Byakuya Kuchiki vs. Zommari Rureaux

Byakuya Kuchiki vs. Zommari Leroux is a battle that takes place in Las Noches and is Byakuya's first battle upon entering Hueco Mundo.

Prologue
Zommari Leroux goes up to Aaroniero Arruruerie's body and believes that it's tragic that the last of the original Espada faced such a terrible demise, but then looks over to Rukia Kuchiki's body and states that he couldn't finish things properly, as always. Zommari then decides to make sure that she's dead and unsheathes his Zanpakutō, telling Aaroniero that he's going to clean up his mess.

As this is happening, Byakuya Kuchiki, along with Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Retsu Unohana, and Kenpachi Zaraki, arrive in Hueco Mundo to assist Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends. Byakuya decides to confront Zommari, who asks him who he is. He doesn't answer, but Zommari is able to deduct that he's a captain due to the haori he has, and introduces himself as the 7th Espada. He then asks him for his name again, but Byakuya simply states that he's his enemy, and asks him if he's the one who hurt Rukia. Zommari tells him he wasn't, but admits that he was just about to finish the job. He then asks him if there's something wrong since he's not attacking, and speculates that if he's trying to save Rukia, his efforts will be futile. However, Byakuya tells him that he doesn't understand, and asks him what he means by "futile".

Battle
Byakuya uses Senka and appears directly behind Zommari, but just as he's about to unsheathe his Zanpakutō, another Zommari appears directly behind Byakuya. As he swings his Zanpakutō down on him, Byakuya is able to block the blow with his own Zanpakutō, and forms a distance between the two. Byakuya asks him what technique he used, and Zommari states that it's Gemelos Sonído. He then boasts that he's the fastest among the Espada, since increasing his steps even a little will result in clones. Zommari states that this technique is meant to surprise his opponents, and tells Byakuya if he's too shocked to move, then he shouldn't feel embarrassed. However, Byakuya tells him that he's the one who should be ashamed since he revealed his entire hand to him, and stabs Zommari across his chest. Another Zommari appears behind Byakuya again, but this time it is easily countered. However, yet another Zommari appears behind him, and he tells him that Gemelos Sonído is not limited to two clones. Byakuya simply tells him that he figured as much and uses Hadō #4. Byakurai, which sends a bolt of lightning through Zommari's chest. As he falls to the ground, even more clones of Zommari appear behind Byakuya, and he explains that he can create up to five clones. He then stabs Byakuya through the chest, and tells him that the reason for his defeat is the arrogance that kept him from stating his name. However, Byakuya appears right behind Zommari by using Utsusemi, which was taught to him by Yoruichi Shihōin. He then tells Zommari that he's the arrogant one, but the reason for his loss won't be because of that, but because of the huge difference in their power.