[Bleach: The Invincible Slacker] Chapter 216 - 220

Chapter 216

There was no absolute difference between their strength and that of the Shinigami. In terms of reiatsu, they held the advantage. Logically, their opponent shouldn't be able to outpace them through Shunpo alone.

Yet they couldn't land a single blow on this Shinigami.

Her Shunpo was executed with such precision that they couldn't comprehend it. This wasn't ordinary footwork—it was something more akin to sorcery.

Under normal circumstances, her speed seemed rather average.

But those moments of sudden, inexplicable acceleration were truly maddening.

This was precisely how she managed to fight three opponents simultaneously.

Without that mysterious footwork, they would have overwhelmed her long ago.

"She shouldn't be able to counterattack while evading; she hasn't mastered this technique completely," Sung-Sun concurred with Mila Rose's assessment.

She had concluded that this footwork wasn't natural to this Shinigami. A Shinigami's Zanpakutō typically granted a singular ability.

Otherwise, with the speed she had demonstrated, she could easily have severed their heads already.

"No footwork will save you—just die!" Apache roared, aiming the horn protruding from her head at Rangiku Matsumoto. A crimson Cero blazed toward its target.

She had abandoned any pretense of finesse.

Since their opponent could only evade, a large-scale attack was the obvious solution.

Witnessing this, Sung-Sun and Mila Rose had to acknowledge that employing Cero was indeed the optimal strategy.

Though Apache typically appeared careless and seemingly lacking in intelligence, in battle, she displayed remarkable tactical insight.

Rangiku had anticipated this move. She calmly swung her sword's hilt, manipulating Haineko's ash to form a defensive circle that absorbed the Cero's impact.

The three female Arrancar intensified their reiatsu and continued their relentless assault with multiple Ceros.

But Rangiku was a battle-hardened warrior.

This pressure paled in comparison to her experiences with Shiroha Uehara.

She had undergone rigorous "training" many times, and her evasive capabilities had been thoroughly refined.

Being attacked by enemies meant confronting mortal danger, but being pursued by Shiroha presented its own challenges.

Once caught, it meant enduring a fate both painful and pleasurable—perhaps worse than death itself.

The threat was substantial indeed.

Thus, at each critical moment, Rangiku responded flawlessly, successfully evading several consecutive Ceros.

"I can't tolerate this any longer!" After an extended period of unsuccessful attacks, Apache could no longer contain her frustration.

She exchanged knowing glances with her companions, then tore off her left arm and cast it skyward.

Firing continuous Ceros consumed significant reiatsu. If they continued expending energy at this rate, they might exhaust themselves before defeating their enemy.

Sung-Sun and Mila Rose likewise severed their arms and threw them into the air:

"Quimera Parca!"

As the three women's limbs merged together, the reiatsu within them began to coalesce and amplify.

Within moments, their combined spiritual pressure had increased to a terrifying level, approaching that of an average captain-class Shinigami.

Simultaneously, the space around them began to twist, deform, and rotate.

A massive humanoid monster materialized from the distortion.

The hill-sized beast wore a distinctive Hollow mask, adorned with deer antlers, lion's mane, and snake tails—reflecting the characteristics of the three Fracción.

It released a dull, resonant, and terrifying roar as the reiatsu surrounding its form grew increasingly violent and potent.

"What manner of creature is this? Why does it possess such overwhelming power?" Rangiku's expression shifted. She had never witnessed such a formidable fusion technique.

This monster appeared to be formed from the fusion of the three women's arms, yet its reiatsu surpassed their combined strength.

Truly remarkable!

Observing the enormous beast before them, the three women displayed cruel smiles.

Mila Rose declared proudly:

"This is our ultimate technique, developed to defend Lady Harribel's honor! Ayon exceeds our combined strength and can be summoned indefinitely. Your demise is assured! Go, Ayon—tear this enemy to pieces!"

Apache shrieked, "Wretched Shinigami, die!"

