"Tsuna… what's with that look? Ever since we started high school, you've been acting weird."
Ichigo looked at Tsuna suspiciously.
"Oh, I was just wondering," Tsuna leaned toward Ichigo's ear and whispered—though not quietly enough for the others to miss it, "whether you've got some mysterious girl from the sky hiding in your closet."
"Ichigo-kun really hid a girl? I—I won't tell Auntie Masaki…" Orihime stammered, becoming more confused the more she spoke.
"Don't listen to his nonsense, Orihime," Ichigo said, locking Tsuna in a headlock and dragging him forward. "The two sisters at home are already annoying enough. Why would I bring another girl home?"
"Heh. Just wait until your backyard catches fire," Tsuna said smugly after breaking free. "Don't say I didn't warn you."
"Tatsuki, control your idiot," Ichigo said immediately. "Since Uncle Sawada and Auntie aren't in Japan, you're the only one who can handle him."
Speaking of Tsuna's parents—
His father's business had expanded rapidly, even receiving projects overseas. Both parents had gone to England together for work.
Tsuna fully supported their departure.
After all, Japan would soon enter a period of turmoil. The sooner they left this muddy battlefield, the freer he would be to act.
"Hmph. Tsuna never says things without reason," Tatsuki said calmly. "Orihime, you'd better keep an eye on Ichigo."
Orihime nodded very seriously.
She stared at Ichigo as if he might bring home a mysterious girl at any moment.
"Sawada," Uryū said as he approached, "did you sense something?"
For years he had followed Tsuna's lead, training relentlessly. He had long suspected Tsuna was preparing for some coming battle.
"The sky looks gloomy," Tsuna said while glancing outside the window. "Everyone should head home early."
Just moments earlier, Tsuna had sensed a new Reiatsu appear in Karakura Town.
The position of Karakura's long-vacant resident Shinigami had finally been filled.
"Oh no! I need to call Aunt Masaki to bring in the laundry!" Orihime turned away to make a call.
Most of the students had already left the school. Tsuna's group was the last to leave.
As they walked out of the school gate together—
A chaotic wave of spiritual pressure suddenly covered the entire town!
Everyone present instantly recognized it.
Hollow Reiatsu.
But the sheer quantity was alarming.
Everyone looked up at the sky.
Countless black holes had opened above Karakura Town.
From them emerged one masked monster after another.
Hollows.
But there were far too many.
The entire sky seemed filled with them.
Tsuna had just taken out his phone when Urahara called first.
"Tsuna-san," Urahara said, "someone has deployed a large amount of Hollow bait in Karakura Town."
That explanation alone was enough.
All of these Hollows had been lured here.
"Shopkeeper, contact Shinji. I'll call Ginjō."
Tsuna quickly hung up and began chanting.
"Bakudō #77 — Tenteikūra."
The communication Kidō flew toward Naruki City.
[Ginjō, Karakura Town is under a massive Hollow attack. Tell your people to put on their communication earpieces and assist immediately.]
The communication earpiece was Urahara's improved version of the Denreishinki. Shaped like an in-ear communicator, it allowed team communication across different channels without interfering with combat.
After notifying Kūgo Ginjō, Ichigo and the others also put on their earpieces.
Tsuna immediately issued orders.
"Ichigo, Orihime—go home and protect your families."
Humans with strong spiritual power were particularly vulnerable targets.
Ichigo's entire residence fell into that category.
Since both Ichigo and Orihime had limited offensive capabilities, returning home was the safest choice.
Ichigo didn't argue.
He grabbed Orihime's hand and dashed toward home, releasing his Reiatsu.
"Uryū," Tsuna continued, "find an open high vantage point and wipe out the weaker Hollows with Licht Regen."
Ever since obtaining the Ginrei Kojaku, Uryū had developed a habit of opening fights with Licht Regen.
1,200 Reishi arrows fired simultaneously like rainfall.
Against strong enemies it was ineffective—but against low-level Hollows, it was perfect.
"Tatsuki, Chad—you two fight together. Back-to-back formation."
"There are too many Hollows. Don't give them the chance to ambush you."
Both nodded.
As primarily close-range fighters relying on punches and kicks, rushing into enemy swarms alone would be dangerous.
Back-to-back combat would stabilize their defense.
"Guard the school," Tsuna finished. "Call for support if anything happens."
The school and Ichigo's home were the places where Tsuna and Ichigo released the most Reiatsu.
Tsuna's house was empty.
Ichigo was already heading home.
All Tatsuki and Chad needed to do was protect the school.
"Hello? Need us to do anything?" Shinji's voice entered the channel.
Urahara had already informed the Visored about the situation.
"Shinji," Tsuna replied, "have the other three captains and the lieutenant-level members spread out across Karakura Town."
"Your targets are the stronger Hollows—anything Uryū can't clear instantly."
