The Arrancar Attack Again

At midnight, Karakura Town fell asleep. The streets were deserted, with only the dim glow of streetlights and the occasional stray cat flitting through the shadows. It was an ordinary night in an ordinary city—at least on the surface.

But to those with keen intuition, the city is seething with undercurrents.

Liu Hao lay on the bed in the guest room of Kurosaki Clinic, his eyes suddenly opening. He didn't move, but quietly sensed—the sudden, distorted, and powerful Reiatsu, like a stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples in the darkness.

Five paths, no, six paths.

One of them was particularly powerful, filled with wildness and destructiveness, like a hungry beast that had caught the scent of its prey.

"Grimmjow..." Liu Hao muttered to himself, sitting up in bed. He didn't need to see it with his own eyes to guess who had come— the Sixth Espada, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, and his five Fracción. Aizen had sent this squad not for a simple probe, but for a real hunt.

Liu Hao dressed quickly, his movements fluid and swift. He didn't go through the door, but instead leaped directly out of the window, landing on the roof of Yasutora Sado's house after several jumps through the night sky. At the same time, he took out his phone and dialed the first number.

The phone was answered after only one ring, and Renji Abarai's slightly sleepy voice came from the other end. "Hello?"

"Renji, the Arrancar are here." Liu Hao's voice was concise and urgent. "Be careful, wait until they unleash their Zanpakuto before releasing your restrictions. Take them down in one go, otherwise the battle will be difficult."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, then Renji Abarai's voice became clear and firm. "Okay, I understand."

After hanging up, Liu Hao quickly dialed a second number. This time, it was Tōshirō Hitsugaya who answered, his voice tinged with annoyance at being woken up. "Liu Hao, what's up?"

"Captain Hitsugaya, I'll get straight to the point," Liu Hao said quickly, "The Arrancars are here. We need to wait until they unleash their Zanpakuto before removing the restrictions, otherwise the battle might become a tough fight."

The sound of metal clashing came from the other end of the phone, clearly indicating that a battle had begun. Tōshirō Hitsugaya's voice became urgent. "Okay, I understand. They've arrived. Be careful too."

The call was disconnected. Without pausing, Liu Hao dialed a third number—this time it was Yumichika Ayasegawa.

"Yumichika, the Fifth Seat," Liu Hao said bluntly, "Ikkaku has already Arrancar, hasn't he?"

"Yes," Yumichika Ayasegawa's voice was tense, "Is there something you need?"

"Tell him not to hold back. Once the enemy is freed, he must immediately Bankai without hesitation," Liu Hao's tone was serious to the point of being stern, "Otherwise people will die."

Yumichika Ayasegawa was silent for a moment, then replied in a deep voice, "Okay, I understand!!"

After hanging up all the calls, Liu Hao stood on the edge of the roof of Yasutora Sado's house, his gaze sweeping across the dark street. He could sense that several battles had already broken out— Tōshirō Hitsugaya's Reiatsu was colliding with two unfamiliar Reiatsu, Ikkaku Madarame's Reiatsu was rapidly rising, Renji Abarai's side had also begun fighting.

The house beneath his feet is about to become the next battlefield.

Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of Yasutora Sado's house. It was an Arrancar, with fragments of a bone mask on his face, radiating a powerful Reiatsu. He didn't knock, didn't warn, but simply raised his hand, a red light gathering in his palm— Cero, the simplest way to greet someone.

But the Cero didn't activate.

Because Yasutora Sado rushed out of the house. The taciturn boy's right arm was now Complete Hollowfication, covered by white bone armor, exuding a dangerous aura. He stood in front of the house, staring at the Arrancar in front of him with a determined look.

Arrancar —number sixteen Dee Roy—saw Yasutora Sado and grinned. "Oh? Interesting. Let's start with you then."

He abandoned Cero and charged directly at Yasutora Sado. His speed was so great that he almost instantly covered the distance between them. But just as his fist was about to strike Yasutora Sado, another figure rushed out from the side.

The orange hair stood out vividly in the night.