Rangiku reacted swiftly, first manipulating Haineko's hilt to create an impenetrable defensive circle.

However, she quickly realized its inadequacy and immediately shifted to evasion.

The massive figure of Ayon suddenly vanished from sight.

Without sound, Ayon materialized before Rangiku and extended its massive hand.

The defensive circle formed by Haineko's ash instantly dissipated, unable to withstand even momentary contact.

Chaotic, violent, heavy, and lethal reiatsu enveloped Rangiku, nearly striking her... Fortunately, she reacted with exceptional speed and evaded the attack at the critical moment, narrowly avoiding being torn asunder.

She thought to herself:

"Using the footwork Shiroha taught me, I can barely evade this monster's attacks. If this continues much longer, defeat is inevitable. This enemy is formidable, and we cannot afford to lose this conflict. I must secure every possible advantage. There seems to be no alternative! I have no choice but to employ that technique."

If circumstances permitted, Rangiku genuinely wished to avoid using that particular technique.

Though extraordinarily powerful and potentially life-saving, it was profoundly embarrassing.

However, amid warfare, she couldn't afford such hesitation.

Finally, with flushed cheeks, Rangiku grasped the transparent ice crystal embedded in her chest, whispering softly:

"Master, I beseech your assistance..."

This transparent crystal was the charm given to her by Shiroha, which had replaced her original pendant.

He had promised that reciting this "incantation" would ensure her survival.

Rangiku recognized this as another example of that infuriating man's questionable preferences.

Nevertheless, she also acknowledged his tremendous power.

So, in desperation, Rangiku reluctantly uttered the "incantation."

Though her voice was barely audible, the three Fracción nearby still detected it.

Simultaneously, a bemused voice emanated from the ice crystal: "As you wish!"

In an instant, the crystal shattered, and a figure materialized before them.

A handsome man appeared, clad in snow-white attire, with sharp features and penetrating eyes!

"What a shameless woman! Are we unwitting participants in their private game?!"

Rangiku's bold plea stunned the three unmarried women—Apache, Mila Rose, and Sung-Sun.

This Shinigami was engaging in some absurd charade!

Though this man was undeniably handsome and distinguished, surely such behavior was inappropriate!

Were all Shinigami this peculiar?

They felt their understanding of the world beginning to crumble.

Despite their occasional playful teasing of their captain, those were merely harmless jests. If any of the three women ever seriously contemplated such actions, they would be paralyzed with fear.

Chapter 217

Especially since it appeared to be an adult-level scenario.

Then, they sensed a terrifying reiatsu emanating from the figure that had suddenly materialized before them.

Though the spiritual pressure was fleeting, it exerted incomparable force upon them.

"This is..." The three women were stunned.

They hadn't expected the female Shinigami's "master" to possess such overwhelming power.

This reiatsu felt vaguely familiar—and profoundly unsettling.

As this spiritual pressure radiated outward, the entire battlefield fell silent!

Several prominent fighters redirected their attention to Shiroha Uehara's unexpected arrival.

The moment he appeared, Shiroha became the focal point for everyone present.

Though Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto remained silent, his extraordinarily solemn expression finally softened, and his right hand—gripping Ryūjin Jakka—relaxed slightly.

After noticing the abnormally potent reiatsu of the elderly man, he had been prepared to intervene.

Rangiku Matsumoto could never withstand that monstrous creature alone.

His intervention would have been necessary.

Though doing so might have created an opening for Aizen and his cohorts to exploit, he couldn't passively observe his subordinate's slaughter.

Everything changed with Shiroha's arrival.

Shiroha had come, and victory was assured!

Despite the man's questionable demeanor, his combat prowess was unquestionably formidable.

Even he, the most powerful Shinigami, couldn't confidently claim he could defeat Shiroha in his current state.

It was precisely this consideration that led Yamamoto to permit Shiroha's repeated bending of established rules.

