Chapter 179: The Recement


    <span>Ulquiorra curiously watched Kazuya release his Shikai. Despite the astonishing process, the endresults left him underwhelmed. He pointed a finger at Kazuya, his eyes the embodiment of apathy. “Cero.”


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">At the tip of his finger, a flickering green light revealed the imminent release of his destructive energy. In an instant, a massive beam shot forth.


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">Kazuya simply brought his Enmyaku together and formed a shield. The fiery shield absorbed the devastating Cero that threatened to consume him, and the rest illuminated the night sky with its green glow.


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">Ulquiorra''s expression remained unchanged, but a hint of intrigue sparked in his eyes. “A shield is an unconventional choice for one as arrogant as you.”


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">“Is that so? How about I show you something traditional?” He grabbed the Enmyakus with his hands and merged them together, which took the form of a sword with a ridiculouslyrge handle. “Let’s fight with swords, shall we?”


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">Ulquiorra grasped the green hilt of his Zanpakutō and drew it in one swift motion. “The weaker de will chip out and break.”


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">“You’ll be surprised.”


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">In a burst of speed, theyunched themselves skyward above Karakura Town, their des shing with a force that sent shockwaves rippling through the night air. The metallic ring of their swords echoed, distorting the atmosphere with each powerful strike.


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">Kazuya aggressively pushed Ulquiorra, aiming to create an opening where he could target Ulquiorra’s vital spot. But Ulquiorra didn’t lose his calm in the face of aggression. He remained as calm as the moon bearing witness to their sh, his katana moving like a whisper in the darkness. The Zanpakutō was swift and precise in fending off the aggressive strikesing from Kazuya.


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">Despite not using his Resurrión, Ulquiorra wasn’t losing an inch in the sh.


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">As they fought, Kazuya’s swordy grew more intense, ripping the air apart with the sheer effort of his swings. He held back his maximum Reiatsu but he didn’t hold back his physical strength. In fact, he only grew stronger shing with Ulquiorra, since he was the strongest opponent he had ever fought. Harribel didn’t count since she started holding back after he officially became her lover.


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">He wasn’t the only one growing through the battle. Ulquiorra too became strong through battling an equal opponent — something he couldn’t find in Hueco Mundo as the #1 Espada.


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">“You’re surprisingly strong for a student,” Ulquiorramented. “You also have a decent grasp onbat itself. I understand why he thought of you as a barricade in his ns.”


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">“He?”


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">“You don’t need to know that.”


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">Ulquiorra keenly blocked and evaded the flurry of aggressive shes — until he found an opening. Kazuya grew impatient and shoved his de at Ulquiorra’s heart. Ulquiorra waited as the de inched close to his chest and stabbed through him.


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">—He let the sword pierce him.


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">His move caught Kazuya off-guard. The perfect opening didn’t go to waste, as Ulquiorra pushed his katana through Kazuya’s throat.


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">Ulquiorra nonchntly drew back his katana and plunged it back into its sheath. “You put on a good fight.”


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">He grabbed the massive hilt of Kazuya’s sword and drew it out so he could regenerate. The sword briefly glided out of his chest before it got stuck. <span style="vertical-align:baseline">Khach. Khach. Khach. <span style="vertical-align:baseline">The sword roared as it split apart inside Ulquiorra and extended into a whip sword. The growing detched onto Ulquiorra, wrapping itself around his waist like a living entity.


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">“You shithead,” Kazuya whispered. “You celebrated too early.”


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">Ulquiorra grabbed Kazuya’s throat and flung him away before grabbing the sword’s hilt. He, however, was toote. The mes between the sections of the whip word continued growing brighter and brighter — until they exploded.


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">The two Enmyakus dashed out of the smoke of the explosion and reached Kazuya’s side. He quickly converted one Enmyaku into a musket and shot his throat, concealing his innate regeneration from any prying eyes.


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">As the smoke settled, Ulquiorra’s state was revealed. His entire shoulder and a big portion of his waist had disintegrated into ashes. The bloodied torso healed within seconds, however, he paid a hefty Reiatsu in exchange for the regeneration.


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">{My mes would’ve finished the job.}


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">Nami didn’t exaggerate one bit. He only used Tsubasa’s mes as a ranged technique. The bright mes were simply not made for destruction.


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">His senses suddenly registered a familiar presence approaching him fast.


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">‘Ah, finally. My beautiful Tier is here.’


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">Ulquiorra brushed his right shoulder, frowning. “Our intelligence severely underestimated you. Your versatile abilities to defend and regenerate, and your willingness to go this far for victory make you a great threat.”


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">“Be quiet for a second please.” Kazuya pointed at Tier, whose shark-like eyes gleamed in the distant park. She had taken the perfect spot to hide and observe. “Is that beautifuldy part of your crew?”


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">{What are you scheming by exposing her to Aizen?}


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">‘Can’t you read my mind?’


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">{I don’t read minds; I make assumptions based on your emotions. But sometimes I feel like there is an external entity interrupting our connection.}


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">‘That’s quite bizarre.’


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">Ulquiorra turned around and nced down at Tier. As if taking disrespect from the pale Arrancar looking down on her, she soared to an even higher point and then flipped her hoody.


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">“Arrancar, Shinigami. Do not fight in my town.”


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">“I know you.” Ulqiuorra narrowed his eyes. “You are Tier Harribel. Las Noches has been searching the Hueco Mundo for you.”


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">Tier crossed her arms, radiating an air of authority. “Am I that famous in Hueco Mundo now?”


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">Ulquiorra stared at her with the same apathetic gaze. “Yes. Every Espada knows you. Why did you hide after ying Barragan? Did you have no interest in the crown or was your victory a fluke?”


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">Despite his typically emotionless demeanor, Ulquiorra had a penchant for engaging in lengthy dialogues, a trait somewhat at odds with his usual stoic nature.


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">Tier’s eyes red with rage. “You pathetic Arrancar dare challenge my pride. I’ll make you pay for this.”


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">She dashed at Ulquiorra with Sonído and grabbed his throat. Her explosive speed and raw strength caught him by surprise. She ripped open the Garganta with her other hand and tossed Ulquiorra inside.


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">Turning to Kazuya, she gave him a menacing re. “Stay where you are, Shinigami. It’s between me and him.”


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">He raised his hands. “Whoever wins between gets the privilege to die at my hands.”


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">Tier snarled before dashing into the void.


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">Alone now, Kazuya exhaled deeply. Tier’s reaction had been astoundingly intuitive, almost as if she could read his mind. She understood his desire to leave and assist Rangiku and the others, and chose to rece him in the battle.


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">{God bless our holy mother.}


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">Kazuya narrowed his eyes. “Nanao’s Reiatsu is getting weaker.”


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">{Fuck the voyeur Aizen. I bet he is having an orgasm seeing everything go ording to his n.}


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">...


    <span style="vertical-align:baseline">The whip sword design


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    Spoiler


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    [copse]