Chapter 184: Chapter 184
As a "pure male high school student," Kurosaki Ichigo's mind simply couldn't keep up with those crafty, ancient foxes. So, up until now, he still hadn't realized the truth—Inoue Orihime and her powers were just bait.
Aizen didn't take her to Hueco Mundo purely for her Shun Shun Rikka ability. He brought her here to divert Soul Society's attention—and scatter their forces. And it worked brilliantly. The two biggest variables, Kurosaki Ichigo and Uehara Shiroha, had both left the battlefield to come to Hueco Mundo.
Now, Aizen could launch his invasion of Karakura Town without resistance.
Of course, Uehara Shiroha had seen through this already. He knew Aizen's trick. By drawing out a massive burst of Reiatsu—several times stronger than a captain's—he had essentially helped Aizen forcibly awaken the Hōgyoku. That gap in knowledge allowed Aizen to trap the captains inside Hueco Mundo while kicking off his true plan.
And, as if on cue, Aizen's voice echoed, cold and elegant, as if reading their minds:
"You've likely discovered by now that I sealed off the Garganta you used to enter Hueco Mundo."
"Speaking of which… Inoue Orihime was only ever a backup plan. I never expected her to bring such a delightful surprise—she ended up luring four captains and Uehara Shiroha. Truly, the Gotei 13 never disappoints in their eagerness to protect their own."
"Her power—the Rejection of Fate—has already brushed the edge of divinity. A forbidden ability. No one with sense could ignore its potential. A mere backup, and yet it trapped so many strong individuals. Quite the bargain, don't you think?"
"Now that over half of the Gotei 13's remaining forces are here, the rest poses no real threat to me. Without you… my plan proceeds perfectly. Thank you all for your cooperation."
That last line was pure salt in the wound.
But it wasn't just for mockery—Aizen had a reason. He knew Uehara Shiroha couldn't truly be restrained in Hueco Mundo. That man could leave whenever he wanted. But Aizen also believed that Shiroha wouldn't interfere. If he planned to, he would've already done so. In Aizen's mind, their current situation was... a mutual unspoken agreement.
Still, to be cautious, Aizen had ordered Starrk to take action. Orihime was still a useful chess piece. Her removal would ensure nothing unexpected could jeopardize the plan.
"So that's what this was all about..." Inoue Orihime whispered, stunned. She hadn't realized she'd been used as bait.
She had just finished healing Ichigo and was currently treating Zaraki Kenpachi. Grimmjow, refusing any help, had silently dragged his wounded body away. Typical pride.
But just as Orihime activated her Shun Shun Rikka again to continue treating Zaraki, a black shadow silently appeared before her. A hand gently rested on her shoulder.
The man looked like a laid-back uncle who'd just been pulled from his nap. In a casual tone, he said:
"Sorry, but I'll have to ask you to come with me. Lord Aizen's orders."
The speaker? None other than Coyote Starrk, Primera Espada.
It was an unexpected development. Starrk, being number one among the Espada, needed no explanation for his strength. With a flicker of Sonído, he vanished—Orihime in tow.
Zaraki Kenpachi and Kurosaki Ichigo both swung their blades at the exact moment—but they cut through nothing but air. To slip away from both of them? This man wasn't just fast—he was a monster.
"Kenpachi! I'm going after her!" Ichigo called out, already vanishing with Shunpō as he gave chase.
Kenpachi just grinned, his wild eyes staring at the tall figure on the platform ahead.
"Powerful guys just keep showin' up... Hueco Mundo's the best!" he cackled, voice filled with excitement.
His spiritual pressure surged, and behind him rose a monstrous skeletal phantom—his murderous intent made manifest.
This was no longer the Kenpachi who had first entered Hueco Mundo.
Now, he was fully unleashed—his seals broken, his power pouring out without restraint. He had pushed himself to the limit in his fight with Uehara Shiroha, only to be crushed in an instant. That humiliation still burned within him, turning into rage, bloodlust, and desperation for a real fight.
Even vice-captains would collapse under such a murderous aura. But atop the high platform, Yammy Llargo stood tall, completely unfazed.
"Of course Hueco Mundo is a great place," he sneered. "But not for you."
He raised a massive fist, his spiritual energy crackling like lightning.
"Because this will be your grave. You're facing me—Cero Espada, Yammy Llargo!"
To Yammy, Zaraki's energy was impressive, sure—but ultimately meaningless. In Hueco Mundo, he believed his power reigned supreme. Especially in his Resurrección, which he considered invincible. The only potential problem was the incoming reinforcements.
He could sense two more powerful Reiatsu approaching—more Shinigami. Most likely two of the four captains. But Yammy didn't care. He couldn't stop a monster like Uehara Shiroha, but regular captains? Just ants beneath his feet.
A flash of movement interrupted his thoughts as Kuchiki Byakuya landed nearby, his gaze cool and dismissive.
"I'm not finished yet," Byakuya said calmly. "All enemies… must be eliminated."
His last opponent had fallen without resistance. That victory felt empty—he hadn't even warmed up before it ended. Worse, he knew his last opponent had already been weakened by Uehara Shiroha. That made his win feel like a hand-me-down.
That wasn't something a noble like him could accept.
He didn't need backup. He didn't need favors. He would win with his own power. As a model of nobility, Kuchiki Byakuya had both the duty and pride to uphold that image—even more so in front of Uehara Shiroha.
After all, that man had… "stolen" his sister Rukia.
Sure, Rukia had gone with Uehara willingly, so technically, he couldn't complain. But emotionally? He was fuming. On top of that, Uehara Shiroha's disdain for the noble families was no secret. The man didn't just ignore tradition—he practically spat on it.
Byakuya knew most nobles had indeed brought ruin upon themselves. But still, someone had to prove that not all nobles were parasites. He would become that example. He would make nobility great again.
"Oi, that guy's my prey," Zaraki growled, eyeing Byakuya like a rival. "Back off, or I'll cut you down too."
He'd wanted to fight Byakuya for ages. That icy personality, that refined swordsmanship—it was the perfect contrast to his wild, brawling style. They were opposites, and that made Byakuya the ideal whetstone for Kenpachi's blade.
After the humiliating beatdown from Uehara Shiroha, Kenpachi needed this. Slashing down two captains in one day might soothe his bruised pride.
Byakuya's tone dropped several degrees colder.
"If that's how it is… I have no problem eliminating you too."
His eyes narrowed, calculating.
He wanted to deal with Yammy quickly—then break free of Hueco Mundo and assist in Karakura Town. For the sake of the mission, he could temporarily cooperate with Zaraki.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Support me at [email protected]/goldengaruda and check out more than 60 chapter of this or more early access chapter of my other fanfic translation.
new fanfic :
Marvel With Spider Power and Omnitrix
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~