In truth, provided Shiroha didn't exceed certain boundaries, and as long as Squad Zero remained uninvolved, he would not directly confront him.

Because the man possessed both the qualifications and strength to command genuine respect.

Besides, the future inevitably belonged to the younger generation.

Concerning Shiroha, Yamamoto never hesitated to exercise additional tolerance.

This surprised Shunsui Kyōraku.

After all, anyone who dared violate regulations—even his beloved students—typically faced the old man's unrestrained wrath.

Shiroha stood exempt from this restriction. He was truly privileged.

Baraggan, having just reverted to his original form, glared fiercely toward Shiroha's direction, muttering discontentedly:

"Troublesome brat! Had this upstart not appeared to disrupt everything, victory would have been mine!"

After releasing his Resurrección, his power had increased dramatically, easily suppressing his opponents and extinguishing their fighting spirit.

Baraggan preferred this methodical psychological dismantling to swift execution.

He delighted in systematically destroying his enemies' resolve, never tiring of the process.

He had been approaching the precipice of success.

The woman and the large man were already displaying signs of panic.

He had maintained complete control of the situation.

Baraggan yearned for this sensation of dominance and absolute authority.

Curse Aizen, curse Shiroha!

Aizen had stripped everything from him.

And from the moment that youth named Shiroha materialized, the collective morale of all Shinigami soared.

The previously subdued atmosphere shattered, with numerous Shinigami reclaiming their confidence and resolve.

And Shiroha had merely appeared—not even engaged in combat—yet had already exerted such profound influence.

This evoked both resentment and envy in Baraggan, though he remained powerless to alter the circumstances.

He would never genuinely serve Aizen.

Shiroha represented Aizen's adversary, not his own.

Whoever sought to challenge such a formidable opponent could proceed; he would maintain his distance.

With this perspective, Baraggan redirected his attention to the enemies before him.

Meanwhile, Suì-Fēng, in her battle-damaged attire, no longer exhibited her previous discouragement and helplessness. Her expression had reclaimed its characteristic firmness and determination.

Merely sensing the man's powerful reiatsu infused her with boundless strength and fighting spirit.

This time, defeat was inconceivable.

"Finally arrived!" Upon witnessing Shiroha's appearance, Shunsui Kyōraku exhaled with palpable relief.

"Is that Shiroha Uehara?" Starrk remarked with characteristic indolence:

"The troublemaker has arrived. The atmosphere has transformed. What a formidable individual. And remarkably youthful and handsome as well—truly unfair."

"Enough idle chatter—take action and approach this seriously, you indolent fool!" From below, Lilynette was anxiously bouncing with agitation.

Starrk's expression finally adopted genuine seriousness:

"Shiroha's arrival combined with your unreleased Bankai! The situation indeed appears precarious. It seems I must reveal my genuine capabilities. Lilynette, approach me!"

Jūshirō Ukitake on the ground graciously refrained from impeding Lilynette.

Even amid warfare, he conducted himself with genuine nobility.

This stood in stark contrast to the cunning "old silver coin" confronting Starrk overhead.

Shunsui Kyōraku embodied nothing resembling a gentleman.

He would steal when opportunity permitted and exploit any advantage available.

Because this conflict harbored no innocents.

His sole responsibility was protecting his companions and defending Soul Society.

To achieve these objectives, Kyōraku would employ any necessary means, regardless of consequence.

Currently, however, his pressure had diminished significantly.

Because Shiroha had arrived.

The previously diminished morale instantly rejuvenated.

Continuing this trajectory, they might achieve victory without genuine combat.

Thus, he maintained his composure, simply seeking additional intelligence.

Presently, Kyōraku observed Starrk and Lilynette standing together with apparent casualness, inquiring with evident confusion:

"That's your claim, but what action can you actually implement? Two against one? Or perhaps release your Resurrección?"

He possessed some knowledge regarding Arrancar Resurrección.

He had witnessed Baraggan's release.

