid than the younger Loly. With just one burst of Reiatsu, their opponent had summoned the presence of Shiroha...

In the original timeline, the two would have taken advantage of Ichigo's distraction to capture Orihime, only to be brutalized by the volatile Yammy. Now, though they remained loyal to Aizen, they dared not leave their hiding place.

The dominance of the strong over the weak was absolute.

In the fifth tower of Las Noches, Ulquiorra and Ichigo engaged in battle. Ichigo wielded Tensa Zangetsu against his opponent, the black blade gleaming with condensed power.

This time, he wrapped Getsuga Tenshō around his blade to enhance his striking power. Though this sacrificed the advantage of long-range attacks, it ensured he wouldn't be at an immediate disadvantage. However, without activating his Hollowification, he couldn't utilize the black Getsuga, limiting his offensive capability.

Consequently, after several exchanges, Ulquiorra's emerald Reiatsu gained the upper hand. In the next moment, he appeared behind Ichigo and launched a surprise attack.

Before the strike could land, a protective barrier from Orihime's Shun Shun Rikka blocked the inevitable sword. The golden shield hummed with energy, standing firm against Ulquiorra's attack.

During this journey to Hueco Mundo, Orihime had endured numerous struggles. But ultimately, she had grown stronger. Now she could better protect her friends.

Looking at the golden barrier before him, Ulquiorra's emerald cat-like pupils contracted slightly, revealing a cold light. He turned to Orihime and asked, "Why?"

This woman hadn't taken the opportunity to escape, but instead dared to interfere in their duel. She truly didn't comprehend the concept of self-preservation.

Moreover, couldn't she recognize the obvious disparity in strength? Orihime's intervention had no meaning beyond sacrificing her life needlessly. Since everyone would eventually return to death and nothingness, why make such futile struggles?

He couldn't understand it at all.

"What do you mean, 'why'? We're friends, so..." Orihime responded, confused by his question. Her gray eyes were determined despite the fear she must have felt.

Ulquiorra replied disdainfully, "Friends? Then why didn't you save him earlier? And what's the purpose of saving him once? Can you continue saving him forever? Why do you persist with such meaningless actions?"

The nihilist couldn't comprehend this human woman's reasoning. The tenacious resistance and mutual support between these two humans had begun to challenge his entire worldview.

Chapter 207

However, Ulquiorra refused to admit this.

He believed he could shatter the two humans' delusions with his own strength.

Ichigo shouted, "Ulquiorra, you talk too much! Let Inoue do what she wants! Thank you, Inoue!" His voice carried both gratitude and determination, eyes blazing with resolve behind his mask.

After saying that, he swung Tensa Zangetsu and slashed fiercely at Ulquiorra. The black and red Reiatsu surged forward, rolling toward his opponent like a tidal wave of darkness.

Ulquiorra immediately sensed the difference in this attack.

First, Ichigo hadn't completely wrapped Getsuga Tenshō around his blade this time, but had released part of it directly. Second, the power of this crescent was much stronger, enough to make him feel threatened.

"Black Getsuga," Ulquiorra muttered to himself.

Remembering when he'd been struck by this technique before, Ulquiorra looked up to see the Shinigami before him wearing a Hollow mask. His opponent had indeed activated his Hollowfication, and the power was even greater than before. Was it because he was more prepared this time?

While contemplating this, Ulquiorra blocked the powerful attack with his sword—but his expression immediately changed.

Under the impact of the black and red Getsuga, his sword developed a small crack. The force was too strong to block!

Without hesitation, Ulquiorra flew backward.

BOOM!

The power of the Black Getsuga combined with Ulquiorra's Reiatsu easily smashed through the stone wall of the Fifth Tower. He fell toward the desert below.

Ichigo, with black and red Reiatsu still wrapped around his blade, rushed through the opening, ready to continue pursuing Ulquiorra.

In mid-air, Ulquiorra remained completely composed. Green light condensed at his fingertips, and a flash of energy halted Ichigo's attack. Then, he activated Sonído, tore open a Garganta, and instantly transported himself to the dome of Las Noches. Ichigo, following closely, also arrived at the dome.

"There are two things forbidden beneath the dome of Las Noches," Ulquiorra stated calmly. "First, the Espada are prohibited from using Gran Rey Cero; second, Espada ranked four or above are not allowed to release their Resurrección. These powers are too destructive and would damage Las Noches' structure."

"Now, witness my Resurrección! Enclose, Murciélago!"

