From the very beginning, I knew that it was futile.'

The Espada…the ten swords of Barragan Luisenbarn. It was a title reserved for 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 worshiped, respected, and feared. 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. In every generation I have witnessed, countless Espada have been demoted and eventually stripped of their title. Due to them not being unable to keep up with their successors and having long 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 cast aside and given the rank of Privaron Espada to add to his humiliation. A mock status to former Espada who lost their authority and dignity and were made to be seen as washouts who were no better than cannon fodder and while I was able to maintain my position among the ten swords. I was still demoted twice from my former rank, and I knew too well that I would soon suffer the same fate as my friend.

This is why I sought out Robert Accontrone. One of the most skilled and experienced Quincy 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 maintain my position as an Espada and avoid being shamed.

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

Now 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 he got himself into a praying stance to acknowledge his defeat and then faded into dust. While Robert looked on sadly before letting out a deep breath of relief and then disabled his holy form.

'So, you decided to die with dignity Zommeri Raunex, instead of cursing out your failure like so many others before you...an honorable trait you have despite all your arrogance,' Robert praised 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 take you up on that offer; keep me posted on further updates, ' Elder Quincy ordered casually.

'Will do, Captain,' Cang replied and then turned off the head device. At the same time, Robert used his senses to scan out the rest of the fights in the city.

'Hmm, it would seem that over half the battles are already over,' Quincy thought as he continued to stretch out his senses. 'Aaroniero and Arruruerie have retreated along with their hollow hoard, and Ichigo and Sado are engaging the with the fourth esapda Nnoitra Gilia and appear to be evenly matched.'

Robert then held 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 sengunda Etapa and place that young lad'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 within the city, and upon recognizing it. Then turn his head towards The Tokyo tower in suspicion.

Meanwhile.

'Well, this is quite a mess...' a male feminine Arrancar said as he overlooked the city-scape from out the stands from the massive Tokyo tower. At the same time, he was scanning out all the battles with his Pesquisa.

'Zommeri getting himself killed, Wonderwiess is getting the stuffing kicked out of him, Ichigo and Sado fighting Nnoritia 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 ruined. I mean, we will move on to the next step!'

Luppi then narrowed his eyes in cold fury at his ally's insult. 'You know, if Barragan hadn't made you so essential, I would have to smash your brains for disrespecting your superior.'

Arruruerie then waved off dismally at the female Arrancar. 'Oh, cut the bravo act Antenor. You may be the 7th Espada and rank above us. But you know that Barragan forbade 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. It was knowing that Arruruerie's statement wasn't just a threat. But a fundamental law that is enforced without question.

'Urgh, 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 questioned, and Aaroniero then let out a chuckle.

'That's because the god-king wants to take out 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 alert when they felt another presence 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 the latter looked at him in displeasure.

'You didn't think I would let you get away with something like that?' The veteran Sternrriter mocked them, and Arruruerie then sighed.

'Luppi, would you kindly take care of this old-timer if it isn't any trouble?' She polity asked, and the feminine man smirked.

'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 turned his head towards Robert.

'And…since you did kill zommeri. I will not play with you all that much' Luppi then pulled out his zanpakuto.

'Strangle Trepadora! the 7th Espada shouted out and was engulfed in a white explosion. Hiding away his body, and when the smoke dissipated, revealed Luppi in his resurreccion form, which was composed of eight appendages attached to a suit-like device around his upper body and a cowl made of bone around his head.

Robert now knows that he has this powerful foe to deal with. The elder star knight could do nothing as the two 8th Espada flew up to the top of the Tokyo Tower.

Later with Wonderweiss and Cang Du.

It had been a long 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 use his ability to negate the sternttirr's power, and he'd be easy pickings to finish off. Like the others, he fought, and it wasn't like Wonderweiss thought he could take on the Quincy elites. He knew how to pick his targets. He can tell who were weaklings to pick on, those strong enough to be avoided, and sure he liked a challenge. But only one in his favor, and when he was sure of victory.

