Las Noches, once the symbol of Hueco Mundo's might, had become a field of shattered stone and endless silence.
Not a single Arrancar dared to move.
Grimmjow's fate had erased every trace of confidence from the remaining Espada. Even the strongest among them felt an instinctive fear that could not be suppressed.
Ulquiorra stepped forward.
Unlike the others, his expression remained calm.
"Ordinary attacks are meaningless against someone like you," he said quietly. "If I am to stop you, I must use everything I possess."
Dark spiritual pressure erupted around him as he released Murciélago. Without hesitation, he continued into his hidden Second Release, transforming into his true demonic form. Black wings spread across the sky as overwhelming reiatsu engulfed Las Noches.
The remaining Arrancar looked on in disbelief.
"So that's his true power..."
Ulquiorra silently formed the ultimate technique in his hand.
"Lanza del Relámpago."
A spear of compressed lightning condensed into existence, its destructive power distorting the surrounding space.
With a single motion, he hurled it toward Tobirama.
The spear tore across the heavens like a falling star.
Yet Tobirama remained perfectly still.
Only when it reached him did he casually raise one hand.
His arm darkened with Armament Haki.
Then—
He caught the spear.
The entire battlefield froze.
The weapon capable of leveling Las Noches failed to move even an inch after striking his palm.
Ulquiorra's eyes widened for the first time.
"...Impossible."
Tobirama looked at the crackling spear with little interest.
"So this is your strongest attack?"
His fingers slowly tightened.
Crack.
The Lanza del Relámpago shattered into countless fragments of spiritual light before fading into nothing.
Silence swept across Hueco Mundo.
The remaining Espada stared in disbelief.
Their greatest weapon had been destroyed by nothing more than raw strength.
Tobirama slowly lowered his hand.
"I've seen enough."
He looked across the battlefield.
"Nnoitra. Szayelaporro. Zommari. Ulquiorra."
"Your resistance ends here."
Brilliant chakra gathered between his hands as natural energy and overwhelming power fused together.
The surrounding air trembled.
"Sage Art..."
"Light Fang."
A blinding beam erupted forward.
The attack expanded across the battlefield like a tide of pure destruction.
Everything in its path disappeared.
Stone melted.
Palace walls vanished.
The earth itself split apart.
Nnoitra charged in defiance, only to be erased instantly.
Szayelaporro attempted to analyze the attack, but the beam reached him before he could react.
Zommari disappeared without leaving a trace.
Ulquiorra stood silently beneath the approaching light.
"So this... is absolute power."
He closed his eyes.
The beam engulfed him.
When the light finally faded, nothing remained.
Only scorched earth stretched across the former site of Las Noches.
The male Espada had all fallen.
Not one survived.
A heavy silence settled over Hueco Mundo.
The age of Aizen had ended.
A new ruler now stood alone above the ruined fortress, surveying the battlefield in silence.