"Let the water and heavens swirl, Nejibana!"
Beads of sweat formed on Aaroniero's forehead before he released his Zanpakuto in front of Rukia. His blade rapidly transformed, changing from a sword into a trident resembling that of the sea god Poseidon. Upon release, the surrounding Reishi sands seemed to ripple, as if changing form from sand into crashing waves.
"Now, do you still doubt me, Rukia?" Aaroniero held the trident and spoke softly, "Or do you believe there is anyone else besides me who can wield Nejibana?"
Rukia gripped her sword with both hands, her body trembling uncontrollably as she stared at the man who looked exactly like Shiba Kaien.
"You're right. In every aspect, you appear identical to Lord Kaien." Rukia's breathing became ragged as she spoke with growing emotion, "However, you've forgotten the most important point—the Lord Kaien I knew would never, ever work alongside a Hollow!"
!
Aaroniero froze for a moment. What could he say? Should he claim he was an undercover agent in Las Noches? But could he even say that? Aizen hadn't ascended to the heavens yet! If he spoke out and Rukia managed to survive and take that intel back to the Gotei 13, wouldn't Aizen's identity be exposed? If that happened, Aizen would definitely kill him.
"I'm only..."
"Shut up! You aren't fit to speak with Lord Kaien's voice!" Rukia said grimly, "Dance, Sode no Shirayuki!"
After Aaroniero released his Zanpakuto, Rukia released hers as well.
"It seems communication is impossible. I'll just have to defeat you first, then explain everything that has happened during this time." Aaroniero felt it was a pity; he had intended to use Shiba Kaien's appearance to make Rukia lower her guard so he could kill her easily. But Rukia hadn't fallen for it.
It didn't matter, though. He possessed Shiba Kaien's memories and knew Rukia's strength. Even without a disguise, taking her down shouldn't be difficult.
"Kuchiki! Let your adjutant teach you how to fight!" Aaroniero roared, thrusting his spear directly at Rukia!
But in the next instant, something shocking happened! That swift thrust should have been at a speed Rukia couldn't possibly react to, yet just before it struck her, she swung her long blade and parried his spear away.
This... how is this possible? Rukia shouldn't have been able to react to that strike under any circumstances! As Aaroniero reeled in shock, Rukia's figure vanished instantly, reappearing right in front of him.
Not good! Aaroniero tried to retreat, but he was a step too late.
Slash!
Rukia's blade struck him directly in the chest, leaving a deep horizontal gash. Blood sprayed from the wound instantly!
"You... how?" Aaroniero looked at Rukia in disbelief. He clutched the wound on his chest with one hand while leaping back several steps to put distance between them.
"Are you surprised?" Rukia said softly, "If it were the real Lord Kaien, he would never have been hit so easily by this strike, because Lord Kaien would never underestimate me. You are merely a fake with Lord Kaien's appearance and memories. You learned of my strength from his memories, but you didn't expect that I have become much stronger over these past few years."
"..." Aaroniero's face darkened, but then he suddenly broke into a sinister grin, "Beautifully done, Kuchiki! I don't know how you saw through me, but... you've really pissed me off now! I've decided! I'm going to eat you and take your form! I'll go to the Seireitei and use your face to slaughter everyone you care about!"
"You won't get the chance." Rukia closed her eyes and exhaled a puff of white mist. Her Zanpakuto, which had turned white after its release, was rapidly covered by Reiatsu and turned pitch black—as if it had changed from an Asauchi to Sode no Shirayuki, and then back from Sode no Shirayuki to an Asauchi.
"?" Aaroniero was stunned, "What is this?"
"Armament Haki. I haven't mastered it well, but combined with Sode no Shirayuki's ability, today is your end."
Two and a half years in One Piece was equivalent to decades of training for Rukia in the Soul Reaper world. Because of what Beltz had told her, Rukia realized the truth about the Hogyoku within her and Aizen's conspiracy, sparking a desperate desire to grow stronger. With the support of these two "buffs," Rukia's current strength was even greater than her strength at the start of the original story.
Conversely, Aaroniero was not as powerful as he would be by the start of the original timeline. This gain and loss gave Beltz the confidence to leave Aaroniero to Rukia alone. Even for a unique Hollow Eater who had devoured Shiba Kaien, Rukia was more than enough to handle a Gillian-level Arrancar.
