Yammy

In the following rounds, the two exchanged blows head-on.

As he watched Kūgo Ginjō's movements become increasingly fluid, Xuanxin of the situation.

The monster before them hadn't gotten stronger; it had just become more precise in its use of Reiatsu, and it seemed to be learning Xuanxin's fighting style in the battle.

[So it's possible to quickly absorb and evolve an enemy's swordsmanship techniques during combat? That's really interesting.]

However, newly acquired skills are ultimately castles in the air; how can they compare to the sweat and toil of daily practice?

"Swish! Swish! Swish!"

Xuanxin's sword speed suddenly surged! The white haori transformed into a blur in the wind. There were no fancy Kidō, only pure, high-speed slashes!

Xuanxin's sword strikes were so fast that beginners like Ichigo and Renji only saw streaks of black and gold blade light and the blood gushing from the monsters.

Similarly, faced with Xuanxin's rapid and relentless attacks, the monster that had been handling the situation with ease just moments before instantly found itself in a sorry state.

Just as Xuanxin said, a copied swordsmanship is ultimately not one's own, and such a copy is utterly vulnerable in front of Xuanxin.

Blood mist splattered from the monster's body, and its wounds multiplied, while Xuanxin sliced off pieces of its white bone armor.

Suddenly, the monster sprang up, forcing Xuanxin back before rapidly retreating to create distance between Xuanxin.

Xuanxin wouldn't give him any chance to rest. After seeing that the monster intended to create distance, he chased after it closely.

Even with Xuanxin's decisiveness, the monster still managed to recover some of its strength; the armor that had been cut off grew back, becoming even thicker.

Furthermore, after enduring fatal wounds that would kill an ordinary person ten times over, Xuanxin was surprised to find that the monster's Reiatsu was subtly increasing, and its originally crude swordsmanship was beginning to become more refined and complete.

Upon witnessing such terrifying learning ability, Xuanxin couldn't help but feel somewhat alarmed.

[It's even improving during the battle? This sponge's absorbency is infuriating!]

[Hmph, since that's the case, then I can't let you live either!]

Xuanxin snorted coldly in his heart, and then a chilling killing intent spread throughout the entire forest, instantly turning the once lively forest into a deathly silence.

Those standing around, though aware that the killing intent wasn't directed at them, still couldn't help but feel their hair stand on end. Perhaps the only one who could remain excited amidst Xuanxin's killing intent was the exceptionally talented Sister Hana.

Roar~

Sensing the murderous intent directed at it, the monster let out a weak, feeble roar to show its disdain.

But in just a split second of roaring, Xuanxin had already reached the monster with his sword raised. With a swift movement, Xuanxin slashed the monster's arms away from its body.

Even the moment Xuanxin got close, the monster had already made a dodging stance and raised its greatsword to block.

However, such a frivolous defense could hardly withstand Xuanxin's blade.

Several golden lights flashed, and the monster's raised greatsword was sliced into several pieces along with its arms by Xuanxin, falling into the dust.

This scene once again stunned Ichigo and the others. Although they had witnessed Xuanxin's power before, they were too far away during their last battle against Aizen, and this was the first time they had experienced Xuanxin's power at such close range.

Just as everyone thought the matter was settled, the monster's wounds began to twist wildly as its arms fell.

White tissue rapidly gushed from the wound, and in just a few breaths, Sōkotsu scythes replaced the monster's original arms.

Not only that, even the monster's bone armor seemed to have become thicker. However, this did not come without a price. Xuanxin could feel that the monster's previously stable Reiatsu had clearly weakened considerably.

Then, the monster glanced at Xuanxin's wrist with a hint of resentment, before swinging its scythe once more and flying directly towards Xuanxin like a food processor.

This time, however, his gaze remained completely still. The Hōgyoku in Xuanxin's hand was as still as if it were dead. Seeing this, the resentment on the monster intensified.

However, Xuanxin ignored the monster's gaze and instead sized up the monster rushing towards him. Xuanxin said softly:

"It can even evolve? It really is a very dangerous thing?"

After saying that, he glanced at his wrist, but there was still no reaction. It seemed that the Hōgyoku on his hand was going to play dead.

