Starrk followed along entirely because Lilynette wanted to come.
Otherwise, with his personality, he would rather lie in his room and sleep than travel all this way.
Lilynette seemed to really like the Seireitei, constantly pulling Aozaki around with great enthusiasm.
Ulquiorra, on the other hand, traveled back and forth between the Seireitei and Rukongai, aimlessly wandering with his "childhood companion."
Sometimes they would encounter interesting things or people.
Although it was unclear if Ulquiorra truly found them interesting, he always watched quietly, occasionally offering a comment or two.
Yammy, surprisingly, seemed to have changed his ways; despite his constant complaints, he still followed him everywhere.
However, as long as there was good food, this simple-minded fellow would become exceptionally happy.
Grimmjow and the other male Arrancar, as expected, went to the Eleventh Division and had a great time with those who also loved to fight.
Once they got excited talking, they would not hesitate to exchange blows, fully displaying their bravery.
After fighting, both sides would laugh heartily, as if it were just a game.
For these warmongers, this hellish place was simply delightful.
Shunsui had come out to entertain guests, so Aozaki's other senior brother naturally couldn't be idle either.
Ukitake warmly invited the Picaro to be guests at the Thirteenth Division.
This senior brother's fondness for children was well-known throughout the Gotei 13.
Even his Zanpakuto's materialized form consisted of two adorable child-like sword spirits.
Therefore, everyone was not surprised by Ukitake's interactions with the Picaro.
However, good times are like a fleeting white steed, passing in a flash, and in the blink of an eye, the day of farewell arrived.
In the Captain-Commander's Office, Aozaki sat in the main seat, smiling as he said to everyone:
"I will grant you access to the Senkaimon; in the future, you may freely use the Gotei 13's Senkaimon as well."
After speaking, he seemed to think of something, paused, and then continued:
"Speaking of which, there's still some time. Today, something interesting is happening. Vice-Captain Aizen asked me to help, would you like to come and see?"
Hearing this, Starrk couldn't help but glance sideways.
He clearly remembered that when they were in Las Noches, the other party had said something similar.
And at that time, he was still immature, easily piqued by him.
And the result?
This guy actually took him to a small dark room, and then… turned on a video game console!
He still remembered that although the game's plot was quite interesting and the settings were grand, possessing an epic feel.
But the so-called protagonist couldn't even perform the most basic jump.
If he couldn't roll and run, he even suspected that the species called the Undead might not have knees at all.
Seeing that everyone had an expression of distrust, Aozaki did not reprimand these impolite subordinates but slowly stood up from the main seat.
"You've seen many instances of Hollows gaining Shinigami powers, but you haven't seen the process of Shinigami Hollowfication, have you?"
Aozaki said with a smile.
"Hollowfication?" Hearing this familiar yet strange term, everyone immediately became interested, their faces showing curiosity.
They had all heard of it, but had never seen it with their own eyes.
Even Harribel and Nelliel had only seen something similar.
"That's right, it's about allowing Shinigami to break the boundary between Shinigami and Hollows, just like you, but Shinigami gain the power of Hollows."
Aozaki explained.
The power of Hollows…
Harribel opened her mouth, her mind inevitably recalling the ambitious man who died by her hand.
She had, of course, witnessed Shinigami with Hollow powers, and even fought against one.
But that shouldn't count as Hollowfication.
And she truly didn't know what this Hollowfication process was about.
Everyone immediately became interested, expressing their desire to go and see.
After all, it was truly novel that two races, once mortal enemies, were now both moving closer to each other.
"Come on, I'll take you to see it."
The breeze billowed his white haori, and Aozaki waved to everyone, walking towards the Shinigami Research and Development Institute.
Aizen truly hadn't expected Aozaki to have such a sudden whim.
He frowned, feeling a headache, and couldn't help but rub his temples.
Can't this guy just settle down for a while?
"Captain-Commander, you know the subject of this Hollowfication; it might cause trouble."
When Aizen uttered the honorific, he deliberately emphasized his tone, seemingly indicating his displeasure.
However, Aozaki was unmoved; he smiled and said to Aizen:
"Vice-Captain Aizen, don't be so nervous. I may not know their strength, but don't you?"
Aizen sighed helplessly, knowing he couldn't change Aozaki's decision.
This isn't a play on a stage, so why does he have to join in on this excitement too?
Aozaki, who was showing off in front of a group of subordinates, saw the figure whose Reiatsu was gradually becoming violent in the center and blurted out:
"Has Kenpachi started yet?"
"Yes, his inner Hollow has been drawn out, and a mask is about to form."
Aizen took off his glasses, took out a handkerchief to wipe them, and watched the figure with a smirk.
This was a training ground located beneath the Shinigami Research and Development Institute, and unlike the technologically advanced buildings outside the metal door, here one could only see rock and sand.
Urahara Kisuke was a master at digging and had extensive experience; building an underground training ground was a minor task for him.
The tall man kneeling in the center of the arena had vacant eyes, and the violent Reiatsu, condensed like liquid, surged from within him, rapidly covering his fierce face.
"This level of Reiatsu, even before I fused with the Hōgyoku, I could only reach this point," Nelliel praised, then stroked her chin and continued, "However, if it's only this level, it still can't compare to the boost from Arrancarification, can it!?"
No sooner had she finished speaking than the Reiatsu on the tall man's body erupted again.
The golden spiritual energy fluctuations were as dazzling as a burning sun.
And as the Reiatsu continuously intensified, the man's body also underwent a transformation.
His skin became rough, his muscles swelled, his bones protruded, and he seemed to transform into a giant monster.
"Wow, is this Hollowfication? Isn't this completely transforming into the Hollow's original appearance!?"
Lilynette shouted excitedly from the side.
The others were also shocked by the sight before them, but they didn't show as much excitement as Lilynette.
Just then, the man finally completed his transformation.
His head was adorned with a hideous white mask, covered with sharp horns and teeth, like a man-eating demon that had crawled out of hell.
Beneath the mask, a pair of red eyes gleamed with malevolence, and the cold, dark Reiatsu was as violent as a true Hollow, sending shivers down one's spine.
"Is this Hollowfication?" Ulquiorra murmured to himself, "A complete Soul, yet still exploring the void that shouldn't exist within the heart, how truly interesting… it is."
His gaze remained fixed on the man, his eyes shimmering with a hint of anticipation and curiosity.