Thud!
Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez could no longer withstand the crushing spiritual pressure of Sosuke Aizen. Like a deflated balloon, he collapsed to his knees beside the throne.
Cold sweat drenched his body. His hands clawed desperately at the ground as he gasped for breath, trembling slightly. Beneath his light-blue bangs, his eyes burned with vicious resentment.
"It seems you understand now, Grimmjow."
Aizen withdrew his spiritual pressure and said lightly to the Espada:
"Now then, everyone—drink your tea while you listen. Gin, play the footage."
"Right away~"
Stretching lazily, Gin Ichimaru walked to a stone pillar and activated a mechanism. At once, a cylindrical screen rose from the center of the quartz table, displaying the scene of Fūjin Taichi's encounter with Nel and the others.
Aizen's brown eyes fixed on the image of Fūjin Taichi.
"As you can see, there is only one enemy. His name is Fūjin Taichi—former Vice-Captain of First Division of the Gotei 13, now Captain of Ninth Division."
"So… that's the enemy?"
The Ninth Espada, Aaroniero Arruruerie, his body hidden beneath a white robe and elongated mask, muttered in a strange dual tone.
"Tch. When I heard 'enemy invasion,' I thought it would be someone formidable."
The Second Espada, Baraggan Louisenbairn, massive and regal with a golden crown-like headpiece, scoffed disdainfully.
"So it's just some clueless brat?"
"Exactly," added the Eighth Espada, Szayelaporro Granz, with pink hair and golden eyes. "He doesn't interest me in the slightest."
Aside from Ulquiorra Cifer, most of the Espada merely glanced at the screen before losing interest.
To them, only a handful of captains from Soul Society—like Yamamoto Genryusai or Kenpachi Zaraki—were worth their attention. All other Shinigami were categorized as "trash."
However, Nnoitra Gilga suddenly noticed Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck lying on Taichi's shoulder.
A sinister glint flashed through his single eye.
Oh? That woman… she's still alive? Keh-heh-heh...
"Everyone," Aizen said calmly after taking a sip of tea. "Though there is only one enemy, do not underestimate him.
That said, there is no need for special action. Return to your respective palaces. Maintain normal operations. Quietly await the enemy's arrival."
The Espada remained silent. Each harbored different thoughts, yet none showed it on their faces. They sat upright at the quartz table like obedient hounds.
"Oh, Ulquiorra."
Aizen turned his gaze toward Ulquiorra.
"When you went to the Human World earlier, did anything interesting occur?"
"Lord Aizen."
Ulquiorra stood, placing his left hand over his chest and bowing slightly.
"Yammy and I did encounter several interesting individuals."
"Oh?" Aizen leaned slightly forward on his throne. "Would you share it with everyone?"
"Yes."
Ulquiorra removed his left eyeball and crushed it before them. Instantly, shimmering fragments of light flowed through the room, sharing the recorded memories of the battle in Karakura Town.
Baraggan's remaining eye locked onto the skeletal mask Taichi wore after Hollowfication. His brow furrowed deeply as countless thoughts surged through his mind.
"Oh?" Nnoitra licked his lips under the glow.
"Ulquiorra, you actually let a guy like that scare you into severing your own arm... Keh-heh, I truly feel sorry for you!"
"Nnoitra."
Ulquiorra glanced at his fully regenerated left arm, then subtly cast a look at the Primera Espada seated across from him—Coyote Starrk.
"That man is no ordinary opponent. Do not underestimate him."
"Hmph."
Nnoitra gave no reply. But his thoughts were elsewhere—on Nel.
Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck… I've searched for you for so long. You're no longer scurrying around like a rat, are you? Keh-heh-heh...
…
Meanwhile, across the vast sands of Hueco Mundo, Bawabawa carried Fūjin Taichi, Nel, Pesche Guatiche, and Dondochakka Birstanne toward Las Noches.
Little Nel seemed utterly exhausted. Curled up on Taichi's shoulder, she soon drifted into sleep.
Soft snores escaped her lips, and two thin trails of drool slowly soaked into Taichi's cloak.
Beside them, Pesche and Dondochakka watched Taichi nervously, both suspicious and worried he might suddenly attack.
Yet from beginning to end, Taichi showed no hostility. He simply sat cross-legged atop Bawabawa's head, eyes closed in meditation, as if he truly bore them no ill will.
"Um…"
After hesitating for quite some time, Pesche finally gathered the courage to ask:
"Mr. Shinigami… why are you so determined to go to Las Noches?"
"For the sake of repaying a favor." Fūjin Taichi opened his eyes and gazed at the distant outline of Las Noches, now faintly visible on the horizon. "And also to take back what my friend lost—from Aizen."
"What?"
"It's a long story. I—"
"From here to Las Noches, it'll take at least five days. We've got plenty of time!"
Pesche Guatiche rolled upright on Bawabawa's back, brimming with excitement.
"..."
Taichi did not answer.
Because both "saving Gin Ichimaru's life" and "reclaiming his Zanpakutō, Higanbana" had become exceedingly dangerous and complicated precisely because they involved Sosuke Aizen.
Moreover, much of it was driven by Taichi's own obsession and impulsiveness. Saying it aloud would only create more trouble. For a moment, he didn't even know where to begin.
"Mr. Shinigami?" Pesche urged when Taichi remained silent.
"Pesche, just call me by my name," Taichi corrected him. Then he asked, "Las Noches is the sacred land of Hueco Mundo. Now that Aizen has seized it, don't you resent him at all?"
"Lord Aizen…"
Pesche stroked his sharp bone chin thoughtfully. After a long silence, he spoke seriously:
"He's far too powerful. Even the former ruler of Hueco Mundo, Baraggan Louisenbairn, has already submitted. What could small fry like us possibly do?"
"No. A single spark can start a prairie fire."
Taichi stared at Las Noches glowing faintly and sacredly in the night, speaking each word with firm resolve.
"If Hueco Mundo can unite and cooperate with me, then after we overthrow Aizen's rule—I'll make Nel your king."
"Mr. Fūjin…"
Pesche's tiny eyes locked onto Taichi. Tears streamed down from his hollow eye sockets.
Then he suddenly grabbed the rotund Dondochakka Birstanne and burst into loud sobs.
"Waaaaah! This guy... this guy is even better at making empty promises than Lord Aizen!
Going to Las Noches with someone like this is suicide! The future of our Montagui Siblings Trio is looking grim! Waaaaah!"