Thank You For Defend Me

Inside Szayelaporro's palace, Dondochakka and Pesche feel an immense Reiatsu wash over them as they fend off their Carbon-Copy clones. When Uryu asks what it is, Pesche recognizes it despite the long years since he last sensed it: the presence belongs to Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck.

Out in the sands, Ichigo stares at the adult Nelliel standing between him, Nnoitra, Tesra, and Orihime, while Orihime struggles to believe this woman is Nel. As Nnoitra notes she has reclaimed her old shape, Nelliel flashes behind him but, rather than strike, scoops up Ichigo and carries him to safety. She confirms her identity, thanks Ichigo for bringing her here and protecting her, and promises to repay the debt. When she rises, the wind lifts her tattered shirt to expose the number 3 inked on her back, stunning Ichigo, and she tells him this will be over quickly.

Nelliel rushes Nnoitra with her Zanpakuto and, though he braces to defend, opens a clean cut across his chest. She kicks his blade aside in midair and drives her leg into his neck, sending him skidding across the dunes. Furious, Nnoitra fires a Cero from his tongue, but Nelliel catches it in her open hand, draws it into her mouth, and returns it as Cero Doble, engulfing him in a huge explosion.

Nelliel takes over the fight in Ichigo's place and reveals her rank as the former Tercera Espada, number 3. She immediately proves far stronger than Nnoitra, wounding him and countering his Cero with the reflected Cero Doble. Pesche's recognition of her Reiatsu links her return to her old guardians inside the palace.

The chapter was adapted in Episode 192, Nel's Secret, a Big-Breasted Beauty Joins the Battle!? The Viz release corrected the title's grammar to Thank You For Defending Me. Nelliel's dominance sets up Nnoitra's revelation about how much the Espada have changed.