Chương 70: Another Battle Against the Arrancar
A few more days passed, and Naruto was currently lazing around while spectating how Hiyori was utterly annihilating Ichigo in combat.
Well, while Hiyori could keep up her hollowfication for multiple minutes, Ichigo had significantly less duration with his mask.
Well, over the course of the last few days, Ichigo actually managed to increase the time he could keep it on by 150%... From four seconds to ten...
"What in the world is he doing, Naruto?"
"Err, getting his ass kicked?"
Hearing Naruto's answer, the one who asked the question, Tatsuki, could only roll her eyes without commenting any further.
Although Tatsuki hasn't come to a conclusion in regard to Naruto's situation yet, considering she was allowing him to rest his head on her lap, Naruto felt confident that everything will work out somehow.
"Anyway, aren't ultimate skills supposed to be only short-lived? I think ten seconds feel just right."
"Considering that little girl keeps on her mask for quite a bit, I'm pretty sure it's not supposed to be an ultimate skill."
Somehow, while fighting Ichigo, Hiyori heard Tatsuki calling her a little girl, resulting in her launching her sandal at Tatsuki in mid-fight.
However, Tatsuki simply titled her head, causing the sandal to miss her and somehow hitting Shinji in the face.
"Owowow, shit! Damnit, what are you even doing here, Naruto? And why the hell did you bring your girlfriend here? Can't you go flirt somewhere else?"
"Hehe, you jelly?"
"F*ck you, Naruto!"
"Hehe, I would rather f*ck... Owowow, stop pinching me!"
Despite getting his waist pinched by Tatsuki, Naruto couldn't help but chuckle due to her face slowly becoming redder and redder, while Shinji looked like he had just bitten into a lemon.
Moments later, everybody's heads snapped in the same direction, and Naruto's face paled while Shinji looked even more annoyed.
"Another attack? Is Aizen bored?"
Unlike Shinji, who had a mix of annoyance and boredom on his face, Naruto grew paler and paler as he quickly got up, dusted off his clothes, and prepared to leave.
"Well, I'm leaving."
Seeing Naruto apparently being in a hurry while being afraid of something, Tatsuki tilted her head in confusion.
"What's wrong, Naruto? Where are you going?"
"Away."
"A-Away? Towards the Hollow?"
"Nope. Opposite direction. See ya later... Probably."
"P-Probably!? Naruto, what is goi..."
Before Tatsuki could finish her sentence, Naruto was already gone, leaving a confused Tatsuki behind.
"What the hell?"
Meanwhile, in another part of the town, a black portal, a Garganta, opened up, revealing five people.
While four of them clearly were Arrancar, the fifth person was a female Shinigami, and it might seem weird, but the group of four clearly didn't want to stand too close to the fifth.
Although there was a kind smile on the woman's face that didn't reach all the way up to her eyes, the Spiritual Pressure she was oozing felt calm like a serene lake but at the same time as dangerous as the deepest ocean.
"Naruto~ Where are you~"
As those words left her mouth, she suddenly vanished from the perception of the four Arrancar and could no longer be seen.
"Damn, since when is that woman so creepy?"
"No idea. When she is together with that other Shinigami, she always acts like a tame pet, so who knows what her real personality is."
"Who gives a shit? I'm going after my target."
"Aaaaahhhhaaa~"
The first Arrancar who spoke was Yammy, who already visited the world of the living a few weeks ago, the same as Grimmjow, who spoke third.
The second speaker was Luppi Antenor, who was a relatively small Arrancar with androgynous features, black hair, and blue eyes.
As for the last Arrancar to... make some noise, he was the newest Arrancar which had only been created a while ago, and his name was Wonderweiss Margela. Frankly, he was pretty weird as he seemed to be incapable of speech and was currently chasing after a butterfly. Clearly, his brain wasn't fully developed, or he had some other issues.
Anyway, as soon as the little group's conversation ended, Grimmjow left, hunting after his target: Kurosaki Ichigo. Seeing him leave immediately, Yammy couldn't help but frown, but before he could say anything, Luppi spoke first.
"Just leave him alone. Since he is not even an Espada anymore, he is worthless."
After losing his arm due to invading the world of the living without permission, Grimmjow lost his position as Espada number seven and was instead replaced by Luppi, who was now clearly showing contempt towards Grimmjow.
