Fierce Battle with Ulquiorra (2)
Ulquiorra's pale figure rapidly ascended beneath the eternal, pale sky of Hueco Mundo.
He flew to the vicinity of the enormous "canopy" that Sōsuke Aizen had constructed with absolute Reiatsu, covering the entire Las Noches —that illusory, azure sky—before finally slowing down.
He didn't turn around, nor did he even check if Ichigo Kurosaki had caught up. He simply raised the green-hilted Zanpakuto in his hand, its tip pointing towards the seemingly boundless blue sky above.
Then, with a light swipe.
Sizzle--!
With a soft sound like cloth being torn, he actually sliced open a huge, jagged, and pitch-black rift in the azure sky with his blade! The rift seemed to lead to another world, exuding a profound and tranquil aura completely different from Hueco Mundo.
Without the slightest hesitation, Ulquiorra flashed into the crack like a bat returning to its nest, instantly disappearing into the depths of the dark rift.
Ichigo Kurosaki, who was right behind him, only managed to catch a glimpse of the green figure disappearing and the slowly healing, edge-closing crack above his head.
Without the slightest hesitation, and without even considering what lay beyond the crack, he unleashed his full power with Shunpo, his entire body like a black meteor, closely following Ulquiorra's figure, and plunged headfirst into the closing crack!
First, there was utter darkness, as if even the light had been swallowed up.
Then, something caught my eye.
Ichigo Kurosaki finds himself standing in a completely unfamiliar space.
This place is no longer the pale, oppressive palace complex filled with artificial carvings inside Las Noches, but a vast, seemingly boundless, true... world.
Above, no longer was that false blue canopy, but a deep, almost pure night sky, adorned with countless glittering stars! A huge, cool, full moon hung high in the sky, casting its silvery-white light and coating everything below with a hazy, unreal hue.
Beneath my feet, there was no longer a man-made stone slab ground, but a real, endless Desert. Under the moonlight, the sand grains reflected a faint silver light, and the undulating dunes, like the back of a sleeping giant, stretched into the distance beyond the reach of sight.
In this Desert, there stand enormous, pale white stone pillars, scattered in a haphazard fashion. Some are intact, some are broken, some are leaning, and some are collapsed, like relics left by an ancient civilization, or the only landmarks of this land of death. The moonlight stretches their shadows extremely long, casting mottled and eerie patterns on the sand.
Ulquiorra Cifer stood atop one of the most intact, flat-topped massive stone pillars, not far from Ichigo Kurosaki. He held his green- Zanpakuto in one hand, the tip pointing downwards, standing silently.
Moonlight bathed his pale body, illuminating his expressionless face and his emerald green eyes, as calm and serene as a cold-blooded animal's. He looked down at Ichigo Kurosaki below, like a god looking down on a mortal who had trespassed into forbidden territory.
Ichigo Kurosaki steadied himself, gripping his twin swords tightly, his muscles taut, his gaze fixed on Ulquiorra atop the stone pillar. He could clearly sense that in this space, the opponent's Reiatsu seemed to resonate with the surrounding environment, becoming more solid, more profound, and... more dangerous.
Just then, Ulquiorra's monotone, almost mechanical voice rang out in the silent night. "This is 'Above the Canopy' —the true top space of Las Noches. It is also the final battlefield that Lord Aizen specially reserved for us Espada..."
His voice was devoid of any emotional fluctuation, simply stating a fact. "In fighting in this space, there are two rules that must be followed. These are rules personally established by Lord Aizen."
He paused, his emerald green eyes locking onto Ichigo Kurosaki:
"First, the use of 'Gran Rey Cero' —that is, Cero at the level of the Espada —is not permitted. The energy impact of that level is so great that even the space Above the Canopy cannot fully withstand it, and it may affect the main body of Las Noches below."
"Secondly, Espada of 'number four or above' are not allowed to retract their Resurrección."
He slightly raised his Zanpakuto, its tip pointing at Ichigo Kurosaki. Moonlight reflected a cold light off the blade. "Because the Resurrección Forms of Espada No. 4 and above are too powerful. Once released, even this specially reinforced space will be completely destroyed. Las Noches... Lord Aizen's life's work cannot be lost."
He slowly withdrew the sword that was pointing at Ichigo, gripped the hilt with both hands, and Zanpakuto upright in front of him.
Then, he closed his emerald green eyes.
A Reiatsu, entirely different from the previous ones—deeper, darker, and more chilling—began to slowly rise from his body. This Reiatsu didn't spread outwards violently, but rather, like the waters of a dormant abyss, was calm yet bottomless, carrying a dark quality that seemed to devour everything.
Ulquiorra uttered the release phrase for his Resurrección: "Seal it off, Murciélago."
The moment his words fell, a dense, almost black, dark green Reiatsu erupted from his body like a gushing spring! This Reiatsu didn't spread as a shockwave, but rather, as if it possessed a life of its own, surged upwards, condensed, and took shape! It coiled around his body, gathered behind him, and finally, under the moonlight, coalesced into a pair of enormous, jet-black demonic wings, resembling those of a fallen angel from mythology!
