The outskirts of Las Noches.
Two groups of people were confronting each other.
Zaraki's gaze swept over the Arrancar. "Who is the strongest among you? Come on!"
"I am the fifth Espada, Nnoitra Gilga. It looks like I'll be able to enjoy myself thoroughly." Nnoitra stepped out of the ranks and smiled sinisterly.
Aaroniero Arruruerie, meanwhile, looked thoughtfully at Rukia's face, then spoke, "Rukia, follow me."
Rukia was startled. "Why do you know my name?"
Rukia knew about Aaroniero's information, but she didn't understand why he would know her personally.
"If you want to know, follow me."
Aaroniero said no more, turning and walking away.
"Wait..." Rukia quickly followed after him.
Byakuya wanted to stop her when he saw this, but after a moment of hesitation, he remained silent.
According to Shin's intel, this guy was the Ninth Espada, and he was somewhat worried about Rukia. Originally, Byakuya had not intended for her to face an Espada. However, with Shin holding the line in the rear, at least Rukia's life safety wouldn't be an issue.
'Rukia needs to grow up eventually.'
After Rukia left, the others found their respective opponents and dispersed to find places to fight.
The remaining Fracción retreated to the side to watch, as Aizen had given them the order.
...
'One-on-one?'
'Fine, this game is quite fair, Aizen.'
After entrusting Nel and the others to Unohana's care, Shin came to the outskirts of Las Noches to observe the battles. This way, if anything went wrong, he could provide immediate support.
—
Inside the palace.
Rukia followed Aaroniero here. She looked at the weirdo, who was completely wrapped up and wore a long, perforated mask.
Rukia's right hand rested on the hilt of her Zanpakutō, ready to fight at any moment.
"Take off the mask, and you will know everything."
Aaroniero removed his white glove and slowly took off his mask.
Rukia's pupils constricted violently, the face beneath the mask was incredibly familiar.
"Long time no see, Rukia." Aaroniero greeted her with a smile.
"Kaien-sama! Is it really Kaien-sama?"
Rukia's heart first swelled with joy, but she immediately realized something was wrong.
Images flashed continuously through her mind.
'Kaien-sama clearly died that night.'
'What exactly is going on?'
'Could it be...'
"Kaien" jumped down from the platform, tugging at his white robe with one hand as he spoke, "This outfit really is inconvenient. Hey, what's with that expression? Aren't you happy that everyone's favorite Lieutenant Kaien is still alive?"
Rukia felt the familiar demeanor, movements, and way of speaking—it was indistinguishable from Kaien.
'It is Kaien-sama... that familiar feeling... but...'
"Kaien" drew his Zanpakutō. Seeing this, Rukia was about to draw her own blade. But the sword and scabbard transformed into two wooden swords.
"Kaien" threw one of them to Rukia and said, "Long time no see. Let's have a match. Let me see how strong you are now."
Rukia was astonished to find the environment had changed. "This is... the Thirteenth Division training grounds?"
"If you don't attack, I'm going first."
"Kaien" spoke while launching an attack with the wooden sword.
Vertical slashes, diagonal thrusts, horizontal cuts, upward swings...
Rukia continuously dodged and parried.
For Rukia, all of this felt incredibly familiar.
"Hah!"
Rukia tightly gripped the wooden sword and launched a counterattack.
"Too slow."
"Kaien" struck, sending the wooden sword flying from Rukia's hand.
"If that had been a real fight, you'd be dead already." He ruffled Rukia's hair.
"Looks like you haven't gotten much stronger."
"Kaien... sama."
Seeing that Rukia mostly believed him, "Kaien" then explained in detail why he hadn't died and how he had ended up in his current state.
"Rukia, come with me to a certain place."
"Mhm."
Rukia ran towards "Kaien." As the distance between them closed, he suddenly drew his sword and thrust it towards her.
Rukia leaned to the side to dodge, the sharp blade only grazed her cheek before she rapidly retreated. At this moment, the last shred of hope in her heart was finally shattered.
Although Aaroniero's previous actions and explanations had made Rukia partially believe him, a trace of caution remained in her heart.
Because she clearly knew the Ninth Espada's ability—consumption. Thus, the Hollow that consumed Kaien was very likely him, or had been consumed by him.
"You are definitely not Kaien-sama."
Aaroniero was stunned, then laughed. "Rukia, what are you talking about? Are you doubting me? I was just testing you just now."
"You really have gotten much stronger. I'm happy to see your growth."
"Stop spouting nonsense. Kaien-sama would never act like that." Rukia was completely clear-headed now.
If she hadn't dodged that last thrust, she would have died.
Aaroniero couldn't understand why things were fine moments ago, yet he was suddenly exposed.
"Dance, Sode no Shirayuki!"
"Some no Mai, Tsukishiro!"
A pillar of ice suddenly shot up from beneath Aaroniero's feet, but he managed to dodge it.
Rukia moved forward, continuously launching attacks. Aaroniero dodged left and right, not forgetting to launch verbal attacks.
"It seems getting stronger isn't all that impressive. Rukia, you killed me once, are you trying again now?"
"Shut up!"
"Tsugi no Mai, Hakuren!"
Rukia stabbed the tip of her sword into the ground, unleashing a blizzard-like attack toward Aaroniero.
Because Aaroniero possessed Kaien's memories, this attack with a long wind-up was useless against him.
"Watery Heaven, Surge!"
Aaroniero's Zanpakutō transformed into a trident-shaped spear.
"Why?"
Rukia couldn't understand why he could even use Kaien's Shikai.
"Why can I use this technique? Because... I am Shiba Kaien."
Aaroniero continuously spun the spear using his wrist as an axis and smashed it onto the ground. A wave of water swept through the room. Rukia was too slow to dodge and was struck on her left arm.
"Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of man. On the wall of blue flame, inscribe a twin lotus. In the abyss of conflagration, wait at the far heavens."
"Hadō #73: Sōren Sōkatsui!"
Aaroniero was about to dodge but realized the attack wasn't aimed at him.
Boom!
The wall behind him collapsed violently, and sunlight streamed in.
"Ahhhhhh—"
Aaroniero let out a painful wail, finally revealing his true form—his head had become a glass jar filled with red liquid, inside which floated two small Arrancar.
He asked, "Why did you know I was afraid of sunlight?"
Rukia remained silent.
"Since that's the case, I'll show you my true ability."
"Devour!"
Upon Resurrección, Aaroniero's lower body transformed into a massive, ugly, octopus-like shape.
"I can consume Hollows and evolve endlessly. That is why I, as a Gillian, earned the title of Espada."
Once Aaroniero's body retreated into the shadows, his upper body surprisingly reverted to the appearance of Kaien.
Rukia attacked in fury, but couldn't break through Aaroniero's defense. She then leaped into the air, aiming to attack his upper body.
Aaroniero swept his spear horizontally, snapping Rukia's Zanpakutō, and then pierced Rukia with the tip of the spear.
Rukia's mind flashed with memories of the past with Kaien. She couldn't end things here.
"San no Mai, Shirafune!"
Rukia's broken Zanpakutō solidified and plunged into Aaroniero's brain.
Amidst Aaroniero's unwilling wails, his body burst open, spilling large amounts of green viscous fluid.
"Kaien... sama..."