"Even so, he'd have to simultaneously deal with the Cuarto Espada and the Sexta Espada we serve!" Shawlong replied flatly.
Hearing this, Hitsugaya's pupils constricted. "Hmph, it seems we need to quickly deal with you and then go help!"
"Let's go!"
Hitsugaya, Ikkaku, Sister Mei, Rukia, and Rangiku stepped forward.
A fierce battle began.
Simultaneously, after the pyramid scheme duo bought a little time, and Chad and Uryu bought a bit more, Ichigo arrived!
Just as Grimmjow, having dealt with Chad and Uryu, was about to reach for Orihime,
Clang!
A black, slender blade blocked Grimmjow's hand!
The sharp blade ignored Grimmjow's Hierro, slicing a bloody gash across his palm!
"Tsk!" Grimmjow leaped back explosively in a few bounds. Looking at the wound on his hand, he frowned deeply. "You bastard... Kurosaki Ichigo. You finally came."
"You're trying to touch my people, of course I'd come." Ichigo said calmly.
Glancing disdainfully at the Leopard King before him, Ichigo looked around. "What about that guy Ulquiorra? He didn't come?"
"Of course he came. He's waiting for you."
"Waiting for me? What do you mean?" Ichigo was puzzled.
"This is what I mean! Devour Him, Pantera!"
Having no intention of fighting with his Zanpakuto, Grimmjow drew his longsword, his five fingers forming claws that gripped the blade!
Powerful Reiatsu rumbled… the blade disintegrated.
Subsequently, his blue shaggy hair grew to his waist. His entire body was covered in white exoskeleton, and a white tail extended from his tailbone.
The Leopard King, who had once devoured hundreds of Hollows in solitude in Hueco Mundo, reappeared, assuming a combat stance!
Seeing Grimmjow like this, Ichigo also assumed a combat stance, but he was still somewhat puzzled about today's events.
Glancing at Chad and Uryu lying on the ground, Ichigo said to Orihime:
"Orihime, heal Chad and Uryu. I'll deal with this guy in front of us quickly!"
"Mhm, alright, Ichigo!" Orihime nodded. With Ichigo here, her fear dissipated.
As if Grimmjow were invisible, Orihime directly began healing the two.
"Tsk, ignoring me like this? That's just like you, Kurosaki Ichigo!"
Grimmjow sighed, then, catching Ichigo off guard, directly unleashed his ultimate move!
"Desgarrón!"
Leaping high, then slashing down heavily with his ten fingers transformed into claws!
Ten enormous sky-blue claw slashes descended towards Ichigo and Orihime!
Seeing this attack, Ichigo also had to focus.
Facing the giant claw slashes in the sky, Ichigo frantically poured Reiryoku into Tensa Zangetsu.
Black Reiatsu surged wildly!
Under the continuous Reiryoku infusion, the slender Tensa Zangetsu actually transformed into a thick, black 'Excalibur'!
Swinging the heavy black 'Excalibur', Ichigo hurled it fiercely towards the sky!
"Getsuga Tensho!"
A massive Getsuga Tensho soared into the sky!
The pitch-black Getsuga Tensho instantly engulfed Grimmjow's Desgarrón!
But Ichigo knew surface spectacle didn't determine victory. Within the torrent of Getsuga Tensho, the struggle between Desgarrón and Getsuga Tensho continued!
Yet, precisely at this moment, a familiar Reiatsu fluctuation reappeared behind Ichigo!
Ulquiorra appeared soundlessly and tracelessly, reaching behind Orihime to grab her!
Acutely detecting Ulquiorra's arrival, Ichigo quickly retreated, forcing him back with a slash!
Subsequently, disregarding the clash in the sky, Grimmjow landed, flanking Ichigo from the front alongside Ulquiorra from behind!
Looking at Orihime, still healing people behind him, Ichigo suddenly realized he was in a predicament!
Namely, everyone has something they must protect!
Unable to break free, unable to escape.
Before such things, even the world's strongest, fastest Ninja next door could only drink regret!
At this moment, with Orihime behind him healing Uryu and Chad, bound by his concern for them, Ichigo felt as if his hands and feet were tied!
Seeing this, bullet comments surged in Ichigo's live stream.
"Oh no, Ichigo's been cornered!"
"I don't doubt Ichigo's strength in a one vs. two, but now it's one vs. two with liabilities. Some things can't be avoided!"
"What to do, bros?"
"Stop asking what to do every time! Believe! Believe in Ichigo! He can bring us miracles!!"
Through constant victories, Ichigo had built blind confidence among his live stream audience.
However, Orihime also trusted Ichigo deeply, but out of love, she would still worry.
While healing Chad and Uryu, Orihime also realized the situation.
She hadn't expected that her desire to help Ichigo would ultimately become his burden.
Instantly, intense conflict assaulted Orihime's heart.
"Ichigo, sorry, we..."
"It's fine!"
Looking at the enemies before him, Ichigo smiled, interrupting Orihime's words. "Orihime, do you know the Kurosaki Family's naming tradition?"
"The Kurosaki Family's naming tradition?" Orihime was taken aback.
"Yep, the Kurosaki Family's naming tradition!" Ichigo said with a smile:
"Our Kurosaki Family summarizes the father's life into a single character, then gifts it to the next generation!"
"My father is named 'Isshin' (One Heart/Mind), meaning Grandpa's life was about following his heart."
"And he named me 'Ichigo' (One Who Protects) because Shiba Isshin's life was about protecting one person."
"Inheriting such a name, I will also give the next generation a name that embodies my life's meaning, but that doesn't mean I can't fulfill the meaning my own name contains!"
"Don't worry, Orihime. I will protect you!"
Hearing Ichigo's words, Orihime's expression changed.
Subsequently, she gradually calmed down.
No longer caring about external matters, Orihime focused intently on healing Chad and Uryu.
"Tsk tsk!" Seeing Orihime's mood reverse almost instantly, Grimmjow was very displeased:
"Still thinking you can protect others? What an arrogant statement!!"