Following Resurrección, Baraggan's capabilities had improved comprehensively, with his exerted pressure increasing dramatically.

Evidently, Resurrección paralleled the Shinigami's Bankai.

Careful observation was essential.

"Not precisely!" Starrk placed his hand atop Lilynette's head, explaining:

"An Arrancar's Zanpakutō differs fundamentally from your Shinigami weapons; it functions as a seal containing our inherent power. Thus, an Arrancar's release represents the process of reclaiming our true strength. This constitutes Resurrección. However, I diverge from other Arrancar. I sealed my power not within my Zanpakutō, but divided it into a separate entity. Lilynette and I represent two halves of a singular being. Therefore, my Resurrección involves merging with Lilynette. Through this, I reveal my authentic form."

Regardless of his comfort, despite his preference for inactivity, he neither desired meaningless death nor wished to witness his companions' tragic demise.

Chapter 218

Even a self-made Vasto Lorde would experience considerable pressure when confronting someone of Shiroha Uehara's caliber.

Therefore, Starrk couldn't afford restraint and had no choice but to release his Resurrección.

A brilliant white light flashed, and Primera Espada Starrk completed his transformation.

Being a self-made Vasto Lorde, his appearance hadn't altered dramatically—except that he now wielded two gleaming pistols resembling ornate revolvers.

These weapons represented both symbols and manifestations of his ability, signifying his nature as a singular being composed of two individuals.

This was the embodiment of his most formidable power.

Starrk, whose transformation differed from other Arrancar, experienced a qualitative enhancement in strength.

Elsewhere, the previously dominant Tercera Espada Harribel initiated her Resurrección without utterance.

Following her transformation, her reiatsu and command over water currents were vastly amplified.

This meant her techniques had become both more lethal and flexible. The reason the typically composed Harribel immediately released her Resurrección and contemplated battlefield withdrawal was to support her Fracción.

The four of them had banded together in Hueco Mundo for mutual protection long ago.

Women faced discrimination regardless of realm.

This proved especially true in Hueco Mundo, where strength determined survival.

Female Hollows with comparatively weaker physical abilities typically became prey for their male counterparts.

It was Harribel who had rescued Apache and the others from male adversaries.

Subsequently, the four women relied upon each other, developing bonds akin to sisters.

Now that the three faced a formidable opponent like Shiroha, Harribel was determined to rescue them.

Observing his opponent's increased power, Tōshirō Hitsugaya, who had maintained a defensive posture, remained composed.

He spoke with remarkable self-possession:

"You're growing anxious. Concerned for your companions? Your apprehension is justified. Compared to myself—a genius in name only—Commander Uehara represents authentic prodigy. Your subordinates cannot withstand him. However, you cannot save them. Our battle remains unresolved, and I shall defeat you."

His dignified bearing matched his direct declaration.

In response to his proclamation, he was met with a frigid "Cascada!"

The subsequent moment, Hitsugaya was propelled backward by an overwhelming torrent of water.

Unlike previous exchanges, Harribel's strength had intensified substantially, and she attacked with unprecedented ferocity.

To neutralize her enemy's Zanpakutō, she deliberately transformed the rushing waters into scalding torrents.

Consequently, Hyōrinmaru couldn't instantly freeze the deluge.

Hitsugaya hadn't anticipated his opponent's sudden decisiveness and ruthlessness. Caught unprepared, he lacked sufficient time to amplify his power to counteract the torrent.

The impact sent him plummeting from his aerial position to the ground below.

Harribel didn't spare the fallen Hitsugaya a glance, advancing directly toward her three subordinates.

Observing the reinvigorated Shinigami and the three retreating Espada behaving as if confronted by an insurmountable force, Shiroha remarked with resignation:

"Why such collective panic? I'm merely a clone. Is such terror truly necessary?"

He remained in the Ice Palace, indulging himself.

The entity before them was simply a replica he had created by combining his unique spiritual abilities with advanced techniques that approached perfection.

