XX-level Hokage

Ichigo Kurosaki ignored Nnoitra's taunts. He simply breathed slowly, the tip of his crescent blade pointing at Nnoitra. Although every inch of his body was screaming with pain and exhaustion, he knew clearly that now was not the time to fall. He could feel the Hollow power within him awakening, like a sleeping beast slowly opening its eyes.

"Ichigo! You can't fight anymore!" Orihime Inoue shouted anxiously. She wanted to rush over, but Renji and Rukia held her back. They both knew that in Ichigo's current state, rashly joining the battle would only accelerate his collapse.

"Step back, Kurosaki Ichigo!" Hitsugaya Toshiro commanded in a deep voice. "Your body is not strong enough to fight! Leave this to us!" He knew Ichigo was strong, but he knew even better the cruelty of battle.

However, Ichigo simply shook his head slowly, his gaze remaining firmly fixed on Nnoitra.

"This is my... battle." Ichigo's voice was hoarse and deep, filled with an undeniable determination. He could feel how much Nelliel had sacrificed to protect him and to avenge him.

Therefore, he absolutely cannot sit idly by.

Nellyel looked at Ichigo Kurosaki, a complex light flashing in her eyes. She saw the weariness in his eyes, but she also saw the unwavering belief that he would never back down even in the face of dire straits.

Sure enough, this man will never fall easily!

"Kurosaki Ichigo!" Enraged by Ichigo's disregard, Nnoitra unleashed his spiritual pressure once more, stomping his foot and charging towards Ichigo with a whistling sound!

"You're asking for death!" Nnoitra swung his six mantis scythes in unison, forming a terrifying vortex of blades, determined to tear Ichigo to shreds!

"Ichigo!" Rukia and Renji exclaimed simultaneously. They tried to rush forward to intercept him, but Nnoitra was too fast. They didn't have time to react. Nelliel's eyes flickered, and the two Antelope Knight swords in her hands flashed with emerald green light again, ready to rush forward to defend once more.

However, just as Nnoitra's blade was about to touch Ichigo Kurosaki, Ichigo's body suddenly erupted with an unusual spiritual pressure! That spiritual pressure was violent and coarse, carrying the stench and chaos unique to Hollows, yet it was different from his usual Hollowfied spiritual pressure.

This power felt like a deeper awakening! "—Ughh ...

Ichigo let out a low roar, and his body suddenly erupted with a powerful black and red spiritual pressure! At the same time, the Hollowfication patterns on his face began to spread, the whites of his eyes instantly turned black, and his pupils turned a bloodthirsty gold! A powerful sense of oppression belonging to a Hollow instantly enveloped the entire room!

"Hollowfication...no, this power...is stronger than before?!" Toshiro Hitsugaya stared at Ichigo in shock, sensing a completely different spiritual pressure fluctuation emanating from Ichigo.

This is not simply a blurring of the surface; it's more like a "forced breakthrough" that transcends its own limits.

Nnoitra's attack was slightly halted by the sudden spiritual pressure. He suddenly felt the familiar yet irritating Hollow power on Ichigo's body, which made a fervent excitement flash in his eyes.

"Hahahaha! Kurosaki Ichigo! That's more like it!" Nnoitra laughed wildly, his attacks becoming even more ferocious, the six scythes swinging towards Ichigo again with a crazed killing intent!

However, this time, Ichigo was no longer the one barely holding on. In his Hollowfied state, although his body swayed, he unleashed astonishing speed! With a whistling sound, Zangetsu, with a beast-like instinct, precisely blocked several of Nnoitra's attacks!

Thump! Thump! Thump!

The Moon Slayer and the Holy Crying Mantis collided violently, producing a deafening roar.

Each collision unleashed powerful spiritual pressure, scattering the surrounding debris and dust in all directions.

"Is this... the power of Hollows?" Renji watched Ichigo's battle with shock in his eyes. He had never seen such a wild and pure fighting style.

Rukia bit her lip tightly, feeling both joy at Ichigo's awakening and worry about his current state. This forced stimulation of his potential would inevitably place a huge burden on him.

