Spoilers after the cut.
I think we learned a couple of things from Chapter 602.
First, Askin Nakk le Varr has a really cool ability. This ability is then wasted because of the plot.
Second, we now know why he wanted to avoid fighting Captain Kurotsuchi earlier when the Vandenreich took over Seireitei. We knew that a fight between those two would have been a pain in the arse for Nakk le Varr anyway, because Kurotsuchi is a known cheater. But yeah, that ability of Nakk le Varr's would not have bestowed an advantage in such a battle.
So Nakk le Varr's awesome ability went up against Nimaiya's most-badass sword and took the cake...for a moment.
Just when it looked like the elite Stern Ritter had won a fight, the Royal Guard did what they do best: fight dirty. Nimaiya calls on his fellow RG member Kirinji, and the healing waters of the red hot spring replace the tainted blood in Nimaiya's body.
And just like that, down goes Nakk le Varr.
In a sense, you really have to hand it to the Royal Guard/Zero Division. They set traps like no one else and actually attempt something resembling teamwork. The chapter ends with Nimaiya calling out Bach. "His Majesty"'s hands are glowing as he steps forward.
If there's a point where the tide turns back in favor of Bach and his merry men, I think it's right now. Because I think Bach has something else up his sleeve. And even if he doesn't, I'm not sure Nimaiya has enough raw power to take him down.
