Fate in Bleach: Unlimited Blade Works!

However, for the current Grimmjow, Luppi was a valuable subordinate. Grimmjow, with his pride, wouldn't needlessly kill a member of his Fracción. In fact, he treated his subordinates well. His previous Fracción had followed him since before he became an Arrancar.

"I'll be fighting the strongest of those three. The rest are your responsibility. Don't let them interfere." Grimmjow instructed Luppi.

"Yes, Grimmjow-sama! I won't disappoint you." Luppi was elated. He had survived! Since Grimmjow had given him a task, he wouldn't be killed. He suppressed his resentment, however. Until he surpassed Grimmjow in strength, he would remain a loyal subordinate.

They soon encountered Ichigo, Chad, Uryū, and Nell's group.

"We meet again, Kurosaki!" Grimmjow grinned.

"You!" Ichigo recognized the Arrancar Gin had rescued from the World of the Living. Seeing Grimmjow's restored left arm, he felt relief. Only Orihime could have healed such a wound. Perhaps he could learn something about her from this Arrancar.

"Grimmjow, was it?" Ichigo asked. "Orihime Inoue healed your arm, didn't she? Tell me, how is she? Where is she?"

Grimmjow spat on the ground. The fact that Ichigo remembered his name pleased him.

"As repayment for that woman's kindness, I'll tell you this much: she's doing well in Hueco Mundo. Under the protection of that strange woman, even Espada-level Arrancar can't get close to her." His expression darkened at the memory. Even he had nearly been defeated by that green-haired woman.

"As for where she is… you'll have to defeat me first."

Ichigo relaxed slightly. It seemed Ailin hadn't lied. The "strange woman" Grimmjow mentioned was undoubtedly the Zanpakutō spirit Ailin had sent to protect Orihime. And if even Espada-level Arrancar couldn't approach her, this Zanpakutō spirit must be incredibly powerful.

"So, all I need to do is defeat you?" Ichigo said casually.

"Hah! Kurosaki, do you really believe I'm still as weak as I was in the World of the Living?" Grimmjow's spiritual pressure exploded outwards. He drew his Zanpakutō and placed his hand on the blade.

"Luppi, those four are your responsibility. If you let them interfere with my fight against Kurosaki, I'll kill you."

"W-What? Yes, Grimmjow-sama!" Luppi was startled.

Grimmjow's stance… he was about to release his Resurrección? Who was this Shinigami, to force Grimmjow to transform from the start?

A realization dawned on him. He remembered Grimmjow's return to Hueco Mundo a few days ago, his injuries… Had this Shinigami been the one who had injured Grimmjow?

Luppi's eyes darted towards Ichigo, but he didn't dare disobey Grimmjow. He walked towards Chad, Uryū, and Nell's group, covering his mouth with his sleeve.

"I apologize, but I suggest you remain here. Otherwise, while I'd rather not dirty my hands, if Grimmjow-sama orders me to kill you, I'll have to obey."

"Nell, you tree stay back." Chad and Uryū stepped forward, shielding their companions.

"Heh," Uryū scoffed, "You're all talk, aren't you? Who gave you the impression that a mere Fracción could stop us?"

He wasn't being arrogant. Their confidence stemmed from their strength. Since entering Hueco Mundo, they had encountered numerous Arrancar, but none had been able to injure them. Both he and Chad had even defeated Privaron Espada. Even the weakest former Espada couldn't be inferior to a Fracción, could they?

Uryū channeled his reiatsu into the Quincy cross on his wrist. Ginrei Kojaku, the highest-level Quincy bow, materialized in his hand.

Chad's hands transformed into the Devil's Arms.

Luppi glanced towards Grimmjow and Ichigo, then grinned. "Very well. I'll… entertain you for a while. I'll show you the vast difference between you and an Espada."

…

"Grind! Pantera!"

As Grimmjow shouted, his Zanpakutō dissolved into a blue light that enveloped him.

His reiatsu exploded outwards, creating a powerful vortex that tore through the desert, whipping up a furious sandstorm. A panther's roar echoed through the storm.

