Chapter 94: The Vulnerable Resurrección, the Mutant White

But hearing his words made her angry.

It was still the familiar formula, the familiar voice, and the familiar irritating tone.

When Suì-Fēng saw Uehara Shiroha effortlessly disperse the terrifying Cero, her jaw dropped in astonishment. She hadn't expected him to be this powerful. First, he had swiftly dispatched two formidable enemies without even releasing his Zanpakutō. Now, he had neutralized a devastating attack with just one hand.

His strength surpassed what she remembered of his battle with Gin Ichimaru and Byakuya Kuchiki from over twenty years ago.

Throughout these years, she had worked tirelessly to improve her own abilities, constantly fighting on the front lines. She had thought the gap between them would narrow, but instead, it had only widened.

Suì-Fēng was stunned, her eyes regarding Uehara Shiroha with a complex mixture of emotions. She had always admired strength, and the man before her was the embodiment of power itself. It was difficult for her not to be drawn to such a formidable warrior.

"Here comes another bug!" When the black Hollow spotted Uehara Shiroha, its face contorted with disdain.

However, when it realized its attack had been effortlessly nullified, the strange black Hollow roared in rage. Blood-red light erupted from its eyes and the Hollow hole in its chest. Its entire body became bathed in a crimson aura, transforming it into something reminiscent of a terrifying demon from legends.

The blood-like radiance made its already hideous face even more frightening. Along with its inhuman roar came a tyrannical, bestial aura that spread outward in waves. The immense spiritual pressure surged like a raging tsunami, threatening to devour everything in its path.

The unfathomable power and monstrous presence stimulated every inch of Suì-Fēng's skin and each nerve in her body, causing her to tremble involuntarily. Despite this, her gaze remained steadfast and unwavering.

Suì-Fēng knew how formidable this Hollow was. Its spiritual pressure exceeded her own captain-level strength, and its abilities were bizarre. The longer it fought, the stronger it became, as if it could grow infinitely more powerful through combat.

With their Zanpakutō sealed once again, the enemy before them had become exceedingly difficult to handle.

Moreover, this Hollow was entirely different from any she had encountered before—it was unnaturally strange, prompting Suì-Fēng to label it as a monster.

She quickly warned: "Commander Uehara, be careful! This monster grows stronger during battle. We must defeat it quickly!"

Sensing the violent, cold, and complex spiritual pressure emanating from the creature, Uehara Shiroha nodded thoughtfully. "It is indeed a monster."

He examined the strange Hollow before him, noticing something oddly familiar about its appearance. The creature had a bull's head atop a humanoid body, with blade-like arms. It stood tall, with red hair and black bone armor covering its form. Only its eyes glowed a haunting crimson.

The opponent bore a striking resemblance to the White Hollow in both appearance and power composition. If its red hair were replaced with white, they would be virtually identical.

The only significant difference was that its Hollow hole appeared to be filled with a red crystal. Blood-red light emanated from this crystal, flowing throughout the creature's body and reflecting in its eyes, giving it an eerie appearance.

The White Hollow had earned its name because it was black on the outside but white within. Following that logic, this creature before him—black on the outside with red within—could be called a "Red Hollow."

Worthy of being the cunning Aizen, Shiroha thought, his methods are sophisticated and his trump cards numerous.

The White Hollow was gone, replaced by this "Red Hollow." It seemed confirmed that Aizen was creating different colored variants—perhaps he intended to create a complete spectrum.

Moreover, this opponent's spiritual pressure was stronger and more complex than White's had been, giving Uehara Shiroha a strangely familiar sensation.

He recognized that this unusual Hollow, like White, was an artificially created composite being, containing numerous Shinigami souls within it. This explained why it could grow stronger by absorbing spiritual pressure from Shinigamis, and suggested it might possess even more terrifying abilities.

This was a mutated version of White—a new type of Hollow that had never appeared in the original timeline. It must be Aizen's latest research achievement, specifically designed to counter him.

How interesting!

With a blur of black shadow, the mutated White rushed toward Uehara Shiroha. Despite its massive size, it moved with astonishing speed, appearing before him in an instant.

Witnessing the lightning-fast movement, Suì-Fēng was shocked. The monster was indeed stronger than before.

How could they defeat this creature that grew more powerful with each passing moment, especially without being able to release their Zanpakutō? For a moment, even someone as powerful as she felt a flicker of despair.

Uehara Shiroha calmly raised his sword and swung it, effortlessly blocking the creature's devastating attack. He knew better than to underestimate the strength of this mutated Hollow.

After all, the original White had possessed strength comparable to a captain using Shikai, and had nearly taken Shiba Isshin's head. Captain-level opponents were no longer considered weaklings in the world of Shinigamis.

