The Espada Gather! Aizen's Royal Assembly

 is the one hundred and forty-fifth episode of the Bleach anime.

As Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends head to Las Noches, Sōsuke Aizen holds a meeting with the Espada.

Summary
Having cornered Demoura Zodd and easily blocked his Lengua Tronco, Yasutora Sado releases a large amount of energy from his Fullbring, Brazo Derecha de Gigante, and dashes around before punching Demoura hard in the stomach with El Directo, causing the latter to collapse with fluids bursting from his mouth as Sado turns and walks away, dispelling Brazo Derecha de Gigante in the process, to Ichigo Kurosaki's visible astonishment.

Nearby, a heavily damaged Aisslinger Wernarr curses Uryū Ishida and attempts to raise one of his remaining tendril fingers to attack, only for Uryū to immediately destroy it with a Heilig Pfeil from his Heilig Bogen, Ginrei Kojaku, and correct Aisslinger calling him a Human once again before telling Aisslinger to warn Sōsuke Aizen he should fear the Quincy who has come to Hueco Mundo instead of the Shinigami. Suddenly, the chamber they were fighting in begins rumbling, causing Sado to realize that it is going to collapse, and an angered Ichigo reminds them Uryū is the one who claimed they should be careful.

However, Aisslinger clarifies that the room is designed to self-destruct because he and Demoura are the guardians of the building who are tasked with eliminating anyone who tries to enter Las Noches by this route, meaning they and the room crumble away if they lose. After Aisslinger concludes this is the kind of enemy Ichigo and his friends are up against and that there is no victory where they are going with the battle only just beginning here, Ichigo, Sado, and Uryū hurry up the nearby set of stairs, with Uryū taking one last look at Aisslinger and being startled when the latter muses on Uryū's bold declaration that Aizen should fear him.

Asserting that Aizen fears no one, which is why the Hollows flock to him since his path of fearlessness shimmers like moonlight to beings born from fear, Aisslinger is buried by the falling rocks. Shortly afterward, the passage leading down to the chamber from the surface of Hueco Mundo is filled with sand when the structure fully collapses, resulting in Ichigo, Sado, and Uryū bursting out of it seconds later and coughing up sand while Ichigo expresses relief at them making it out at all. With Uryū commenting on this being the world of the Hollows, Ichigo is surprised by the barren, desert-like area surrounding them and comments on how it is not very cheery.

When Sado notices all the trees seem to be dried up, Uryū breaks off a branch to inspect and deduces they are instead made from a quartz-like substance. Suddenly, an alarmed Sado draws Ichigo and Uryū's attention to the horizon, where the massive palace of Las Noches looms in the distance. Upon seeing it, a startled Uryū wonders if this is a palace or a fortress, deducing it must be the location Aisslinger was talking about, and Sado admits that it is hard to tell how far away they are. As Uryū observes that it is a good thing they got to see it from a distance so they could get a sense of the whole area, Ichigo questions how it helps them.

In turn, Sado notes that it might be useful later and that this is better than not seeing it at all prior to assuming that Orihime Inoue is being held somewhere in there, which Uryū concurs with due to there not seeming to be anywhere else that the Arrancar could hide her in. With Ichigo suggesting that they start running since standing around just invites further attack, he, Sado, and Uryū begin approaching Las Noches. Meanwhile, within Las Noches, the Espada approach their meeting table and discuss the appearance of intruders, with Zommari Rureaux revealing that the twenty-second underground passage has self-destructed.

Baraggan Louisenbairn expresses surprise at how far away the intruders entered the realm from, Szayelaporro Granz muses that it would have been fun if they had broken right into the throne room, Nnoitra Gilga cackles gleefully at the event, and Coyote Starrk tells Nnoitra to shut up so he can sleep as Tier Harribel, Aaroniero Arruruerie, Yammy Llargo, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, and Ulquiorra Cifer sitting down silently alongside them. Walking into the room from the main entrance, Aizen approaches the table with Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen, where he greets the Espada and announces that they have been invaded prior to offering them tea.

