The spear technique Aaroniero executed was exactly like the original Kaien's… a unique high stance, using the single wrist as the axis and rotation as the primary attack.
From a distance, it looked like a dance. And accompanying the spear strikes were the churning waves!
Waves like giant breakers could crush the enemy, while the trident spear could slice them in half!
At this point, Rukia had no more doubts about Aaroniero!
However, Nnoitra was very powerful. Aaroniero was merely the Novena Espada, and one who had Arrancarized from a Gillian.
Therefore, after only a few exchanges, Aaroniero was already at a disadvantage!
Swinging his scythe to repel Aaroniero, Nnoitra laughed loudly:
"I don't care if you're Shiba Kaien or Aaroniero! You, a mere Novena Espada, and garbage Arrancarized from a Gillian, think you can challenge me?"
"Hahaha, naive, too naive! Let me show you the gap between the Quinto Espada and the Novena Espada!"
"Die!"
Nnoitra's eyes narrowed. Swinging his double-edged scythe, he broke through Aaroniero's defenses.
Then, taking advantage of the opening in Aaroniero's chest, Nnoitra reversed his scythe swing. The sharp tip aimed straight for Aaroniero's chest!
Seeing this, Rukia could no longer stay put!
"Kaien-sama, I'll help you!"
"Dance, Sode no Shirayuki! First Dance: Moon..."
Rukia was about to unleash her move.
But then, Ichigo grasped her wrist.
"I'll go!" Leaving those words for Rukia, Ichigo used Shunpo forward!
Feeling the high-speed Reiatsu Fluctuation approaching from behind, Aaroniero felt a surge of joy inwardly.
He exchanged a glance with Nnoitra ahead.
Although the original target Rukia hadn't come, Ichigo coming was just as good!
The two were ready to switch targets the moment Ichigo arrived!
However, even if Aaroniero exhausted both his brains, he could never have imagined that Ichigo, from beginning to end, never intended to help him!
What Ichigo wanted was always to eliminate him!
Instantly arriving behind Aaroniero, Ichigo highly compressed his Reiatsu on Tensa Zangetsu, then swung heavily!
A recently perfected ultimate move was unleashed!
"Getsuga Tensho - Flash!"
Under everyone's astonished gazes, a brilliant blade light erupted from the center of Aaroniero's body and, without losing momentum, slashed toward Nnoitra!
Clang!
Raising his great scythe to block this unexpected blade light, Nnoitra retreated!
No matter what, his intended attack could no longer proceed.
But Nnoitra didn't care about that now.
He looked incredulously at Aaroniero ahead!
Now, after Ichigo's slash, Aaroniero's disguise had shattered!
A tall container with two brains preserved in special liquid appeared before everyone!
And between the two brains and the container, a lingering blade scar was starkly visible!
"Damn, what is this thing?"
"Where's the promised Shiba Kaien? It was just an imitation?"
"Two brains soaking in solution? This is the real Aaroniero?"
"I'm gonna vomit. How can there be a Hollow like this? It really drops my sanity value!"
Ichigo's live stream was once again shocked by Aaroniero's appearance!
And Rukia was even more unable to accept it. She staggered forward two steps, saying disbelievingly:
"How is this possible? This is... Kaien-dono?"
"Didn't they say, though he died as a Shinigami, he lived as a Hollow in Hueco Mundo?"
Even if Rukia lacked common sense, she should understand that a creature growing like this definitely wasn't a normal Hollow!
Arrancar… what's removed is the mask, revealing their original face!
Aaroniero's current face already revealed his true nature!
"He's not Shiba Kaien!" Ichigo sighed:
"And obviously, this is that same Hollow from back then that devoured countless Shinigami!"
"In that case, two brains soaking in a container can be reasonably explained!"
"Two brains can process memories better, right?"
Hearing Ichigo's words, Aaroniero, with his last breath, looked at Ichigo incredulously.
In the solution, the broken brains struggled to speak: "How is this possible? How did you see through my disguise!!"
"Under the dark sky, my disguise should have been impossible to detect!"
"Nothing much." Ichigo shrugged. "You might not know this, but the Shiba Clan was once one of the Five Great Noble Families, possessing noble blood."
"And between noble bloodlines, there is mutual sensing!!"
"Therefore, from the very beginning, I knew you weren't Shiba Kaien!"
"In other words, I didn't sense that... flavor from you!"
Ichigo casually fabricated a reason.
"So that's how it is!" Aaroniero, along with Rukia and the many 13th Division's members, understood.
For those who followed bloodline theory, Ichigo's words were very correct and unquestionable.
However, these words could fool others, but not Aaroniero.
Just after understanding, Aaroniero realized.
'Wait, if such sensing truly existed, why didn't it appear in Shiba Kaien's memories!!?'
"Wait, you..." Aaroniero looked angrily at Ichigo, wanting to accuse him of deception!
But before he could finish his words, Aaroniero saw Ichigo's eyes!
They were icy, indifferent, and filled with unspoken mockery!
"Alright, that's enough for your last words. Die!!"
Ichigo snapped his fingers!
Snap!
The blade light in the center of Aaroniero's body suddenly erupted!
The container holding the brains shattered. The solution inside flowed out. The two brains, split in half, quivered on the ground.
But in the end, Aaroniero didn't make even the slightest sound!
The distinguished Novena Espada, an enhanced version at that, died silently in Ichigo's hands just like that!
Without even using his Resurrección!
Truly a classic case of 'trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice'!
And the moment Aaroniero died, a massive amount of Reishi instantly appeared within Ichigo's body!
[Ding! Congratulations, Player Ichigo, for killing the Novena Espada!]
[You have acquired Shiba Kaien's comprehension of Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hoho, and Kido!]