BLEACH

~CHAPTER FOURTEEN (Last Battle)

Resolved to fight Grimmjow on even ground, Ichigo asks Orihime Inoue to heal the injuries which were inflicted on them by Ulquiorra Cifer. When Ichigo suggests they settle their fight elsewhere, Grimmjow, complying, follows him to a more open area. To prepare for the fight, Ichigo activates his Bankai en route to the battleground. By the time he arrives, Grimmjow is already there, standing on top of a large pillar.

Clashing blades in midair, they bring the fight down to solid ground, where the force of their attacks tears up the ground around them. Grimmjow, leaping back to avoid one of Ichigo's attacks, charges a Cero in his free hand. Intending to approach the attack head on, Ichigo prepares to fire a Getsuga Tenshō, but as he calls out the attack's name, Grimmjow throws his Zanpakutō, leaving his other hand free to attack him with another Cero. As the force of their two attacks creates a large explosion, separating the two combatants, Grimmjow, laughing, professes his excitement over the chance to finally crush Ichigo. When he asks if he feels the same way, Ichigo denies it, but Grimmjow, accusing him of lying, reminds him of how he hurt his friends. Telling Ichigo he will teach him why he kept his scar, he declares he will finally kill him to prove he is superior.

Ichigo's Getsuga Tenshō vs. Grimmjow's Cero.
Grimmjow retrieves his Zanpakutō, which he had previously thrown into the pillar he was initially standing on. Leaping on top of the pillar, he criticizes Ichigo for having no killing intent. Using Sonído to flank Ichigo, he attempts to hit him, but Ichigo dodges him, leading to another series of blade clashes. As their blades are crossed, Grimmjow asks Ichigo what his reason for coming to Hueco Mundo was. When Ichigo states he did it to save Orihime, Grimmjow, pointing out how he could have taken her back the moment he saw her, accuses Ichigo of relaxing when he saw Orihime uninjured and being ignorant of how she must feel on the inside. Believing Grimmjow is implying he hurt her somehow, Ichigo angrily demands he tell him what he did to her. Liking the way his words are provoking him, Grimmjow declares that Ichigo came to Hueco Mundo not to save Orihime, but to fight Hollows out of his instincts as a Shinigami. Ichigo and Grimmjow once again clash blades multiple times in midair, culminating in Grimmjow firing a Cero. Though Ichigo disperses the attack with Getsuga Tenshō, part of the beam pushes through, which he narrowly dodges.

Grimmjow unleashes his Gran Rey Cero.
Using this chance to flank him with Sonído again, Grimmjow cuts him across the chest. Landing on the ground, Grimmjow plants his sword into the ground. Dissatisfied with Ichigo's performance, Grimmjow, cutting his index finger with his blade, charges a Gran Rey Cero, hoping it will provoke him into using his full power. Still in midair, Ichigo, realizing Orihime and Nel Tu are in the range of the attack, yells at Grimmjow to stop, but he fires it anyway. Though the massive Cero inflicts an immense amount of damage to the surrounding structures, Ichigo protects Orihime and Nel by donning his Hollow mask and getting in the way of the attack.

Grimmjow about to release.
Surprised at how Ichigo saved her, Orihime calls out his name. When Ichigo turns his head to look at her, she is terrified by the sight of his Hollow mask. Realizing this, Ichigo tells her to be at ease, and he will end the battle as soon as possible. Overjoyed at how Ichigo had finally called forth his Hollow powers, Grimmjow, laughing manically, says this was the moment he has been waiting for. Releasing his Zanpakutō, Grimmjow kicks up a massive amount of sand as his spiritual power is unleashed. Looking on, Ichigo tells Inoue to shield herself and Nel with Santen Kesshun and not lower it for a moment. As the sand and smoke finally settles, Grimmjow's Resurrección, Pantera, is revealed. Grimmjow lets out a massive roar, which surprises Ichigo with its immense sound pressure. Leaping towards Ichigo, catching him off guard, he strikes him with his arms, launching him through two massive pillars. While Ichigo is still hurtling through the air, Grimmjow, intercepting him with Sonído, sends him into the sky with a knee strike. Intercepting Ichigo once more, he knocks him down through a pillar, causing it to collapse. Looking down at the smoking rubble, Grimmjow states this cannot be all that Ichigo was capable of. Appearing behind him with Shunpo, Ichigo hits him with a Getsuga Tenshō. The attack dissipates to reveal an unharmed Grimmjow, who states the look in Ichigo's eyes make him angry.