Arrancar - Chapter 38

As the Faccion went off to the Pillars that were allowing the Fake Town to exist, the Espada went off and encountered Captains. Currently, Tier was standing alone in a separate part of the Battlefield as she looked at the Flame Barrier, ‘I remember when you saved my life all those years ago. You showed me your overwhelming power, and I agreed to fall in line. As time went by, however, I saw exactly what sort of person you were. Lady Layla, Lady Nel, Lord Hexxius, were the ones that cared for me when I was feeling down, when I needed help they were there, you are nothing more than a toxic person that needs to be eliminated. But at the same time, I have to thank you for allowing me to meet everyone I have met today.’ Tier closed her eyes, but from behind a voice resounded.

“Are you worried about your Master?” A small voice resounded from behind her, as The Espada turned her head a small Captain and a larger Captain came into view.

The Smaller Captain was of course Captain Hitsugaya while the larger Captain that kinda seemed like a more ȧduŀt version of Captain Hitsugaya was Captain Kensei Muguruma. Tier, her beautiful face in full display, turned her head to look at the Captains that faced her.

“It would appear that despite there being 3 Women in the upper echelons of the Arrancar the 13 Court Guard Squads are taking us extremely seriously. Two captains stand before me…how wonderful, but Captain let’s make one thing very clear….that man is not my Master.” Tier said as she looked at Captain Hitsugaya, her face displaying a level of disgust that Toshiro did not expect.

“However, due to that man, we have a good amount of information on all the Members of the 13 Court Guard squads. Even the new additions,” Tier said as she looked at the two white-haired Captains. “All Captains are of equal status but not of equal power, similar to us Espada. There are 4 of you that we have been warned to be wary of which then forced us to rank you all and give you a corresponding threat level.”

“What do you mean by that?” Captain Muguruma was puzzled yet intrigued at the same time.

“We Espada are Ranked from 0-9 as you know, therefore we decided to Rank the Captains to which Espada would be required to defeat each of you. Captains Hitsugaya, Soifon, and Komamura can be defeated by Espada Number 9. Captains Kuchki, Kurotsuchi, and Zaraki can be defeated by Espada Number 7. Captains Hirako, Ōtoribashi, and Muguruma Can be defeated by Espada number 5. Captains Uktikate and Kyōraku Espada Number 3, Captain Unohana Espada Number 2, While only Espada Cero can defeat The Head Captain.”

Having their power laid out before their Eyes was a jarring experience, however, they maintained their composure, “What Rank are you?” says Hitsugaya.

“Oh I know all about you but you don’t know anything about me, I am Espada Number 3, Tier Harribel.” Says the Arrancar completely controlling the flow of the conversation.

‘We are outmatched,’ Hitsugaya thought as he looked around the Battlefield. None of the Espada have made their move but in other areas fights with Squad members have already started.

‘When the Head Captain first told us about the reinstatement of the former Captains I was against it but it wasn’t my place to speak out. The Captains that these Visords served with welcomed them back with open arms. After that we trained extremely hard, it was the First time the captains were ordered to do battle training exercises together. Which showed that the Head Captain was taking this extremely seriously. Thinking back on it, our power Rankings make sense.

Soifon, Byakuya, Kenpachi, Mayuri, and I are much younger than the rest of the Captains. We haven’t reached our maximum potential while Sajin’s Bankai is large and holds a huge weakness. Personally, I have witnessed the power of Espada Number 5 and I heard from the other Arrancar that the gap between 4 and 5 is massive so it’s safe to say that the ones above 4 are immensely powerful.’

“As Lady Layla said this isn’t a staring contest,” Tier raised her right hand to her blade that was sheathed across her back. Placing her index finger into one of the small rings on the tsuba she pulled the blade out of the scabbard.

The Gap in her blade quickly was filled with Yellow Spirit Energy, “Cero” with a quick slashing motion a Cero was released that dyed the town its color.

Felling the power coming from the Espada the Captains reacted, “*Bankai, Daiguren Hyōrinmaru!*” “*Bankai, Tekken Tachikaze!*” Ice and wind blew in every direction due to the impact of the Cero.

Some distance away Soifon was looking at the Espada on the battlefield, “Hmm so she is the Leader of the Espada, Cero, That Green Haired one going against Captain Kyōraku, and Captain Ukitake is Espada Number 1, that Yellow Haired one standing before Captain’s Hitsugaya and Muguruma is Number 3. Zero, One, Two, and Three right? The four strongest Arrancar, you must be number 2.”

Soifon cast her eyes over at the small pink-haired Arrancar that seemed to not even place her in his eyes.

Hexxius who was seated in the air lifted up his leg where the number 2 was tattooed on his calf, “I’m Espada Number 2, Hexxius Greed, honestly the fact that we above number 4 were deployed is kinda overkill in my opinion. While the Captains are indeed worthy of their title, you aren’t our match.”

Soifon’s smile widened a bit as she looked at the Espada, “That’s funny, the arrogance of you lot seems to be in line with Espada Cero. However, there is some truth to your claims, after examining the Battle between Captain Hitsugaya and the 9th Espada we came to the conclusion that many of you are far more powerful than we originally thought. The Safest way to battle you is to have 2 or More captains fight at the same time.” When she said this Captain Hirako appeared next to her and inspected the Espada.

‘That Blue-Haired one was powerful enough to handle my Hollowfication and he was only Number 5. This bundle of cuteness is 3 Ranks higher than him, he seems to be full of openings but my gut tells me if I move within his range only death awaits me.’ Shinji looked at the small Arrancar swinging his legs back and forth like a toddler as he smiled lightly.

“I am honored, The Supreme Commander of the Stealth force, and one of the oldest and most powerful Captains of the 13 Court Guard Squads who also has Hollowfication. But….Will it be enough?” Hexxius shined Pink as his Spiritual pressure rained down on the duo, his small body seemingly a proud and Noble Dragon that is looking down upon sheep aloof and unconcerned at their aggression.

“*Sting all Enemies to death, Suzumebachi*”

“*Collapse, Sakanade*”

Upon feeling the oppressive might of their foe the captain’s released their Zanpakuto seemingly on reflex, ‘What the hell is this monster? Number 2? This Spiritual Pressure is outrageous!’