You and I, our levels are as distant as the earth from the heavens. Must I spell it out for you? I have discarded my left arm, discarded my left leg, and yet even then I have not nearly lowered myself to your level.
I... Despise the way you fight. Without ever lifting your own hand... To steal bonds of camraderie and torture opponents is the height of cowardice. It is a lack of shame deserving of death. I am here. Strike me down. I shall kill you and cast you aside... Before you finish swinging your blade.
I don't remember saying that I would kill you because I'm a Soul Reaper. The reason I am killing you is simple. It's because you aimed your blade at my only pride.
Let me tell you about the difference between you and me. It's like the story of the monkey trying to capture the moon. However close he thinks he is to the moon, it's still just the reflection of the moon in the middle of the lake. No matter how he struggles to capture that "moon", he inevitably sinks to the bottom of that lake to no avail. You will never reach me.
*to Ichigo, after he released his bankai for the first time* What is that? Are you saying that this small thing is a bankai? Isn't it just the sealed form of your zanpakutō? I see. First the execution, and now Bankai. I can see that you enjoy treading on our pride. Very well, then. I will carve into your body...The punishment for injuring our pride!
Exactly when did I say that I do this because I am a shinigami? My killing you is no other reason than the fact that you... Pointed your blade [view shifts to Rukia] at my pride.
You and I...our levels are as distant as the earth from the heavens. ...Must I spell it out for you? I have discarded my left arm, discarded my left leg, and yet even then I have not nearly lowered myself to your level.
Put away your sword and you shall live...unless you're still dreaming about defeating me. Did you forget, or did it just never occur to you...that I have Bankai as well?