A massive Reishi arrow tore through the night and reached the group in an instant.
Ichigo raised Zangetsu, holding its black blade across his body.
"Getsuga Tenshō!"
The black slash struck the Reishi arrow head-on, and the resulting blast swept away all the surrounding white sand.
Ichigo's feet carved two deep furrows through the sand, his arms tingling slightly.
Across from him, Quilge Opie stood in midair as the Heilig Pfeil in his hand slowly dissipated.
"Ichigo Kurosaki."
He adjusted his glasses, his tone as calm as ever.
"You came after all."
"Where are Tier Harribel and Starrk?"
"They are undergoing His Majesty's judgment."
Cang Du raised his hand, and the surrounding Reishi instantly gathered toward him.
"As for you, simply stay here quietly, and you will not hinder the empire's great undertaking."
Ichigo tightened his grip on Zangetsu and abruptly crushed the sand beneath his feet.
"Then I'll take you down first."
His black Shihakushō fluttered in the wind as his figure suddenly vanished.
The next instant, Zangetsu came down over Cang Du's head.
Cang Du sidestepped, firing a Heilig Pfeil past Ichigo's shoulder.
Ichigo did not retreat. Instead, he turned with his blade's momentum and slammed its back into Cang Du's chest.
Boom!
Cang Du flew backward, smashing through a ruined stone pillar in the distance.
"A Soul Reaper's brute strength is greater than the reports suggested."
He walked out of the rubble, his uniform caved in at the chest, but little blood flowed.
Reishi surged in from every direction, rapidly repairing his injuries.
Ichigo frowned.
This guy could absorb the surrounding Reishi.
Fighting in Hueco Mundo, his opponent would practically never tire from expending energy.
"Ichigo, watch out!"
Nel suddenly called out a warning.
Dozens of Reishi arrows fell from above at once, sealing off the space