Back in the desert outside, Ichigo, Sado, and Uryū continue running toward Las Noches, which does not appear to be getting any closer, and Ichigo complains about the immense distance, prompting Sado to assure him that they will reach it eventually. After running in silence for several more seconds, Ichigo notes that it does not seem to be getting any closer, though Uryū reminds him that Ichigo just pointed out how far away it was, to Ichigo's consternation. When Ichigo begins to speak up, Uryū cuts him off in annoyance and questions what Ichigo is about to say, only for Ichigo to assert that he was simply going to comment on the distance once more.

Rebuked by Ichigo for getting so irate over this, Uryū tells the former to stop complaining and keep running because this lack of concentration could endanger them if the enemy attacks them now. With Ichigo claiming that he has been acting unusually condescending since arriving in Hueco Mundo, Uryū counters that he just wants Ichigo to be a bit more careful while the three of them continue running. Suddenly, Sado stops running and stands still, and when Ichigo and Uryū come back to him and wonder if he is tired, they notice wind blowing across the sand in front of them that Ichigo does not understand the significance of since it seems to be ordinary.

However, Sado warns Ichigo that this is not the case just before the wind intensifies and begin swirling to create a sandstorm in front of them. With a startled Sado calling this a tornado instead, the group runs away at Ichigo's insistence, but are unable to outrun the sandstorm and desperately grab onto nearby trees as the sandstorm envelops them. When Ichigo questions if this is another trap of the Arrancar, Uryū muses that it could be a natural phenomenon instead and urges Ichigo and Sado to not let go of the trees they are clinging to, but the trees snap off their bases from the force of the wind, resulting in Ichigo, Sado, and Uryū being flung high into the air.

Despite this, a panicking Ichigo discovers himself and Sado floating safely within the sandstorm and is confused by how quiet it seems to be inside a tornado, only for Sado to tap the broken tree he is holding against the barrier that is now surrounding them and realize that it is a Reishukaku like they one they used when rescuing Rukia Kuchiki from Soul Society. With Ichigo wondering why it is here now, a chuckling Uryū pops up behind Ichigo and reveals that he has been carrying around a miniature Reishukaku ever since then in the event of something like this happening, leading Ichigo to throw his tree aside in frustration.

While Ichigo lambasts him for speaking so cockily, Uryū points out how Ichigo is safe due to his efforts and counters that the latter should be thanking him, only for Ichigo to criticize him for speaking so triumphantly and demand to know where he even got the miniature Reishukaku from. When Ichigo presumes that he stole it from Kūkaku Shiba's residence, an offended Uryū informs him that Kūkaku personally gave it to him, which Ichigo claims to have known all along, and suggests that Ichigo go outside if he does not like being within the barrier, leaving Ichigo outraged by Uryū going so far as the latter asserts that he has every right to.

Suddenly, Sado suggests that Ichigo not disturb Uryū's concentration prior to a crack forming in the barrier surrounding them. Alarmed by this, Ichigo tells Uryū to do something about it, but Uryū frantically reveals that he never learned how to repair the barrier and laments not having studied the Reishukaku since the last time he used it. With Ichigo and Uryū struggling over the Reishukaku and continuing to argue while the cracks spread across the barrier, Sado manifests Brazo Derecha de Gigante and attacks the barrier with a powerful energy blast despite Ichigo and Uryū's protests, resulting in the barrier exploding.

Sent flying into the air by this as the explosion disperses the sandstorm, Ichigo, Sado, and Uryū crash down into the sands below, where Ichigo realizes that Sado saved them and Uryū thanks the latter for this even though it was frightening. However, a darkening shadow over the group prompts them to look up and see a massive amount of sand falling down right before it engulfs them in an avalanche. Back in the Espada meeting chamber in Las Noches, once all of the Espada at the table have been served tea, Aizen has Tōsen pull a lever to display an image of Ichigo, Sado, and Uryū running across Hueco Mundo to himself and the Espada.