Meanwhile, Orihime's treatment never stopped. She placed all her hopes on Ichigo, and gentle spiritual pressure constantly flowed towards him, trying to alleviate the burden on his body.

Nellyel looked at the Hollowfied Ichigo with a complex expression in her eyes. She knew that this was the power that Kurosaki Ichigo had unleashed to protect his comrades, but she also knew how great the price of this power was.

Nnoitra and the Hollowfied Ichigo engaged in fierce close-quarters combat.

Nnoitra's attacks were wide and sweeping, each one powerful and ferocious, tearing everything apart. Ichigo, on the other hand, relied on the intuition and enhanced speed brought by Hollowfication to counterattack in a more savage and instinctive way. Rengetsu seemed to have come alive in his hands, each swing carrying a deadly threat.

However, Ichigo was, after all, severely injured. Although Hollowfication temporarily granted him immense power, his fatigue and injuries continued to accumulate, causing his movements to become sluggish and his breathing to become more rapid.

Hahaha! Kurosaki Ichigo! You've reached your limit! Nnoitra chuckled, seizing a tiny opening in Ichigo's defenses, and his six scythes lashed out...

They converged towards the center, attempting to crush Ichigo completely!

"Ichigo!" Toshiro Hitsugaya and Nelliel exclaimed in unison. They knew that if Ichigo were hit head-on by Nnoitra, he would suffer a fatal injury in his current state!

At this critical moment, Ichigo Kurosaki's Hollowfied form underwent another change!

The ethereal patterns on his face intensified, even spreading to his neck and arms! A purer, more violent ethereal power emanated from...

It erupted from within him! His hiss became even deeper, like a roar from the depths of hell!

"Aa ...

Black spiritual pressure condensed around Ichigo's body as if it were solid, forming a violent current that instantly blasted Nnoitra's six scythes away! Nnoitra felt an unprecedented sense of oppression. He stared incredulously at Ichigo before him; the Hollow energy within him was still continuously...

It enhanced, even surpassing the limits he could have imagined before!

“What… what kind of power is this?!” Nnoitra’s smile froze on his face, and for the first time, a look of “fear” appeared in his eyes.

Kurosaki Ichigo's figure became even more blurred under the violent spiritual pressure, and the Zangetsu in his hand seemed to be infected by the power of the Hollow, becoming even darker and exuding a chilling aura of death.

Chapter 206: Defeat!

Inside a room in the abandoned area of ​​Las Noches, Ichigo Kurosaki's Hollowfication underwent another transformation. His already violent spiritual pressure became even purer and darker, as if an ancient beast had been awakened from the depths of hell.

The black and red spiritual pressure surrounding him transformed into a tangible hurricane, forcefully shattering Nnoitra's six scythes!

Nnoitra's smile froze completely, his eyes filled with unprecedented terror. He could clearly feel that the power emanating from this heavily injured substitute Shinigami had surpassed the level of a Vasto Lorde, and even faintly touched upon some forbidden realm!

"What...what kind of monster is this?!" Nnoitra's voice trembled slightly, instinctively sensing the threat of death. Ichigo didn't respond; his roar grew even deeper, as if from a non-human creature.

Then, with a blur of movement, so fast that it was impossible for the naked eye to catch it, he instantly appeared in front of Nnoitra!

The Zangetsu in his hand was completely covered by black spiritual pressure. The blade was as black as ink and exuded a terrifying aura of death. He didn't make any unnecessary movements. He simply swung Zangetsu down fiercely!

"What?!" Neutra was shocked. He didn't have time to fully react and could only barely raise his two scythes to block. "Hey!"

With unstoppable force, Zangetsu slashed fiercely at Nnoitra's scythe! Under this blow, both scythes let out a mournful cry of unbearable strain, and then snapped in two!

"Impossible! My Holy Crying Mantis is the hardest blade among the Espada!!" Nnoitra roared in terror, staring incredulously at his broken Zanpakuto and the deep, bone-revealing gash left on his chest by the residual force of Zanpakuto!

