The spirit particle fragments in Midoriko's palm scattered with the wind. She raised her eyes toward Tier Harribel, a gentle smile still on her lips.
But in Tier's eyes, that smile now looked as terrifying as an endless abyss.
"How is this possible…" Tier's knuckles turned white as she gripped the Imperial Shark Empress tightly.
Her Trident Mist Halberd…
Crushed barehanded by the opponent?
Even Barragan Luisenbarn, ranked second…
He wouldn't be able to do that so easily…
Using only physical strength?
Tier's expression grew grim.
But…
If it could be done with pure strength, why did she also create a barrier?
Was she just toying with her?
Tier's expression turned increasingly complicated.
On the other side—
The golden aura surrounding Midoriko surged, and the hem of her shrine maiden uniform fluttered without wind.
She slowly raised her right hand, a glowing green talisman condensing at her fingertips.
"Now, it's my turn."
The moment the talisman left her hand, Tier's pupils shrank. That seemingly weightless paper talisman tore through the air with a sharp whistling sound, evaporating every spirit particle in its path!
She instinctively raised the Imperial Shark Empress to block.
Boom!!!
When the talisman collided with the giant sword, Tier felt as though she had been struck by a meteorite.
Imperial Shark Empress let out a sorrowful wail, spiderweb-like cracks spreading across the blade.
The sheer impact launched her hundreds of meters away. She only managed to stop herself by pouring all her strength into stabilizing her spiritual pressure.
"...Ahem."
Tier dropped to one knee in mid-air, a line of blood trailing from the corner of her lips. She looked down at her beloved Zanpakutō—cracked down the middle.
Grimmjow, watching the battle from a distance, chuckled.
"The third seat's Zanpakutō... nearly shattered in one strike?"
Ulquiorra's dark green eyes flickered.
"That's no ordinary spell..."
He stared at Midoriko intently. There was a feeling he couldn't shake…
As if something terrible would happen if they got any closer.
What was going on?
Midoriko calmly looked at Tier and spoke softly,
"I told you earlier… my ability restrains you a little."
"Just a little"?
Tier stared at Imperial Shark Empress, which now looked like it had been corroded by acid. Her face twitched.
"Purification."
Midoriko continued, "That's my ability. Hmm… You could call it—"
"A special attack against soul bodies~"
With a sweet smile, she casually uttered words that sent chills down the spines of every Espada present.
"Wait…"
"Special attack against soul bodies?"
Grimmjow was dumbfounded.
Soul bodies…
That was literally what they were!
She was their natural enemy!
But...
You call that "just a little"?!
Grimmjow stared at her in disbelief and unconsciously mimicked her earlier cosmic fingertip gesture.
A special attack against soul bodies.
Tier stood stunned.
So that was it...
She looked at Imperial Shark Empress, realization flashing in her eyes.
"That's why…"
Zanpakutō…
Also have souls.
"I'm sorry, Imperial Shark Empress."
Tier's expression softened with regret.
"But..."
"The fight isn't over. It's not time for you to rest yet…"
Saying that, she looked up again, eyes fixed on Midoriko, filled with unshakable determination.
Seeing this, Midoriko understood—this wasn't enough to make Tier surrender.
So...
"Night Parade of One Hundred Demons."
As Midoriko whispered the name, countless pale ghostly hands erupted from her talisman array. These hands, infused with purification, lunged toward Tier like blood-scented sharks.
"Damn it!"
Tier's pupils shrank. Ignoring her injuries, she flung herself backward.
But the ghost hands were faster. In the blink of an eye, they were already three meters behind her.
One hand brushed against her cloak. The moment it did, the fabric was instantly reduced to ash by the purifying power.
In that critical moment, determination flashed in Tier's eyes.
She suddenly turned around and plunged Imperial Shark Empress into the seawater released by Ingvild Leviathan, shouting,
"Broken Waterfall!"
Boom boom boom—!
The water spirits within the sea were forcibly drawn out, forming dozens of high-pressure water columns that shot into the sky.
The columns exploded within the swarm of ghost hands, finally stalling their advance.
Seeing this—
Tier let out a deep breath of relief.
She didn't even want to imagine what would've happened had those hands touched her.
But…
Now wasn't the time to relax!
This purification ability…
Was a nightmare.
Even more troublesome than Barragan Luisenbarn's aging.
No!
Not just for Hollows. Even for—
Soul Reapers.
After all…
They too were soul bodies.
What would Aizen do if he were faced with this?
Wait—
Now's not the time to think about Aizen!
Tier came back to her senses. Using the lingering momentum of the waterfall, she gripped Imperial Shark Empress with both hands. A cold gleam flashed in her eyes.
"War Shizuku!"
The moment she shouted.
The blade of her massive sword, shaped like shark gills, steamed with mist, and high-pressure water blasts were fired like cannonballs!
The torrents tore through the Broken Waterfall and shot straight toward Midoriko at terrifying speed!
But Midoriko remained calm. She waved her hand, casting a few talismans forward.
Crash—
A soft splash echoed.
The moment the water made contact with the talismans, it lost all its force and dissolved in midair.
"Tch."
Tier clicked her tongue.
"This little trick really can't do anything to you..."
"If that's all you've got, our bet will end early~"
Midoriko said leisurely.
And she meant it.
Although their magic power wasn't far apart—Tier was nearly at the top among Espada in terms of raw demon power—
But...
She was born with the ability to suppress soul bodies.
Like a cat facing a mouse.
Hollows, Soul Reapers—they were all natural prey.
Maybe this was also...
Why Lynn sent her to lead the team?
And...
She wasn't the only one suited to deal with soul bodies.
Thinking of that, Midoriko glanced toward Miko.
Seeing that she had also found a subordinate officer to grind levels with, Midoriko turned her attention back to the battle.
On the other side.
Tier clutched Imperial Shark Empress tightly. After a long silence, she finally said in a complicated tone, "Seriously…"
"I've been underestimated."
(To be continued.)