A Battle Won, but Not a War

As Shawlong Kufang's ice sculpture shattered and dissipated in the night wind, Tōshirō Hitsugaya's taut nerves finally relaxed for a moment. It was this moment of relaxation that caused his body to give way. The immense strain of being released from its limitations, coupled with the injuries sustained in battle, caused the youngest Captain's vision to go black, and he fell off the edge of the roof.

"Captain!" Rangiku Matsumoto exclaimed, almost instinctively leaping up and catching Tōshirō Hitsugaya's falling body in mid-air.

She landed lightly on the roof and carefully laid Tōshirō Hitsugaya flat on the ground. The moonlight illuminated his pale face, and his ice-blue hair was soaked with sweat and clung to his forehead. His breathing was rapid and weak, and although the wound on his chest had been frozen to stop the bleeding, it was still a shocking sight.

"Inoue -kun!" Rangiku Matsumoto called out, turning to those below, "Please come and help me!"

Orihime Inoue had been observing the battle from a safe spot. Upon hearing the call, she immediately ran to the rooftop. Seeing Tōshirō Hitsugaya's condition, she immediately activated the Sōten Kisshun, and golden light enveloped Tōshirō Hitsugaya's body, beginning to heal his deep, bone-revealing wounds.

Bathed in the healing light, Tōshirō Hitsugaya slowly opened his eyes. He first glanced at Orihime Inoue, then at Rangiku Matsumoto, managing a weak smile.

"Just as Liu Hao said... If you go all out from the start against an opponent of this caliber, you're likely to find yourself in a tough fight."

Rangiku Matsumoto knelt beside him, gently wiping the sweat from his brow with a handkerchief, her voice tinged with lingering fear. "But if that happens, Ichigo Kurosaki and Ikkaku Madarame will be in danger. They haven't released their limits, and facing an Arrancar Zanpakuto..."

Tōshirō Hitsugaya shook his head, the movement so subtle it was almost imperceptible. "Ichigo Kurosaki is fine. Liu Hao will definitely be there to look after him... With Liu Hao's strength, these guys are nothing to fear."

"But that person said it was Espada who attacked Ichigo Kurosaki." Rangiku Matsumoto remained worried. "Liu Hao once said that the Espada's strength is worlds apart from these Fracción. The top Espada each possess strength surpassing that of an ordinary Captain..."

"Don't worry," Tōshirō Hitsugaya interrupted her, his voice weak but firm, "Don't forget, back then, Liu Hao was the one who easily escaped from Hueco Mundo when he was Hueco Mundo by Kaname Tōsen and the Fifth Espada. I suspect that if Aizen and Gin Ichimaru hadn't been there, he might have killed Kaname Tōsen and that Fifth Espada."

These words silenced Rangiku Matsumoto. She recalled an incident from over a decade ago— Liu Hao suddenly "betrayed" her during the Hueco Mundo expedition, disappearing after a fierce battle with Kaname Tōsen and a mysterious Arrancar. Afterwards Soul Society labeled Liu Hao a traitor, but a few insiders knew that the truth behind that battle was far more complex than it appeared.

If Liu Hao truly has the ability to escape unscathed from the combined attack of two Captain-level enemies, he might even be able to turn the tables and kill them...

Therefore, he certainly has the right to say that "these guys are nothing to fear."

Elsewhere in the city, the battle between Ikkaku Madarame and Edrad Liones Riones had reached a fever pitch.

When Yumichika Ayasegawa received Liu Hao's call, Ikkaku Madarame was already locked in a fierce battle with Edrad Liones. This bald giant's fighting style was wild and direct, with each strike carrying the momentum of cleaving his opponent in two. Edrad Liones —this tall and incredibly strong Arrancar —also chose a head-on fighting style.

Every collision between the two caused the surrounding buildings to tremble, and shockwaves of Reiatsu raged through the streets. Yumichika Ayasegawa stood at a distance watching the battle, and seeing Ikkaku Madarame's desperate fighting style, he could only sigh helplessly and hang up the phone.