Not everyone qualified to serve as a unit of measurement for combat power.

However, Uehara Shiroha didn't rush to finish off his enemy. Instead, he observed carefully.

He wanted to confirm whether his hypothesis was correct.

In the blink of an eye, Uehara Shiroha had exchanged dozens of blows with the mutated White.

To be precise, he effortlessly blocked the creature's hurricane-like assault. The mutated White attacked with all its strength, transforming into a black whirlwind, its pair of cold, sharp blade-arms becoming a frenzied rotating meat grinder.

The massive body of the Hollow moved like a whirlwind of death as it engaged Uehara Shiroha. Its attacks never strayed from vital points—relentless, unstoppable, and lightning-fast.

Nearby, Suì-Fēng couldn't even track their movements.

At the same time, she realized that if the Hollow had launched such a fierce attack against her, she would have been completely overwhelmed.

After a prolonged barrage, the mutated White employed its finishing move—firing a Cero from its mouth while simultaneously swinging its arms, the black blade-light splitting into countless streaks to form an ink-like dance of swords.

This was no ordinary attack, but a slashing technique reminiscent of Shinigami combat, dozens of times more powerful than standard attacks.

The more Suì-Fēng observed, the more perplexed she became. How could a Hollow execute fighting techniques so similar to those of a Shinigami? It was deeply unsettling.

From the beginning, she had sensed something fundamentally wrong about this Hollow. Now, watching calmly, that feeling only intensified.

Facing the mutated White's gorgeous yet deadly offensive, Uehara Shiroha countered with apparent ease.

However, the opponent's strength continued to increase steadily, with strange new abilities beginning to awaken.

After their fierce exchange, the mutated White roared, and the red crystal in its Hollow hole suddenly burst with brilliant crimson light. Simultaneously, two blue energies wrapped around its arms, condensing and beginning to transform.

An invisible gravitational force seized control of all surrounding reiatsu. The spiritual pressure in the area quickly dissipated, drawn toward the creature.

Bathed in this red light, the mutated White seemed to unleash some powerful hidden ability. A blue spirit chain now encircled each of its arms.

These two energies—clearly foreign to normal Hollows—were fully activated, causing the creature's strength to surge dramatically. Powerful spiritual pressure erupted outward, creating a devastating hurricane. Sand and rocks flew through the air as the very space around them seemed to distort.

Observing the red light and blue chains condensing around the black Hollow, Uehara Shiroha nodded to himself:

"As I suspected—another patchwork monstrosity! But replicating Kurosaki Ichigo's power isn't so simple. If I can't accomplish it perfectly, neither can you."

While these thoughts crossed his mind, his movements became increasingly careless.

To an outside observer, Uehara Shiroha appeared to be gradually losing ground, falling into a disadvantageous position. Given the terrifying power now displayed by the Hollow, such a development seemed reasonable.

"It really is the power of a Shinigami... what on earth is this monster? So Uehara Shiroha has been fighting such a creature? If he hadn't arrived in time, I would surely have died. He saved my life again."

Sensing the increasingly obvious Shinigami power emanating from the Hollow, Suì-Fēng was both shocked and confused.

Why would a Hollow possess Shinigami abilities? What did the red crystal and blue chains represent, and why did they evoke such an overwhelming sense of dread?

Moreover, the creature's strength was increasing at an alarming rate. Its already formidable spiritual pressure had become exponentially heavier and stronger.

Compared to before, the Hollow's spiritual pressure had increased several-fold, now rivaling that of Captain-Commander Yamamoto.

To grow so much stronger in such a short time—what kind of monster was this?

With these thoughts racing through her mind, Suì-Fēng watched Uehara Shiroha battle the strange Hollow, her expression clouded with worry.

She bit her lip, resolving internally:

"If Uehara Shiroha truly cannot defeat this monster, I'll sacrifice myself to give him a chance to escape. I owe him this much, at the very least!"

However, in the next moment, Uehara Shiroha's demeanor changed.

He had wanted to determine whether the two powers displayed by this mutated White were merely for show, or if the creature could genuinely utilize the combined abilities of Hollow, Quincy, and Shinigami to perfection.

With a flash of movement, he appeared before the mutated White.

His blade gleamed!

His sword technique represented the pinnacle of Shinigami combat—the absolute limit that could be achieved. With pure skill alone, he could easily slay a senior captain, his power extraordinary.

Brilliant light poured from his blade like a cascading waterfall, tearing through everything in its path.

This stunning strike cut through all the defenses of the mutated White, cleanly severing one of its arms.

Suì-Fēng, who had been contemplating self-sacrifice just moments before, watched in astonishment.

She couldn't follow Uehara Shiroha's sword movements—his blade moved with impossible speed, each simple strike containing unimaginable power.

