The gathered Shinigami were left completely speechless.
Even though the Arrancar were openly mocking them, not a single one of them could find the words to argue back.
Because deep down, they knew the truth.
The enemy they were facing wasn't truly stronger than them. And yet, their Zanpakutō had been stolen, their Bankai stripped away, and they were forced down into the dirt. Their pride as Shinigami had been crushed.
If Nanaya hadn't appeared when he did, if he hadn't brought support with him, at least half of the Gotei 13 stationed in Seireitei would already be dead or seriously wounded.
Kyoraku Shunsui gave a bitter smile, his hat shadowing his eyes."Now's not the time to be trading insults. These Quincies aren't just our enemies… they're yours too."
Beside him, Ukitake Jūshirō gave a weary nod. His voice was calm, but heavy with conviction."The Quincy's power is too extreme. If they're allowed to win here, it won't just be Soul Society that falls. The balance of the three worlds will collapse."
At that, Grimmjow and the other Arrancar only snorted, their expressions cold and mocking. But for once, they didn't speak against the words of a Shinigami.
They understood this much—Shinigami cleansed Hollows and returned them into the cycle of souls. But Quincy destroyed Hollows completely, erasing them from existence.
If the Quincies were allowed to have their way, then the flow of souls between Soul Society, Hueco Mundo, and the living world would be shattered. And if that cycle broke, all three realms would eventually collapse.
Nanaya stretched his arms as if loosening his body, his eyes narrowing toward the horizon."I'll leave things here to you all. I've got to rescue my brother-in-law… and while I'm at it, I'll track down where that man is hiding."
Ulquiorra gave a short, indifferent nod. His pale hand rested on the hilt of his blade as he stepped forward."Understood, Master Nanaya. We'll handle things here."
Grimmjow shoved his hands into his pockets and glared across at the Quincies with predatory contempt."Oi, Quincy. From here on, you're mine."
Nelliel, already transformed into her regal warrior form, spoke with calm authority, her gaze steady."Go, Nanaya. Don't concern yourself with this battle. We'll handle it. There won't be a problem."
Nanaya gave a satisfied nod, his figure relaxing for a brief moment. Then, with a single flash step, he vanished from the battlefield.
The instant his presence was gone, Captain Komamura Sajin stepped closer to the looming figure of the Black Rope Heavenly Punishment King and addressed the Arrancar who had just emerged. His deep voice rumbled like thunder."You'll need to be careful. These enemies aren't weak. And more importantly… they have the ability to steal our Bankai."
The Arrancar, however, didn't flinch. None of them looked shaken in the slightest.
Ulquiorra, cold and detached as ever, stepped forward. His emerald eyes locked onto Äs Nödt, the Quincy standing across from him.
His reiatsu flared, a crushing wave of pressure that spread across the battlefield like suffocating mist. His voice was calm, but sharp as a blade."You claim your 'Star Seal' can strip away the Bankai of a Shinigami… but tell me—can it take our Resurrección?"
He raised his blade with one hand, his expression never changing."Enclose… Murciélago."
The instant the command left his lips, a storm of emerald spiritual energy burst forth. The air itself seemed to tremble beneath the weight of his power.
Darkness spread across the battlefield. Black wings unfurled, vast and ominous, casting a shadow that blotted out the light. His pale nails sharpened into black claws, his hair lengthened, and the dark tear-marks on his face grew deeper, stretching down his cheeks. The simple blade in his hand dissolved into a long, green spear.
The Shinigami and Quincies alike froze at the sight. The oppressive weight of Ulquiorra's reiatsu crushed down on everyone present, stealing the air from their lungs.
Across the field, the faces of the Quincy turned grim. Even holding the Star Seal talismans, none of them dared make a move.
Because unlike the Shinigami, whose Bankai could be targeted and sealed away, the Arrancar's Resurrección was different. It wasn't a weapon that could be stolen. It was a transformation of their very flesh, their very soul.
