Ch 127: A respectable opponent.

Noah and Rukia were running down the long tunnel beneath Las Noches's perimeter wall and were approaching the stairs to the surface when Noah noticed something.

"Slow down, Rukia."

They came to a stop, and Rukia looked warily at him.

"Is there an issue?"

"Maybe. I don't know Shinigami magic very well, but it looks like we have a welcome party waiting for us, and they've prepared something. a half-dozen wooden spikes covered with paper talismans have been placed in a circle about three hundred meters wide, and we'll emerge in its center."

Rukia frowned.

"It sounds like some kind of Kido barrier. You said there was a welcome party. Do you recognize any?"

"Kaname Tosen, Zommari, and Ulquiorra. Unless you've recently done something to make Aizen angry, I think they're after me."

"…Should we wait for the Captains to arrive?"

Noah scratched his chin as he thought about it. Tozen's Bankai allowed him to create a special area where everyone but him would have their five senses suppressed. Zommari was very good at using Sonido, but his resurreccion was all about taking control of their opponent's body just by looking at them. And Ulquiorra, was just an excellent, well-rounded fighter capable of fighting at all ranges and move quickly.

With those three taking an ambush position, and some kind of barrier… Noah had a hunch that Aizen wanted to capture him. They obviously had some method to monitor the intruders if they could prepare an ambush like this.

"…Rukia, do you think you can fight the Noveno Espada alone? Or at least stall until I'm done with those and come help you?"

"Yes." Immediately replied Rukia, nodding with eyes blazing.

"Ok. There's an alternative route to reach him. It will take you a while longer, but that will work in our favor. Can you return to the latest crossroad, take the left turn, then right and left?"

"Are you sure you intend to face a former Captain and two Espada by yourself? It sounds like suicide to me." frowned Rukia.

"I suspect that if we just leave, they will follow and attack us when we are busy with another enemy." shrugged Noah.  "I'll be fine, don't worry about me. At worst, I'll just teleport away."

"But what if that barrier prevents you from doing that?"

"I broke you out of that cell, remember? Aizen may think a barrier can stop me, assuming that it really is its intended purpose, but I'd be very surprised if it was effective."

"Well… you must know what you're doing. But still, three captain-level opponents…"

Noah smiled and patted her head. Rukia froze for a second, but decided to let it go. She had more important things to think about, and the gesture felt more comforting than patronizing.

"Just go, Rukia. But feel free to take your time getting there, to give me a bit more leeway."

Noah wasn't afraid of taking several Espada simultaneously. He had gained many levels since his last clash with Grimmjow and Ulquiorra, had gotten his hands on the Divide ability, and now had his sword Eclipse to boost his attributes and allow him to dual wield properly. Not to mention his Ranger costume that added a few more attribute points as well.

"Good Luck, Ranger Black." nodded Rukia, turning back to walk toward the previous intersection.

Noah didn't want to waste time, as he could also see Nell and her Fraccion walking near Szayel. He might have to intervene, as none of them had any immunity to curses or parasites, and that would be an issue.

Drawing Seifuku and taking Eclipse from his inventory and casting Augment on himself, he ran toward the stairs and didn't slow down as he climbed.

As soon as he emerged on the surface, he turned back to see the trio of enemies waiting not far from here. And the formation activated, covering a large area with a green translucent barrier. Noah didn't feel anything different.

"Three of you waiting for me. Should I take it as a compliment?"

"Spare us your flippant attitude." said Kaname Tosen. "You may wear some ridiculous disguise, but I recognize your voice. But with this formation, you won't be able to escape this time."

Noah suddenly remembered that he had forgotten to do his routine, and started it in a hurry.

"What is he doing?"  asked Zommari to his companion, confused but their opponent's strange poses.

"I am Kitsune Ranger Black. It is nice to beat you!" replied Noah.

Tosen didn't reply and drew his own weapon only two centimeters off its sheath. A sound pulse came from it.

Noah recognized the move. It was some kind of attack directed at his eardrums. In the original fiction, Tosen had used this to knock out Uryuu instantly. But it didn't have any effect on him, aside from ringing his ears unpleasantly.

But since there was no point in delaying things, and he was in a bit of a hurry, Noah used Shunpo.

Ulquiorra was clearly taken by surprise as seeing him move and attack so fast, and was late in drawing his sword.