Beneath the enormous crescent moon, Ulquiorra activated his Resurrección, releasing his true form! Green Reiatsu fell like heavy rain, sprinkling onto Ichigo's shoulders and enveloping the world!

"This is Ulquiorra's Resurrección, Murciélago!" Behind his mask, Ichigo stared at Ulquiorra in shock, his body frozen. The bone-white material of his mask gleamed under the moonlight, his eyes wide with disbelief.

A chaotic, gloomy, ominous, and overwhelmingly oppressive Reiatsu blanketed the vicinity of Las Noches.

Chad, Uryū, Rukia, and the others who had just finished their battles looked up at the dome in surprise. There were still such powerful beings?!

Behind his Hollow mask with its half-scarlet stripe, Ichigo's pupils contracted rapidly as the figure in his vision grew larger—Ulquiorra in his released form.

The green Reiatsu shook the world like rainfall, overwhelming everything with its oppressive weight.

This was the emptiness that Ulquiorra revered.

Under the massive crescent moon, Ulquiorra in his true form spread his black wings like a descending demon.

He wore a white robe reminiscent of a priest, yet bore black wings like a demon, creating a ghostly and terrifying appearance. His pale skin seemed to absorb the moonlight rather than reflect it, and his emerald eyes burned with cold intensity.

In this moment, all of Hueco Mundo and Las Noches became Ulquiorra's stage. His temperament, presence, and posture aligned perfectly with Hueco Mundo itself.

Before his transformation, the mask on Ulquiorra's face was only half-formed—unbalanced, representing the incompleteness and emptiness of Hollows.

In his perception, nothingness was the Hollow's destination and the true meaning of the world. Other concepts—death, sacrifice, anger, despair, arrogance—were merely manifestations of nothingness.

People like Ichigo and Orihime, with their firm ideals and strong beliefs, were denying the very foundation of his existence.

Previously, Ulquiorra hadn't fully grasped that the contradiction between their worldviews was irreconcilable, nor had he understood the nature of Ichigo and Orihime's beliefs.

Some things that seemed self-evident to him were incomprehensible from Ichigo's perspective. For instance, he believed that submitting to superior strength was natural and required no justification, like leaves blown by a strong wind. This explained his allegiance to Aizen.

However, Ichigo and Orihime operated differently.

These humans, insignificant as ants in his view, refused to surrender or give up. Facing seemingly insurmountable odds, they still refused to yield. Their conviction was blindingly bright.

Therefore, Ulquiorra resolved to completely crush his opponent and consume their belief with nothingness.

For the first time, he possessed both the will and determination to fight proactively.

Hovering above, Ulquiorra gazed down at the partially Hollowfied Ichigo and stated coldly, "Don't relax for a moment! Stay alert and tense! This battle will end in an instant!"

As his words faded, Ulquiorra condensed a green energy lance in his hand.

This was the ultimate technique of his Resurrección—a weapon composed of super-compressed Reiatsu with terrifying power. It could be wielded at close range for cutting or thrown from a distance as a devastating explosive. Its destructive potential was immense, and he could condense it at will.

In the next moment, this energy lance struck Ichigo's face and detonated.

BOOM!

After a deafening explosion, green Reiatsu engulfed the entire dome of Las Noches, unleashing unimaginable destructive force. For a moment, the earth shook and the world trembled.

When the blast cleared, Ichigo stood stunned. Half the mask on his face had been blown away. Blood trickled down his forehead, and his breath came in ragged gasps.

If he hadn't instinctively released Getsuga Tenshō to block part of his opponent's attack, his head would likely have been shattered.

Ichigo hadn't expected that even with his Hollowfication, he couldn't keep pace with Ulquiorra's casual attack.

His opponent's speed was too great—so fast he couldn't react. Ulquiorra loomed like a mountain; no matter how strong Ichigo became, he couldn't escape his overwhelming presence. The sense of oppression was crushing.

In his shocked state, Ichigo secretly felt relief: "Fortunately, I've witnessed Commander Shiroha's speed before, so I was able to react at the last moment. Thankfully, Ulquiorra's speed isn't as fast as Commander Shiroha's."

Chapter 208

"Otherwise, I would never have reacted. If I could see the moment he attacked, I might have been able to dodge it entirely."

Ulquiorra, who had distanced himself again, said calmly, "You blocked my attack with Getsuga, that's good. Your Hollowfication has become more harmonious, and you can maintain it longer. But I broke your mask with just one attack. Is your struggle still not meaningless?" His emerald eyes were devoid of emotion, cold and analytical as he assessed his opponent.