He knew he couldn't persuade this battle maniac.

During the battle, Ikkaku Madarame finally found an opening and left a deep wound on Edrad Liones's chest with a single strike. Blood splattered, but Edrad Liones not only did not back down, but instead revealed an excited smile.

"It seems I underestimated you," Edrad Liones took a step back, his hand resting on the Zanpakuto at his waist, his expression turning serious. "Faced with someone like you, I should unleash it no matter what and have a proper fight with you."

"Does this mean you acknowledge my strength?" Ikkaku Madarame grinned, revealing his bloodstained teeth.

"No," Edrad Liones shook his head, his voice low, "A belligerent fool like you should be shown what the fear of being utterly defeated truly means. So that next time you encounter Arrancar, you won't dare to have this playful attitude."

He gripped the hilt of his sword, his Reiatsu beginning to gather. "Awaken, Volcanica."

Flames erupted from the blade, quickly engulfing his entire body. The flames weren't ordinary red, but a blazing white, so intense that the surrounding air began to distort. When the flames subsided, Edrad Liones had transformed into a completely different form—his hands had become enormous, covered in white bone armor, making him resemble a colossus emerging from a volcano.

"What is that thing?!" Ikkaku Madarame's eyes widened; he could sense the qualitative change in the other party's Reiatsu.

"Arrancar's Zanpakuto is a form where the core of their inner power is sealed within the blade," Edrad Liones explained, his voice deepening beneath his helmet. "Releasing the Zanpakuto is releasing that core power. And this current state is my original power form—also called 'Resurrección.'"

After saying that, he swung his right fist. His fist was covered in blazing white flames, and although the speed was not fast, it carried an aura of destruction.

Ikkaku Madarame did not back down; he gripped his Zanpakuto tightly with both hands and met the attack head-on.

Knife clashed with fist.

Boom--

Ikkaku Madarame was sent flying backward as if struck by a battering ram. He tumbled several times in the air before crashing heavily at Yumichika Ayasegawa's feet, carving a long furrow in the ground.

Yumichika Ayasegawa looked down at Ikkaku Madarame lying on the ground, his expression calm, but a hint of worry flashed in his eyes. "Ikkaku, Liu Hao just told me to tell you that it's best to use your full strength. Use Bankai if you Bankai, otherwise you really will die."

Ikkaku Madarame coughed up blood and struggled to sit up. "Tch, looks like he knew I could use Bankai. But that makes sense, such a strong opponent would be difficult to deal with without Bankai."

He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, grinned, and said, "The others probably don't have time to bother with me right now. In that case, I'll just use it once."

At that moment, Edrad Liones approached. He looked at Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawa, his massive fist clenching slightly. "Are you two going to attack together?"

"Yumichika, step back a bit," Ikkaku Madarame said to Yumichika Ayasegawa, then turned back to Edrad Liones, his eyes becoming incredibly serious. "I didn't expect that the power of Arrancar who has released their Zanpakuto would increase so much. I didn't originally intend to use it in a place like this... Look carefully, and don't tell anyone else."

He stood up and Zanpakuto back into its scabbard. Then, without reciting the release incantation, he simply channeled his Reiatsu into the sword.

The Zanpakuto began to change. It was no Shikai the Hōzukimaru, but a more advanced form—three enormous blades condensed in the air, one in the hand and two on the back, each heavy enough to cleave mountains.

"Bankai-- "

Ikkaku Madarame's voice echoed in the night sky, filled with power and determination:

"Dragon Pattern Hōzukimaru!!"

As Ikkaku Madarame unleashed his Bankai, Yumichika Ayasegawa quickly pulled out his communicator and dialed the Soul Society's Research and Development Institute line. "This is Karakura Town in the World of the Living, coordinates 37. Requesting freezing of the space near the battle location to protect the souls to the maximum extent possible—yes, now."

