Chapter 232 – 232 ⥤ Baraggan, You’ve Done Too Many Evil Deeds!

The moment Lilynette finished speaking, a terrifying Reiatsu erupted like the heavens collapsing, transforming into a tidal wave that surged in all directions.

An azure curtain draped the deep night as countless streams of light interwove and wound around the pillar of Reiatsu. With a shattering sound, beams of light scattered like raindrops, casting an ethereal beauty across the boundless desert.

Akira’s eyes widened. Harribel and the others wore expressions of shock.

From the shattered light emerged a tall figure — a beautiful woman with an aloof, haughty aura, her curvaceous form clad in a white uniform with a flowing cape.

As everyone stared puzzledly at this mature beauty, they heard her speak in a voice that didn’t match her appearance.

“Ohohoho, so this is the legendary Resurrección? I can feel the power surging endlessly!” Lilynette’s queenly laugh rang out as brilliant Reiatsu swirled around her, making the surrounding space groan under its strain.

Akira’s expression turned cold at the sound of her voice.

It was unmistakably Lilynette’s style. Though she had transformed into a mature beauty whose figure and looks matched his preferences perfectly, he felt nothing.

So that was the problem!

“Today, I shall have my revenge!” Lilynette spread her fingers wide, gathering countless Reishi to form a cross-shaped longsword that radiated deadly intent.

Unlike Starrk’s Resurrección with its long-range flintlock gun, Lilynette chose to manifest a close-combat sword.

Their personalities contrasted sharply too. Starrk would have complained about the trouble, asked to go back to sleep, fired twice without spirit, then surrendered — shamelessly claiming that was all he could do.

Against anyone but Akira, he wouldn’t even bother with those two shots — he’d surrender immediately.

Grimmjow held nothing but disdain for such behavior. He wouldn’t even consider challenging such a slacker; fighting someone like that would insult the very concept of battle.

Lilynette shot forward with Sonído, appearing above Akira’s head and reversing her grip for a mighty downward slash.

Boom! Clang!

The sword struck his shoulder with a metallic clash. Lilynette grimaced from the recoil, displeasure crossing her face.

Damn it. He seemed even stronger than before, his skin even tougher.

“Hey, don’t say I didn’t give you a chance, Lilynette.” Akira flashed a harmless grin, “I’ll stand right here — feel free to try again.”

She responded with a contemptuous snort, her lips curving into a ferocious smile.

“Don’t underestimate me, you bastard!”

Powerful Reiatsu exploded forth as she raised the cross-shaped sword and brought it down like a mighty hammer. Lacking finesse, she fought with raw instinct, like a beast unleashed — all fangs and claws tearing at her prey.

Clang—

Akira used his Reishi absorption ability to form a Heilig Schwert (Spirit Sword), which resembled Kūkan Mukai after its initial release — minus the chain at the hilt.

As a devoted sword enthusiast, he treasured his best friend/Zanpakutō above his own life. Even in enemy territory, thoughts of it filled his mind, and his Spirit Weapon instinctively took its form.

With one explosive slash, tremendous force erupted from the blade. Lilynette’s expression shifted to shock as she was sent flying backward — faster than even her previous full-power Sonído.

“What are you all standing around for?” Akira challenged the spectators after launching the mature woman skyward, “As Lanzas of Las Noches, is this how you protect your home? I’m leading the attack this time, but who knows who’ll strike next? Will you stand idle then too? Come fight me!”

Harribel and the others exchanged glances and sighed helplessly at his theatrical display.

Baraggan’s absence had a simple explanation: a new issue of “Rose-colored Path” had just released, and Aizen’s “The Yin of the Pine Needle” had reached its conclusion. He preferred reading to protecting Hueco Mundo.

“Destroy…”

⤫ Resurrección: Tiburón ⥤ Returning Blade: Supernal Shark Empress! ⤬

“Declare…”

⤫ Resurrección: Gamuza ⥤ Returning Blade: Antelope Knight! ⤬

“Enclose…”

⤫ Resurrección: Murciélago ⥤ Returning Blade: Great Black-Winged Demon! ⤬

Three pillars of light pierced the sky as thick, heavy Reiatsu flooded the battlefield. The air grew viscous, creating underwater-like resistance with every movement.

From the light pillars emerged three figures radiating powerful auras, their determined gazes fixed on Akira.

Their strength now far exceeded their previous levels, thanks to intense day-and-night training. Both their Reiatsu and battle techniques had reached new heights.

The three struck as one.

⤫ Cascada ⥤ Cutting Waterfall! ⤬

Harribel swung her shark-gill patterned greatsword, unleashing massive waves that surged toward Akira.

As the waves engulfed him, intense heat exploded within, instantly vaporizing them into mist. The desert surface eroded layer by layer, sinking deeper.

Harribel’s eyes flickered with helplessness as she saw him emerge completely unscathed, casually scratching his head in the mist.

Her Cascada could hold its own against any Arrancar or Hollow. Even the battle-loving Starrk wouldn’t dare face it head-on. Yet when this powerful attack struck this guy, it was no more than a tickle.

Nelliel raised her double-headed spear high, brilliant Reiatsu gathering upon it. After a brief charge, she hurled it forward with devastating force.

⤫ Lanzador Verde ⥤ Kingfisher-Green Javelin! ⤬

The rapidly spinning double-headed spear tore through space, creating distorted patterns around its shaft. Surging through the Reiatsu like divine judgment, it carved a massive, abyss-like furrow in the ground.

The spear struck Akira’s position with tremendous force, triggering an earth-shattering explosion. A mushroom cloud rose slowly as fierce aftershocks rippled outward.

