Chapter 237: The Bloody Beginning
At the moment when the captains had just employed their Bankai, the Sternritter each withdrew star medallions and seized their Reiatsu after Zanpakutō Bankai activation.
Senbonzakura's cherry blossom petals dissipated...
The figure of Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō shattered...
Hyōrinmaru attached to Tōshirō's back and the lightning whip adorning Suì-Fēng's arms also transformed into spirit particles and were stolen by the star medallions within their opponents' grasp.
"This... this isn't a seal!"
"It's Bankai... stolen!"
Byakuya Kuchiki witnessed all this with obvious panic.
"I can't sense anything..."
"Respond... Respond... Respond to me... Hyōrinmaru!"
Shaking Hyōrinmaru within his grasp, Hitsugaya Tōshirō screamed in despair.
Soon, the youngest captain regained his composure. He hastily instructed Matsumoto Rangiku positioned beside him: "What are you waiting for, Matsumoto?! Quickly use Tenteikūra and inform all captains that they must never employ Bankai—it will be stolen by the enemy!"
The chaos within Seireitei grew increasingly intense. Within Las Noches, Fiander still maintained his theatrical observing expression—not only within the projection but in reality as well.
"My apologies, Urahara Kisuke! The intelligence you acquired wasn't transmitted to them!"
Urahara Kisuke—who'd punched the ground heavily—ignored Fiander's cynicism. At this moment, he finally comprehended one critical matter: once Captain-Commander Yamamoto's Bankai was stolen, Soul Society's destruction would definitely no longer constitute mere jest.
"Tell me... what to do..."
"What?" Momentarily, Fiander didn't comprehend what Urahara Kisuke meant.
"Since you're willing speaking, please state your conditions. As long as it falls within my acceptable range, I'll agree!"
Current Seireitei absolutely couldn't welcome a second enemy wave. Regardless of circumstances, this individual before him must remain within Hueco Mundo.
"What do you mean by that?"
Fiander didn't tease the man before him anymore. Sometimes stopping proves sufficient. Fiander wasn't the sort who enjoyed trampling others' dignity—such behavior proved extraordinarily boring.
"You stated previously that a Quincy stole Ichimaru Gin's Bankai before you. Please inform me how you recovered his Bankai."
"Hmm? Is such a foolish question truly appropriate coming from someone like you?"
Fiander regarded him with peculiar expression across his features.
Urahara Kisuke instantly comprehended what Fiander meant. It was Ichimaru Gin whose Bankai had been stolen—not the man before him. For him, regardless of how many Bankai were stolen, it possessed absolutely no significance. Otherwise, Yhwach wouldn't have departed Hueco Mundo so readily.
Judging from Las Noches' complete condition, the battle was probably controlled within certain parameters. Are the Quincy so wary of you, Fiander Moros...?
"Forget it. I can inform you of one matter, though it's far too late."
Fiander—possessing no intention teasing Urahara Kisuke further—spoke what he knew: "The Quincy apparently cannot steal my subordinates' Resurrección. Similarly, they cannot steal Kurosaki Ichigo and the others' Bankai either."
Saying this, Fiander turned his head to regard Kurosaki Ichigo, who appeared extraordinarily concerned.
"Hollow power? I understand!"
Urahara Kisuke rose to his feet and bowed deeply toward Fiander. Then he raised his head and addressed Fiander with serious features: "Although I don't know what your ultimate objective is, however... I hope Soul Society can reach cooperation with you!"
"Manager Urahara!"
Kurosaki Ichigo had never anticipated that Urahara Kisuke—who'd followed him to Hueco Mundo—possessed such purpose. As a Shinigami, he would select cooperating with an Arrancar.
"Cooperation? The premise of such arrangements is that both sides possess equal strength. Do you believe your proposal will benefit me in any manner?"
Not only Fiander but even Reinhard positioned aside scoffed at this.
"Hollows and Shinigami differ from Quincy—they're races that can coexist. If you agree, following the war, I'll devise methods improving Hueco Mundo's living environment and make it more suitable for survival."
"Pfft—"
Urahara Kisuke's words made Fiander burst into laughter. "Ahahaha! Urahara Kisuke, your jest proves sufficiently amusing! Me?! Fiander Moros?! Requiring your assistance changing Hueco Mundo's environment?"
At this moment, Fiander rose slowly to his feet. He clenched his fists and spoke with cold sneer: "I'll seize what I desire with my own hands! If Hueco Mundo proves unsuitable for survival, I'll plunder the human world. If the human world proves unsuitable, then Soul Society!"
"I won't become anyone's pet!"
Observing the faint veins across Fiander's forehead, Urahara Kisuke understood his proposal had angered the other party. His ulterior motives had been perceived completely.
Just as Fiander prepared attacking Urahara Kisuke, a hearty voice emerged from not far distant.
"Fiander! Fiander! Me, Nelliel, and Orihime came finding you!"
At this moment, Lilynette walked over from the side entrance behind. She held Nelliel with one hand and the blushing Inoue Orihime with the other.
"Uh~ Did I arrive at the wrong moment?!"
Observing the tense situation unfolding, Lilynette positioned herself centrally. She suddenly felt circumstances proved somewhat unfortunate.
"Didn't I place you in confinement? Who released you—Ulquiorra or Tier?"
Because of Lilynette's ineffectiveness, Fiander had locked her within solitary confinement. However, he hadn't anticipated the other party emerging after merely two days.
Lilynette felt extraordinarily wronged. She'd wanted pulling Nelliel and Inoue Orihime to intercede for herself. However, she hadn't expected encountering him in foul mood.
"Orihime..."
Witnessing Inoue Orihime's arrival, Kurosaki Ichigo also extended his hand to approach. However, considering his current position, he restrained his stride and halted.
The atmosphere created was ruined by Lilynette's appearance. Fiander didn't wish arguing with Urahara Kisuke anymore. However, he'd never constituted a generous person—particularly when bullied at his doorstep without retaliating.
"Since you've arrived, proceed and accomplish something for me. If you cannot complete it properly, you understand the consequences!"
As Fiander spoke, he cast Lilynette an annoyed glance.
"Can't complete it properly... If I don't complete it properly, you'll punish me by not eating snacks for one day?"
Lilynette racked her brain for considerable duration before finally conceiving a severe punishment for herself.
"Damn! Why are you so thick-skinned? Who taught you this? You think I don't know you brought tremendous food into confinement?! I'm warning you—if matters don't succeed, your confinement duration won't merely double. I'll also confiscate all your snacks and toys!"
Fiander's words made Lilynette feel as though struck by lightning from clear sky. She stood there stunned and howled: "Why don't you just kill me instead?!"