Xuanxin knew that if he were to fight a war of attrition against a monster that could evolve and regenerate indefinitely, that would be a huge mistake. The best way to deal with this kind of thing was to kill it with a single blow in the shortest amount of time.

Unfortunately, his power is still currently suppressed; otherwise, a single strike would have been enough to resolve this issue.

Since we can't vaporize it directly, we'll have to see if destroying the monster's core will have any effect.

Thinking of this, Xuanxin sheathed the [Shingon] and stood still, holding the [Mumyō] in both hands.

At this moment, the monster also noticed that something was wrong with Xuanxin. A look of panic flashed across its face, but it was too late to stop or make any other changes. It could only bite the bullet and press closer. However, the light of the Hōgyoku on its chest suddenly dimmed.

Just as the monster's scythe was less than a foot away from Xuanxin raised the scythe to his chest with both hands, and then dark golden flames rose from the blade.

As the face grew clearer, "Kūgo Ginjō" hurriedly stacked space around him, and the bone armor on his head continued to thicken.

Unfortunately, all of this was ultimately in vain.

Xuanxin whispered "[Nadegiri]", then swung his sword down with both hands.

As the swords struck the ground, Xuanxin's vision suddenly opened up, and the surrounding trees and the white figure were swiftly sliced to pieces.

From the moment the sword was swung to the moment it fell, only a few seconds passed. But in those few seconds, "Kūgo Ginjō" was reborn countless times, and died countless times. Perhaps his Reiatsu was exhausted, and he finally turned into a pile of flesh in front of Xuanxin.

Seeing the monster dealt with, everyone gathered around, but the scene was still too bloody, and even though she was mentally prepared, Orihime still felt uncomfortable.

Despite her fear, Orihime mustered her courage and stood trembling beside Ichigo this time.

Just as everyone was watching, the chunks of meat suddenly began to move. They suddenly pieced themselves together, quickly forming various chambers.

Just as everyone was still wondering, the various chambers suddenly ruptured, and then wild beasts quickly ran in all directions.

"No! They're running away!" Rukia exclaimed in alarm.

Upon seeing this, Xuanxin and Kisuke Urahara immediately stopped talking and turned their gaze back to the monster.

Fortunately, the special training they had received was not in vain. Under Yoruichi's command, Ichigo and the others quickly blocked off the surrounding area, while Rangiku activated her Bankai, using sand to surround everyone in a sand wall.

Then, everyone began their work.

"Getsuga Tenshō!"

"Hadō #33: Sōkatsui!"

In an instant, various sword energies and Kidō swept across the area surrounding the monster, crushing the pieces of flesh that tried to escape.

However, the number of monsters showed no signs of decreasing. At this moment, Kisuke Urahara noticed the "Hōgyoku" embedded in the very center of the monster. He exchanged a glance with Xuanxin and the two walked towards the Hōgyoku.

The monster seemed to have noticed something as well, and sprouted several more tentacles to block their advance.

However, they couldn't defeat Xuanxin even when they were alive, let alone now. Soon, Xuanxin and Urahara arrived at the center of the monster.

Kisuke Urahara quickly put on the Reishi isolation gloves he always carried, and without hesitation, he dug out the still-glowing "Hōgyoku" from the center of the monster with his dagger.

As the Hōgyoku was unearthed, the monster finally quieted down and stopped making any further movements.

However, when the Hōgyoku came to Kisuke Urahara frowned and looked at it with a puzzled Hōgyoku. Just as Kisuke Urahara was about to ask a question, the Hōgyoku in his hand began to rapidly weather away and disappear.

Seeing this, Xuanxin quickly looked at the pile of corpses at his feet, while Kisuke Urahara also threw the Hōgyoku to the ground and squatted down together.

Suddenly, Xuanxin noticed some freshly turned soil beneath the monster, and Xuanxin and Kisuke Urahara quickly pushed the corpse aside.

When the body was pushed aside, the scene before them stunned everyone: a fist-sized, deep, bottomless hole had appeared beneath the body.

Upon seeing the cave, Xuanxin suddenly realized what was going on!

