Chương 145: Blades Cleaving the Black Coffin

The truth was, it wasn't that Kisuke Urahara couldn't undo Shinji Hirako and the others' Hollowfication. Rather, Urahara had read Hirako's inner heart and simply stabilized their condition instead of reversing the Hollowfication process.

Although the Hogyoku was created by Kisuke Urahara himself, the current Urahara had no understanding of its true capabilities. He had always assumed the Hogyoku he created could only break the limit of a Shinigami's reiryoku, allowing Hollowfication and mastery over Hollow powers.

Additionally, as a researcher, Urahara likely conducted Hollowfication experiments on some Shinigami prisoners from the Second Division's jail when creating the Hogyoku.

However, he certainly didn't use vice-captain or captain-level combatants as test subjects. In Aizen's eyes, the four captains and four lieutenants were "extremely precious experimental materials." He even thanked Hirako and the others for "providing more research data."

Urahara couldn't deceive himself by claiming disinterest in further studying their condition. Especially when removing the Hogyoku, he admitted having only a "20% chance of healing everyone."

For eight individuals, a 20% chance was surely an understatement from Urahara's cautious personality. He likely had at least a 30-40% chance of reversing their Hollowfication.

Yet the final result was a complete 0% success rate - an utter failure that Ailin refused to believe occurred without the Hogyoku's interference.

Now, Urahara and Yoruichi Shihoin resorted to more extreme methods to help Hirako's group overcome their inner Hollows, allowing normal usage of both Shinigami and Hollow abilities in combat.

"Argh..."

Hiyori Sarugaki, face obscured by a single-horned Hollow mask, let out a roar as immense reiatsu gathered into a red sphere in her mouth.

This was the Cero - an ability only Gillian-class Hollows and above could use as a long-range attack by highly condensing and firing their reiryoku.

Unlike Shinigami who could learn Kido skills, Hollows only gained ranged attacks upon reaching Gillian level and higher by intensely focusing their reiatsu into a blast.

Yet this technique was essential for Hollow survival, no weaker than a Shinigami's Kido.

Moreover, as a Hollow's reiatsu grew stronger, their Cero's speed and power would become truly terrifying.

Boom!

The crimson Cero hurtled swiftly towards Urahara.

"Awaken - Benihime!" Urahara murmured, his Zanpakuto instantly transforming into a sleek crimson blade.

Then he called out its full name, "Sing, Benihime!"

A torrent of crimson reiatsu erupted from Urahara's sword. With a sweep of his arm, a blood-red arc of energy slashed out, bifurcating Hiyori's Cero in two.

Rumble rumble...

The divided Cero blasted past Urahara's sides, carving deep trenches into the ground before detonating against Tessai's defensive barrier with thunderous force.

"Subdue them, Benihime!"

Crimson nets of reiatsu flew from Urahara's swinging blade, swiftly binding the rampaging Hiyori. Not pausing, the nets extended to ensnare the Hollowfied Love Aikawa on the other side.

Yoruichi flickered behind Love, shattering his mask with a single punch to the head.

Boom...

Losing the mask, the redness faded from Love's eyes as his reasoning returned.

"My apologies Yoruichi, I couldn't hold out any longer."

Meanwhile, Urahara stepped up and shattered Hiyori's white mask with the pommel of Benihime.

Crack, crack...

Like Love, Hiyori's sanity was restored.

Witnessing this, Shinji Hirako leaned against a boulder, scoffing, "Well, who was just saying they'd definitely master their Hollow powers this time? So that's how you 'mastered' it, Hiyori..."

"Shut up baldy!"

"Hey, who're you calling baldy? Don't you see how long my hair is now?" Hirako gripped his luxurious locks defiantly as he yelled back.

Indeed, Hirako's silky mane was the envy of many female Shinigami in Soul Society. Some had even put out a bounty to obtain strands of the 5th Division Captain's luscious hair.

Afterwards, Hirako's lieutenant Aizen Sōsuke had snipped off all of Hirako's hair while he slept, claiming that bounty and leaving his captain bald for some time.

Hmm, that was likely Aizen's retaliation after Hirako started trusting Ailin's advice by keeping Aizen by his side during the day.

"Ah, I'm relieved to see you're all doing well."

Just as Hirako and the others were chatting, a voice reached their ears. Everyone turned towards the source to see Ailin's figure gradually materializing before them.

"Captain Ailin Kenpachi of the 11th Division!"

Seeing Ailin, Tessai's mind raced. The fighting within the barrier had temporarily ceased. But if Captain Ailin spread word of their whereabouts, it would bode ill for them all.

After all, at the Central 46 Compound, Tessai had overheard the nobles' judgement against them.

Without hesitation, Tessai dropped the barrier containing Hirako's group and raised his right index finger skyward.

"Bakudō #90 - Kurohitsugi!"

An expanse of blackness rose like a curtain beside Ailin, instantly forming a 7-8 meter tall, 3 meter wide black cubic prism surrounding him.

"Wait, Tessai-san..." It was only then that Urahara's voice reached Tessai's ears.

"Captain Urahara, for everyone's safety, I cannot gamble on Captain Ailin believing us. My apologies."

Tessai continued chanting the Kidō incantation: "Seething cloud, boiling sea... Treacherous currents, sleepless tumults... Iron princess of wrath unparalled, chaos enveloping all. Gather brethren, repel the profane, let the fazeless wither in anguish!"

This was the continuation of a high-level Bakudō incantation!

At advanced levels of Kidō mastery, one could initially release without full incantation. But by not severing the connection and continuing the chant later, the already-cast Kidō could reach its full incantated power.

This technique was often used for high-level Bakudō spells rather than the offensive Hadō. After all, chanting for Hadō would give the enemy too much time to counterattack or evade.

However, the #90 Bakudō Kurohitsugi was an exception.

As long as the target remained trapped without immediately escaping, the caster could complete the full incantation in time, unleashing Kurohitsugi's utmost might.

"Hadō #90 - Kurohitsugi!"

Boom!

As Tessai finished the incantation, the black cubic prism surrounding Ailin pulsed with overwhelming force, causing the surrounding ground to crater inwards from the immense pressure.

Shhhhhh...

Countless cruciform energy blades materialized within the coffin, shredding the space inside into oblivion. Some lances even pierced through the Kurohitsugi's walls.

Facing these blackened blades intent on tearing him apart, Ailin drew his Zanpakutō and swung it forward.

Boom!

...

"How troubling." Kisuke Urahara's heart sank. He never expected Tessai to act so swiftly.

The #90 Kurohitsugi's full power was formidable, yet Urahara had no confidence it could defeat Ailin.

Though wary of Aizen Sōsuke's abilities after tonight, Urahara sensed unfathomable depths to Ailin after their long acquaintance.

Hirako and the others gravely gathered beside Tessai, eyes locked on the ebon prism.

"Be careful everyone, Captain Ailin's power far exceeds your imaginations," warned Kensei gravely, hand on his Zanpakutō. "I once partnered with the captain on a mission where he singlehandedly held off four foes stronger than myself before defeating them all unscathed. Though it diminishes my pride to say so, if we don't steel ourselves before Ailin, he could slay us in an instant."

"Ah? This guy's that strong?" Hiyori scoffed, under the impression Shunsui Kyōraku was the strongest. But even the elder captain likely couldn't instantly defeat them all.

"Don't underestimate him, Hiyori."