Bleach [107-109] (Patreon)

Chapter 107: Battle with Zaraki Kenpachi; Retsu Unohana Appears

"You finally came."

In Hueco Mundo, Kurosaki Isshin stopped atop a white dune, watching Zaraki Kenpachi sprinting ahead, and said helplessly, "You vanished all of a sudden. That's against protocol."

Seeing Isshin suddenly appear in front of him, Zaraki grinned. "Hah, you want me to creep around like those cowards and 'scout carefully'?!"

Yachiru was still perched on Kenpachi's shoulder. She'd been the one guiding his direction just now.

Ever since the Gotei 13 entered Hueco Mundo, they'd been searching for Kisuke Urahara's whereabouts.

But to Zaraki Kenpachi, they were far too slow. They wanted to establish a temporary base in Hueco Mundo first and then search outward.

Zaraki felt that by the time they finished all that, he'd already have found the enemy's lair.

The first place he thought of was where he'd fought the Menos Grande that used Cero. It didn't look any different from anywhere else, but since a Menos Grande had taken the initiative to show itself there last time, and that strange bull-headed Hollow had been nearby, there had to be something unusual about the spot.

When it came to tracking the enemy, Kenpachi's beast-like instincts were keener than the other captains'.

And after their previous collaboration, Shiba Isshin had come to understand Zaraki's personality quite a bit. When Zaraki was absent from the temporary base and even the Eleventh Division didn't know his whereabouts, Isshin knew Zaraki must have gone off on his own.

Isshin was no fool. He knew Zaraki would head for the place where they last saw that strange Arrancar and search the surrounding area.

So he arrived there ahead of time to wait. He didn't expect it would take several days for Zaraki to show up.

No need to think too hard—he obviously got lost.

In Seireitei, Zaraki is the king of getting lost; in a place like Hueco Mundo, all the more so.

"Don't get me wrong. On this point, I actually agree with you," Shiba Isshin rested his Zanpakuto on his shoulder. "Things are bad in Seireitei. Kisuke Urahara has everyone on edge. I want to end this farce quickly too."

"So this time, I'm endorsing your approach."

"Huh?" Zaraki said with displeasure. "No matter what you think, the enemy's boss is my prey!"

"Relax. I'm not arguing with you," Isshin said, then added, "By the way, you're a captain at least—practice your reishi sensing more. The direction you were going just now is exactly opposite from the way we went last time."

Isshin hopped down from the dune, his expression tightening. "Let's go. There's a very unusual, very powerful reishi over there…"

"Looks like we chose the right direction this time."

…

After a few days, Angra Mainyu gradually woke from his evolution.

After devouring the remaining two boxes of Soul King fragments, he gained tremendous spiritual pressure; plus the thirty pieces from before, he had now reached the realm of a Vasto Lorde.

When he first split off, he had only been a Menos Grande—not even a Gillian—but in a short time he became a Vasto Lorde. That's the allure of the Soul King fragments.

He had digested seventy to eighty percent of their power; the remaining twenty percent could not be fully assimilated in a short time.

Best to burn through it by fierce combat—pushing himself to the limit to digest that spiritual energy.

At this moment, his body swelled again, doubling in size. The entire Negar Ruins seemed completely wrapped by his true form—the black liquid.

As the black liquid contracted, Angra Mainyu's body took shape. The mask on his face shattered further, leaving only a white shard on his left cheek.

In a sense, a Hollow's mask reflects how much power has been unleashed. Compared to Adjuchas-grade Arrancar, Vasto Lorde-grade Arrancar have much less mask remaining.

Top Vasto Lorde like Starrk had almost no mask left at all.

"If I keep growing, will I really become an ocean one day?"

Yoshio wondered.

As his internal power grew, the black mire grew as well. If he grew stronger—supremely strong—could his body cover the entire planet?

That would truly be All the World's Evil.

But having just completed his evolution, he quickly turned his gaze south.

He sensed two extremely powerful reishi approaching. Judging by their signatures, they should be Zaraki Kenpachi and Shiba Isshin.

Those two…

Were they coming to cause trouble?

He knew the reishi he released during evolution would attract some Hollows, but once they touched the black sludge, they'd be absorbed and devoured by him.

He didn't expect Shinigami to be drawn as well.

Good. Now he could test his strength.

