Picaro's weakening was indeed due to Szayelaporro using him as an energy source, forcibly extracting his power to transform himself and Baraggan into Arrancar, which led to the decline of Picaro's power.
Even after so many years, the Reiatsu only barely recovered to the level of Muguruma after liberation.
Szayelaporro's technology is indeed impressive; he used materials collected from Soul Society to create a spatial Barrier capable of sealing Zero 'Zanpakuto.
Zero, who launched a solo attack on the back row, realized he had entered a trap too late. The sealing power forcibly sealed Zero's Zanpakuto, rendering him unable to use any techniques activated by the Zanpakuto, including Bankai.
Szayelaporro, having succeeded in his scheme, wanted to join forces with Picaro to attack Zero. Unfortunately for Kidō, Zero still possessed the Kido technique, and with a single strike of 'Five Dragon Destruction,' he shattered all of Szayelaporro's plans, including his dream of turning Zero into experimental subjects.
Szayelaporro should actually be thankful that his attack was aimed at sealing space; if it had been targeted at him and Picaro, they probably wouldn't even be left with a trace by now...
Just now, after Picaro was released, hundreds of blue spirits were killed by Zero's Kidō, and his main body was also slashed by a sword. He fainted on the spot.
Szayelaporro was panting heavily when, after witnessing Picaro's instant defeat, Zero's Greatsword was already slashing down on him...
Having taken a sword blow, Szayelaporro's eyes widened. He had already unleashed his Zanpakuto, and the wings of 'Fornicarás' swept in, aiming to engulf Zero.
Pfft!
A drop of blood splattered, Szayelaporro's face contorted in pain. His wings had been severed by Zero, and the wound made his breathing heavy. His Reiatsu plummeted from 7.2 carbide to 4.2 carbide.
"Do you know? Whether it's Soul Reaper or a Hollow, the battle between spirits is a battle of Reiatsu. The difference is stark; no matter how clever you are, it's useless."
Zero casually tossed aside Szayelaporro's wings and walked over slowly. There were a few clumps of black liquid in his path, but Zero walked past them without any hesitation, even stepping on one of them.
This is the 'cloned human' that Szayelaporro just set up, but so far it seems to be having no effect at all... Szayelaporro also realized that Zero was suppressing the clone with his still powerful Reiatsu.
The energy depleted during the battle was replenished when Picaro and Szayelaporro were struck...
'The gap is even bigger than before.' Szayelaporro felt a chill run down his spine; Zero hadn't even Bankai yet!
A crack appeared in the sky, and a Negación struck Szayelaporro and Picaro. As for Baraggan in the distance, he did not receive the Negación; he was already fighting Starrk.
"The battle between spirits is indeed a battle of Reiatsu... But do you dare say that the power of science cannot bridge the gap? My research on perfect life is about to bear fruit. You just wait, I will definitely show you..."
Szayelaporro was laughing wildly and making threats, suddenly stopped laughing because the Negación shining on him suddenly disappeared.
"Lojia, Lojia! What's going on? Where's the Negación?"
Looking at the nearly frenzied Szayelaporro, Zero said mockingly, "Stop shouting. It's been a year since you ambushed Yaxiao. We've been keeping track of your movements for a long time. Your subordinate who can use the Negación should have been captured by now!"
"If you can distort our Negación, then we can certainly Negación yours too, preventing you from escaping once and for all!"
Szayelaporro was terrified. The research on 'perfect life' was not yet complete. If he died, he would truly be dead and could not Resurrection.
Zero's footsteps on the rocks sounded like an alarm clock from Hell, each strike striking Szayelaporro's heart; he was afraid.
"Wait, I can serve you. I'm willing to offer all my research data. The Baraggan affair has nothing to do with me; we're just allies..."
Szayelaporro begged for mercy in terror, hastily distancing himself from Baraggan; faced with death, he chose to compromise.
"Huh? I thought you weren't afraid of dying!"
Ling tilted his head in surprise, then pondered: 'This guy's research ability is very strong. My Laboratory is indeed lacking a leader, but as for loyalty...'
'This guy followed Baraggan in the rebellion for so long, thinking they were absolute best buddies, but in the end he still abandoned his ally. His loyalty is definitely questionable, but with my strength, I should be able to suppress him.'
"Then come with me!"
Zero finally uttered those words that were like heavenly music to Szayelaporro. Zero chose to accept him, but he didn't let his guard down. This guy was different from simpletons like Ulquiorra and Starrk.
Those who toy with life will ultimately be toyed with by life itself. If Szayelaporro hadn't been afraid of death, he wouldn't have researched the so-called 'perfect life'...
Baraggan and the Starrk had already clashed. Baraggan's men were either killed, captured by Grimmjow and the half- Arrancar Army, or surrendered.
The enraged Great Emperor was left alone, and he performed the liberation. Starrk also summoned Lilynette, who was hiding next to Ulquiorra, to perform the liberation as well.
Blue Cero and Respira ravaged the battlefield; rocks struck by Cero would explode with a bang, while those covered by Respira would gradually turn to ashes.
'The Cero vanished before it even got close. Is this the power of Respira?' Starrk had clearly obtained information about Baraggan.
