Above the ruins of Karakura Town, fierce winds howled through the battlefield, causing Shimo's captain's haori to flap violently in the air.
When Shimo's calm voice reached Szayelaporro's ears, the expression on the Arrancar's face twisted even further.
An attack he had been absolutely certain would succeed had become nothing more than a trivial test in Shimo's eyes.
Perhaps, to Shimo, the significance of such a powerful assault was not even as meaningful as the death of a few Espada.
"The power of the Espada's Cero was perfectly replicated."
Shimo's indifferent voice echoed across the ruins.
"Not only that—it even integrated the unique spiritual pressure characteristics of each of them."
"In a sense, this could already be considered a form of rebirth."
"…Unfortunately, it still falls one step short of perfection."
At those words, the veins on Szayelaporro's forehead bulged violently as he struggled to suppress the rage boiling inside him.
To a scientist obsessed with perfect experimental creations, those words were like salt rubbed into an open wound.
No matter how he tried to justify it—
His creation had already failed.
Bloodshot veins slowly spread across Szayelaporro's pupils as madness devoured what little rationality he still possessed.
"So what if Cero didn't work?!"
He roared like a beast.
"Even if it comes down to blades clashing directly, I will still turn you into my experimental specimen!"
The moment his words ended—
The tentacles extending from the four wings behind Szayelaporro suddenly surged forward, connecting directly to the backs of the Espada puppets' heads.
A large amount of black fluid was injected through the tentacles.
Instantly, the spiritual pressure of the Espada replicas skyrocketed to terrifying levels.
Seeing those familiar enemies appear once again on the battlefield, the despair felt during the earlier battles returned to the hearts of the Shinigami.
Byakuya Kuchiki's expression darkened, worry flashing briefly through his eyes.
"Isane Kotetsu… if I want to rejoin the battle, how long until I'm healed?"
Startled by the sudden question, Isane, who was treating him nearby, hurriedly replied:
"Captain Kuchiki, please do not even consider returning to battle so soon!"
"Your injuries are already severe enough to endanger your very soul!"
Byakuya clenched his teeth, unwillingness written clearly on his face.
"…Brother."
Standing beside him, Rukia suddenly spoke.
"Believe in Captain Shimo."
"The only thing we can do now… is place our trust in him."
Byakuya instinctively turned to look at her.
He saw Rukia biting her lower lip, her gaze unwavering as she stared toward the battlefield where Shimo stood.
"…How frustrating."
A quiet sigh spread among the Shinigami.
Subtle changes appeared in their expressions.
Frustration and helplessness filled most of their faces.
As the spiritual pressure of the Espada puppets continued to rise, Szayelaporro's body grew even thinner.
His figure looked as though the blood had been drained from it entirely.
"…Backlash?"
Shimo spoke with mild surprise.
"Kill him…"
Szayelaporro's voice now revealed obvious weakness.
The moment the command was issued—
The Espada puppets activated Resurrección.
Different Espada forms appeared before Shimo.
Tiburón (Harribel).
Murciélago (Ulquiorra).
Santa Teresa (Nnoitra).
Pantera (Grimmjow).
Brujería (Zommari).
Brilliant spiritual pressure flooded the battlefield, blanketing Karakura Town.
The sky shimmered as if painted with a rainbow of destructive power.
"Tch… if that guy hadn't resisted so strongly…"
Szayelaporro glanced toward Coyote Starrk in the distance, grinning widely.
"What kind of look is that?!"
Starrk's Fracción, Lilynette, was clearly the hot-tempered type.
Even in her released form, she could not suppress her irritation.
"Quiet down, Lilynette."
Starrk's expression was grave.
He had little confidence in how the coming battle would unfold.
"Hmph!"
Lilynette snorted but said nothing further, remaining in her pistol form within Starrk's hand.
Seeing this, Shimo showed no particular emotional reaction.
Whether Starrk joined the fight or not would not significantly change the situation.
Through repeated experiments and enhancements, Szayelaporro's power had already surpassed Starrk's.
The fusion of the Cero Espada and the Twelfth Espada had produced a being that stood above the other Espada.
After releasing their Resurrección, the various Espada forms immediately launched their assault on Shimo.
What had begun as a one-on-one duel had now turned into a group attack.
Yet what happened next left everyone stunned.
Shimo barely even used the power of his Zanpakutō.
At the instant their attacks descended, his figure had already vanished from its original position.
Because the surrounding space had been locked down, Sonído could not be used—
But that did not prevent the use of Shunpo.
Shimo's mastery of Shunpo far surpassed that of ordinary Shinigami.
Shihōin Secret Art: Kūdan (Air Bullet).
A faint breeze drifted through the space where he had just stood.
"…First one."
His calm voice carried no trace of emotion.
Szayelaporro stared at the battlefield in horror, muttering under his breath.
"This speed…"
"How can a mere Shinigami possibly—?!"
Shimo's slender Zanpakutō pierced straight through Zommari's head.
In less than a heartbeat—
One Espada puppet had already been eliminated.
Fortunately, these puppets possessed no true consciousness.
Otherwise, panic would have already spread among them.
They obeyed Szayelaporro's commands absolutely—
Even as their comrades were cut down one by one.
"Attack together!!"
After three Espada puppets had already been destroyed, Szayelaporro finally realized something was wrong.
Furious and panicked, he issued new commands.
Under his control, the remaining Espada puppets coordinated their assault and attacked Shimo simultaneously.
At the same time, Szayelaporro activated his space freezing ability, attempting to halt Shimo's movement.
"…That actually saves me some trouble."
Shimo slowly raised his hand.
Black light gathered within his palm.
Danger!!
At the sight of it, terror surged within Szayelaporro.
His instincts screamed at him to flee.
Without thinking, he brought his four wings forward as a shield.
"Ultimate Cero!"
Black light burst forth—
Like a black hole swallowing every color in existence.
BOOOOOOM!!
A massive beam of terrifying power surged forward, engulfing everything before Shimo—
Including Szayelaporro himself.
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