After saying that, he swung the energy lance in his hand again, hurling it like a javelin directly at Ichigo's head. The lance cut through the air with a high-pitched whistle, trailing green energy like a comet.

Ichigo made a quick assessment: "Although his strength has increased dramatically, his fighting style hasn't changed. Just like before, this guy is extremely methodical. His moves are precise and efficient, and he never wastes motion, almost like a robot."

"His sword techniques are the same. The weapon in his hand is just an extension of his arm, without any superfluous movements—just a tool. Just like before, if he can block the Getsuga with one hand, he will. If one hand isn't enough, he'll use both. If both hands fail, he'll switch to his sword."

"Realizing he couldn't defeat me in his normal state, he immediately released his Resurrección. His actions are emotionless and mechanical, following a set procedure. So, he'll target my head again."

With this clear analysis, Ichigo opened his eyes wide, focusing all his attention, and finally managed to track Ulquiorra's attack.

With his few opportunities, he twisted his body and avoided having his head pierced. But the energy lance moved too quickly, and he couldn't completely evade it.

The emerald green projectile grazed past his shoulder, generating unparalleled impact and destructive power. Ichigo's body was flung backward, and his black robe that resembled a coat was damaged.

This coat was part of his Bankai. If it was damaged, it meant he was injured and his Reiatsu affected.

At the critical moment, Ichigo, half-kneeling on the rocky surface of the dome, thrust Tensa Zangetsu into the ground to maintain balance and slow his momentum. The black blade sank deep into the white stone, sending cracks radiating outward.

Relying on this leverage, he quickly retreated a distance, then stabilized and stood. His golden eyes, transformed into beast-like pupils, reflected an unyielding spirit.

After missing his attack, Ulquiorra didn't immediately pursue. Instead, he looked up at the cold moon above and spoke coldly:

"I was born in a cave, where my kind were all black. Except for their mouths and eyes, they were completely dark, seemingly devouring something constantly. They were like masters of shadow."

"Unlike them, I was pure white, covered in white bone armor, with only my eyes exposed. Eventually, I left the cave and began to wander aimlessly. Then I encountered the void—an indescribable deep light, neither black nor white. There was nothing there."

"No color, no taste, no sound, no breath. Only nothingness. I plunged into that void and discovered happiness and meaning. If you possess nothing, you cannot lose anything—and that is supreme happiness."

"Everything you see is meaningless, and everything you don't see does not exist. In your heart and mine, there is nothing. This is my world."

The missing heart had become the Hollow's symbol and obsession. Ulquiorra thought it was merely appearance. What is lost can never be found again. All yearning and pursuit are meaningless. Eventually, these obsessions return to nothingness.

Of course, another purpose for his monologue was to release his Reiatsu to scan the surroundings. After all, the terrifying Shinigami Shiroha remained somewhere in Hueco Mundo.

No matter how much he embraced the philosophy of nothingness, Ulquiorra couldn't ignore Shiroha's existence. That man was undeniably real and extraordinarily powerful. When caution was warranted, he remained vigilant.

"You've become more talkative!" Though at a disadvantage, Ichigo wasn't discouraged. His breathing was labored, but his grip on Tensa Zangetsu remained firm. Ulquiorra appeared to be the silent type, but after several encounters, Ichigo realized his opponent actually had a strong desire to communicate. He spoke extensively and could even be called verbose.

This guy seemed to live in his own world, which Ichigo found ridiculous. In his view, the very admiration and pursuit of nothingness was itself a form of belief. Ultimately, Ulquiorra was simply deceiving himself.

After confirming there was no trace of Shiroha's Reiatsu nearby, Ulquiorra launched a lethal offensive.

He first used an energy lance to force Ichigo to release a Black Getsuga, then absorbed the blow intact.

Ulquiorra said calmly, "Your so-called Hollowfication is the key to competing with the Espada. Black Getsuga is your strongest technique after transformation. This move resembles Cero, but it's useless against me." His wings spread wide behind him, casting an ominous shadow across the dome.

"Cero?" Ichigo grew anxious. "Don't confuse the two." Sweat beaded on his forehead as he felt his remaining strength draining away.

Though he had awakened his inner power, the transformation remained incomplete. Even as Ichigo began using Hollow abilities, it didn't mean he fully accepted his uniqueness. Deep down, he still resisted this power because he didn't want to become a Hollow.

Therefore, Ichigo refused to acknowledge that his Getsuga Tenshō was a form of Cero. Because only Hollows could release Cero.

