"Idiot Starrk, how could an attack of this level possibly be effective?" The flintlock pistol knocked hard on Starrk's head and spoke in a muffled voice.
"Didn't we already use it the first time we met Sora?"
"Something like a Gran Rey Cero probably can't even break his defense."
Starrk looked helpless. "Then what do you suggest we do?"
As his voice fell, the flintlock pistol suddenly burst into light, directly forcing an exit from Resurrección. Lilynette stood beside him with her hands on her hips.
"Remember what we were researching a few days ago?"
"Before, every time we used Resurrección, I turned into dual pistols and you handled the fighting. This time, let me do it. I'll definitely blow this guy's head off!"
Starrk scratched the back of his head, his expression growing even more helpless.
*Although he was very used to Lilynette's way of speaking, saying such things so blatantly... did she really not plan on continuing to live in Las Noches?*
*As everyone knew, His Majesty was notoriously petty.*
*If he decided to make things difficult for them one day, it wouldn't be good.*
On the other side, while Naraku Sora was blocking the Gran Rey Cero, Kyōraku Shunsui had taken the opportunity to stuff all the Soul Reapers into his shadow pockets and smoothly opened a Senkaimon.
"Hold on, Junior Brother. Once I get back, I'll find Old Man Yama to come save you."
*He knew very well that staying here wouldn't help much.*
*On the contrary, Naraku Sora looked full of vigor, not looking injured at all.*
*Given his usual performance, it was still unknown who would emerge victorious.*
*These creatures calling themselves Arrancars were strong, but their strength had its limits.*
*He should be able to hold out for a while.*
Kyōraku Shunsui didn't hesitate at all, using Flash Step to rush into the Senkaimon.
However, his nerves were so tense that he completely failed to notice that from beginning to end, not a single Arrancar had actively tried to stop him.
Once Kyōraku Shunsui's Reiatsu completely disappeared from Hueco Mundo, the expressions of the Espada instantly relaxed.
They were all experts when it came to fighting, but acting was asking a bit too much of them.
If he hadn't left soon, there really would have been a chance of them being exposed.
"Your Majesty, are we still fighting?"
Accompanied by the distinct piercing sound of Sonído, Tier Harribel's figure appeared nearby, wiping away the residual Gran Rey Cero with a single Trident Mist Halberd.
"Of course we are."
Naraku Sora grinned. "I've realized that I've been too lenient with you all lately. It took you this long just to deal with a few Captains."
"In a moment, I want you all to attack me with everything you have. I will personally test your purity."
"Then, based on your performance, we'll rearrange the rankings."
"The weak are not worthy of the title of 'Espada'!"
Aizen, who had just arrived nearby, swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue upon hearing this.
He was actually a bit curious himself.
However, he wasn't curious about the strength of the Arrancars, but rather Naraku Sora's current level.
The Arrancars who could become Espada were considered the top combatants of Las Noches.
Compared to the vast majority of Soul Reaper Captains, they were only stronger, not weaker.
If such a group attacked together, it should be able to reveal something, right?
Aizen recalled a certain someone's performance in the Soul Society, and suddenly felt a bit uncertain.
*If he were to face this guy, even though his Reiatsu was currently much stronger, he still wouldn't be confident.*
*In fact, if they clashed head-on, there was a high chance he would suffer an unexpected defeat.*
*The thought of such an outcome made Aizen feel somewhat frustrated. Since when did he have to strive to catch up to someone else's footsteps?*
*Why had things turned out this way?*
As if sensing Aizen's thoughts, Naraku Sora suddenly glanced at him and let out a disdainful snort.
Aizen: "?"
*Being despised by a guy who only thought with his muscles was the ultimate insult.*
*It seemed that Hollowfication was absolutely necessary.*
"You take the lead..."
Hearing Lilynette's suggestion, Starrk was suddenly a bit tempted.
He had never liked fighting.
*If he could turn into the dual pistols, then he would just need to shoot; he wouldn't have to think about all the tedious details of combat.*
*Moreover, Lilynette could satisfy her thirst for battle.*
*It was simply a win-win situation.*
"Alright!"
Starrk readily agreed.
While the two were conversing, Grimmjow had completely lost his patience. He instantly erupted with astonishing Reiatsu and brazenly launched his strongest attack.
Spreading his hands, he unleashed the Panther King's Claws, instantly tearing through the air ahead.
The sound of ripping silk followed, and a brilliant azure light unfurled, causing the finally quiet night sky of Hueco Mundo to once again ripple with color.
Then, under the watchful eyes of several people, the Panther King's Claws landed on that robust, muscular body.
It produced the sound of clashing steel.
Grimmjow froze in place. His pure gaze, originally filled with fighting spirit, suddenly became somewhat bewildered.
He tilted his head, somewhat unable to comprehend the scene before him.
*What happened?*
*Why did a full-power strike infused with all his Reiatsu fail to even break his defense?*
*Wasn't this defense a bit too ridiculous?*
Right at that moment, Nnoitra's sneak attack followed closely behind. His massive crescent-shaped scythe landed heavily on Naraku Sora's back, sparking a series of sparks.
