XX-level Hokage

He walked straight toward Ichigo, completely ignoring Toshiro Hitsugaya beside him.

Hitsugaya Toshiro's face darkened, and he blocked Ichigo's path: "Your opponent is me!"

"Get out of my way, brat!" Grimmjow threw a punch with disdain, and a powerful spiritual pressure erupted instantly, heading straight for Toshiro Hitsugaya.

Hitsugaya Toshiro immediately swung his Hyōrinmaru to block, the ice and spiritual pressure colliding and creating a violent roar. Grimm's brute power surprised him, but even more so, it ignited his fighting spirit.

"Grimmjow." Ichigo stared at the wild Arrancar before him. Though severely wounded, his fighting spirit was ignited. He knew this was the enemy he had to face, the key to proving himself and surpassing his limits.

He endured the excruciating pain, struggling to stand up, and gripped the moon tightly beside him.

Nel felt the familiar yet aggressive spiritual pressure emanating from Grimmjow. Her small body trembled violently again, her eyes filled with fear and a hint of unspeakable sadness. She seemed to recognize Grimmjow, but the instincts suppressed by Makoto prevented her from recovering. So she clung tightly to Ichigo, as if instinctively wanting to protect this weak "uncle".

Seireitei, Third Division Barracks.

As Mashiro looked at everything reflected in the spirit sphere, her smile grew even brighter.

Grimmjow is here... Ichigo, you'll have to face him eventually. "Mashiro murmured to herself, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

The appearance of Toshiro Hitsugaya protected Ichigo, but it also gave Grimmjow a target and further intensified the conflict.

“Nel is doing a great job too, making the situation even more complicated.” Mashiro watched with satisfaction as Nel hugged Ichigo tightly. She knew that the more Nel showed her desire to protect Ichigo, the more she could unleash Ichigo’s hidden power.

"Power... true power is born only in dire circumstances." Mashiro's eyes were filled with anticipation. "Now, it's time to see your true limits, Ichigo Kurosaki."

She snapped her fingers lightly, and a subtle fluctuation of spiritual pressure was once again injected into Nel's body within Hueco Mundo. The purpose was not to remove the suppression, but to allow Nel's "devouring instinct" to form a deeper connection when facing Grimmjow's violent spiritual pressure... a connection that would allow Ichigo's Hollowfication power to break through its limits in extreme rage.

Chapter 104: The Espada (Part 8)

On the ruins of Hueco Mundo, the clash of spiritual pressure was like the collision of two mountains.

Toshiro Hitsugaya's "Daiguren Hyōrinmaru" clashed head-on with Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez's brute power, unleashing gusts of cold air and fierce winds.

"Get out of my way, brat! You're not my target!" Grimmjow roared, his spiritual pressure surging again from his fist. He utterly disdained to fight Hitsugaya Touya.

Shiro was persistent, but his eyes were only on Kurosaki Ichigo.

Toshiro Hitsugaya's face turned ashen. He felt the immense power emanating from Grimmjow's fist, a power far exceeding that of ordinary Espada subordinates. Even with his full strength, he felt somewhat strained. He gripped Hyōrinmaru tightly with both hands, his icy spiritual pressure swirling around the blade as he forcefully parried Grimmjow's attack.

"Who your target is is not up to you!" Hitsugaya Toshiro said coldly, as he wielded Hyōrinmaru, unleashing a barrage of icy blades towards Grimmjow like a sudden storm.

Grimm didn't dodge or evade, letting the ice blades fall on him, only producing a clanging sound of metal clashing, without even leaving a decent wound. He laughed arrogantly: "You think you can stop me with an attack of this level?!"

He suddenly gathered his spiritual pressure, and a blue Cero flash formed at his fingertips, carrying a terrifying power that made one's heart tremble, heading straight for Ichigo, Chad, and Ishida who were lying on the ground.

"Not good!" Toshiro Hitsugaya's expression changed drastically; he had no time to defend himself.

However, just as the Cero was about to hit, Ichigo sprang up from the ground, enduring the excruciating pain all over his body, and shielded Zangetsu in front of him.

"Don't even think about touching them!" Ichigo roared, and a violent spiritual pressure erupted from his body. The Hollowfication Mask reappeared, instantly covering his face.

"Bang!"

The Cero struck Zangetsu, producing a deafening roar.

Ichigo's body flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing into the wall of the ruins and creating a huge dent in it.

He coughed up a mouthful of blood, and more cracks appeared on his ethereal mask, as if it would shatter at any moment. The severe injuries inflicted by Yammy made his ethereal form now extremely precarious.

"Ichigo!" Rukia, Renji, Toshiro Hitsugaya, Rangiku Matsumoto, and Momo Hinamori exclaimed in unison. They hadn't expected that Ichigo could still forcefully Hollowen in this state.

"Hahaha! That's it! Kurosaki Ichigo!" Grimmjow laughed wildly, his eyes filled with excitement and bloodlust. "I knew you wouldn't let me down! Only in such desperate situations can you show your true power!"

He walked towards Ichigo step by step, each step carrying a powerful sense of oppression.

