The Seventh Espada Blocking the Way

Ichigo Kurosaki's resolute expression lasted less than three seconds before deflated like a punctured balloon. He scratched the back of his head guiltily, his eyes darting towards Liu Hao, his voice filled with obvious hesitation and lack of confidence. "But... Liu Shu, even if we really do rescue Inoue from Ulquiorra... we still can't open the Garganta to return to the World of the Living! Didn't Aizen just say that he sealed off all the Garganta...?"

His voice grew softer and softer as he spoke, much like a student who had clearly reviewed before an exam but was still worried about not doing well. His amber eyes were filled with anxiety, unease, and a complex emotion of "I know it's stupid to ask this question, but I can't control myself."

Nel, perched on Liu Hao's shoulder, blinked her large, emerald-green eyes, a thoughtful expression on her face, clearly also worried about the problem. Pesche and Dondochakka exchanged bewildered glances; the two simple-minded and... not-so-developed-in-the-limbs guys were completely stumped by the question, and could only stare intently at Liu Hao with expectant eyes, as if this omnipotent "Lord Liu Hao" could conjure a Garganta from his sleeve.

Liu Hao didn't even stop walking. He just turned his head and glanced down at Ichigo Kurosaki with an extremely disdainful look that was a mixture of "disappointment" and "I knew you would ask this." The contempt in his eyes was so intense that it almost solidified, like a bucket of cold water being poured over someone's head.

"I've told you, can't you change this impatient habit?" Liu Hao's voice was clearly impatient, each word like a hammer blow to Ichigo's forehead. "Since Soul Society dared to send reinforcements, didn't they consider the return journey? Captain-Commander Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai, that old man, has lived for over a thousand years, he's eaten more salt than you've eaten rice, and he doesn't even have this much of a backup plan. He should have retired long ago!"

He paused, his tone softening slightly, but the contempt remained undiminished. "Didn't that mad scientist Mayuri Kurotsuchi arrive? Although that guy has a terrible personality, his technical skills are undeniable. Kisuke Urahara has already handed over the Garganta analysis technology to the Research and Development Institute, Mayuri Kurotsuchi brought those technical documents with him! No matter how powerful Aizen's blockade is, it only uses certain characteristics of Hueco Mundo's spatial structure to interfere. Give him some time, and he will definitely find a way to break through it."

"So," Liu Hao withdrew his gaze and continued striding forward, his voice regaining its reassuring certainty, "What you need to worry about now isn't how to get back, but how to get both yourself and Inoue safely to the entrance of the Garganta, still lively and energetic. If you understand, shut up and focus on getting there!"

"Uh... I understand..." Ichigo Kurosaki shrank back, embarrassed, and shut his mouth, obediently following behind Liu Hao. Although he was scolded, the weight that had been hanging over his heart was lifted—if Liu Hao said so, then there must be no problem.

"Alright, enough talk, let's go!" Liu Hao urged impatiently, accelerating with his Shunpo once more. His figure shot off like an arrow, hurtling towards the towering Fifth Tower in the distance. Ichigo Kurosaki, Nel (clinging to his shoulder), Pesche, Dondochakka quickly followed. In the blink of an eye, the group had swept across a large expanse of sand, approaching the massive shadow cast by the tower.

However, just as their toes touched the edge of the hard, pale stone plaza beneath the tower—

A figure, like a ghost, appeared out of thin air without warning, firmly blocking the way for everyone's progress.

He was an Arrancar with a distinctive chocolate-colored complexion. He had short, greyish-white hair tied back in a short ponytail, and his face was rugged with deep features. Most striking was the Arrancar bone ornament on his forehead—a simple yet powerful fragment of a mask with several curved lines extending outwards. He wore a pure white robe of Espada, with Zanpakuto hanging at his waist, and exuded a calm yet slightly oppressive Reiatsu. His gaze swept over Liu Hao and his group, finally settling on Liu Hao's face, a smile with a hint of inquiry and arrogance playing on his lips.

