At another battlefield.
Shrrrk—!
Ashido seized an opportunity and slashed Edrad across the shoulder.
However, Edrad's Hierro was too hard. After tearing through Edrad's defense, Ashido's Zanpakuto had exhausted its force, embedding only a centimeter into the skin before it could go no deeper.
Such a shallow wound clearly couldn't cause Edrad much harm... with an Arrancar's regeneration, it would heal completely very soon.
"Too bad, Shinigami. Your blade isn't sharp enough..." Edrad said, sounding almost pitying.
Thud!
With Ashido's Zanpakuto still embedded in his shoulder, Edrad took the chance to kick Ashido hard in the chest.
"Blaargh!"
Ashido spat out a mouthful of blood, his body flying backwards like a tattered doll. Given his circumstances, Ashido shouldn't have been this overwhelmed even with less Reiatsu.
He had spent centuries fighting in the Forest of Menos... almost no one could match his combat experience. So, even with less Reiatsu than Edrad, Ashido should have been able to use his vast experience to hold out much longer, not be suppressed from start to finish.
Just now, he had caught an opening in Edrad's defense and landed a slash on his shoulder. But as Edrad said, Ashido's blade wasn't sharp enough.
Arrancar's Hierro is very tough, and Edrad's Hierro, even among Arrancar, was exceptional, its defense even stronger than most.
With less Reiatsu and difficulty breaking the opponent's defense, no matter how rich Ashido's combat experience, it was useless.
Unless Ashido released his limit, channeling his powerful mid-Captain-class Reiatsu into his Zanpakuto, he might be able to fully break through Edrad's Hierro and kill him.
Unfortunately, Ashido hadn't released his limit from the start to finish Edrad off. Now, with his stamina nearly exhausted and severely injured, even releasing the limit might not allow him to defeat Edrad.
Now, blown away by Edrad, Ashido was too weak to continue fighting, his injured body falling towards the ground.
Long-sealed memories flashed through Ashido's mind like a pre-death montage.
'My name is Toshiro, Hitsugaya Toshiro, Third Seat of the...'
'Ashido, come with me...'
'Ashido, you are a true Shinigami...'
For some reason, Ashido remembered meeting Toshiro all those years ago, agreeing to return to Soul Society with him and join the 10th Division.
Once, Ashido had fought alone in the Forest of Menos for centuries, determined to continue fighting alone until his life ended.
Then Toshiro arrived and completely changed Ashido's mind. After returning to Soul Society with Toshiro, Ashido met friend after friend, gained one friendship after another, and lived the life he had longed for.
And all of this... was brought by Toshiro. So Ashido was very grateful to him. Moreover, Toshiro's diligent, responsible work attitude was somewhat similar to Ashido's own personality.
So Ashido's feelings towards Toshiro were complex: respect, gratitude, a sense of being kindred spirits, and a desire for Toshiro's acknowledgment. This was also why he kept 'competing' with Sojiro.
'Why did I agree to return to Soul Society with the Captain back then...'
'...Was it really because I was too lonely...'
'If I die like this... I'll be alone again...'
'...Alone... I won't see Captain, Sojiro, or the others again... I'll be lonely like before...'
'I really don't want to die after all... Captain...'
Just as Ashido was lost in his memories, a voice suddenly echoed in his heart.
'Ashido, if you don't want to die, then call out my name! My name is...'
Outside, seeing Ashido severely injured and falling towards the ground, Edrad didn't just stand there.
Using Sonído, he instantly appeared before the falling Ashido, ready to finish off this tenacious opponent.
"Sayonara, Shinigami!!"
Edrad roared, pouring all his power into his hands and swinging both fists towards Ashido's head.
Just then, a surge of powerful Reiatsu suddenly erupted from Ashido, and his eyes snapped open!
"What?! What's happening!?" Shocked, Edrad's movements halted.
"Sever, Raikiri!!" Ashido roared.
Whoosh!
As Edrad was distracted by Ashido's sudden change, a flash of deep blue light suddenly passed by. Edrad immediately felt the world spin around him.
"Huh? What's going on... Whose body is that half... Could it be...?"
Before Edrad could figure out what happened, he lost consciousness completely.
Thud!
Edrad's bisected body fell to the ground, the cut surface perfectly smooth, as if encountering no resistance. His prized Hierro seemed to have been useless.
"Ashido... you did it." Sojiro hurried over as the fight ended.
"Yeah... but he let his guard down... otherwise, it wouldn't have ended so simply..." Ashido glanced at Edrad's corpse on the ground.
…
"Getsuga… Tensho!!"
Ichigo sent a massive black energy wave flying towards Grimmjow.
Boom!
Perhaps unable to dodge, perhaps intentionally taking the hit, Grimmjow just crossed his arms in front of him and was struck head-on by Ichigo's Getsuga Tensho!
"Haah... haah..." Ichigo panted heavily, his eyes locked on Grimmjow within the explosion's smoke.
"What was... that? Ulquiorra's report didn't mention that move..."
As the smoke cleared, Grimmjow reappeared, a long gash running from his left shoulder to his right waist. But the wound wasn't deep, so it didn't affect his strength much.
"Hmph, Arrancar. How was that? Didn't disappoint you, did I?" Ichigo sneered.
"Hahaha... That move wasn't half bad, Shinigami! Now... you're finally worth killing with my own hands!"
Grimmjow laughed maniacally.
'Dammit... the wound's too shallow... He took a Getsuga Tensho head-on and only got that hurt... Just how strong is this guy...'
Watching Grimmjow laugh, Ichigo felt deep dread. What worried him most was that as the fight continued, the Hollow, White Ichigo inside him was starting to stir again.
"Hmm?" Grimmjow suddenly grunted in surprise, his expression turning extremely grave. "Tch, that worthless Shawlong only bought this much time?"
Grimmjow had sensed it: a vast, powerful Reiatsu, like a boundless ocean, rapidly approaching. Based on his intel, the owner of this Reiatsu was undoubtedly Toshiro!
"Hey, Shinigami..."
For the first time since engaging Ichigo, Grimmjow gripped the hilt of his Zanpakuto at his waist.
"I don't have time to play with you anymore. I'll finish you off now!!"
Shiing!
Grimmjow's Zanpakuto slowly left its sheath. The final showdown with Ichigo was about to erupt!