Chapter 208 – 208 ⥤ The Meaning of Life

Under the crescent moon, emerald rain poured down, blanketing the battlefield. The demon’s black wings spread behind him, blocking out the sky as Reiatsu storms howled and swirled up to the zenith.

Ulquiorra’s appearance transformed dramatically. His shattered mask regrew into an imposing horned helmet, its curved blades menacing and sharp.

The heavy Reiatsu descended upon the ravaged battlefield, making the Black-Winged Demons catch their breath. They stared in shock at Ulquiorra above them, their faces filled with disbelief.

To think that this outcast who had endured their mockery possessed such powerful Reiatsu — would they now face his revenge after how they had treated him?

If Akira knew what they were thinking, he would surely say, “What goes around comes around — never make fun of a Hollow who’s down, or you might be the next clown! Or lunch, whatever!”

Even in his complete form, Ulquiorra maintained his characteristically indifferent expression, as if nothing in the world concerned him.

⤫ Luz de la Luna ⥤ Light of the Moon ⤬

His right hand spread open, gathering vast amounts of Reishi that coalesced into a spirit sword radiating a sharp aura.

But before he could launch his first attack, darkness fell before his eyes as a large hand gripped his face, sending him flying backward under the tremendous force.

Having returned to human form, Starrk and Lilynette stood watching into the distance as Akira, gripping Ulquiorra’s face with one hand, vanished into points of light at the horizon.

“Hey, he’s not going to be in trouble, is he?” Lilynette asked worriedly.

Hearing this, Starrk’s face took on an odd expression, “Since when did you get the mistaken idea that he might lose? Even working together with Szayelaporro, we couldn’t defeat Lord Kisaragi. Rather than worry about him, we should deal with these fallen Hollows first. Szayelaporro begged for quite a while before we came.”

Lilynette nodded, showing a smile like a certain husky’s, “You’re right.”

With a Sonído, she appeared before an injured Black-Winged Demon on the ground — judging by the build, apparently one of the rare female Hollows of the group.

Before the other could speak, a curved blade longer than Lilynette’s own height was pressed against her neck:

“Heh heh, defeated enemy, just stay put and become star rage power!”

Starrk: “…”

He felt it necessary to keep Lilynette away from a certain someone.

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BOOM BOOM!!

Silver-white sand erupted skyward like waves on a raging sea, the impact connecting heaven and earth in all directions.

In the darkness, Ulquiorra unleashed his Reiatsu — an emerald pillar of light shooting skyward — forcing back Akira who had been pressing down on his face. His moonlight blade flickered fiercely as it slashed downward.

Facing this charged attack, Akira grinned, drawing his sword with surging battle spirit, ready for a contest of Zanjutsu.

His recent training sessions with Retsu-nee had given him new insights into swordsmanship. It was time to demonstrate them.

If heaven hadn’t born me, Akira Kisaragi, the way of the sword would remain in eternal night!

⤫ Jigoku Wakusei Hakai ⥤ Hellish Planetary Devastation! ⤬

Surging Reiatsu transformed into brilliant blade light, rising like a second moon into the sky and releasing ten thousand rays to pierce the darkness.

The moment their blades met, Ulquiorra’s expression shifted.

Before he could react, his spirit sword — composed purely of Reishi — shattered into countless fragments, accompanied by overwhelming pressure.

⤫ Jigoku Ryū Dageki ⥤ Hellish Dragon Strike! ⤬

Heaven and earth split apart, frozen in black and white for an instant.

Though Ulquiorra managed to dodge sideways on instinct, the shock wave still sent his frail body flying.

The sword pressure raised an unprecedented sandstorm across the boundless desert as white sand howled down from above.

Against this magnificent backdrop, Ulquiorra appeared no larger than a grain of sand. The heavy silver dunes were carved with a massive furrow stretching like an abyss for tens of miles.

Witnessing this ridiculous display of power, his resolve wavered.

Could he truly face such a monstrous existence? He wasn’t certain.

Yet unlike others, Ulquiorra held no fear of death. To him, both life and death were equally meaningless.