Normally, Yoshio would let Angra go; his temperament disliked pointless fights.

But this time, he wanted to test the power of this avatar.

He triggered Sonido and in an instant left the Negar Ruins.

When he appeared again, two Shinigami in black uniforms, wearing captain's haori, stood before him.

Isshin and Zaraki reacted differently upon seeing Angra: Isshin was shocked, while Zaraki eagerly raised his Zanpakuto and slashed at Yoshio!

No hesitation. No pause. Zaraki leapt high and struck!

"Shinigami…"

Angra used Sonido to evade Zaraki's blow and widened the distance.

"Shinigami daring to come to Hueco Mundo—and two Captain-class at that. Interesting."

Controlling Angra, Yoshio said evenly, "No wonder there's only a little girl and an old man left in Seireitei."

?!

Isshin's pupils shrank. He shouted, "You went to Seireitei?!"

Because Angra had previously gone to Seireitei and was seen by Yamamoto, Yoshio didn't hide it and admitted openly.

Yoshio smiled faintly, clapped his hands, and said, "If Shinigami can come to Hueco Mundo, naturally Hollows can go to Seireitei."

"What did you do?!" Isshin's face changed.

At that time, there were only two captains in Seireitei!

"Nonsense!"

Before Yoshio could reply, Zaraki had already torn off his eyepatch, unleashing a torrent of reishi. With an earth-shattering roar, his body exploded forward like a cannonball, blasting toward Yoshio!

Facing this bizarre Arrancar, Zaraki chose to remove the eyepatch and release all his reishi!

At full release, Zaraki's speed and strength were astonishing!

He's much stronger than when he last came to Hueco Mundo.

Yoshio assessed instantly.

Last time, Zaraki likely hadn't fought for a long while.

But this time, after crossing blades with Starrk, White, and Isshin, some of Zaraki's power was unsealed.

No matter. If he were too weak, it wouldn't be interesting!

As the blade neared, Yoshio drew his Zanpakuto to counter.

Boom!

In an instant, the two blades collided with a thunderous crash. Vast spiritual pressure burst outward from the clash, as if a violent explosion had gone off around them. Reishi sand was blasted into the air, then rained down!

"Idiot!"

Isshin couldn't help but curse under his breath. He had so many questions to ask this Arrancar, but Zaraki was a beast!

Isshin moved at once to stop the fight, if only to learn whether this strange Menos Grande was related to Urahara.

But as Isshin reached the field, Zaraki slashed at him!

"Are you insane?!"

Isshin snapped at Zaraki.

"I think you're the crazy one," Zaraki said coolly. "I never said I'd let you interfere in my fight. Whatever you want to ask, ask when I'm done. For now, watch Yachiru."

And with that, Zaraki launched at Yoshio again.

"Well said."

Watching Zaraki charge, Yoshio smiled. "In battle, unrelated people should be removed."

"Ah?! Isn't that obvious?!" Golden reishi flared from Zaraki, and he seemed to turn into a streak of golden light as he advanced.

A black radiance surged from Yoshio. Black and light—together, it felt contradictory, but it truly was a black light.

Pitch-black reishi and golden reishi met like sworn enemies, clashing across Hueco Mundo. Each strike tore the ground apart like rotten wood!

"Gran Rey Cero."

Another clash drove both back a step. At the same time, Yoshio raised his free hand and released a Gran Rey Cero.

Gran Rey Cero is an advanced form of Cero, used only by the Espada—powerful enough to warp space!

As reishi condensed, space around them twisted. With both moving back, the energy lanced toward Zaraki.

Boom!

With a deafening blast, the Gran Rey Cero engulfed Zaraki. A black beam shot skyward, its power smashing into the Shinigami's body.

An ordinary captain would have lost combat ability under two such blows.

But Zaraki's toughness far exceeded a typical Shinigami's. Even after taking Yoshio's Gran Rey Cero head-on, his body was merely scorched; blood flowed from his left shoulder as if burned.

It looked ghastly, yet his movements were unaffected. He still closed on Yoshio at extreme speed.

Yoshio parried Zaraki's strike with a reverse guard. The sand underfoot collapsed, and the black sludge at his feet surged alive, spewing countless threads that coiled around Zaraki's body.

"Hm?"

Zaraki hadn't expected this move. The black threads wrapped him, restricting his movements.