Shiroha's current capabilities represented formidable techniques bordering on transcendence.

A single ability exceeding perfect mastery was already remarkably potent.

When multiple transcendent abilities interconnected, their power increased exponentially.

For instance, the conventional Bankai Shunkō remained constrained by Shinigami limitations and couldn't transcend established boundaries.

But after integration with his evolved spiritual powers, the Infinite Shunkō could shatter not merely Shinigami constraints but even transcendent limitations—truly a power surpassing divine capability.

This represented the extraordinary effect of combining multiple formidable abilities.

Indeed, the synchronized application of multiple abilities approached omnipotence.

Similar to the ice clone provided to Rangiku Matsumoto, it no longer represented simple replication but had evolved into an external manifestation.

Through profound cultivation, relentless dedication, and spiritual refinement, Shiroha had forcibly elevated his original techniques to divine classification.

This constituted authentic strength.

Within the Ice Palace, Shiroha effortlessly controlled two bodies simultaneously.

The primary body experienced no strain; he reclined comfortably, savoring the moment.

Through the clone, he exerted minimal effort for control while experiencing battle's exhilaration.

This secondary body remained vastly inferior to the original in all aspects.

Yet it offered distinct advantages.

This arrangement allowed Shiroha to experience combat at reduced capacity.

Had his original form arrived, no strategy would be necessary.

Advanced kido techniques combined with physical sacrifices could eliminate all captains and Arrancar instantaneously.

The power wouldn't diminish significantly, proving more than sufficient to dispatch captain-level opponents within seconds.

This paralleled Aizen's restraint from employing his zanpakutō's ultimate potential—not from inability but from unnecessary excess.

Both maintained certain principles; excessive brutality proved unnecessary.

With their capabilities, numerous methods for defeating opponents remained available.

In this respect, substantial similarity between them persisted.

Neither regarded the powerful entities before them with genuine seriousness, much less considered them worthy adversaries.

They simply lacked qualification.

In Shiroha's estimation, these individuals represented mere pawns.

From Aizen's perspective, they constituted future subjects.

This represented compassion and magnanimity.

Accordingly, Yhwach truly deserved his eventual fate.

That entity treated others as mere sustenance, valuing them less than his slightest consideration.

Now, the moment arrived to bestow upon the Arrancar the "kindness" they had longed for.

After meticulous assessment of his current form, Shiroha acknowledged:

"The limitations remain evident. This vessel supports only fundamental abilities, with restricted duration. Moreover, its reiatsu constitutes less than one percent of my original form. I barely match the equivalent of a hundred Kenpachis!"

"Thank heavens you arrived, Master!" Observing Shiroha descend like a celestial savior, Rangiku's heart softened.

Though her complexion flushed deeper, her posture straightened reflexively, her breath momentarily suspended as her form tensed with anticipation.

Such profound reassurance, having someone of his caliber supporting her!

Conventional morality seemed inconsequential. Regardless, in his presence, propriety had long since yielded to indulgence.

Once she had surrendered her reservations and carefully embraced this overwhelming sense of impropriety, she discovered it surprisingly invigorating.

Chapter 219

Governed by primal fear, Ayon abandoned what little consciousness it possessed and charged with reckless abandon.

"What shall I call you, beast?" Shiroha extended his hand midair. "Since this vessel's reiatsu is limited, let's begin with something impressive!"

Witnessing this, Sung-Sun experienced a foreboding premonition and cried out: "Ayon, withdraw immediately!"

But her warning came too late!

"BOOM!"

A deafening cacophony erupted, as if the heavens had collapsed and the earth split asunder, like divine lightning striking from cloudless skies.

An enormous blade of ice descended from above, impaling the hill-sized Ayon and pinning it to the ground.

Ayon, a creature capable of slaying a lieutenant within seconds, possessed no means to resist this magnificent sword and was dispatched with the casual ease of swatting a fly.

In truth, such an extravagant technique was unnecessary for dealing with Ayon.

Shiroha needed only a simple slash, devoid of embellishment, to eliminate this creature that had represented the greatest hope of the three Fracción.

Destroying Ayon with a colossal ice sword was akin to hunting butterflies with artillery.

For his original body, manifesting such an immense ice blade would constitute a casual exertion, barely worth acknowledgment.

Yet for this ice clone, the action consumed one-fifth of its available reiatsu—a considerable expenditure.

But spectacle remained Shiroha's lifelong pursuit.

This massive ice sword descending from the heavens proved far more dramatic than a mundane slash, and infinitely more magnificent.

Such a breathtaking display justified any reiatsu expenditure.

Besides, complete depletion of reiatsu hardly mattered.

His true body remained safely within Hueco Mundo, entirely unaffected. He would face no personal consequences.

No concern whatsoever.

Gazing upon the towering ice blade that radiated bitter cold and featured countless intricate, mystical patterns, Apache, Sung-Sun, and Mila Rose stood immobilized by shock.

Unleashing such a devastating technique without preparation or incantation—was this remotely human?

How could entities of their level, Ayon included, possibly withstand such overwhelming power?

The three women felt profoundly aggrieved.

If guilty of unforgivable sins, they would accept damnation, but why subject them to such torment by confronting them with this horrifying adversary?

Did justice still exist? Did law retain meaning? What twisted fate had arranged this encounter?

The final image they perceived was Tercera Espada Harribel's anxious countenance as she rushed toward them.

Her profound concern was unmistakable.

In this moment, they recalled their first encounter with a formidable enemy alongside Harribel.

Then, they had succumbed to fear and attempted escape, abandoning Harribel to face the opponent alone. Ultimately, they had conquered their terror and chosen to fight at her side.

This situation would prove no different.

Apache, Sung-Sun, and Mila Rose exchanged determined glances before roaring in unison: "For Lady Harribel!"

Overcoming their internal fear, their reiatsu surged instantaneously to its zenith.

The three one-armed women channeled their most devastating techniques, determined to assist Harribel against this overwhelming opponent to whatever extent possible.

And then... absolute silence fell.

As they directed their hostility toward Shiroha, the mysterious patterns adorning the ice sword flickered subtly.

A gentle exhalation of frigid air emanated outward, instantly transforming the three women—poised for their ultimate attack—into solid ice.

Against this extraordinary cold, neither the Arrancar's Hierro, their passionate determination, their unwavering loyalty, nor their active reiatsu offered any protection.

In a heartbeat, they were rendered completely defenseless. Frozen into crystalline statues without opportunity for resistance.

Having neutralized the three opponents, the towering ice blade fell silent, though it retained its breathtaking magnificence.

The sword's surroundings remained perfectly still and deathly cold, like a realm eternally suspended in time.

Here, all vitality had been extinguished, all motion ceased.

This freezing effect had transcended the limitations of conventional ice-based techniques.

The current manifestation represented something approaching transcendence, nearly beyond classification.

Shiroha didn't spare the frozen women a glance, remarking dispassionately:

"Even a single grain of sand can reflect light! The most glorious moment of your existence is likely occurring now. To be defeated by me represents the greatest honor your lives will ever know!"

Harribel, having just arrived, witnessed her three subordinates' transformation into ice sculptures.

Never had she so despised her own inadequacy.

Had she arrived sooner, perhaps this outcome might have been avoided.

Though she had hastened to their aid with all possible speed, even had she been present from the beginning, the three women would have suffered identical fates.

A warrior of Shiroha's caliber simply existed beyond conventional opposition.

Nevertheless, she could not forgive herself.

Long before this conflict began, Harribel recognized that war invariably demanded sacrifice.

But she would gladly have offered herself rather than her loyal subordinates.

Approaching the three ice statues, Harribel unleashed a Cascada infused with thermal energy, partially thawing Apache and the others before carrying them away from the immediate battlefield.

