Soul Society, Technology Development Bureau.
"The monitoring device for the Living World has reacted!"
"A reaction? What color is it?"
"Red!"
"Red! It's... it's an Espada!!"
"Yes! And Captain Hitsugaya in the Living World issued permission for Restriction Removal right from the start! This shows the situation is extremely critical!!"
"Well, hurry up and report this up the chain!!"
"Yes!"
Gotei 13, 13th Division, Training Ground behind the barracks.
Ukitake was currently sitting on a grassy area, watching Rukia and Orihime train nearby.
Just then, a Hell Butterfly suddenly flew onto Ukitake's hand, and information flowed into his mind.
'Espada-class Arrancar detected in northern Karakura Town! Number: Seven! Currently engaging the Hitsugaya Advance Team in combat.'
"What!"
Upon receiving the information, Ukitake stood up in shock.
"Kuchiki! Arrancar have suddenly appeared in the Living World!"
Ukitake called out to Rukia in the distance.
"Yes! Captain Ukitake, I received the news too!"
Perhaps because Rukia was a member of the Hitsugaya Advance Team, she also received the notification via Hell Butterfly.
"The Kido Corps should be making preparations to open the gate. Hurry to the Senkaimon in front of the barracks!"
Since Rukia was a member of the Advance Team, Ukitake unhesitatingly ordered her to go to the Living World to join the battle.
"Understood!"
Rukia acknowledged and immediately turned to leave.
"Wait! Kuchiki-san, hold on, I'm coming too!"
Orihime shouted from the side.
"Orihime! You can't go!"
Rukia stopped walking, her back to Orihime, and said: "When you came here earlier, I already told you. Ordinary humans cannot use a standard Senkaimon. The one we used to come here had a special Reiatsu converter manufactured by Urahara installed. But the 13th Division's Senkaimon doesn't have that converter, so you can't pass through."
At that moment, Ukitake walked over and said: "The order to fix the boundary walls of the Dangai has already been issued, allowing for safe passage. However, it will probably take about seven and a half minutes. So Inoue-san, you can leave through the Dangai for the Living World a bit later."
Seeing the anxious expression still on Orihime's face, Ukitake tried to console her again: "Inoue-san, I know you're worried, but staying calm at a time like this is the most important thing, okay?"
"Alright..."
Orihime said, feeling helpless and disappointed.
"Orihime, I'll go ahead to the Living World and wait for you there."
Rukia said.
"Yes!"
Orihime forced herself to nod.
Then Rukia left immediately.
'Why are the Espada attacking again so soon, and on such a large scale? Isn't the Hogyoku not supposed to awaken until winter? Why would Aizen send Espada to the Living World at a time like this? What is going on?'
On her way to the 13th Division's Senkaimon, Rukia had a persistent feeling of foreboding...
…
Living World, Northern Karakura Town, Battlefield of the Arrancar and the Advance Team.
"Ora ora ora! What's wrong, old lady? Is that all you've got?"
A small-framed Arrancar with light green hair was exchanging blows with Rangiku, wielding a large crescent-shaped sword disproportionate to her size.
"Dammit! How dare you call me old lady! I'll teach you a lesson!!"
Rangiku, now angry, attacked without holding back, but she couldn't gain an advantage over her opponent.
The small-framed Arrancar with short light green hair was Lilynette Gingerbuck, the Fracción of the Primera Espada, Coyote Starrk.
Although Lilynette was only Starrk's Fracción and not particularly powerful, Rangiku was only a Lieutenant and not much stronger than Lilynette. The two were evenly matched.
Shortly after the battle began, Rangiku, who happened to be near the battlefield, rushed over, and after a few words, she and Lilynette started fighting.
Currently, Ashido was fighting Yammy, Sojiro was fighting Luppi, and Renji and Chad, who had just arrived, were fighting Wonderweiss and Phoenix respectively.
"Hey, Starrk! How long are you going to just watch? Everyone's fighting, and you're hiding over there doing nothing! I'll definitely report this to Aizen-sama when we get back!!"
Yammy, who was fighting Ashido, suddenly shouted at Starrk.
Yammy was currently at a disadvantage in his fight with Ashido.
Although he was an Espada, Ashido had recently broken through to the late Captain-class level. Coupled with his newly achieved Shikai, he was very powerful.
And quite coincidentally, Ashido's Zanpakuto, once released, was extremely sharp and possessed strong cutting abilities, which happened to counter Yammy's Hierro.
Consequently, Yammy had suffered numerous cuts from Ashido and looked quite battered.
Seeing Starrk leisurely watching the entire time, Yammy became furious.
"Ah well, looks like I can't slack off anymore."
Hearing Yammy's accusation, Starrk reluctantly sat up.
Originally, Starrk's role was to keep Toshiro in check. But since Toshiro hadn't appeared yet, Starrk had been openly and leisurely watching the fight.
But now that Yammy wanted him to act, it wouldn't be good for him to continue slacking off.
Although Starrk often disapproved of Yammy's actions, regardless, they were still 'comrades', and Starrk valued his comrades greatly. He couldn't just stand by and watch the enemy attack his 'comrades'.
"Well then, I'll start with that Shinigami."
Starrk targeted Sojiro.
Luppi's situation was very critical at the moment, like a small boat in a storm, seeming as if it could be capsized by Sojiro at any moment.
After all, Luppi, the so-called Sexta Espada, was a fraud. His strength was far inferior to Grimmjow's, and Sojiro might not be weaker than Grimmjow.
So once Sojiro got serious, Luppi was completely outmatched.
As for Yammy, although he seemed to be losing to Ashido, Ashido couldn't completely defeat him anytime soon. Besides, Yammy still had a trump card... he hadn't yet transformed into the so-called 'Cero Espada'.
Although Yammy's so-called 'Cero Espada' was as much of a fraud as Luppi's Espada rank, if Yammy actually transformed into the 'Cero Espada', Ashido might not necessarily be able to beat him.
After all, in the original work, Zaraki and Byakuya had to work together to kill Yammy, the so-called 'Cero Espada'.
Therefore, compared to Luppi, who was in dire straits, Yammy's situation wasn't really a concern. That's why Starrk prepared to attack Sojiro.
"Hey, you Shinigami over there! I'm about to attack, so be careful!"
Starrk, displaying a knightly spirit, warned Sojiro.
Then, powerful Reiatsu gathered towards the Hollow hole in Starrk's chest as he prepared to use a Cero to attack Sojiro.
Huummm—
A massive blue beam of light emitted a strong humming sound, then shot towards Sojiro at great speed.
Just as Sojiro was about to abandon his attack on Luppi and turn to block Starrk's Cero, a figure suddenly appeared between Starrk's Cero and Sojiro.
"Shield of Blood-Mist!"
Boom!
The blue Cero slammed into the blood-red shield.
As the smoke and dust cleared, a figure wearing a green and white striped bucket hat and geta sandals stood there, holding his Zanpakuto.
"Yo, Mr. Arrancar. Two against one is hardly fair, so allow me to be your opponent!"
Kisuke spoke, his expression uncharacteristically serious.