Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami-Chapter 311 ⥤ A Heart That Was Treated Well by the World

Hueco Mundo, Unknown Territory.

Desolation intertwined with vitality — emerald green meshed with pale white. Under the crescent moon, several figures traversed this eerie territory.

The fusion of Hell with the Sangai had transformed Hueco Mundo, Soul Society, and the World of the Living. New territories emerged where realms merged together, creating landscapes marked with distinctive zebra-like patterns.

Yet these changes to the landscape were secondary. More crucial was how Hell's phosphorus energy had merged with the Sangai's Reishi, accelerating the world's cycle and spawning unique entities.

The Hollows, for instance, had evolved — their signature holes separated from their bodies. Free from their former limitations, they gained tremendous power and heightened intelligence.

However, this enhancement came at a price.

The phosphorus energy amplified their negative emotions, turning them into savage monsters that slaughtered indiscriminately.

This transformation affected others too. In the Rukongai, souls with Shinigami potential underwent similar changes, their personalities and powers warping like the Hollows.

The same fate befell the Fullbringers in the World of the Living.

The Togabito, too, now roamed these territories. These dead souls harbored deep hatred for the living, driven by an instinct to torture and kill.

In response, Shinigami, Arrancars, and Quincy formed an alliance to patrol the Sangai and eliminate these threats.

Now, under the crescent moon, a hunting squad moved with purpose. Led by 10th Division Captain Isshin Shiba, this mixed group of Shinigami, Quincy, and Arrancars tracked a phosphorus-enhanced Vasto Lorde.

Despite his training in the Genryū Style, even Isshin remained cautious against such a formidable opponent.

"Captain, we've detected the Vasto Lorde's Reishi traces ahead." Reported a Shinigami, studying a detector that resembled a Dragon Ball radar, "Two o'clock direction, three spirit miles away."

Isshin nodded, "Watch for anomalies along the way. Move out!"

Everyone responded in unison and set out on their pursuit.

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Under the crescent moon, an eerie figure stood on the desolate silver sand, its howl piercing the sky. Sound waves rippled outward from its center in all directions.

Not far away, several figures in white uniforms trembled, terror growing in their hearts.

How could they have encountered such a terrifying monster here?

They had merely come to explore and document the area. Hadn't all the Hell-Hollows in this region been eliminated?

The group stood paralyzed, too frightened to fight.

Yet one stood apart from the rest — a young woman with short, side-parted orange hair. Her expression remained determined as she held her Heilig Bogen, branch-like patterns glowing on her fair arms as she readied for battle.

Though the situation was unclear, she knew fighting was their only chance for survival. She studied the Hell-Hollow intently, searching for any weakness.

Its body was pure white, crowned with a grotesque mask of absolute black. Waist-length black hair cascaded down its back, stark against its pale form. Behind its head, a massive Hollow hole formed a perfect ring.

{T/N: I believe it's like White, but with inverted colors and now absurdly stronger. It seems an even more overpowered Ichigo will be born with Hell powers.}

Its golden eyes struck primal terror into any who gazed upon them — the eyes of an apex predator sizing up its prey.

The young woman forced down her fear and gripped her Heilig Bogen tighter as azure Reishi condensed around her, swirling points of light dancing through the air.

She needed only to buy time until reinforcements arrived — Shinigami or Arrancars who could save them.

"Send out a distress signal." The young woman commanded, "Those who still have courage, join me in releasing Sanctuary Veneration."

Inspired by her determined gaze, the remaining Quincy mustered their strength and released their Reiatsu. Several quickly drew their Sangai Communication Devices to send distress calls.

In that moment, the young woman's pupils contracted. She instinctively raised her Heilig Bogen, gathering power until the Heilig Pfeil erupted forth!

The azure beam pierced through the air with a sharp cry, splitting the atmosphere. Its power matched that of a lieutenant-class warrior.

The others' faces lit up with wild joy. They had thought themselves doomed, yet here was an ally of such strength!

Now survival seemed possible!

But in the next instant, the Hell-Hollow casually swatted the Heilig Pfeil aside. A white blur materialized before them, chalk-white teeth parting in a cruel smile.

Its slender arm shot out, seized one Quincy's head, and crushed it before their eyes. Blood sprayed, filling the air with its thick scent.

Terror gripped their hearts. The creature's brutality froze them in place, their eyes wide with despair. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

Only the young woman acted, immediately raising her Heilig Bogen once more. The blood patterns on her forearm pulsed with light.

Along the invisible bowstring, Heilig Pfeil blossomed!

Her gaze burned with determination as she spoke:

"Feel the wrath of battle and accept this sacred chalice!"

⤫ Heizen ⥤ Sacred Bite! ⤬

⤫ Hakumen Kudashi ⥤ Fair Face Purge! ⤬

The Heilig Pfeil split fourfold mid-flight, surrounding the Hell-Hollow at close range. A brilliant golden pillar of light erupted, engulfing the creature.

Yet when the dust cleared, crimson light rose from within. The white figure emerged slowly, its ferocious eyes gleaming with mockery at her audacity.

This was a Vasto Lorde fused with Hell's phosphorus energy — it had transcended its soul's limitations, surpassing even ordinary Vasto Lorde Arrancars.

Just a mere Quincy.

The Hell-Hollow raised its right hand, fingers splayed. Massive Reiatsu gathered, crystallizing into saw-toothed light. Its pressure warped the very space around it.

The young woman drew several deep breaths, forcing down her fear. She raised her Heilig Bogen once more, gathering Reishi with fierce efficiency. The blood patterns blazed with brilliant light.