Those wings were not merely decorations; each wing membrane flowed with faint, dark green Reiatsu patterns, the wing bones were as sharp as knives, and two sharp bone spikes extended from the wingtips. With just a gentle flap, they left two faint, lingering dark trails in the night sky.
At the same time, the Zanpakuto in his hand quietly melted away in the green light, as if merging into his body. In its place was an increasingly solid and profound terrifying Reiatsu surrounding him, and... in his emerald green eyes, there seemed to be an indescribable, instinctive coldness.
After completing his Resurrección, Ulquiorra's physical form did not undergo a dramatic change. He still retained his human form, his pale face, and the black tear-like markings. However, the pair of enormous black demonic wings on his back and the Reiatsu around him that was several times deeper than before made his presence completely different.
He stood quietly atop the stone pillar, his demonic wings fluttering slightly in the moonlight, surrounded by a dark, ethereal aura, like a true demon king emerging from the depths of Hell.
The moment Ichigo Kurosaki sensed Ulquiorra's Resurrección Reiatsu, his pupils involuntarily contracted slightly.
It was an instinctive, automatic bodily reaction to extreme danger. His muscles tensed uncontrollably to their limit, every nerve seemed to be struck by an electric current, frantically sending alarms to his brain—danger! Extreme danger! This being before him was unlike any opponent he had ever faced before!
He gripped the twin swords, Zangetsu, tightly with both hands, his knuckles turning white from the excessive force. His breathing became light and shallow, as if afraid that any unnecessary movement would invite the opponent's devastating storm of attacks.
Ulquiorra saw Ichigo Kurosaki's extremely tense and fearful state. However, his emerald green eyes did not even show the slightest ripple. It was as if, in his eyes, Ichigo Kurosaki's current state was just the inevitable fear of an ant facing a giant, which was only natural and not worth mentioning.
He didn't give Ichigo Kurosaki any time to adapt or adjust.
The next moment, his figure disappeared from the top of the stone pillar.
It's not Shunpo, it's not Sonído, it's true, incredibly fast movement that's impossible for the naked eye to perceive!
Ichigo Kurosaki's battle instincts kicked in with a frantic warning! Before he could even think, his body reacted automatically—he leaned sharply to the side, simultaneously holding his Zangetsu horizontally beside him!
Clang--!
A deafening clang of metal clashing echoed through the night sky!
Ulquiorra appeared out of thin air beside Ichigo Kurosaki! In his hand, a "Moonlight Sword" made entirely of dark green Reiatsu and emitting a faint glow had materialized—it was not a real Zanpakuto, but a weapon he could freely create after Resurrección his Zanpakuto, made purely of Reiatsu, yet its sharpness was in no way inferior to a real blade!
This Moonlight Sword, carrying the force to split mountains and shatter rocks, was slashing horizontally towards Ichigo Kurosaki's waist! If Ichigo Kurosaki hadn't instinctively parried with his own sword, this strike would have been enough to cut him in half at the waist!
However, this is just the beginning!
Ichigo Kurosaki gritted his teeth, his right hand desperately resisting the terrifying force from the Moonlight Sword, which felt like a mountain collapsing. At the same time, his left hand, without the slightest hesitation, swung the short sword upwards, delivering a golden slash towards Ulquiorra's abdomen!
A close-up view of the Getsuga Tenshō!
However, Ulquiorra seemed to have anticipated this attack. Without even looking at the golden slash, his body twisted and shifted backward at a bizarre angle that defied human biomechanics, floating backward as if weightless, allowing the golden crescent to almost graze his chest as it slashed towards the empty night sky.
But just as he retreated, the Moonlight Sword he was holding in his right hand suddenly flew out of his grasp!
The Moonlight Sword, like a green lightning bolt thrown out, traced a straight trajectory through the air and shot towards Ichigo Kurosaki's face, who was right in front of him!
This attack came too suddenly, too fast!
Ichigo Kurosaki had just unleashed Getsuga Tenshō with his left hand, his old power exhausted and new power yet to be generated, while his right hand Zangetsu was still in a blocking stance, leaving him no time to retract it!
In the nick of time, he could only rely on instinct to jerk his head to the side!
Laugh--!
The Moonlight Sword whistled past his cheek! Although it didn't hit a vital spot, the incomparably sharp blade still managed to cut a deep wound on his right shoulder! Crimson Reishi blood spurted out instantly!
Even more terrifying was the special Reiatsu attached to the Moonlight Sword, belonging to Ulquiorra after his Resurrección, which seeped into the wound like a leech! Ichigo Kurosaki felt a sharp pain and numbness in his right shoulder, as if most of the strength in his arm had been drained away, and his body involuntarily staggered backward!
Ulquiorra raised his hand again, and the dark green Moonlight Sword reformed in his palm, becoming even more solid. Then, without any hesitation, he hurled the Ichigo Kurosaki Moonlight Sword Ichigo Kurosaki, who had not yet fully regained his footing!
The second Moonlight Sword, accompanied by a piercing sound, shot towards us once more!