Like Harribel, Nelliel held nothing back. They understood their opponent’s formidable nature, and it was their trust in him that drove them to fight at full strength. For them, this was a test of their training results.

When the dust settled, Akira emerged without a scratch, flashing a fierce grin.

At that moment, Ulquiorra launched his attack.

⤫ Lanza del Relámpago ⥤ Lance of Thunder and Lightning! ⤬

With a sonic boom, a lightning spear crackling with electric arcs materialized. White shock waves exploded in concentric circles across the sky.

Akira slashed backward, cleaving the lightning spear in two. The surging aftershocks battered his body as his clothes whipped wildly, yet his skin remained unscathed. Even a direct hit at this level couldn’t harm him, let alone mere aftershocks.

“Weak, too weak!” He taunted, “Weaklings like you could never uphold the will to protect. Just kneel down and sing surrender!”

Lilynette swooped in from afar, unleashing a Cero sword slash that tore through the air with a sharp whistle.

To her dismay, Akira caught it with one hand, crushing it into fragments with a simple squeeze.

The four noticed he wasn’t fighting shirtless as usual and wielded a sword — meaning he had at least two limiters active.

Though challenging, they still had a fighting chance!

The melee erupted.

Lilynette led the charge with Nelliel supporting, while Harribel and Ulquiorra provided ranged coverage.

They quickly gauged Akira’s attack intensity. His strikes were notably weaker than during their Hueco Mundo training, and his techniques were limited to creating spears, swords, and rocket launcher-type attacks by absorbing Reishi from the air.

Indeed, Hashirama’s strength paled compared to Akira’s!

Yet after intense combat, Lilynette realized in despair that while his attacks might have weakened, his defense remained rock-solid. Neither her sword strikes nor their strongest techniques — Lanzador Verde, Lanza del Relámpago, and Cascada — could pierce his defense. At best, they only disrupted his attack rhythm.

With no other choice, the others adopted Lilynette’s approach, engaging Akira in close combat. Together, they sought to combine their strength and weapons to breach his seemingly impenetrable defense.

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

Bazz-B reluctantly faced his opponent — a badly wounded Grimmjow who was barely standing.

Despite appearing on the verge of collapse, Grimmjow had maintained this state for nearly half an hour. Though he seemed about to fall at any moment, he kept finding new strength to continue fighting.

After several explosive exchanges, Bazz-B could no longer maintain his Vollständig. While there was a gap in their abilities, it wasn’t large.

Through sheer willpower and his hard-earned experience of taking hits from a certain someone, Grimmjow had managed to wear his opponent down to exhaustion.

“I have a question.”

Bazz-B furrowed his brow, “Speak.”

“That guy…” Grimmjow raised his badly burned hand, pointing to Akira who was cackling in the distant sky, “You all respect him so much — surely he must be the Emperor of the Quincy Empire?”

Bazz-B’s eyes widened, “How could that be? He’s merely the Vice-Captain of the Sternritter. Above him are still the Grandmaster and the true Emperor of the Empire.”

Hearing this, Grimmjow let out a contemptuous laugh, “As expected, Quincy are just a bunch of short-sighted, ungrateful sewer rats!”

Just as the other was about to rage, he continued:

“If such a magnificent being were in Las Noches, he would definitely become the supreme ruler. The Hollows and Arrancars would pledge their unwavering loyalty to him!”

As he spoke these words, his eyes grew fervent, as if such a person truly existed.

Bazz-B furrowed his brow, lost in thought.

Hashirama’s sincere attitude toward others was unmatched by any other Sternritter member. Since becoming Combat Instructor General, he had increased the Quincy’s training enthusiasm tenfold. The grueling training no longer felt like torture — it had become enjoyable.

When they gazed at Hashirama, their eyes held genuine expectation. The atmosphere had improved. The stagnant empire gained new vitality, no longer lifeless as before.

Wherever he went, he brought genuine happiness and joy.

What did this mean?

Bazz-B’s expression grew distant. Could it be that Hashirama was truly suited to become Emperor of the Wandenreich?

For some reason, when this thought crossed his mind, he felt not the slightest resistance.

He had never been particularly loyal to Yhwach. And Jugram, in his heart, was nothing more than a friend who had betrayed his trust.

“Bazz-B, don’t space out!” Grimmjow grinned ferociously as he charged forward, suddenly appearing before him with a fierce Panther King’s Claw.

Bazz-B raised his hand, and crimson flames surged skyward, forming a wall of fire to block the attack.

Once again, the two clashed, each trying to drain the other’s last drop of Reiryoku.

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

Szayelaporro’s expression was grim.

This enemy was far too powerful — many of his techniques proved ineffective. His technologically-created attacks, including biological bombs and Reishi toxins, only worked briefly before the enemy adapted to them.

Even his strongest ability, Teatro de Titere (Puppet Theater), had no effect. Though this technique could replicate even someone as powerful as Akira, when used against Pernida, there was no reaction whatsoever. It was as if an invisible barrier protected it.

Throughout the battle, Pernida simply extended its body, using a distortion force to dissolve incoming attacks while retaliating with its Vollständig wings.

Just as the combatants reached a stalemate, the sky darkened. A layer of hazy black mist rolled in like ocean waves from the direction of the crescent moon, quickly engulfing the battlefield.

The Quincy watched in horror as everything touched by the black mist decayed and dissolved within moments, vanishing as if it had never existed.

Suddenly, a shrill voice echoed across the battlefield:

“God-King of Hueco Mundo, Baraggan Louisenbairn! I never thought you would stoop so low as to interfere in your subordinates’ battle! Baraggan, I despise you!”

Baraggan, who had just arrived at the battlefield: “?”

Confusion flashed in his hollow eyes.

Did we get the wrong script?

⤫⤬⤫

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep