What part do you think Ulquiorra would've played if he survived? How would he fare against the Sternritter? Let me know!

I think Ulquiorra would say “My last standing order from Lord Aizen was to protect Hueco Mundo” as an excuse to fight against the Quincies, just so he doesn’t betray any emotion or stake in the conflict

Just imagining Ulquiorra being shot out of the Kukaku cannon with an entirely indifferent look on his face while everyone else freaks out is hilarious😅😂😂😂

13:00 I would tend to disagree. It might be true that Ulquiorra doesn't have something like "pride" as a hollow, but I think it's made quite clear throughout his encounters with Ichigo that he has something akin to disdain towards humans. When Ichigo says he might have become more like a human, he gets angered. Keeps making remarks like "you are just at a human level", "humans won't be able to catch up to hollows for eternity" "imitating hollows is a reasonable path for humans that seek power". It just seems to me that he feels like hollows are superior to humans, so I can't see him joining the quincys. Again, that's just how i see it so I could be wrong.

Something that NOBODY has pointed out about Ulquiorra in any character analysis I've ever watched in regards to his transition to becoming human is how he continued to fight on his last leg (quite literally) knowing death was coming. Ulquiorra tries to break Ichigos will throughout the entire fight asking why he would continue fighting an opponent he has no chance of defeating, even at one point mentioning how angry he'd be if he was in Orihime's position and an arrancar who was poorly prepared came to save him... then ironically attacking ichigo and slicing his horn off after losing half of his body... whether the intent was truly to die a warriors death or fight to the end for Aizen's sake or to figure out why Ichigo continues to move forward, Ulquiorra dies a "human".

Ulquiorra being around probably would've meant the Hollows would've fought more Quincies, Byakuya might've fought someone else while Ulquiorra gets to beat the Fear, and honestly he could've been one of the special war potentials.

This was very enjoyable to listen to. I hope your channel blows up. I've been listening to the videos while I'm stuck at work. They've been fun to listen to

I always wanted Orihime to travel back to Hueco Mundo and "gather" Ulqiuora back together with her powers (Inu Yasha Style: A Quest that takes her all over Hueco Mundo) She wouldn't be able to explain to anyone why she does it, but she knows that she wants to give him a chance to see what it means to have a heart

Bleach as a whole to me felt like Psychology meeting Shoñen and it was literally confirmed for me with Ichigo, Orihime and Ulquiorra SEPERATELY in their narrative and in 'ANYTHING BUT RAIN ARC'. Love this Subtle writing of Kubo.

you could also have orihimie heal him at the end of the battle

Woulda loved to see how Kubo would have done with his time skip design. Definitely imagine him wearing some sleek black turtleneck

I could see Ulquiorra being useful in helping Urahara beat Askin. Long range, and powerful attacks keeping Askin off balance, and when Bankai’s and other power ups come out Ulquiorra blitzes Askin when given the chance with his second stage. Surprising the hell out of everyone. Then I could see Ulquiorra and Grimmjow taking on Valkyrie or Barro, and Grimmjow sees Ulquiorra’s new form and just says fuck it, and forces himself into a second stage because he doesn’t want to be shown up. After the transformation, Grimmjow is gloating at how great he is when Ulquiorra drops the bomb that the first time he transformed, he could only do it for a couple of minutes, and since Grimmjow is weaker than him he can only keep it up for maybe One. Hearing this, Grimmjow says that they better kill their enemy fast then. Enter several panels of pure dual sided ass kicking. After Grimmjow deals the “finishing blow,” he is postering with both his arms up saying, “YES! I AM THE GREATEST!” Ulquiorra flys by saying what could basically be, “He’s still not dead, dumbass,” and goes back into battle. Grimmjow gets pissed again gets ready to jump back into battle, goes back into base form extremely weakened, and needs to be carried out after being knocked out due to him being difficult.

I don't think Ulquiorra will become ally with quincys because before to go Aizen said "Watch Hucue Mundo" that's why I think Ulquiorra will fight against quincys

Saddest what if, I wanted to see his heart once he found it. I always thought that what actually caused him to disappear was understanding his humanity. He was based on Nihilism so once he feels something then that persona effectively dies. I think that’s why he turned to dust like that, I can’t remember anyone else just wasting away like that as they die. Maybe he could hang out with Ashido in Hueco Mundo in the what if story lol. I think he would’ve helped whichever side Orihime was on so indirectly he would be on Ichigo’s side.