Grimmjow's form had changed. His body had become more streamlined, encased in white armor. His blue hair had lengthened, and a tail now swayed behind him.

"Hahaha! Kurosaki Ichigo, behold my true power!"

"I see it." Ichigo's expression turned serious.

Grimmjow's reiatsu, after his Resurrección, had nearly reached the level of a veteran captain. While still not quite his equal, he was no longer an opponent to be underestimated. Ichigo drew Zangetsu.

With his hands on the ground, Grimmjow lunged forward like a white blur against the swirling sand.

Ichigo swung Zangetsu horizontally.

Boom!

A powerful wave of force erupted, cleaving through the sandstorm as if an invisible blade had sliced it in two.

"Hahaha! Kurosaki Ichigo, that trick won't work on me anymore!" Grimmjow formed his hands into claws, and tore through the invisible force, dispersing it into swirling gusts of wind. He continued his charge, bending his elbows.

Five dark green blades shot from his elbows, flying towards Ichigo.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Ichigo blocked the projectiles, but the force of the impact sent him sliding backwards, his feet dug deep furrows in the sand.

Grimmjow's speed was his greatest asset. He became a blur of blue, circling Ichigo, launching a relentless series of attacks.

Fortunately, while fast, Grimmjow's movements were still within Ichigo's reaction time. He parried every blow.

"What's wrong, Kurosaki? Can you only defend? Is that second Zanpakutō just for show? Fight me with all your strength!"

A blue orb of energy formed in Grimmjow's hand. He pointed it at Ichigo.

"This is a technique only Espada can use: Gran Rey Cero! It's ten times stronger than a normal Cero! Don't blame me if you die!"

The blue orb expanded, transforming into a torrent of energy that surged towards Ichigo. Even before the attack connected, the force of the displaced air buffeted Ichigo's Shihakushō.

He raised his Zanpakutō high, and a powerful spiritual pressure lingered on Ichigo's Zanpakutō. Ichigo slowly recited two words.

"Getsuga…

…Tenshō!"

BOOM!

A massive white crescent of energy shot towards Grimmjow, colliding with the Gran Rey Cero.

After a brief standoff, the Getsuga Tenshō cleaved through the Gran Rey Cero, continuing its path towards Grimmjow.

BOOM!

The severed Gran Rey Cero exploded on either side of Ichigo, creating a chain of explosions in the desert behind him. The shockwaves, however, didn't even graze him. Grimmjow, on the other hand, was forced to end his Gran Rey Cero to avoid being hit. His attack had been overpowered.

"Sorry, Grimmjow," Ichigo said, tilting his head. "While I'd love to fight you with all my strength, you haven't even forced me to draw my second Zanpakutō. If I went all out, the outcome would be the same as last time."

"Don't underestimate me, Kurosaki!" Grimmjow roared. He wouldn't be pitied. He took a deep breath, blue energy gathered in his claws.

"Desgarrón!" He slashed at the incoming Getsuga Tenshō, five blue blades slicing through the air.

The Getsuga Tenshō was weakened after overpowering the Gran Rey Cero, so it dissipated.

Propelled by the force of his attack, Grimmjow dashed towards Ichigo with greater speed. His claw blades extended more than ten meters long and slashed at Ichigo

Boom! Boom! Boom!.

…

"Oh? You're not bad."

Luppi wiped the blood from his mouth. He had intended to toy with these humans, but Chad and Uryū's strength had surprised him. Their combined assault had injured him.

Uryū said, drawing his bow, "I told you, didn't I? You're all talk. Unlike you, I never underestimate my opponents."

"Hahaha! You… underestimate me? When did two human trash become so arrogant?" Luppi's laughter echoed through the desert as his reiatsu surged.

"Strangle him! Trepadora!"

Boom!

He released his Resurrección.

His spiritual pressure exploded outwards. When the vortex subsided, his form had changed. His mask had become a headdress, and eight long, white tentacles now swayed behind him.

"Die! Tentaculos!" Two of the tentacles shot towards Chad and Uryū.