Chapter 1

*Coughs* What was that about? That was a really long fall. Wait a minute, where am I?

Ahahahah! This is great. I placed a lot of sophisticated traps within the walls of this fortress, but I must tell you...

...I'm stunned that someone would literally fall for the simplest of the bunch!

Oh, excuse me. I haven't introduced myself yet, have I?

I'll only say this once, and I hope someone with such a low degree of intelligence as yourself can remember it.

My designation in the hierarchy is a spot at number 8. But for you, my full name is simply pronounced Szayelaporro Grantz.

I didn't come here so we could paint each other's toenails like it's some kinda slumber party. I came here to kick your ass.

Bankai! Hihio Zabimaru!

What's going on?

There's something you should know. You can't use your Bankai here.

I can't use my Bankai? Yeah, right.

I have complete information about your Bankai. Its structure, abilities, and Spiritual Pressure. How it explosively increases its attack power, not to mention its Reishi composition.

I used the information I gathered in preparing this chamber so that your Bankai wouldn't work.

Tell me, how did you get complete information on my Bankai? Only an opponent who fought against it firsthand would know so much about it.

How's this possible?

Because my brother told me.

Who's he?

My name is Szayelaporro Grantz. I expect you've heard of Illfort Grantz, correct? You know, my older brother.

*Gasp* Him!

This is the first time I've seen someone who can use a Bankai in person. To be honest, I'm rather excited by it all.

There's no need to bother struggling, you'll just delay the inevitable. I don't want your corpses to be mangled when you die.

Ah, it's really true. I've received a full report about it. I was having so much fun that I didn't even notice it.

The message says they killed each other, Soul Reaper.

What are you talking about?

Do try to keep up. I'm saying one of your friends managed to kill an Espada before they died. How exciting. That is truly remarkable.

You don't know if that's true.

What, you're not convinced? I wouldn't be so optimistic if I were you. In fact, I've just received the name of your dead friend.

Rukia Kuchiki is one of your friends' names, isn't it?

*Gasp*!

I knew you'd react that way! I must say, you really are amusing.

But I've told you several times now. You can't damage an Espada with just your Shikai. Try to get that through your head.

Shut your damn mouth! You make me sick!