"You!" he started, already jumping back as he finished drawing his sword, already sporting a deep gash on his left shoulder and a smaller one on his right arm.

Noah wanted to press his advantage, but had to turn to block Zommari's sword as the espada used Sonido to appear behind him. The tall, bald, black-skinned Arrancar frowned as he tried to put force on his sword to drive Noah out of balance, and Noah straightened his index and middle finger from the hand he used to grip his sword, pointing them at Zommari's chest.

"Hado n°4, Byakurai." he muttered, and a bolt of lightning burst from his fingers, piercing Zommari's chest.

Or not, as the weight pressing in Noah's sword disappeared instantly, and the Zommari in front of him turned to be an afterimage. his real body reappeared a few meters away.

"Get away, Ulquiorra, Zommari!" called out Tosen, who had jumped high in the air. With his Zanpakuto, he slowly made a semi-circle in the air, the blade leaving thousands of afterimages in its path.

Ulquiorra and Zommari knew what Tosen was about to unleash, and they jumped far away.

"Suzumushi, Flying Locusts!"

The afterimages suddenly turned real and pointed in Noah's direction. Tosen lifted his sword, brought it down like a referee signaling the start of a race, and the pieces of sharp metal fell toward Noah and his immediate surroundings in a deadly rain.

Noah snorted, opened a portal-type Hole to shield himself, and set the other end just behind Ulquiorra. Two of the projectiles pierced his body before he could get out of the way.

It took almost five seconds for the rain of steel to stop, and Noah, inconvenienced by the cloud of sand lifted by the attack and the countless half-buried blades, decided to relocate farther away using Shunpo, increasing the distance between him and Ulquiorra and Zommari.

"You really are a troublesome fellow." sighed Tosen as he lowered himself to the ground.

"Aizen-sama was right to send us to deal with you."

"I don't know. I think he's still underestimating me." said Noah with a sniff.

"We'll see how long you can maintain that arrogance, when faced with true terror." said Tosen ominously, pointing his Zanpakuto upward.

"Bankai. Suzumushi Tsuishiki, Enma Korogi (field cricket)." he said, and the metal ring attached to the hilt of his Zanpakuto separated itself before instantly duplicating itself into eight rings and growing larger. They shot in eight directions, spreading darkness around them, and in a mere few seconds, a large area around Tosen and Noah was covered by a black dome.

Noah had expected this and turned his head at random, his eyes wide, not looking at Tosen directly, and adopting a wary and tense expression. He also made a few steps at random and waved his swords around a little, pretending to be under the effect of Tosen's Bankai.

"You already can't hear me anymore, with most of your senses sealed." started Tozen, slowly walking toward him as he fell into the classic trap of overconfident villains bragging about their schemes.

"What do you think of a world without light or sound? Isn't it frightening? Only one can escape this hell, the one who wields this Suzumushi."

It was getting harder for Noah not to burst into laughter at the pointlessness of asking such questions to a supposedly deaf man, and still pretend he was blind, deaf, and afraid.

When Tosen was three meters away, Noah saw him lower his center of gravity, getting ready to quickly move past him and slash him on the way.

At the very last moment, Noah released his grip on Seifuku, made a quick jump toward Tozen, and grabbed Tosen's hand around the hilt of his Zanpakuto, stopping his slash before he could build up momentum.

"What?" exclaimed Tosen, shocked.

Noah grinned and plunged Eclipse to the hilt into his stomach, causing Tosen to grunt in pain.

"Do you want to know the irony, Tosen? I will soon be able to resurrect people. Had you stayed loyal to Soul Society, I probably would have revived the women whose death you wanted to avenge. Maybe I will still do it anyway."

Tosen's decision to betray Soul Society came from a female Shinigami that he admired a lot, being murdered. And Central Room 46 had decided not to punish the murderer, because he had some connections with their members.

Everything Noah knew about the Shinigami and nobles making up Central Room 46 pointed to them being dirtbags, and Noah was quite happy that Aizen had butchered the lot of them. If not for him, he likely would have had to do it eventually, and that would have made things messy with the Gotei 13.

"What expression do you think will Kakyo make, when she learns about your betrayal? But you won't be around to see it."

Noah pulled on his sword, making sure to enlarge the wound as he did, and as soon as the blade was out of his body, Noah stabbed him again, in the heart this time. All while maintaining an iron grip on Tosen's right hand and his Zanpakuto.