The Espada I would have most liked to have seen survive and get involved in later is Starkk (+Lilynette), but Ulquiorra is a close second for sure. I feel like Ulquiorra's motivations had he survived would have become a scientific interest in human bonds and the heart, and his motivation in the TYBW would have been to protect them, as low-key emotionless as he would have continued to appear. As he said to Ichigo as he was dying, 'Just when I was starting to find you humans interesting'. He may not have had such a profound epiphany about the 'heart' had he survived, but certainly from his battle with Ichigo and his interaction with Orihime I am sure his curiosity would have continued to grow about them. As a hollow from the apparent dawn of time, if I understood that part of his backstory correctly, he may actually be aware of (i.e. have memories of) the pre-Soul King world of deathlessness Yhwach was trying to recreate, and so he might have been able to offer some insight on that state to Yhwach as well, which could have been interesting.

I like the idea that if he survived, Ulquiorra would have been a slightly more emotionally honest person, a bit more kind to his fellow remaining arrancar. I also think he would have told the others about the Segunda Etapa and how he reached it, which would have lead to them in turn becoming more powerful and more able to face the Quincy when they arrived.

"Doom is inevitable…even to god…" *"TERCERA ETAPA"*

I adore the end of Ulquiorra's story, but I do remember being kind of bummed when all the arrancar showed up, (especially grimmjow) that we couldn't get Ulquiorra. Fun video idea!

I wish Starrk survived he's was my favorite espada and he didn't even get a manga cover.

If he lived it would have been awesome, can you imagine all the fights he could have had in the thousand year blood war, Imagine him and As Nodt or him and other Sternritters or can you imagine what would happen if he saw Aizen again.

If he survived then he would've started stalking orihime 👀

Would have been neat to see interactions between Ulqiuorra and the Fullbringers Especially if Tsukishima's Book of the End could potentially unlock something within him

Ulquiorra and Stark are the characters i would've loved to see in TTYBW, some of the top guys from the previous bad guy organization going toe to toe with the Quincy. Kinda reminiscent of the feeling when the captains came to kill the espada in previous arcs.

He would've dealt severely with the invading Quincies for sure and drastically lessened the extermination of the Hollows. And I guarantee the Quincies would've known new level of despair, notice they mostly crave war like it's a game. As crazy as it sounds he may have joined Orihime and her allies as they cleared Hueco Mundo of the Quincy remnants after the war, no doubt accepting her proposal to evacuate rather than deal with Ulquiorra.

Aizen is dead, Harribel is imprisoned, Hueco Mundo is invaded Ulquiorra: sleeps Grimmjow: tries to conquer Hueco Mundo Ulquiorra: no

This is a pretty great video honestly. As thematically appropriate as Ulquiorra's death is, I still think he's one of the few arrancars that deserved a second chance to live, along with stark of as well. He deserved to understand emotions and would have made excellent character development and story material. It's the only death I'm really salty about in bleach. Although I'm also a little about how barragan was killed too. Both deaths were kinda pulled out of the ass to me. Still I think Ulquiorra deserved better. 😔

I'm surprised you didn't go the route of using Orihime to use her god like healing powers to reverse/negate his injuries.

i wish stark had another battle and or killed one of the vizords if he was gonna die anyways

Something I realized to be the case for Ulquiorra, is that - according to the trailer for his resurreccion - he’d actually come back from the ashes of his former being and rebuild after having to fade into nothing. The battle with Ichigo would definitely kill him, but the possibility to return from the nothingness that is from within his own soul and as a person. Speaking of nothingness, etc. Ulquiorra would in time return as a broken being, that has transcended death beyond that one would go through, to when they become a hollow. To be reborn and evolve to another field of power. There comes the trailer for his new form, that was revealed from the game of Bleach: Brave Souls. His form is canonically made by Tite Kubo. However, the very idea of him canonically be reborn is probably out of the question. Unless Kubo gets enough motivation to return his popular character back to fruition, back to life. I’d say Ulquiorra would have then returned years after his death. To collect the different pieces that had been scattared across Hueco Mundo thoroughout the years. To then open his eyes once more in this pit of darkness, crawling out this strange place where he breaks out of this ”cocoon”. Ulquiorra will indeed - logically to his character trait as you mentioned - follow the order of this new Hueco Mundo. However, his uprisong will definitely leave a lot of characters shook and probably worried of his return. His spiritual pressure is low and would not be felt that easily by anyone. It’s hidden and still ”dead” in a sense. I’d love to have him return. Possibly to the story for the future, with Ichigo now being a dad and all that.