Ichigo Kurosaki, wielding Zangetsu, precisely blocked Dee Roy's fist. The metal clashed against bone, producing a piercing scraping sound.

"Chad, step back!" Ichigo Kurosaki hissed without turning around. "This is no match for you!"

Yasutora Sado hesitated for a moment. He wanted to fight, to protect his home, and to prove that he was no longer a weakling who needed protection. But after looking at Ichigo Kurosaki's back and then at the suffocating Reiatsu emanating from Dee Roy, he finally nodded and stepped back.

Dee Roy didn't give chase. He looked at Ichigo Kurosaki, a hint of interest flashing in his eyes. "You're the human Lord Aizen mentioned? Interesting. Let me see what's so special about you—"

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly dodged to the side. A blade of icy blue grazed his body, leaving a deep trench in the ground.

A third person joined the battle.

Rukia Kuchiki descended from the sky, her Zanpakuto, Sode no Shirayuki, already drawn. She landed beside Ichigo Kurosaki, her gaze coldly fixed on Dee Roy: "Ichigo, leave this to me."

Ichigo Kurosaki moment, then said, "Rukia, you—"

"Stop talking nonsense," Rukia Kuchiki interrupted him, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Go deal with the more troublesome guys. I can handle this one."

Ichigo Kurosaki glanced at Rukia, then at Liu Hao on the rooftop— Liu Hao was nodding at him. He gritted his teeth, ultimately choosing to trust his comrade. "Be careful."

After speaking, he stepped aside, but did not leave. Instead, he cautiously observed his surroundings. He could sense that an even greater threat was approaching.

On the rooftop, Liu Hao watched this scene and muttered to himself, "Honestly, they don't know how to be considerate of their companions at all. They're clearly nervous too, but they still have to pretend to be strong."

But he didn't intervene. Because he knew that Rukia Kuchiki needed this battle—she needed to prove that she had stepped out of Aizen's shadow and rebuild her confidence as Soul Reaper.

In the arena, the battle between Rukia Kuchiki and Dee Roy has begun.

Dee Roy clearly didn't take Rukia Kuchiki seriously. He easily dodged several attacks and even had time to taunt, "Is that all you've got? Lord Aizen overestimates you."

Rukia Kuchiki silent. She simply continued her attack, each strike faster and more ruthless than the last. Sode no Shirayuki's blade traced icy trajectories in the air, causing moisture in the air to condense into ice crystals wherever it passed.

After several exchanges, Dee Roy gradually abandoned his underestimation. He discovered that Rukia Kuchiki's swordsmanship was exquisite and deadly, with each attack aimed directly at a vital point. More troublesome was that the chilling aura of her Zanpakuto was gradually corroding his body, making his movements increasingly sluggish.

"Ugh, this is so annoying!" Dee Roy roared, unleashing a burst of Reiatsu that sent Rukia Kuchiki flying. He raised his hand, and a crimson Cero condensed once more. "Die!"

But Rukia Kuchiki was faster.

Instead of retreating, she charged forward. The blade of her Sode no Shirayuki sword plunged into the ground, and she whispered:

"First Dance - Moonlight".

Centered on the blade, a perfect circular ice array instantly unfolded. The ground, air, and even light within the array's range were frozen. Dee Roy's Cero stopped halfway through its formation—not interrupted, but completely frozen, its red Reiatsu transforming into decoration within the ice.

Dee Roy himself was frozen in the center of the ice array. He remained in the pose of raising his hand to release Cero, his expression frozen between shock and fear.

Rukia Kuchiki drew her Sode no Shirayuki, and took a step back. The ice array began to shrink and eventually disappeared completely—along with Dee Roy within the ice array, turning into countless ice crystals that dissipated in the night wind.

The battle ended cleanly and decisively.

Ichigo Kurosaki a sigh of relief, but then his body tensed up again.

Because an even greater threat has just arrived.

"Oh?" A lazy yet dangerous voice came from the darkness. "It seems my Fracción is indeed a useless piece of trash."

Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez emerged from the shadows. He didn't look at the spot where Dee Roy had disappeared, or even at Rukia Kuchiki. His gaze fell directly on Ichigo Kurosaki, then shifted to Liu Hao on the rooftop, and finally returned to Ichigo Kurosaki.

His eyes were filled with the excitement of a predator, and also with undisguised contempt.

Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kuchiki gripped their weapons tightly at the same time. They could feel Grimmjow's Reiatsu —it was beyond "powerful"; it was pure, primal destructive urge, like a volcano about to erupt.

Grimmjow laughed, revealing sharp teeth. "You're Ichigo Kurosaki? Let me see just where Ulquiorra's 'potential' really lies."

Before he finished speaking, he vanished.

It wasn't Shunpo, nor Sonído, but some more direct and violent method of movement. In the next instant, he appeared in front of Rukia Kuchiki, his right hand forming a claw, aiming straight for her throat.

The speed was too fast; Rukia Kuchiki didn't even have time to react.

But Grimmjow's hand froze in mid-air.

Liu Hao had appeared between the two of them without them noticing, grabbing Grimmjow's wrist with his right hand. The movement seemed casual, but Grimmjow found himself unable to break free—that hand held him firmly like an iron clamp.

"Grimmjow," Liu Hao's voice was calm, but his eyes were cold, "Your opponent is over there. Don't touch Rukia, or I might accidentally kill you."

As he spoke, he pointed at Ichigo Kurosaki.

Grimmjow glanced at Ichigo Kurosaki in the direction Liu Hao was pointing, then smiled disdainfully, "That trash isn't worthy of being my opponent."

He turned his head and looked at Liu Hao excitedly. "You're the one who's suitable to be my opponent."

Looking at the Grimmjow's eyes, Liu Hao felt a sense of helplessness. These Arrancar, especially someone like Grimmjow, seemed to never learn to assess the strength of the enemy and themselves, and only ever followed their fighting instincts.

He didn't respond to Grimmjow's provocation, but instead grabbed Rukia Kuchiki by the back of her collar with his left hand and backed away. The movement was fluid and swift; Grimmjow didn't even have time to stop him, and the two had already put a ten-meter distance between them and him.

Seeing this, Grimmjow was about to give chase. But Ichigo Kurosaki had already blocked his way, Zangetsu held horizontally in front of him, his eyes resolute.

"Your opponent is me," Ichigo Kurosaki said, his voice trembling with suppressed tension, yet also filled with determination.

Grimmjow stopped in his tracks, looked at Ichigo Kurosaki, and a mocking smile curled at the corner of his lips, "You?"

Liu Hao put Rukia Kuchiki down and said in a low voice, "Rukia, go and support Renji. I'll keep an eye on things here; there won't be any problems."

Rukia Kuchiki glanced at Ichigo Kurosaki, then at Grimmjow, her expression grave. "Alright. Be careful too. This Arrancar's Reiatsu is completely different from the previous one."

After saying that, she didn't hesitate and turned to run towards the Urahara Shop.

Liu Hao refocused his attention on the battlefield. He found a relatively safe spot, crossed his arms, and began to watch the battle with great interest—his expression didn't seem like he was watching a life-or-death struggle, but rather like he was watching an entertaining performance.

On the field, Grimmjow was already getting impatient.

He wanted to bypass Ichigo Kurosaki to pursue Liu Hao, but Ichigo Kurosaki remained in his way like a ghost. After several attempts, Grimmjow's patience ran out.

"So annoying!" he growled, throwing a punch at Ichigo Kurosaki.

Ichigo Kurosaki didn't take the blow head-on, but instead dodged to the side, simultaneously Zangetsu, the blade aimed at Grimmjow's side. But Grimmjow reacted even faster—he didn't retract his fist, but blocked with his arm. The blade struck his arm, making a metallic clanging sound, but leaving no mark.

"Too weak!" Grimmjow mocked, then punched Ichigo Kurosaki away.

Ichigo Kurosaki steadied himself and took a deep breath. He knew he couldn't defeat this opponent in his normal state, so without hesitation, he unleashed his Bankai.

