I Alone Am Enough

Two jet-black Zanpakuto crossed like iron pincers at the critical moment, blocking Neliel's twin blades.

"Hey, hey, don't ignore us Shinigami so easily."

Shunsui Kyoraku's trademark lazy voice rang out, but the veins on the back of his hand bulged as he gripped his swords. Clearly, this block had not been easy.

He truly had no desire to risk his life against the First or Second Espada, but against this female Arrancar who appeared to rank slightly lower, he felt he could still hold his own for a while.

At the very least, he could go down with a little more dignity than being instantly killed.

"Speaking of which, beautiful lady, what rank are you in True King's Palace again?"

As Kyoraku struggled against her strength, he tried to fish for information.

"Are you Shunsui Kyoraku?"

Neliel did not continue pressing forward. Instead, she borrowed the force of their clash and lightly drifted back two steps, hovering in the air above them with an amused curve on her lips.

"I heard from No. 4 that you lost terribly in Soul Society. Not only were you toyed with by Lord Ross, you couldn't even protect your own mentor."

Those words were like a thorn driven viciously into Kyoraku's heart.

But he immediately caught the key detail, his gaze sharpening.

"No. 4? She told you? Shouldn't that have been Kurosaki Masaki? Or is Aizen actually the 4th Espada?"

If it was Aizen, then everything made sense.

"Neither of them."

Neliel raised a finger and gently shook it, her smile mysterious.

"The answer should not be revealed by me. But I can tell you that she knows you very well. And she is far stronger than I am! Rank doesn't really represent strength."

"As for me..."

She slowly raised her twin blades. The