When Aizen names each of them in turn, Grimmjow is left alarmed by Ichigo's presence as Aaroniero muses on this being the enemy, Baraggan expresses disappointment at the enemy raid being comprised of children, Szayelaporro calls them boring, and Yammy looks away dismissively. In response, Aizen cautions the Espada to not underestimate them because Ichigo, Sado, and Uryū were among the Ryoka who invaded Soul Society and defied the Gotei 13. When Zommari questions who is missing from their group since there were four Ryoka, Ulquiorra clarifies that it is Orihime, prompting Nnoitra to comment on them coming to rescue their friend.

Nnoitra proceeds to assert that they look weak, and with Harribel reminding him that he was just warned to not underestimate the group, an annoyed Nnoitra counters that he did not mean it like this and wonders if Harribel is afraid of them. Suddenly, Grimmjow stands up from his seat next to Aizen and begins walking away, and when Tōsen asks him where he is going, Grimmjow asserts that he is going to kill them since it is best to exterminate vermin as soon as possible. Though Tōsen points out that Aizen has not given him his orders yet, Grimmjow declares that he is going to kill the intruders for Aizen, to Tōsen's disapproval and Gin's amusement.

However, Aizen addresses Grimmjow directly and requests that he sit back down since Aizen is not done speaking even though his enthusiasm is appreciated. Upon seeing Grimmjow looking at him disdainfully, Aizen tells him to speak up and exerts his Reiatsu, forcing a startled Grimmjow to his knees with its intensity, before standing up and observing that they understand each other now. Turning back to the rest of the Espada, Aizen assures them that there is no need for excessive alarm even if they should not underestimate the enemy and instructs them to return to their palaces and conduct their usual business without being overconfident or reckless.

Promising that no one can defeat the Espada as long as they are with him, Aizen grins smugly. Outside, in the sands of Hueco Mundo, Ichigo falls on his back in exhaustion while Sado and Uryū rest alongside him. When Ichigo complains about how they do not seem to be getting any closer to Las Noches despite how much they have run and questions if the palace is really there, Sado points out how the trees look like sticks next to it while admitting its sheer size is messing up his sense of scale, which leads Ichigo to wonder if it is just a mirage. In response, Uryū begins to explain that they could not be seeing a mirage here, only for Ichigo to loudly decline to hear this.

Upon noticing a small, lizard-like Hollow that burrows underground when it sees him looking at it, Ichigo muses that this world seems to have some wildlife in it even though he believed it was devoid of life, only to question what they sustain themselves on since Hollows feed on Human Souls. In response, Uryū theorizes Hueco Mundo's atmosphere being so dense with Reishi means the small Hollows can sustain themselves just by breathing, leaving Ichigo shocked by his knowing the Reishi density of the atmosphere while a pleased Uryū details how Quincy using ambient Reishi when they fight leads to their strength being proportionate to the Reishi density of the area.

With Uryū noting that he realized this during the fight earlier and concludes he should be able to fight even better than he does in the Human World or Soul Society once he gets the hang of it, Ichigo dismissively observes he gains nothing from this even though Uryū and the Hollows are improved by it, prompting a startled Uryū to assert it should be the same for Shinigami since the Reishi in Soul Society allowed Rukia to regain her spiritual powers, though Ichigo claims that Rukia may simply be a unique case. During this, a perturbed Sado examines his hands and holds them just above the sand, which he is startled to see being pushed away from his palms.

Uryū warns Ichigo that the high concentration of Reishi here is an advantage for the Arrancar as well and muses that the Arrancar are sure to see him, Ichigo, and Sado as both enemies and food no matter how close Aizen is to turning Hollows into Arrancar, with any Hollows they meet likely being several times stronger than they appear to be. Despite Uryū concluding that they have much to be wary of, Ichigo simply declares that he talks too much and waves off Uryū's indignation at this while telling Sado to keep going with him and beginning to walk away. However, Ichigo is interrupted by Bawabawa bursting out of the sand nearby.

With Bawabawa chasing after Nel Tu alongside Pesche Guatiche and Dondochakka Birstanne, who laugh as Nel cries in fear, Uryū assumes Nel is Human and wondering how that could be possible here, but Ichigo proclaims that they will figure it out later and must help her now while grabbing the handle of his Shikai, Zangetsu.