"Anyway, it seems like we have picked a good landing spot~
Luppi didn't bother about Grimmjow any further and instead looked around with a smile on his face. Coincidently, the Garganta they had opened into the world of the living led them directly to a place where multiple Shinigami were gathered, causing Luppi to smile.
Luppi allowed his gaze to wander, counting a total of four Shinigami present, but before he could comment any further, Yammy drew his blade, blocking an ice-covered Zanpakuto, whose owner immediately introduced himself.
"Toshiro Hitsugaya, Captain of the Tenth Division."
"Hee~ So you are a number ten as well. Arrancar Diez. Yammy."
While Tashito was facing Yammy, Ikkaku and Yumichika stood in front of Luppi.
"Are you an Espada, too?"
Hearing Ikkaku's question, Luppi slightly pulled his shirt away, revealing the number seven tattooed on his right hip.
"That's right. Espada number seven, Siete, Luppi Antenor."
Finally, Rangiku was facing Wonderweiss, who was currently absentmindedly watching a flock of birds passing by.
"Err, should I just cut this one down?"
"Aaaahhhaaa~"
Although she felt like she should attack the Arrancar in front of her simply due to her opponent being an Arrancar, but at the same time, she felt like that was equivalent to cutting down a toddler, giving her conflicting thoughts.
However, the fighting quickly devolved into a rather one-sided affair, as Toshiro's ice couldn't freeze Yammy, while Yumichika insisted on fighting Luppi alone, with Ikkaku claiming that he wouldn't fight in a two-on-one.
Realizing that the Shinigami side was laughably outmatched, the smirk on Luppi's face widened as he started talking to Yammy.
"These people are trash, Yammy. Let me fight all of them. Hehe, I'll release and take you all on~"
As those words left Luppi's mouth, he drew his Zanpakuto making the Shinigami present wonder what he intended to do. Realizing that something dangerous was about to happen, Toshiro charged at Luppi to stop whatever he tried to do, but unfortunately, he was too slow, as Luppi resumed speaking.
"[Strangle, Trepadora]"
Although Tashiro was too late to stop Luppi's release, he decided to attack him anyway, but before he had reached him, his eyes widened as his instincts were screaming at him, allowing him to create an ice wall to block an incoming attack just before it could reach him.
Feeling the strength of the attack he had just blocked, Toshiro couldn't help but sigh in relief as a cocky grin appeared on his face.
"Well? That's it? That's your release."
Hearing Toshiro's words, Luppi chuckled in amusement and resumed speaking as the smoke his release initially created started settling down.
"Hoo~ You blocked my attack, huh? Not bad at all. In that case, what about an attack with eight times as much power."
The dust fully settled, revealing Luppi's released state, showing that he had now grown eight tentacle-like appendages on his back.
Seeing Luppi's new form, Toshiro's eyes widened in shock, realizing that he had merely blocked one eight of the attack power Luppi now had, and in that moment of shock, Luppi used the brief moment in which Toshiro wasn't paying attention and attacked him, causing his eight appendages to crash into him, and sending him flying to the ground.
After sending Toshiro flying, Luppi licked his lips in excitement as he noticed the surprised expression on the remaining three Shinigami.
"See, I told you you should fight me four one one. Or rather, it's four on eight, isn't it~"
Moments later, the fight became even more one-sided as Luppi's eight tentacles punted away Ikkaku and Yumichika while capturing Rangiku.
"Well, well, well, what a killer body~ How about I poke a few holes into it."
As soon as Luppi stopped talking, the end of one of his tentacles was suddenly covered in spikes, which approached Rangiku at a rapid pace.
Seeing the deadly attack approaching her, Rangiku sighed deeply as an annoyed expression appeared on her face.
"Damn, I really didn't want to reveal this so publicly. This better not cause me too much additional work."
Just when the first spike was about to touch Rangiku, dust erupted out of her, covering the spiked tentacle, and as soon as a reasonable amount of it was covered, Rangiku flicked her wrist, causing the tip of the tentacle to be cut off, followed by another flick, cutting away the tentacle holding onto her.
"[Bankai. Kazanbai]"
"""WHAT!?"""
While Luppi was surprised at how easily Rangiku managed to cut through his tentacles, Ikkaku and Yumichika were stunned due to Rangiku actually being able to use Bankai. As far as they were concerned, she shouldn't be capable of using it.
