Chapter 14: Strategic Assault
Link and the others sprinted through the endless darkness of the Garganta, Ulquiorra leading the way as they neared Aizen's stronghold. Aware of the stakes, Link grasped the gem Kurotsuchi had given him, the one that would pull him back to Soul Society, and switched it off. He wasn't about to risk being pulled away now.
Running beside him, Ichigo shot a questioning glance at Link, who responded with a determined nod. Whatever awaited them on the other side, they were going to see it through.
Link then turned to Ulquiorra, seeking the Espada's insight. "Ulquiorra, if we're splitting up, who should we target?"
Ulquiorra, barely breaking stride, assessed their group thoughtfully. "You and Kurosaki should engage Aizen directly. Together, you may keep him occupied long enough to prevent his escape. I'll handle Harribel, the Third Espada. She won't be expecting me to utilize Segunda Etapa." He paused, glancing over his shoulder at Orihime. "Inoue, you should focus on healing. Your abilities seem to defy logic, even for a healer. You'll be needed to keep everyone in fighting shape."
Orihime nodded, steeling herself for the task.
As Ulquiorra's eyes fell on Malon, he hesitated. She was an unknown factor, unfamiliar even to him, and her power as a newly emerged Arrancar seemed unpredictable. "Malon," he said, "I'm not certain where your skills will be best suited. But your instincts should guide you. If you find an enemy, eliminate them or support Inoue as she heals."
Malon's expression tightened, but she nodded resolutely, determination shining in her eyes. "I'll do what I can to support everyone."
The Garganta started to ripple, signaling they were nearing the exit.
"Stay vigilant," Ulquiorra warned as they slowed down, weapons at the ready. "We enter as allies, but expect no mercy on the other side."
Link gave a firm nod, glancing at the Master Sword gleaming at his side.
As the group erupted from the Garganta, the air shifted, charged with the raw power of combat. Ichigo wasted no time, immediately launching a powerful Getsuga Tensho in his Bankai form, the dark energy screaming through the air straight for Aizen. Without missing a beat, Ulquiorra, Malon, and Orihime split off to their targets—Ulquiorra dashed toward Harribel, who was locked in battle with Toshiro Hitsugaya, and Orihime sprinted to seek out anyone in need of healing, with Malon close on her heels.
Aizen deflected Ichigo's attack with a flick of his wrist, his calm demeanor barely disturbed. He turned to Ichigo, his gaze sharp and unnervingly composed. "Kurosaki, you still haven't learned, have you?" he said with a smirk. "Sending you after me is a wasted effort… if you truly intended to land a blow, you should have had Link attack first. He may be the only one here capable of causing me any real concern."
The words cut deep, and Ichigo grit his teeth in frustration. Link, however, was focused on assessing the battlefield, his eyes scanning for familiar figures. Among the chaos, he noticed Volvagia's fiery form lying defeated, with traces of ice and lightning marking its final moments. Bongo Bongo, the monstrous creature with disembodied hands, lay crumpled in a heap, taken down by a group of Soul Reapers working together. Despite these victories, the battlefield was far from clear—he couldn't spot the twin witch sisters or Ganondorf anywhere.
Tension coiled in Link's chest as he turned his attention back to Aizen, his hand steadying the Master Sword. He knew that if Ganondorf was hidden, he could be orchestrating something dangerous in the background. And with Aizen here, the stakes only grew higher.
Ichigo stepped back, momentarily catching Link's eye. "Guess it's up to you, Hero of Time. Aizen's calling for you personally," Ichigo said with a smirk, though there was no hiding the unease beneath his bravado.
Link nodded, his face set in determination. With a steady grip, he raised the Master Sword, the blade gleaming in the dim light. Aizen's gaze followed the motion, his smile deepening. "So… show me what the Hero of Time can do."
As Link stepped forward, ready to face Aizen, Gin's sly smile widened as he turned his attention to Ichigo. With a swift motion, he extended his zanpakutō, Shinso, straight toward Ichigo in its shikai form. Ichigo managed to block the strike, but the force sent him hurtling across the battlefield, disappearing from Link's line of sight. Gin glanced back at Aizen, his expression playful. "Looks like I've delivered our young friend right into Ganondorf's hands," he said, giving a mocking salute before disappearing in a flash step, his grin lingering in the air.
Aizen turned to Link, his demeanor as cold and calculating as ever. He calmly unsheathed his own zanpakutō, the blade gleaming with an unsettling brilliance. "Are you ready to face true despair, Hero of Time?" he asked, his voice both serene and menacing. Without waiting for an answer, he raised his sword and spoke the words, "Shatter, Kyoka Suigetsu."
The air around Aizen rippled, and for a moment, the battlefield blurred, distorting like the surface of water disturbed by a stone. Link blinked, but in that instant, everything had changed. He couldn't quite tell what was real and what was illusion, as Aizen's shikai plunged him into an all-encompassing trance.
--
Meanwhile, across the battlefield, Ichigo slammed hard into a crumbling stone wall, the force rattling his bones. Dazed, he looked up to see a towering figure standing before him—a dark-skinned man with blazing red hair and a sharp, intimidating gaze. Clad in ominous armor and wielding an enormous claymore, the figure could only be Ganondorf. A twisted smile crossed Ganondorf's face as he brought his massive blade down toward Ichigo, who barely managed to flash-step away, narrowly escaping the crushing impact. The sword crashed into the stone, shattering the structure and sending rubble flying in all directions.
"Your reflexes are impressive, boy," Ganondorf sneered, his voice deep and dripping with malice. "But that won't save you. I've been waiting for a true challenge, and I intend to savor it."
Ichigo, breathing heavily, steadied himself, glancing down at Zangetsu, his resolve hardening. He felt the weight of the battle pressing on him, but he refused to back down.
As Ichigo met Ganondorf's cold, mocking stare, he steeled himself and released his bankai, Tensa Zangetsu. His speed surged, and in an instant, he was a blur darting toward Ganondorf, his blade flashing as he struck in rapid succession. Each blow landed with precision and force, sending sparks flying and dust scattering across the battlefield. Ichigo finally skidded to a halt, breathing heavily, his eyes fixed on Ganondorf's form to assess the damage he'd done.
But to his surprise, Ganondorf stood unphased, rolling his shoulders as though he'd been hit with nothing more than a light breeze. A contemptuous grin spread across his face. "Is that all you have?" he sneered. "Or are you simply that weak?"
Ganondorf raised his hand, turning it so Ichigo could see the glowing Triforce symbol on the back. The ominous, golden light of the Triforce of Power radiated from his skin, casting an unsettling glow over the surrounding rubble. "With this," he explained, his voice full of malevolent pride, "only the Master Sword has any hope of harming me. Unless, by some miracle, you've earned the favor of a Goddess... like that blonde fool."
Ichigo gritted his teeth, frustration surging within him. He wasn't one to back down, but Ganondorf's sheer arrogance, coupled with his resilience, made him feel as though he was battling an immovable force.