And in that instant, Yoshio's blade ran Zaraki through!

Squelch!

The thrust pierced Kenpachi's abdomen!

"You… are you underestimating me?"

Even after stabbing through Zaraki, no joy of victory showed on Yoshio's face.

He withdrew the blade, and a jet of blood burst from Kenpachi's abdomen. Before it could spray onto Yoshio's face, the black sludge devoured it.

So no blood stained Yoshio. He merely stepped back twice and said:

"Next time you fight me, at least go all out."

"…What did you say?" Even with his abdomen pierced, Zaraki still stood. Clutching the wound, he looked at Yoshio. "You're saying I held back?"

"Exactly," Yoshio said coldly. "You're too weak right now. I don't know why you've become like this, but next time bring your real power before you come for me."

Yoshio didn't continue the fight.

He knew that Isshin wasn't alone out there.

If it were only Isshin, he could fight Zaraki for three hundred rounds, but at least two others were watching.

One was Mayuri Kurotsuchi's surveillance spirit bug on Isshin.

The other…

Yoshio glanced at Retsu Unohana approaching in the distance.

If Zaraki was here, how could Unohana not be nearby?

At his current strength, he probably wasn't a match for the first Kenpachi, so it was wise to stop.

From the moment he heard Aizen say that the Fourth Division would head to Hueco Mundo along with the Eighth through Thirteenth Divisions, he knew Unohana must be looking for Zaraki.

"Captain Unohana?"

Seeing her approach, Isshin was surprised.

Unohana arrived, but her gaze wasn't on Zaraki. She looked at Yoshio. "Arrancar, how should we address you?"

Yoshio thought for a moment and gave his name.

"Angra Mainyu."

"And you, Shinigami?"

Chapter 108: Arrancar and Shinigami Join Forces; Yoruichi Shihōin Appears Again

"Retsu Unohana, Captain of the Gotei 13's Fourth Division."

Unohana spoke first: "This is the Tenth Division's Captain, Shiba Isshin; and he is Kenpachi Zaraki of the Eleventh Division."

She introduced herself and the other two. Then, "So… Mr. Arrancar, can you tell us how your mask was damaged?"

The question was simple but carried a faint pressure.

Yoshio was immune to that. He'd met too many powerful and too many who hid their strength; he didn't care.

Even so, he was not Unohana's match right now.

But he believed she wouldn't attack him. Since she put aside the title of the Kenpachi and became "Retsu Unohana," she was essentially dead to battle. She wouldn't fight anyone except Zaraki.

Even during the Karakura battle, when other captains were defeated—when even Captain-Commander Yamamoto fell—she silently stood by.

So Yoshio did not fear her. "Arrancar is an apt name. They're Menos Grande who tore their masks."

His tone turned cool. "But you're asking the wrong person. Though there are many Arrancar in Hueco Mundo now, I have no connection to them."

"Hmm?" Unohana and Isshin frowned. Wasn't this Arrancar together with another one before?

Yoshio had no intention to explain, but after fighting Kenpachi his favorability toward Zaraki had actually gone up.

Outrageous. As long as you can give Kenpachi a satisfying fight, does it matter if the opponent's a Hollow?

The increase was small, but it showed Yoshio a path to the ["Rampage"] skill.

So he continued, "I only know those Arrancar come from Las Noches. There's a King of Hueco Mundo inside, but I haven't dealt with him."

"How about this…"

A thought occurred to him. He sheathed his Zanpakuto and put some distance between them.

"Why don't we cooperate?"

"Cooperate?" Isshin was stunned. "Hollows become Arrancar and get this… cultured? Not just stronger, but more rational too…"

Their stereotype of Hollows was devouring, evil, enormity, destruction. Powerful Hollows could communicate, but with their fundamentally opposed ideologies, conversation was meaningless.

Shinigami–Hollow exchanges were basically just generating hostility and trading sneers.

Isshin never imagined he'd hear the word "cooperate" from a Hollow.

"Oh? How?" Unohana was unbothered. After more than a thousand years, she'd seen all kinds; her psychological tolerance was high.

"I know your Shinigami have an organization called the Research and Development Institute. Give me their research data, and… I'll help you investigate the recent Arrancar phenomenon in Hueco Mundo."

