[Bleach: The Invincible Slacker] Chapter 211 - 215

Chapter 211

Seeing this scene, Ulquiorra's expression changed. "Is this a Hollow Flash? How is it possible!?"

The next moment, the red energy shockwave collided fiercely with Ulquiorra's Cero Oscuras.

"BOOM!"

A huge roar resounded throughout Hueco Mundo!

The terrifying Reiatsu destroyed everything in its path! The shock wave generated by the collision of the two powerful forces was like a Category 10 hurricane, sweeping across the entire sky! The sky collapsed and the earth cracked!

Flames raged everywhere!

In the red flames, the hideous face of Gyuto Ichigo was reflected. In this fight, it was the red flames that gained the advantage.

In the midst of the inferno, Ulquiorra's figure remained motionless as he was secretly shocked:

"It was indeed a Hollow just now! And this Hollow was so strong that it could repel my Cero Oscuras! Absolutely impossible! No matter how much it looks like a Hollow, it is still a human being. How can a mere human release a Cero!?"

Immediately, Ulquiorra's expression changed again, because Ichigo Kurosaki, who had transformed dramatically, had silently appeared behind him.

He immediately condensed another Cero Oscuras and launched an attack.

However, the powerful Black Hollow was once again dispersed by the opponent's red Hollow Flash.

After the attack, Ichigo Gyuto seized the opportunity and grabbed Ulquiorra's arm, slashed it with his sword, and cleanly cut off one of Ulquiorra's arms.

Blood spilled onto the ground, and Ichigo Gyuto roared to the sky, his breath like that of a beast, devoid of all reason.

Looking at Ichigo Kurosaki roaring in the sky, Ishida Uryū and Inoue Orihime felt like they were falling into an ice cave, and couldn't help but doubt: "Is this really Kurosaki-san? Why has he become so terrifying?"

"You actually repelled my Cero Oscuras twice and cut off one of my arms," Ulquiorra said confidently while using Super Regeneration to restore his arm.

"The other ten Espadas gave up their super-speed regeneration ability in order to gain more powerful strength when they became Arrancar. Among the ten Espadas, only I retained the super-speed regeneration ability. As long as it is not an organ injury, I can recover. So no matter how strong your attack is, it is useless. Although I don't know why you've become like this, don't think that you can stop me by cutting off one of my arms. And if it comes to attacking, I will not lose to you!"

After saying this, Ulquiorra stretched out his hands and slightly put them together, condensing an extremely powerful spirit weapon.

"Lanza del Relámpago!

Just stand there and don't move. You are at the right distance. If possible, I don't want to use this move at close range. Because the power of this move is too strong, even I can hardly control it."

After that, he threw the Lanza del Relámpago!, which contained terrifying Reiatsu, at Kurosaki Ichigo in mid-air.

Ichigo Gyuto dodged the attack by just tilting his head slightly.

The Lanza del Relámpago! flew down to the desert below the Kyūya Palace at an incredible speed.

With a loud bang, the Lanza del Relámpago! produced a terrifying shock wave after the explosion, raising countless grains of white sand.

The sudden sand wave hit the wall of the Kyūya Palace like a tidal surge. The hurricane formed by the powerful energy impact easily tore apart the rock pillars above.

"Did I miss? It's really hard to control!" Ulquiorra said coldly.

Hearing this, Ishida Uryuu exclaimed, "Can he use this move many times?"

Now he was certain that the two people fighting were monsters. It's just that Ichigo Kurosaki's weird transformation made him very uneasy.

However, he and Orihime Inoue were powerless to change the situation. They could only wait and see, praying that Ichigo Kurosaki could hold on.

Ulquiorra remained very calm after missing the attack.

Although the previous few exchanges were quite thrilling, he had now gauged his opponent's strength.

After putting on the bull-head mask, Ichigo Kurosaki's strength had indeed become much stronger, even weirdly so.

But the opponent's Reiatsu was far inferior to that of the monster Uehara Shiroha.

That time, his arm was also cut off, but his ability of super-speed regeneration could not be used at all.

Ichigo Kurosaki had just caught him by surprise.

Considering his own advantages, Ulquiorra was still able to remain calm.

He secretly gave himself a pep talk: "I will win! His flash is indeed very strong, but only slightly stronger than mine... I have a Lanza del Relámpago! with super-fast regeneration and stronger attack power. The advantage is mine! So, I will win!"