Seeing that his attack hadn't even left a white mark, Nnoitra's expression was no better than Grimmjow's.
The little bit of ambition he had finally managed to muster vanished completely in the face of this massive disparity.
Now, let alone changing the rules of Las Noches, whether he could even keep his current ranking among the Espada was a problem.
"Too weak, too weak."
Naraku Sora sneered disdainfully. Magma-like patterns glowed with a golden-red light, making him seem like a sun walking through the desert, radiating endless light and heat.
Sizzling, twisted arcs of electricity gently danced, constantly annihilating the Reishi in the air.
With a casual slap, he shattered the Panther King's Claws in front of him, then swatted Grimmjow away as if tossing a baby chick.
This suspense-free crushing defeat directly left the highly spirited Panther King completely stunned.
After doing all this, he turned to look at Nnoitra, who was attempting to attack with all six arms at once. A scarlet light seemed to flash in his eyes.
Suddenly, Nnoitra's hairs stood on end. As if targeted by a natural predator, he instantly felt an instinctive shudder.
Naraku Sora sized up the Santa Teresa in front of him, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes.
Ever since Nnoitra submitted, he had been quite well-behaved.
But after Aizen's reminder, he remembered that this guy had always been the restless type.
Because of his sexism, he absolutely hated female Arrancars having a higher status than him.
If it weren't for Sora suppressing him, coupled with the massive gap in their strength, this guy would probably already be plotting how to stab someone in the back.
*No, he had to find a way to twist this warped mindset back into shape.*
Naraku Sora didn't have Aizen's eloquence. Being poor with words, he could only choose the most simple and unadorned method.
"Nnoitra, if you can leave a scratch on my body, I'll make the call to rank you above Nel and the others."
Hearing this, Nnoitra's eyes lit up.
Without any hesitation, he instantly erupted with a dazzling golden pillar of Reiatsu. Acting as if he had been pumped full of adrenaline, an extremely blazing fighting spirit flashed in his eyes.
A powerful coercion instantly descended, causing the silver sand beneath his feet to continuously cave in.
Under this extreme desire, Nnoitra actually broke through his limits, undergoing another transformation amidst the blazing light.
The extra arms originally growing on the sides of his body forcefully retracted. White chitin flowed over his remaining two arms, hardening into something resembling armor.
Feeling his suddenly expanding power, his confidence multiplied:
"Great King Naraku, prepare to die!"
Although it was just subconscious trash talk, Nnoitra's words still drew admiring glances from the others.
The crescent-shaped scythe fell fiercely with a brutal posture. It wasn't until the moment it drew near that the sound of ripping silk echoed in the air.
A chopping slash!
Under the watchful eyes of several people, the scythe struck Naraku Sora's shoulder, emitting a sonorous and powerful clashing sound.
Under the effect of the massive rebound force, a huge gap instantly chipped off the crescent-shaped scythe, making it look as if it had been gnawed on by something.
Seeing this scene, Aizen couldn't help but twitch the corner of his eye.
Previously, he had only observed the battles through footage and hadn't seen it with his own eyes. Now, standing right beside him, he had a much deeper understanding of this guy's thick skin.
Looking across all of Hueco Mundo, one probably couldn't find a Hierro harder than this.
Recalling that this guy's true identity was actually a Soul Reaper, Aizen suddenly felt an urgent impulse to attempt Hollowfication.
*If he could also master Hollowfication, would he be able to fight Naraku Sora head-on?*
"Now, don't say I didn't give you a chance, Nnoitra."
Naraku Sora grinned, revealing a harmless smile.
"But, I gave you a chance, and you're useless!"
"Next, it's my turn."
The moment his voice fell, an extreme chill shot straight from the soles of Nnoitra's feet to the top of his skull. Nnoitra could no longer care about any promises, subconsciously erupting with Sonído in an attempt to flee the area.
However, Naraku Sora's proficiency with Sonído was not inferior to his in the slightest.
Before he even had time to move, a large hand had already pressed down on that terrified face.
Then, without any explanation, it slammed him downwards.
Boom!
The ground collapsed, emitting a deafening explosion. Waves of dust rolled up, shooting straight into the sky.
A deep crater full of fissures appeared on the boundless desert.
Eroded by the terrifying power, Nnoitra's vision went black, and he instantly lost consciousness.
Just as Naraku Sora shifted his gaze to look at the others, a terrifying Reiatsu, like the collapse of the heavens, surged and erupted, turning into a tidal wave that expanded in all directions.
In an instant, a pale blue curtain hung over the deep night sky. Countless torrents of light bands shuttled through it, then wrapped around a massive pillar of Reiatsu.
When the sound of shattering rang out, countless raindrop-like beams of light scattered down, unexpectedly adding a somewhat bizarre atmosphere to the boundless desert.
At the same time, a voice that was unfamiliar yet somewhat familiar rang out from amidst the points of light:
"Yeah, I did it!"