CHAPTER 179: The Replacement

Ulquiorra curiously watched Kazuya release his Shikai. Despite the astonishing process, the endresults left him underwhelmed. He pointed a finger at Kazuya, his eyes the embodiment of apathy. "Cero."

At the tip of his finger, a flickering green light revealed the imminent release of his destructive energy. In an instant, a massive beam shot forth.

Kazuya simply brought his Enmyaku together and formed a shield. The fiery shield absorbed the devastating Cero that threatened to consume him, and the rest illuminated the night sky with its green glow.

Ulquiorra's expression remained unchanged, but a hint of intrigue sparked in his eyes. "A shield is an unconventional choice for one as arrogant as you."

"Is that so? How about I show you something traditional?" He grabbed the Enmyakus with his hands and merged them together, which took the form of a sword with a ridiculously large handle. "Let's fight with swords, shall we?"

Ulquiorra grasped the green hilt of his Zanpakutō and drew it in one swift motion. "The weaker blade will chip out and break."

"You'll be surprised."

In a burst of speed, they launched themselves skyward above Karakura Town, their blades clashing with a force that sent shockwaves rippling through the night air. The metallic ring of their swords echoed, distorting the atmosphere with each powerful strike.

Kazuya aggressively pushed Ulquiorra, aiming to create an opening where he could target Ulquiorra's vital spot. But Ulquiorra didn't lose his calm in the face of aggression. He remained as calm as the moon bearing witness to their clash, his katana moving like a whisper in the darkness. The Zanpakutō was swift and precise in fending off the aggressive strikes coming from Kazuya.

Despite not using his Resurrección, Ulquiorra wasn't losing an inch in the clash.

As they fought, Kazuya's swordplay grew more intense, ripping the air apart with the sheer effort of his swings. He held back his maximum Reiatsu but he didn't hold back his physical strength. In fact, he only grew stronger clashing with Ulquiorra, since he was the strongest opponent he had ever fought. Harribel didn't count since she started holding back after he officially became her lover.

He wasn't the only one growing through the battle. Ulquiorra too became strong through battling an equal opponent — something he couldn't find in Hueco Mundo as the #1 Espada.

"You're surprisingly strong for a student," Ulquiorra commented. "You also have a decent grasp on combat itself. I understand why he thought of you as a barricade in his plans."

"He?"

"You don't need to know that."

Ulquiorra keenly blocked and evaded the flurry of aggressive slashes — until he found an opening. Kazuya grew impatient and shoved his blade at Ulquiorra's heart. Ulquiorra waited as the blade inched close to his chest and stabbed through him.

—He let the sword pierce him.

His move caught Kazuya off-guard. The perfect opening didn't go to waste, as Ulquiorra pushed his katana through Kazuya's throat.

Ulquiorra nonchalantly drew back his katana and plunged it back into its sheath. "You put on a good fight."

He grabbed the massive hilt of Kazuya's sword and drew it out so he could regenerate. The sword briefly glided out of his chest before it got stuck. Khach. Khach. Khach. The sword roared as it split apart inside Ulquiorra and extended into a whip sword. The growing blade latched onto Ulquiorra, wrapping itself around his waist like a living entity.

"You shithead," Kazuya whispered. "You celebrated too early."

Ulquiorra grabbed Kazuya's throat and flung him away before grabbing the sword's hilt. He, however, was too late. The flames between the sections of the whip word continued growing brighter and brighter — until they exploded.

The two Enmyakus dashed out of the smoke of the explosion and reached Kazuya's side. He quickly converted one Enmyaku into a musket and shot his throat, concealing his innate regeneration from any prying eyes.

As the smoke settled, Ulquiorra's state was revealed. His entire shoulder and a big portion of his waist had disintegrated into ashes. The bloodied torso healed within seconds, however, he paid a hefty Reiatsu in exchange for the regeneration.

{My flames would've finished the job.}

Nami didn't exaggerate one bit. He only used Tsubasa's flames as a ranged technique. The bright flames were simply not made for destruction.

His senses suddenly registered a familiar presence approaching him fast.

'Ah, finally. My beautiful Tier is here.'

Ulquiorra brushed his right shoulder, frowning. "Our intelligence severely underestimated you. Your versatile abilities to defend and regenerate, and your willingness to go this far for victory make you a great threat."

"Be quiet for a second please." Kazuya pointed at Tier, whose shark-like eyes gleamed in the distant park. She had taken the perfect spot to hide and observe. "Is that beautiful lady part of your crew?"

{What are you scheming by exposing her to Aizen?}

'Can't you read my mind?'

{I don't read minds; I make assumptions based on your emotions. But sometimes I feel like there is an external entity interrupting our connection.}

'That's quite bizarre.'

Ulquiorra turned around and glanced down at Tier. As if taking disrespect from the pale Arrancar looking down on her, she soared to an even higher point and then flipped her hoody.

"Arrancar, Shinigami. Do not fight in my town."

"I know you." Ulqiuorra narrowed his eyes. "You are Tier Harribel. Las Noches has been searching the Hueco Mundo for you."

Tier crossed her arms, radiating an air of authority. "Am I that famous in Hueco Mundo now?"

Ulquiorra stared at her with the same apathetic gaze. "Yes. Every Espada knows you. Why did you hide after slaying Barragan? Did you have no interest in the crown or was your victory a fluke?"

Despite his typically emotionless demeanor, Ulquiorra had a penchant for engaging in lengthy dialogues, a trait somewhat at odds with his usual stoic nature.

Tier's eyes flared with rage. "You pathetic Arrancar dare challenge my pride. I'll make you pay for this."

She dashed at Ulquiorra with Sonído and grabbed his throat. Her explosive speed and raw strength caught him by surprise. She ripped open the Garganta with her other hand and tossed Ulquiorra inside.

Turning to Kazuya, she gave him a menacing glare. "Stay where you are, Shinigami. It's between me and him."

He raised his hands. "Whoever wins between gets the privilege to die at my hands."

Tier snarled before dashing into the void.

Alone now, Kazuya exhaled deeply. Tier's reaction had been astoundingly intuitive, almost as if she could read his mind. She understood his desire to leave and assist Rangiku and the others, and chose to replace him in the battle.

{God bless our holy mother.}

Kazuya narrowed his eyes. "Nanao's Reiatsu is getting weaker."

{Fuck the voyeur Aizen. I bet he is having an orgasm seeing everything go according to his plan.}

A/N: The whip sword design in paragraph comment

...

You can read 20 more chapters on my Patreon!

https://www.patreon.com/GMilfhunter