What he didn't know was that he had awakened a monster far beyond his understanding.

While he was thinking, he saw golden hair fluttering, and Ichigo the Bullhead came behind Ulquiorra in an instant.

"Impossible... my sensory nerves didn’t react at all." Ulquiorra frowned in confusion. "That wasn’t a Shinigami’s Shunpō—it was a Hollow’s Sonído!"

While he was stunned, Ichigo Gyuto's pale bone hand was already on his face.

An irresistible force was transmitted, causing his body to lose control and fly directly into the rock pillar next to him.

The enemy who followed closely did not miss this opportunity, and pressed his head with his right hand and began to rub it hard against the surface.

His face was pressed against the tall rock pillar and rubbed continuously. The scene was very cruel and violent.

Just moments ago, he had dealt with Ichigo Kurosaki in this way, and now it was all coming back to him.

After finally breaking free from the restraints, Ulquiorra wanted to fight back. However, he lost sight of the enemy.

When he found Ichigo Kurosaki again, the opponent's attack hit his face once more.

This was exactly the same as the situation before when he had used his speed to toy with Ichigo Kurosaki.

He had no way to keep up with the opponent's speed and could only use his nerve detection to barely track him.

With the second stage of Resurrección and the increase in wings, his speed should have far exceeded that of the opponent.

But now, he could only see the opponent's afterimage and could not keep up with Ichigo Gyuto's rhythm at all.

As a result, Ulquiorra was at a disadvantage in all aspects and was completely on the defensive.

Watching the two fighting at lightning speed, Ishida Uryū exclaimed again, "What kind of speed is this? It's beyond the range of the naked eye."

Inoue Orihime was completely confused.

She was worried about Kurosaki Ichigo, not because she was afraid that he would lose, but because she was afraid that he would lose himself.

Chapter 212

In desperation, Ulquiorra condensed another Lanza del Relámpago, ready to make a risky move. The previous exchange had proven that his Cero Oscuras was ineffective against this opponent. His only option now was to detonate the Lanza del Relámpago at close range and try to regain the initiative.

Even though both combatants would suffer severe damage if it exploded at such proximity, Ulquiorra still had one advantage—his super-speed regeneration. In terms of recovery, he wouldn't lose.

However, just as the Lanza del Relámpago formed, it was seized mid-air by Gyuto Ichigo with one hand.

At the same time, Ichigo's sword came down, slicing off one of Ulquiorra's horns.

Gyuto Ichigo's fighting style was brutally simple: overwhelming speed, monstrous defense, shattering the Lanza del Relámpago with his bare hands, and severing the demon horn with a single slash.

There was no complexity—just unstoppable force.

Ulquiorra found himself completely helpless.

His opponent's spiritual pressure was too immense, his power level far too high.

And terrifyingly enough, this wasn't even his final form.

After that strike, Gyuto Ichigo's eyes finally opened, revealing blood-red irises blazing with murderous intent. Red Reiatsu cloaked his body, giving him the aura of a fire god—an Asura of the underworld.

He lowered his head, aiming the remaining horn at Ulquiorra and charged a red Cero.

"BOOM!"

A crimson beam tore through the sky, blasting apart the Palace of the Night and reducing Ulquiorra's body to shreds.

With a single blast, he suffered a fatal blow.

Even super-speed regeneration couldn’t save him now—his internal organs had been obliterated.

He was already a dead man walking.

Yet Gyuto Ichigo didn’t stop.

He continued his merciless assault, ravaging the mangled body.

This was no longer combat. It was the desecration of a corpse.

Ishida Uryū, unable to stand by, rushed in to stop Ichigo.

But instead of coming to his senses, Ichigo knocked him down and aimed a Cero directly at him.

Neither Uryū nor Orihime had expected this.

They stood frozen, stunned by Ichigo's intent to kill his own comrade.

Caught off guard, Uryū couldn't dodge.

But just then, Ulquiorra, with the last of his strength, conjured a blade of energy and slashed through Ichigo's horn—the source of his Hollow power.

Ulquiorra had watched Ichigo's evolution from the beginning.

Though Ichigo's growth had been rapid and his bull-headed form terrifying, the weakness in his Hollowfication remained unchanged.

With a clean, decisive blow, Ulquiorra severed Ichigo's source of power, forcing him out of his Hollow form.

The mask shattered.