Huge Quincy crosses materialized around her body like tombstones on the desolate silver sand. The other Quincy, driven by their fear of death, finally united to form a defensive and offensive formation.

⤫ Kirchenlied: Sankt Zwinger ⥤ Holy Chant: Sanctuary Veneration! ⤬

At this sight, the young woman's confidence grew. Reishi gathered as wings of light spread behind her back, and a halo manifested above her head.

Pure white light bloomed, making her appear like a holy angel.

In one swift motion, the Heilig Pfeil left her bowstring, unleashing an earth-shattering explosion while the Quincy crosses of the Sankt Zwinger erupted, sending pillars of light skyward.

Yet in that same instant, a pillar of Cero tore through the air with overwhelming force, obliterating everything in its path. Both the Sankt Zwinger and Heilig Pfeil dissolved into mere Reishi particles.

The reversal happened so swiftly that none of the Quincy could react. The power gap between them was simply too vast to overcome.

The partially deflected Cero hurtled straight toward the young woman, death rushing to meet her.

As the beam of light filled her vision, she felt not fear but only a slight regret for life unfulfilled.

Just as the blast was about to consume her, a thunderous roar split the heavens:

⤫ Getsuga Tenshō ⥤ Moon Fang Heaven-Piercer! ⤬

A crimson crescent blade wave sliced through the sky before her astonished eyes, cleaving the remaining Cero beam in two.

A figure descended from above, landing in her line of sight. His white Captain's haori billowed in the wind, wreathed in blazing Reiatsu. His sturdy silhouette stood mountain-like, radiating an aura of absolute security.

"Hey there, young lady, you did well." Isshin said without turning, giving a thumbs up behind him, "You can rest easy now. Leave the rest of this fight to me!"

Before she could respond, Isshin raised his burning Zanpakutō and charged at the Hell-Hollow.

The Hell-Hollow dismissed this new Shinigami threat, lazily raising its arm blade for a casual strike.

But when their blades met, metal screamed against metal beneath the crescent moon as terrifying power erupted. The Hell-Hollow, caught defenseless, went flying backward and crashed into a mountain, sending dust clouds billowing skyward.

The young woman gaped at the display, whispering, "So... so strong..."

Standing in the sky, Isshin's expression remained grave as he furrowed his brows.

He studied his Engetsu, then turned his gaze toward the dust-shrouded mountain.

The Hell-Hollow's strength exceeded Isshin's expectations. Despite his special training and Captain Kisaragi's repeated praise, his initial strike hadn't finished the opponent as planned.

His attack had no effect — like striking indestructible steel.

As he prepared for a serious battle, white streams of light erupted from the mountain, and a pillar of Reiatsu shot skyward.

The Hell-Hollow revealed its true power. Dense black phosphorus energy wreathed its body, its ferocious mask now grotesquely demonic.

"This must be the second stage Captain Kisaragi mentioned." Isshin's expression hardened as he gripped his blade, slashing his left palm across it.

Blood seeped from the wound, staining the blade crimson. The crimson flames transformed instantly, turning pure black as terrifying heat radiated outward.

The Hell-Hollow released an ear-splitting roar, becoming white lightning within black mist as it charged at Isshin, determined to end this quickly.

This Shinigami's aura was too dangerous!

Their collision triggered a massive explosion that erupted skyward, sending shockwaves across the battlefield. Heavy Reiatsu consumed everything around them.

Like mindless beasts, they clashed repeatedly, each willing to suffer injury just to tear into their opponent.

As they fought, the Hell-Hollow sensed something was wrong.

He was supposed to be the one who had lost all reason, yet his opponent's fighting style was even more savage than his.

Just whose subordinate was this?!

Isshin's crimson eyes blazed as he fought. His Shihakushō hung in tatters, revealing his scarred body, and blood stained his torn haori. Though battered, his fighting spirit soared, battle intent reaching its peak.

⤫ Getsuga Tenshō ⥤ Moon Fang Heaven-Piercer! ⤬

Face-to-face with the grotesque monster, Isshin unleashed a point-blank Getsuga wave without hesitation. The savage attack poured into the Hell-Hollow's body like a Cero.

"Guh..."

The Hell-Hollow's body suddenly stiffened, its pure white shell beginning to show crimson cracks.

Seizing this opportunity, Isshin swung Engetsu with fierce precision, plunging it straight into the creature's body. Intense heat erupted inside, ravaging its internal organs.

"It's over."

Despite the burning blade impaled in its body and its rapidly declining Reiatsu, the Hell-Hollow showed no fear. Instead, it opened its mouth in an unsettling smile.

"Guh..."

Guttural sounds emerged from its tooth-filled maw, as if struggling to communicate.

Brilliant light suddenly burst forth from the cracks in its pure white shell, accompanied by sharp crackling sounds.

Isshin's expression shifted to alarm as he instinctively moved to flash step away. But he was too slow — a terrifying explosion engulfed him, sending white flames shooting skyward.

Violent winds tore across the landscape as the ground split open. Flames materialized, radiating heat like the surface of the sun.

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When Isshin regained consciousness, he opened his eyes to find a beautiful, gentle face looking down at him with concern.

Seeing him awake, the young woman let out a relieved sigh.

"I'm glad you're okay. That was terrifying earlier."

Now that the danger had passed, she spoke freely, explaining her presence while asking for Isshin's name.

"I'm Isshin Shiba, Captain of the Tenth Division of the Gotei 13 in the Soul Society." He patted his bandage-wrapped chest, impressed by her healing abilities, "By the way, you haven't introduced yourself yet."

The young woman's lips curved into a smile as radiant as sunshine, and she replied with quiet dignity:

"My name is... Masaki Kurosaki!"

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