Black Reiatsu surged forth, Tensa Zangetsu's black trench coat fluttered in the night wind. Ichigo Kurosaki's speed instantly increased, transforming into a black afterimage as he weaved and attacked around Grimmjow.

This time, Grimmjow finally showed a serious expression. He kept blocking and dodging, but Ichigo Kurosaki was too fast and his attacks were too dense, so he couldn't completely avoid them. The blades left shallow wounds on his body, not deep, but enough to enrage him.

"Besides speed, don't you have anything else to offer?!" Grimmjow roared, his Reiatsu exploding once more.

This outburst was different from the previous ones. Red Reiatsu surged from his body like flames, and the air distorted and vibrated under the impact of the Reiatsu. Ichigo Kurosaki felt the pressure coming at him, and his movements were momentarily slowed down.

That brief moment of hesitation was enough for Grimmjow.

His speed suddenly increased, and his attacks became unpredictable and unpredictable, no longer the straightforward kind. Ichigo Kurosaki found himself completely unable to keep up with his opponent's pace and could only barely defend.

Bang!

A punch landed squarely on the abdomen.

Bang!

He was kicked in the chest.

Bang!

An elbow strike landed on the shoulder.

Ichigo Kurosaki was being relentlessly beaten by Grimmjow like a punching bag. Each attack was heavy and precise, each one causing him excruciating pain as if his bones were shattering. Finally, Grimmjow kicked him in the chest, sending him flying and crashing heavily into the wall.

The walls were cracked, Ichigo Kurosaki coughed up blood, barely managing to stay upright.

Grimmjow did not pursue. He turned to look at Liu Hao, his tone full of disdain. "You see, this piece of trash is not worthy of being my opponent."

Liu Hao didn't speak, he just watched quietly.

Just then, Ichigo Kurosaki stood up.

His movements were somewhat unsteady, but his eyes became exceptionally resolute. He gripped Tensa Zangetsu with both hands, and black Reiatsu began to condense on the blade—not ordinary Reiatsu, but darkness compressed to its extreme, almost tangible.

Grimmjow sensed danger and turned around to see Ichigo Kurosaki's blade already pointed at him.

"Crescent Moon--"

Ichigo Kurosaki growled, his voice filled with suppressed pain and determination.

"Sky Surge!!"

A black, crescent-shaped slash flew from the blade, moving faster than the limits of visual perception. Grimmjow Getsuga Tenshō struck his chest.

Boom--

The explosion was deafening. Black Reiatsu collided, clashed, and exploded with red Reiatsu. Smoke and dust filled the air, and debris flew everywhere.

When the smoke cleared, Grimmjow stood there, but a deep, almost piercing wound appeared on his chest. Blood gushed out like a fountain, staining his clothes and the ground red.

He looked down at his wound, then looked up at Ichigo Kurosaki. Then he laughed—a wild and excited laugh.

"Hahaha..." His laughter echoed through the night sky, "Now you're worth killing!"

He reached out and grasped the hilt of his Zanpakuto at his waist. A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes, and his Reiatsu began to rise rapidly, the surrounding air groaning under its Reiatsu force.

But just as he was about to draw his sword, a black crack opened behind him— the Garganta.

Meanwhile, in front of Urahara Shop.

After receiving Liu Hao's call, Renji Abarai was ready for battle. He walked out of the store and stood in the open space, Zabimaru already in his hand. He could feel several powerful Reiatsu approaching, one of which was particularly strong and carried obvious hostility.

Suddenly, a figure appeared above him.

It was an Arrancar, with golden hair and an elegant smile on his face, looking more like a nobleman than a warrior. But Renji Abarai could sense the dangerous aura emanating from him—the aura of a predator disguised as prey.

"Good evening," the Arrancar — Yylfordt Granz—landed gracefully. "I am Yylfordt Granz, Fracción Grimmjow. Are you my opponent?"

Without a word, Renji Abarai swung his sword. Zabimaru extended, the blade stabbing towards Yylfordt Granz like a venomous snake. But Yylfordt Granz easily dodged to the side, even having time to straighten his collar.