Ichigo collapsed to the ground, returning to his human self.

Orihime immediately rushed to heal him, only to find his body recovering on its own.

Ichigo awoke, glancing at his chest in confusion.

"Didn’t I have a hole in my chest? I'm... not dead?"

His memory was blurry. All he could recall was Ulquiorra’s Cero piercing through him.

The rest had been a haze of rage and loss of control.

Seeing Ulquiorra still standing, Ichigo rose and shouted, "Ulquiorra! Let’s continue! I'm going to defeat you!"

Ulquiorra looked at the restored Ichigo, his voice filled with rare passion.

"Come on, Kurosaki. Let’s settle this."

But as he finished speaking, his body began to dissolve into spirit particles.

His face returned to its calm, emotionless expression.

"So this is the end... It's beyond my power now. Kurosaki Ichigo, you win. Finish me."

He had hoped to end his existence by Ichigo's hand.

To him, that would be a fitting conclusion.

"How can you call this winning?!" Ichigo shouted, his voice trembling with frustration.

Taking a life or achieving victory this way was never his goal. He wanted to win through strength and fairness.

Seeing the fire in Ichigo's eyes, Ulquiorra's expression changed once more—genuinely, and for the last time.

He released his Resurrección form, returning to his original appearance.

He had never expected Ichigo to understand the meaning behind an enemy's existence.

And now, in this fleeting moment, Ulquiorra finally understood what a "heart" was.

For the first time, he accepted that there were things in the world that could not be swallowed by emptiness.

"What a shame... Just when I started to take an interest in you... it’s already too late."

Only Ulquiorra’s cold voice lingered in the wind.

His body turned to dust, disappearing into Hueco Mundo.

And everything returned to silence.

Meanwhile, in the replica of Karakura Town, the battle between the Shinigami captains and the Espada raged on.

Despite the intense scene, both sides were holding back.

The Shinigami were waiting for reinforcements. Once all the captains arrived, with Uehara Shiroha and Kurosaki Ichigo joining them, victory would be within reach.

So for now, their goal was simple—hold the line.

On the other side, the Espada wanted a swift victory.

But they too were holding back.

The reason? Uehara Shiroha's power had redefined the battlefield.

His sword alone had raised the ceiling of strength in the Shinigami world.

It had shaken the self-confidence of every master.

Once, they thought themselves invincible.

But after seeing that blade, none dared call themselves strong.

They felt like ants.

Uehara Shiroha had shattered the Arrancar's backbone with a single slash, broken their illusions of power, and ushered in an era of transcendence.

Now, no matter how brilliantly Hōgyoku Aizen or Hollowfied Ichigo performed, they were merely shadows cast by Shiroha's brilliance.

The Espada had lost their edge.

Their swords, dulled by fear.

And without that edge, a quick victory was impossible.

Even though Uehara Shiroha wasn’t physically present, his very existence influenced the battlefield.

For example, in the original timeline, Matsumoto Rangiku would have been overwhelmed by the beast god Ayon, her noble strength cut down in tragedy.

But this time, Harribel's three Fracción didn’t charge in recklessly.

They didn’t use their special moves immediately.

They chose the most cautious, conservative fighting style.

Because they knew—somewhere out there, Shiroha's sword still loomed over them all.

Chapter 213

Rangiku Matsumoto remained unaware that her fate had been altered by Shiroha Uehara's presence.

She and her fellow Shinigami were locked in battle with several Arrancar officers. Even when the three Fracciónes sacrificed their arms to summon the beast god Ayon, the outcome would be different this time.

After years of training alongside Shiroha, Rangiku had developed far more than just a tolerance for sake. Her combat abilities had grown considerably. Now, even facing Ayon—a creature with power rivaling that of a strong vice-captain—she wouldn't be overwhelmed as easily as she might have been otherwise.

In truth, several female Shinigami had grown stronger under Shiroha's influence, fundamentally altering their destinies.

Additionally, the Espada were not fighting on their home territory. The top three Espada couldn't unleash their full potential here, and despite their impressive power, each had distinct limitations.

Take Tier Harribel, the Third Espada. Her mastery over water was unparalleled, truly making her a "woman of water." However, her techniques' power directly correlated with the available water supply—the more water at her disposal, the more devastating her attacks.

In conventional battles, Harribel would gradually accumulate water before unleashing its full force for an easy victory. But today, she faced Tōshirō Hitsugaya.

