The Ninth Espada

Volume 1, Chapter 183, The Ninth Espada

In his memory, Kaien Shiba should be dead, because a Shinigami who has merged with a Hollow soul cannot still be alive. The survival rate for this level is much lower than that of Hollowfication. Of course, he did not know that the Hōgyoku was still in Urahara's hands at that time, nor did he know that Kaien was still alive.

The part that Ye Yang separated back then couldn't possibly be entirely a void spirit. There was more or less a bit of Kaien's spirit in it. After Ye Yang killed it, it might have turned into Reishi and been absorbed by this Ninth Espada. That's why he had a part of Kaien's memories and moves.

However, Ye Yang knew this, but the Ninth Espada was unaware that Ye Yang had seen through his disguise. He still smiled and said to Ye Yang, "Long time no see, Ye Yang. I'm sorry to have called you here. But that sky outside was created by Aizen. Every part of that sky that receives sunlight is under Aizen's surveillance, so I don't like sunlight."

He jumped down, walked to a corner, grabbed a cushion, and tossed it to Ye Yang. "Sit down and talk slowly. I have a lot to tell you."

"Ever since you separated and killed me—though that was Aizen's experimental Hollow, so after being killed I was sent to Hueco Mundo for reconstruction, and when I woke up again I looked like this. Although most of the spirit within this body is Hollow, for some reason, it is my spirit that controls this spirit."

"What!" Ye Yang feigned surprise, but he didn't trust him at all, because he couldn't see the same brilliance in Ye Yang 'Kaien eyes. A person's eyes can't lie.

Then, with a smug look on his face, he pointed and said, "In other words, my iron will exceeded their expectations, hahaha... Therefore, I replaced one of the Espada. I've been waiting for the opportunity to defeat Aizen. It's great that you're here; perhaps only you are capable of this. Come with me."

He stood up and walked back, while Ye Yang also stood up and walked forward. Just then, he suddenly drew his sword and swung it at Ye Yang, but Ye Yang was prepared and dodged the attack.

"Wow, your reflexes are still as quick as ever after all these years. Do you remember when we sparred?" He didn't give up after his first attack failed, but continued to feign surprise, his face showing no sign of weakness.

Ye Yang, however, had no intention of playing along any longer. Aside from his nonsensical ramblings, Ye Yang couldn't understand any useful information, so he decided to stop wasting time arguing with him.

"Stop pretending, you're not Kaien at all, the Ninth Espada Aaroniero Arruruerie!" Ye Yang's tone was flat, devoid of any emotion.

Seeing Ye Yang's resolute expression, he knew the charade couldn't continue. He asked softly, "When did you find out?"

"From the beginning"

A look of shock immediately crossed his face. He felt that he must have given himself away during the process, which was why Ye Yang discovered him. But he didn't expect that Ye Yang knew the truth from the beginning, and more importantly, he didn't know that Ye Yang knew all the information.

Ye Yang slowly explained, "From the moment I saw your face, I knew you weren't the real Kaien!"

"Why!" he exclaimed, not understanding.

"Because the real Kaien didn't die at all; he's still alive and well in the World of the Living. Do you know Visored? They're Shinigami who've obtained Hollow powers. Back then, I brought Kaien to the World of the Living, successfully saved him, and turned him into Visored!"

"Impossible! We were only able to Arrancars because of the Hōgyoku. How could you possibly do that?" The Ninth Espada looked incredulous.

Ye Yang shook his head. "Do you know about the Hōgyoku? It wasn't just Aizen who possessed it before; there was another person who also had Hōgyoku."

He was immediately taken aback. "That man named Kisuke Urahara?"

"Naturally, it just so Kisuke Urahara is my friend," Ye Yang said with a slight smile.

The Ninth Espada immediately understood, realizing it was because of this. He then asked, "How can you be so sure I'm not another spirit of Kaien Shiba? If what I said is true, then it's entirely possible for two spirits to exist."

Ye Yang shook his head again, "Indeed. But although you have Kaien's appearance, you completely lack his spirit. No one can imitate that sunny smile. He shines like a little sun on everyone around him, and you actually say you hate sunlight? If Kaien knew, wouldn't he laugh his head off?"

The Ninth Espada remained silent, his face grim. Then he drew his Zanpakuto and said, "Is that so? Then you must still remember this! Let the sea and sky reverse— Nejibana!"

After speaking, his Zanpakuto transformed into the shape of the Trident of Poseidon, and waves of aura surged forth, as boundless as the ocean! This was Kaien's Zanpakuto, the most offensive Zanpakuto in the Flowing Water- type— Nejibana!