"No matter what strategies you have, they are all futile before my abilities!"
Seeing that the Starrk had stopped their attack, Baraggan immediately began to provoke them, having absolute confidence in his own abilities.
Especially under the pressure from Nangong Ling over the years, he has become so much stronger.
"Really? Your abilities are indeed impressive, but I wonder if you can keep unleashing... Cero Metralleta!"
After realizing that casting Cero normally was useless, Starrk unleashed a barrage of shots, continuously using his terrifying Sonído to prevent Respira from hitting him from one direction.
From the perspective of the Half-Arrancar below, Starrk's Cero was fired at Baraggan from all directions, creating a spectacular scene... though it didn't hit them, of course it was spectacular.
Baraggan could only surround himself with a large number of Respira, and he needed to release them constantly, because the Respira could not be maintained for long and would quickly dissipate as soon as they left Baraggan's body.
The Cero constantly being whittled down by 'Respira', but 'Respira' itself was also being consumed. Baraggan was also using this move to deplete his Reiatsu. The two sides remained deadlocked for a full minute. The high frequency of Cero shots left Baraggan speechless.
Baraggan felt he was nearing his limit and needed to catch his breath, but Starrk seemed tireless, maintaining the same rate of Cero fire.
In terms of Reiryoku power, Baraggan is far inferior to Starrk. Even with Reiatsu, he can only release 7.5 cartloads, and his ultimate form cannot reach Starrk's current 11 cartloads.
... In the original timeline, if Kyōraku hadn't been ambushed and stabbed through the chest, he would have needed to use his Bankai to defeat Starrk...
Whoosh! Bang!
One Cero Baraggan and disappeared, but it Cero the way for the next Cero, which shattered Baraggan's crown.
"Hmm! Kid, don't underestimate this old man!"
Baraggan was furious and forcibly released his Reiatsu beyond his capacity, then unleashed his 'Respira' in all directions.
"Run! You'll die if you get touched!"
"Damn it, the audience is attacking too!"
A few Respira flew towards the ground, Half-Arrancar were so terrified they ran away in panic.
Seeing the Respira expand to an alarming extent, Starrk stopped firing and moved away from Baraggan to observe. "Can he withstand such a forceful release of Reiatsu?"
Lilynette, the pistol user. "He's desperate, he's in a panic. Let's seize the opportunity and kill him in one fell swoop to repay Nangong's kindness."
"Oh, little girl, you've learned to be grateful!" Zero appeared out of nowhere and praised Lilynette's pistol.
"Lord Nangong... hmm?"
Starrk was about to say he'd deal with it immediately when he glanced to the side and saw a pink-haired man standing there, who appeared to be one of the enemy commanders named Szayelaporro.
"Don't worry about him, Szayelaporro is already one of us."
Please give me your guidance.
As Zero explained, Szayelaporro greeted Starrk with a smile.
After calming his Reiatsu slightly, Baraggan took in the situation and roared, opening his skeletal maw, "Szayelaporro, you bastard, you actually surrendered? I misjudged you!"
"Baraggan, don't say that! I have no deep-seated hatred for Lord Nangong. You just forced me onto this chariot. There's nothing wrong with me getting off now!"
They had been enemies for decades, yet Szayelaporro shamelessly claimed there was no great hatred between them, as if he had forgotten the anger he felt when they were cleaved apart.
"You bastard..."
Looking at Szayelaporro's grinning face, Baraggan was so angry that his skeleton trembled and almost fell apart.
"Alright, alright, I don't have time for your nonsense, Baraggan. Stop your pointless resistance. Your axe blade can't even take you down with you. I'll ask you one more time: are you willing to join us and create a new world together?"
Zero originally planned to take down Baraggan and Szayelaporro directly, but since Szayelaporro could surrender, wasting a few minutes persuading a powerful Arrancar wasn't out of the question.
As a qualified leader, you still need a lot of strong combat power to clear out the minions; you can't keep Troop-Clearing yourself all the time!
Zero's words were also pleasant; instead of asking if he would surrender, he asked if he would join, which made Baraggan feel a little better.
But despite his words, the Reiatsu emanating from his body remained incredibly strong, and he never let his guard down.
'I am not reconciled, my Hueco Mundo, my world...'
Baraggan glanced at his loyal subordinates who refused to surrender, being trampled and ravaged by the Arrancar Army, and withdrew from the liberated state, reverting to his old, frail, and decrepit appearance.
"Release my men, and I surrender!"
The old man Baraggan, spoke these words expressionlessly, but in reality, he had secretly vowed to hide in the darkness and wait for Zero's moment of weakness to arrive so he could reclaim everything.
"A wise choice!"
Zero smiled and waved his hand, signaling his men to release Baraggan's confidants. He had already guessed Baraggan's intentions.
Faced with these two beasts under his command, Zero knew that all his tricks were useless against them; only pure power could suppress them... and Zero was confident that he could maintain an absolute lead in strength.
Seeing this, Grimmjow scoffed, "Hmph, after nearly a century of fighting, all they've gained is dominance. All those who died did so in vain. How boring!"