⤫ Luz de la Luna ⥤ Light of the Moon ⤬

With this thought, he spread his hands before him, gathering vast amounts of Reishi that condensed into a flickering spirit spear.

Seeing this, Akira nodded approvingly — refusing to yield before a stronger foe marked a true warrior.

Unlike Starrk, who would lie down when outmatched, showing none of a Vasto Lorde’s dignity. Such behavior was beneath a Hollow.

Without hesitation, Ulquiorra gripped his spirit spear tightly. His black wings trembled as he instantly crossed the space between them, thrusting his weapon forward.

Akira countered with a reverse Ryōdan, splitting the spirit spear before spinning to slash at Ulquiorra’s chest.

⤫ Jigoku Kumo Wakatsu ⥤ Hellish Cloud Parting! ⤬

⤫ Jigoku Gyaku Nami ⥤ Hellish Reverse Wave ⤬

⤫ Jigoku Yami Setsudan ⥤ Hellish Darkness Severance! ⤬

⤫ Jigoku Kōtetsu Dageki ⥤ Hellish Steel Strike! ⤬

⤫ Jigoku Arashi Kire ⥤ Hellish Storm Cut! ⤬

⤫ Jigoku Akuma Kiri ⥤ Hellish Demon Cutter! ⤬

⤫ Jigoku Shinsei Dageki ⥤ Hellish Nova Strike! ⤬

⤫ Jigoku Jūji Setsudan ⥤ Hellish Cross Severing! ⤬

Magnificent sword techniques flowed from his hands one after another. As his excitement mounted, his Reiatsu surged like storm-tossed waves.

Though Ulquiorra initially matched Akira’s rhythm, as his opponent’s Reiatsu grew more ferocious, he began to falter. Even his Cero proved ineffective.

Finally, inspired by Akira, he fused Cero with his spirit spear, violent energy coiling around it, distorting the surrounding space.

The powerful Reiatsu warped the Reishi permeating the air, gathering it into raindrops that pattered down with ethereal grace.

⤫ Cero Oscuras ⥤ Black Hollow Flash! ⤬

Ulquiorra hurled his spirit spear directly at Akira. Thunder roared across the heavens as lightning burst forth under the moonlight, splitting the night sky into countless rays of light.

When the impact dissipated, Akira stood unscathed — only his outer haori had been destroyed.

He tore away his tattered Shinigami uniform, revealing a perfect muscular physique that radiated overwhelming pressure in the moonlight.

“Too weak, Ulquiorra. This level won’t let me enjoy myself.” Akira looked toward the distant figure with disappointment, “Do you have any other abilities? Hurry up and show them to me.”

Ulquiorra responded simply, “This is all the power I have.”

Akira sighed and shook his head, “In that case, I’ll end this fight with an ordinary punch. I hope you can comprehend something about… The meaning of life!”

As he spoke, Kidō Reiatsu exploded from his shoulders, unleashing waves of violent energy and overwhelming pressure.

⤫ Shunkō: Kūhaku Hakai ⥤ Flash War Cry: Single Empty Destruction! ⤬

Ulquiorra’s pupils contracted. He instinctively folded his wings behind him and crossed his arms, concentrating all his Reiatsu to strengthen his Enhanced Hierro’s defense.

The moment the fist struck, he sensed the aura of death Akira had mentioned. Time seemed to freeze.

BOOM!!

A thunderous explosion shook heaven and earth as Ulquiorra was sent flying, crashing violently into the sand. The endless desert collapsed, forming a massive crater. Spider web-like cracks spread from his impact point, making the desert groan.

As the dust settled, the black-winged demon regained consciousness through searing pain. His wings were shattered, his arms hung limply, and at least a third of his bones were broken.

Only his powerful High-Speed Regeneration kept him conscious.

He shook his dazed head and looked up, meeting Akira’s gaze from the crater’s edge.

“I apologize for disappointing you. I haven’t grasped the meaning of existence.” Even near death, Ulquiorra showed no hostility — only frustration at his unanswered question.