Uryū had already taken position.
His Licht Regen swept across Karakura Town like a windshield wiper.
But there were simply too many Hollows.
He couldn't clear them all alone.
"Shinji, take the west side of Karakura. Use Sakanade to flip the Hollows upward. Don't let them harm civilians."
"Have Hachigen assist with barrier Kidō."
Sakanade activated through its scent.
With Hachigen Ushōda's barrier techniques expanding its reach, Shinji could easily control a massive area.
"No problem," Shinji replied. "What about the other directions?"
"Uryū holds the center with Licht Regen."
"The shopkeeper takes the east side."
"The south side belongs to the Ishida family."
Ishida Residence — South Karakura
A calm voice spoke from the rooftop.
Ishida Ryūken stood there quietly.
In one hand he held a short bow.
The other rested casually in his pocket.
"The weather's cold. Wear a coat."
Ishida Kanae gently placed a coat on him before standing quietly beside him.
"You can go rest," Ryūken said.
Kanae shook her head softly.
"I've rested long enough. As long as I'm beside you… nothing will happen."
Ryūken pulled her into his arms gently.
He raised his bow toward the sky.
"Heilig Pfeil."
"As long as I'm here, nothing will."
Urahara Shop — East Karakura
Urahara was busy directing Hanakari Jinta, Tsumugiya Ururu, and Tsukabishi Tessai as they installed strange cannon-like devices around the shop.
"Do we really not need to help?" Yoruichi asked, kicking one of the devices into position.
"Let's trust Tsuna-san," Urahara replied calmly.
"The mastermind stirred up this chaos to muddy the waters. Since Tsuna didn't mention you, he probably wants us to guard our position and stay hidden."
Both Urahara and Tsuna understood something clearly.
Only one person could orchestrate such an exaggerated Hollow invasion.
Aizen Sōsuke.
Northern Karakura
"Ginjō," Tsuna said through the communicator, "spread the Xcution members along the outer perimeter. Don't let any Hollows escape."
"Understood," Ginjō replied. "But what about the north side?"
Tsuna had not assigned anyone there.
"No problem."
"I'll take the north myself."
A silver earring hung from Tsuna's left ear.
Three sharp pendants dangled from it.
His Mist-Attribute Bankai—
Vongola Gear — Mist Earring Ver. X.
A thin fog silently spread around the surrounding buildings.
From above, Tsuna's entire area vanished beneath a layer of mist.
His Reiatsu formed a protective illusionary barrier.
If he had more time, Tsuna could have covered the entire town in mist.
But there was no time now.
The Hollows had already begun descending.
Tsuna's right eye turned crimson.
Inside it was a large "1".
The power of the Six Paths of Reincarnation, inherited from Rokudō Mukuro.
The First Path — Naraka Path (Hell Realm).
The mist beneath Tsuna suddenly transformed into flowing lava.
Columns of fire erupted skyward, shattering waves of Hollows.
Immediately afterward—
Countless venomous serpents shot into the sky.
They tangled with scattered Hollows.
As long as Tsuna's Reiatsu held out, the illusionary snakes would be endless.
In reality—
The Hollows diving toward Tsuna simply exploded as their masks shattered.
Tsuna paid little attention to these fodder enemies.
His gaze was fixed elsewhere.
There—
A newly arrived Shinigami Reiatsu flickered unpredictably.
Strong.
Weak.
Strong again.
It piqued Tsuna's curiosity.
Should he go witness it?
That fateful encounter.
Tsuna hesitated.
He could already feel Ichigo's Reiatsu approaching that new presence.
If nothing unexpected happened—
That meeting had clearly been deliberately arranged.
Tsuna looked toward the sky.
For enemies at this level, simply wearing the Mist Earring would be enough to eliminate them.
Maybe he should go watch after all—
Just as Tsuna lifted his foot—
A series of far more terrifying Reiatsu erupted above Karakura Town.
The sky tore open with jagged cracks.
Like monstrous teeth, the cracks slowly parted.
From the darkness beyond—
Two white claws forced the opening wider.
A massive masked face with a long nose emerged.
A towering Hollow clad in black robes.
Only its mask and claws remained white.
Menos Grande.
Gillian.
But it wasn't just one.
More and more cracks opened across the sky.
Gateways between Hueco Mundo and the Human World.
Dozens of Gillian-class Menos began emerging.
Uryū felt a bead of sweat slide down his forehead.
Even Licht Regen couldn't easily handle this many Gillians.
Should he switch techniques?
But if he changed attacks, the lesser Hollows would slip through.
Just as he prepared to ask Tsuna—
Several familiar Reiatsu appeared beside him.
"We'll handle the Menos."
"Ishida Uryū—maintain suppression fire."
The Hunters of Gillian had arrived.
The Visored — entering the battlefield.
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