After hanging up the communication, he looked up at the battlefield. Ikkaku Madarame had already clashed with Edrad Liones again. Dragon Pattern Hōzukimaru's three giant blades collided with the Volcanica's fists, and each impact produced a deafening roar. The shockwaves of Reiatsu shattered all the glass in the surrounding buildings.

The battle was more intense than anyone could have imagined.

Ikkaku Madarame's fighting style remained wild and direct, but this time, his attacks were heavier and more deadly. Every swing of Dragon Pattern Hōzukimaru's giant blade carried the power to split mountains and shatter rocks, and even Edrad Liones after his Resurrección could not completely withstand it.

But Edrad Liones was equally powerful. His fists were enveloped in blazing white flames, each punch capable of melting steel. After several exchanges, cracks began to appear in the giant blade in Ikkaku Madarame's hand, and the two giant blades on his back were also damaged.

Yumichika Ayasegawa picked up the communicator again, his tone eerily calm. "Research and Development Institute? Additional request—prepare for a funeral ceremony for the 11th Division's Third Seat, Ikkaku Madarame."

After speaking, he put down the communicator and looked back at the battlefield.

The battle has reached its final stage.

Edrad Liones's fists were covered in knife marks, his white armor was torn in many places, revealing the charred skin underneath. As for Ikkaku Madarame's Dragon Pattern Hōzukimaru, a third of the giant blade in his hand was broken, and the giant blade on his back was also covered in wounds.

But on the largest blade behind Ikkaku Madarame, the dragon-shaped pattern began to glow red—a sign that the Dragon Pattern Hōzukimaru was accumulating power.

Edrad Liones sensed danger. He took a deep breath and concentrated all his remaining Reiatsu into his fists. The flames turned from white to blazing gold, so hot that the surrounding air seemed to boil.

"The final blow!" Edrad Liones roared, charging toward Ikkaku Madarame.

Ikkaku Madarame did not dodge. He poured all his Reiatsu into Dragon Pattern Hōzukimaru, and the giant blade on his back turned completely red, with the Dragon Pattern moving across the blade as if it had come to life.

"Bring it on!!"

The two collided in mid-air.

There was no sound.

Or rather, the sound was too loud, exceeding the limits of human hearing. Only pure light and shockwaves spread outwards from the two people. The ground was ripped up, buildings were destroyed, and the entire neighborhood was reduced to ruins in an instant.

As the light faded, both of them fell from the sky.

A huge gash was torn open in Edrad Liones's upper body, almost splitting him in two. He crashed to the ground, blood gushing out like a fountain, and the light in his eyes quickly dimmed.

Ikkaku Madarame also fell to the ground, the giant blade in his hand reduced to its hilt, the two giant blades on his back completely shattered. He lay on the ground, panting heavily, his body covered in burns and lacerations, but his eyes remained open.

Yumichika Ayasegawa walked to his side, looked down at him, and said calmly, "I knew you were still alive, Ikkaku."

Ikkaku Madarame grinned, revealing teeth stained with blood and dirt. "Needless to say... I'm the luckiest man in Soul Society."

Just then, the two simultaneously sensed Reiatsu fluctuations coming from afar— Renji Abarai released his limited Reiatsu, followed by Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Rangiku Matsumoto releasing their limited Reiatsu at the same time.

Ikkaku Madarame looked in the direction from which the Reiatsu was coming, his expression turning serious. "It seems they've lifted the restrictions."

"Yes," Yumichika Ayasegawa, "It seems their battle, just as Liu Hao said, has become a tough fight."

The battle between Ichigo Kurosaki and Grimmjow came to an abrupt end after Kaname Tōsen appeared.

As Grimmjow gripped the hilt of his Zanpakuto, preparing to release Resurrección for his final battle against Ichigo Kurosaki, a black rift silently opened behind him. Kaname Tōsen the Garganta, appearing like a ghost behind Grimmjow.

He reached out and pressed down on Grimmjow's hand holding the knife. The movement was gentle, but carried an undeniable force.

"Put your sword away, Grimmjow." Kaname Tōsen's voice was calm and even.