Cang Du, however, didn't fit in with that criteria.

No, instead of being rendered powerless, the Quincy became an unstoppable engine of destruction. By using an unknown martial art. Cang's hands and feet become engulfed in reshi that took the form of the jaws of snakes that laid waste to everything around him and tore through his resurrección form so quickly with each landed strike—leaving his armor shredded to pieces. Half his horn helmet busted open, exposing his upper chest and stomach, revealing the left side of his badly battered face and suffering several second-degree burns from Quincy's reshi attacks.

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

Even then, he could use his sengunda Etapa…, but even then, because his allies were nearby. It is not worth using…not yet.

'Okay, what are you planning, Esapda? Cang spoke out over his worn-out enemy. But the child-like Arrancar remains quiet.

'I know you have a second release. The other Espada just released his a few minutes ago before dying. There is no reason you shouldn't have one yourself,' The sternrriter explained as he readied his stance and stared mercilessly at Wonderweiss eyes. 'Talk!'

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

'…no,' he said, which made Du fly into a rage as he grabbed the child by the throat and started 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 the offense.

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

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

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

Wonderweiss then stared back at him in amusement. 'Why bet on it when 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 boy's disinterested face.

Which made Du stutter in bafflement and then without him noticing. Wonderweiss placed his hand on Cang's shoulder, though, surprising, he did not harm him.

'And that is why you quinces are so weak,' Wonderwise muttered in pity. 'You have standards; you have empathy and compassion within your hearts. While we hollow, discard those things a long time ago, if there was an exception among you that is just as ruthless as us. It was your beloved black prince who destroyed the one thing that we did care for…and reminded us of just how crippling those weaknesses are.'

Cang Du then used the flying step to blitz away from the Espada in the 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 lifted 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 loss for words. He knew the Espada was arrogant. But to be so dismissive over his death and of potential torture?… only made him dread exactly how ruthless Barragan could be to his subordinates.

But before the terrier 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 what comes after' 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 slammed 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 Nnoitra. Only for him to counter the attack by slamming his scythe-wielding blades into the earth and unleashing his massive shock wave to disperse it in a gigantic explosion of colluding force.

However, it left the Espada open for a surprise attack by Ichigo, who came down from below and crossed and slashed his reshi swords at his enemy.

Getsuga Juujishou! The shinigami 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 crater 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 an El Directo spiritual blast at The Espada's rips. Hitting him dead on and pushing the Arrancar into a nearby office building. Which then proceeded to crash on top of the multi-armed swordsman.

Only for Nnoitra 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 look widened yet!'

Kurosaki then turns to look at Sado. They looked a bit worn down but still were in fighting condition and ready to continue to aid him in battle. Regardless of the ever-increasing danger

'Though Chad is still hanging in, there is no telling how long that would last if this guy releases his sengunda etapa or how much more powerful than form will make him.'

Ichigo thought fearfully as he remembered the sheer devastation Grimmjow unleashed in his sengunda etapa and did not want to consider how much more damage Nnoitra could do with his.

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

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

'So you are finally going all out, huh?! the grinning Arrancar hollowed. 'Finally!'

The Espada then took his stance as he raised all of his blades. 'Which means I now have no reason not to hold back my full power either!'

However, before they could unleash their true might, a negation suddenly came down the Espada.

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

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

The shinigami, however, had more significant concerns. 'Wait, hold up? What do you mean your time is up? What is that you are planning!?' He demanded while Nnoitra just chuckled at him.

'Oh, come now, brat. Did you think Barragan would just send all of us Espada to test out your full potential?' The Espada asked in a harsh, sarcastic tone. 'You were just a third objective. The second one was the destruction of this city, which acts as one of the main transport hubs between the human world and the soul society. All to divide the holy kingdom's forces, which is not getting into the primary objective, involving Aaroniero and Arruruerie.

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

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

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