She caught only the faintest trace of his sword's intent, the sensation akin to being plunged into an ice cave or a small animal fixed in a predator's gaze.

This feeling of utter helplessness was something she had experienced only when first joining the Onmitsukidō, long ago.

After becoming Commander of the Stealth Force, she had believed herself fearless, thinking she would never again experience such powerlessness—a sensation reserved for the weak.

However, the truth now stood before her.

In the presence of this man, she remained vulnerable.

"What a powerful slashing technique, much stronger than mine. Truly terrifying!"

Gin Ichimaru's eyes grew colder as he observed the monitor. Despite his outward reaction, deep down, he felt a curious satisfaction.

Tōsen's expression became more solemn. "It would be difficult for an ordinary captain to withstand such a blow. This man has become even more formidable."

He could only sense the devastating power of that strike through the fluctuations in spiritual pressure registered by their instruments. Yet even this indirect perception left him profoundly shaken.

The attack had been too powerful.

Any captain-level Shinigami would understand the significance of such swordsmanship. Beyond the abilities granted by his Zanpakutō, Uehara Shiroha's blade technique was equally terrifying.

For a Shinigami barely a century old to have mastered such formidable swordsmanship—what kind of talent did that represent?

This was no mere genius, but a monster—a true monster!

Confronted with such a being, even Tōsen, steadfast champion of justice, felt a deep sense of powerlessness stirring within him.

Even the typically reserved Aizen offered praise: "Impressive! Uehara Shiroha is indeed no ordinary Shinigami. How fascinating!"

From anyone else, this might have sounded like a simple compliment. But coming from Aizen's lips, it carried profound significance.

If life could be compared to a game, then what others played was a "survival game," while Aizen played a "casual game"—one neither challenging nor particularly engaging.

Such diversions were acceptable occasionally, but played constantly, they would bore even the gods themselves.

Everywhere he looked, Aizen saw only weak insects—beings either without power or possessing power without wisdom.

Such a world was truly tedious.

Until he encountered Uehara Shiroha and Kurosaki Ichigo, two individuals gradually revealing their extraordinary potential.

These two had captured his interest completely.

And so, he had provided a suitable stage, eager to witness their performance.

At this moment, Tōsen moved to draw his sword. "Lord Aizen, should we seize this opportunity to eliminate Uehara Shiroha?"

Had he never met Aizen, Tōsen would never have become Shiroha's enemy. Indeed, he might have offered his life and soul in service to the man.

Tōsen could appreciate Uehara Shiroha's pure heart and personal magnetism better than most.

Though Shiroha drank, gambled, and frequented the pleasure districts, Tōsen recognized him as different from other Shinigamis—a true ally of justice.

But perhaps because of this, Tōsen felt even more compelled to eliminate him.

Only by doing so could they create a world without Shinigamis, a world governed solely by justice.

Before Aizen could respond, Gin Ichimaru interjected, "The experimental subjects carefully selected by Lord Aizen are not so easily dismissed. Let's observe carefully."

He could sense Aizen's delight—the man was thoroughly enjoying the spectacle.

This told Gin that Aizen had no intention of moving against Uehara Shiroha, at least not yet.

It seemed Aizen remained confident in his ability to control the situation. Was this due to the Hōgyoku? Or did he possess some other advantage?

Aizen shook his head and said:

"Although this accidentally created mutant Hollow holds great research value, with a power structure remarkably similar to Kurosaki Ichigo's, it remains fundamentally flawed—suitable only as a disposable tool.

Its purpose is simply to illuminate Uehara Shiroha's capabilities. Entities that dwell in shadows will never be our allies."

Regarding Aizen's pretentious statement, Tōsen wished to say, "I understand completely," followed by enthusiastic applause.

Though he didn't fully comprehend Aizen's meaning, that wouldn't stop him from offering praise. He still maintained some confidence in the mutant Hollow.

After all, this creature represented the culmination of their hollow research, combining all their current technological achievements.

Moreover, Uehara Shiroha couldn't even release his Zanpakutō.

The advantage is ours!

Gin spread his hands. "I don't understand."

Of course, he had recognized that Aizen held little optimism regarding this "new White Hollow." He simply didn't reveal his awareness, genuinely perplexed.

Logically, this creation possessed immense potential and strength.

Why didn't Aizen value it more highly?

Could Uehara Shiroha be even stronger than they had anticipated?

At this point, Uehara Shiroha had completely gained the upper hand against the mutated White.

Though the creature's strength continued to increase, before Shiroha's overwhelmingly powerful sword techniques, such improvements proved insufficient.

It was as though the Hollow could increase its combat power by 1,000 units every minute through battle.

Over time, it might reach tens of thousands of units—seemingly formidable.

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