Hitsugaya's Hyōrinmaru could manipulate atmospheric moisture and freeze it instantly. This ability directly countered Harribel's need to gather water, as he could freeze her water streams and convert them to his advantage.

The legendary ice-type Zanpakutō was indeed formidable. Though Hyōrinmaru had been somewhat overshadowed by Shiroha's "White Album" in recent years, with proper application, it remained a force to be reckoned with even in high-level combat.

During the Thousand-Year Blood War, Hitsugaya had used Hyōrinmaru's true Bankai to freeze even the godly Sternritter Gerard.

Meanwhile, the Primera Espada Starrk and Segunda Espada Baraggan should have been eliminating their opponents with ease. Like Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, both had reached the apex of their species' potential.

Had they remained as Hollows rather than becoming Arrancar, Baraggan and the ancient Hollow Ikomikidomoe (once sealed by the monk) represented the ultimate ceiling of Hollow evolution.

The ancient Hollow Ikomikidomoe had journeyed to the Soul King Palace after reaching his limit, seeking to devour the Soul King's essence to continue his evolution. His reward was being sealed within a Zanpakutō by Ichibē Hyōsube with a single word.

Starrk, the self-divided Hollow, similarly represented the pinnacle that natural Hollows could achieve.

Theoretically, these two possessed immense power levels and were indeed fearsome opponents. Yet in actual combat, something was different.

The invisible pressure exerted by Shiroha's presence, combined with their own lack of fighting spirit, meant they were operating at merely 50-60% of their true capabilities.

Why risk everything without proper motivation? Thus, they fought with minimal effort, doing just enough to maintain appearances.

Inside the flame cage, Aizen's expression darkened, his gaze intensifying. No need for pretense anymore—if they wouldn't fight seriously, what was the point?

While war raged outside, Shiroha was thoroughly enjoying himself in the Ice Palace, which now felt more like a springtime paradise. He was "battling fiercely" with the former Tres Espada in his own unique manner.

Though no longer holding her previous rank, her strength remained formidable and impressive.

Shiroha acknowledged that the clash between Ulquiorra and Ichigo Kurosaki was truly iconic, and the confrontations between Shinigami and Arrancar were genuinely thrilling. However, he had no time for distractions.

Who could resist a former Espada whose loyalty could be secured with mere words? The experience with a Vasto Lorde was truly exceptional.

Even better, a "black cat" was providing assistance nearby. This arrangement couldn't be more comfortable.

In truth, Neliel had initially hesitated to participate. Though she had long since recovered her reiatsu and could transform into her adult form at will, she had grown accustomed to her childlike state and enjoyed that carefree existence.

However, Shiroha proved too persuasive, arranging a particularly enticing scenario before her. Who could withstand such temptation?

The stimulation was too great, forcing her to revert to her adult form. Otherwise, it would have been inappropriate.

Moreover, Shiroha had motivated her with eloquent words about true sacrifice requiring the courage to offer oneself. Then he had flashed that charming, irresistible smile.

Consequently, she had "sacrificed" herself in a moment of confusion—a thorough, joyful, and ultimately pleasurable "sacrifice."

"Sacrifice" for a while, enjoy for a while—continue "sacrificing" and enjoy continuously. This, Shiroha claimed, was true happiness.

His journey to Hueco Mundo had proven worthwhile indeed.

The two beauties before him were truly captivating—both agile and energetic. Neither was fair-skinned, but one possessed a slender waist and long legs crowned with purple hair; the other had skin like smooth jade.

Shiroha demonstrated through his actions that he held no prejudice. His circle included Shinigami, humans, and Arrancar alike. All beings were equal in his eyes, and he embraced all forms of existence.

Watching Yoruichi Shihōin dress slowly, Shiroha inquired: "Feeling less tense now? You showed remarkable courage earlier. There's no reason to fear Aizen."

The battle on Ichigo's front had concluded, and Shiroha had finished his own "engagement" as well.

The difference was stark: the trio felt hollow after their victory, with "Buddha Ichigo" even developing post-traumatic stress. Meanwhile, Shiroha lived a fulfilling, enjoyable, and contented existence.

In truth, the top combatants in the Bleach universe weren't as impressive as legend suggested. Ichigo, despite possessing divine potential, often performed merely on par with ordinary fighters.

"Buddha Ichigo," embodying the trinity of human, god, and demon, had a high ceiling but an inconsistent floor. His reliability was questionable at best.

