From the very beginning I knew that it was futile'

The Espada…the ten swords of Barragan Luisenbarn. Was a title, reserved to only the most powerful arrancar within all of Las Noches.

For they represented the pinnacle of what a hollow could become and because of that. They were seen as idols who were worship, respected and feared by all. While also having the authority to subjugate and command all those ranked below them within the army of the god king.

But even with such power and privileges it was ultimately…fleeting.

For the title of an espada was never absolute. As there was always the chance that another hollow turn arrancar could take over the position of another espada by proving their superiority.

And in every generation that I have witness. Countless espada were demoted and eventuality stripped of their title. Due to them not able to keep up with their successors and having longed since reached the peak of their strength before stagnating.

Even Dordoni Alessandro who was once the third espada and a man I greatly admired…was too eventually enough cast aside and to add on to his humiliation he was given the rank of privion espada. A mock status to former espada who lost their authority, dignity and made to be seen as washouts who were no better than cannon folder.

And while I myself was able to maintain my position. I was still none the less demoted twice in my rank and I knew too well, That I would be soon be thrown out and made into a mockery just like Dordoni.

Which is why I sought out Robert Accontrone. One of the of the of the most skilled and experienced quinics in the holy kingdom. In hopes that by killing him and presenting his head to his majesty. I would be given a chance to restore my former rank…or at least maintain my position as an espada and avoid being cast out in shamed.

But in the end…for all my passion and ambition… it was not fated to be'

And I can only hope in my next life, in my next future…that I can find a worthy status once more'

The ninth espada hummed in thought. Before getting himself into praying stance to acknowledge his defeat, before his body faded away into dust. While Robert looked on sadly before be letting out a deep breath of relief and then disabled his holy form.

'So, in the end you decided to die with dignity Zommeri Raunex. Instead of cursing out your own failure like so many others before you...an honorable trait you have in spite all your arrogance' Robert commented his opponent with respect and then clicked on the headpiece in his left ear.

'Cang Du I have eliminated the 9th espada. Do you need assistance with the 6th?' Robert asked and then he revived a call.

'Not needed. Though you can help me finish him off if you want' Cang replied and Robert hummed in approval.

'I might just take you up on that offer, keep me posted on further updates' Elder Quincy ordered casually.

'Will do Captain' Cang replied back and then turn off head device. While Robert used his senses to scan out the rest of the fights in the city.

'Hmm it would seemed that over half the battles are already over' the Quincy thought as he continue to stretch out his senses. 'Aaroniero and Arruruerie have apparentlty retreated along with their hollow hoard and Ichigo and Sado are engaging the with the forth esapda Nnorita Gilia and appear to be evenly match'

Robert then hold his chine as he contemplated his decisions 'With Cang Du taking care of Wonderweiss. It would be the most obvious that I should aid ichigo and Sado…but then again the 6th espada might release his own sengunda etpa and place Chang's life in danger'

The veteran Quincy let out a tired breath. 'Perhaps I should just wait until I determine who needs me at most if at all' Robert spoke out loud. But before he could do anything else he suddenly felt another presence on within the city and upon recognizing it. Then turn his head towards The Tokyo tower in suspicion.

Meanwhile.

'Well, this is quite an mess...' a male feminine arrancar said as he overlooked the city-scape from out the stands from the massive Tokyo tower. While scanning out all the battles with his Pesquisa.

'Zommeri getting himself killed, Wonderwiess is getting the stuffing kicked out of him, Nnoritia is being pushed by Ichigo and Sado at the same time...'he then turns his head. 'And you getting yourself played like a fiddle against a group of children...both of you'

Aaroniero and Arruruerie then both looked pissed and annoyed at their partner.

'Oh, shut up Luppi!' the Aaroniero snap. 'Just because we underestimated them a little bit doesn't mean the plan was ruin. I just mean we move on to the next step!'

Luppi then narrowed his eyes in cold fury at his allies insult 'You know if Barragan hadn't made you so essential I would have smash both your brains out. For disrespecting your superior'

Arruruerie then waved off dismisly at the femane arrancar. 'Oh, cut the bravo act Luppi Antenor. You may be the 7th espada and rank above me. But you know that Barragan forbidden us from fighting each other let alone murder and he had made plenty of examples of those who defy his orders...and those foolish enough to think they could cover it up'

The 7th espada then growled in protest but said nothing. Knowing that the espada statement wasn't just a threat. But an absolute law that is enforced without question.

'Urg fine, whatever. But still, I think it is quite odd that his Majesty would pull this off so soon. I figured that this would be done after we made our invasion into the soul society' Luppi question and Aaroniero then let out a chuckle.