"I'll discuss this with Captain Kurotsuchi," said Unohana. "If we agree to cooperate, how do we contact you?"

"Let's meet here again," Yoshio said blandly. Then he looked at Zaraki. "Next time we meet, show me your true strength."

With that, Yoshio used Sonido and vanished.

In a blink, only three Shinigami captains remained.

"This is unbelievable."

After Yoshio left, Isshin said in disbelief, "Have Menos Grande gotten this clever?"

"He even wants Captain Kurotsuchi's research data? That's a bit… well…"

Isshin thought, then squeezed out four words: "Too studious, huh?"

"This shows Arrancar are no longer like Hollows used to be," Unohana said, staring in the direction Yoshio left. "We'll have to be more cautious dealing with them."

In the past, one only needed to fight Hollows.

If you were stronger, you won.

But after seeing Yoshio, they believed that once Menos Grande become Arrancar, they evolve high intelligence rather than being instinct-driven degenerates.

Communication is one thing, but asking for Mayuri Kurotsuchi's research data? What does that mean? It means Hueco Mundo has, to some extent, the potential to nurture civilization.

Why have Shinigami suppressed Menos Grande in recent years?

In the past, even a Gillian Menos Grande was beyond Shinigami's capability; the Royal Guard had to intervene.

But now Shinigami could handle Gillians fairly easily, and even higher Menos were manageable.

Why?

Technology, of course.

Ever since Oetsu Nimaiya invented the Zanpakuto thousands of years ago, Shinigami combat power skyrocketed.

Before Zanpakuto, a Baraggan-class Menos Grande could sweep Seireitei.

After Zanpakuto, even ten Baraggans might not force out Zero Division.

From that perspective, Oetsu Nimaiya was a great benefactor to the Gotei 13.

Now, if Hollows, armed with intelligence, invented weapons analogous to Zanpakuto…

Would the Shinigami's situation regress to millennia or even eons past?

In truth, Shinigami, Hollows, and Quincy have always been in a development race.

Initially, Hollows were strongest by nature, born with Resurrección, super high-speed regeneration, Garganta, sensory nerves, Cero, Sonido, and more.

Later, Shinigami developed Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, Kidō, Hell Butterflies, Senkaimon, reishi threads, Zanpakuto catching up to become the strongest in the Three Realms.

Eventually the Quincy upgraded their bloodline, gained Schrift and Vollständig, and developed methods to steal Bankai, making them the strongest race.

Hollows, bound by their innate depravity and acting on instinct, failed to evolve and fell behind.

Now, from their exchange with Yoshio, they sensed that this new breed of Hollow had the potential to become the Three Realms' overlord again.

Thinking this, Isshin couldn't help saying, "Should we really cooperate with that guy? If he gets Captain Kurotsuchi's data, something even more terrible might happen."

Unohana couldn't decide either.

What Arrancar in Hueco Mundo most lacked was foundational knowledge and tech accumulation. If Angra Mainyu obtained Mayuri's research, it would fill centuries of gaps for them.

And all that… just to get info on Arrancar?

"We'll wait for Captain Kurotsuchi's opinion," said Unohana. "Through his surveillance bug, he should already know what happened here."

"That guy…" Isshin frowned, but mindful Mayuri might be listening, he changed the subject: "What is Kisuke Urahara trying to do? Has he abandoned being a Shinigami? Is he mixed up with Hollows now?"

Unohana said nothing. Her contact with Kisuke was limited, but while he served as captain she hadn't thought him a bad person.

Studying Hollowfication—perhaps that was just research drive. What researcher doesn't have it? Is Mayuri really better than Kisuke?

But now, this had gone beyond "research desire."

"Let's head back."

After speaking, Unohana glanced stealthily at Zaraki.

Since the fight with Yoshio, Zaraki had been silent. He wasn't interested in anything outside of battle.

Still…

That Hollow was sharp. First meeting and he already noticed the power buried in Zaraki.

Unohana sighed inwardly. She wanted to pass the full name of Kenpachi to him—but now was not the time…

And so, the Shinigami left.

…

Yoshio appeared more than fifty kilometers from the Negar Ruins. To him, the earlier deal was win–win.

He was Angra Mainyu, but also Yoshio Kamado. He already had Arrancar data in his head.

Trading some of that in exchange for unknown data was good.