“The meaning of existence?” Akira tilted his head, “I once met a child in Soul Society with a personality like yours. He asked me the same question. I told him that being alive doesn’t necessarily have meaning. But if you keep living, you’ll discover interesting things. Like now — if you hadn’t encountered me, how could you have experienced the artistry of getting beaten up?”

Ulquiorra pondered this thoughtfully.

This answer was more serious than the previous ‘milk-something with pizza’ incident. The person before him might seem frivolous, but he possessed genuine wisdom.

“Actually, being able to ask this question shows you already possess wisdom.” Akira said persuasively, “But individual wisdom alone cannot solve all problems. One person’s power has limits. Even a sage with astonishing wisdom like myself needs support from others — let alone you? By the way, my Las Noches is quite spacious…”

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After Akira’s persuasive words, Ulquiorra surrendered and defected, earnestly requesting to join Las Noches.

And so, the God-King returned triumphant.

When the “Star-Gazing Sphere” — a bundle of enemies wrapped within his Zanpakutō — appeared in Las Noches’ plaza as large as a palace, cheers erupted from the Hollow crowd.

“As expected of our God-King!”

“Such incredible power!”

“I want to be the God-King’s mount!”

“Your Majesty, we adore you!”

Harribel and Nelliel stared in amazement at the massive iron sphere. The imprisoned Hollows within were all at least Adjuchas-level.

The white Hollow accompanying Akira emanated Reiatsu that matched — no, exceeded — their own power.

Upon seeing his pristine face, both women grew contemplative. Could this be another self-evolved Vasto Lorde?

Among all the Hollows, none showed more excitement than Szayelaporro.

In his long life studying countless Hollow groups, he had never encountered ones of such high quality as the Black-Winged Demons. More remarkably, they had produced a variant capable of self-evolution.

It was extraordinary. If he could dissect one, it would greatly advance his Arrancar experiments.

When Ulquiorra heard this request, instead of refusing, he simply asked:

“Do you understand the meaning of life?”

Szayelaporro paused, then grinned, “Of course. The meaning of life is to pursue perfection!”

He described his research on Arrancar, explaining how his encounters with Akira had revealed an even more perfect life form. Though he hadn’t achieved it yet, he firmly believed that with Lord Aizen’s help, he would eventually evolve to perfection.

Ulquiorra appeared thoughtful at this response.

To celebrate defeating the “powerful enemy”, Akira hosted a grand feast in Las Noches’ largest plaza, where diverse Hollows gathered to eat, drink, and revel.

Throughout the celebration, Ulquiorra moved through the crowd, asking each person about life’s meaning.

Baraggan advised reading more books.

Nelliel reflected before answering, “To be a knight of justice, protecting the justice in one’s heart.”

Harribel responded simply, “Just like how things are now.”

When Grimmjow tried to demonstrate the meaning of life to Ulquiorra, he ended up thoroughly defeated.

Despite being among the strongest Hollows, Grimmjow was still merely an Adjuchas. Against Ulquiorra, the evolved Arrancar, he stood no chance.

In the plaza, Akira lounged on a cushion woven by Sung-Sun, his arms draped around Apacci and Mila Rose as he cackled wildly, stirring the crowd into chaos.

Starrk raised his wine cup with a grin, “Grimmjow, the newcomer thrashed you again — even worse than last time.”

Grimmjow’s panther eyes flashed with rage, “How dare you call it getting thrashed? It was a challenge!”

He launched into an impassioned speech about how “the meaning of life is to challenge the strong” and how “the Hollows of Las Noches won’t rest until he have his revenge, one by one”.

The plaza pulsed with jubilant energy.

By the feast’s end, revelers lay sprawled like “corpses” everywhere.

Akira, never one for cleanup duty, exchanged words with Szayelaporro before departing through a Garganta.

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A little revelry could ease strained nerves.

Next would come the 11th Division Captain at full strength. Today they would overthrow the Old Man’s tyranny and restore Soul Society to its rightful order.

Then — a Reiatsu as vast as an abyss swept across Seireitei, while flames like burning clouds drifted above the 1st Division, setting the sky ablaze.

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