Aizen sought godhood but had wandered onto the path of demonhood instead.

Kisuke Urahara appeared to control everything yet had constructed his own cage, becoming a "prison master" like Aizen and Yhwach. He possessed transcendent capabilities but never sought divine status—a prime example of self-limitation.

Yhwach was essentially a cosmic infant. As a final antagonist, his inexplicable defeat was truly pathetic.

But what could one do?

In the entire Bleach universe, only a handful of individuals merited Shiroha's genuine attention. Fortunately, he wasn't obsessed with battle, so he could make do with what was available.

He sustained himself primarily through romance.

"Shut up!" Yoruichi punched Shiroha with her small fist. He was still teasing her even now.

Did this man possess any sense of decorum?

"I believe you were quite pleased earlier," Shiroha remarked, somewhat puzzled. Women's minds truly were difficult to comprehend, regardless of their nature.

They were practically an established couple by now—why maintain this pretense of shyness?

Chapter 214

Neliel, in a moment of clarity after their encounter, looked troubled. "What position do we occupy in this conflict between Aizen, the Shinigami, and the Espada?"

Despite her previous contentment, she had already sensed Ulquiorra's demise. Yammy's defeat was merely a matter of time. Furthermore, this battle had claimed countless Arrancar lives throughout Hueco Mundo.

With Shiroha Uehara's involvement, they stood no chance of victory.

If the Espada persisted in opposing Shiroha, then Hueco Mundo had no future.

As blissful as she had been moments earlier, she was now equally bewildered. What path remained for them?

Shiroha addressed her concern directly: "Your issue isn't that you're not human—it's that you've become too human. Lose your humanity, you lose much; lose your primal nature, you lose everything. Aizen transformed you into human-like beings, but he couldn't alter your essence. The dynamic of hunter and prey remains etched in your very blood."

For him, humanization was beneficial. The experience with a Vasto Lorde-class Arrancar was truly extraordinary.

But for an Arrancar, this transformation might be detrimental—especially in combat. Without those primal instincts, fighting capabilities became severely compromised.

The battle of Karakura Town had revealed everything. The Espada clearly possessed superior raw power, yet they couldn't overcome their opponents. Too many distractions prevented them from unleashing their full potential.

Fate was woven into the fabric of the death gods' world, and blood-ties carried mysterious power. The Shiba clan had always embraced self-sacrifice instead of serving the Soul King. Members of this family possessed an unbreakable spirit of selflessness.

This lineage produced a "proxy Soul King" dedicated to protecting his companions. During the Thousand-Year Blood War, Ichigo Kurosaki nearly became the Soul King's replacement.

It was remarkable how the family's legacy seemed embedded in the bloodline and destiny of the Kurosaki clan.

"What's wrong with embracing humanity?" Though she questioned this, Neliel's gaze fixed on Shiroha with growing affection.

She believed humanity was worth embracing. Otherwise, she would never have encountered Shiroha and discovered her spiritual sanctuary.

Upon reflection, Hueco Mundo and its Arrancar had their own destiny. She needed to accept others' fates while cherishing the good fortune before her.

Shiroha dismissed her sentiment bluntly: "Typical feminine perspective!"

Truthfully, he held greater admiration for the original Hollows. At least they were "dedicated" and pure in their purpose. They commanded fear. The Arrancar before him seemed too gentle and restrained.

In ancient times, when Hollows encountered Shinigami, they devoured them without hesitation, like the ancient Hollow Ikomikidomoe.

Now, they prostrated themselves before a "god," treating Aizen as their divine savior.

They had abandoned their "proud traditions" in favor of fighting others' battles in more civilized fashion.

Yet, whether acknowledged or not, those ugly histories and scorned imperfections had forged their current identities. This applied equally to Arrancar, Shinigami, humans, and even gods.

To forget one's past was to forget oneself.

Therefore, Shiroha harbored no concerns about Karakura Town.

Though the Espada possessed formidable combat prowess and impressive abilities, the Shinigami were hardly defenseless.

The power enhancement provided by Bankai remained substantial.

While an Espada's Resurrección could instantly heal wounds and restore reiatsu, they couldn't conceal their released form.

An Espada in their sealed state essentially lacked the complete abilities of their Zanpakutō.

Although their baseline capabilities were impressive, they couldn't completely dominate Shinigami of comparable rank.