He was very interested in Mayuri's "artificial soul" research—especially the Nemuri Project with unlimited self-evolution.

The Daireishokairō forcibly recorded everything that happened in Seireitei, but Mayuri clearly hadn't recorded those matters, or had evaded recording by some method.

Mayuri was connected to Central 46; even making Shinigami into living bombs brought no punishment. Modifying the Daireishokairō entries wasn't far-fetched.

His research was always top secret.

If he could use this opportunity to get Mayuri's research, it would be a big win.

He already had a large amount of Kisuke Urahara's research. If he also obtained Mayuri's, he'd have the distilled essence of the two great Shinigami scientists.

Then his research capacity would skyrocket—he might even create superior things.

Still pondering research data, Yoshio stopped walking.

"Come out."

He looked into the distance. As his words fell, a black cat came padding over.

"How did you find me?"

The black cat was, of course, Yoruichi Shihōin.

In feline form, Yoruichi approached. "I used special methods to null my spiritual pressure. In theory it shouldn't be detectable."

Onmitsukidō had ways to nullify one's spiritual pressure without lowering combat capability. As former head of Onmitsukidō, Yoruichi knew the secret well.

Yoshio was a bit surprised; he hadn't expected Yoruichi to come find him.

He was also somewhat moved. His identity was bound to Aizen, so he couldn't gain favor with Aizen's enemies. But his Arrancar identity wasn't bound to any faction yet.

Could he use this identity to gain Urahara's goodwill?

Yoruichi's Shunpo wasn't the point, but Urahara's "Universal Countermeasure" soul ability was truly god-tier.

Earning Urahara's favor would be as hard as climbing the sky, but you have to start somewhere.

He wouldn't force it. For someone like that, pressure only breeds suspicion.

Better to have him approach, then build goodwill and rapport through several collaborations.

Thinking this, Yoshio said, "Have you heard this saying. When you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you."

"…" Yoruichi paused, then murmured, "You're not like other Arrancar—you're rather literate."

"To me, those Arrancar are merely incomplete forms," Yoshio said flatly. "Their masks have shattered, yes, but that's their only similarity to me."

In truth, that wasn't wrong. With the exception of Starrk, other Arrancar weren't complete forms.

Strictly speaking, one must wait for Aizen to extract the Hōgyoku from Rukia Kuchiki and then fuse the two Hōgyoku; only then could the Hōgyoku fully Arrancarize a Hollow.

Having been at Urahara's side for years, Yoruichi understood.

Seireitei had stirred up a huge operation to hunt her and Urahara—they couldn't have missed this point.

So when Seireitei moved, Kisuke did too.

He knew Central 46 and the Gotei wouldn't believe him. They could only try to expose the true mastermind—at least, Aizen Sōsuke…

They also had to avoid an all-out deathmatch with the Gotei 13; if it came to that, there'd be no reconciliation.

Especially with the Visoreds involved…

Thus, when the Shinigami entered Hueco Mundo, Urahara sent Yoruichi to infiltrate and use special methods to surveil the Shinigami.

Unohana's conversation with Yoshio had been under Kisuke and Yoruichi's surveillance.

It was precisely because she sensed Yoshio was different that Yoruichi approached.

But even with her pressure nullified, she couldn't hide from Yoshio.

Because besides sensing spiritual pressure, Yoshio had a divine skill—

Malice Sense!

Chapter 109: Grimmjow's Destruction; Baraggan vs. Kyōraku Shunsui

Within a certain range, even if someone nullifies their pressure, as long as they harbor malice toward Angra Mainyu, he can sense it.

This ability is more convenient than sensing spiritual pressure.

When targeting someone, you can hide your pressure, but not your malice.

Perhaps a very few can be as calm as still water—killing without malice—but such people are rarer than those who can null their pressure.

For example, Zaraki Kenpachi: sometimes even if he wants to fight you, he bears no malice—he just wants a fight.

Or Aizen: given his view of others as ants, he likely wouldn't feel malice toward those he looks down on. Even when killing them, it's trivial to him—no malice needed.

But such people are rare. Yoruichi hadn't reached that state, nor had that temperament.

So even though she used the Onmitsukidō art to nullify her pressure, Yoshio detected the flicker of malice in that split second.

Thus he knew someone was tailing him.

