Chapter 46: Emergency Rescue

As Uehara Shiroha stepped out of the room, he was immediately met with the sight of Kyoraku Shunsui's signature lazy smile and Ise Nanao's slightly uneasy expression.

His eyes narrowed. Something was off.

"What happened?" he asked, already sensing that the news wouldn't be good.

Kyoraku Shunsui maintained his usual relaxed demeanor, but his words carried undeniable weight.

"There was an issue with one of our intelligence points. Captain Suì-Fēng went to investigate, but just now, the Technology Development Bureau detected a sudden surge in her spiritual pressure—one strong enough to indicate that she activated her Bankai."

Kyoraku paused for a beat before continuing, "She's currently out of contact."

Ise Nanao's expression tensed further, but Kyoraku remained calm. "I've already requested backup from Captain Zaraki. But to be safe, you should head there too."

Despite the casual tone, Uehara Shiroha caught the underlying concern in Kyoraku's voice.

Hearing that Suì-Fēng had been ambushed, Uehara's thoughts spun. He had suspected something was amiss ever since those Gillians had inexplicably gathered to attack the Eleventh Division. Now, with Suì-Fēng in trouble, it was clear—someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes.

However, rather than feeling troubled, Uehara saw an opportunity.

Lately, the Hollows in the Forest of Menos had stopped providing him with meaningful "experience points." He had already surpassed the level of an ordinary captain, so holding back wasn't necessary anymore.

With a smirk, he simply said, "Prepare the wine and wait for me to come back."

Before Nanao could respond, his figure blurred and disappeared in a Shunpō.

Left behind, Ise Nanao clenched her fists, her emotions in turmoil. The unease in her heart slowly transformed—into determination, pride, and a tinge of frustration.

This time, she didn't insist on fighting alongside him.

She already understood.

Right now, she wasn't strong enough to step into Uehara Shiroha's world.

Kyoraku Shunsui adjusted his bamboo hat and spoke lightly, "You're feeling frustrated, aren't you, Nanao? I get it."

He turned his gaze toward the horizon and sighed. "But this is war. No one is innocent, and no one gets to stay out of it. That said…" A small smile formed on his lips. "I have a feeling Brother Shiroha will return victorious."

Far away, in the vast, unending desert, Kenpachi Zaraki sprinted forward at full speed, his massive Zanpakutō clutched tightly in his grip.

Wherever he passed, sand exploded into the air like a raging storm, his sheer force sending waves rippling through the golden landscape.

As he ran, his single eye gleamed with excitement. "Oi, Yachiru, are you sure this is the right direction?" he asked, his voice booming over the howling winds.

"Of course, Ajian!" Kusajishi Yachiru, perched comfortably on his back, patted her chest with confidence. "This is definitely the fastest shortcut! We'll reach the battlefield before anyone else!"

Her eyes sparkled mischievously. "This time, that pretty boy Uehara guy won't beat us there first!"

Kenpachi let out a loud, reckless laugh. "Hahaha! Good! It's been too long since I've had a decent fight!"

His spiritual pressure flared wildly, sending invisible shockwaves through the desert. Any Hollow foolish enough to cross his path was crushed instantly—either by the sheer weight of his reiatsu or the brute force of his charge.

Meanwhile, in a desolate wasteland deep within Hueco Mundo, Suì-Fēng was covered in wounds, her white captain's haori soaked in blood.

Her breath came ragged and uneven as she stared at the towering figure before her.

It was a blue-skinned, four-armed humanoid Hollow, its eerie, pupil-less eyes locked onto her with an unsettling stillness.

Surrounding it were three other Adjuchas-class Hollows, each with grotesque, monstrous forms. They formed a tight perimeter, cutting off all avenues of escape.

Suì-Fēng gritted her teeth, forcing herself to stay upright.

Her spiritual pressure was nearly depleted. Her body felt sluggish, her limbs heavy as if bound by invisible chains.

A ripple distorted the air.

Before she could react, the four-armed Hollow vanished.

Sonído!

Suì-Fēng recognized the technique instantly, but her weakened body refused to keep up.

In the blink of an eye, her enemy reappeared behind her, its clawed hand tearing through the fabric of her shihakushō.

A deadly chill ran down her spine.

Death was an instant away.

Suì-Fēng struggled to move, to counter, but an inexplicable force was suppressing her spiritual energy.

Her mind screamed in defiance.

"I am Suì-Fēng, Captain of the Second Division! I will surpass that person! I refuse to die here!"

The four-armed Hollow sneered.

"Shinigami, your power has already been sealed by my ability," it said, its voice deep and grating. "Struggle all you like—it will change nothing."

Three of its arms lifted, black spheres of concentrated energy forming in each palm.

It wasn't an ordinary Cero.

This was a specialized attack, something far more destructive.

Suì-Fēng gritted her teeth. Damn it…!

If she was going down, she would at least take this bastard with her.

Just as she was about to activate a forbidden technique, a sudden heatwave surged through the battlefield.

FWOOOOSH!

A brilliant burst of flames sliced through the air, followed by the flash of a blade.

The burning edge of a Zanpakutō tore through the night sky, aiming straight for the four-armed Hollow's skull.

Alarmed, the creature twisted its body, retreating just in time to avoid being bisected.

Suì-Fēng's eyes widened.

A figure emerged from the firestorm, standing tall and unwavering before her.

Her breath hitched.

It's him…!

She stared at Uehara Shiroha's back, her mind reeling.

This guy… his strength had grown even more terrifying!

But Uehara paid her no mind. His cold, calculating gaze remained locked on the enemy.

"So, you dodged," he mused. "Not bad. Your nerve detection and reflexes are sharp. As expected of a Vasto Lorde."

His grip on his sword tightened. "But evolving to the top of the Hollow hierarchy isn't easy. Are you really in such a rush to die?"

The four-armed Hollow remained silent, but its posture shifted slightly, as if reassessing the situation.

Uehara continued, his voice calm but laced with menace.

"To reach this stage, you must have devoured countless others. First, absorbing enough power to become a Gillian. Then, achieving self-awareness and rising to the rank of Adjuchas. Finally, surviving the merciless slaughter of your own kind to evolve into a Vasto Lorde."

He tilted his head slightly. "With all that struggle, why throw it away now?"

In the Hollow's empty, black eyes, something flickered.

A brief hesitation.

Uehara's eyes narrowed. He had a good idea of who was behind this.

…Aizen.

From behind him, Suì-Fēng struggled to speak through her exhaustion.

"Be careful… that thing's ability… it seals spiritual pressure," she warned.

Uehara glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.

Her reiatsu was in complete disarray, and she was barely staying conscious.

Tch. How troublesome.

Without another word, Suì-Fēng staggered backward, focusing on recovering her strength.

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