"Instincts. We all have them, Shinigami, Hollows, Quincy, humans. But we Hollows, we are defined by them, driven to evolve and grow. Instinct is in our blood, our very purpose. And yet you... you deny it, fool yourself into thinking you're above it somehow, that you've evolved beyond what you are. But there's no escape from this truth. Without instinct, you're a shadow of what you once were, weaker in every way. I won't help you until you accept this. Embrace it, listen. Instincts are our greatest strength."
Spring studied the two Shinigami before him. One held a hidden power, dormant and restrained, while the other possessed abilities beyond any ordinary Shinigami's. He realized he needed to tread carefully; these two were far stronger than the Arrancars he had faced in Las Noches.
Spring: "You two are intriguing opponents. I'd like to know the names of those I'm about to face."
Shunsui: "An Arrancar acknowledging my strength—I'm honored. I thought your kind too proud to see us as equals. I am Shunsui Kyoraku, Captain of Squad 8, and this is my friend, Jushiro Ukitake..
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Spring: "I'm not one to underestimate my opponents until I've seen what they're capable of. We have the same chance of winning or losing."
Shunsui: "Interesting perspective. You seem smarter than most, though attacking Old Man Yamamoto first makes me reconsider my opinion of you."
Ukitake: "For someone under Aizen's control, he likely knows more about Yamamoto's abilities than we'd like. It's best not to underestimate him."
Shunsui:sighs "And here I was hoping for a simple, easy fight."
"This Arrancar... no weapon, charging headfirst into battle with bare hands?" Shunsui thought, casting a wary glance between Spring and Aizen. "Something's off with this one. What are you planning, Aizen?"
Shunsui charged at Spring, who narrowly dodged and countered with a Cero blast. Ukitake blocked it with his sword.
Spring: "So, it's two against one, huh? Fine."
Spring used Sonido to appear above them, launching a large Cero. But Shunsui and Ukitake evaded it, immediately countering and catching Spring off guard, sending him crashing into a nearby building.
???: "Pathetic."
Spring: "Shut up."
Ignoring the voice, Spring pressed on, but each time he attempted to close in on Shunsui or Ukitake, they easily overpowered him, pushing him back.
Shunsui: "Looks like we might have overestimated him."
Shunsui: glanced at the other two Espada locked in battle.
Shunsui: "The one with the guns is rank 2, the older one is 3... so you must be rank 1? Interesting."
Ukitake: "Rank 1? But he's nowhere near as powerful as those two."