She turned toward Shiroha, inquiring coldly, "Will they survive?"

Theoretically, conventional freezing techniques wouldn't inflict permanent damage if reversed promptly.

But the one who had cast this technique was Shiroha—a man beyond conventional understanding.

Therefore, Harribel remained deeply concerned for her companions' survival.

"So this isn't merely performative sisterhood," Shiroha sighed with affected sentiment and replied:

"It's nothing significant. With timely treatment, the worst outcome might be some cognitive impairment and occasional involuntary salivation. Nothing serious."

This already represented considerable mercy.

Had he attacked personally, the result might have been fatal injuries, or perhaps slightly less severe wounds.

The severity depended entirely on his disposition.

In good spirits, he would moderate his attacks. In poor humor, he would construct graves immediately!

Recently, however, Shiroha had maintained rather pleasant temperament.

Since demonstrating his capabilities, few had dared challenge him.

Consequently, Shiroha generally refrained from employing excessive force.

The previous attack had been merely the ice sword's automatic defensive response—a simple protective reaction.

Apache and the others were simply too fragile to withstand even his indirect techniques.

Whether they could achieve complete recovery depended entirely on fortune.

It could only be said that even if the power of his ice techniques were diminished a hundredfold, their effects would remain formidable.

An ability approaching transcendence already represented pinnacle power in the realm of death, and its potential should never be underestimated.

Chapter 220

"I will defeat you and compel you to heal them," Harribel immediately determined the optimal solution.

If Shiroha's assessment proved accurate, then saving her three subordinates required defeating him without delay.

Regardless of difficulty, she must overcome this man.

This represented both vengeance and responsibility.

While speaking, Harribel cast a wary glance toward the immense ice sword standing silently nearby, internally alarmed:

"During combat, I must maintain maximum distance from that sword. So Shiroha possesses ice abilities similar to that young Shinigami captain. They both wield ice-type Zanpakutō, yet the disparity is inconceivable. If that captain's Hyōrinmaru truly represents the strongest ice-type Zanpakutō... how does one explain Shiroha's capabilities?"

Shiroha responded calmly: "Your courage deserves acknowledgment. It's beneficial to harbor dreams. Now represents the perfect opportunity for fantasy!"

Among the top three Espada, Harribel embodied true "responsibility."

Primera Espada Starrk possessed extraordinary talent but lacked fighting spirit—reminiscent of a powerful warrior who refuses to embrace his potential, ultimately rendering him ineffectual.

Shiroha suspected Starrk's reluctance to exert full power wasn't conscious choice but inherent limitation.

Other Arrancar had devoured countless Hollows to increase their strength.

Starrk, conversely, divided his soul to diminish his power, a deliberate weakening that proved irreversible.

While other Arrancar gained enhanced abilities through the Hōgyoku, Starrk's wish was to become weaker—a desire the Hōgyoku faithfully granted.

After two distinct instances of self-limitation and with defeatism entrenched within his essence, Starrk's supposed full potential remained purely theoretical.

His situation was irredeemable.

In truth, Starrk, who superficially appeared integrated with his companions, remained fundamentally disconnected from the other Espada.

His counterparts disregarded their comrades' survival and pursued individual agendas.

Aizen had accounted for everyone's motivations.

Only Starrk persisted in envisioning a harmonious, unified collective.

Ultimately, this imagined family inevitably fragmented.

A wolf separated from its pack was destined for isolation, with defeat representing the inevitable conclusion.

Segunda Espada Baraggan, before his demise, contemplated betrayal against Aizen—the quintessential opportunist.

Consequently, Aizen exhibited such indifference toward him that he scarcely acknowledged the elderly Arrancar's existence.

Thus, Baraggan represented failure, his actions contemptible.

Compared to the "wavering" Primera and the "treacherous" Segunda, Tercera Espada Harribel maintained unwavering loyalty and dedication to Aizen.

