34

As Yurei and Yoruichi moved through the quiet streets of Karakura Town, Yurei suddenly paused mid-step. Her sharp senses picked up a distinct ripple in the air, faint but unmistakable. Her hand instinctively rested on the hilt of her Zanpakutō as her eyes narrowed.

"You feel that?" Yurei asked, her voice low but steady.

Yoruichi stopped beside her, tilting her head slightly as if listening to the wind. Her golden eyes gleamed with focus, and after a moment, she nodded. "Yeah. There's a spike in reiatsu nearby—volatile and uneven. It's not one of ours."

Yurei's lips pressed into a thin line. "It's not a Hollow either. Something's different. Let's move."

The two Shinigami vanished in a flash step, their movements almost imperceptible to anyone who might have been watching. As they closed in on the source, the air grew heavier, charged with a strange energy that made even seasoned warriors like Yoruichi and Yurei cautious.

They arrived at an abandoned construction site, its skeletal framework casting eerie shadows under the moonlight. The reiatsu was stronger here, pulsing erratically, as if testing its boundaries. Yurei and Yoruichi perched on a steel beam high above the ground, surveying the scene below.

A figure stood in the middle of the clearing, clad in a ragged cloak that fluttered in the night breeze. A Hollow mask fragment adorned the side of their face, and their reiatsu bore the unmistakable signature of a Visored—an unstable blend of Hollow and Shinigami power.

Yoruichi's gaze sharpened. "So, the Visored are making their moves openly now. This must be one of them."

Yurei frowned. "This isn't just a move. It feels more like a test. They're measuring their limits—or someone else's."

Ichigo Kurosaki was on the scene, his usual brash energy evident even in his hurried movements. He looked tense but determined, gripping Zangetsu tightly in his hands. However, it wasn't just him. Orihime and Chad were right beside him. The fight seemed like it had been ongoing for a while, the three of the Visored currently held the upperhand, making the situation dangerous for the three. 

Before Yoruichi or Yurei could act, an overwhelming spike in reiatsu filled the air, oppressive and suffocating. Emerging from the chaos of the battlefield were two unmistakable figures—Ulquiorra Cifer and Yammy Llargo, their presence sending shockwaves of fear through those present.

Ulquiorra stood calmly, his cold emerald eyes scanning the scene with dispassion. His pale, skeletal features and the remnant of his Hollow mask added to his menacing aura. Yammy, in stark contrast, radiated brutish arrogance, his massive frame towering over everyone. He cracked his knuckles, the sound echoing ominously as a wicked grin spread across his face.

Ichigo's grip on Zangetsu tightened, his body instinctively tensing at the sight of the two Espada. Orihime gasped, stepping back as Chad moved protectively in front of her, his body glowing faintly with his Fullbring energy.

Ulquiorra's voice cut through the tension like ice. "Kurosaki Ichigo. Our mission is simple. Aizen-sama has ordered your evaluation, and I intend to complete it without delay."

Yammy let out a low, rumbling laugh. "And if you're not worth it, we'll just crush you and take her instead." His gaze shifted momentarily to Orihime, his grin widening maliciously.

Orihime paled, but Ichigo stepped forward, his eyes blazing with defiance. "Over my dead body!"

From their vantage point, Yoruichi and Yurei watched the confrontation unfold. Yoruichi's golden eyes narrowed, her usually relaxed demeanor replaced by sharp intensity. "Ulquiorra and Yammy… Aizen's sending heavy hitters. This isn't just a test—it's a message."

Yurei's hand rested on the hilt of her Zanpakutō, her expression calm yet serious. "And one we can't let be delivered. If we don't step in, Ichigo and the others won't last long."

Yoruichi gave her a quick nod. "Agreed. Let's make it count."

With a burst of Shunpo, the two descended onto the battlefield, landing between Ichigo's group and the Espada. Yoruichi's arrival was marked by an electric hum in the air, her reiatsu crackling like a storm. Yurei's presence was softer yet equally formidable, spectral white petals swirling around her like a silent warning.

"Well, well," Yoruichi said, her tone casual but laced with steel. "Aizen must really want to make a statement, sending you two all the way to the Living World."

Yammy scoffed, his massive hands flexing. "More like we volunteered. It's been too long since I've had a decent fight."

Ulquiorra remained unmoved, his gaze fixed on Yoruichi. "Yoruichi Shihōin. Your presence is unexpected but irrelevant. Step aside. Our business is with Kurosaki."

Yurei stepped forward, her Zanpakutō glinting faintly in the light. "If you want him, you'll have to get through us first. And I promise, you won't enjoy the experience."

Ichigo, still gripping Zangetsu, looked between Yoruichi and Yurei. "You don't have to—"

Yoruichi cut him off with a sharp look. "Stand down, Ichigo. You and your friends have already done enough. Let us handle this."

Reluctantly, Ichigo stepped back, his jaw clenched. Orihime placed a hand on his arm, her worried eyes silently urging him to trust them.

Yammy grinned, his reiatsu flaring as he took a step forward. "This'll be fun. Two more warm-ups before I squash that kid."