She lunged forward in an instant, moving like a flash of lightning!
"This isn't enough!" Aaroniero roared, "I know all of your moves!" He raised his trident to block Rukia's blade, but as he felt the massive force behind her strike, his arms went numb.
What's going on... how does this girl have such immense strength? Aaroniero was shocked and took another step back. This is bad. I need to go all out. Shiba Kaien's body isn't enough—I need to use my Resurrección!
As he retreated, the edge of Rukia's blade moved an inch further from his throat. However...
"Third Dance: Shirafune." Rukia whispered.
Squelch!
The reach of Rukia's blade should have been insufficient, but the moment it swung past, the blade edge suddenly extended by an inch?! A flash of brilliant white extended from the black blade, which was then covered by the black Haki, and then... it sliced through his throat with ease!
!!!!
Aaroniero collapsed backward, clutching his throat. His eyes were no longer filled with shock, but with pure terror!
"No! Impossible!" Aaroniero screamed, "How could I lose to you?! I'm going to eat you! Glotoner—"
Crack!
Just as he was about to enter his Resurrección, a burst of frigid air exploded! Cold white mist spread from Aaroniero's throat, turning into ice crystals that covered his entire body in an instant. More frost extended from Rukia's blade, pumping into Aaroniero's body to freeze him permanently.
She didn't kill Aaroniero. First, because Beltz had told her beforehand to keep him alive for his own uses. Second, because Rukia held a sliver of hope in her heart... what if? What if Lord Shiba Kaien's soul could still be liberated from this Hollow's body?
And so, she simply froze the Hollow.
Well, it looks like Rukia is finished over there.
On the distant battlefield, Beltz was still clashing with Grimmjow. He decisively shook Grimmjow off and turned toward Rukia.
"? Trying to run!" Seeing Beltz retreat while they were in the middle of a thrilling fight, Grimmjow shouted, "It won't be that easy!"
He rapidly pursued Beltz. Being a panther-type Menos, his speed was incredibly fast. However, Beltz was not slow either. He charged straight at Rukia, opened his massive mouth, and swallowed both her and Aaroniero. In the next instant, he entered One Piece!
?!
Grimmjow was about to strike, only to find that the massive Azure Dragon had suddenly vanished into thin air!
What happened? Grimmjow looked around in shock, but there was no sign of Beltz anywhere. He had vanished after eating the black Soul Reaper and Aaroniero?
"That useless trash Aaroniero actually got taken down by a Soul Reaper!" Grimmjow was filled with rage. He opened his mouth and fired a Cero!
Boom!
The terrifying Reiatsu blasted the distant desert, creating a massive explosion. Grimmjow roared again, but no one answered.
Beltz had already taken Rukia back to One Piece. He spat Rukia and Aaroniero back out. Rukia was already used to the feeling of being swallowed and spat out, but her face was filled with a sense of loss and sorrow.
"I'll do my best," Beltz sighed and said, "If possible, I will try to save Shiba Kaien."
However, the odds were truly microscopic. It was almost an impossible task. From the moment Shiba Kaien was devoured by Metastacia, he was beyond saving—not to mention he was killed by Rukia and then devoured by Aaroniero. This was equivalent to dying three times. Who could save him? Even the Hogyoku couldn't do it! The Hogyoku can only manifest things that someone already has the potential to achieve; it isn't an omnipotent wishing machine. Even if Vegapunk made a clone, he couldn't recreate Shiba Kaien—at most, he could recreate an Aaroniero.
"I know..." Rukia knew the hope was slim, so she whispered, "I don't ask for much, it's just..." She didn't finish her sentence, but instead said, "Thank you, Beltz."
"You're welcome." Beltz accepted her thanks naturally. He picked up the frozen Aaroniero and walked toward the laboratory.
"You've become very strong, Rukia," Beltz said softly as he walked. "Consider this... my payment in exchange for the Hogyoku."
With that, he brought Aaroniero into Vegapunk's laboratory. The most important research material was now in his hands!
Next up: Lunarian bloodline elements, Blackbeard, the Dark-Dark Fruit, the Munch-Munch Fruit, and the Op-Op Fruit!