A Difficult Battle

Let's rewind to the moment the Arrancar first invaded the World of the Living.

Soul Society, Research and Development Institute.

Inside the monitoring room, dozens of screens flickered simultaneously, displaying Reiatsu fluctuations from World of the Living over the world. Members of the Research and Development Institute were on duty in shifts, closely monitoring any abnormal situations.

Suddenly, Kofu Rin's body stiffened abruptly. She stared at the main monitoring screen in front of her, her pupils contracting sharply—on the screen, four red dots were flashing, each representing a powerful source of Reiatsu.

"Akon!" Rin Tsubofu's voice trembled slightly, "It's the Espada! Four Espada are attacking the World of the Living!"

Akon rushed behind her almost instantly, his gaze falling on the screen. The Reiatsu pressure of those four points of light far exceeded that of ordinary Arrancar, each radiating a suffocating sense of oppression.

"Notify the Captain immediately," Akon's voice was calm but urgent, "Has the application to lift the restrictions been completed?"

Kofu Rin's fingers flew across the keyboard. "Application complete!"

Akon nodded and took a deep breath. He knew that what happened next would determine the course of this battle.

The Thirteenth Division barracks and Training Grounds.

Rukia Kuchiki is currently training with Orihime Inoue. The two have been working together for a long time, and their teamwork is getting better and better. Under Orihime Inoue's guidance, Rukia is becoming more and more proficient in using the Sōten Kisshun.

Just then, Jūshirō Ukitake appeared at the entrance of the Training Ground. His expression was serious, completely unlike his usual gentle demeanor.

"Rukia," Jūshirō Ukitake spoke, his voice tinged with seriousness, "the Twelfth Division has sent word that Arrancar are attacking the World of the Living."

Rukia Kuchiki's body trembled slightly. Without hesitation, she immediately put away her Sode no Shirayuki and bowed to Jūshirō Ukitake: "Captain, I'll go to the World of the Living to provide support first!"

Jūshirō Ukitake nodded. "Okay, be careful."

Orihime Inoue hurriedly stepped forward, her eyes filled with worry and urgency. "I want to go too!"

Jūshirō Ukitake looked at her, his tone gentle but firm. "Orihime, you're not Soul Reaper, you can't control the Hell Butterflies. I'll arrange for someone to take you there later, let Rukia go first."

A flicker of disappointment crossed Orihime Inoue's eyes, but she also understood her limitations. She lowered her head, her voice weak. "Alright..."

Rukia Kuchiki walked to her side and gently patted her shoulder. A warm smile appeared on her usually aloof face, "Orihime, don't worry. Liu Hao and Renji are both in the World of the Living; they'll help Ichigo handle it."

Orihime Inoue looked up and saw the unwavering trust in Rukia's eyes, which eased her unease slightly. She nodded vigorously. "Yes!"

Rukia her one last look, then turned and stepped onto the passage to the World of the Living.

Meanwhile, in the Karakura Town Industrial District.

The battle has fully erupted.

The battle between Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Yammy Rialgo has entered a heated phase. Every swing of Hyōrinmaru brings with it a biting chill and a huge ice dragon, but Yammy breaks free from those ice dragons the moment they hit him.

Those seemingly solid ice layers are as fragile as glass in the face of Yammy's power.

Yammy grinned, his laughter filled with sarcasm. "Who can be frozen by such thin ice!"

Tōshirō Hitsugaya gritted his teeth, remaining silent. He knew that the enemy before him was unlike any he had ever faced before. Yammy's power was far too great; ordinary attacks were completely ineffective against him.

Not far away, Yumichika Ayasegawa had just been knocked away Luppi Ruby Antenor and crashed heavily to the ground. He struggled to get up, but his injuries prevented him from moving immediately.

Luppi withdrew her gaze and looked at Ikkaku Madarame, the only one still standing in the arena, her tone impatient. "Ugh, I already said it's one-on-one, you guys have no chance of winning."