Grimmjow abruptly shook off Kaname Tōsen's hand, turned around and glared at the former Captain of the Ninth Division: "Tōsen, why are you here?"

"You ask 'why'?" Kaname Tōsen's voice carried a hint of sarcasm. "You really don't understand? You led the Arrancar to attack the World of the Living without authorization, causing the loss of five Arrancars —all of this was a violation of orders."

He paused, his tone becoming even harsher. "You should know, right? Lord Aizen is very angry about everything you've done, Grimmjow."

These words froze Grimmjow's expression. He could hear the warning in Kaname Tōsen's tone—not an ordinary warning, but a warning from Aizen himself. In Las Noches, Aizen's will was the absolute law, and those who disobeyed had only one fate.

Kaname Tōsen continued, "Let's go. Your punishment will be decided when we return to Hueco Mundo."

Grimmjow stared at Kaname Tōsen a few seconds, then finally just snorted coldly, "Hmph, I know."

Seeing the two preparing to leave, Ichigo Kurosaki couldn't help but shout, "Hey! Where are you going?!"

He wanted to pursue, to continue this unfinished battle, but his body had reached its limit. Getsuga Tenshō had exhausted most of his Reiatsu, and the battle with Grimmjow had left him covered in wounds. The fact that he could still stand was a testament to his willpower.

Liu Hao walked over to Ichigo Kurosaki and placed a hand on his shoulder. "That's enough, stop showing off here."

His voice was calm, but it carried a certain authority that Ichigo Kurosaki could not refute.

Hearing Ichigo Kurosaki's shout, Grimmjow turned to look at him, then at Liu Hao, a mocking smile playing on his lips, "You should learn from the person next to you; see how sensible he is."

These words made Liu Hao's eyes turn dangerous. He turned his head, looking expressionlessly at Kaname Tōsen and Grimmjow, his voice icy. "Tōsen, aren't you going to do anything about it? Aren't you worried that if you anger me, I'll leave you both here?"

Kaname Tōsen stopped, but didn't turn around. His voice remained calm, but with a hint of caution. "Liu Hao, I know you are powerful. If you wanted to keep us here, we would have died by your blade long ago. Since you're letting us leave, you won't harm us again."

He paused, then added to Grimmjow, "Don't try to provoke that man. If he wanted to make a move, I wouldn't have needed to bring you back."

After speaking, Kaname Tōsen the first to enter the Garganta. Grimmjow glanced at Ichigo Kurosaki last time, his eyes filled with resentment and fighting spirit, but in the end he turned around and followed Kaname Tōsen into the black rift.

The Garganta closed, and the two disappeared completely.

All that remained at the scene was a devastated ruin, with Ichigo Kurosaki and Liu Hao standing amidst it.

A few minutes later, Renji Abarai and Rukia Kuchiki arrived. Renji Abarai looked at the traces of the battle around him, then at Ichigo Kurosaki standing alone, and grinned. "You won!"

Ichigo Kurosaki lowered his head, his voice filled with frustration. "What kind of victory is this...?"

"Surviving is winning." Renji Abarai walked up to him, patted him on the shoulder, and spoke with the experience of a veteran.

Liu Hao looked around. The battle was over, but the cost was enormous. The streets were in ruins, and buildings were destroyed. Although the Research and Development Institute had frozen the space in time, preventing casualties among ordinary people, the wounds of this city would take time to heal.

More importantly, this battle exposed many problems.

Ichigo Kurosaki's power is still unstable, Visoreds ' training must be accelerated; the Arrancar's strength has exceeded expectations, Soul Society needs to reassess the enemy's threat level; as for Aizen...

Liu Hao looked up at the night sky, towards the direction of the Hueco Mundo.

Aizen's probing was complete. He obtained the information he wanted—about Ichigo Kurosaki's potential, the strength of the Soul Reaper, and Liu Hao's attitude.

Next time, it won't be a test.

The next one will be a real war.

"Let's go," Liu Hao said, turning to the others. "Let's go back and treat our wounds first. Tomorrow... we have a lot to discuss."