344. The Pride

The explosion created by Uryū's land mine makes Yammy plummet to the bottom of the pillar. Ichigo entrusts Orihime in Uryū's care and takes off to fight Ulquiorra on top of the dome of Las Noches. Ulquiorra then begins to release his Zanpakutō.

Summary
The explosion by Uryū's land mine creates a hole in the floor and Yammy barely grabs onto the ledge, saving himself from falling down to the bottom. Uryū says that he is the Yammy that Szayel had mentioned. He also says it's too bad that he showed up or otherwise Yammy would have gotten to fight longer. With that, Uryū tells him "Mala suerte", meaning "Tough luck" in Spanish. The ledge where Yammy was holding on to gave away and he falls down the hole. Uryu says that that he broke the pillars on every floor on the way up so Yammy will most likely fall all the way to the bottom.

Uryū and Ichigo then chat with each other, Uryū explaining to Ichigo what took so long for him to get there and that he had hidden the land mine on the ceiling of the level below them. Ichigo then turns away, asking Uryū to take care of Orihime and if she cannot defend herself with her Shun Shun Rikka, then protect Orihime with his body. Uryu tells him he would have done so even if he hadn't asked.

Ichigo turns to Ulquiorra and tells him he'll show him the Hollowfication he had wanted to see, forming his mask upon his face. He immediately attacks Ulquiorra, cracking his Zanpakutō. Ulquiorra dodges one of Ichigo's Getsuga Tenshō and their battle is taken outside the pillar. Ulquiorra charges a Cero and blasts it at Ichigo but blocks it with Zangetsu. Ulquiorra suddenly appears behind him and starts to make his way up to the fake sky of Las Noches. Ichigo follows him, demanding to know where he's going. Ulquiorra and Ichigo blast right through the ceiling of Las Noches and are now on top of the dome. Ulquiorra then tells Ichigo that Espada above Cuatro are forbidden to release their power. He then begins to release his Zanpakutō with the words, "Bind--!"

Characters
Characters in order of appearance:
 * Ulquiorra Cifer
 * Ichigo Kurosaki
 * Uryu Ishida
 * Yammy Rialgo
 * Orihime Inoue