XX-level Hokage

"Well, thanks to what I did beforehand, I sensed Aizen's Cero power and knew he was going to go all out. So I prepared an emergency exit in advance," Kisuke Urahara explained, his tone still nonchalant, yet it sent chills down everyone's spines.

It turns out that Ulquiorra's attack was not a true "finish".

Under Kisuke Urahara's covert arrangement, the destructive Cero instead became the detonator that triggered Ichigo's "emergency passage," forcibly teleporting him to another hidden space controlled by Urahara, thus avoiding a fatal blow.

Meanwhile, Orihime was pulled into Ichigo's protective range at the last moment and teleported there with him.

Orihime Inoue also stood up from beside Ichigo. Although her face was pale, she was obviously not directly injured. She looked at Ichigo with her eyes filled with relief and complicated emotions of surviving a disaster.

"Ulquiorra's attack seems to have inadvertently cleared away some of the uncontrollable power within Ichigo-kun." Kisuke Urahara looked thoughtfully at Ichigo's chest, where the wound that had been eroded by Hollowfication was now showing signs of healing.

This sudden turn of events brought an unbelievable surprise to everyone.

However, Kisuke Urahara's appearance also means that the battle at Las Noches will become even more complicated.

"Urahara Kisuke...you bastard..." Hitsugaya Toshiro looked at Urahara Kisuke with a complicated expression. He knew that this man could always foresee everything and make corresponding arrangements, but his methods always surprised people.

“Now is not the time for reminiscing, everyone.” Kisuke Urahara closed his fan, his gaze turning serious as he looked into the depths of Las Noches. “Aizen has probably already begun his move.”

Someone should be coming by now...

His words served as a reminder to everyone present.

Although Ichigo survived by sheer luck, the crisis they faced was not over; in fact, it became even more perplexing due to Kisuke Urahara's intervention. Aizen's true plan was about to be revealed.

Chapter 210: Wang Jian

On the ruins of Las Noches, Kisuke Urahara's sudden appearance replaced the despair of the Shinigami with a glimmer of hope. Ichigo Kurosaki, though badly wounded, miraculously survived, and Orihime Namikaze was also unharmed.

However, Urahara Kisuke's words, "Aizen has already begun his operation," were like a bucket of cold water, pulling everyone back to reality from their shock of surviving the ordeal. "Aizen... has acted?" Hitsugaya Toshiro's eyes sharpened instantly, gripping Hyōrinmaru tightly. He knew this meant Aizen's ultimate goal...

The truth is about to surface, and that will certainly not be the outcome they want to see.

Yes, Captain Hitsugaya. "Kisuke Urahara put away his fan, his gaze sweeping across the ravaged ruins, finally settling deep within Hueco Mundo. "I'm afraid he's preparing to go to the mortal world to complete his 'grand plan'."

"The real world?!" Rukia exclaimed, her face filled with worry.

If Aizen were to bring the Espada to the human world, it would be an unimaginable catastrophe.

“We must stop him!” Renji struggled to his feet, his body still aching, but his eyes were filled with determination. Urahara Kisuke nodded, his gaze becoming more serious than ever before.

“I know, so we must get there before him.” Kisuke Urahara looked at the exhausted crowd around him, especially Ichigo and Nelliel, who were seriously injured.

"Although Kurosaki's injuries have been temporarily stabilized through the emergency passage, the backlash from forcibly activating Hollowfication is still present. Coupled with Ulquiorra's two heavy blows, he now needs time to recover." Kisuke Urahara looked at Orihime Inoue lying next to Ichigo, who was anxiously treating him.

“Miss Neriel is also seriously injured, and you have all exhausted a lot of spiritual pressure.” Kisuke Urahara’s gaze fell on Neriel’s chest, which had been pierced by a Cero. “In your current state, even if you catch up with Aizen, you will not be able to stop him.”

Hitsugaya Toshiro and Nelliel both fell silent. They knew that what Urahara Kisuke said was true. Faced with Aizen and the remaining Espada, their power seemed so insignificant at this moment.

"Then...what should we do?!" Matsumoto Rangiku asked anxiously. Urahara Kisuke's gaze shifted to a direction deeper into the Hueco Mundo camp.

“We can’t delay any longer. I’ve brought interdimensional portals that can quickly return us to the mortal realm, but they’re limited in number, and Aizen’s goal… is probably not just to destroy the mortal realm.” Kisuke Urahara’s tone was somber. “His true objective is the King’s Key.”

"Wang Jian?!" Toshiro Hitsugaya and Rukia exclaimed simultaneously. The meaning behind this word made their hearts sink.

That's right. Only the King's Key can enter the Soul King's Palace, the nexus connecting the Soul Society and the human world, and Aizen's true target. "Urahara Kisuke"

He explained, "The method for creating the master key is to gather the souls of the ten directions, perform a soul burial centered on Karakura Town, and form a huge spiritual particle barrier."

Everyone gasped.

The Ten Directions Souls—this means that all living beings in Karakura Town will face annihilation!