I always thoroughly enjoy your take on these types of vids 👍👍

I really dig how you kept the what if true to the character as opposed to what fans want to see. Excellent video

Imagine if Ulquiorra used Lanza del relampago in the fake karakura town. It might have destroyed all of Japan depending on your calcs for it.

You Did A Really Good Job As Always Man I Love Your Content And How In Depth Into Detail You Go While Making Your Videos!.💯

What I would like to know is what would happen if Stark survived

Thank you so much for your bleach videos idk why but I’ve been missing bleach more these days and I found your channel which basically saved me again thank you so much🙏🏻

Always love your vids man. Tbh, if he had survive, i think he would have found a way to continue evolving.

I kinda hope Ulquiorra ends up becoming an model employee for Urahara. There's some potential for that.

Now I wish Ulquiorra was alive in TYBW, it must’ve been exciting to see 🤔🤔🤔

really interesting What if and your ideas with it awesome video

Love your "what if" videos!

He only found out the "meaning" of the heart moments before death.

I think Ulquiorra could have been the most interesting of the espada, becoming more human, potentially less nihilistic if his role was to be played out. It would have probably been a more interesting espada group as well in the TYBW

It would have been cool if the Espada and Arrancar who died by a zanpakuto were "purified" and end up as spirits with unusually high reishi in Soul Society a while later. Or perhaps, after a time skip, we see them as a seated officer shinigami. Maybe their name is different, and not all their memories are intact, but a careful observation of appearance and personality will make one realize they were someone we might've seen before.

i remember asking this a while ago, i bet it is a coincidence, but you know what? im happy, i wanted this, and i got it, very cool

I was mostly agreeing but reserved on your ideas until you got to the interaction bit in the canon and that's when it really all came together for me and i got excited about your headcanon. i can definitely imagine a lot of what you said and it feels pretty realistic i think for how i've always interpreted him. and danggggggg, him and grimmjow tag teaming in a fight would have just been so amazing even though i just LOVE that grimmjow ended up with kisuke. UGH. his death in the anime ripped up my heart so much but the image you got in my head of the cannon interaction and tag team fight echoed that pain so much. i really feel like i know what we lost now. so, good job! lol

Thank u for another lovely vid, could u plz sometime in the future speak about Bleach's magic system compared to other anime, the good and the bad and how it could've grown as the series went by. THANK U

Really interesting discussion !

The true #1 espada 🤧

This makes me wonder, if Hikifune made a gigai with enough reiatsu and Ichibe were to use Shirafude Ichimonji to name it Ulquiorra Cifer, would that allow him to resurrect him ? Ichibe already demonstrated he can use a name and reiatsu to completely restore a being, so why wouldn't he have expanded on this idea.

Great video 👍

Glad to see that you’re still wearing the Captain America Tshirt my dude lol but it’s been a while since I watched one of your videos and I’m glad that I chose this absolute banger of a topic! 👏🏻

Good Video sir. I believe your theory is sound and makes sense.

I think he might work with ichigo since at the end he understood orihimes words about the heart and what she meant by those words

"Elite sternritter video" *BREATHES HEAVILY* please 🙏

I would love it if kubota would make a chapter with a hypathetical scenario where ulquiorra was part of the thousand year blood war arc or a picture where its ichigo, Grimmjow and Ulquiorra And after the video I thought if some quotes and scenarios After ulquiorra battle against Quilge and team ichigo arrives and ulquiorra turns to them "Ichigo Kurosaki" Ulquiorra said and turns his eye to Orihime and after a second turns his head back Scenario 2 On their way to the soul kings palace Team Ichigo, Nelliel, Grimmjow. and Ulquiorra all sit silently until Grimmjow speaks "So you cam back from the dead" Grimmjow ssidnand Ulquiorra sits there saying nothing "Are you still loyal to that excuse of a leader" Ulquiorra again said nothing and Grimmjow gets angry to trues to confront Ulquiorra but Nelliel stops him. Orihime walks over to Ulquiorra and Ichigo is on guard and as she approach Ulquiorra she saids "Um thank you for trying to help us" and Ulquiorra looks up and saids to Orihime "Do not misunderstand I'm doing this because we have a common cause nothing more" and Orihime saids back "I suppose your right but still I'm grateful" but she can say anymore they made it to the soul palace Sorry for it being long that's just my interpretation

