The Arrancar Attack (1)

Night fell like spilled ink, staining the entire sky a bottomless darkness. In Karakura Town, streetlights cast a dim, yellowish glow, stretching the shadows of pedestrians long and short. It should have been a peaceful night, but that peace was shattered in an instant.

A pitch-black rift suddenly tore open in the air without warning, like cloth being ripped apart by a sharp blade, emitting a piercing tearing sound. The rift grew larger and larger, eventually forming a huge Garganta from which suffocating Reiatsu surged forth. Immediately afterwards, several figures slowly walked out of the Garganta. They stepped into the void, each step feeling as if they were stepping on solid ground, producing a dull thud.

Leading the group was a tall, stern-faced man with short, light blue hair that fluttered slightly in the night breeze, and a wild, beast-like glint in his azure eyes. Behind him followed several figures of varying builds, each radiating Reiatsu far exceeding that of ordinary Hollows.

"Is this Karakura Town?" The blue-haired man— Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez —scanned the brightly lit town below, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "It doesn't look like anything special."

The Arrancars behind him let out excited growls, their eyes gleaming with bloodlust.

The moment the Garganta opened, all the Soul Reaper stationed in Karakura Town simultaneously sensed that powerful Reiatsu. That Reiatsu was like a torch in the darkness, clear and dazzling, and could be clearly felt even from several streets away.

Kisuke Urahara, who was in the Underground Training Ground of the Urahara Shop, suddenly opened his eyes. Yoruichi Shihōin also woke up from her dozing. The two looked at each other and simultaneously sensed the dangerous aura permeating the air.

In Orihime Inoue's apartment, Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Rangiku Matsumoto also stood up simultaneously. Tōshirō Hitsugaya's hand was already gripping Hyōrinmaru on his back, his brow furrowed. "This Reiatsu... it's Arrancar, and more than one."

Rangiku Matsumoto also abandoned her usual languid expression and said in a deep voice, "Captain, shall we move out?"

Tōshirō Hitsugaya nodded. "Notify everyone, take immediate action. We can't let those guys run rampant in the World of the Living."

Meanwhile, at the Visored's base, Shinji Hirako and the others also sensed those Reiatsu. He put down his teacup, a meaningful smile appearing on his lips, "They've arrived. Just as Ziyun said."

Hiyori Sarugaki stood up, gripping her Zanpakuto: "Shall we go help?"

Shinji Hirako shook his head. "No need. Ziyun said to let Ichigo go and meet them first. We'll wait here and see how that kid's training has progressed these past few days."

Inside the Martial Arts Hall, Liu Ziyun reclined on the roof, a jug of sake in his hand, gazing leisurely at the night sky. As the Garganta tore through the sky, he narrowed his eyes slightly, a faint smile appearing on his lips, "Finally here. Let's see how much trouble you can cause."

He slowly stood up, stretched his limbs, and then leaped into the night.

Throughout Karakura Town, Soul Reaper were on the move. Tōshirō Hitsugaya led Rangiku Matsumoto towards the direction of the strongest Reiatsu; Renji Abarai and Rukia Kuchiki also set off from Urahara Shop, each heading towards different battlefields; Ikkaku Madarame excitedly licked his lips and rushed into the night with Yumichika Ayasegawa.

However, just as they were about to reach the battlefield, figures blocked their way. The Arrancar seemed to have been prepared, precisely intercepting the path of each Soul Reaper. In an instant, fierce battles erupted throughout Karakura Town, the sounds of clashing Reiatsu and the impact of Zanpakuto echoing through the night sky.

Liu Ziyun ignored the battles. His steps were as light as the wind as he moved between the rooftops, heading straight for Yasutora Sado's house. He had already sensed a relatively weak Arrancar Reiatsu there, as well as an aura he knew all too well— Ichigo Kurosaki.

When he arrived near Yasutora Sado's house, he saw Ichigo Kurosaki standing in front of Yasutora Sado Arrancar. The Arrancar had a Zanpakuto at his waist and a contemptuous smile on his face, seemingly not taking the orange-haired boy in front of him seriously at all.

However, his contempt was quickly shattered. Ichigo Kurosaki's figure flashed like a ghost, his Zanpakuto drawing a silver arc in the moonlight. The Arrancar didn't even have time to react before being cleaved to the ground with a dull thud.

"Too weak." Ichigo Kurosaki his sword and stood there, his tone as calm as if he had only done something insignificant.

Liu Ziyun reclined on the opposite rooftop, watching this scene with a satisfied smile. The special training these past few days hadn't been in vain; Ichigo's strength and speed had improved significantly. However, he also knew that this was just an appetizer; the real opponent was yet to appear.

Sure enough, the instant the Arrancar collapsed, a Reiatsu several times stronger than before suddenly descended. That Reiatsu swept in like a tsunami, carrying a ferocious, beast-like aura, making the surrounding air seem to freeze.

Liu Ziyun narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at the figure that emerged from the darkness—short light blue hair, azure eyes, and a cruel smile on his lips. Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, one of Aizen's Arrancar, whose strength far surpassed those of the previous weaklings.

Liu Ziyun had no intention of making a move. He shifted to a more comfortable position on the roof, thinking, "I'll keep this guy around. After all, he hasn't done anything too bad, and he'll still be an ally in the future. Now, let Ichigo with him first and see how much his training has progressed these past few days."

Ichigo Kurosaki also felt the powerful Reiatsu. He turned around, his gaze meeting Grimmjow's in mid-air. The two Reiatsu collided invisibly, stirring up waves of energy.

"You're Ichigo Kurosaki?" Grimmjow sized him up, his smile growing increasingly cruel. "You don't look like much."

Ichigo Kurosaki Zanpakuto tightly and asked in a deep voice, "Who are you?"

"Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez." The blue- Arrancar cracked his neck. "Remember this name, for this will be your last opponent."

Before he finished speaking, his figure had already vanished from the spot. The next instant, he appeared in front of Ichigo Kurosaki, his fist slamming down with a fierce gust of wind.

Ichigo Kurosaki was shocked and hurriedly raised his sword to block. The huge impact made his arm go numb, and he slid back several meters, his feet plowing two deep tracks in the ground.

"Not bad, you managed to block one of my punches." Grimmjow clenched his fist, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "Then let's see just how long you can last."