Those occupying higher ground receive enhancement to their swordsmanship.

The greater the elevation, the more substantial the advantage, and the more devastating the attack.

However, Kyōraku hadn't anticipated that upon initiating his strike, a Cero would blast toward his face.

He reacted with equal swiftness, immediately employing Shunpo to escape.

But upon regaining stability, he found Starrk's right hand raised, gun barrel already aligned with his position.

Rather than firing, Starrk inquired:

"You exhibit unusual urgency. Why such haste?"

"That's attributable to your formidable nature," Kyōraku shrugged.

"Actually, I had hoped to conclude our engagement with a single strike. I failed. Your weapon presents greater challenge than anticipated. If my assessment is correct, your firearms discharge Ceros, correct?"

"Precisely!" Starrk answered candidly, without deception or mystery.

These twin guns represented merely his basic armaments, not his ultimate capabilities.

And as an unusually forthright individual, dishonesty wasn't his practice.

Kyōraku's tone adopted greater seriousness:

"Your implication is that, beyond Ceros, your weapons can discharge other projectiles?"

Though he had largely gauged the Espada's character, confirmation remained essential to avoid miscalculation.

Starrk responded earnestly: "Negative! Exclusively Ceros!"

"Starrk, you imbecile, cease providing intelligence to the enemy and eliminate him promptly!" Lilynette, transformed into a pistol, urged with evident frustration.

Combat resumed.

This time, Starrk's engagement rhythm accelerated considerably, and he remarked provocatively:

"Is this the extent of your capability? Where is your Bankai? Do you intend to withhold it indefinitely?"

While evading via Shunpo, Kyōraku displayed a slick, indolent smile:

"You perceive urgency in me? I believe that sentiment more accurately describes your condition. Are you concerned for your companions? Understandably so. They confront our Commander Uehara, the most prodigious talent in Soul Society's history. Candidly, I feel somewhat sympathetic toward their predicament."

His apparent passivity wasn't reluctance to engage, but strategic intelligence gathering.

Once possessing sufficient information, Kyōraku would transform this knowledge into advantage to seize initiative.

This represented warfare, a conflict determining Soul Society and the Gotei 13's continued existence.

Consequently, he wouldn't relinquish any opportunity for victory, and employed whatever tactics necessity dictated.

Utilizing every available resource constituted his specialty, representing the most effective approach against his unpredictable adversary.

He incrementally enhanced his success probability.

"Companions? Perhaps!" Starrk forced apparent indifference and stated:

"But their circumstances remain irrelevant. I merely wish to witness your Bankai."

Due to his past experiences, the concept of "companions" carried excessive significance.

Though he considered the Espada and Aizen his comrades, in reality, he neither endorsed nor embraced their objectives and methodologies. He had believed the Shinigami before him represented a kindred spirit, a rare individual who understood his perspective.

Current evidence suggested otherwise.

"Note to self: Targeting me with ranged weapons proves unexpectedly challenging," Kyōraku launched another surprise attack following his assessment. During observation, he had identified something significant.

The Espada harbored complicated sentiments toward his associates.

This represented vulnerability ripe for exploitation.

However, it might equally constitute a trap established by his opponent.

Verification remained necessary.

Starrk responded confidently:

"I recognize this difficulty. That's precisely why I've been observing you. I've deciphered your evasion pattern."

Previously, he had fired continuously with his left hand, then with his right.

After each discharge from his right hand, he would momentarily holster the weapon before resuming fire.

This approach served dual purposes: primary analysis of enemy movement patterns, and establishment of a tactical trap.

Though averse to dishonesty, strategic implementation remained distinct.

"I'm gratified you mentioned that, because I've similarly identified your weakness."

Following this declaration, Kyōraku employed Shunpo to evade, then rushed toward Starrk's right, stating quietly:

"I've observed. Your right hand just discharged. Consequently, you cannot immediately fire again!"

While speaking, he disregarded the enemy's weapon and swung his sword with evident confidence.

However, Starrk's right hand pulled the trigger without hesitation, and a Cero pierced the sky, engulfing Kyōraku.

Starrk's earlier claim regarding Kyōraku's movement pattern wasn't aimless.

It deliberately pressured his opponent, compelling risk-taking and unexpected attack vectors.

The shot manifested with swiftness and ferocity, and coupled with the psychological trap Starrk had established for Kyōraku, achieved remarkable effectiveness.

But the "Old Silver Coin" Kyōraku possessed contingency plans, having conserved energy before the exchange.

Therefore, despite the attack's suddenness, Kyōraku still managed evasion.