Aizen didn't care whether Hollow White lived or died; he could make another.
But Yoshio did. Until he obtained [Cocoon Transformation], Hollow White absolutely could not die!
So he said something to Aizen, then launched his move.
For this, he used [Mirror Reflection].
He hadn't permanently acquired [Mirror Reflection] yet—meaning he could only use it once for now—but he used it anyway.
Mainly, he worried [Ultimate Defense] might not withstand the Cerοs of both parties. One Cerο would be fine, but the overlapping pincer of Hollow White's and Starrk's Cerοs warranted caution.
Seeing Yoshio suddenly appear, both Hollow White above and Starrk below were surprised.
Yoshio sighed. "Alright, White, knock it off. Outdoor time's over for today."
Hollow White rumbled, displeased.
Yoshio shrugged. "Enough. You're not his match."
Yoshio had spent a long time with Hollow White. Though Hollow White couldn't speak, Yoshio could still understand it.
"You're… a Shinigami?"
Meanwhile, on the other side, Starrk frowned and moved in front of Lilynette, as if to shield her.
Naturally, Hollows are wary of Shinigami.
Though Starrk was strong, after a string of unexpected developments he was still on guard.
"Yes. But I mean you no harm."
Yoshio said, "'White' is my friend. I don't know why he suddenly came looking for you."
Yoshio deliberately emphasized "friend," because he knew the thing Starrk yearned for most was a friend.
Sure enough, Starrk froze.
"A Shinigami… and a Hollow are friends?"
This…
No matter how you look at it, that's strange, isn't it?
While Shinigami aren't irreconcilable mortal enemies with Hollows like the Quincy are, the two sides are still opposed by nature.
He had never heard of a Hollow and a Shinigami becoming friends.
"I'm a bit different from other Shinigami." Yoshio didn't elaborate, only said, "It seems 'White' was somewhat rude just now. I apologize on his behalf."
"…" Starrk fell silent a moment, then turned to leave with Lilynette, saying, "Do what you want. But as a Shinigami, you'd best not stay in Hueco Mundo. If you run into other Hollows, you might lose your life."
"…Funny, every Hollow I meet says that," Yoshio muttered, a bit startled.
It sounded familiar.
The first time he met Nelliel, she'd said the same thing.
Come to think of it, a real coincidence.
There were only a few "normal" Hollows in Hueco Mundo—Nelliel, Starrk—and he'd happened to meet both.
"…Is that so? Then you're quite lucky."
Starrk was about to leave without looking back when Aizen suddenly stepped out.
"Shinigami…!"
Starrk's pupils dilated as Aizen approached, and he murmured, "Indeed, Shinigami can't be trusted."
He figured Yoshio was deliberately stalling for time, waiting for teammates to arrive and kill him—a Vasto Lorde.
"Four… no, five enemies?"
Starrk said under his breath, "Troublesome…"
"You seem to be mistaken." Aizen came forward, studying Starrk.
Though Lilynette was also an Arrancar, she was clearly not the focus of Aizen's attention.
"I haven't come to kill you. I just want to ask you something."
Aizen looked at Starrk and said slowly, "Interested in coming with us?"
Behind him stood Ichimaru Gin and Tōsen Kaname at his sides, and farther back a crescent moon.
Under the sparse moonlight, Aizen extended his hand as if inviting Starrk.
Starrk frowned and glanced at Yoshio and Hollow White.
"Are they your companions too?"
He meant Hollow White.
"'White' was created by me. If he sought you out, it's likely he sensed something opposite to himself." Aizen said truthfully.
"I see," Starrk murmured. "In that case, you must have many strong ones at your side."
"And… you all look formidable yourselves."
"With me around, you won't die so easily."
"Welcome, Arrancar." Aizen's gaze swept behind Starrk, then behind Yoshio, before leveling forward again. "Your name is…?"
"Coyote Starrk."
Starrk placed a hand on Lilynette's head and added, "She's Lilynette Gingerbuck."
"Then let's head to a place along the way."
Aizen glanced at Yoshio again; Yoshio merely shrugged.
He already knew where Aizen intended to go.
Aizen's original plan was to establish a base in Hueco Mundo, then rule it, so he could later conduct Arrancar experiments in the Hollow realm.
This time, since they were already in Hueco Mundo and had revealed themselves to recruit Starrk, it was the perfect opportunity to seize Las Noches.
"Where are you going?"
Starrk didn't know these details, but he still followed Yoshio and the others.
Because Starrk had enough confidence in his strength—he believed even if they schemed against him, he could escape unscathed.
It was also what he yearned for in his heart.
Maybe…
These people could truly stay with him without dying!
Starrk had always sought such people—even if they weren't Hollows…
It didn't matter.
"Find a place to live. We can't just keep drifting around Hueco Mundo forever, right?" Yoshio said with a smile.
They soon arrived near Las Noches.
"The King of Hueco Mundo…"
Yoshio said, "Interesting. There's actually a king who rules all Hollows here."
"That King of Hueco Mundo…" Starrk seemed never to have heard of such a thing. Indeed, he had no Hollows around him, not even anyone to exchange information with.
He simply drifted aimlessly through Hueco Mundo, like a lone skiff on a boundless sea, pushed by wind and waves, going with the flow—no idea of his destination, no idea when he would stop.
The seven of them headed toward Las Noches.
Hollow White seemed uninterested in other Hollows, only trailing beside Yoshio, occasionally locking onto Starrk with his spiritual pressure.
Starrk, of course, felt Hollow White's presence, but showed no expression.
"There are… many strong ones here."
Until…
As they entered Las Noches, Starrk murmured,
"There are three Vasto Lorde, just counting those." Yoshio murmured back.