Despite the excruciating pain and numbness in his right shoulder, Ichigo Kurosaki pushed off with his feet and rolled to the side on the sand, narrowly avoiding the fatal sword strike!
However, just as he rolled to his feet, before his body was fully adjusted—
Ulquiorra's figure had already appeared before him like a ghost!
In his right hand, the third Moonlight Sword had already taken shape! This sword was no longer a horizontal slash or a projectile, but a fierce downward strike aimed directly at the head of Ichigo Kurosaki, who had just stood up and was wide open!
Ichigo Kurosaki's pupils contracted sharply, the shadow of death instantly enveloping his entire body! He didn't have time to swing his right-hand long sword Zangetsu to parry, and could only instinctively raise his left-hand short sword Zangetsu to block!
Clang--!
Another deafening explosion!
The Moonlight Sword struck the blade of the short sword in Ichigo Kurosaki's left hand with tremendous force! The impact caused Ichigo Kurosaki's knee to bend slightly, and a large section of the sand beneath his feet instantly caved in!
However, this was only part of Ulquiorra's attack.
Just as Ichigo Kurosaki blocked the Moonlight Sword with his left hand, Ulquiorra also raised his left hand. Between his pale fingers, a fifth Moonlight Sword was visibly forming!
Ichigo Kurosaki caught a glimpse of the deadly blade gathering and about to pierce him out of the corner of his eye, and a fierce glint flashed in his eyes! He would no longer passively defend himself!
He gritted his teeth, and with a sudden swing of his right hand, Zangetsu, whose strength had been weakened by his shoulder injury! The jet-black blade, carrying an unstoppable momentum, slashed towards Ulquiorra's shoulder, which was slightly exposed from the swing!
This is a fighting style that trades injuries for injuries, and risks lives for lives!
In Ulquiorra's usually impassive eyes, a barely perceptible flicker of something—perhaps an unexpected turn of events, or perhaps a barely perceptible hint of admiration—finally appeared.
But his hands did not stop for the slightest.
Just as Ichigo Kurosaki's Zangetsu was about to touch his shoulder, the Moonlight Sword that had been gathering in his left hand had completed its final infusion of Reiatsu, and he firmly grasped it, then raised it upwards—
Clang--!
The fifth sound, a clash of metal!
Ichigo Kurosaki's Zangetsu struck Ulquiorra's raised Moonlight Sword squarely in his left hand!
The two men, wielding four weapons (Ulquiorra dual-wielding two Moonlight Swords, Ichigo Kurosaki -wielding the long sword Zangetsu and the short sword Zangetsu), were locked in a fierce stalemate!
Under the moonlight, the two figures stood like two statues, their blades clashing, their Reiatsu colliding, sparks flying and distorted light and shadow.
And in that moment of stalemate—
Liu Hao and his group finally emerged from the slowly healing crack below.
Orihime Inoue controlled the Santen Kesshun, carrying Liu Hao, Nel (still perched on Liu Hao's shoulder), Pesche, and Dondochakka, slowly ascending into the moonlit battlefield. As soon as they emerged, they witnessed this breathtaking scene—two people locked in a stalemate, their blades clashing, neither able to retreat an inch.
Orihime Inoue's heart leaped into her throat. She looked at the still-bleeding wound on Ichigo Kurosaki's shoulder, at his arm trembling slightly from the exertion, at the stubborn and resolute expression on his face, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears. She turned to Liu Hao beside her, her voice trembling with sobs and anxiety:
"Mr. Liu Hao! Aren't you going to help Ichigo?! That Arrancar... that Ulquiorra... he's too strong! Ichigo... he'll die!"
Liu Hao stood atop the Santen Kesshun, arms crossed, his gaze calmly fixed on the battlefield under the moonlight. He saw Ulquiorra's terrifying form after his Resurrección, and he also saw Ichigo Kurosaki's swaying yet relentlessly fighting figure. However, there was no worry or tension on his face; instead, a faint, meaningful smile appeared on his lips.
He shook his head slightly, his voice gentle yet firm. "No need, Inoue- kun. This battle must be fought by Ichigo himself."
He turned to look at Orihime Inoue's anxious face, which was almost on the verge of tears, his eyes filled with comfort and encouragement, "This is a hurdle he must overcome. He needs to hone himself, surpass himself, and break through his limits through one life-or-death battle after another against truly strong opponents. Only in this way can he truly grow up and be able to face even more terrifying crises in the future."
"A future... crisis?" Orihime Inoue froze, her anxiety replaced by confusion. "You mean... Aizen? Even after defeating Aizen, there will still be..."
Liu Hao didn't answer her question directly. Instead, he turned his gaze back to the battlefield, to the boy who, under the moonlight, persevered despite being at a complete disadvantage. His voice became somewhat ethereal, as if prophesying, or stating a given fact. "Don't worry, Inoue- kun. Ichigo... he will definitely win this battle."
He narrowed his eyes slightly, those eyes that seemed to see through everything, as if piercing through the moonlight, and seeing the dormant potential within Ichigo Kurosaki that was far more vast and unfathomable than what was currently being displayed.
His potential has yet to be fully realized.