"This is a classic case of 'the cicada shedding its shell'; it seems the true core member escaped long ago by digging a hole. Really..."

Just as Xuanxin was about to get angry, a fleeting, unfamiliar Reiatsu suddenly appeared around Xuanxin.

"This..."

Xuanxin's mind raced, and then a bold guess suddenly popped into Xuanxin head.

Xuanxin then glanced at everyone and said, "Alright, let's end today's mission here. Let's go back and discuss the follow-up search plan."

"Xuanxin, but..."

Yoruichi hurriedly tried to speak up to stop him, but after seeing the meaningful look in Xuanxin's eyes, she remained silent.

Xuanxin glanced at Kisuke Urahara one last time before heading out of the woods. Ichigo and the others, seeing this, had no choice but to follow the main group and leave the warehouse ruins.

Late at night, in a thicket of bushes several hundred meters from the site of the daytime battle, the previously level ground suddenly shifted slightly.

Immediately afterwards, the soil was pushed aside, and two fist-sized, pale white beetles emerged. Embedded in their backs was the Hōgyoku that had been taken from Kūgo Ginjō's chest during the day.

The insect surveyed the surroundings, and after confirming that no one was around, it began to wriggle rapidly, trying to leave this "place of sorrow."

But before it had gone far, a huge, bronze-colored hand reached out, grabbed the insect, and said:

"Lord Aizen's positioning agent is really effective."

Upon seeing this, the white insect let out a desperate scream, twisting its body frantically in an attempt to break free.

"Chirp chirp!!"

Shut up! It's so noisy!

After saying that, the big man crushed the insect with a forceful squeeze. When he opened his hands again, the Hōgyoku was lying quietly in his filthy palms.

"A bunch of stupid Grim Reapers, completely fooled by a single insect."

Then he sent a signal to the sky, preparing to return to the Hueco Mundo using the Negación, but just then...

A calm voice rang out, saying, "You must be Aizen's new subordinate. Aizen still enjoys this 'mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind' scenario, doesn't he?"

There stood Shihoin Genshin, looking down at him from a treetop. Yoruichi and Kisuke Urahara had been waiting beside Xuanxin for some time.

Seeing the three ghostly figures in the tree, a look of astonishment flashed across Yammy's face, but it was quickly replaced by anger.

Seeing this, Xuanxin smiled and said, "Second stage, begin."

Chapter 97 Yammy

Upon hearing this, Yammy's face showed some shock, but even more so, disdain.

After all, in his mind, death was nothing more than a group of ants huddling together for warmth; in the face of absolute power, any organization was nothing more than a pebble on the road.

"Since you're courting death, don't blame me!!"

After saying that, the last trace of shock on Yammy's face completely disappeared.

Yammy smiled at the three people in the tree, then suddenly rushed down to the tree and swung his fist, which was as big as a casserole dish, at the tree.

"Boom--!"

Without any Reiatsu or technique, the massive tree that the three of them stood on—enough for four people to encircle—was reduced to dust the moment they landed, thanks to Xuanxin 'Yammy pure power.

The shockwaves from the changes behind him ruffled Xuanxin's white hair, but they did not frighten Xuanxin. He simply stared silently at the monster before him.

[Not only did he take human form, but he also condensed his power to such an extent, and...]

Xuanxin then focused his gaze on the sword tucked into Yammy's waist. He had never heard of Hollows having Zanpakuto before. Did Aizen somehow open a "Hueco Mundo version of the Shin'ō Academy" in Hueco Mundo?

At this moment, Yoruichi and Kisuke Urahara also noticed this detail. The three of them exchanged glances, and each saw confusion in the other's eyes.

As the three exchanged glances, Yammy, who had been left out in the cold, grew even angrier.

How dare you ignore me! You bunch of ants, how dare you ignore me!

Suddenly, a crimson Reiatsu erupted from Yammy's body, and he swung his iron fist straight at Xuanxin.

Xuanxin, however, did not overestimate himself in the slightest. Even a lion must exert its full strength to hunt a rabbit. Therefore, Xuanxin drew his twin swords and held them in front of him.