I should note that the backstory on Arronierro heavily implied that the Espada predated Aizen and consisted of the strongest 'natural arrancar', and that Aizen just kinda of either just stacked it more with Vastro Lorde (as most VL seen were loaners), and built Las Noches as their actual 'palace'. (Granted Las Noches was originally Barragan's palace. This would make sense as it would seem that Starrk was a natural arrancar. Like the hogyoku (mispell I know) didn't do anything for Starrk/Lillinette. So a Can't Fear Your Own World or other book that covered early Espada etc would be epic as top tier Hueco Mundo life is probably distinctly more mundane than one would imagine.

Ok... Comments on the Video: Seeing Ulquiorra survive after Yami died makes me wonder if he would visit where Yami died if he was even still there honestly that scene might be quite interesting. I think the direction you took in this video was quite intersting and really gave me idea's for what direction I might take with an idea like this. The way you told it was quite easy to listen to an enjoyable while also having this realistic air yet still being fun enough to think of many idea's. I think what I'm trying to say is that you have enought detail and can understand the scaling of the fights without going into too much detail to make it like a vs battle and understanding where the story would have gone. I like to usually tell in 2 different directions but this base line is quite a nice direction. I think this was a good video overall. ----- When someone brought this question up to me it was in like an idea of the timeline going differently where Ulquiorra and Ichigo kept increasing in power while they were fighting... For what reason??? Either something interupts their fight... Aizen... Or their fight brings the strongest Hollows from all over and they are getting caught up in the crossfire... Ori and Uryu would have to defend themselves as well but I don't think that was the point of the story the other person was telling me. Then as they gained more power their abilities would get stronger Ulquiorra would still seemly disappear but Orihime would try and heal him but it would work... Except it kind of did and he was able to increase his ability waking up thinking this is the next life only to realize he finds himself in his base form and in an unfamiliar or familiar area. --- So then they also said something like Ulquiorra probably wouldn't grow in power as quick as Grimmjow or the way he would grow in power would be different since Grimmjow would be more determined to get stronger and more like that while Ulquiorra wouldn't have that same drive... I can kind of see that but maybe he amps it up later. My idea was always that he got the 3rd Release (You know the one) :) So it's possible they are comparable in base but he probably might be a bit weaker but he overpowers Grimmjow overall. Ulquiorra going and making Yammy a grave might be kind of cool I also thought of a cool concept that makes him act like a certain character from Seven Deadly Sins I won't namedrop them just in case of spoilers. Although Ulquiorra having Yami's Mask and possibly being able to hear his soul or some remanent would be a kind of cool concept. In his Base state it doesn't look like he has anything but in his First Release he has the Yammy Mask from his 2nd Transformation with the 4 Bone like things on the top and the actual Mask or whatever existed on the bottom. In his Second form maybe it gets more scrambled. This could honestly be a Plot point and I think it would be quite cool. I'm just thinking of if you were telling the story at the time like actually writing it with like fan demand and all these things going on the concepts might be quite interesting. I feel like this air might exist between Ulqui and Ori which is funny because while Ulqui might just be there for most of the time not really caring Ori would essentially be his translater the only one he's comfy talking to a bit more than the others while he and Grimmjow just have this rivalry. I think Hinting the entire arc at like all these secrets Ulqui has would be quite funny and then you just have the novels and games to confirm such things. I think it would definitly be quite cool. I'm not trying to say anything of the overall story and how the characters end would change but I think it's a possiblity it might go a different way. I like the concept of Ulquiorra and Grimmjow teaming up to beat one of the higher tier level fighters. I think having Ulquiorra hinted at transforming way past here would honestly be quite cool especially since him gaining the wings would already show his first form where like I said he could have the mask so that's one kind of thing that would erase these hints he could be given. I think the interactions would probably be the coolest thing. Especially if Ulquiorra somehow got to interact with Aizen. That would be quite interesting. Like overall with the idea so much cool stuff could happen. 1: The interactions 2: The techniques and implied new showings. 3: The fights. And then everything else really. I can understand why What-if's like these are really popular.

So I noticed this in your Starkk what if video too, but what about the possibility of old arrancar having interactions with Aizen again?

Now time for a real hypothetical match: Ulquiorra vs As Nodt Is Ulquiorra the perfect matchup vs As Nodt? Or does he has inner fears?