"How…could… you?" gasped Tosen, spitting a mouthful of blood.

"Resist your Bankai? That's a trade secret, and I monologued enough already. Die."

Noah beheaded him. In the original fiction, Aizen had enhanced Tosen with Hollow powers and given him some kind of regeneration, but Noah didn't think he would come back from having his neck cut off.

Tosen's limp body fell limply on the ground beside his head as his Bankai collapsed, and Noah picked up Seifuku.

She vibrated in his hand, likely wanting to express her displeasure at him unceremoniously dropping her.

"Yeah, sorry. I didn't want to go without Eclipse's attribute boost at this critical moment." apologized Noah in a whisper, and she calmed down.

Upon seeing Tosen's body, Ulquiorra and Zommari quickly looked at each other, and they both decided to go all out.

"Amor, Brujeria." declared Zommari, joining his hands palms together in front of him as if praying and tilting his head to a full neck-breaking ninety degrees. His Zanpakuto, floating in front of him, erupted in some white thick fluid that covered him. When the white substance dissipated or was absorbed by his body, Zommari looked like a man stuck from his waist down into a giant, pink pumpkin. A pumpkin with a dozen faces along its circumference, each of them with a single eye, like a cyclops. Zommari's torso and arms were also covered with large eyes.

"Enclose, Murcielago." called out Ulquiorra. Black and green flames erupted from his body, masking him. When they dissipated, his hollow mask looked like a cap with thin horns reminding Noah of a nigh butterfly's antennas, and two large, black leathery wings sprouted from his back.

Noah knew the effects of those two resurreccions. Ulquiorra's was essentially a general power and speed boost, somewhat similar to the demonic Stride and Maximize spells. Zommari's resurreccion, on the other hand, was very specialized. He had given up on his mobility by assuming this form, and Noah wasn't sure he could even move at all. However, each of the eyes covering his body could imprint some kind of charm on Zommari's opponents, and those charms would give Zommari control of the affected limbs. Or the whole body, if Zommari chose to directly target the head or torso. As he did right now, with the pupil of one of his belly eyes turning red.

But, against his current enemy, that was a severe mistake. Noah had managed to hide from Aizen and his Arrancars his immunity to curses, and it was really paying off.

"impossible!" exclaimed Zommari as he saw the mark disappear from Noah's forehead before he even had time to form completely.

As Noah started running toward him, Zommari tried again and again, some of his eyes bleeding from the effort.

Noah kept his eyes on Ulquiorra as he made a beeline for Zommari. When Ulquiorra used Sonido to intercept him, Noah immediately used Shunpo, evading him and reaching Zommari in an instant. The Septima Espada desperately extended his hands, palm facing toward him and revealing two more eyes in his palms, but Noah simply slashed with wild abandon, cutting off his right arm and carving two deep slashes in his chest. He then used Zommari's body as a foothold to jump away just as Ulquiorra used Sonido again to reach him.

Noah wasn't quite fast enough to avoid injury, however, and Ulquiorra's sword bit into his flank.

He gritted his teeth as he used Greater Healing, and the wound began to close.

Ulquiorra, not wanting to give Noah any time to recover of pull off any other trick, closed the short distance between them and tried to get under Noah's defense. He pointed the index of his free hand toward Noah, and an ominous, teal-colored light gathered on its tip.

Noah knew that it was Ulquiorra's Cero, or at least his lesser one. Ulquiorra could also release a more powerful Cero Oscuras, but likely would need more time charging it.

Noah smiled as he turned around Ulquiorra, putting Zommari in the line of fire. Ulquiorra's face showed his frustration for an instant before he pointed his finger to the sky and unleashed his Cero, creating an intense beam of light.

Noah got a feel of the energy contained within that beam, and estimated that even with Augment and his costume, he still would likely get second or third degree burns if he were hit directly.

But where Ulquiorra in his Resurreccion form was about equal to him in strength, Noah still had a significant advantage in speed and swordsmanship and used them ruthlessly. Deflecting Ulquiorra's sword and creating an opening, Noah pierced his thigh and delivered a strong kick, sending Ulquiorra flying toward a white stone tower. The impact was great enough to break through the wall of the structure, and the Arrancar disappeared inside, obscured for an instant.

Then an ominous teal glow appeared behind the smoke and debris. The glow was much more intense than when Ulquiorra charged his Cero previously, and Noah could feel a lot more power accumulating.

