Chapter 114: Harry's group arrives in fake Karakura
The Garganta yawned open, and the group emerged into the chaotic nightmare that was the battlefield of the fake Karakura Town. Below them, screams and explosions punctuated the air, mingling with the sickening scent of blood and burning flesh. The replica town lay in ruins; its shattered streets soaked with the lifeblood of Shinigami and Arrancar alike.
Harry Potter, standing at the forefront, created a steady platform of glowing Reishi, its blue light eerily serene against the carnage below. He stepped forward, his beautiful, nebula-like eyes hard and unyielding, as he took in the spectacle of war.
Behind him, Ichigo and the others hesitated. Rukia gasped, clutching her chest as her spiritual awareness took in the overwhelming suffering. Renji's hand tightened on Zabimaru, his knuckles white as he tried to process the horrifying scene.
"Oh my god…" Rukia whispered, her voice trembling.
"What the hell…?" Renji muttered, his voice thick with disbelief.
Harry didn't flinch. "Welcome to war," he said coldly, his voice cutting through the group's shock like a blade. "This is the price of facing Aizen. You're either prepared to walk through this hell, or you might as well turn back now."
Ichigo clenched his fists, his jaw tight. "We're not turning back. Let's go."
Harry smirked. "That's the spirit." Without waiting for the others, he stepped off the platform and descended into the chaos below.
As they landed amidst the wreckage, a scene of unimaginable brutality unfolded around them. A Shinigami lay sprawled on the ground, his body cleaved in half, entrails spilling across the street. Nearby, an Arrancar staggered with his mask shattered, his face a grotesque ruin of blood and bone before a sword plunged into his chest, ending his suffering.
Harribel's Fracción—Apache, Mila Rose, and Sung-Sun—fought desperately against Rangiku, Hinamori, and other Lieutenants. Mila Rose's arm had been torn from her body, blood spraying as she roared in fury. Apache lay crumpled, motionless, her blood pooling beneath her.
Further ahead, Shunsui Kyoraku, his haori torn and bloodstained, dodged the relentless assault of Coyote Starrk's wolves, each explosion shaking the ground. His usual calm demeanor was gone, replaced by the cold efficiency of a man fighting to survive.
To the right, Kenpachi Zaraki towered over the broken body of Nnoitra Gilga, his laughter echoing even as blood dripped from a gaping wound in his shoulder. "Still not dead? Good!" Kenpachi bellowed, raising his sword for another strike.
At the heart of the battlefield, Aizen stood untouched, a god among mortals. His Kyoka Suigetsu had reduced his opponents to disarray. Hitsugaya lay unconscious, blood matting his silver hair. Komamura's massive body had been thrown across the plaza, his mask shattered. Shinji Hirako, blood pouring from a deep gash in his side, staggered but refused to fall.
"You are all so predictable," Aizen said with a serene smile.
Harry's arrival on the battlefield was a thunderclap of Reishi. His presence drew eyes, his glowing blue aura cutting through the despair like a beacon. He raised his hand, and a surge of energy erupted from his palm, obliterating a group of low-ranking Arrancar in an instant.
"Move!" Harry commanded, his voice laced with authority.
The group surged forward, engaging in battles that unfolded like a symphony of violence:
Rukia faced a hulking Arrancar, her precision strikes carving away at his defenses.Renji's Bankai, Zabimaru, coiled like a serpent, smashing through walls and Arrancar alike.Unohana, her calm demeanor hiding the fury of her blade, dispatched enemies with surgical precision.
The Gotei 13 Captains rallied against Aizen:
Yamamoto Genryusai unleashed his Shikai, the heat of the flames scorching the battlefield. Yet, Aizen's modified pawn, Wonderweiss, sealed his flames, leaving Yamamoto vulnerable. Aizen's counterattack left the Captain-Commander wounded and defeated.
Hitsugaya, Komamura, and Shinji fought valiantly, but Aizen's perfect hypnosis rendered their efforts futile. Shinji's Sakanade tried to invert Aizen's perception, but Aizen saw through it effortlessly, cutting Shinji down.
Ichigo's allies—Urahara, Yoruichi, and Isshin—attacked in tandem, forcing Aizen to reveal his Hogyoku-enhanced form. Even their combined might failed to overcome his monstrous evolution.
As the tide turned further in Aizen's favor, the air shifted. A crushing spiritual pressure descended, silencing the battlefield.
Harry and Ichigo appeared at the edge of the plaza.
Ichigo, already his Zangetsu drawn in Shikai, exuded raw determination, his orange hair glowing in the faint light of battle.
Harry, however, was the true spectacle. His Reishi aura burned brighter, flickering like flames. His expression was cold, his emerald eyes glowing with unnatural light.
"So, you're the one causing all this trouble," Harry said, his voice calm but laced with menace.
Aizen turned, his smile widening. "Ah, the wild card. And Kurosaki. You've arrived sooner than I expected."
Ichigo pointed Zangetsu at Aizen. "We're here to end this."
Harry's smirk was predatory. "Let's see if that Hogyoku of yours can save you now."
Together, they stepped forward, their combined spiritual pressure shaking the earth. Aizen's smile faltered for the first time.
The final battle had begun.