This is what I love about Bleach... It's not a flawless series, not every character gets enough attention... But there's clearly a lot of thought put into the world and characters... And for those unanswered questions or hypothetical situations, there's enough clues to help build a believable headcanon outside of the manga (and to read beyond the surface level of the existing material)

I think you hit the nail on the head. I couldn't imagine it happen any other way if he survived his battle with Ichigo. I just wonder though if he would survive the TYBW since Tite Kubo planned for him to die already.

Yeah so there's pretty much 2 points of interest I have when it comes to Ulquiorra surviving: He could survive to join the crew and learn more about emotions and things, get stronger and help them in the last arc or the Hogyoku could just decide it wants Ulquiorra to be it's next master, go to him (don't ask me how, maybe it just ends up becoming attracted to him like a magnet) and make him become his BBS version, at which point we probably won't see him again until he maybe later decides to join the war. To be honest Hogyoku Ulquiorra in the final war sounds really interesting but other than these two I feel like any other outcome would just kinda diminish his character as a whole. Ulquiorra is a character that you always want to see more of (or at least I do) but I don't want to see him get massacred considering he ended on a pretty good note in canon. I just wish I could wipe out my memory and rewatch that fight on top of the canopy of LN for the first time over and over again... Either that or really good reaction channels watching through it I suppose

I'd imagine he would have helped against Askin or perhaps Gerard and given the Quincy vulnerability to hollows he would have been a great asset.

VIDEO IDEA for when you’re struggling to come up with content. Ranking Vizard masks by appearance. (Lisa’s is the coolest looking)

Ah yes, Ulquiorra. The only antagonist to kill a protagonist (twice) and almost stole his girl

The only way he could return is via 'science hax'. Something like Mayuri having discovered a sample of Ulquiorra's tissue/hair in Szayel's lab during the HM arc. In the 'Spirits Are Forever With You" light novel, there's also Roka Paramia, who had an ability that spread out threads all over HM that recorded information. She could copy any attack she gathered data on, and even used Mugetsu at one point. Using something like that or flat out cloning Ulquiorra is the only way I see him being able to be 'brought back'. If he never died, I wonder if he would have been a good help to Mayuri against Pernida.. after all, he could simply cut off his own arm/leg and instantly regrow it if Pernida got one of his limbs with those nerves. I think Ulquiorra's potential change is like that of a real-life sociopath/psychopath - they don't feel in the way that we do, but they *can* be reasoned with in the right circumstances and can take measures to act differently and control their behavior and how they interact with others. In the same way, Ulquiorra's apathy could remain, while he chooses to alter how he treats others (a process that would have begun with the whole thing with Orihime)

I wish. He would have so much room to develop as a character. Experiencing different things and different emotions. He would be top 3 favorite for sure.

I wish he survived. He would have been a powerful ally....but then again, it’s one more character that kubo would have done almost nothing with unfortunately. If the series went on another few years and kubo was able to take his time and do every battle and the story properly, man would it be awesome to see ulquiorra and even stark battle some Quincy

It would certainly be interesting to see how Ulquiorra's regeneration would interact with Askin's The Deathdealing.

I think you're spot on, he would be reserved and want to do what is best for Hueco Mundo

I kind of wish you'd kept the fight closer to what it was originally because the ulquiorra at the end of that fight was almost a different character from the beginning or middle. I feel like a small change of all the previous attacks doing less damage to Ulquoirra's organs would've been enough to justify his survival. Or Orihime could've decided to heal him. Really what I was interested in was what Ulquiorra would've done after his epiphany at the end of the fight. After understanding the intangible nature of a heart and sort of developing a strange attachment to Ichigo and Orihime. I don't really ship Ulquiorra and Orihime the way some fans do but I do think she kind of became someone meaningful to him in the end which is a big deal for someone like Ulquiorra. I think it would be kind of hilarious if she saved him and he just decided that she was his new boss or something like that. I love enemies like Ulquiorra and Katakuri from one piece who have their life views completely upended by their fight with the protagonist.

Love it

We need more What If videos.