"Kurosaki!" Toshiro Hitsugaya immediately rushed forward again, trying to stop Grimmjow.

However, Grimmjow didn't even glance at him. He condensed the Cero in his hand again, but this time, he directly blasted the Cero at Matsumoto Rangiku and Hinamori Momo behind Hitsugaya Toshiro!

"You lot... get out of here!" Grimmjow sneered.

"What?!" Toshiro Hitsugaya's pupils constricted sharply. He was forced to abandon his pursuit of Grimmjow and turn to protect Rangiku and Momo Hinamori. Hyōrinmaru swung, and a massive ice wall instantly rose from the ground, blocking Grimmjow's Cero.

Grimmjow's goal is clear: he only wants to fight Ichigo, and he will eliminate anyone who stands in his way without mercy.

As Ichigo watched Grimmjow approach him, and saw his friends being restrained and injured, his anger finally erupted. He knew he could no longer run away; this was the limit he had to cross!

He struggled violently out of the ruins, the cracks on his ethereal mask becoming more pronounced, but the fighting spirit in his eyes was stronger than ever before.

Nel clung tightly to Ichigo's leg, her small body trembling even more violently. She felt the raging spiritual pressure emanating from Grimmjow; it was profound...

The fear was deeply imprinted in the depths of her soul.

However, just as Nel was gripped by extreme fear, she felt a strange spiritual pressure fluctuation emanating from her small hand, which was pressed tightly against Ichigo's body.

This fluctuation was not something she actively released, but rather a foreshadowing laid by Mashiro, intended to ignite her deep-seated "devouring" instinct and resonate with Ichigo's Hollowfied spiritual pressure.

Guided by this invisible force, Nel's instinctive desire to "protect" and the unique "devouring" characteristic of the Hollow within her were miraculously fused together. Although her body was still that of a child, her spiritual pressure became exceptionally profound, as if it could devour everything.

This profound spiritual pressure, like some ancient covenant, resonated with the restless Hollow energy within Ichigo's body.

Ichigo felt that although his Hollowfication mask was covered in cracks, it had miraculously stabilized temporarily. In fact, an unprecedented violent power surged wildly within him, like a sleeping beast being awakened.

"Grimmjow!" Ichigo roared, and the Zangetsu in his hand instantly turned pitch black, with a black spiritual pressure swirling around it like a raging storm.

"Hahaha! Come on, Kurosaki Ichigo!" Grimmjow's eyes gleamed with excitement as he looked at Ichigo's figure enveloped in Hollow power, knowing that this was the opponent he had been longing for.

Without further hesitation, he swiftly held his Zanpakuto horizontally in front of him.

"Liberate, Leopard King!" "Boom!"

An earth-shattering spiritual pressure erupted, accompanied by howling winds and flying sand and stones.

Grimmjow's body began to change. His mask shattered completely, revealing a ferocious face. His entire body was covered in white armor, his limbs became thick and powerful, and his tail and claws became visible, making him look like a real cheetah. His strength and speed reached a whole new level at this moment.

Resurreccion! Leopard King!

After Grimmjow released his Zanpakuto, his figure vanished like a phantom. The next moment, he appeared behind Ichigo, slashing down with a claw amidst a whistling sound! "So fast!" Ichigo was startled. Even in his Hollowfication state, he still couldn't fully grasp Grimmjow's speed and could only barely turn to block.

The moon clashed with the sharp claws, producing a grating sound.

"Bang!"

The immense force sent Ichigo flying, crashing heavily into the ground and creating a large crater. His Hollowfication mask cracked with a "crack," splitting open with an even longer fissure.

"It's over, Kurosaki Ichigo!" Grimmjow gave Ichigo no chance to catch his breath. He swooped down, his claws raining down on the Hollowfied Ichigo, each attack carrying a violent, tearing force.

"Pfft!" "Pfft!" "Pfft!"

Ichigo's body was torn apart by sharp claws, blood splattering everywhere. His Hollowfication mask teetered on the brink of collapse under the barrage of attacks, and his wounds multiplied rapidly. He desperately swung Zangetsu to counterattack, but his attacks seemed weak and powerless against Grimmjow after his Resurrection.

"Is this... the power of the Espada?!" Toshiro Hitsugaya's expression turned extremely solemn as he saw Grimmjow's posture after his Resurrection. He knew that this was far beyond what they had encountered with the subordinate officers before.

Rukia and Renji were equally shocked. They knew Grimmjow was strong, but they didn't expect that after his release, he could suppress Ichigo in his Hollowfied state so easily.

Ichigo felt every muscle in his body groaning, and his spiritual pressure was rapidly draining away.

The ethereal mask could shatter at any moment, but deep within his heart, an indomitable will burned fiercely.

He can't fall! He still has people to protect! "Ah—!"

Ichigo let out a beast-like roar, and the Hollow power within him was fully unleashed under Nel's invisible influence and extreme rage.

An even more violent and chaotic spiritual pressure erupted from his body, carrying an unprecedented "devouring" quality, intertwining with the power of his own Zanpakuto.

"Cero!"