Although his Hollowfication had reduced the possibility of his inner Hollow taking control, it also limited his maximum potential. In this battle, he fought with constraint, lacking the bold decisiveness he'd shown in Soul Society.

"It seems you've never witnessed the unique techniques of the Espada after Resurrección," Ulquiorra extended his fingers and condensed a black light. "Cero Oscuras!"

Cero Oscuras was a terrifying technique that only the Espada could use at full power. Its destructive capability was ten or even a hundred times greater than an ordinary Cero.

The black Reiatsu surged skyward like a raging wave, completely engulfing Ichigo's figure. The darkness was absolute, seeming to devour even the moonlight as it expanded outward.

Ulquiorra had been right. This technique closely resembled Ichigo's Black Getsuga.

Already weakened, Ichigo couldn't withstand such an attack. With a single blow, his mask shattered completely, and even a large portion of his Bankai coat disappeared. He had nearly lost all fighting capability.

"After all, they're just humans," Ulquiorra remarked with a hint of disappointment. "It seems this is your limit. Now do you understand? No matter what form or technique you use, you can never approach our level."

"Your imitation of us only reveals your weakness and fear. Neither Shinigami nor human can truly obtain our power or comprehend the meaning of nothingness. You will never compare to us!"

Chapter 209

Ulquiorra had his own reasons for making such claims.

He firmly believed in the power of Hollows. In his opinion, they were the perfect embodiment of the void. Thus, their power was perfect.

Even someone as strong as Aizen had to rely on the Hōgyoku to gain Hollow abilities, which further validated his perspective.

Next, Ulquiorra seized Ichigo and began beating him mercilessly. Now Ichigo was like a sandbag, with no power to resist. Blood spattered with each impact, staining the white stone of Las Noches' dome.

The gap in strength between them was too vast—like the difference between man and god, between mortal and devil.

But even so, Ichigo refused to surrender.

Ulquiorra found this puzzling and questioned Ichigo again about his thoughts. His emerald eyes narrowed with genuine confusion at the human's persistence.

Facing Ulquiorra's interrogation, Ichigo answered with great difficulty: "You asked why I don't put down my sword when the gap is so big? Because I knew you were strong from the beginning. Now, I've just confirmed it with my own eyes. But even so, I won't give up! I must defeat you!" His voice was raspy but carried unwavering determination.

Seeing that Ichigo was more stubborn than expected, Ulquiorra unveiled a new form—the ultimate technique of the Cuarta Espada—and declared victory:

"Ichigo, you say this because you've never witnessed true despair. In that case, I will show you. This is the true form of absolute despair!"

Green Reiatsu surrounded Ulquiorra, vast as an ocean and heavy as a mountain.

Looking at this inconceivable sight, the wounded Ichigo was stunned. The gap between them was already enormous, yet his opponent could become even stronger. The intensity of this Reiatsu was terrifying beyond words.

At that moment, Uryū was carrying Orihime from the ground up toward the dome.

Suddenly, both felt their vision darken and their bodies tremble. Even breathing became difficult.

All around them swirled a dense green Reiatsu from the Espada. It was extraordinarily terrifying, crushingly heavy, and immensely powerful!

"What is this? Is this also Reiatsu?" Uryū exclaimed in shock. His glasses glinted in the eerie green light as sweat trickled down his face. "This surpasses the spiritual pressure of every Arrancar I've encountered before. 'Huge' and 'powerful' aren't adequate descriptions."

"Such dense Reiatsu seems to have materialized into something tangible—like an ocean hovering above! We must hurry and reach the dome!"

After saying this, he utilized the Quincy's ability to manipulate Reishi and accelerated toward Ichigo's location.

Atop the dome, emerald Reiatsu enveloped Ulquiorra's body like a blade.

He whispered, "Resurrección: Segunda Etapa! Second stage of Resurrección! Among the Espada, only I have mastered this form. Even Lord Aizen has never witnessed this state."

Now, Ulquiorra had horns protruding from his head, wings extending from his back, and a spiked tail behind him.

His body became wilder, stronger, more primitive, and increasingly demonic. His Reiatsu grew more condensed, more pronounced, and more overwhelming.

A viscous black substance flowed from the Hollow hole in his chest, staining most of his body black.

It was a shade of black that represented darkness compressed to its limit—indescribable, somber, and absolute.

This blackness embodied the fear, despair, depression, and heaviness born from the deepest darkness. This power negated the existence of all order and light. It was the ultimate darkness—the purest nothingness.