"Too slow," Yylfordt Granz commented. "Is this the level of a Soul Reaper from Soul Society?"

Renji Abarai series of attacks. But Yylfordt Granz was too fast, easily dodging each attack and even counterattacking between his attacks. After several exchanges, Renji Abarai had several wounds on his body.

He knew he couldn't continue like this. His opponent was clearly toying with him, and if he continued to hold back his strength, he might be worn down and killed.

"Bankai-- "

Renji Abarai a step back, his Reiatsu erupting.

"Baboon King Zabimaru!"

A massive, serpentine Zanpakuto coiled around him, its blades linked together, radiating immense Reiatsu. But Yylfordt Granz, seeing this, merely smiled, "Oh? So this is Bankai? Interesting."

He still didn't draw his sword, fighting Renji Abarai with his fists and feet. But this time, Renji Abarai was able to barely hold on—although he was still at a disadvantage, at least he wasn't being unilaterally suppressed.

The battle lasted for several minutes. Renji Abarai could sense that Yylfordt Granz was still not using his full strength. It was as if the opponent was enjoying the fight, enjoying the struggle of his prey.

Just as Renji Abarai was feeling exhausted, suddenly, a petite figure rushed out from the side.

Ururu Tsumugiya.

The little girl, who always seemed a bit dazed, had no expression on her face at that moment. She rushed up to Yylfordt Granz and grabbed him by the neck.

The speed of the movement even surprised Yylfordt Granz.

Then, Ururu Tsumugiya began to throw punches. Not the kind of delicate punches a little girl throws, but heavy, precise, machine-like punches. One punch, two punches, three punches—each punch landed on Yylfordt Granz's face, making a dull thud.

Yylfordt Granz was stunned. He tried to break free, but Ururu Tsumugiya's hand was locked firmly around his neck like an iron clamp. He wanted to fight back, but Ururu Tsumugiya's movements were too fast, interrupting his rhythm with every punch before he could exert force.

"Let go... let go of me!" Yylfordt Granz roared, his Reiatsu exploding, finally shaking Ururu Tsumugiya.

But his face was already covered in bruises and blood, his elegant image completely gone. He stared at Ururu Tsumugiya, his eyes burning with a frenzied rage:

"Smash it!"

The Reiatsu surged dramatically, and the air vibrated.

"Azure-Horned Prince!!"

His body began to change. Bone armor covered his entire body, huge horns grew from his head, and his Reiatsu pressure increased several times in an instant. After completing his Resurrección, Yylfordt Granz was no longer the elegant warrior he had been before, but a raging beast.

He lowered his head, his horn aimed at Ururu Tsumugiya, ready to charge.

Renji Abarai reacted immediately. He manipulated the Baboon King Zabimaru, its massive head blocking Ururu Tsumugiya's path. At the same time, he shouted to Jinta Hanakari, "Jinta, quickly take Ame away!!"

Jinta Hanakari immediately rushed over, grabbed Ururu Tsumugiya's arm, and forcibly dragged her back to the entrance of Urahara Shop.

Yylfordt Granz didn't give chase. He turned to look at Renji Abarai, his voice hoarse with anger. "Brother, I'm going to finish this quickly."

After saying that, he charged at Renji Abarai, several times faster than before. Renji Abarai immediately used the Baboon King Zabimaru to block, but this time, Yylfordt Granz's horn directly smashed the joint of Zabimaru's sword.

Click--

The sound of shattering was clearly audible. One section of the blade of the Baboon King Zabimaru shattered completely, and fragments flew everywhere.

Renji Abarai took a few steps back, looking at the shattered Zabimaru, a wave of pain washing over him. But he had no time for grief, for Yylfordt Granz had already charged at him again.

"I'm sorry, Zabimaru," Renji Abarai whispered, "For causing you so much pain."

He raised his head, staring at Yylfordt Granz charging towards him, his eyes hardening with a dangerous intensity. "Now that you've unleashed your Zanpakuto, I shouldn't hold back any longer."