Puff—Szayelaporro's body burst into blood mist. His reiatsu dissipated completely, and Peixue and Dongde Chaka collapsed in tears. They had dreamed of this scene countless times, and today it finally came true. It did not matter that it wasn't by their hands—the enemy was dead, and gratitude now overflowed in their hearts. Their eyes followed Su Li's back, filled with awe.
Nilu too stared blankly, unable to calm her pounding heart. Again and again the boy had risked everything to rescue her, and in the most desperate moment had shielded her body with his own. The kindness surged like waves inside her chest. She did not know when it happened, but the boy had already become a special existence carved into her soul.
Su Li, however, did not move. After trampling Szayelaporro's remains into oblivion, his expression froze. A stiffness ran through him, blood turning cold in his veins. Not because of poison, but because of something deeper—his Zanpakutō's will. Eggy had awakened.
Without hesitation he gently placed Nilu down. "Nilu, I need to rest for a while. Keep watch." His voice was calm yet urgent. Then he sat cross-legged, drew his Zanpakutō onto his lap, and closed his eyes, slipping instantly into his inner world.
Peixue's gaze softened with complicated emotion. "So he was injured after all…" From their perspective Su Li had taken a grave wound, forced to stop and recover.
"What do we do now?" Dongde Chaka's face was tense. Even if Szayelaporro was gone, this was still Las Noches, and enemies could appear at any moment.
"What else?" Peixue's eyes turned firm as he saw Nilu step forward, her small body straightening with resolve. "Su Li-san is our benefactor. What he asks of us, we will do."
"No one will disturb Su Li-san's rest!" Dongde Chaka leapt up with uncharacteristic seriousness. "No matter who comes, we won't let them get close. This is our thanks to him!" Peixue clenched his fists, tone unwavering, and Dongde Chaka echoed him with determination.
Nilu spoke no words. She simply sat before Su Li, her expression as resolute as steel. He had guarded her life. Now it was her turn to guard his.
"Dongde Chaka, get some clothes," Peixue muttered, his eyes flickering at the sight of Su Li's tattered white robe.
"Got it!" Dongde Chaka sprinted into the laboratory depths and soon returned with a plain white garment. A moment later Su Li was dressed again, his presence no longer ragged but calm. The three—Nilu, Peixue, and Dongde Chaka—sat around him in a triangle, shoulders squared, eyes fixed on the ruined doorway, awaiting the boy's awakening.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Las Noches, battles raged.
Sixth Palace—reduced to rubble. Two figures clashed fiercely. One in black Shihakushō, his long blade pitch black, a Hollow mask covering his face—Kurosaki Ichigo. His opponent stood armored in white, claws gleaming, blue hair flying wildly—Grimmjow.
Boom—blades and claws collided, the shockwave ripping stone apart. They separated, panting, glaring. Ichigo's breaths were heavy, eyes sharp with intent. Grimmjow grinned with frenzied delight. "You've gotten stronger. In just days, you've grown enough to match me. Interesting… I admit it—you're worthy to be my opponent!"
"Shut up," Ichigo snapped, eyes cold. "Tell me where you're hiding Orihime!"
"If you can defeat me, I'll tell you." Grimmjow's grin widened, battlelust blazing.
"Fine. Then I'll beat you here and now." Ichigo lifted Zangetsu, voice low and resolute. The two lunged again, sparks exploding as their duel shook the palace walls.
Ninth Palace. Rukia stood bloodied, Sode no Shirayuki gripped tightly in trembling hands. Across from her loomed a grotesque Hollow—no head, only a glass dome filled with liquid, within which floated two pulsating brains, the number 9 etched upon its mask. Espada No. 9, Aaroniero Arruruerie.
"Heeheehee… more tenacious than I remembered," Aaroniero sneered.
Rukia's brows furrowed. "Enough nonsense. Tell me where you've hidden Inoue—or die!" Her eyes flashed with killing intent, reiatsu frosted the air.
"Kill me… again?" Aaroniero's voice twisted. His form shifted, flesh twisting, mask receding—until before her stood a man with gentle eyes, a warm smile she knew too well.
Rukia froze, pupils contracting in disbelief. "Kaien…?!"
Elsewhere, in the great hall of Las Noches, a darker gathering. Aizen Sōsuke stood with hands folded, flanked by Ichimaru Gin's mocking smile and Tōsen Kaname's impassive gaze. Below them assembled the Espada: No. 1 Coyote Starrk with Lilynette at his side, No. 2 Baraggan upon his skeletal throne, No. 3 Harribel with her fracción, No. 4 Ulquiorra, No. 10 Yammy, and their officers.
Aizen's voice spread like velvet shadow. "Then, I leave this matter to you… Ulquiorra."
"Yes," Ulquiorra answered, bowing.
"Let us go," Aizen said, a faint smile curving his lips. "Together… we shall make history." He stepped into the yawning Garganta, Gin's sly grin following, then Tōsen's calm silhouette. One by one, the Arrancar followed into the abyss.
The horn of war had sounded.
{ Enjoying the chapters? Please Support me on Patreon and unlock 100+ advanced chapters, with 3 new chapters released every two days!
The fanfic is also available for one-time purchase on Patreon – unlock lifetime access to the full collection, no membership needed! Don't miss out –support and own it forever!
patreon.com/Oreski}