Bleach Vol. 40

Ichigo continues fighting Ulquiorra while Orihime watches from nearby. When Loly Aivirrne and Menoly Mallia return to attack Orihime, Yammy Llargo interrupts them and brutally overwhelms both Arrancar. Uryū Ishida arrives before Yammy can attack Orihime, using mines obtained from Mayuri Kurotsuchi to send the Espada falling from the upper levels of Las Noches.

Ichigo activates his Hollow mask and presses Ulquiorra more forcefully, prompting the Espada to move their battle above Las Noches and release Murciélago. Ulquiorra’s transformed state completely surpasses Ichigo, but he then reveals Segunda Etapa, a second release unknown even to Aizen, to demonstrate the full extent of the despair separating them.

Ulquiorra destroys Ichigo’s Hollow mask and blasts a hole through his chest, leaving him apparently dead before Orihime. Uryū attempts to protect her but is swiftly defeated and loses his left hand. Overcome by fear and desperation, Orihime calls out to Ichigo, whose motionless body responds by undergoing a powerful new Hollow transformation.