Hao casually knocked Uryū's arrow aside with his blade.
But just as he had been scanning the battlefield earlier—
His gaze met someone lying on the ground.
Ichimaru Gin.
That guy should've just stayed still—but his eyes were subtly shifting, clearly plotting something.
Even though Gin's eyes were still narrowed, Hao was certain—
He was being watched.
…Looks like I can't slack off anymore.
If Gin reported back in Hueco Mundo, things could get troublesome.
Hao immediately changed his approach.
He swung his Zanpakutō and took the initiative to attack Lisa.
That, however, puzzled her.
She had assumed Hao was the type to slack off—like her former captain, Kyōraku Shunsui.
So why the sudden effort?
Lisa chose not to clash directly.
Aware of his strange "gum-like" ability, she fought while retreating, looking for an opening.
Hao sighed inwardly.
Now that he was serious—
She refused to engage.
Still—
That wasn't a problem.
He suddenly threw his Zanpakutō like a projectile.
Now Lisa had no choice—
She blocked—
And instantly, Elastic Love wrapped around her weapon.
Hao tugged—
Pulling the blade back—
Forcing her into close combat.
This trick had actually been inspired by Ichigo.
Watching him throw his blade had given Hao new ideas.
After all—
A Zanpakutō was a Shinigami's life.
Lisa wouldn't abandon hers.
Holding onto Haguro Tonbo, she charged a Cero in her mouth and fired.
The Cero traveled faster than the elastic recoil.
Hao ignored his returning blade—
Clapped his hands—
And produced a pink, net-like construct.
He shifted slightly—
Letting the Cero enter the net.
It stretched—
But didn't break.
Lisa's face turned pale beneath her mask.
She knew what came next.
Elastic recoil.
As expected—
The net snapped back—
And reflected the Cero straight at her.
Her weapon was restrained—
Her attack just fired—
She had no time to react.
Then—
A white figure appeared.
A single slash—
Split the Cero in half.
No one was harmed.
"Ishida Uryū…"
Lisa had expected Hachigen—
But it was him.
Hachigen, in truth, had already noticed the silent exchange between Hao and Uryū—
And chose not to interfere.
As long as no one was hurt—
It was fine.
"This one's mine," Uryū said coolly.
With a precise shot, he severed the elastic binding and kicked the weapon back to Lisa.
"Please," she said, running to free Hiyori and Mashiro—
Who were now even more tangled.
Uryū stepped forward—
Short bow in one hand, Seele Schneider in the other—
And charged Hao.
Hachigen's suspicion deepened.
A Quincy…
Fighting in close range?
Clearly intentional.
Despite being a Quincy, Uryū's swordsmanship was sharp.
The two exchanged blows evenly, with occasional close-range Heilig Pfeil mixed in.
Hao was genuinely startled—
Uryū's arrows aimed straight for the head.
Annoyed, Hao retaliated—
Attaching elastic strands to nearby debris—
Pulling a mass of rubble toward Uryū.
From the outside—
It looked like a sudden ambush.
Hidden within it—
A thin strand carried a small white orb—
Directly into Uryū's chest.
Mission accomplished.
Now—
He could relax.
The rubble disintegrated into Reishi—
And Uryū activated his incomplete Letzt Stil.
Spiritual particles gathered—
Forming a wing behind him.
Sensing the surge in power, Hao grimaced.
…Guess I have to get serious too.
His Zanpakutō softened—
Like a whip—
Wrapping around his legs.
"Intertwine—Nüwa Serpent!"
After release, Hao resembled his Hollow form—
Human torso—
Serpentine lower body—
With ten sharp pink claws extending from his hands.
Uryū immediately used Hirenkyaku to retreat—
Firing an arrow at Hao's side.
But Hao didn't move.
His body bent unnaturally—
The arrow grazed past him.
Uryū quickly analyzed:
Hao had expanded his pre-release ability—
Across his entire body.
Meaning—
He could freely stretch and reshape himself.
Single-target arrows—
Wouldn't work.
Switching weapons—
Uryū summoned Ginrei Kojaku—
And unleashed a rain of arrows across Sōkyoku Hill.
Hao's expression darkened.
He didn't mind—
But Gin and Tōsen were still there.
If they died—
Aizen would hold him accountable.
With no choice—
Hao crossed his arms—
And cast a massive pink net across the sky.
Ironically—
He was now protecting Soul Society.
Every arrow was blocked—
Even those passing through the gaps—
Stopped by embedded Reiatsu.
This intrigued Uryū.
Finally—
A worthy sparring partner.
Hao, of course, had no idea—
He had just been labeled "training dummy."
After casting the net—
Hao extended strands—
Dragging Gin and Tōsen back to his side.
Efficient.
Even in chaos—
He never forgot his objective.
Gin, dragged along the ground, felt relieved.
At least—
He hadn't been abandoned.
Uryū changed tactics again.
Drawing a massive arrow—
Charging power.
Hao swallowed.
…Maybe dragging them back wasn't smart.
If he failed to block—
They'd die right next to him.
Immediately—
He flicked his tail—
Sending both flying away.
Gin nearly cursed aloud.
After that—
Hao opened his mouth—
Charging a Cero.
Uryū smiled.
He had been waiting.
He released the arrow.
The massive Heilig Pfeil pierced straight through the net—
Heading for Hao.
At the same time—
Hao fired—
A spiraling Cero.
Just before collision—
The spiral shifted—
Wrapping around the arrow.
Layer by layer—
Binding it.
Uryū blinked.
…Where's the explosion?
Everything else was exploding—
But here—
This?
Hao ignored him.
His priority—
Prevent destruction.
Grabbing the bound attack—
He hurled it away.
It arced through the sky—
And exploded far from Sōkyoku Hill.
Uryū drew Seele Schneider again.
If ranged attacks failed—
Then close combat—
Would decide it.
He dashed forward—
But misjudged.
Close combat—
Was Hao's strength.
Hao's arms extended—
Claws slashing down.
Uryū switched to dual blades—
Ready to cut away any binding strands instantly.
But Hao had no intention of escalating further.
No need.
As long as he stalled—
That was enough.
With Starrk and Ulquiorra leading—
He didn't need to stand out.
For now—
He would simply wait.
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