"Therefore, we must split into two groups," Kisuke Urahara continued. "One group will follow me to use the portal to return to the human world and stop Aizen from creating the King Key."

The other group stayed behind to continue searching for and defeating the remaining Espada, preventing them from causing further destruction within Hueco Mundo, and also to prevent them from supporting Aizen.

This suggestion made everyone think deeply.

Splitting the troops into two groups means doubling the risks, but it is also the only strategy that might succeed in a desperate situation.

"I'll stay." Toshiro Hitsugaya spoke first, his eyes resolute. "I'm the captain; I must eliminate the remaining Espada here." He looked at Neriel. "Miss Neriel, what about you?"

Nelly struggled to her feet, glancing at Ichigo Kurosaki before looking at Kisuke Urahara.

“I… will stay,” Nelieel said hoarsely. “My enemy Nnoitra is dead, but there’s still a lot of mess to clean up here, and… I also want to see Aizen’s end with my own eyes.” A flame of vengeance flickered in her eyes.

“Then I’ll stay too!” Renji said immediately, looking at Rukia. “Rukia, you go to the Human World with Urahara-san and protect Inoue and Ichigo.” Rukia bit her lip. She wanted to stay and fight alongside Renji, but she knew the battle in the Human World was equally important. She glanced at the unconscious…

Ichigo finally nodded.

“Alright, I’ll go to the human world.” Rukia looked at Kisuke Urahara. “Mr. Urahara, Ichigo…”

“I’ll take Kurosaki with me. With Inoue’s treatment, he can recover some of his strength on the way,” Kisuke Urahara said. “Rangiku and Hinamori, which one will you choose?”

Matsumoto Rangiku and Vincent Momo exchanged a glance.

“We…we’ll stay!” Rangiku said firmly. “Wherever the captain is, that’s where we’ll be!”

Hinamori Momo gripped her Zanpakuto tightly, a hint of fear in her eyes, but she still chose to stay and fight alongside Hitsugaya Toshiro. Urahara Kisuke's gaze finally settled on Kurosaki Ichigo and Inoue Orihime.

“Then, Kurosaki-kun, Inoue-kun, Chad-kun, Ishida-kun, you will come with me to the mortal world,” Kisuke Urahara said. “Your power will be just as crucial in the battles of the mortal world.”

Under Orihime Inoue's care, Ichigo's body, though still weak, was able to hold on. He slowly opened his eyes, saw Kisuke Urahara, and then saw the choices around him.

“I… am going to the human world,” Ichigo said hoarsely. He knew that Aizen’s goal was the human world, and he had to go back there to protect his friends and family. Thus, two teams were quickly formed.

Kisuke Urahara quickly opened a new portal to the mortal world.

"Captain Hitsugaya, Miss Neriel, Miss Rangiku, Miss Hinamori, I'm entrusting Hueco Mundo to you all." Kisuke Urahara's tone was somewhat solemn. "Be careful in everything you do."

“You too,” Toshiro Hitsugaya replied in a deep voice.

Without further farewells, Kisuke Urahara, along with Ichigo Kurosaki, Orihime Inoue, Chad, and Uryu Ishida, swiftly passed through the Transcendental Gate and disappeared into the ruins of Las Noches.

The portal closed, leaving only Hitsugaya Toshiro, Renji, Rukia, Matsumoto Rangiku, and Hinamori Momo on the ruins.

Rukia and Renji stood behind Toshiro Hitsugaya, their gazes fixed on the depths of Las Noches. The battle in Hueco Mundo, under Aizen's plan, had entered a new phase.

"Let's go!" Toshiro Hitsugaya commanded in a deep voice, and Hyōrinmaru was drawn again, emanating a chilling aura.

Chapter 211: The First King of Hueco Mundo

On the ruins of Las Noches, leveled by the Cero, the light of the Transcendental Gate slowly faded, leaving Toshiro Hitsugaya and his companions standing alone on the pale sand.

Kisuke Urahara led Ichigo Kurosaki and the others back to the human world, and the burden of Hueco Mundo now rested entirely on their shoulders.

The wind and sand swirled up, dispersing the remaining spiritual pressure shockwaves in the air, and seemingly taking away the last trace of ease in their hearts. Rukia watched intently in the direction where the portal disappeared, her eyes filled with worry and reluctance.

Although Ichigo survived, his injuries and the unknown backlash from Hollowfication cast a shadow over her heart.

Moreover, they are now in Hueco Mundo, and the heavy responsibility of directly confronting Aizen falls on the Human World team. They must face the remaining Espada here, stop them from destroying Hueco Mundo, and prevent them from supporting Aizen.

“Rukia, stop looking.” Renji stepped forward and said softly. His face was still pale, and the wound from being knocked away by Ulquiorra was still throbbing, but his eyes had regained their firmness. “Now, we have more important things to do.”

Rukia closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and suppressed all her emotions. She knew Renji was right; now was not the time to be weak. "Let's go, Captain," Rukia said, looking at Toshiro Hitsugaya.

Toshiro Hitsugaya's gaze swept over the crowd, finally settling on Nelliel. Blood was still seeping from Nelliel's chest, but her eyes held an unusually resolute expression.