He then turned to look at Ikkaku Madarame, a mocking smile playing on his lips, "Are you sure you're not going to come up and help him?"

Ikkaku Madarame gripped the Hōzukimaru tightly in his hand, his eyes resolute. "I have no interest in two against one."

"Ugh, this is such a hassle." Luppi sighed, glancing around at the five Soul Reapers in the arena. "These guys are really getting in the way. Maybe... I should take on all five of them?"

He turned to Yammy, who was locked in combat with Tōshirō Hitsugaya, and said casually, as if discussing lunch, "Yammy, why don't you let me have that guy over there? I'll use my Resurrección and take them all out in one go."

Tōshirō Hitsugaya heard the words "Resurrección," his heart skipped a beat. He immediately abandoned his fight with Yammy and turned to charge at Luppi.

He must stop the Arrancar from Resurrección battlefield—or the consequences will be dire.

"Bankai - Daiguren Hyōrinmaru!"

An icy blue Reiatsu erupted from his body, enormous ice wings unfurled behind him, and an ice dragon tail swung behind him. Tōshirō Hitsugaya's speed instantly increased to its maximum, charging straight at Luppi.

But Luppi is faster.

His hand was already on the hilt of his Zanpakuto, a victor's smile on his face, "Hang him— Trepadora."

The moment the words of release were uttered, white Reiatsu surged from his body, enveloping him like a giant cocoon. The Reiatsu continued to expand and twist, eventually extending a thick tentacle from its center, attacking Tōshirō Hitsugaya directly.

Tōshirō Hitsugaya raised his Ice Wings to block. His tentacles struck the Ice Wings with a dull thud.

"As expected of the Captain," Luppi's voice came from the white Reiatsu, tinged with mockery, "Your defense is excellent."

Tōshirō Hitsugaya slowly unfurled his Ice Wings, attempting to push aside the tentacle. "Is this all your attacks are capable of?"

Luppi laughed. Her laughter was filled with confidence and sarcasm. "Is that all? What if the attack was eight times stronger than before?"

A white Reiatsu dissipated, revealing Luppi's true form after her Resurrección. Behind her, eight long tentacles danced in the air like giant snakes, each exuding a dangerous aura.

Tōshirō Hitsugaya's pupils suddenly contracted.

Eight tentacles attacked him simultaneously, moving so fast that he couldn't dodge them at all. The tentacles were like eight venomous snakes, attacking from all angles at the same time, instantly shattering his Ice Wings.

Tōshirō Hitsugaya fell from the sky and crashed heavily to the ground.

Luppi stood on high ground, looking down at the Captain lying on the ground, and laughed arrogantly, "Oh dear, it can't be called one against five, it should be called eight against five."

The eight tentacles behind him began to rotate around the disc behind him, and then swept towards Momo Hinamori, Rangiku Matsumoto, Ikkaku Madarame, and Yumichika Ayasegawa at the same time.

The four men's attacks were completely ineffective against the tentacles. Their swords and blades left only shallow marks when they struck the tentacles; their Kidō attacks were easily blocked.

Luppi's laughter grew even more arrogant. "Are you really from the Gotei 13? You seem completely unfazed!"

Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawa a glance and charged at Luppi simultaneously. Momo Hinamori and Rangiku Matsumoto attempted to use Kidō to attack from a distance.

But all the attacks were easily blocked by the eight tentacles.

Yammy watched as everyone went after Luppi and yawned boredly. "How boring, everyone's busy with Luppi."

He turned to look at Wonderweiss Margera, who had been standing motionless at the edge. The new Arrancar was staring blankly at a butterfly fluttering among the ruins, completely oblivious to the battle around him.

"Hey, newbie," Yammy called out, but Wonderweiss didn't respond.

Yammy watched the figure still staring at the butterfly, and shook his head speechlessly. "Ha, is this guy really alright?"

On the battlefield, Luppi's battle with the four Soul Reapers is nearing its end.

His tentacles were flexible and powerful, and the four were completely at a disadvantage under his attacks. Finally, Luppi seized an opportunity and used her tentacles to entangle the four of them one by one.

