13 Chapter 13. Nnoitora Gilga

As Grimmjow who lost consciousness started to fall which Ichigo caught him by the hand and left him on the ground, sparing his life.

With the battle over, he returned to Orihime and Nel. He picked up Orihime, put her on his shoulder, and carried her to the desert below.

As he prepared to take her and Nel with him to rescue Sado and Rukia, Grimmjow appeared behind him. Severely weakened by his wounds, Grimmjow, reverted to his sealed state, was still determined not to lose against somebody like Ichigo.

When Grimmjow attempted to slash at him with his Zanpakuto, Ichigo, threw away Tensa Zangetsu, stopped his hand, told him there was no enjoyment in fighting to the death if he had already lost. He told him he will fight him as much as he wants, but for the moment, he needed to stop. Stubbornly ignoring Ichigo, Grimmjow, attempted to attack him again but was struck from by strange-looking Zanpakuto.

Then unknown man stated Grimmjow was a bad loser, and it was his turn to fight the Shinigami. Critically wounded, Grimmjow weakly addressed the man as Nnoitora. Surprised Grimmjow was still alive, Nnoitora attempted to finish him off, but Ichigo, protected Grimmjow, blocked his attack.

The Arrancar named Nnoitora was very tall with a thin body. His face was set in a huge creepy smile. He had long black hair and an eye huge white patch concealing his left eye. He was the 5th Espada, Nnoitora Gilga.

Nnoitora then asked Ichigo his name, stating he will remember it for the short time Ichigo will be alive.

He threw his Zanpakuto and Ichigo dodged. Nnoitora then attacked relentlessly and had Tesla restrain Orihime when she tried to intervene. Nnoitora then revealed him being the 5th Espada and stated all of Ichigo's opponents before him were weaker.

The fight continues as Ichigo managed to hold his own against the Espada. Orihime pled Nnoitora to stop, but he told her to shut up. He stated that the fight was not fair and that he has already seen everything Ichigo can do.

As Ichigo attacked, Nnoitora grabbed Ichigo's blade and demonstrated the strength of his Hierro. He threw Ichigo before noticing Nel and commenting how weak she had become, prompted Ichigo to ask how he knows Nel.

Nnoitora then explained that Nel is actually Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck, the former Espada. Nel tried to deny this, but Nnoitora attacked her and Ichigo defended them before Nnoitora sent him flying with a kick.

Nnoitora commented that she seems to have lost her memory after he broke her mask.

Ichigo yelled and attacked Nnoitora, slashing him to no effect. Nnoitora sent Ichigo flying once more before doing the same to Nel. As he went over to a wounded Ichigo, he stated that it's time to end this. He grabbed Ichigo's sword arm and broke his wrist.

Seeing Ichigo hurt triggered Nel's transformation into her original form much to Nnoitora's surprise.

Nnoitora stated that she had returned to her original form. Before he realizes it, she used Sonido to move Ichigo a safe distance away from him.

Nelliel rushed to attack Nnoitora and cut him across the chest before he could react, which surprised him entirely.

He tried to attack, but Nel easily countered everything, including his Cero. She sucked in the blast, fired it back as a Cero Doble, her special ability, causing a huge explosion.

Nnoitora then smiled at Nelliel, said that he was able to survive the blast due to how much stronger the Espada had gotten since she has been out.

The two Arrancar continued to battle with both facing each other evenly. Nnoitora taunted Nelliel, asked how it feels to be beaten by the man she once called a beast. Nelliel then kicked his Zanpakuto away before releasing her own.

After releasing her Zanpakuto, Nelliel's lower body had become horse-like while her upper body was still human-shaped which made her look like 'Centaur'. Her Hollow mask grew bigger and more intimidating but still had a crack on it and her sword had turned into a spear massive spear.

Nnoitora tried to stop her, but was forced back by the release of Reiatsu. He was quickly overwhelmed as Nelliel used her "Lanzador Verde" which slammed him against a slab of rock. Nelliel prepared to finish the battle but reverted to her child form, caused Nnoitora to laugh and kick her.

Ichigo tried to attack but was fended off.

Nnoitora stated he got bored with fighting Ichigo and he commanded Tesla to finish him off.

Tesla upon hearing a command released his Zanpakuto turned into a massive beast with a boar-like head and proceeded to beat Ichigo mercilessly.

While this happening Nnoitora was forcing Orihime to watch Ichigo was being brutalized.

Suddenly they heard a man's voice that turned the tides of battle. "What is this? You look like you're about to die."