Chapter 131: The Outbreak of War

Following Aizen’s orders to lead Ichigo Kurosaki into a berserk state in Hueco Mundo and then opening the Garganta to bring them both into the battlefield in the World of the Living—this was the mission assigned to Ulquiorra, and in truth, he had executed it flawlessly.

Task aside, however, even without Aizen’s direct command, Ulquiorra would not have let Ichigo Kurosaki off so easily. In fact, whether it was Aizen, Grimmjow, or any other enemy Ulquiorra had previously faced, no one had ever been able to ignite his fighting spirit from the depths of his soul quite like Ichigo. It was an inexplicable urge, yet a degree of longing to cross blades with him that he could not name.

Even though they had now arrived in the World of the Living, Ulquiorra had no intention of handing Ichigo over to anyone else. Thus, when he saw Chojiro intercept Ichigo, who was rushing toward him, Ulquiorra immediately beat his wings and gave chase.

"Switching sides for a moment, Ukitake!"

"!"

Among the enemies present, only Ulquiorra’s spiritual pressure was truly overwhelming; even Starrk, who had been engaging Kyoraku, fell slightly short in comparison. Naturally, Kyoraku had been keeping a close eye on Ulquiorra’s movements, and the moment the Espada moved, Kyoraku followed.

"Trying to leave? It’s quite rude to head off without even a word, Captain."

As if triggered by a chain reaction, the moment Kyoraku moved to pursue Ulquiorra, Starrk raised his pistols. In his view, Kyoraku was his opponent, and his role was to do everything in his power to keep the captain here.

"Bang!"

A Cero blasted from his pistol toward Kyoraku’s back. Starrk had carefully adjusted the power of this shot; for a captain-level opponent, it would require their full effort to withstand such an attack head-on.

However, Kyoraku seemed completely oblivious to the attack, maintaining his top speed as he chased after the other figure.

"Swish!"

"!!"

Another white figure suddenly intervened between Kyoraku and the Cero. The next second, Starrk’s attack vanished, and in its place, a different Cero was fired back at him.

"Ugh..."

Slightly tilting his body to dodge the blast, Starrk frowned. A Cero was clearly something only Hollows and Arrancars could use; broadly speaking, Visoreds could use them too. In other words, having Hollow power was the prerequisite—that was common knowledge. But how a pure Soul Reaper could fire a Cero was something Starrk couldn't fathom, no matter how hard he tried.

"Sorry, but until things are settled over there, I’ll be your opponent."

Holding his twin blades, Sogyo no Kotowari, Ukitake wore a rare, serious expression. Since Kyoraku had entrusted this matter to him, Ukitake had no reason to let Starrk pass, both as a colleague and as a friend with whom he shared a deep, enduring bond.

"...What a nuisance. There are so many things to deal with."

Knowing it wouldn't be easy to continue attacking Kyoraku, Starrk decisively abandoned the plan. Besides, given Ulquiorra’s current state, he seemed formidable enough; he might as well pick some less troublesome tasks.

"Swish."

Since Starrk and Ulquiorra had made their moves, Halibel, standing to the side, would not remain silent. She raised her large white blade high, the temperature at the tip beginning to rise.

"Hirviendo."

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Several arrow-shaped jets of golden seawater shot toward Kyoraku below. The water arrows were faintly steaming, leaving no doubt that even a slight touch would result in severe burns.

"Soten Kesshun!"

"!"

Several massive blocks of ice suddenly surged forth to meet Halibel’s boiling sea current. Ice and hot water cancelled each other out, leaving behind a thick cloud of steam that enveloped the two of them.

"I didn't think you would intervene."

Looking at the young captain who had blocked her attack, Halibel tilted her head slightly. The disdain in her eyes made Toshiro Hitsugaya narrow his own.

"This is a battlefield. I’m not naive enough to hold back against an enemy."

Lifting Hyorinmaru, Hitsugaya signaled for Halibel to take note of her surroundings.

"!"

Only then did Halibel realize that, at some point, a large number of transparent ice pillars had gathered around her, trapping her within.

*Using the steam as cover—*

"Likewise, on the battlefield..."

Two ribbons of spiritual pressure appeared on the cross-shaped guard of Hyorinmaru, connecting the four sides.

"...you shouldn't be so careless."

"Whoosh!"

Countless ice pillars suddenly slammed together, encasing Halibel and sealing all her movements.

"Sennen Hyoro."

Hitsugaya’s emerald eyes glanced down at Kyoraku, who was pursuing Ulquiorra, before shifting his gaze toward the countless Gillian-class Menos that were impossible to count.

"The real struggle starts now..."

"Oh my, oh my, young Arrancar."

Kyoraku, having caught up to Ulquiorra from behind, said cheerfully, "Don't be in such a hurry. They’re having plenty of fun over there, aren't they..."

He lowered his head slightly, the brim of his straw hat obscuring his left eye while revealing his right. That eye was filled with cold indifference and killing intent.

"Why don't we have a drink first?"

"Step aside. I have no time for you."

It must be said that the strength of Ulquiorra in his second release was truly immeasurable. Although he was utterly dominated by Ichigo in his full Hollow form in the original events, his power was plain for all to see. At the very least, Chojiro would not be naive enough to face him now without preparation.

Ulquiorra merely lifted a finger, and a black Cero forced a master like Kyoraku to stop in his tracks and dodge, instinctively choosing evasion over attempting to block such raw power.

"Ha... how cold..."

Kyoraku laughed helplessly, then surged toward Ulquiorra once more. This time, he was even faster than before. All traces of his playful demeanor had vanished; he was truly intent on cutting Ulquiorra down here, regardless of the consequences.

*He got faster?*

Sensing the bone-chilling killing intent chasing him from behind, even Ulquiorra had to take this pursuer seriously. Aside from Ichigo Kurosaki, Kyoraku was the first to make him feel a flicker of fear.

"Hum!"

The moment he turned, the Black Cero on Ulquiorra’s finger was ready. He had intended to fire it the moment he locked onto his target, but the distance between them made him abandon the thought.

Face to face.

If one of them had been of the opposite sex, they would have been close enough to kiss.

*!!! When did he—*

"Swish!"

Relying on his extreme Sonido, Ulquiorra dodged the downward slash from Kyoraku, avoiding the fate of being cleaved in two, though a shallow wound still appeared across his chest.

"Now we can finally talk calmly, can't we?"

Floating at the same height as Ulquiorra, Kyoraku had returned to his leisurely, middle-aged persona, as if the murderous intent he displayed moments ago had been nothing more than an illusion.

"Now then, until they settle their own outcome, I’ll be the one to play with you, Espada."