It couldn't be stripped away. It couldn't be taken. Not even Aizen Sōsuke had found a method to interfere with it.
Äs Nödt narrowed his eyes, his voice low and sharp."So this is the Hollow's transformation…? For you Arrancar, there's no need to steal anything. You're already nothing more than lambs prepared for slaughter."
Ulquiorra's reply was immediate, and chilling."Is that so?"
His grip tightened around the green spear as he raised it, his expression as unreadable as ever."Then… what will you do against this power?"
His voice rose, clear and commanding across the battlefield."Segunda Etapa."
A surge of energy exploded outward, even heavier and darker than before.
Grimmjow clicked his tongue, unable to hide the envy flashing in his eyes as he watched Ulquiorra's body transform once more. His voice dripped with jealousy, even as he tried to cover it with arrogance."Tch… Segunda Etapa, huh? Damn bastard. Nothing to brag about. I'll master it too someday…"
Back in Aizen's time, Grimmjow had been the Sexta Espada, while Ulquiorra held the rank of Cuarta. Their difference in power hadn't been massive then.
But now—after Ulquiorra alone had achieved the legendary second stage of Resurrección—the gulf between them had widened into an abyss.
If the Espada were still ranked today, Grimmjow would remain in his same spot. But Ulquiorra's level…
It was no longer something that could be measured by simple numbers. His presence alone made the battlefield tremble.
The sky dimmed, swallowed by the suffocating pressure of Hollow Reiatsu that spread like an endless storm.
Every Shinigami and Quincy present froze, their expressions tightening as their gazes locked on the figure hovering above them—Ulquiorra.
His upper body clothing had disintegrated, leaving his pale skin exposed. Black tears spilled like liquid from his eyes, splitting into twin streaks as the whites of his eyes turned a venomous green.
From his abdomen down, black feathers encased him like armor. The tattered remnants of his robe split into two dark banners fluttering beneath his waist. Vast, obsidian wings unfurled, their tips ending in hooked claws that blotted out the light. Behind him, a long tail lashed through the air, its tip ending in a blade-like bone. Even his Hollow hole widened grotesquely, dark markings spilling outward across his chest and stomach like veins of corruption.
He was no longer just Ulquiorra. He was something else—something demonic, as if Hell itself had birthed a sentinel. His emerald gaze swept across the battlefield with merciless indifference.
Kashiwamura Sajin's eyes widened, his voice rough with disbelief."Such Reiatsu… it's as heavy as the ocean itself!"
Kyoraku Shunsui exhaled slowly, a rare seriousness settling over his usually playful demeanor."This one… in my eyes, he's even more terrifying than Baraggan, the so-called King of Hueco Mundo."
Hitsugaya Tōshirō's jaw tightened, a flicker of relief crossing his face."Thankfully… this monster never came to the Human World with Aizen."
Sui-Feng's lips thinned as she nodded."He must have remained in Hueco Mundo… until Nanaya defeated him."
On the Quincy side, the tension was palpable. Bi-Je Nine, the mechanical warrior, spoke with grim astonishment."Hollows… mere slaughter-fodder, or so I believed. And yet… after a thousand years, one like this exists…"
Ace Nott's face hardened, his voice cutting coldly through the air."We can't take him alone. Signal the others—"
He never finished.
With a thunderous beat of his black wings, Ulquiorra vanished into motion. A streak of darkness tore across the battlefield, faster than human eyes could follow.
Ace Nott's pupils dilated, panic twisting across his features as he tried to invoke his Blut Vene. But speed failed him—Ulquiorra was already there.
The Segunda Etapa Espada descended like a reaper, one clawed hand closing over Ace Nott's head.
Then—
BOOM!!!
The ground erupted as Ulquiorra slammed him down. A crater tore open in the tiles of Seireitei, spirit particle-forged stone fracturing like glass. Dust and shockwaves rippled outward, rattling the battlefield as debris rained into the air.
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