Episode 129: A Sudden Change

"Bang!!"

"!!!"

Although several battles were already raging above Karakura Town, this sudden, thunderous roar drew the attention of everyone present, including Chojiro.

"Whoosh!"

"Roar!"

An angry bellow erupted from the center of the explosion. Immediately afterward, a black figure shot out from the smoke, reaching the area above the lightning cage holding Aizen in the blink of an eye.

"Roar!!"

But this black figure was given no time to rest. Shortly after he appeared, another hollow—this one with long orange hair and wielding a slender black Zanpakuto—emerged from the smoke.

"What... is that?"

Soi Fon, standing beside Captain-Commander Yamamoto, widened her eyes. In her long tenure as a captain, she had seen all manner of enemies—hollows and Shinigami alike—including Barragan, who had just fallen in battle. Yet, in her experience, no enemy had ever exerted pressure comparable to these two figures.

"This immense Reiatsu..."

Komamura, guarding one of the pillars on the streets of Karakura Town, twitched his ears. His eyes had been fixed on the figure wearing the hollow mask ever since it appeared.

"Kurosaki... Ichigo?"

Nearby, Chojiro’s eyes went wide. He could not believe it; these two, who should have been locked in a life-or-death struggle in the skies over Hueco Mundo, had suddenly arrived here.

"Hmph..."

Trapped within the lightning, Aizen naturally sensed the two powerful Reiatsu that had suddenly arrived in the world of the living. Everything was unfolding according to his script. The corners of the mouth of the man who held the threads of all things curled upward once more.

"Go and play with them, Espada."

"Hum..."

Ulquiorra, in his second release, raised his hand and tapped the air. A massive black fissure tore open before everyone’s eyes.

"As you command, Lord Aizen."

"Crackle, crackle, crackle..."

The gargantuan Garganta slowly opened, revealing the massive black figure hidden within, along with the small, pale figure standing before him.

"Ga... ah..."

Wonderweiss Margela, the modified Arrancar capable of sealing Yamamoto Genryusai’s flames, and Fura, the massive monster capable of spawning countless Gilians, had also joined the fray.

"Come here, Lilynette!!"

"Clang..."

Starrk summoned his subordinate to his side. On the other side, Tier Halibel gripped her Zanpakuto in a reverse hold.

"Hunt them down, Los Lobos!"

"Subjugate them, Tiburon."

"!"

"!"

The sudden Resurreccion of the two top-ranking Espada caught Kyoraku and Hitsugaya off guard. The delicate balance that had held the two battles in check was instantly shattered.

"Sorry about this..."

Starrk, now dressed in his gunslinger attire following his release, stood up slowly. He spun the pistols in his hands and frowned slightly.

"Things have taken an unexpected turn. Since Wonderweiss has appeared, we can no longer afford to be so leisurely. I’m sorry, Captain..."

"Click."

He aimed his weapons at Kyoraku, who had yet to even release his Zanpakuto. Starrk’s voice grew cold.

"I’m afraid I have to say goodbye."

"..."

"Splash..."

The water surrounding Halibel dispersed, revealing her toned, tan body and her beautiful, cold expression after her release.

"It is time to end this, little Captain."

As she raised her large white sword, Hitsugaya could clearly feel the enemy’s Reiatsu surging continuously.

"Cascada!"

"!!"

"Boom! Boom!"

The two areas that had just grown quiet erupted once again, the sounds of these explosions louder than any that had come before.

"Captain!"

Watching helplessly as her captain was struck by the enemy’s attack, Matsumoto, who was locked in combat with three lieutenants, immediately lost her focus. In that instant, her defeat was sealed.

"You really dare to look away, cow."

"!!"

The three lieutenants of Halibel—who, for some reason, were all missing an arm—suddenly appeared behind Matsumoto. Each held a glowing orb of a different color; needless to say, these were their Ceros.

"Die." (x3)

"Boom!"

The three Ceros engulfed Matsumoto, blasting her directly into the already shattered earth.

"Ugh..."

"Rustle... rustle..."

Lying on the ground, Matsumoto struggled to lift her head, her delicate features twisted in pain. Having taken the direct impact of the Ceros, she felt as though her body were falling apart; she could not muster an ounce of strength.

"Wrapped yourself in your own Zanpakuto to deflect part of the damage? A tough woman..."

Apache walked toward Matsumoto with a cold expression. In her released state, she possessed an even colder, more cruel air than before.

"But what use is that thin layer of sand?"

"Stop wasting time, Apache. We need to head back."

Mila Rose glanced at the critically wounded Matsumoto and raised her massive sword.

"Do not keep Lord Halibel waiting for too long."

"Tsk, I know."

Apache curled her lip in annoyance, but when it came to Halibel, the three of them never argued. It must be said: as subordinates, no other Espada possessed such loyal retainers.

"Goodbye, Shinigami."

The giant sword descended. Just as it was about to decapitate Matsumoto, a fireball arrived from the side, forcing Mila Rose and Apache to abandon the kill and leap away.

"Who’s there?"

Mila Rose, her attack interrupted, demanded loudly. Who dared to interfere with them? Even more infuriating was that Sun-Sun hadn't reacted at all—so much for leaving that monster in her care.

"Don't move."

Hinamori’s petite figure suddenly appeared not far from the two. A wisp of smoke curled from the tip of Tobiume; it was clear she had launched the fireball.

"You are now surrounded by me."

"...Huh?"

Apache and Mila Rose, whose sensitivity to Reishi was not particularly high, naturally did not realize the situation they were in. Even if they had, it likely wouldn't have mattered; after all, their side held an overwhelming advantage.

"!!"

Just as Hinamori confronted the two, a massive shadow suddenly loomed over them. It was like a shroud of darkness, instantly filling the area with the stench of blood and despair.

"Apologies, time is tight. I’ll have to ask you to make your exit now."

Sun-Sun covered her mouth, then gave her sleeve a gentle wave.

"Do it, Ayon."

The monster, with its massive frame and bizarre appearance, suddenly raised its arm. In Hinamori’s horrified gaze, it brought down a fist capable of crushing everything into fragments.

"Boom!!"

Silence.