Crimson blood gushed out instantly, and Nnoitra's body, like a kite with a broken string, was violently blasted away by the aftershock of Ichigo's attack, flying fiercely...

It crashed into the dilapidated wall of the abandoned room with a loud "boom," completely collapsing the wall and creating a huge gap!

"Lord Nnoitra!" Tesla Richter exclaimed, completely stunned by what he saw. The invincible Lord Nnoitra, possessing the strongest resilience, had actually been injured so badly by a single blow from Ichigo!

Toshiro Hitsugaya and Nelliel were also stunned. They knew perfectly well how terrifying the hardness of Nnoitra was, yet Ichigo was undergoing a Hollowfication transformation.

Then, it was able to sever his soul-slaying power in one blow and cause him such severe injury!

This power...! Hitsugaya Toshiro's pupils contracted. He could feel the Hollow power within Ichigo's body, which had reached an unprecedented level. It was no longer just the spiritual pressure of a Shinigami, but had fused with some deeper, more primal chaotic power!

Rukia and Renji were equally shocked; they had never seen Ichigo unleash such terrifying power.

Looking at Ichigo in his Hollowfied state, who resembled a demon god descending to earth, Orihime Inoue felt not only worry but also an unprecedented sense of awe.

Kurosaki Ichigo's body trembled slightly, the violent Hollow power almost tearing his body apart. He ignored Nnoitra, who had been blasted away, and slowly raised his head. His golden pupils flashed with a bloodthirsty light, as if he wanted to completely devour the ruins in front of him.

"Nnoitra, you...you've angered me." Ichigo's voice was low and hoarse, with a hint of Hollow hissing.

Neutra struggled to his feet from the rubble, supporting himself with his remaining four arms, staring at the deep, bone-revealing wound in his chest, and...

The broken Zanpakuto, its eyes filled with fear and disbelief.

"Impossible...impossible! How could you, a fly, possibly hurt me?!" Neutra roared in despair, unable to accept that he had been defeated by a mere agent of death, and in such a crushing way at that.

"Die!" Nnoitra roared, crossing his remaining four scythes and unleashing four purple Cero flashes at Ichigo! These were his strongest Cero flashes since his Resurrection, an attempt to utterly destroy Ichigo with sheer numbers and power!

However, Ichigo merely raised Zangetsu; he didn't swing it, but simply held the blade horizontally in front of him. Then, the dark red spiritual pressure around his body instantly condensed into a massive crescent-shaped energy wave.

"Charge at Crescent Moon Pass!"

This was no ordinary Crescent Moon Slash! It was larger, darker, and more violent than ever before! With earth-shattering power, it instantly collided violently with the four Cero shots launched by Nnoitra!

Rumble rumble rumble—!

A deafening explosion instantly engulfed the entire abandoned area! The violent spiritual pressure shockwave spread outward at an astonishing speed, completely destroying the entire room. Even the surrounding ruined walls crumbled under this force, turning into countless pieces of rubble!

The powerful spiritual pressure forced Toshiro Hitsugaya to unleash the "Daiguren Hyōrinmaru" in its released form once more, using ice and snow to shield himself and the figure behind him.

Kia, Renji, Matsumoto Rangiku, and Vinshin Momo wrapped themselves up to resist this destructive force.

Orihime Inoue unleashed the full power of the "Three-Day Shield" to protect Chad and Ishida. She could sense that the power emanating from Ichigo was beyond her comprehension.

As everything calmed down, the aftershocks of the violent spiritual pressure gradually dissipated.

The original room had completely disappeared, replaced by a huge crater. In the center of the crater, Nnoitra Gilga's body had completely collapsed, turning into countless spiritual particles that dissipated into the air, leaving only his tattered mask lying quietly in the ruins.

The 50th Espada, Nnoitra Gilga, was ultimately defeated by Ichigo Kurosaki with overwhelming power!