Feeling the astonished gazes on her, Rangiku couldn't help but sigh again and again, and moments later, she felt the atmosphere shift, causing her to pout.
"Mou, couldn't you have been a little faster, Captain? Now I'm standing here all exposed for the world to see~"
Before anyone could understand what Rangiku meant or who she was talking to exactly, four of Luppi's tentacles froze, causing his eyes to widen in surprise as Toshiro revealed himself to be completely fine.
"Seriously, when did you pick up the habit of making indecent remarks like that, Lieutenant Matsumoto? As for that matter about your Bankai, we'll talk about that later."
"What!? You weren't done for!?"
While Toshiro was calmly speaking to Rangiku, Luppi couldn't help but be bewildered due to his being still alive. From his perspective, he shattered Toshito's Bankai, which should have at least knocked him out and maybe even killed him.
Unfortunately, what he didn't know was that the important aspect of Toshito's Bankai wasn't the dragon-like ice figure surrounding him while he was using it but his control over the ice itself. The ice dragon could be shattered a hundred times, and Toshiro still would have lost barely any energy.
"Too bad you were arrogant and didn't finish me off properly. You might have eight weapons, but my weapon is all the water in the atmosphere. Checkmate. [Sennen Hyoro]."
Dozen of ice pillars rose from the ground, surrounding Luppi, and before he could even understand what was going on, they all crashed into him, sealing him into a massive block of ice.
Unfortunately, just as he was about to lose his life, a light curtain descended from the sky, engulfing Luppi and saving his life in the process.
A few minutes earlier. Yammy was disinterestedly watching Luppi's fight while complaining that he had nothing to do. However, a few seconds later, an opponent appeared in front of him in the form of Urahara Kisuke.
Frankly, it wasn't even a fight as Yammy simply flailed around like a wild beast while Kisuke easily dismantled every move he made, making for a rather uninteresting fight.
At the same time, Ichigo was in a lot of trouble, as he had yet again encountered Grimmjow. However, he had his Hollow mask this time, so as soon as Grimmjow appeared, he went all out and started kicking Grimmjow's ass.
Unfortunately, just when he was about to finish Grimmjow off, his mask chattered, instantly weakening him dramatically and bringing him to the brink of exhaustion.
Now, heavily weakened, Grimmjow returned the ass beating to Ichigo, flinging him all over the city, and just when he was about to finish Ichigo off, his hand was frozen, causing him to frown as his gaze landed on the one responsible.
This person was Kuchiki Rukia, who had initially been training with Orihime in Seireitei but made it here in time to intervene in the fight.
Rukia was aware that compared to Grimmjow, she was just weaker, so as soon as Ichigo and Grimmjow were separated to a reasonable degree, she went all out, putting everything she had in a single move.
"[Tsugi no Mai. Hakuren.]"
Rukia pointed the tip of her Zanpakuto at Grimmhow, resulting in a pillar of ice shooting at him. Grimmjow, still slightly confused due to someone else intervening in his fight, was too late to dodge the attack and was consequently engulfed in a pillar of ice, making Rukia sigh in relief.
"Phew, just made it in time. That sure was some power you used there, Ichigo."
Obviously, Rukia was revering to Ichigo's hollowfication, making him frown deeply, as he was not aware of what Seireitei's stance would be concerning the use of a Hollow's power, so he decided to try to sweep it under the rug.
"Shut up, that was..."
Unfortunately, before he could finish speaking, the ice covering Grimmjow broke, resulting in the two Shinigami's eyes widening in shock as a hand shot forward, grabbing Rukia's head while channeling a Cero.
"Who do you think I am, Shinigami!? Did you think you could take me out by making me feel cold!?"
More and more Spiritual Power gathered in the hand holding Rukia's head while the Shinigami duo was frozen in terror. Grimmjow was just about to shoot his Cero, killing Rukia in the process, when a magma-covered hand smashed into Grinmmjow's face, sending him flying away.
"Geez, every time I see you in a fight, you are getting your ass kicked, Ichigo. Since when were you this weak?"
"T-Tatsuki!?"
Naturally, Ichigo was surprised due to TatsukiÄs sudden appearance while simultaneously being unhappy due to her words, but he quickly discarded all these thoughts as there was something more important for him to say.