Arrancar Encyclopedia
Gin Ichimaru announces that he will be explaining Hueco Mundo today and describes it as the home of the Hollows where it is always night. Describing the realm as barren with white sand deserts and withered trees, Gin notes that there is not even any water, only to question how they were served tea earlier if this is the case. In response, Sōsuke Aizen appears on the screen behind him and offers to reveal the secret behind this, and when Gin declines since it seems like he would have to pay a high price for it, Aizen calls this unfortunate.

Events

 * Enter The Home of Hollows

Powers and Techniques Used
Kidō Techniques:
 * (flashback)

Quincy Techniques:
 * (flashback)
 * (flashback)

Fullbring Techniques:

Arrancar Techniques:
 * (flashback)

Spirit Weapons:

Fullbring:

Anime Notes
Removed Content= Added/Expanded Content= Censorship= Changes= Errors=
 * Uryū Ishida commenting on how there must be a way out of Hueco Mundo.
 * Rukia Kuchiki and Renji Abarai watching Ichigo Kurosaki, Yasutora Sado, and Uryū Ishida run across Hueco Mundo.
 * A servant Arrancar pouring tea for Sōsuke Aizen and the Espada.
 * Nnoitra Gilga reacting to Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez leaving the table.
 * Sado dashing around prior to attacking Demoura Zodd with El Directo.
 * Ichigo expressing shock at Sado defeating Demoura.
 * Ichigo pouring sand out of his shihakushō and commenting that he feels gross after escaping from the underground chamber.
 * Ichigo, Sado, and Uryū repeatedly commenting on the distance to Las Noches and being caught up in a sandstorm, where Uryū protects them with a miniature Reishukaku given to him by Kūkaku Shiba, only for Sado to be forced to destroy the barrier when Ichigo distracts Uryū, resulting in the group being buried in an avalanche of sand.
 * Aizen smugly drinking his tea and Ulquiorra Cifer looking away after Grimmjow expresses shock at the sight of Ichigo.
 * Orihime Inoue standing in her cell as Ulquiorra reveals she was the fourth Ryoka.
 * Kaname Tōsen and Gin Ichimaru reacting to Grimmjow declaring that he is going to kill the invaders for Aizen.
 * A flashback to Uryū using Quincy: Letzt Stil during his battle against Mayuri Kurotsuchi.
 * A flashback to Uryū's clash against Aisslinger Wernarr and his Uña Tirotear.
 * Demoura spits up a brown-green substance instead of blood.
 * Aisslinger is not left bleeding from his temple and does not have any blood on his clothes after his defeat.
 * Tier Harribel has an undersection added to the mask fragments covering her breasts, completely concealing their lower halves, and remains as such in all future appearances.
 * In the manga, Aisslinger muses on Uryū's proclamation to himself after the latter leaves the chamber; here, he instead speaks directly to Uryū about it before the latter leaves, with Uryū being shocked by his words.
 * In the manga, Las Noches initially appears close to Ichigo's group despite its scale indicating the true distance; here, it instead appears to be much further away when they first reach the desert.
 * In the manga, Nnoitra maintains an annoyed expression when asking Tier Harribel if she is scared of the invaders, and Harribel does not respond; here, Nnoitra instead grins when asking this, and Harribel demands to know what he said in turn.
 * In the manga, Sado points out how the trees look like twigs next to Las Noches as an indication of its size and distance before he, Ichigo, and Uryū begin running across the desert; here, he instead does so after Ichigo expresses frustration at how they do not seem to be getting any closer to Las Noches and wonders if it is even there.
 * In the manga, when musing on Uryū's explanation of the high Reishi density empowering those residing in Hueco Mundo, Sado looks at his left hand and wrist; here, he instead looks at both hands before holding them slightly above the sand, which he is startled to see being repelled in waves by their presence alone.
 * In the recap section of the episode, the blue-tinted filter for the indoor hallway scenes of the underground building is missing from the shot of Ichigo, Sado, and Uryū breaking into Hueco Mundo.