~ Next Bonus, 300!
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"Shin, have you noticed sothing... off?"
Yoruichi's expression turned grave as she asked.
They had been walking through Hueco Mundo for quite so ti, yet they hadn't seen a single Hollow. Not one.
It had been a long ti since the Soul Society conducted a crusade in Hueco Mundo, so the population of Hollows should have been dense. Why was it completely empty?
"What's wrong?" Shin asked nonchalantly.
"Haven't you noticed? The number of Hollows is incredibly low," Yoruichi said, exasperated by his lack of concern.
"Oh, I noticed. But it's not really a big deal, is it?" Shin shrugged.
"You really don't care, do you? Anomalies in Hueco Mundo are a serious matter for Shinigami. Don't you get that?" Yoruichi scolded him.
"How serious can it be? Hollows devour each other constantly; their population fluctuates naturally," Shin countered.
However, privately, Shin suspected this had everything to do with Aizen. Either Aizen had captured them for experints, or he was controlling them to force mass cannibalism to evolve stronger Hollows.
After all, Aizen needed powerful subordinates. The run-of-the-mill Hollows were useless to him. Even Gillian-class nos were of limited use.
Aizen needed Adjuchas and Vasto Lorde classes. Gillians were rely cannon fodder.
"Forget it. If you say it's fine, then it's fine," Yoruichi said, letting go of her worry.
Honestly, Yoruichi didn't care all that much about the safety of the Seireitei anymore. As long as the people she cared about were safe, nothing else mattered.
"Just relax. Nothing bad is going to happen." Shin was the ultimate insurance policy. No matter how big the crisis, he could handle it.
"Fine, I'm relaxed." Yoruichi stopped overthinking it and followed closely by Shin's side as they headed in a specific direction.
"Where exactly are we going?" Yoruichi asked again, hoping he wouldn't brush her off this ti.
"I'm planning to visit Las Noches," Shin told her.
Yoruichi should know of Las Noches. It had existed long before Aizen arrived; he didn't build it. The fortress was originally constructed by the King of Hueco Mundo, Baraggan.
However, by now, the actual ruler of Las Noches was likely Aizen.
Shin wasn't entirely sure how far Aizen's control over Hueco Mundo had progressed.
Yoruichi didn't ask any further questions. Since she was tagging along, she'd find out what he was up to the mont they arrived.
It didn't take long for them to reach the location of Las Noches. It was a massive, labyrinthine structure guarded by countless nos Grande.
"No wonder we didn't see any Gillians earlier. They're all here," Yoruichi muttered, finally realizing where the missing Hollows had gone.
"Who are they?"
Yoruichi's gaze suddenly sharpened as she spotted figures walking out of the fortress. Her expression changed instantly.
They looked like Shinigami, yet they retained fragnts of Hollow masks and possessed Hollow holes. But to call them Hollows... their forms had deviated far from the monstrous shapes of typical Hollows.
"Arrancars."
Shin smiled. It seed that even with the incomplete Hōgyoku, Aizen had successfully begun building his Arrancar army.
Arrancars were Hollows that had gained Shinigami powers, just as Visoreds were Shinigami who had gained Hollow powers. Both groups broke the boundaries between the two races to achieve greater strength.
The Visoreds, despite being failed experints in Aizen's eyes, possessed combat power far exceeding that of an average Captain when masked. Even the lieutenants among them could unleash Captain-level power.
The downside was the instability; once Hollowfied, it was difficult to control one's emotions. Losing control ant being consud and becoming a mindless Hollow.
"Shinigami."
The Arrancars spotted Shin and Yoruichi. Since the duo hadn't bothered to hide their spiritual pressure, being discovered was inevitable.
"You handle them. I'll go report to the Lords."
One of the Arrancars ordered the others before quickly retreating to alert the higher-ups.
"Hadō #88: Hiryū Geki Zoku Shinten Raihō!" (Flying Dragon-Striking Heaven-Shaking Thunder Cannon)
Shin didn't wait. He raised his hand, firing a massive beam of blue lightning. The energy tore through the air, slamming into Las Noches and obliterating half the fortress in an instant.
"Just saying hello to show my friendliness," Shin said with a grin.
Next to him, Yoruichi's mouth twitched. "You just blew up half their base and you call that friendly? That's called a declaration of war!"
"Only you would have a death wish like this," Yoruichi couldn't help but say. Anyone else would be terrified to provoke Las Noches in the heart of Hueco Mundo.
The number of nos here was staggering.
"Explain to first—what exactly is an 'Arrancar'?" Yoruichi asked, needing clarity on the strange beings she just saw.
"It's too troubleso to explain," Shin replied dismissively.
Yoruichi stared at him blankly. 'Too troubleso to explain, so you just won't explain it?'
knowing Shin's personality, that was exactly it. If sothing was a hassle, he wouldn't do it.
"Even if I don't explain it, you'll find out through other channels eventually," Shin laughed.
There was no more ti for conversation. The Arrancars from Las Noches were pouring out. Among them was the Second Espada, Baraggan. There were no others of his rank.
It seed the Ten Espada hadn't been fully assembled yet; Aizen was likely still in the early stages of developing his forces.
"Baraggan, we et again. Surprise!" Shin called out.
"It's you!" Baraggan recognized him imdiately—the Shinigami who had once forced him to flee in disgrace.
Upon seeing Shin, Baraggan was consud by rage. If there was anyone Baraggan hated as much as Aizen, it was Shin.
Shin had beaten him senseless, inflicting heavy injuries that nearly cost him his life.
As for Aizen... before Aizen appeared, Baraggan was the undisputed God-King of Hueco Mundo. Then Aizen showed up and subjugated him. With Baraggan's pride and ambition, he naturally refused to accept servitude.
But he couldn't defeat Aizen, so he had no choice but to submit. However, thanks to Aizen using the Hōgyoku, Baraggan had successfully beco an Arrancar.
Without Aizen, Baraggan might have eventually achieved natural Arrancarization, but it wouldn't have been easy. Natural Arrancarization was exceedingly difficult.
"Since you've dared to show your face in Hueco Mundo, I assu you've made your peace with death," Baraggan sneered, glaring at Shin.
Baraggan was feeling arrogant... His power had increased significantly after becoming an Arrancar.
He felt strong enough now. He believed he could finally take his revenge!
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