"Run away, Tatsuki! This one is too much for you!"
Before Tatsuki could comment on Ichigo's words, Grimmjow had already picked himself up and jumped at Tatsuki with high speed, his remaining hand ready to pierce through her heart.
"TATSUKI!!!"
Naturally, Ichigo was worried about Tatsuki, not thinking that she could deal with Grimmjow. Obviously, he had seen her fight Yammy, but that was a completely different matter, as Grimmjow was much stronger. However...
"DON'T LOOK DOWN ON ME!!!"
...just when Grimmjow's attack was about to land, Tatsuki started moving, using the palm of her hand to push away Grimmjow's attack while using the momentum of his charge to spin around and kick the heel of her magma-covered feet into his hips, crashing him into another building.
Seeing Grimmjow flying away, Tatsuki glanced at Ichigo, and seeing his dumbfounded expression, she nodded in approval. Obviously, Tatsuki wasn't happy about Ichigo looking down on her strength, so she was rather satisfied showing off like this.
After all, just who did she train with? Naruto! From her perspective, Naruto had unlimited stamina, Spiritual Power, and on top of it, a frankly audacious amount of combat experience, so how could fighting some random Arrancar face her?
Naruto might not be after her life, but compared to fighting him, this fight was nothing she was too worried about. She might be in trouble if her opponent still had both of his arms, but like this, she was rather confident.
Moments later, Grimmjow came out of the hole he was just kicked into, growling like a wild enemy while directing a hatred-filled gaze at Tatsuki.
"Damn, the longer I fight, the more insects keep popping up. This is so annoying."
Hearing Grimmjow's words, Tatsuki sneered in disdain; having partially adopted parts of Naruto's personality, she couldn't help but taunt Grimmjow.
"Hee~ Insects, you say? In that case, what does that make you, someone who got his ass beat by said insects?"
A tick mark appeared on Grimmjow's face as he gritted his teeth in anger. This was probably the worst day of his life, as more and more mockery was pilled up on him, making him snap as he drew his blade.
" F*CK YOU!!! GRIND..."
Clearly, Grimmjow was about to release his sword, putting Tatsuki on guard, but before anything could happen, Ulquiorra appeared, stopping Grimmjow's transformation.
"That's enough. Mission accomplished... probably... I guess... Somehow..."
Although Grimmjow wasn't entirely sure why Ulquiorra sounded so uncertain, those doubts were quickly covered up by burning anger that was directed at Tatsuki and Ichigo.
"You were saved yet again; next time we meet, I'll kill all of you."
"Mah, considering how you currently look, do you plan to drown us in your own blood? Certainly looks like that~"
Hearing yet another taunt out of Tatsuki's mouth, Grimmjow's anger was about to explode even further before Ulquiorra started speaking, completely ignoring Tatsuki and Grimmjow as his gaze landed on Ichigo.
"It seems you have acquired another power. However, it's so insignificant."
Hearing Ulquiorra's words, Ichigo lowered his head in a mixture of anger and frustration, while Tatsuki couldn't help but chuckle in amusement.
"A comment about someone's power being insignificant, from someone whose power is insignificant. How amusing~"
Ulquiorra couldn't help but frown due to Tatsuki's taunt. He pondered the situation for a brief moment before he disappeared from his position and reappeared in front of Tatsuki, ready to stab a hole in her chest.
"Why is a weakling like you even speaking?"
Frankly, Tatsuki was fully aware that she could not win against Ulquiorra. She was confident to at least fight him for a while in his base form, but she knew that Arrancar had a released state, making them much stronger. Since that was the case, she knew that Ulquiorra was not someone she could defeat.
Anyway, despite seeing Ulquiorra move and being able to dodge his attack if she desired, she didn't do so for one simple reason: Occasionally, even a tomboy like herself liked being saved by her prince... well, boyfriend.
Just when Ulquiorra's attack was about to hit his mark, obscenely dense Spiritual Pressure covered the area, barely allowing the people present to breathe as heavy wind started roaring through the battlefield and Ulquiorra's hand was caught by another person with a wry smile on their face.
"You sure like playing dangerous games, Tatsuki."
"Meh, I already knew you were in the vicinity~"
'The hell? Does she have a Hinata-style boyfriend finder?'
[Be afraid~]
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