Liu Hao suddenly stopped, and upon seeing who it was, the composed expression on his face instantly crumbled, replaced by an undisguised, heartfelt... disdain and helplessness. He sighed, too lazy to even Zanpakuto, and spoke listlessly, as if encountering an annoying insurance salesman on the street:

"Zomali Lulu... the 7th Espada. Um..." He paused for a rare moment, seemingly choosing his words carefully, then gave a perfunctory, insincere, and even somewhat smug smile, "Can we talk about something?"

Zomally Lulu was clearly unprepared for this reaction. He had been prepared for a fierce battle and had even conceived a few opening lines to showcase the authority of the Espada. However, the other party's lazy, even slightly ingratiating tone left all his prepared lines stuck in his throat.

He frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "Oh? You know me. Tell me, what do you want to discuss?"

"Well..." Liu Hao's sly smile deepened, even taking on a hint of coaxing, like a creepy uncle trying to fool a child, "Look, can we make a deal? Can you move aside? Actually, I don't think you need to fight us to the death here."

He pointed to another direction in Las Noches, where the faint, chilling Reiatsu of Byakuya Kuchiki could be heard. "Look over there, the Squad Six Captain, Byakuya Kuchiki. A paragon of nobility, his Zanpakuto is 'Senbonzakura,' Bankai 'Senbonzakura Kageyoshi,' both magnificent and deadly. Most importantly, he's proud to the core, always fighting with honor and disdain for any tricks."

Liu Hao paused, then smiled even more broadly, "With your abilities, you'd be better suited to deal with Byakuya Kuchiki of the Squad Six. After all, given his arrogance, he would never use his Bankai to bully you right away."

He'll definitely play around with your Shikai first, even giving you enough opportunities to activate your abilities. With your speed and his initial underestimation of you, you might actually be able to gain an advantage. Slash him, kick him, leave a footprint on his haori... that's a feat you can brag about for a lifetime in the tavern!

Liu Hao's expression was so sincere it almost glowed. "How about it? Want to consider it? The treatment over there is so much better, the opponents are strong enough, the reputation is huge, and you get a sense of accomplishment afterward. While here..."

He spread his hands, shrugged, and said with a genuinely helpless expression, "I have no reputation, my strength is mediocre, and even if I win, I won't save face. Seriously, you should go find Byakuya Kuchiki, I'm not lying to you."

"Pfft--Haha!!"

Nel was perched on Liu Hao's shoulder, finally couldn't hold back anymore. Her little body trembled with laughter, and she patted Liu Hao's shoulder and neck repeatedly with her tiny hands. Her emerald green eyes turned into two crescent moons with laughter, and her clear childish voice changed tone with laughter. "Liu Hao, you... you're so naughty! You actually tricked me like that! Captain Kuchiki will definitely be angry if he finds out! Haha, I'm dying of laughter!"

Ichigo Kurosaki, Pesche, Dondochakka all stared wide-eyed, their mouths agape, completely stunned by Liu Hao's outrageous actions. Ichigo Kurosaki, in particular, knew Liu Hao as someone who, while seemingly carefree, was reliable when it came to serious matters. What was going on? Facing the 7th Espada, one of Hueco Mundo's strongest fighters, he was actually... haggling like a market vendor? And even promoting his rival?!

"Liu Shu..." Ichigo Kurosaki's voice cracked, completely at a loss for words.

As Liu Hao spoke candidly, Zomali Luru's expression gradually shifted from initial arrogance and inquiry to slight surprise and suspicion. Then, when he heard Liu Hao imply that he could only gain an advantage by relying on his opponent's underestimation of him, his expression darkened completely, like leaden clouds gathering before a storm. The veins on his forehead throbbed slightly, a sign that his anger was being forcibly suppressed.

He took a deep breath and said coldly, "You mean... I, Zomary Lulu, the 7th Espada, can't even gain the slightest advantage against you? I have to challenge Captain Kuchiki to have any chance..."

Before he could finish speaking, he moved.

This was not a verbal probing, but a true Sonído attack, belonging to the "fastest of the Espada"!

Without warning, the space beside Liu Hao rippled, and another "Zomali Lulu" appeared out of thin air as if stepping out of a mirror image! It wasn't a clone, but rather an afterimage created at extreme speed, overlapping with the real body! His Zanpakuto flashing like a bolt of lightning, accompanied by a sharp whooshing sound, slashing diagonally from the upper left to the lower right! The target was Liu Hao's unsuspecting neck!

