Ichigo Kurosaki neither dodged nor used any defensive technique. He merely raised his right hand, his palm facing the incoming Cero.
At that moment, time seemed to freeze. Then, the seemingly unstoppable Cero vanished soundlessly the instant it touched his palm, as though swallowed by an invisible force.
The sight shocked every Hollow present.
Ulquiorra's expression changed slightly. He had not expected his Cero to be neutralized so easily.
After all, every one of them had received an immense boost to their abilities and gained access to more of their own power.
Ulquiorra even felt that his former self, even with Second Resurrección activated, would have been unable to withstand that attack.
Yet Ichigo Kurosaki had blocked it so casually—and made his attack disappear without a trace?
How had he done that?
"Interesting."
Barragan was also surprised, but he did not care. No matter how strong Ichigo Kurosaki was, he could not possibly ignore Barragan's ability.
"Is that all you have, Ulquiorra?"
Ichigo Kurosaki said to Ulquiorra.
Ulquiorra did not answer, but his gaze said everything. He slowly raised his hand, gathering fresh power at his fingertips as he prepared to unleash an even fiercer attack.
However, just then, an even greater threat descended from the sky—Stark's "Infinite Cero Oscuras."
As one of the finest among the Espada, Stark possessed power that even Ulquiorra had to admit was beyond him.
At this moment, he displayed that power in a manner that was nearly artistic.
With a gun in each hand, he seemed to become a Soul Reaper's emissary, pouring out an endless barrage of Ceros.
Ichigo Kurosaki looked up at the sky, at the world blanketed in blue light.
As Stark's cold, confident voice rang out—"Can you take an attack stacked 100 times?"—the atmosphere across the battlefield instantly tightened to