Pausing at 7:45, just to give input on two things. First, assuming it was the second cero that finished him off, I see his escape, while still helping Uryu, would be to slice Ichigo's horn as before, but immediately dive away. They wouldn't know where he went or if he was coming back, but from there he'd do as you say, and go back out into the barren wild as it were. That keeps his interactions up to the end of the fight intact without costing him his life. But I don't think he'd be content to go back to how things were. I think he'd be almost haunted by that very humanity you pointed out he was developing. That would might rouse him would be a glacially slow, but continuingly growing frustration, over what he felt, and why, and how, to his horror even, he didn't want to be alone.

Ulquiorra alone is confirmed in the databooks to be stronger than both Urahara and Yoruichi combined, and Urahara is around as strong as Askin in Bankai, so Ulquiorra would more than likely shit on nearly all of the Sternritter except for Gerard and Yhwach, since Askin is one of their strongest.

I agree with most of this, the main issue as usual, is not enough conversations with Aizen I really wanted to see Ulquiorra speak to imprisoned Aizen and square his nihilism with Aizen's worldview, because I was always kinda confused as to why Ulquiorra was so loyal at all.

You should do a video on the zanpaktou rebellion arc and kouga kuchiki

Ulquiorra, Grim, and Ichigo just hanging out together XD Inoue would have to be their to actually keep Ulquiorra there.

I just read the hueco mundo arc again and know a Video on ulqiorra i like that

I have been asking that myself for the past 15 years 😆

Ulquiorra aiding Mayuri and Nemu against Pernida would've been cool. Pernida tries destroying his limbs like he did to Zaraki but Ulquiorra just rips them off and regenerates them, could be an interesting dynamic

Ulquiorra is such a mood

Ok know I like to hear more what if video

I love how the first picture shown of ulquiorra is my arm tattoo ❤️😌

I think the most appropriate way for Ulquiorra’s survival would be Orihime showing him kindness and compassion by restoring his organs using her abilities. I feel as though Ulquiorra wouldn’t completely change his world view or automatically join Ichigo’s side but I could see him sealing his Ressurction and wandering the sands of Hueco Mundo and the rest playing out as you stated with probably a warning to Ichigo before leaving of his Inner Hollow (White).

It was many interviews after ulquiorras withering away. Before kubo admitted he was gone and not coming back. It makes me think there was definitely a plan for him in the final arc.

What if ULQUIORRA had hougyoku?

I think it would’ve been interesting to see Grimmjow’s reaction to Ulquiorra’s second release and realizing just how much further he has to grow to catch up. And I know that Grimmjow did receive a kubo-designed second release in the game, but I don’t think it would’ve happened until after the final arc in the manga

It would have been really emotional if Ichigo, and Orihime, had kept building up his compassion, and care for something so he could become a good guy, and it would be his new leash on life after losing to someone because i believe he felt the way he did since he felt so confident in his power which makes him so nihilistic since he is just meant to defend so aizen, just used him for that like a defensive drone.

Ulquiorra😢❤❤❤❤❤❤

Man I would love to have seen a spinoff where the espada survive and just get to fuck around in hueco mundo after aizen is gone

I Remember reading volume 40 (the volume where Ulquiorra dies) without any context for the rest if the arc in school, as I only read volumes 2-14, as well as 40 and 41. The Library only had those volumes

I would have loved to see him fight one of the Sternritter.

I could see Ulquiorra freeing Aizen from his seals as soon as he found out he was still alive. I think this could have ultimately been the path to making Aizen the true villain, im sure somehow Aizen unleashed might be able to take on Juha Bach especially with Ulquiorra backing him up in the fight. God I would love to see this.

Could you make one of these kind of video with starrk

it would be cool seeing ulquiorra vs as nodt

It would of been really cool to see him team up with Grimmjow to fight one of the Sternritters.

Can you do what if Coyote Stark survived next?

I always figured Ulquiorra would stay hidden and keep to himself after Aizen is gone. Maybe kill off any sternritter that get close to him and make his presence known in the palace raid. I envisioned he'd be either shirtless or wear the HM rags. I remember reading that canonly Ulquiorra did have feelings for Orihime so he'd probably join in to help Ichigo as favor for her. He'd then go away when he senses Aizen and is content with him taking over. I consider Ulquiorra v As Nodt the Ali v Tyson fantasy of anime so I'd have like for them to at least meet up. In my mind he shows up in the Rukia fight instead of Byakuya.

I always saw and still see a chance of him being purified since it wasnt just the Cero that killed him but his injuries from being cut by White in thw scene just before the cero hes cut in half and though his regen healed his torso his organs wouldnt heal, so it was a magnitude of things that killed him so i still have hope