Suddenly, the dim Forest of Menos was illuminated by the flash of a blade.

Under Shimo's rising pressure, a crescent moon manifested—its cold, pale light cast haunting shadows across Nnoitra's face, revealing both the unease in his eyes… and the thrill buried deep within them.

BOOM—!

An explosion of spiritual pressure erupted from their battlefield, moonlight-infused spiritual pressure radiating outward like a shockwave.

Even though the impact had been weakened multiple times as it spread, it still covered several kilometers.

Countless Gillians were annihilated by the aftermath alone. Towering quartz trees shattered like glass, collapsing one after another and kicking up clouds of dust.

"Get away from here—now!"

Ikkaku finally realized the real danger wasn't the hordes of Hollows surrounding them.

It was that monster standing in front of them.

"This kind of power... it's already comparable to Captain Zaraki, isn't it?"

Yumichika Ayasegawa, guarding Ikkaku's flank, struggled to shield them from the waves of force.

"The gap between us is… tremendous."

Ikkaku's expression darkened. "It's hard to say exactly."

"But if Captain Zaraki ever finds out there's a Shinigami this powerful in the Gotei 13…"

"He'd challenge him immediately."

Yumichika blinked. "What do you mean?"

Despite everything, Ikkaku was still reliable when it mattered.

"I mean if we don't want the Eleventh Division's wages cut again…"

"It's probably best if we don't tell the Captain about Shimo's strength."

He sighed helplessly as he said this.

"What terrifying swordsmanship…"

Through the dust, a figure staggered out.

"…Didn't think your power would be this overwhelming…"

Cough!

Nnoitra doubled over, mouth dripping with blood.

When he finally emerged fully from the smoke, everyone could see the damage.

A massive wound ran from his right shoulder down to his left waist, as if cleaved entirely in two. Even his internal organs could be faintly seen shifting within, blood still pouring from the gash.

"A single strike… actually…"

Ikkaku was struck speechless by the sheer devastation.

"He must be at least captain-class…"

Yumichika's expression grew serious.

"A terrifying Shinigami…"

Even Dondechakka and Pesche, usually comic relief, were now deadly silent.

Shimo's power had completely surpassed anything they had imagined.

"Even before Nel-sama lost her memories, I don't think she was ever this strong…"

Their eyes all turned to Nel.

She stood there, worriedly watching Shimo from afar.

"Please… win, Shimo!"

Her trembling voice betrayed the lingering fear in her heart.

"…Is that it?"

Shimo held his Zanpakutō in one hand, gazing at the barely standing Nnoitra.

"…I overestimated you."

That look of contempt cut deeper than any blade.

"You think I'd lose to you?!"

"To a fucking Shinigami?!"

Nnoitra roared, raising his giant scythe.

The crescent blade flared with golden spiritual pressure.

Dust and sand began to swirl without wind, spiraling madly around him.

"Pray... Santa Teresa!!"

The golden aura engulfed his body, while the flying sand completely obscured him from view.

"Your death is certain now, damn Shinigami!"

Nnoitra's voice rang out arrogantly once more.

This was his Resurrección—his release.

For the first time, he revealed it to a Shinigami.

A twisted horn pierced through his skull. Yellow, crisscrossing markings appeared across his face, and his Hollow hole became surrounded by mask-like bone ridges resembling fangs.

His spiritual pressure now was far more oppressive than before.

He now had four arms, each wielding a double-bladed scythe shaped like crescent moons.

The golden aura around him pulsed violently. Weaker Hollows and even ordinary Shinigami couldn't approach him now.

Sonído!

He moved first again—vanishing in a blur.

In the next moment, he reappeared in front of Shimo.

Raising all four scythes high, they crackled with golden energy, poised to shred everything in sight.

CLANG—!

The piercing clash of metal echoed across the battlefield.

Even Shinigami miles away could hear the impact.

"…So this is your full strength?"

Shimo's expression remained unchanged—but inside, he felt… kind of disappointed?

He had hoped Nnoitra would surprise him, but even in Resurrección…

"This is it?"

"Stop spouting nonsense!!"

Nnoitra howled in rage, all four arms slashing furiously.

His blades carved up stone and trees alike, the storm of destruction growing in scale.

It looked spectacular—but lacked substance.

"All you can do is block, cowardly Shinigami!"

Shimo sighed lightly and vanished with Shunpo, avoiding the next wave of attacks.

"What's wrong—afraid now, Shinigami?!"

Nnoitra sneered, thinking Shimo was finally losing ground.

But Shimo now held his Zanpakutō in a reverse grip, the tip angled toward the ground.

He looked at Nnoitra—not with fear, but with pity.

"…I moved only to finish this more cleanly."

"Cease All—Akatsuki."

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