This was the power of Segunda Etapa—the essence of Hollows and Ulquiorra's true form.

Ulquiorra didn't need to use Segunda Etapa. Against Ichigo, who was vulnerable to a single strike, such an extraordinary technique wasn't necessary. His first Resurrección would have been sufficient.

But to force Ichigo to admit defeat, to crush his faith and reduce him to nothingness, he chose this path.

This actually contradicted Ulquiorra's principles. Previously, he would have disdained using such methods against his opponents. When facing weaker enemies, Ulquiorra would rather keep his hands in his pockets than unleash power needlessly.

This demonstrated that the meaning of his existence was being threatened. He spoke at such length and released Segunda Etapa precisely to validate himself, because this form could manifest Ichigo's deepest despair.

However, Ichigo, his Bankai coat in tatters, still chose to stand before Ulquiorra.

His right hand holding Tensa Zangetsu trembled, but he showed no intention of letting go. Blood flowed freely from countless wounds, yet his eyes remained defiant.

"Seeing my current form, do you still intend to continue fighting?" Ulquiorra regarded his stubborn enemy coldly, thinking to himself: "This one hasn't been overwhelmed by fear to the point of unconsciousness. He's acting on his own will. Yet there's no determination to sacrifice his life in his eyes. In other words, he believes there's still hope of victory. This isn't despair—it's hope and blind faith."

He felt the other's attitude was somewhat irrational. Was it so difficult to accept reality? Were all Shinigami this obstinate?

Ulquiorra finally grew weary of the exchange.

He said coldly, "Facing such an absolute power gap, you still haven't surrendered. Then I'll reduce your body to dust. This will make you realize you never had any chance—your persistence is meaningless."

After speaking, Ulquiorra extended his black hoof-like foot and pressed it against the rocky ground, while stretching out his right hand—now a black claw—toward Ichigo.

His figure vanished instantly.

He rushed at Ichigo bare-handed and struck him with a single swipe of his claw.

Ichigo's body flew backward like a baseball hit for a home run. Along his trajectory, he crashed through several enormous, thick stone pillars.

The pillars atop Las Noches' dome were extraordinarily hard and difficult to destroy through conventional means.

Yet these massive, majestic columns couldn't even withstand the aftermath of their battle. Under such powerful impact, the pillars resembled sand fortresses on a beach—crumbling at the slightest touch. Clouds of white dust billowed into the air with each devastating impact.

After entering Segunda Etapa, Ulquiorra's speed became extreme. Following his initial strike, he immediately continued his offensive, giving Ichigo no chance to react.

In the next second, he pressed Ichigo's head with his black claws and dragged him forcefully across another huge pillar.

Chapter 210

Friction! Friction!

Like the claws of the devil!

Even as Ichigo tried with all his might to activate his Hollow state again, it was useless. In less than half a second, his mask shattered completely.

After exiting his transformed state once more, his Reiatsu was depleted and his breathing grew shallow. Now Ichigo was utterly exhausted, like a candle in the wind, his life force flickering.

When Orihime and Uryū reached the top of the dome, they witnessed a scene that filled them with despair.

In his Segunda Etapa form, Ulquiorra had wrapped his tail tightly around Ichigo's neck and lifted him high into the air. His black claws were aimed directly at Ichigo's chest. Ichigo's limbs hung limply, his strength completely gone.

After sensing their familiar Reiatsu, Ulquiorra turned and addressed Orihime in a cold tone:

"You are here, woman! Soon, you will witness the moment your companion, in whom you placed such high hopes, is killed. Because of the so-called heart, you remain stubborn and unwilling to surrender. It is also because of this heart that you are injured, bleeding, and will return to nothingness. The facts prove that your heart has changed nothing and holds no meaning."

While speaking, he condensed a black Cero Oscuras and blasted a hole directly through Ichigo's chest. The devastating beam cut through flesh and bone with terrifying precision, leaving a smoking void where Ichigo's heart should be.

This hole matched exactly the Hollow hole on his own chest. This was his unique mark—not the mark of a hunter on its prey, but the imprint of the void upon one it had devoured.

With this mark, his opponent would, like him, become part of the void completely.

This was the end!

Facts had proven there was no such thing as a heart.

What Ulquiorra didn't realize was that Ichigo's defeat wasn't due to lacking talent or strength. It was because Ichigo operated under various restrictions, including his Substitute Shinigami badge and his self-imposed limitations.