Yoruichi smirked, lightning beginning to crackle around her fingertips. "Warm-ups? Oh, you're in for a rude awakening."

Yurei, her voice calm yet carrying an edge of determination, added, "And you'll find that underestimating us is a mistake you won't live to regret."

The battle erupted as Yammy lunged forward, his massive fist aimed at Yoruichi. She vanished in a blur of Shunpo, reappearing behind him with a swift kick that sent him stumbling. At the same time, Yurei engaged Ulquiorra, her blade meeting his in a clash of sparks and steel. Her movements were fluid and precise, each strike laced with the spectral beauty of her abilities.

Ulquiorra's expression remained impassive as he parried her attacks, his speed and precision matching hers blow for blow. "You're strong," he admitted coldly, "but strength alone won't save you."

Yurei's lips curved into a faint smile. "Good thing I have more than just strength." With a flick of her wrist, spectral petals erupted around them, obscuring his vision and forcing him to retreat.

The battlefield became a blur of lightning, petals, and raw power as Yoruichi and Yurei fought against the Espada. Each strike was calculated, each movement a testament to their skill and resolve. Despite the overwhelming power of their opponents, neither woman showed signs of faltering.

From a safe distance, Ichigo, Orihime, and Chad watched in awe. Rukia, having arrived moments earlier, joined them, her expression a mix of worry and admiration. "They're incredible," she muttered.

Ichigo nodded, his fists clenched. "Yeah… but we can't just stand here forever."

For now, the fight belonged to Yoruichi and Yurei—two warriors standing shoulder to shoulder against the might of Aizen's Espada.

Yoruichi smirked as she dodged another of Yammy's massive blows, her movements a blur of elegance and speed. "Well, should we show them how we used to handle things back in the good old days?" she called out, her voice carrying a playful undertone despite the tense situation.

Yurei, her blade locked in a fierce clash with Ulquiorra's, cast a sidelong glance at her old friend. "If you wish, 'Captain.' Though I hope you haven't gotten rusty."

Yoruichi let out a laugh, effortlessly flipping over Yammy's next attack and landing gracefully on her feet. "Rusty? Please. We were a duo for a reason, Yurei. Let's remind them why."

Yurei allowed herself a faint smile, her blade shimmering as she parried Ulquiorra's precise strikes. Her eyes briefly flicked toward Ichigo, Rukia, and the others watching from a distance. "Pay attention," she said, her voice carrying across the battlefield. "This is why teamwork matters. Watch and learn."

Ulquiorra's cold voice broke through the air as he disengaged and stepped back, his green eyes narrowing slightly. "A coordinated effort. How quaint. It won't save you."

"Maybe not," Yoruichi quipped, her reiatsu crackling as lightning danced along her fingertips. "But it'll make this a lot more fun."

Without missing a beat, the two launched their combined assault. Yoruichi darted forward, her movements too fast for Yammy to track. She struck him with a flurry of electrified blows, each hit sending shockwaves through the air. As Yammy roared in frustration, Yurei capitalized on the opening, summoning a storm of spectral petals that engulfed the Espada. The petals sliced and exploded on contact, forcing Yammy to retreat with a growl.

Ulquiorra moved to intercept Yurei, but Yoruichi anticipated his approach. She appeared in his path with a flash of Shunpo, her hand crackling with energy as she aimed a palm strike at his chest. Ulquiorra barely managed to dodge, his expression remaining calm but his movements more cautious.

"Still quick on your feet," Yoruichi noted, smirking as she danced around his counterattacks. "But let's see how you handle this." She unleashed a burst of lightning, the energy arcing toward Ulquiorra in a blinding flash.

At the same moment, Yurei redirected her attention to Yammy, her Zanpakutō glowing as she sent waves of reiatsu-laden petals toward the brute. Each strike was deliberate, forcing Yammy into a defensive stance as he struggled to fend off the relentless onslaught.

The battlefield was a symphony of chaos, with lightning and petals intertwining in a deadly dance. Yoruichi and Yurei moved seamlessly, their attacks complementing each other with the precision of long-practiced partners. Where one created an opening, the other exploited it; where one faltered, the other was there to cover.

From their vantage point, Ichigo, Rukia, Orihime, and Chad watched in awe. The sheer synergy between Yoruichi and Yurei was breathtaking, a testament to their years of experience and mutual trust.

"I don't think I've ever seen anything like this," Chad muttered, his eyes wide as he watched the duo in action.

"It's not just raw power," Rukia said, her tone tinged with admiration. "It's strategy. Every move they make is calculated."

Ichigo clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. "They're incredible… but even they can't hold out forever."

Back on the battlefield, Yoruichi and Yurei regrouped, their expressions calm but focused. Yoruichi's smirk widened. "You keeping up, Yurei? Don't tell me you're slowing down in your old age."

Yurei rolled her eyes, adjusting her stance. "I should be asking you that. But if you're feeling nostalgic, we can go all out."

Yoruichi's grin turned feral. "Thought you'd never ask."

As their reiatsu flared, the air grew heavy with anticipation. The Espada tensed, their expressions darkening as the realization set in—this was no ordinary fight. This was a duel against a pair of warriors whose bond and skill made them a force to be reckoned with.