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Boom! Crack!

Several explosions rang out inside the huge palace.

Currently Ichigo and company were engaged in combat with several Arrancars.

"Kurosaki Ichigo, is that all you've got?!"

A man with blue hair and looked partially like a jaguar yelled excitedly at Ichigo. He slashed with his fingers that looked like claws.

Arcs of spiritual energy tore through the air with incredible speed.

Ichigo flickered and dodged. The blue haired man followed Ichigo and clawed at him.

"Getsuga Tensho!"

Seeing his opponent not letting up, Ichigo retaliated.

The blue spiritual energy and the blackish red spiritual energy clashed. Small explosions rang out as the two spiritual energies tried to destroy the other.

"Ha!"

The blue haired man grinned. He disappeared from sight and flashed infront of Ichigo. The latter raised his sword almost immediately and slashed down.

Clang!

The blue haired man's claws struck Ichigo's sword, making him take two steps back in retreat.

Ichigo frowned at his opponent who looked a bit crazy. He sensed the situation of his friends and found it not optimal.

Uryuu and Rukia were confronting an Arrancar alone, for the moment they were containing their opponents without being on the back foot.

The troubling thing was Chad and Orihime, their opponent had forced them to be on the defensive.

"You got time to look away?!"

Puff!

A wound appeared on Ichigo's c.h.e.s.t.

Dammit!

Ichigo cursed. He retreated to a safe distance and turned serious.

"I'll finish this quickly."

As he said he covered his face with his palm.

The blue haired man was about to attack when he sensed the rising spiritual energy of his opponent. He paused in his tracks and looked seriously at Ichigo.

Spiritual energy condensed above Ichigo's face. It fluctuated for a few seconds before turning solid.

When Ichigo took back his palm a bone mask had appeared on his face. There was a red mark on the mask.

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