"Looks like Kisuke Urahara was right. Compared to other Arrancar, your completion is indeed higher," Yoruichi said, approaching in cat form. "Can you tell me how you became an Arrancar?"

"What's in it for me?" Yoshio said coolly. "People act with purpose. If you want my secrets, bring something of equal value."

"…Come meet someone," Yoruichi said. "If you see him, you might find common ground."

"That would be this 'Kisuke Urahara,' right?" Yoshio said softly. "He created so many Arrancar?"

"In short… it's related to him," Yoruichi turned, though her head remained angled toward Yoshio. "Didn't you say you wanted to trade with Shinigami? Follow me, and you'll get Arrancar-related intel."

"And… you'll get more."

"Is that so?" Yoshio was noncommittal. "Perhaps. But who knows if it's a trap? If he wants to see me, have this 'Kisuke Urahara' come in person."

Gazing into the black cat's golden eyes, he said coldly, "You seem mistaken. I'm not asking you for anything—you're the one who plainly needs me."

"Stow your arrogance, whatever its source, you Shinigami-in-cat-form."

"…," danger flashed in Yoruichi's eyes. A palpable menace surged from her.

"What if I insist you come with me?" her voice edged with threat.

In that instant, a tremendous spiritual pressure seemed to pour from her. The world's colors faded; a colossal, sky-blotting demon seemed to extend from the small black cat, ready to swallow Yoshio.

But Yoshio was unmoved, turning his back to her. "You can try. Don't think you're so great. The world isn't short on fools who overrate themselves."

He walked away, growing farther and farther.

Yoruichi narrowed her eyes, watching him recede, then withdrew her aura.

"This guy…"

"Maybe he'll be a turning point."

She turned and headed in the opposite direction, vanishing into Hueco Mundo's white desert.

…

After routine study and finally finishing his first experimental product, Yoshio happily picked up a thermometer-like device from the bench.

A memory–reishi separation device. With it, Angra Mainyu could devour only spiritual power from other souls while filtering out any memories that might affect him.

It was his first independent gadget—marking a notable rise in his research ability.

Pleased, he weighed the device in his hand and, humming, left the lab.

He noticed Grimmjow waiting in the hall…

Waiting for someone?

Grimmjow's Souls Ability was "Destruction."

"Destruction: designate an area or individual to undergo 'destructive' phenomena."

A solid offensive power, somewhat akin to Yoshio's prior Destructive Death Ray.

But while the Death Ray ignores defenses with piercing power, this destruction ability is an area-type annihilation without defense-ignoring. It's more like the Shiba family's Earth Magic—Ganju's sandification—though Ganju's only works on inanimate matter.

Think of reishi as atoms in the Human World; everything in Soul Society and Hueco Mundo is composed of reishi.

Disrupt the bonds between reishi, and you disrupt life's basic structure—as if your attack penetrates to the atomic level.

So even without defense-ignoring, it's strong. Ordinary Shinigami couldn't withstand it; even a captain-class caught directly might not endure.

Of course, such power demands a price—especially anything directly affecting reishi. But Yoshio was far from obtaining it, so he wasn't in a rush.

He looked at Grimmjow and greeted him. "Oh, if it isn't Grimmjow. What is it? Something up?"

Clearly he'd come looking for Yoshio.

Hearing Yoshio's voice, Grimmjow glanced over, impatient. "When do we move? Shinigami are close."

"What, are you scared?" Yoshio smiled faintly. "Afraid they'll come knocking?"

"I feel insulted!" Grimmjow raised his voice. "Being ambushed by Shinigami on our home ground—this is your approach as the interim King of Hueco Mundo?"

"Don't rush, Grimmjow," Yoshio said, stepping up to him. "If you're really itching to act, maybe pair up with Baraggan."

When Yoshio arrived earlier, Baraggan had said he'd clear out nearby Shinigami. Yoshio couldn't be bothered with the old man.

So his order was: if you are a Vasto Lorde, you may act freely.

If you are not, you stay in Las Noches.

Grimmjow was not a Vasto Lorde yet.

On the timeline, he'd only recently met Shawlong Koufang and the others.

By the time he met them, he was a very strong Adjuchas.

After Hōgyoku-induced Arrancarization, he'd be at least as strong as a non-Arrancar Vasto Lorde—but mid-tier Menos is mid-tier Menos. If he wasn't a Vasto Lorde, he wasn't leaving Las Noches.

