Ignoring the explosion behind him.
After retrieving his sword, Luca simply gave it a light flick, shaking off the few droplets of blood staining the blade.
Then, just as the remaining dozen or so Hollows roared and prepared to charge at him in the center, he reversed his grip and stabbed the tip of his sword into the ground beneath his feet once more.
Simultaneously, he softly incanted.
"Hadō #12: Fushibi!"
The next instant, with the point of his sword as the center...
The surrounding ground immediately lit up with a web of fiery red patterns.
All the surrounding giant Hollows were actually stuck fast by these red patterns that appeared out of nowhere.
This Kidō, which usually required careful, advanced preparation to accurately capture multiple enemies and construct a Reiryoku transmission net, was completed in an instant under Luca's "Trap Construction" ability.
And following the capture came...
"Hadō #54: Haien!"
In an instant, deep purple flames spread rapidly and precisely along the web created by Fushibi, engulfing all the giant Hollows present.
No explosion, only screams.
Within the dozen or so towering pillars of purple fire, miserably shrill shrieks echoed through the sky.
To ensure that the dispersed Kidō would still deal sufficient damage, Luca chose Hadō #54, pouring his full power into it.
This caused the screams of the giant Hollows to last only for a moment before stopping abruptly.
More than a dozen Hollows were twisted and burned to ashes under this single strike.
"Could it be... is this Luca's true strength..."
In the distance, Renji and the other three, who had witnessed Luca's entire sequence of actions, had now fallen completely silent.
As they swallowed hard, an inexplicable sense of security rose in their hearts.
Momo Hinamori, who had previously regretted risking her life to come back due to fear, now felt her wildly beating heart fill with even more admiration as she looked at him.
However...
Just when everyone, including Luca, thought the incident was over...
From behind the purple fire pillars that were about to dissipate as their fuel burned out, the sound of slow, careless clapping could be faintly heard.
Clap... clap... clap...
"Not bad~ I didn't expect a student with your strength to appear in the Shin'ō Academy."
"It seems these little guys really aren't your match~"
Between the crisp applause came words that sounded equally playful and cynical.
This immediately put Luca, who still harbored doubts, on high alert.
Aizen? No, that's not Aizen's voice!
Who would show up here at a time like this? Was this attack not planned by Aizen?!
Just as Luca nervously gripped his sword hilt, staring intently ahead...
The purple flames he created finally dissipated completely, turning into sparks.
However, the somewhat languid figure revealed after the flames vanished caused Luca's pupils to dilate in shock.
How could it be him!
The newcomer wore an ordinary black Shihakushō, with a Zanpakutō still in its sheath at his waist.
Under a head of smooth, long blonde hair, his face was completely hidden by a pale bone mask, leaving only eyes filled with mockery exposed.
Although the mask covered his face, Luca recognized his identity immediately through these features.
Shinji Hirako?!
No!
That Shihakushō! That long hair! And this location!
Dammit! Kyōka Suigetsu!!
After his previous suspicion was shattered, Luca instantly realized the truth, veins popping on his arms due to the terrifying guess that followed.
Although the figure's features, tone of voice, and even the style of the mask were identical to Shinji Hirako...
The attire was essentially Shinji's appearance from his time as the 5th Division Captain, minus the white haori jacket.
However, Luca clearly remembered that in the original story, after being framed by Aizen and fleeing Soul Society, Shinji during his Vizard period should have had short hair.
His clothing style should also be closer to modern human fashion.
Moreover, given the Vizards' personality and their current status as wanted fugitives by Soul Society...
Even if they were in the World of the Living, they absolutely wouldn't have the leisure to come and attack Academy students.
Clearly, no matter who was really behind the mask, this figure could only be a fabrication by Aizen using Kyōka Suigetsu to frame those unlucky scapegoats led by Shinji Hirako.
But...
When was I put under Kyōka Suigetsu?!!!
Yes, this was the reason Luca felt even more terrified after seeing through the fake Shinji's disguise.
Although Luca had secretly started preparing ways to break Kyōka Suigetsu's illusions...
Before those preparations were truly complete, he absolutely wouldn't have volunteered to watch Aizen demonstrate his Shikai.
Yet now, the fact was plainly laid out in front of him.
And right now wasn't the time to figure out the "how."
"Oh my~ looking at that expression, do you know me, little brother?"
Seeing Luca's expression turn increasingly ugly, the slowly approaching "Shinji Hirako" spoke again.
However, his posture and tone made the nervous Luca's mouth twitch slightly.
Damn, I know he's acting as Shinji, but isn't Aizen enjoying himself a little too much?
Regardless of whether there was actually someone under the Kyōka Suigetsu illusion or who it might be...
Since the one controlling the illusion had to be Aizen himself, his grasp of the character's essence was simply...
Spot on!
Of course, breaking the tension didn't stop Luca from answering cautiously. He didn't want Aizen behind the scenes to think he recognized the Hollowfied Shinji.
"Shihakushō! Zanpakutō! And that disgusting Reiatsu on that mask!"
"Are you a monster, a Hollow, or a Soul Reaper?!"
As he spoke, Luca tensed his muscles and pointed his Zanpakutō at "Shinji Hirako," fully committing to the acting battle.
Unfortunately, the opponent didn't seem interested in chatting anymore, his tone gradually turning cold.
"Want to know? Then find out for yourself!"
As the last word fell, "Shinji Hirako," having drawn his Zanpakutō, instantly erupted with an endless wave of Reiatsu.
The moment that terrifying Captain-level Reiatsu exploded, a series of thumps came from behind Luca.
Renji and the other three were pinned flat to the ground by the pressure, unable to move a muscle.
Even Luca himself had to raise his hand slightly to brace against the direct impact of the Reiatsu.
Shit, I really have to fight a Vizard Captain?!