Eyes of the Victor

Yasutora Sado and Renji Abarai lie beaten on the ground while Yammy Llargo, now in his Resurrección state, dangles Rukia Kuchiki in his grip and grumbles about how much trouble it took to catch her before deciding how best to end her. Scraping together her last reserves, Rukia looses a Sōkatsui that snaps his head back but does nothing more. Mocking the feeble blow, Yammy releases her, claiming his hand merely slipped, and as she plummets she notes that the sheer wind off him makes his strength impossible to gauge. Ichigo Kurosaki swoops in and snatches her from the fall.

Recognizing him, Yammy flies into a rage and begins charging a Cero, but Ichigo cuts it short with a Getsuga Tenshō. In the lull Rukia asks after Orihime, and Ichigo answers that she is safe and tending Uryū's wounds, far better off than she would be down here. His detached manner unsettles Rukia. He carries her to a nearby building and tells her to stay put, promising to end the fight and head home, then draws Yammy away. Watching him go, Rukia realizes his eyes hold none of a victor's triumph. Once the two are alone, Ichigo reasons that he can overpower Yammy without help, dons a fresh Hollow mask, and slams the giant down with a mighty Getsuga Tenshō.

A near-dead Rukia lands a harmless Kidō blast on Yammy just before Ichigo arrives to rescue her. After confirming Orihime's safety and stowing Rukia in a building, Ichigo lures Yammy away, reveals a changed Hollow mask, and drives the Espada into the ground with a heavy Getsuga Tenshō.

This chapter opens volume 44, VICE IT, and shifts the action back to Hueco Mundo. It was adapted across episodes 285 and 286, the latter titled Protect Karakura Town! Ichigo, towards the Real World! The title alludes to Rukia's unease at the hollow, un-triumphant look in Ichigo's eyes.