As if pushed away by invisible air pressure, the smoke cleared away, revealing Ulquiorra with a lance of blue-green light floating between his hands.

"Lanza del Relampago." called out Ulquiorra, taking it in his hand and adopting a throwing stance.

As he threw it, Noah opened Another portal-type Hole, and the deadly projectile struck Zommari, creating an enormous explosion. The wounded Arrancar simply blew apart.

"You never learn, don't you?" said Noah as he shook his head in mock sadness.

Ulquiorra, whose face was usually expressionless, displayed true anger, and his aura increased sharply.

"Aizen-sama wanted you alive. But you are too dangerous. I will kill you."

Once again, black and green flames burst from his body, and when they dissipated, his form had changed again. His clothes were gone, with his lower body and arms covered with black fur, and part of his chest and belly had been smeared by a black mark, as if his hollow hole had wept black tears. His sword was also gone, but his hands now sported sharp claws.

"Resurreccion Segunda Etapa." he said flatly.

Without another word, he formed another spear, but didn't throw it this time.

Noah assumed from Ulquiorra's posture that he was about to use Sonido to appear near him, and decided to rely on another of his trump cards, using Senjutsu to appear immobile as he switched position. He barely had time to do it before Ulquiorra appeared before the afterimage and stabbed it.

This was an opening he didn't want to miss, and Noah stabbed Seifuku into Ulquiorra's left flank. And that wasn't all.

"Divide." said Noah, instantly cutting off half of Ulquiorra's available energy, lowering both his strength and speed.

It was Noah's turn to press Ulquiorra, and with the advantage of having a longer range thanks to his swords, inflicting more wounds in quick succession. Most were gashes on non-vital areas, but Ulquiorra was slowing down, his movements becoming dull as pain and fear started to overwhelm his usual calm. That allowing Noah to land a good hit and sever Ulquiorra's left arm completely.

The loss of that arm broke something in his mind, and Ulquiorra accepted his death. He stopped defending himself as Noah's follow-up strike found his heart.

Noah, seeing the resignation in Ulquiorra's eyes, stopped his attack and stepped back. The number and severity of Ulquiorra's injuries had exceeded his ability to regenerate, and his body started crumbling into dust, starting from his wings.

Noah and Ulquiorra stared silently at each other for a few seconds. Noah didn't have any negative feeling toward Ulquiorra. As far as he was concerned, he was an honorable opponent that couldn't be convinced to step aside or turned into an ally, and he took no pleasure in killing him.

Ulquiorra, on the other hand, only felt regret at not being able to fulfill his duty, and didn't personally hate his killer simply for being stronger. But his last words surprised Noah.

"That girl, Orihime. Protect her."

"I will." nodded Noah.

The crumbling extended to Ulquiorra's face, and he disappeared completely, the dust carried away by the wind.

Noah stood quietly for in instant, using Promise to scan Las Noches as he reflected on how overpowered his Negative Effect Immunity was. He wondered how many Champions met an early death because they neglected their defenses against curses, or because they chose to first prioritize more offense, or defenses against physical attacks.

Orihime was safe for now, alone in a room near the top of the largest structure. Rukia was still about two minutes from reaching Aaroniero Arruruerie, Ichigo and Renji were busy fighting Grimmjow, and the fight was turning in their favor once Ichigo revealed his latest trump card and used his own Hollow powers. Fubuki, Yoruichi, Ren and Uryuu were exploring the nearest buildings, killing weak Arrancars barring their way. Ren and Uryuu were about to cross paths with Luppi Antenor, the smug prick. He would soon become a smear on the ground.

He saw no sign of Aizen, Gin, Starrk, Baraggan and Tier or their Fraccion. They likely weren't in Hueco Mundo.

There was one particular Arrancar in the original fiction that Aizen had created specifically to counter the Captain-Commander's Bankai, using the Hogyoku's power, but since Noah had prevented Aizen from stealing it from Rukia's gigai, this likely hadn't happened here.

Which meant that, aside from the soon-to-be-smear Luppi and Aaroniero, the only remaining notable enemy was that mad scientist Szayel. Noah saw him fight against Nell, and the fight didn't seem to be going well for her. Szayel had taken is Resurreccion form and was using his voodoo-like curse power to damage the bones and internal organs of Nell, Pesshe and Donchakka from a distance. She needed some help.

help that he was going to provide.