Part 10: Fall of the Arrancar Vol.1, 4-3

What...the hell...is this?

Kageoni.

You see, Katen Kyokotsu is quite mischievous. She has the power to turn children's games into reality.

And the worst part of the whole thing is, she decides on the rules, and everyone who enters the domain of her spirit energy is forced to abide by those rules.

Including myself, as well.

Win, and you get to live. Lose, and you end up dead.

Can't argue with her. She's too self-centered. But always doing what she wants can be exhausting.

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

I've always envied the weak.

The souls of all my friends diminished just by being in my presence. I was left alone, and isolated.

In the depths of my loneliness, we divided our soul into two.

It was the only way I could escape the solitude. That's why I envied the weak. You can stay with the pack if you're weak.

But since it wasn't possible for me to be weak, at least I had a comrade who matched my strength.

Are the two of you responsible for those piles of Hollows?

No. They just died on their own.

I'm looking for comrades.

What a coincidence. So are we. Do you have other comrades as strong as you?

Come with me if you want to find out.

We accept your offer.

It appears you won't die just from being in our presence.

Iro Oni, Black.

Sorry, Lord Aizen.

It appears I won't be able to repay my debt to you.

I'm not alone.

I'm not alone.

I'm not alone anymore.

Stark, what do we do now?

We can do anything.

Well then, where should we go?

Anywhere.

We're both together now...

...forever.

Good work, Captain Kyoraku.

Mm, I'm glad you're both safe.

You haven't changed at all.

You still tend to ignore the basic code of honor, like interfering with an ally's battle.

Only amateurs would give up a victory for the sake of a code of honor.

There's rarely a clear-cut determination of a good side and a bad side in these battles. It's hard to pinpoint who caused what exactly.

Once war breaks out, both sides become evil.

Stop, that's enough.

We will finish this now.

Lord Aizen, what is it?

Gh?!

This isn't what I expected.

I went through a considerable amount of effort to gather all of you Espadas. I never expected your strengths to be inferior to my own.

Now then, are you all ready?

Members of the 13 Court Guard Squads, and you failed mock Arrancars.