As their battle intensifies, Lieutenant Momo Hinamori arrives to aid Matsumoto. Hitsugaya recalls a past conversation with Hinamori and wonders why she has come. The fight with Harribel seems to shift when she senses her Fraccións' defeat by Captain-Commander Yamamoto. She unveils her rank as the 3rd Espada, shocking Hitsugaya. As their powers collide, Harribel's sheer strength pushes him back. She releases her Zanpakutō, Tiburón, enveloping herself in water before cutting her way out, transforming into her Resurrección form.

Believing Hitsugaya defeated, Harribel turns her focus to Captain-Commander Yamamoto, but Hitsugaya reveals his survival by using an ice clone. He explains that as the wielder of an ice-element Zanpakutō, all water becomes his weapon. Harribel, unimpressed, melts his ice with her Hirviendo ability and launches a fierce attack, Cascada. Hitsugaya counters by freezing her attacks, leading to a stalemate. Harribel insists her power will soon overwhelm him, but Hitsugaya refuses to underestimate her, using the opportunity to try a new technique in his Bankai.

Hitsugaya activates Hyōten Hyakkasō, a massive ice technique that causes snow to fall, freezing everything it touches into flowers. Harribel attempts to melt the snow with Hirviendo, but is overwhelmed as ice flowers bloom on her body. Hitsugaya explains that when one hundred flowers bloom, she will die. Apologizing for preventing her revenge, Hitsugaya leaves her incapacitated.

As the battle concludes, a Garganta opens, and Wonderweiss Margela and Hooleer arrive. Wonderweiss impales Captain Jūshirō Ukitake and shatters Hitsugaya's ice, freeing Harribel.