Chapter 100: Two Espada

Things were beginning to stray somewhat from Chojiro's understanding of the plot.

Grimmjow, who had acted on his own out of dissatisfaction with Ulquiorra's methods, leading his subordinates out of Las Noches in Hueco Mundo to hunt down Ichigo Kurosaki and the others in the World of the Living, had indeed arrived as expected. However, what caught Chojiro off guard was the appearance of someone else entirely.

"Quite a surprise. I thought that hotheaded fool was the only one who sneaked out, but it turns out you ran off as well."

"Ha, you make it sound as if you knew someone would run off from the start, Soul Reaper."

The figure who suddenly blocked Chojiro's path wore a savage grin. With his short pink hair, the mask fragment that almost no one would mistake for a mask, and the uniquely styled Zanpakuto at his waist, Chojiro recognized his identity at a single glance.

Honestly, he hadn't even found a place to stay yet. Why did this guy have to pop up out of nowhere?

"It was just a wild guess. After all, Aizen wouldn't be foolish enough to send out a few pests who are mostly at the Gillian level to fight, would he? You, however, are an unexpected surprise."

Chojiro's eyes turned cold.

Although this guy's strength was nothing to fear outside of Hueco Mundo, with Chojiro's current level of power, dealing with him would be extremely troublesome.

"Well said. Unlike Grimmjow, I am an Arrancar specially dispatched by Lord Aizen..."

The Arrancar paused slightly, looking at Chojiro with a pitying gaze.

"Ah, now that I think about it, Lord Aizen did share some information about you with me."

Curving his lips into a smirk, the Arrancar spoke as if suddenly remembering something.

"Lieutenant of Squad One, Chojiro Sasakibe. Along with Captain-Commander Shigekuni Yamamoto Genryusai and Captain of Squad Four Retsu Unohana, you are one of the 'strongest combat forces' to survive the battle from a thousand years ago. You are a figure Lord Aizen is quite wary of."

"Should I be pleased to receive such high praise from him?"

"How rude."

"!"

The Arrancar's sudden remark caught Chojiro off guard.

"To receive such high praise from Lord Aizen and merely feel 'pleased'? This is why I say Soul Reapers, who know nothing but fighting, are so vulgar."

The previously smiling Arrancar's expression darkened, a faint trace of anger visible on his face.

"So very rude."

"It seems I must teach you the meaning of 'gratitude' on behalf of Lord Aizen."

Slowly drawing the Zanpakuto from his waist, the Arrancar's face twisted into an incredibly sinister expression.

"Speaking of rudeness, I have yet to introduce myself..."

"Arrancar Number Eight—Szayelaporro Granz. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Don't make me laugh."

Looking at Szayelaporro, who held a strange posture with his sword only half-drawn, Chojiro knit his brows.

"How could someone with a frail, slender body like yours and such a meager Spiritual Pressure rank eighth? Or is it..."

Chojiro narrowed his eyes, continuing his provocation. "...that the strength of Aizen's subordinates is only at this level?"

"As expected of a Soul Reaper who has survived for a thousand years. Setting aside combat ability, your perception alone earns my admiration."

Placing a hand over his chest, Szayelaporro struck a pose of self-indulgent appreciation. He gently brushed aside the short pink hair hanging by his ear, his golden eyes locking onto the flawless defense of the Soul Reaper who had caught even his master's attention.

"Indeed, if we speak strictly of combat power, my rank would be around tenth. But don't look down on me. Aside from Arrancar of our caliber, I don't give the rest of the insects a second glance."

Chojiro could not deny this. No matter how brilliant this guy's inventive and creative abilities were, if his combat power wasn't even enough to defeat Gillian-level Arrancar, Aizen would never have allowed him to hold the title of the Eighth Espada.

"Actually, I am a scientist."

Spreading his hand open from his chest, Szayelaporro bowed slightly in a gentlemanly gesture.

"The reason Lord Aizen sent me out this time is merely to collect some data."

"Data?"

Chojiro raised an eyebrow, his frown deepening.

"I doubt there is anything left in the Soul Society that Aizen hasn't already mastered."

"..."

With a faint smile, a mocking glint flashed in Szayelaporro's eyes.

"Even Lord Aizen is not an all-knowing, all-powerful god. That is why I am here, is it not?"

"You..."

A helpless smile tugged at the corner of Chojiro's mouth. It seemed a fight was unavoidable.

***

"Gaha! So, you're the Soul Reaper called Ichigo Kurosaki?"

After Di Roy was overwhelmingly defeated by Rukia, the leader of this group of Arrancar—the Sixth Espada, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez—appeared before Ichigo and Rukia.

Despite his subordinate being killed, Grimmjow showed no anger or desire for revenge. His attention was entirely focused on the orange-haired Soul Reaper whose life Ulquiorra had spared.

"..."

Ichigo did not reply. The presence and Spiritual Pressure emanating from this light-blue-haired Arrancar were on a completely different level compared to the ones before. Truth be told, even the current Ichigo had no absolute certainty of defeating him.

'This guy...'

It wasn't just Ichigo; Rukia naturally knew what level of power this Arrancar possessed. Even if she stood on guard and gave it her all, it would be in vain.

The gap between them was just that obvious.

"..."

Glancing indifferently at Rukia, Grimmjow kept his hands in his pockets, completely disregarding her.

"I don't have the time to avenge weaklings who die. So get lost, Soul Reaper."

With that, without sparing Rukia another glance, he walked straight toward Ichigo, who was currently pinned down beneath the Mod-Soul.

"Tch..."

Being ignored like this was intolerable, even if she lacked the strength to match him.

Rukia swung her Sode no Shirayuki, launching an attack at Grimmjow's back.

*Bang!*

Casually raising his left hand, Grimmjow swiped backward, easily swatting Rukia and her Zanpakuto away, leaving her severely injured in the process.

"Lady Rukia!" the Mod-Soul cried out in panic, releasing Ichigo and running toward her.

"Alright, now that the nuisance is out of the way, can we begin?"

A savage grin finally spread across Grimmjow's face, his sky-blue eyes flashing with an intense thirst for battle.

"I'm talking to you... Ichigo Kurosaki!!"