Once their power advantage dissipated, they became increasingly vulnerable.

Well-trained Shinigami wielded Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Kidō, and Hohō—a comprehensive skill set difficult to counter.

Consequently, Espada relied on Resurrección to amplify their abilities—a tactical necessity rather than choice.

Ulquiorra had recognized his inability to defeat Ichigo in his sealed state, prompting his immediate release of Resurrección.

In reality, even if every Shinigami captain fell to the Espada, the ultimate outcome would remain unchanged—perhaps even slightly improved.

Superficially, this conflict represented a struggle of will, ability, and strength between Shinigami and Arrancar.

But fundamentally, this was merely a "performance" between Aizen and Ichigo.

From beginning to end, Aizen had never truly exerted his full power.

Had victory been his genuine objective, Kyōka Suigetsu would have activated its complete hypnosis, rendering them helpless. No one except Ichigo could have resisted.

Yet Aizen had refrained.

Because destruction wasn't his purpose. His opponents sought to challenge Aizen's ambition to overthrow the existing order and claim the Soul King's throne.

Aizen was an enigmatic yet rational being; he avoided unnecessary actions.

Perhaps in his view, these current adversaries represented future subordinates, making their survival logical.

However, Aizen's grand design was destined for failure.

In the original timeline, this conflict eventually became a showcase for Hōgyoku-empowered Aizen and Fully-Hollowfied Ichigo.

Ultimately, one became imprisoned while the other lost his powers entirely.

This time, however, the outcome would differ.

Because Shiroha Uehara was present.

He would distribute the spoils and determine everyone's fate.

In Szayelaporro's laboratory, Mayuri Kurotsuchi finally achieved success:

"Excellent! I've done it! What fascinating power! This is quite the unexpected discovery."

This expedition to Hueco Mundo had proven immensely valuable for him.

Initially, he believed his greatest acquisitions were several Arrancar specimens and a chamber filled with experimental data and samples.

However, after tireless effort, Mayuri discovered an even more remarkable treasure.

"Captain Kurotsuchi, how did you manage this?" Observing the Garganta before her, Retsu Unohana appeared somewhat perplexed. "Didn't you estimate at least three days?"

She was well acquainted with the scientist's unpredictable nature.

Unohana genuinely feared the man would create some unstable spatial tunnel that might leave its users stranded in the void between dimensions.

Even a captain with her millennium of experience could become trapped in such a place—caution was essential.

Isane Kotetsu harbored no such complex thoughts; she was simply relieved.

Her concern for Karakura Town had been overwhelming.

In her estimation, the sooner they established this Garganta, the better.

She was eager to fulfill her duty of healing the wounded and preserving lives.

Those Hollows were ferocious, and the Captain-Commander surely required the Fourth Division's support.

Nemu Kurotsuchi maintained her characteristic blank expression, yet closer inspection revealed she was quietly nibbling on snacks.

Chapter 215

Mayuri Kurotsuchi gazed at the test tube in his hand, containing reiatsu that glowed with golden light, his excitement palpable:

"When I first arrived in Hueco Mundo, I collected residual reiatsu from Shiroha Uehara. These energy signatures penetrated space itself and enveloped all of Hueco Mundo, making them invaluable for research. Later, with the assistance of data found here, I discovered these reiatsu particles contain spatial manipulation properties. This spatial power surpasses even the most advanced technology from the Research and Development Institute. Though Szayelaporro's research on this reiatsu is rudimentary at best, it provided some reference points. I've improved upon his findings to develop a new technique. With it, I can utilize these particles to open a relatively stable dimensional passage directly to Karakura Town in the World of the Living. It's unfortunate that samples are so limited—I can't research anything more substantial. Otherwise..."

At this point, Mayuri felt as if something was lodged in his throat, causing him considerable discomfort.

In truth, the power and mystery contained within this reiatsu were a hundredfold greater than what he had described.

He even suspected that Shiroha's power approached that of the Soul King himself.

This high-level reiatsu held immense research potential, with limitless applications and endless mysteries.

The power that both warriors and scientists had pursued for centuries could almost be realized through this reiatsu.

It was a transcendent power—a power only gods should possess.

For scientists like himself, this reiatsu represented an irresistible temptation.

The problem was that he possessed too little of it, and he needed to expend what he had opening the dimensional passage.