“Miss Nelieel, are you really alright?” Toshiro Hitsugaya asked.

Nellyel shook her head, her face expressionless. "This injury is nothing. More important than that, we must act quickly. There are still many more areas inside Las Noches that need clearing."

“Then let’s go.” Hiya Toshiro withdrew his light, and Hyōrinmaru once again exuded a chilling aura. “First, we need to confirm the movements of the other Espada. Ulquiorra has already left, so only those few remain.”

He quickly reviewed the information Mashiro had provided about the Espada: Stark, Harribel, Barragan... and the subordinates whose whereabouts had not yet been revealed.

"Captain, which way do we go?" Matsumoto Rangiku asked. She and Hinamori Momo had also exhausted a lot of their spiritual pressure, but at this moment, they were both holding on, determined to fight alongside their captain.

Toshiro Hitsugaya looked at the huge crater created by Ulquiorra's Cero, which seemed to lead to a deeper and more unknown area of ​​Las Noches.

“We’ll advance towards the central area of ​​Las Noches first,” Toshiro Hitsugaya commanded in a deep voice. “Aizen must have traveled to the human world from there. We must confirm whether he has truly left, and that’s also where we are most likely to find the remaining Espada.”

"go!"

Without further ado, the group sprang into action. Hueco Mundo was vast and eerie, its intricate passageways and rooms like a maze. They cautiously navigated the dilapidated corridors, wary of any potential enemies.

Every brick and tile here exudes a unique sense of deathly stillness and oppression, and the air is filled with the smoke and blood of battle.

"This Las Noches...it's ridiculously huge," Renji muttered, but he kept his grip on the Zabimaru sword, not daring to relax it even slightly. "That's right, the spatial structure here is probably more complex than any building in Soul Society," Rukia agreed, her gaze sweeping across the area.

Looking around, trying to find any suspicious lines.

After walking for about fifteen minutes, they arrived at a relatively intact area.

The architecture here is more magnificent, but it also carries an unsettling sense of oppression.

The towering archway, the corridor stretching into the unknown depths, and the occasional eerie hissing sounds coming from overhead all contributed to the tense atmosphere. Suddenly, Neliel stopped in her tracks.

“This spiritual pressure…” She frowned, a hint of wariness flashing in her dark green eyes. “It’s very weak… but it’s the spiritual pressure of a Espada.” “A Espada?” Toshiro Banya immediately went on alert, his Hyōrinmaru poised to strike.

“We still can’t determine who it is,” Nelieel explained. The group then continued on their way.

However, just as they were about to turn the corner of a huge archway, a powerful and unfamiliar spiritual pressure suddenly came from ahead! This spiritual pressure carried a suffocating heaviness, as if the air itself had solidified.

"This spiritual pressure is...!" Toshiro Hitsugaya's expression suddenly changed. The intensity of this spiritual pressure far exceeded that of any Espada they had encountered before, and was even much stronger than Nnoitra after his Resurrection!

Barragan Louisiana… Nellyel’s expression also turned unusually solemn. She gripped the Antelope Knight tightly, her body trembling slightly—not from fear, but from an instinctive reaction to overwhelming power. “The First Espada, the King of Hueco Mundo…he has finally appeared.”

Barragan Louisiana! The former king who ruled Hueco Mundo, now the first Espada under Aizen's command. His ability is "aging," which can cause anyone he...

The things touched instantly decayed and turned into nothingness.

His appearance means that the group will be facing an enemy on a completely different level.

"The King of Hueco Mundo?!" Renji and Rukia both gasped. Although they had heard of the Espada's rankings, they never imagined they would encounter such a formidable opponent here.

Hitsugaya Toshiro's eyes became extremely wary. He could feel the aura of death emanating from Barragan, like a rotten torrent that could devour all life.

"Everyone, be on high alert immediately!" Toshiro Hitsugaya commanded in a deep voice. "His abilities are extremely dangerous; we must not allow him to come near us!"

They carefully rounded the archway, and suddenly a vast circular hall opened up before them. In the center of the hall stood a figure draped in a purple robe...

The masked figure wearing a magnificent unicorn crown was looking at them with his back to them. He was enormous and sat on a throne made of countless broken bones. Beside him stood several subordinates with different masks.

Just by looking at his back, everyone could feel the overwhelming sense of death and decay. He was none other than the First Espada, Barragan Louisenbon!

Barragán seemed to sense their arrival; he slowly turned his head, his empty eye sockets gleaming with a golden light devoid of any emotion.

Mang's face was like a chisel-like scale, filled with an aura of decay and death.

"Intruders." Barragán's voice was low and hoarse, carrying an aura of decay, as if from the depths of a grave. "How dare you set foot on my territory?"

His words carried an unquestionable authority and absolute contempt for the invaders.

"We're here to stop Aizen!" Toshiro Hitsugaya didn't back down, looking directly into Barragan's eyes.

“Aizen?” Barragan’s lips curled into a crack-like smile. “He’s gone. Now, Las Noches belongs to me. And you will all turn to dust here.”