CH 169: ZARAKI VS NNOITRA (2)

"Pray! Santa Teresa! [2]"

The moment Nnoitra felt that he might really lose, he didn't hesitate to go all out by releasing his sword.

'Ressurecion? Is it something like Bankai?'

Zaraki tilted his head in wonder, not even trying to stop Nnoitra's transformation. He had been quite disappointed by the earlier fight and wondered if he should go elsewhere and chase down some other hollows but now, it seemed that there was still some surprise to be had.

Sadly, when Nnoitra's transformation ended, the smile on his face slowly slipped off,

"Sigh…This ain't it. This can't make me hard at all."

He shook his head and put his sword on his back before beginning to walk away,

"Yachiru…Let's go. Perhaps we will be lucky elsewhere."

"Wha—"

Nnoitra, who was filled with a feeling of exhilaration at the feeling of power that coursed through his body. His body had changed as two more arms appeared below the previous ones. Furthermore, each of his arms was equipped with a scythe, giving him quite a threatening appearance.

"Bastard!"

Nnoitra couldn't accept being disregarded in such a way. The ressurecion was the greatest expression of power for an Espada. He was currently in his strongest state and was ready for the fight of his life but his opponent was turning his back on him?

Just how much disdain did this show. Not even Nelliel underestimated him in such a way. He didn't even try to protect his companion?

Nnoitra growled before sending an attack to the pink-haired midget, intent on killing her and bringing down Zaraki a notch.

'Let's kill that bitch first.'

This was the last thought Nnoitra ever had.

—--

Back on Gojo's side, Nelliel flinched when she felt the aura of Nnoitra extinguish.

"Heh. It seems like Zaraki finished playing around. Then again, to think that dude attacked Yachiru. He really had a death wish."

Nelliel shuddered, she knew that the shadow that went past her while she was running toward this place was the so-called Zaraki. To think that even after Nnoitra used his ressurecion he was down on so fast.

'Do we really have a chance?'

She couldn't help but ask herself this question for the situation seemed quite bleak.

"Don't worry. We aren't really interested in mass murder. Even for your friend, if he hadn't acted like an idiot, Zaraki wouldn't have bothered with him much more if that dude didn't act like an idiot. Though…There is something that caught my interest."

Even while discussing with Nelliel, Gojo had been observing Zaraki and his fight since they were still in his perception range and the Bankai-like transformation had surprised him quite a bit.

"Will you let me go if I answer to all your question?"

Nelliel released a sigh before asking quite calmly. There was no fear nor trepidation evident on her face. She didn't fear death, she just feared dying in a futile way.

"Hum. Like I said, I have certain specific goals, and killing you isn't one of them."

"Then…Let me explain everything."

—-

After the other joined him, they sat around while listening to Nel. Gojo had asked if she was alright with that nickname and she didn't refuse.

The story Nel told was quite surprised but it allowed Gojo to get a better understanding of the situation.

Before even leaving Soul Society, Aizen had used his Hogyuko to induce evolution in Hollows that only a select few could reach naturally, even between Vasto Lorde.

Arrancar were Hollows who took off their masks, be it naturally or artificially, and became a race that was close to that of Shinigami.

Gojo had blinked hard at this. After all, knowing that the natural evolution of Hollows was something close to Shinigami was surprising but in a way not so much. After all, both Hollows and Shinigami were Souls. They were linked one way or another and this was just further proof.

Nel then proceeded to explain the system Aizen had established, causing Gojo to laugh since it was clear that Aizen had created a system close to that of the Gotei 13 and the so-called Espada were the equivalent of Captains.

"So you are the third strongest of those Espada?"

"Indeed."

"Hum…You are quite strong but…This isn't enough."

He could see it. Nel was without a doubt vastly superior to the stupid idiot that got offed by Zaraki. In fact, she was so much stronger than it seemed weird and he could see that she still had room for growth. Still, even now she seemed to be no weaker than a high-level captain.

'Incredible. What if Aizen manages to perfect his system and bring even more Vasto Lorde?'

Vasto Lorde weren't dime a dozen but there should be still quite a bit of them. Aizen could really bring even more power to his army and cause serious damage if he was allowed to grow for twenty or so more years.

Sadly for him, this was what would have happened if Gojo didn't exist.

Another thing that caught his attention was the 'Zanpakuto' of those Arrancars. The ressurecion was an interesting system. Though it was utterly useless to him. He could perhaps study it to give a greater control to the Visoreds.

What if he could help them seal the hollow power in their sword rather than their body. One of the reasons they were so unstable was because the hollow's power and the Shinigami's power in them were clashing continuously. If he could fuse them in the sword and create a mix between Shikai/Bankai/Ressurecion…

"And here he goes again."

Shinji chuckled when he saw Gojo fall deep in thoughts. He knew that this means that Gojo was going all out in studying the problem and he didn't wish to disturb him since from some of his mutterings, he knew that Gojo was working on something for them.

"What should we do now?"

He asked while looking at Yoruichi who simply shrugged,

"No hurry. Zaraki didn't kill the second one but he didn't bring him either. Though it doesn't matter since we have this one here."

"What if she feeds us false information?" Lisa proposed, causing Nel to furrow her brow.

"Please do not insult me further."

Nel already felt quite humiliated for having surrendered so fast but now this was pushing it.

"Well. As you can see. While it's somehow hilarious to think about, it seems like this hollow here has some kind of honor. I believe we can trust her words."

Yoruichi seemed pretty nonchalant for she knew that whatever the deal was with those hollows, all that mattered was that Aizen died.

Shinigami never really cared about the hierarchy of Hueco Mundo and as long as Hollows stayed where they belonged, everyone would be happy.

Furthermore, she knew very well that Gojo was about to undergo another startling transformation. She was present when he first unlocked his [Limitless] and she would damn well be present once again for any other new power-up.

Watching him break all common sense was one of the most interesting things in her opinion and she was sure he wouldn't disappoint her.

(AN: Nnoitra got destroyed hard. Oh well. The next few chapters will be dedicated for some exploring and Gojo power up. Once this is done, it will be the final arc against Aizen then I will see what to do about Yhwach.)

*Edit* This volume is near the end on P@treon. last fight finished now need to wrap it up.