'Thats because the god-king wants to take two birds with one stone. He wants to see the full power of Kurosaki's power...and the destruction of this city' The 8th esapda explained and Luppi just shrugged causally in agreement.

However they were put on alert when they felt another pressence before them.

'So that is what you are planning' Robert explained while appearing on the scene with his guns trained on the two espada while latter looked at him in displeasure.

'You didn't think I would let you get away with something like did you?' The veteran Sternrriter mocked them and Aaroniero then sigh.

'Luppi if it isn't any trouble would kindly take care of this old timer for us?' She asked and the feminine man smirk.

'Oh so now you are giving me proper respect just because It is convent for you?' The espada giggled. 'Okay fine but only because you asked nicely!' he then turn his head towards to Robert.

'And…since you did killed zommeri. I am not going to play with you all that much' Luppi then pulled out his zanpakuto.

'Stranggle Trepadora! the 7th espada shouted out and was then engulfed in a white explosion. Hiding away his body and when the smoke dissipated, it revealed Luppi in his resurrection form. Which was composed of him have eight appendages attached to suit like device around his upper body and a cowl made of bone around his head.

Knowing that he now has this powerful foe to deal with. Robert could do nothing As the two 8th espada flew up to the top of the Tokyo tower.

Later with Wonderweiss and Cang Du.

It has been a longed time since Margela had known fear from an enemy and it was a feeling he thought he never had to experience again.

It had been so simple the 6th espada thought. He would used his ability to negate the sternttirrs power and he would be easy pickings to finish him off. Just like with the others he fought and it wasn't like Wonderweiss thought he could take on the Quincy elites or anything. He knew how to pick his targets. As he he can tell who were weaklings to pick on and those strong enough to be best avoided.

Sure he liked a challenge. But only one in his favor and he was sure of victory…but Cang Du didn't fit in with any of that criteria.

No, instead of being rendered powerless the Quincy became an unstoppable engine of destruction. By using an unknown martial art. Cang hands and feet become engulfed in reshi that took of the form of the jaws of snakes that laid waste to everything around him and tore through his resurrección form so easily with each landed strike.

Leaving his armor shredded to pieces. Exposing his upper chest and stomach, half his horn helmet busted open revealing the left side of his badly battered face and suffering several second degree burn from the Quincy's reshi attacks.

Oh Wonderweiss tried to fight his adversary off with his own experience in hand to hand combat. But the difference in skill between them was like that of juvenile who took martial arts as hobby to a master who perfected them for their entire life and in the end the only reason the arrancar wasn't reduce to pile of smash pulp of bone and organs or torn to pieces. Was by the latters own honed reflex's, speed and agility his resseccion gave him…and even that was steady began to fail.

He could use his sengunda etpa…but even then because his allies were nearby. It not worth using…not yet.

'Okay what are you planning esapda? Cang spoke out over his worn out enemy. But the child like arrancar remain quite.

'I know you have a second release. In fact that other espada just released his a few minutes ago before dying and there is no reason why you shouldn't have one yourself' The sternrriter explained as he readied his stance and stared merciless at Wonderweiss eyes. 'Talk!'

The 6th espada then stared at Cang and kept a straight face.

'…no' he said simply which made Du flying into a rage as he then grabbed child by the throat hold started to to choke him to death.

'Tell me or I will-'

'What you kill me! torture me!?...heh get over yourself'

Cang then stared back wonderwise in shock and then in offense.

'You think I-' the sternrrtier began to say but child arrancar raised up his left hand.

'Oh I know and I believe that you can...I just so happen to not care' the 6th espada said dismissively. 'Because I know for a fact that nothing you could do to me that would come close to what my king would do if I betray him'

Then the sternritter looked at the arrancar in fury. 'You want to bet on that?'

Wonderweiss then stared back him in amusement . 'I bet it on anything if it is it is a cold hard fact'

Then Cang as if wanting to take on that dare. Then plunged his left fist into the arrancar's open chest wound. Hoping to make him scream in agonizing pain…But all he received was nothing. Not even twitch from the boys disinterested face.

Which made Du stutter in bafflement and then without him noticing. Wonderweiss place his hand on Cang's shoulder though surprising he did no harm.

'And that right there is why you quincies are so weak' Wonderwise muttered in pity 'You have standards, you have empathy and compassion within your hearts. While we hollows discards those things a long time ago and if their was any exception among you that is just as ruthless as us. It was your beloved black prince who destroyed the one thing that we did cared for…and reminding us on just how crippling those weakness are'

Cang Du then used the flying step to blitzed away from the espada in disturbance.

