Unchained
The Hollow army surged forward like a black wave, their howls tearing through the air. Sand exploded beneath their charging feet, and in an instant, the battle began.
Renji roared as he swung Zabimaru, the segmented blade whipping through the first line of creatures, shattering their masks in a single powerful sweep. Ichigo didn’t hesitate either, vanishing in a blur of Shunpo before reappearing above the horde. With a single swing of his massive Zanpakutō, a crescent of black energy tore through the battlefield, erasing entire rows of Hollows.
Harry had no time to marvel.
A monstrous Hollow lunged at him, its gaping maw ready to snap him in two. He moved on instinct, spinning his scythe as the chain snapped outward. The blade curved through the air, slicing cleanly through the creature’s mask. It collapsed into dust before it even hit the ground.
But more came.
Dozens of glowing eyes surrounded him, each masked beast clawing its way forward. Harry exhaled slowly, gripping his weapon.
This was it. A real fight.
The first Hollow swiped at him, but he sidestepped smoothly, his body lighter than ever. He swung his scythe low, using the chain to pull himself forward, gliding effortlessly through the battlefield. The next strike came from his blind spot—he didn’t even look as the chain reacted on its own, wrapping around the creature’s arm and yanking it forward into his blade.
It died instantly.
Another came at him. He spun, his scythe twirling as if it had a mind of its own. The chain lashed outward, extending impossibly far, slicing through three masks in a single movement.
Harry wasn’t thinking anymore.
He was flowing.
Every step, every motion—his Zanpakutō responded without hesitation, as if the chains that once bound his power had finally loosened.
Another Hollow lunged—Harry leapt high into the air, swinging his scythe downward with a devastating force. The impact cracked the ground beneath him, sending shockwaves through the battlefield. The surrounding Hollows hesitated.
He didn’t give them time to recover.
His chain snapped out in all directions, moving like a living extension of himself. It wrapped around multiple enemies at once—and then tightened.
With a single, effortless pull, he tore through them all.
Ichigo and Renji, mid-battle, paused to look.
Ichigo’s eyes widened slightly. Whoa.
Renji let out a low whistle. “Looks like someone’s finally letting loose.”
Harry didn’t hear them.
For the first time, he wasn’t struggling against his power.
For the first time, he was free.
But then—
A pulse of dark energy rippled through the battlefield.
The sand quaked. The Hollows froze mid-charge, shuddering violently before their bodies erupted into black mist, as if something had sucked the life from them.
Harry turned sharply—
Riddle stood untouched in the chaos, his hand raised. The golden glow in his eyes burned brighter, and the very air twisted around him.
“Impressive,” he mused, watching Harry carefully. “You are finally awakening.”
Harry clenched his jaw. The battle wasn’t over yet.
It was just beginning.