Ichigo had used the rational power of his Shinigami abilities to suppress his instinctual Hollow powers. Ulquiorra had used Hollow power to overcome this rational restraint, and in doing so, had awakened something he neither understood nor could match.

Seeing Ichigo fall helplessly to the ground, Orihime rushed forward to heal him. Her eyes wide with horror, her face pale with shock.

Ulquiorra turned and blocked her path, stating calmly, "It's useless! Your power isn't sufficient to save his life. He is already dead!"

"Licht Regen!" Uryū, dragging his injured body, didn't hesitate for a moment. He leaped into the air and fired a barrage from his Ginrei Kojaku at Ulquiorra.

"Take this, Ulquiorra—a three-hundred-meter radius of holy arrows of destruction!"

The endless rain of arrows engulfed his enemy, buying time for Orihime to reach Ichigo. Thousands of blue energy arrows illuminated the night sky, briefly outshining even the cold crescent moon above.

But for Ulquiorra in his Segunda Etapa form, this assault was merely a "drizzle." After the arrow rain subsided, he emerged from the dust completely unscathed and remarked coldly:

"Uryū Ishida, I thought you were the most level-headed of Ichigo's companions. Why do you choose to destroy yourself?"

"I am level-headed, which is why I can fight you without hesitation." With this single statement, the "Last Quincy" attracted enough hatred to last a lifetime.

But his strength proved insufficient. In just a few moves, Ulquiorra knocked him to the ground, leaving him unable to continue fighting.

Orihime was on the verge of collapse. Ichigo was dying, yet she was powerless to help. Beside her, Uryū lay coughing blood, and she could do nothing for either of them.

With tears streaming down her face, Orihime cried out desperately: "Help me, Kurosaki-kun!"

Ding! Password correct! Orihime Inoue has successfully performed a summoning! She has summoned the top-tier Pure Love Berserker!

The effect of this cry was comparable to the most powerful activation phrases in any universe—a legendary ultimate move.

Then, Orihime watched as Ichigo, having unleashed something from deep within, rose to his feet.

This time, what Ichigo had unleashed wasn't just power—it was a dark universe unto itself.

His short orange hair lengthened into flowing locks of a much darker shade. More terrifyingly, the "Hollow hole" in Ichigo's chest remained.

His face was completely covered by a hideous bone mask, and most of his body was encased in white bone armor. A pair of horns curved forward, razor-sharp and menacing!

Compared to his previous masked form, Ichigo now possessed a cold, alien beauty without distortion—like a being from another world, radiating an otherworldly shock.

His eyes remained closed, his breath chaotic—like a dormant volcano, sending chills down the spine.

This was Ichigo's most violent, primitive Hollow state—a complete return to his original, instinctual form.

The Vasto Lorde Ichigo had arrived!

Completely unhinged!

"Kurosaki..." Seeing this transformed Ichigo before them, Orihime and Uryū were shocked and bewildered. The spiritual pressure emanating from him was unlike anything they had felt before—not even Shiroha's overwhelming presence had this primal, untamed quality.

Ulquiorra turned to look at the horned Ichigo and spoke in surprise:

"Impossible! How could you still be alive? Who are you? Or rather, what are you?"

He couldn't understand how this opponent could rise again and again. Was it he or Ichigo who possessed high-speed regeneration?

The Shinigami had survived by transforming into a Hollow before. What had he relied on to stand up this time?

Vasto Lorde Ichigo said nothing. He simply extended his right hand, and Tensa Zangetsu, which had been embedded in the ground, immediately flew into his grasp.

He swung the sword casually, and the resulting air pressure shattered the rocky ground and sent Orihime flying backward.

At the critical moment, Uryū dragged himself forward to catch Orihime as she was thrown away, nearly coughing up blood again from the strain.

Ichigo didn't even glance at Orihime and Uryū as they tumbled across the ground.

He looked skyward and roared, his red Reiatsu rising like a wild dragon, covering the heavens and shaking the earth with incomparable violence.

"I'm speaking to you. What's your answer?" Ulquiorra stared at the frenzied Ichigo and said coldly, "It seems I can't communicate with you through language. In that case, I'll kill you again."

He didn't care how his opponent looked or how strong he'd become. Until now, he'd merely been toying with his adversary. The power of Segunda Etapa was overwhelming—he hadn't truly exerted his full strength yet.

With this thought, Ulquiorra raised his right hand, and the tip of his black claw began condensing the Espada's unique Cero Oscuras once more!

Across from him, Ichigo lowered his head, and between his horns, a red light began to gather as well...