Chapter 568 - 568 Declare! Gamuza!

"What's wrong? Hit by the absorbed Cero together with your own... yet I didn't die. Are you surprised?"

"Ah, that's right, I was careless earlier and forgot your unique secret technique Cero Doble. But... did you also forget something?"

"How many years do you think have passed since you left Las Noches...? Do you think the strength of the Espada now is the same as when you were here? Nelliel!" Nnoitra said with a mocking expression.

"Listen well, Nelliel! The number on your back means nothing anymore!!" Nnoitra shouted.

Hearing Nnoitra's words, Nel didn't argue with him. Instead, she said to Toshiro beside her: "Toshiro, Nnoitra is an opponent I must defeat. So, wait for me a little longer. After I defeat Nnoitra, I'll come back to help you deal with Aizen."

"Can you really do it alone?" Toshiro frowned.

"It's fine. Although Nnoitra's strength is indeed much greater than before, he is still no match for me." Nel said confidently.

"It's not about strength. What I mean is... Nel, although you have reverted to your 'adult form' now, it was unexpected. No one can guarantee when you might turn back into a child. So... don't be soft-hearted anymore. You must defeat Nnoitra as quickly as possible. Otherwise, if you turn back into a child during the fight, you could really die!" Toshiro warned seriously.

Hearing Toshiro's words, Nel also realized this problem, and nodded solemnly: "I understand, Toshiro!"

Having said that, Nel turned and walked towards Nnoitra again.

Whoosh!

As she walked, Nel suddenly flickered, instantly appearing before Nnoitra, thrusting her sword towards his head.

But just as she was about to strike Nnoitra, Nel's heart softened, and her Zanpakuto hesitated subconsciously. 'Nel, don't be soft-hearted anymore...'

Toshiro's warning echoed in her heart. Nel steeled herself, forcing herself to continue thrusting her sword at Nnoitra.

Whoosh!

Because of that momentary hesitation, Nnoitra had already reacted, dodging her attack.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Remembering Toshiro's warning, Nel forced herself to no longer hold back. Then her figure flickered continuously, unleashing a storm of sword slashes and flashes attacking Nnoitra from all directions.

Clang! Clang! Clang—!!!

Either Nnoitra had focused all his power on sensing Nel's movements, or his body had gradually grown accustomed to Nel's speed, so all the attacks were blocked by Nnoitra.

'At this rate, I won't be able to defeat Nnoitra quickly. And... if this drags on, I really might turn back into a child like Toshiro said.' Nel thought to herself.

Thinking this, Nel suddenly stopped her meaningless attacks.

"What's wrong, Nelliel? Finally realized that the current Espada are much stronger than when you were here?" Nnoitra asked.

"No, I just don't want to drag this fight out any longer. I want to defeat you immediately and then go help Toshiro." Nel retorted.

Having said that, Nel suddenly held her Zanpakuto horizontally in front of her, stroked the blade with her right hand, and then chanted softly: "Declare..."

"Damn!" Seeing Nel's action, Nnoitra instantly realized what she was about to do. He immediately rushed towards Nel, trying to stop her from releasing her Zanpakuto.

"...Gamuza!"

Boom!

An immensely powerful Reiatsu suddenly burst forth from Nel's body. The intense shockwave of Reiatsu even sent Nnoitra, who was charging at her, flying backwards.

Then the spreading dust cleared, revealing Nel who had transformed into a half-human, half-antelope creature, holding a double-ended lance, with a human upper body and an antelope lower body, resembling a centaur-like existence.

The double-ended horns originally attached to her skull mask had become segmented, long, curved horns. Her collarbone, shoulders, elbows, and both hands were covered in white armor, and her arms had long black sleeve gloves.

Nel said softly: "Lanza Verde!"

Whoosh!

Nel violently hurled her double-ended lance towards Nnoitra. The lance, carrying Nel's Reiatsu, spun at high speed as it flew towards Nnoitra.

"Ha!"

Nnoitra shouted, using all six of his arms to simultaneously swing his giant scythes, stacking them in front of himself.

Clang!

With a loud crash, the high-speed spinning lance instantly collided with the stacked scythes in front of Nnoitra, pushing his body back continuously.

Clang—!!!

Sparks flew everywhere. The high-speed spinning lance, like a drill, refused to stop until it shattered the scythes.

Crack!

The high-speed spinning lance shattered Nnoitra's scythe and instantly pierced his chest.

Boom!!!

The high-speed spinning lance pushed Nnoitra's body back continuously until it hit a massive boulder, finally stopping his movement.

Clop, clop, clop...

Nel moved her four hooves, walking up to Nnoitra. She saw that Nnoitra was gripping her lance tightly with his hands. So, although her lance had pierced his chest, it hadn't penetrated deeply enough to cause a fatal wound.

So Nel reached out and pulled out her lance, then looked at Nnoitra with a compassionate expression: "It's over, Nnoitra."

"Is that so?" Nnoitra glared at Nel with an unyielding expression.

Nel said: "Don't worry. Although Toshiro said not to be soft-hearted, I truly can't bring myself to be cruel. So I won't take your life... I'll just render you unable to fight..."

Nel was still the kind-hearted Nel after all. She wouldn't change her nature just because of Toshiro's words.

Moreover, if Nel could change so easily, becoming ruthless and decisive, she wouldn't be the Nel everyone loved.

Then Nel raised her lance high, preparing to strike Nnoitra.

Nnoitra, seeing this, also looked like he was waiting for the blow, making no move to defend.

Whoosh—

The lance fell towards Nnoitra.

Boom!

But before the lance could strike Nnoitra, Nel, who had transformed into her half-human, half-antelope form after her Resurrección, suddenly vanished, and a child-sized Nel fell from mid-air.

"Uh—"

"Uh—"

"Uh—!"

Seeing this astonishing sight, Nnoitra, who was waiting for the blow, and Rangiku and Ashido watching from afar, all had looks of shock on their faces.

Bang!

Nel's small body hit the sandy ground.

"Huh? What happened to Nel?" Nel got up and looked around blankly.

Tap, tap, tap...

Nnoitra stood up and walked over to Nel.

"Ahahaha... Looks like the one it's over for is you! Nelliel!!" Nnoitra laughed wildly.