1-7 Rukia's Counterattack

Something I can do for you?

Yeah.

I want you to bring me the heads of your four friends.

Huh?!

You're familiar with all of their abilities and weaknesses, so you don't have to worry about getting hurt.

If you do this, we'll wipe the slate clean between us, and I'll completely forgive you for killing me.

............

What's wrong, Rukia?

You're not gonna say it's a joke this time, are you?

Rukia...

Don't you dare insult Kaien Shiba!

What?

There's no way that you can truly be Kaien Shiba. The Lieutenant Shiba I knew would never make jokes like that to test his subordinates.

The Kaien I knew would never force someone to choose between their friends and themselves, no matter what!

The Kaien Shiba that I knew, that everyone in Squad 13 loved and respected, that man was nothing like you!

No. Wait, Rukia. Of course I'm Kaien. What are you talking about?

Don't ever say that name again!!!

I'm tired of this.

Rage through the seas and the heavens...

...Nejibana!

Here I come. Take your position.

You've improved. I must admit I'm impressed.

(Nothing he said has made any sense right from the beginning, starting with his explanation as to why we had to come inside for our face-to-face encounter.)

(This much I know. Everything he said so far has been a lie.)

Sorry, but I simply cannot stand the sunlight out there.

(I don't believe he's telling the truth.)

(But it's worth testing him to see if I can find out what's really going on.)

Damn it!

Hado 73: Soren Sokatsui!

Aaaaaaahhhhhh!

Wait a minute...

What in the world are you?!

Hm... I guess our cover's been blown.

What's done is done. At this point, we may as well reintroduce ourselves.

We are known as Espada Number Nine, Aaroniero Arruruerie.

You blew your chance. If you had the skills to hit us directly with that Kido, you might have easily inflicted us serious injury.

I didn't aim for you.

I realized that the sunlight would rob you of your shape-shifting powers, and in the process, force you to reveal your true form.

It was critically important to me, and it proved my point. I had to reassure myself that you weren't actually Kaien.

Now that I know the truth, I have no reservations about this battle. I can fight you without holding back, and destroy you.

Did we hear you correctly, Rukia? Did you say you could win now that you don't have to hold yourself back?

You have good hearing for someone without ears.

You've made a mistake, Rukia. Don't take us lightly.

We can't use our power in the sunlight -- that is true -- but as long as we stay in the shadows, we're indestructible.

We can use it endlessly.

Ah!

You seem to be under the impression that I have the ability to shape-shift.

Why? Are you telling me that I'm wrong?

Not exactly. I'm just saying there's much more you haven't seen.

The power to merge with another entity originally belonged to a creature called Metastacia, who took over Kaien Shiba's body when they fought.

When Metastacia died, his body returned to Hueco Mundo. That's when I made my move. I ate him and made his power mine!

You ate that monster's body?!

My true ability is called Glotoneria. It's quite simple. I devour dead Hollows, and absorb both their Spirit Energy and abilities.

When Metastacia came back in Kaien Shiba's body, I devoured him and was able to absorb both their abilities!

You weren't wrong to believe you were talking to the actual Kaien Shiba.

Because this body really did belong to Kaien Shiba! I simply accessed all of his memories and acted accordingly!

No... It can't be...

Allow me to demonstrate for you. I'll show you what an Espada's sword release actually looks like.

Devour her, Glotoneria!

The form you see before you is the result of combining the strengths of every Hollow I've ever devoured!

It's there in your face. You're terrified.

That fear is well-founded! Hahahahaha!!!