Rangiku Matsumoto was tightly bound by tentacles, unable to move. Luppi's gaze fell on her, a greedy glint in her eyes. "Sister, you have a great figure. So sexy, I'm quite envious."

He extended a free tentacle, aiming it at Rangiku Matsumoto's face. The tip of the tentacle suddenly opened, revealing countless sharp spikes, each one gleaming with a cold light.

"How about I riddle you with holes?"

As soon as she finished speaking, the spiky tentacle suddenly stabbed towards Rangiku Matsumoto's face.

Rangiku Matsumoto's eyes widened as she tried to struggle, but her tightly bound body was completely immobile. The aura of death was overwhelming, and the approaching tentacle was reflected in her pupils.

Just then--

A red slash tore through the air, precisely severing the spiked tentacle, and also cutting off the tentacle that was binding Rangiku Matsumoto.

Everyone was stunned.

From the source of the slash, a figure slowly approached. He wore a green striped hat and wooden clogs, and held a seemingly ordinary Zanpakuto in his hand.

Kisuke Urahara.

He adjusted his hat, a gentle smile on his face, but his eyes were sharp as knives. "Oh dear, thank goodness I made it in time. It was really dangerous."

Luppi stared coldly at the uninvited guest, her voice laced with murderous intent. "Who are you?"

Kisuke Urahara walked up to Rangiku Matsumoto and shielded her behind him. He looked up at Luppi, his smile unchanged.

"Oh, sorry, I haven't introduced myself yet."

His expression suddenly turned serious, and his tone became low. "Kisuke Urahara —I'm the owner of Urahara Shop, this unassuming general store. If you don't mind, I look forward to working with you in the future."

A flicker of wariness crossed Luppi's Lord Aizen. He'd heard of that name before. The one who created the Hōgyoku, the one even Aizen feared.

But just then, another figure moved.

Wonderweiss Margera, the Arrancar who had been staring at the butterfly, suddenly appeared behind Kisuke Urahara. His movements were completely unexpected and so fast that no one could react in time. He reached out and grabbed at Kisuke Urahara's back.

Kisuke Urahara's body reacted instinctively. He turned and struck Wonderweiss with his sword, knocking him back.

"Oh?" Kisuke Urahara looked at the expressionless Arrancar, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes. "You're quite a strange guy."

Wonderweiss didn't speak. He raised his hand, and red light gathered in his palm before shooting it at Kisuke Urahara.

Kisuke Urahara dodged to the side, the red beam grazing his body and exploding into a deep crater in the ground behind him.

"Oh dear," Kisuke Urahara's voice held a hint of surprise, "That startled me. What was that move just now? I've never seen it before."

Before he could finish speaking, he was suddenly struck hard in the back.

Kisuke Urahara fell forward and crashed heavily to the ground.

Yammy Rialgo stood behind him, his fist still in a striking stance. He grinned, revealing a ferocious smile, "Hahaha—let me tell you. That move was called 'Bala'! It's about condensing one's Reiatsu and then attacking the enemy. Although its power can't match Cero, its speed is twenty times Cero!"

Kisuke Urahara struggled to his feet, but Yammy had already rushed in front of him. He raised his fist, red light gathering on it, and then punched Kisuke Urahara, who was lying on the ground, repeatedly.

"How about that? You can't dodge it? You can't dodge it, can you!" Yammy's fists rained down like raindrops, each punch carrying the force of Bala. "Die! Die! You wooden clog-wearing bastard!"

Boom boom--

Bala kept exploding on Kisuke Urahara's body, filling the air with smoke and dust.

Wonderweiss stood to the side, staring blankly at the scene, his face expressionless.

Luppi watched Yammy's frenzied attack and shook her head helplessly. "Ugh, he ruined my plans. I was actually thinking of having me deal with him..."

He glanced at the figure, now obscured by the smoke and dust, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his lips, "Whatever, he's doomed anyway."