He twirled the Nejibana with one hand, the water flowing around it, forming a disc of water. The waves, accompanied by the sound of the trident, shredded and killed the enemy. This was Kaien's most proficient fighting technique. I didn't expect him to have even learned Kaien's fighting style. Now he'll be much more difficult to deal with.

Ye Yang also drew his Zanpakuto and said, "Then let's fight!" He charged forward. When fighting Kaien, you absolutely cannot let him make the first move, because once he gains the upper hand, you will be subjected to his almost endless waves of attacks. He will suppress your moves, and sooner or later, the enemy, exhausted from defending, will reveal a weakness, and that's how he can win.

Even against a stronger enemy, as long as the difference in strength between the two is not too great, it is difficult to extricate oneself once caught in Kaien's offensive. That is why we cannot allow him to gain the upper hand.

He hadn't expected Ye Yang to be so decisive at the meeting, and in that moment he lost the initiative and was caught off guard by Ye Yang's attack. Ye Yang, who had gained the upper hand, naturally didn't let up and used the man's own methods against him. Ye Yang first launched a fierce offensive.

Even so, the Ninth Espada's technique was Kaien's technique, and the ink-splashing attack gradually began to unfold, and he slowly began to show signs of counterattacking.

How could Ye Yang allow him to retaliate? The difference in strength between the two was insurmountable. Ye Yang simply vanished from his sight with a Shunpo. Then, the Ninth Espada felt a chill run down his spine. Years of being on the verge of death made him instinctively swing his spear to return to the rescue.

In the blink of an eye, Ye Yang's blade was already at his waist. Even though he managed to get back to help, it was too late. The merciless slash left a gruesome wound on his waist, and blood gushed out immediately.

The Ninth Espada, clutching his wound, roared with a ferocious expression, "Damn it! Ye Yang Shihoin, I'll tear you to pieces!"

"That depends on whether you have the ability! But having Kaien's face really annoys me! Then I'll make you reveal your true form!" Ye Yang then sheathed his Zanpakuto and chanted, "Bakudō #61 - Rikujōkōrō!"

Caught off guard, the Ninth Espada was caught off guard by Ye Yang's Bakudō. Six light shards bound him to the spot. Ye Yang then placed his hands together and chanted, "Beast bones scattered everywhere! Spires. Crimson crystals. Wheels of steel. The moving is the wind, the still is the sky. The sound of spears clashing echoes throughout the Void City! Hadō #63: Raikōhō - Raikōhō!"

The Raikōhō, fully chanted by Ye Yang, was naturally quite powerful. However, this attack did not hit the Ninth Espada's body, but instead struck the wall behind him, creating a huge hole in the wall, allowing the sunlight outside to shine in.

Ye Yang said, "I remember you once said that you hate sunlight, so can I understand that you are afraid of sunlight? That's why you went to such lengths to bring me here?"

"No!" he cried out, but it was too late. The sunlight shone on the Ninth Espada, and he let out a painful roar. Then his face gradually melted away until it disappeared completely, replaced by a bottle-like object containing two round life forms.

He spoke simultaneously in both male and female voices, "Let me reintroduce myself, I am the Ninth Espada, Aaroniero Arruruerie!"

He slowly walked out of the sunlit area, and was clearly much more comfortable in the darkness. "If your Kidō had hit me, it would have caused me a lot of trouble, but now you don't have that chance!"

"Have you forgotten? This isn't some kind of transformation ability! I'm the only Menos Grande of Gillian caliber among the Espada, and I even climbed to the position of the Ninth Espada. Do you know why?"

Ye Yang didn't speak, but continued, "Because I am the only Arrancar among the Espada who can evolve infinitely! As Gillian- level Arrancar, I possess an ability that no other Arrancar has: infinite absorption!"

He laughed arrogantly, "I can increase my abilities by devouring other Hollows. I once devoured the fragmented spirit of Kaien Shiba, which is why I have his abilities. Although sunlight can disable my transformation abilities, my abilities can be used infinitely in the dark. That's why I said it was incredibly foolish of you not to hit me with your Kidō!"

Then his bottle began to change, and Kaien's face reappeared on his face. Ye Yang sneered, "Is that so? But if I had the chance to kill you the first time, then I'll have the chance a second time!"

"Hmph! Absolutely impossible! I was just momentarily caught off guard. This time, I'll tear you to pieces! Lord Aizen once said you were incredibly strong, and that we should retreat and call for backup whenever we saw you. But it seems you're nothing special. Watch me kill you now and claim credit with Lord Aizen!" The Ninth Espada looked confident.

Ye Yang shook his head and smiled gently, "You should have heeded Aizen's warning."