'You say that you wish to kill me in retaliation for me killing your comrades but to us that is just the natural course of nature. A result of them being too weak to defend themselves in the same way I too weak to fight against you...as of now' Wonderweiss then began to walk up to Cang Du.

'So you can continue to battle me to the death and take vengeance over your worthless comrades, let me go or better yet…' the espada then lefted up the remains of his vest and exposed his chest.

'Destroy my powers and make me into your prisoner. Either way you won't get anything from me'

Cang was then at a lost for words. He knew the espada was arrogant. But to be so dismissive over his death and of potential torture?…it only made him dread on exactly how ruthless Barragan could be to his own subordinates.

But before the sternrrier could do anything else. A yellow light shin-down from the heavens and engulfed Wonderweiss much to Cang's shock. But the 6th espada looked impassive and gave a sad smile.

'Well… seems you lost your chance Quincy. But do not worry you will have another fight in the future…assuming that you will survive the next couple of minutes' the espada spoke forbiddingly and then disappeared from the sky.

Much to the dread of the sternrriter of iron.

Elsewhere during ichigo's and Sado's battle with Nnorita.

'Baile del Diablo' (Devils dance!)Chad called out as he slam his white arm into the ground and several spider-like cracks sprouted across the pavement. With white spiritual pressure erupted out of them and headed towards Noritria. Who counted the attack by slamming two of his scythe wielding blades into the earth and unleashing his own massive shock-wave to disperse it in massive explosion of colluding force.

However in doing so it left the Espada open for a surprise attack by ichigo who came down from below and crossed slashed both of his reshi swords at his enemy.

Getsuga Juujishou! The shingmai called out and immediately both of his swords erupted with enormous power before unleashing a cross shape blast at the 4th espada . Who was then forced to block it with all six of his arms and when he did it. A massive creator was indented beneath his feet.

Which then left the espada exposed to another attack from Sado. Who then used the arm of the giant to unleash a El Directo spirtual blast at The espada. Hitting him dead on and pushing the arrancar into nearby office building. Which then proceeded to crash on top of the multi armed swordsman.

Only for Nnrotia to spike up his spiritual pressure and bust himself out of the rubble. While giggling with Excitement.

'Damn! ' Ichigo thought In frustration as he stared down at his persistent enemy. 'Even when I used my Getsuga Juujishou Along with Chad's El Directo. He was able to counter and shrugged both of those attacks off. Hell he doesn't even looked widened yet!'

Kurosaki then turn to look Sado. Who look a bit worn down but still was in fighting condition and ready to continue aid him in battle. Regardless of the ever increasing danger

'Though Chad is still hanging in there is no telling how that would last if this guy releases his sengunda etpa or how much more powerful that make him then he is now'

Ichigo thought fearfully in his as remembered of the sheer devastation grimijow unleashed in his sengunda etpa and not wanting to think just how much damage Nnorita could do with his.

Ichigo then readied his blades. 'And since Chad and Nnorita know I am a imposter...there is no point of me keeping this stupid cover up anymore'

The 4th espada then raised his eyebrow upon sensing a swift in Ichigo's spirtual power and then smiled.

'So you are finally going all out huh?! Nnorita hollowed. 'Finally!'

The espada then got into his own stance as he raised up both of this blades. 'Which means I now have reason not to hold back my full power either!'

However before either of them could unleashed their true might a necogation suddenly came on Gilga.

Much to Ichigo's, Chad and Nnoritia' shock.

'Tch, so my time is out huh...figures' the Espada said in annoyance. Before looking back at ichigo and then grin at him. 'But do not worry we will have our next battle soon enough '

The shingmai however had bigger concerns. 'Wait hold up what do you mean your time is up what is that you are planning!' He demanded while Nnoritia, just giggled at him.

'Oh come now brat. Did you think Barragan would send all of us espada just to test out your full potential?' The espada said in a cruel sarcastic tone. 'You were just a third objective. The second one was the destruction of the of this city. Which acts as one the main transport hubs between the human world and the soul society. All so as to divided the sternriiter forces...and that is not getting into the primary objective, involving Aaroniero and Arruruerie.

'Ichigo's eyes then wided in horror along with Sado's. 'There is a third part in all of this!?' He scream in his head.

'But instead of explaining it to all of you...' Nnorita then swifter gaze to the distance. 'How about you see it for yourself?'

Ichigo and Sado then followed the espada's advice and to their horror they saw and sense an enormous amount of dark aura of spiritual pressure suddenly erupted from the center of the city. That made Ichigo's skin crawl in dread and when he looked up. He saw that dark clouds and purple lighting bolts began to swirl and dance around the the top of the Tokyo tower.