If Yoshio formed the Espada now, Grimmjow probably wouldn't make the cut—maybe he'd be "No. 12" by sequence at best.

Before Grimmjow could speak, Yoshio paused, thought, and said, "If you want to put on a show, it's not impossible."

"Here's a task."

"What task?" Grimmjow stared coldly.

He had joined Las Noches only because he bowed to Aizen's power—and Aizen promised a new world.

He had no interest in this seemingly powerless Yoshio.

"When you leave, open a Garganta to Karakura Town."

…

"Captain…"

In Hueco Mundo, on the reishi sands, Kyōraku Shunsui bent down and picked up a white bone.

Nanao approached.

"How is it on your side?" she asked gravely.

"Not good," Shunsui said softly. "This is the thirteenth white bone. No corpses—just these nearly weathered bones."

After arriving in Hueco Mundo, they had been searching for Arrancar. But three days ago, Shinigami began to be killed.

When they reached each scene, they saw only near-weathered bones, as though a breeze would turn them to dust.

By analysis, these people seemed to have died tens of thousands of years ago.

"An ability of a Hollow?" Ise Nanao guessed. Only an ability could explain the absurd.

"Perhaps," Shunsui said, adding, "Captain Kurotsuchi is setting surveillance bugs around. That might help."

Nanao nodded.

Most in Seireitei didn't have a good impression of Mayuri, but on the battlefield, his presence was reassuring.

Of course…

If he put bombs in their bodies, that was unacceptable!

At least for now, without some of Mayuri's tech, holding ground in Hueco Mundo would be hard.

"Oh… Captain Kenpachi is back too."

Shunsui sensed Zaraki's reishi. For the captain who had gone missing for days shortly after arrival, they weren't worried—Zaraki was the "strongest Shinigami."

How could the "strongest Shinigami," the "Kenpachi," die so easily?

If he'd returned, did that mean he'd found clues?

"Let's go, Nanao, we—"

He didn't finish. He sensed another reishi rapidly approaching.

Shunsui's face darkened. He shielded Nanao. "Have our squad members pull back."

Nanao didn't know what, but seeing Shunsui's face, she knew it wasn't good.

She hurried to evacuate another Shinigami, but in a flash, an old man appeared behind that Shinigami.

The old man's right eye seemed blind. He wore a white crown-like headpiece, his frame was brawny, muscled, robed.

The moment he appeared, more than thirty men before them began to age and rot at terrifying speed. Flesh shriveled, leaving only pallid bones.

Then the old man's gaze fell on Nanao.

Her pupils dilated. She felt death closing in.

The old man stepped forward and appeared before her. As with the others, a deathly aura rushed at Nanao to turn her into a skeleton too.

Yet in that instant, Shunsui appeared in front of Nanao, and the two vanished from the old man's sight the next moment.

"The report said a captain was here. So it's you."

The prey had been snatched, but the old man wasn't angry, only arrogant. "Shinigami dare set foot in the domain of Hollows? How impudent."

"Looks like a big shot," Shunsui said as he and Nanao reappeared in the distance. He eyed the old man. "Judging by your pressure, are you… a Vasto Lorde?"

"Vasto Lorde?"

Baraggan said coolly, "How narrow your Shinigami vision is."

Menos Grande are classed as Gillian, Adjuchas, Vasto Lorde—but Baraggan did not consider himself of the same order as other Menos.

He was the King of Hueco Mundo—the strongest Hollow.

Normally, Baraggan would not deal with Shinigami personally.

But because of Aizen, his hatred of Shinigami had grown—even if he wasn't Aizen's match.

Learning Shinigami had come to Hueco Mundo, he had ordered his subordinates to purge them. Once they were slain, he would stride forth, bringing absolute death, sweeping all into the torrent of decay.

This time, hearing there was a captain nearby, he decided to do it himself.

These wretched Shinigami should die painfully before his absolute power of death—especially…

Aizen Sōsuke, the one who stole his power!

"So not a Vasto Lorde?"

Shunsui was surprised. Had a higher class than Vasto Lorde emerged in Hueco Mundo?

"Nanao, get the others out—and don't let anyone approach."

Kyōraku Shunsui—strictly speaking, his imaginary body—said softly, "I'd like to have a good talk with this Arrancar."

…