Somewhere in the lower layer of Hueco Mundo. Going up through the quicksand layer led to Las Noches, but going down into the underground revealed a hidden realm.
In the deep, expansive circular cave, Kōe and Ashido stood shoulder to shoulder, looking down at a complex maze emitting a faint dark-purple glow. If Szayelaporro were here, he would definitely be shocked; after all, Lord Ao was supposed to have left Hueco Mundo after taking care of Baraggan.
Below, about a dozen ordinary Hollows were scattered around. The maze, covered in dark-purple patterns, seemed non-existent to them, allowing them to quickly converge on one another. What followed was a brutal slaughter where only one could survive.
"This... this should work, right..." Ashido said haltingly. It was obvious he was feeling hesitant.
"Those are just barriers; they can't be applied to all of Hueco Mundo as they are," Kōe said, seemingly oblivious to Ashido's unease as he continued to look down at the maze. "But if we can manifest its effects in a radiating pattern, then we can transform Hueco Mundo one sector at a time."
"And your wish will finally be fulfilled, Ashido." Hearing this, Ashido furrowed his brow. But before he could say anything, Kōe pierced right through his thoughts. "But you aren't happy right now, are you?"
It was true. Ashido wasn't happy at all. Even though his lifelong wish to reduce—or even completely stop—Hollow invasions in the World of the Living was on the verge of coming true, he didn't feel the slightest bit of relief.
"This is a bit too cruel."
The barrier below served two functions. First, it stimulated the Reiatsu perception of any creature inside it, which was why the Hollows in the maze could find each other so quickly. As for why they slaughtered each other, that was the barrier's second function: it drastically amplified the hunger of the Hollows within.
An unbearable starvation coupled with heightened senses—it was like placing fragrant, roasted meat all around a ravenous tiger. Why would it bother running all the way to the World of the Living just to snack on a tiny turtledove?
And once this effect could be broadcast outward from multiple anchor points, the entire lower layer of Hueco Mundo would plunge into an endless, frenzied hunting spree!
One second you were the victorious hunter, and the next, a new hunter would be coming for you. There were no fixed roles and no time to catch your breath. You were doomed to constantly be on the move—either fleeing or pursuing, living or dying.
Although the World of the Living would gain peace, Ashido understood that it came at the cost of turning the lower layer of Hueco Mundo into an absolute bloodbath. Cruel? That word was almost too kind to describe those who orchestrated this.
"Cruel? The vast majority of them spend their entire lives doing exactly this. I've merely accelerated the process." Kōe pointed downward, then turned to look at Ashido, asking with an amused expression, "Besides, isn't this what you've always wanted?"
"But they are also li—" Before he could finish, Ashido quickly corrected himself. "Even if most of them are like that, there are exceptions. Like Seth and Roca, you know that."
Hollows could possess human emotions, eventually becoming no different from humans or Shinigami. This was what Ashido had learned after following Kōe for so long, even if such exceptions were indeed in the minority.
But once the barrier before them was perfected, such exceptions would almost never appear again. And if he was the one spearheading all this, what difference was there between him and an executioner?
"Do you still not accept that Hollows are lifeforms too? No, I should say, lifeforms just like us." Kōe turned his head to look straight ahead, speaking mildly. "But Seth, Roca, and the other Menos you're familiar with all came from this exact stage. How should we describe this state? Beasts?"
"There's a saying in the World of the Living that humans were originally just a bunch of blood-drinking beasts, too. Hollows are simply displaying that evolutionary process right in front of our eyes..."
"Lord Ao, they have all arrived!" A brisk voice from behind interrupted Kōe's words. He wasn't angry, simply replying, "I understand. Have them wait a moment!"
"Yes, sir!"
Kōe patted Ashido on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Will you forgive their past because of their present, or will you deny their present because of their past? Exactly which part of them is unworthy of our acknowledgment?"
Ashido gritted his teeth, his face twisted in conflict. He closed his eyes and shook his head. He didn't understand yet—or perhaps he already did, but simply didn't know how to accept it, how to compromise with the heavy expectations he carried.
"You'll have a long time to think about this question. Whatever conclusion you reach won't be wrong, though it won't necessarily be right, either." As Kōe spoke, he pulled an envelope from his robes and handed it to Ashido. "These are the Kidō principles for the barrier. Modifying it into a radiating effect isn't difficult. If you really can't manage it, you can always seek out Szayelaporro to complete the final step."
"Whether it's an ideal or a mission, since it belongs to you, you should be the one to fulfill it. The method of fulfilling it should also be decided by you." After saying this, Kōe walked away with his hands clasped behind his back. The pendant at his waist swayed back and forth. His own heart wasn't entirely at peace, either.
Outside the cave was a long, winding corridor. Following the stairs at the end of the hall upward led to a brightly lit grand hall, where nine individuals were sitting around a stone table, talking and laughing.
"Lord Ao!"
"No need for formalities, sit down." Kōe pressed his hands down, gesturing for the five who had stood up to take their seats. These Arrancar-evolved Menos were the fruits of his labor in Hueco Mundo.
"I am leaving Hueco Mundo. I called you all here today to make some arrangements."
...
"Just now, the Reiatsu of Squad 9 Captain Muguruma Kensai and Lieutenant Kuna Mashiro vanished."
"You are exactly as I imagined, Captain Urahara."
"The Lieutenant of Squad 5 was in the Seireitei all of last night. One hundred and twenty-four squad members and one captain-class Shinigami can testify to this. It is indisputable!"
"I have to create ten Reiatsu-blocking Gigai. I'm afraid we'll have to hide in the World of the Living, Yoruichi..."
Every detail of what happened that day remained crystal clear in his mind. Urahara looked at the pendant on the table, which had snapped in half. Whether these past events would affect their next move, he had no idea.
"Please rest assured, Lord Ao, I'll take good care of the big sis!"
"Who needs your care!" Roca, who had now taken on the appearance of a young girl, scolded him. She then tucked a strand of blue hair behind her ear and said with a shy expression, "I will await your return, Lord Ao."
"I'll be leaving the hard work to you two from now on, Roca, Seth!"
After bidding farewell to Roca and Seth, Kōe walked alone down a street as twilight descended. There weren't many pedestrians around, and not a single one noticed his presence, because this was the World of the Living.
Even though it was his first time here, he seemed to know the way perfectly. It wasn't long before he arrived in front of a rundown convenience store.
*'Why does it feel even shabbier than I remember?'*
After silently roasting the place in his mind, Kōe slid open the paper door and walked right into the shop.
"Sorry, we're closed..." A red-haired boy turned his head impatiently, but the moment he saw Kōe, his face drastically changed. "A Shinigami! Boss, Boss! Come out here, quick!!"
Kōe scratched his cheek helplessly. *'What's with this evil boss vibe I'm giving off?'* Just as he was about to explain, a familiar silhouette gradually came into focus in the entryway behind the boy.
"Long time no see, Kōe."
"Yo! Urahara, and Yoruichi too?" Looking at Urahara Kisuke, who had a black cat perched on his shoulder, Kōe waved his hand and smiled. "I'm not surprised at all to see you guys here."
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