Most troubling was that faced with such extraordinary reiatsu, Mayuri had no idea where to begin his analysis.

He was like an elementary student who had somehow obtained a university-level quantum physics textbook.

Even if he studied it to pieces, comprehension would remain beyond his grasp.

Far from analyzing its mysteries, he couldn't even begin to understand its basic properties.

An immensely tempting treasure lay before him, but he lacked the capability to access it.

The situation was excruciating.

Ultimately, Mayuri chose to use the samples practically—out of sight, out of mind.

Though wasteful, he saw no alternative.

For now, it was the optimal choice.

In the Ice Palace, Shiroha attended to the increasingly relaxed Neliel.

After a while, she returned to her smaller form and drifted to sleep with a contented smile.

The significant energy expenditure had forced her into an energy-conservation state.

Yoruichi Shihōin, ever restless, was preparing for the upcoming conflict.

At that moment, Shiroha sensed a peculiar connection through his own reiatsu.

He instantly became aware of Mayuri's activities.

He discovered the scientist was using his reiatsu to open a Garganta.

Though it was merely residual energy disconnected from his primary spirit body, without Shiroha's consent, none could harness the spatial properties within it.

This level of spatial manipulation was power exclusive to Shiroha. No matter how others might covet or study it, they could never claim it as their own.

Considering that Mayuri had always been reasonable, and that Unohana would eventually be his ally, he granted permission to use the residual reiatsu.

It was merely a Garganta, after all. Even without his reiatsu, Kisuke Urahara could have managed the task. The moment he granted authorization, Shiroha sensed activity from the beacon he had placed on Rangiku Matsumoto.

Rangiku was utilizing Haineko's Shikai against Harribel's three female Fracción.

As a wind-type Zanpakutō, Haineko's blade dissolved into ash upon release.

With a simple swing of the hilt, Rangiku could control the ash particles for offensive maneuvers.

This attack method bore similarities to Byakuya Kuchiki's Shikai, Senbonzakura.

Haineko also provided defensive capabilities, making it a formidable technique for both offense and defense, much like Senbonzakura, and particularly effective in battles against multiple opponents.

With her enhanced Shunpo, Rangiku could engage three enemies simultaneously and even gain the upper hand. The three Fracción suffered considerably due to their miscalculation of Rangiku's strength and Haineko's capabilities.

Their bodies were lacerated by Haineko's ash, resulting in numerous minor wounds.

If not for the Arrancar's Hierro providing defensive protection, they would have collapsed with severe injuries.

In the original timeline, Rangiku had required Momo Hinamori's assistance to fend off these three opponents.

Now, she accomplished the task alone.

Her strength had improved dramatically compared to her original potential.

After fighting for some time, the three female subordinates ceased holding back.

This Shinigami woman was too elusive, and her Zanpakutō's abilities proved more troublesome than anticipated.

Having dragged the battle out for so long, they felt they were disappointing Harribel.

They resolved to fight earnestly and not embarrass their Tercera Espada master.

Three commands echoed across the battlefield:

"Thrust, Cierva!"

"Devour, Leona!"

"Strangle, Anaconda!"

Following their Resurrección, the three women transformed into bestial hybrids—a deer, a lion, and a snake.

Simultaneously, their injuries healed completely, and their abilities and strength increased dramatically.

With their reiatsu surging, they launched their coordinated attack.

Apache, "The Deer," charged with her antlers; Mila Rose, "The Lioness," swung her massive two-handed sword in a devastating arc; Sung-Sun, "The Snake," whipped her elongated tail behind her as she lunged toward Rangiku.

Facing this fierce assault from three powerful Arrancar, Rangiku remained composed, employing Shunpo to evade.

The transition from stillness to motion was nearly instantaneous.

Relying on lightning-fast Shunpo, she successfully avoided their combined attack.

"How did you dodge that?! What just happened?" After striking nothing but air, Apache roared in frustration.

They had been outmaneuvered by their enemy's speed multiple times.

This enraged her beyond measure.

This damned Shinigami was too slippery—even their pesquisa couldn't track her movements.

Mila Rose analyzed the situation solemnly:

"She's using that Shinigami technique called Shunpo. It's a high-speed movement similar to our Sonído. However, her reaction time is exceptional, and her initial step velocity is impressive. This isn't ordinary Shunpo—it must be some advanced variation. She shouldn't be able to maintain this pace indefinitely, or we would have been defeated long ago."