Tragically, she placed her faith in the wrong individual, her devotion squandered.

From Aizen's perspective, his opponents' desperate struggles appeared unseemly and slightly irritating. Aizen had declared that if defeating the Gotei 13 proved so challenging, he couldn't afford to retain assets of such limited utility!

Therefore, Aizen ultimately struck down Harribel with his blade.

Naturally, this held no relevance for Shiroha.

He remained indifferent to Harribel's loyalty or naiveté.

His only concerns were defeating her, subduing her, educating her, and conquering her.

Such treatment befitted an enemy.

He wondered if following her defeat she would plead: "Enough! End me!"

He anticipated this possibility with interest.

Harribel had already directed a Cero toward Shiroha.

Though she maintained outward composure throughout, this attack revealed her genuine fury.

Yet confronting this unfathomable opponent, she recognized the necessity of maintaining discipline and exerting her maximum capabilities.

Otherwise, forget avenging her subordinates—she herself might perish instantaneously.

Consequently, this Cero manifested with extraordinary power and precision.

The Tercera Espada's capabilities increased dramatically following Resurrección, enabling even her most conventional attacks to exert devastating force, easily eliminating lieutenant-level opponents within seconds.

However, facing this potentially lethal technique, Shiroha merely inclined his head slightly to avoid the Cero, remarking casually:

"You possess considerable strength and speed, but your accuracy remains somewhat deficient. If this represents your full capacity, perhaps you and your sisters should select appropriate crutches."

The earlier spectacle had consumed significant reiatsu, so he intended to employ only fundamental abilities while toying with Harribel.

In honesty, Harribel's Resurrección form remained aesthetically compelling.

Golden hair and eyebrows, curvaceous physique, bronze complexion, cold beauty, azure eyes tinged with subtle malevolence!

Undeniably attractive, profoundly alluring, yet maintaining imposing presence and dignified bearing—the quintessential ice queen.

Such a woman most effectively evoked the desire for conquest.

He wondered if some tradition existed among female Espada, as both Neliel and Harribel possessed remarkably generous physical attributes!

Confronted with Shiroha's provocative statement, Harribel regarded him coldly.

Her reiatsu grew increasingly frigid and dense, as if capable of freezing everything within proximity.

Internally, she experienced genuine surprise.

That Cero had been merely exploratory, certainly not expected to harm him.

Yet Shiroha's effortless evasion proved genuinely astonishing.

Her precision couldn't possibly be so inadequate.

Perhaps excessive concern for Apache and the others had compromised her technique?

Quickly, Harribel dismissed this hypothesis.

As their exchange intensified into rapid sequences of strikes, every technique she employed missed its target.

Harribel grew certain something fundamentally undermined her attacks.

She experienced repeated failures, her slashes posing absolutely no threat.

Shiroha didn't even bother counterattacking, merely evading with casual indifference, leaving her profoundly embarrassed.

This couldn't be classified as combat, not even qualifying as practice—it constituted nothing beyond mockery.

An ordinary individual might succumb to self-doubt, assuming Shiroha's overwhelming presence induced their continuous errors.

However, as Tercera Espada, Harribel possessed exceptional talent—a warrior forged through countless lethal encounters.

Consequently, she recognized with certainty that the deficiency lay elsewhere.

"My vision serves as my measure, yet I consistently misjudge your position," Harribel appeared genuinely perplexed.

"How do you achieve this? You've deceived even my spiritual detection! To my knowledge, other Shinigami possess no comparable ability."

Controlling distance, rapidly identifying an opponent's attack patterns, and swiftly counterattacking represented skills embedded within every powerful combatant's fundamental nature.

Identifying weaknesses in an enemy's techniques with minimal delay and attacking with maximum efficiency constituted the foundation of victory.

Transforming these principles into instinct and muscle memory rendered one nearly invincible in combat. This represented the fundamental quality of the truly powerful.

Harribel had repeated this process innumerable times.