Katori Nanatsuki and Nel left the Silent Dunes, continuing their journey through Hueco Mundo to find worthy opponents for Nel to train against.
"Sensei, where are we going next?" Nel asked, still energized from her earlier battle. She had sensed changes within herself and was excited for the next fight.
Before she met her teacher, she and that panther were about equal in strength—both were Adjuchas-class Hollows, with no insurmountable gap between them.
But now, the difference between them was like night and day.
"Let's check the map. We'll start with the closest one."
Nanatsuki pulled out a map of Hueco Mundo, which marked the territories of several powerful Hollows.
They weren't searching blindly.
Over the past year or two, the Onmitsukidō had surveyed regions beyond Las Noches' territory.
This map was the fruit of that exploration.
Hueco Mundo's desert was endless, and the domain under Las Noches' control was surprisingly limited.
However, Las Noches was located in an area with the highest Reishi density. The further away one traveled, the more barren it became—like the Silent Dunes, a low-spirituality zone.
This map was centered on Las Noches and radiated outward.
The Onmitsukidō had identified several powerful Hollows living outside Las Noches' influence.
Even during the reign of Baraggan, these Hollows had never submitted to Las Noches.
But since they stayed confined to small territories and didn't conflict with Las Noches—plus the fact that their lands were far away—Baraggan had left them alone.
"Here's one Hollow territory not far from the Silent Dunes. Let's head there first."
The Silent Dunes, being a distinct landmark, was clearly marked on the map. Using it as a reference, Nanatsuki oriented himself.
"Another Adjuchas-class Hollow, huh? This time, I'll make sure to control my Reiatsu!" Nel nodded at the marked location, then asked, "But why are these strong Hollows living in such barren places? If they go further out, the Reishi density drops a lot, right?"
"Hollows can become stronger by devouring each other or consuming spirit bodies with high Reishi quality—but that method has its limits."
Nanatsuki explained slowly:
"Most of the Hollows marked on this map share something in common—their path of evolution has already come to an end."
"Hollow evolution caps out at different stages. Some can't advance beyond Gillian, and others lose the ability entirely due to damage to their masks." Nel frowned, still puzzled. "But most of the Hollows marked here are at the Adjuchas level. That's not weak in Hueco Mundo. So why hide out in places like this?"
"I suppose… they want to stay away from conflict," Nanatsuki mused.
"Las Noches occupies the densest Reishi area in the desert. The Forest of Menos is another such place. Being there naturally invites conflict."
Many Hollows who failed to break through their bottlenecks, seeing no hope of evolution, chose to leave the Forest of Menos, flee from Hueco Mundo's core zones, and escape the endless battles.
"Those who've reached the end of their evolution path seek peace in low-Reishi lands—waiting to die. Once they do, their bodies become Reishi and return to the desert sands." Nanatsuki scooped up a handful of sand, letting it slip through his fingers. "Maybe this is Hueco Mundo's own Reishi cycle. The Hollows nourish this land, and in time, even low-Reishi zones may become high-Reishi ones."
These Hollows were the Reishi's porters—Reishi from the Forest of Menos was gradually flowing outward into the desert.
Based on Shinigami investigation, the territory of high-Reishi zones in Hueco Mundo was slowly expanding.
While the Shinigami outclassed the Hollows in top-end power…
At the vice-captain, Gillian, and Adjuchas level, Hueco Mundo had a massive numerical advantage.
The number of Hollows in the Forest of Menos was incalculable.
The amount of Reishi needed to support their evolution was beyond imagination.
Nanatsuki suspected the Forest of Menos might hold some kind of secret.
"The Soul King maintains the balance of souls across the three realms… perhaps that's also to ensure the circulation of Reishi? Maybe the Forest of Menos is the place closest to the Original World across all three realms..."
He pondered in silence.
They moved quickly. Soon, they arrived at the next designated area.
"I'll try sensing the Hollow's location."
Nel volunteered, activating her spiritual sense.
But she didn't detect any strong Hollows nearby.
"Huh?" she blinked. "There's no Hollow here? Are they not home?"
"There's a group of minor Hollows up ahead. Let's ask them if they know where the big one went."
Nanatsuki sensed a gathering of Reiryoku ahead—it was likely a group of local residents.
They continued forward into a desert wasteland with rocky, gobi-like terrain.
Nanatsuki had sensed the spiritual pressure of a group of fishmen-like Hollows.
These Hollows had damaged masks and were ordinary—no hope of even reaching Gillian-level.
"I'll go talk to them!"
Nel vanished from her spot.
"Where's your leader?"
The fishmen were startled by her sudden appearance.
"A-A Vasto Lorde-class Arrancar?!"
Upon seeing the mask fragment atop Nel's head, they immediately dropped to the ground, trembling.
This area, far from Las Noches, lacked Onmitsukidō surveillance. With no Shinigami monitoring nearby, Nel hadn't worn her cloak.
The fishmen instantly understood—this was someone they absolutely could not afford to offend.
"Where's your leader?" Nel frowned, repeating the question.
"Lord Blackshark King went to Queen Jaws' territory…"
One clever fishman quickly responded.
"Blackshark King is your leader, right? Who's Queen Jaws?"
Nel looked puzzled.
"Lord Blackshark King is our chief. Queen Jaws is a newly arrived Adjuchas who leads a group of powerful newcomers. Lord Blackshark King went to subdue them."
The fishman explained.
"So even Hollows who live far from the core zones can't avoid power struggles…"
Nel sighed.
She had hoped this distant land would be more peaceful—less conflict.
But many powerful Hollows left Las Noches not to escape violence… but to rule in weaker territories.
"Do you know where Queen Jaws is?" Nel asked again.
"Go that way," the fishman pointed toward the two o'clock direction. "At the end of the desert, there's a stone forest. Queen Jaws and her crew are there."
"Thanks."
Nel vanished again.
"We… we survived…"
The clever fishman collapsed onto the ground, exhausted.
The psychological pressure from an Arrancar was overwhelming. He had wandered Hueco Mundo for years, but this was his first time seeing one.
"What a polite Vasto Lorde… If only I could follow someone that strong…"
Another fishman looked on with admiration.
"Heh, if Lord Blackshark King hears that, you're dead."