Naturally, it wasn't just Aizen Sōsuke who reacted strongly.
Far away in Hueco Mundo, the Arrancar, after witnessing the recent battle, erupted into collective mockery once again:
"This is it?"
"So, the Shinigami captains' Bankai aren't as impressive as the rumors suggest!"
Staring at the blackened screen, Coyote Starrk, the 1st Espada, flashed a hint of disappointment in his eyes.
He had always looked forward to seeing the Bankai of Shinigami captains—a power said to rival the Arrancar's Resurrección.
But now, it seemed the rumors were wildly exaggerated.
Undeniably, Byakuya Kuchiki's Senkei created a dazzling blade-filled space, a visually stunning display.
Yet, its destructive power fell short, not even matching a casual Cero from Starrk.
If this was enough to make the top 15, the list's credibility was questionable at best!
Nearby, Lilynette Gingerbuck, Starrk's soul-bound partner, sneered derisively. "Tch, I thought Shinigami captains were a big deal. Turns out, they're just overhyped trash!"
She was genuinely impressed by Kisuke Urahara's fully chanted Hadō 91: Senjū Kōten Taihō, which left an indelible mark.
But Byakuya's fight with Ichigo Kurosaki? No highlights whatsoever.
If she had to praise anything, those vibrant pink cherry blossoms might make for a nice scenic view!
"Ain't that obvious? Shinigami are just a bunch of garbage! They don't deserve to be our rivals!" Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez's wild laughter echoed, his hands stuffed in his pockets, blue hair framing a face twisted with disdain.
Though Urahara's strength had briefly shaken him in the previous ranking, lowering his spirits, Byakuya's lackluster performance reignited his confidence.
Bankai? Trash!
Shinigami captains? Utterly worthless!
In the Panther King's eyes, even with its multi-stage transformations, Byakuya's Bankai was pathetic—unworthy of even polishing his shoes.
"Exactly… this Byakuya Kuchiki must've bribed his way onto the list. His strength doesn't justify it!" Nnoitra Gilga sneered mockingly.
In his mind, if a weakling like Byakuya could rank, Nnoitra was sure he'd claim a top-10 spot.
"Hmph… centuries have passed, and the Shinigami are still stuck in place. Pathetic ants!" Baraggan Louisenbairn declared arrogantly, arms crossed.
Hundreds of years ago, he had clashed with the Gotei 13's invasion of Hueco Mundo.
With his Aging power, the Skeleton Emperor easily repelled them.
Now, it seemed nothing had changed—Shinigami were still lowly creatures, forever groveling.
Yet, among them, Ulquiorra Cifer remained silent, abstaining from the group's mockery.
His emerald eyes fixed on the screen, he frowned, murmuring, "Strange… if the Shinigami captains are this weak, what is Lord Aizen so wary of?"
Confusion and doubt gnawed at him.
Byakuya's displayed strength was far inferior to any Espada.
If the Arrancar legion mobilized, crushing the Gotei 13 should be effortless.
So why had Aizen remained so cautious all these years?
What was he afraid of?
But just as Ulquiorra puzzled over this, the interrupted video resumed, shifting to a new scene.
"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!"
"Shinigami, to wound me this badly—your sins are unforgivable!!!"
A furious roar burst from the screen.
What appeared next was a bloodied, battered figure.
"This is…"
In an instant, the raucous Las Noches fell deathly silent.
Every Arrancar's face twisted with disbelief and shock.
On the screen, a pumpkin-like figure with fifty closed eyes, covered in blood and slash marks, looked ghastly.
It was Zommari Rureaux, the 7th Espada, pale and gravely wounded, his aura weak and faltering, clearly having suffered a devastating blow.
And standing before him?
The very Byakuya Kuchiki they had just mocked!
"What the hell?! Zommari's in that state?!"
Szayelaporro Granz's eyes twitched, his voice dripping with disbelief.
Though the video skipped the earlier fight, the blood dripping from Senbonzakura's tip made it clear—Byakuya was the one who had crushed Zommari.
"No way! Zommari looks half-dead!"
Tier Harribel's jaw dropped in shock.
Nearby, Zommari himself, the 7th Espada, went pale. "This is fake! No way that trash Shinigami could push me to the brink!"
As Aizen's most loyal follower, Zommari was typically reserved among the Espada.
Even after the first ranking, he hadn't joined the mockery.
But seeing himself in such a pathetic state broke him.
"Wait…"
A Fracción, trembling, pointed at the screen and stammered, "Look at the surroundings! This battle's happening in Las Noches!"
"What?!"
The hall exploded in chaos.
The Arrancar stared, desperate to confirm.
Seconds later, the familiar white desert and scattered ruins sent waves of dread through them.
No mistake—this was Hueco Mundo, near Las Noches!
"No way…"
Nnoitra's smug expression froze, his face contorting. "How could Las Noches be invaded by Shinigami?!"
Las Noches was the Arrancar's stronghold, a sacred bastion in the hearts of all Hollows.
How could weak Shinigami dare infiltrate it?
On what grounds?!
Ulquiorra's eyes flickered, his usual calm wavering.
Just minutes ago, he'd believed the Espada could easily crush the Gotei 13.
Now, this scene was a brutal slap in the face.
Zommari was clearly outmatched, teetering on the edge of death.
"Damn it! Why is it always the Espada getting hurt?! How dare those Shinigami trash stand above us?!" Yammy Llargo roared, slamming his fist into the wall.
In the first ranking, he'd been humiliated as Urahara's punching bag, mocked by his peers.
Now, Zommari was next.
Were the Espada just cursed to be punching bags?