Ichigo suddenly held Zangetsu horizontally in front of his chest, and an unprecedented black Cero shot out from the tip of Zangetsu, carrying destructive power and heading straight for Grimmjow! This Cero was larger and more violent than any of his previous Ceros, as if it could devour everything.

Grimmjow's eyes flashed with surprise. He hadn't expected Ichigo to be able to unleash such power in this state. He dared not be careless and condensed huge blue Cero with both hands to collide head-on with Ichigo's black Cero!

"Boom!!!"

The two Cero flashes collided in mid-air, unleashing a deafening roar. The energy shockwaves spread outwards like a tsunami, leveling the entire ruins. Amidst the violent energy fluctuations, Grimmjow's Cero was gradually consumed by Ichigo's black Cero. He let out a roar, completely overwhelmed by that power.

Submerged!

As the light faded, Grimmjow's body tumbled out of the smoke like a wolf. His Resurrection form was deactivated, and he reverted to his Arrancar form. He knelt on the ground, panting heavily, his chest charred black, severely injured by Ichigo's Cero.

"Kurosaki Ichigo...you bastard!" Grimmjow's eyes were filled with disbelief and rage. He never expected that Ichigo, in his Hollowfication form, could unleash such power.

Ichigo's body swayed precariously. His Hollowfication mask shattered and vanished with a "crack." He knelt on the ground, using the moon as a support, panting heavily. His spiritual pressure was almost completely depleted, and his injuries worsened once again.

Although he successfully injured Grimmjow after his Resurrección, this attack exhausted all of his strength.

Grimmjow looked at the weakened Ichigo, a hint of resentment and excitement flashing in his eyes. He knew that he had lost a move in today's battle, but he also saw Ichigo's growth and potential, which made him even more eager for the next decisive battle.

Just then, a cold voice rang out in the air. "Grimmjow, stop."

Ulquiorra Cifer reappeared above the ruins, his eyes cold and empty, devoid of any emotion. "Ulquiorra!" Grimmjow glared at him.

“You have crossed the line,” Ulquiorra said calmly. “Lord Aizen did not permit you to engage in a battle of this scale here.” “Hmph, mind your own business!” Grimmjow roared in resentment.

Ulquiorra ignored his roar, glancing down at the heavily injured Ichigo and the surrounding Shinigami, a barely perceptible flicker in his empty eyes.

"Retreat." Ulquiorra uttered only two words before vanishing into thin air.

Grimmjow glanced at Ichigo with resentment, but ultimately chose to obey orders. He knew Ulquiorra's strength and that Aizen's commands were not to be disobeyed. He let out a heavy snort, then transformed into spirit particles and vanished into the ruins.

With Grimm's departure, the tense atmosphere in Hueco Mundo eased slightly.

Ichigo finally couldn't hold on any longer, his body went limp, and he collapsed into Nel's arms. Nel's small body clung tightly to him, her eyes filled with worry and pity.

Hitsugaya Toshiro, Rukia, Renji, and the others rushed over immediately. Seeing Ichigo unconscious and his shocking injuries, everyone's face was filled with solemnity.

"We must find Inoue immediately! Otherwise, Ichigo will..." Rukia said anxiously, her eyes already reddening.

Nel also watched Ichigo nervously, her small hand unconsciously stroking his cheek. As if sensing the extremely weak spiritual pressure within him, a deep light flashed in her eyes again, as if some kind of true "protective" instinct was being fully awakened.

Chapter 194: The Espada (Part 9)

Above the ruins of Hueco Mundo, the violent spiritual pressure gradually dissipated, leaving behind a scene of devastation.

Kurosaki Ichigo collapsed weakly into Nel's arms, fragments of his Hollowfication Mask scattered on the ground. His injuries were shocking, as if he might lose his life at any moment.

"Ichigo!" Rukia rushed forward, her hands trembling as she examined Ichigo's injuries, her face deathly pale. "We must... we must find Inoue immediately! Otherwise, Ichigo won't make it!"

Chad and Ishida Uryu were also seriously injured and collapsed to the ground. Chad's left arm had completely lost sensation, and Ishida's glasses were shattered, with bloodstains on his forehead blurring his vision. Although their injuries were not as critical as Ichigo's, they had also reached their limit.

Toshiro Hitsugaya's expression was grave. He sensed the chaotic and weak spiritual pressure within Ichigo's body, as well as the terrifying aura of Arrancar permeating the surroundings.

He said, "The situation in Hueco Mundo is far more complex and dangerous than we imagined. We must make a decision as soon as possible."

Matsumoto Rangiku and Hinamori Momo also arrived beside Rukia and Renji, their eyes filled with worry as they looked at the horrific scene before them. "Captain, what should we do now?" Renji asked with difficulty, his own spiritual pressure almost completely depleted, leaving him barely able to fight.

Hitsugaya Toshiro glanced at everyone present and calmly analyzed, "The most important thing right now is to heal Ichigo and the others. The internal structure of Las Noches is complex, so we must concentrate our efforts and at the same time find Inoue Orihime."

He looked at Nel, and although he was puzzled by this Arrancar in child form, her strength in killing Edrad in one blow and her attitude that seemed to know something about Las Noches caught his attention.