Kurosaki Ichigo remained in his Hollowfied state, the moon in his hand still radiating a dark spiritual pressure, but his body began to tremble violently, like a sculpture that might collapse at any moment. The wound on his chest began to reopen, and blood gushed out again, while the Hollowfied markings on his face began to flicker erratically.

"Ichigo!" Nelliel rushed forward, knowing that Ichigo had reached his limit.

Hitsugaya Toshiro also withdrew his release. Looking at Ichigo's swaying figure, his eyes showed not only shock but also a deep worry. He knew that such a forced breakthrough would inevitably bring unimaginable backlash.

Orihime exerted all her strength, channeling all her healing spiritual pressure into Ichigo in an attempt to stabilize his body.

However, on the other side of Hueco Mundo, a ghostly figure silently appeared above the ruins. He wore a white Espada uniform, held a huge Zanpakuto, and his deep, empty green eyes coldly watched everything below.

He is the 40th Espada, Ulquiorra Cifer.

Ulquiorra's gaze fell on Ichigo, his eyes devoid of any emotion, as if he were merely observing an interesting experimental subject.

"Ichigo Kurosaki... You really can become even stronger..." Ulquiorra's voice was cold and calm, yet it carried a chilling pressure in the silent Las Noches.

His appearance foreshadows a new and even more powerful despair that is about to descend.

Chapter 207: Ulquiorra

Ulquiorra Cifer's appearance on the ruins of Las Noches instantly plunged the already precarious atmosphere to freezing point; his presence seemed to taint everything around him with despair.

“Ulquiorra.” Nellyel’s body stiffened abruptly. Her gaze fell on the black figure, her eyes filled with vigilance and unease. This Espada before her was completely different from Nnoitra’s ferocity. His power was more restrained and more unfathomable.

Under Ulquiorra's watchful gaze, Ichigo Kurosaki's Hollowfied form became increasingly unstable. Blood continued to seep from the wound on his chest, and his body trembled more and more violently, as if he were about to collapse at any moment.

Even so, his golden, ethereal pupils remained fixed on Ulquiorra, and the Zangetsu in his hand emitted its last black spiritual pressure.

Toshiro Hitsugaya's expression also became extremely solemn. He felt the suffocating spiritual pressure emanating from Ulquiorra, a coldness and power that surpassed most of the Espada. Ichigo had already reached his limit and was no longer able to fight.

“Ulquiorra Cifer…” Hitsugaya Toshiro spoke slowly, Hyōrinmaru flashing coldly again, “What are you doing here?” Ulquiorra’s gaze shifted from Ichigo to Hitsugaya Toshiro, his eyes devoid of any emotion.

"I've come to confirm on Lord Aizen's orders." Ulquiorra's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable coldness. "To confirm whether he can truly reach that level." His gaze returned to Ichigo, as if examining an object about to be judged.

"You mean Ichigo's Hollowfication?!" Rukia suddenly asked, tightly protecting Orihime, Chad, and Yuuki.

"His current 'state,' and 'value,'" Ulquiorra said emotionlessly. "Lord Aizen is very interested in Ichigo Kurosaki, but if he cannot withstand this power, or cannot achieve the evolution we expect, then he loses his 'meaning' in being observed."

His words made it seem as if he were treating Ichigo Kurosaki's life as an experiment.

"You bastard!" Renji roared, the snake tail in his hand glowing red. He could not tolerate Ulquiorra's contemptuous attitude.

"Renji! Don't be impulsive!" Toshiro Hitsugaya immediately stopped him. He knew that in their current state, they were no match for Ulquiorra.

Nellyel gripped the Antelope Knight tightly, her body trembling slightly, but her eyes burned with rage. She was once an Espada and knew Ulquiorra's power well, but at this moment, she could not tolerate his treatment of Ichigo Kurosaki.

“Ulquiorra, Nnoitra has been defeated by Ichigo!” Nereil said in a deep voice, trying to make Ulquiorra take Ichigo's power seriously. “So what?” Ulquiorra's reply remained indifferent. “That was just an individual who hadn't surpassed his limits, while Kurosaki Ichigo…”

The potential it has demonstrated deserves our continued observation.