This strike was as fast as lightning, with a tricky angle and perfect timing—it landed right at the moment when Liu Hao had just finished his long speech and seemed to be at his most relaxed!

However.

"Clang--!"

A crisp, metallic, soft ringing sound.

Liu Hao didn't even turn his head, nor did he conceal the smirk on his face. He simply raised his right hand casually, and two fingers—index and middle—acted like the most precise mechanical clamps, firmly gripping the menacing Zanpakuto just inches from his neck!

The Reiatsu from the blade exploded at his fingertips, yet it couldn't even pierce his skin, as if it weren't a strike powerful enough to split mountains and shatter rocks, but rather a light, fluttering leaf.

Liu Hao maintained his stance with the knife between his legs, even having the leisure to turn his head slightly and look at Zomari Luru, who was standing close at hand and still wielding his sword, with eyes brimming with "sincerity." His tone remained languid. "See, I wasn't wrong, was I? Someone at your level..."

He gently shook his head, his words casual yet more damaging than any insult. "You're truly no match for me. Why bother?"

Zomali Lulu's pupils suddenly contracted! It was shock, disbelief, and even more so, the fury of having his dignity ruthlessly trampled upon!

But before he could make his next reaction—

On Liu Hao's other side, the air rippled again like water! A third figure, Zomari Lulu, with even greater speed and a more concealed angle, lunged forward from below like a venomous snake that had been lurking for a long time! The Zanpakuto pointed upwards, carrying a fierce, armor-piercing force, silently stabbing towards Liu Hao's unprotected side!

This is a feint, a series of deadly moves!

However, it was as if Liu Hao had eyes in the back of his head. His left hand, which had been free, suddenly reached back as if he had expected it, and with his palm open, he precisely grasped the blade of the Zanpakuto that was thrusting at him from an odd angle!

The sharp blade remained motionless in his bare hand.

The knife he was holding in his right hand, along with the two Zomary Lulu figures in front of him and behind him, vanished at the same moment, like bursting bubbles.

That was an afterimage caused by extreme speed; it lost its Reiatsu support after the attack was blocked and quickly dissipated.

The real Zommari Ruru was still standing in the same spot, but his Zanpakuto was now firmly held by Liu Hao's left hand. The tip of the blade was only a few inches away from Liu Hao's waist, but it was as if it were welded into an iron clamp, unable to go any further.

Liu Hao turned his head to face Zomari Lulu's face, which was slightly distorted with shock and humiliation. A half-smile curled at the corner of his mouth, "Look, even your proud speed—that so-called 'fastest Sonído among the Espada' —is helpless against me, isn't it?"

He even casually rubbed the blade between his fingers, as if savoring its texture. "The blade is good, but master... hmm, still needs to work harder."

Zomali Lulu stared intently at Liu Hao, his face so dark it was almost dripping with water. He stopped speaking, not because he had nothing to say, but because extreme anger and... a trace of fear and unease that he was unwilling to admit but could not suppress, were growing wildly from the depths of his heart like poisonous vines, coiling around his soul.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Liu Hao didn't rush to withdraw his hand. Instead, he tilted his head with interest, his tone carrying that infuriatingly cheeky concern. "Huh? Why aren't you saying anything? Mr. Zomali, you seem a little unhappy?"

His expression was so sincere it was almost irritating. "What's on your mind? You can tell me. We're going to be stuck here for a while anyway, so let's chat, okay? Like... what was your childhood dream? Or is it that you don't really like the '7th Espada's ranking? Want to hear my objective analysis of your abilities? It's free, by the way."

"Pfft--!"

This time, Nel completely broke down. She collapsed onto Liu Hao's shoulder, laughing so hard her small body trembled like a leaf, tears streaming down her face, unable to stop. Between laughs, she pounded Liu Hao's back with her little fists, her voice broken, "Liu Hao, you... you're so mean! How could you do this! Look, his face is all green! Haha, I can't take it anymore, I'm dying of laughter..."

Ichigo Kurosaki, Pesche, Dondochakka were already petrified.