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Somewhere deep within the Great Hollow Forest.
The goat Hollow and the monstrous fish guarded the outer perimeter, while Yekawa concealed himself inside a cave, silently observing the small, incomplete fragment of mask he had obtained from Ulquiorra.
After examining it for a long time, Yekawa opened his mouth and swallowed it directly. After consuming the mask fragment, his spiritual pressure did not increase in the slightest. However, he could clearly feel that something subtle and extraordinary had been added to his very being.
"It really works!"
Yekawa's face lit up with uncontrollable joy as he carefully sensed the changes occurring within himself.
The world of Hollows possessed an extremely strict hierarchy. Those capable of devouring countless Gillians to evolve into Adjuchas were already as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns. As for the even higher-ranking Menos Grande, the Vasto Lorde, they were unimaginably scarce.
In the original records, only a handful of Vasto Lorde ever appeared, and many of them were naturally born rather than evolved.
The only one definitively confirmed to have slowly evolved into a Vasto Lorde through sheer effort was Grimmjow, and that occurred after the Thousand-Year Blood War.
Even Nnoitra, who was obsessed with strength and would do anything to challenge stronger opponents, ultimately remained an Adjuchas. He was never able to surpass Nel, who had been missing for years and was long out of practice.
Did Nnoitra not wish to ascend to Vasto Lorde? Of course he did. The problem was never desire, but talent. More precisely, aptitude.
Swallowing Ulquiorra's incomplete mask was precisely to enhance Yekawa's own aptitude for becoming a Vasto Lorde.
This action was not born from doubt in his own potential. Rather, it was simple prudence. One more preparation meant one more chance at success.
"You shattered your mask to become an Arrancar, and I consumed a mask to increase my aptitude. Looks like we both have promising futures."
…
At the Training Grounds of the Spiritual Arts Academy.
At this moment, a large crowd had gathered. These individuals were all sixth-term veteran students, meaning Shinigami cadets who had undergone six full years of training and were about to graduate. There was only one exception.
Ito Makoto.
At present, Matsumoto Rangiku and Hisagi Shuuhei were still in their fourth term, while Ito Makoto had already advanced to the sixth term. As long as he passed the graduation assessment alongside these veteran students, he would officially join the Gotei Thirteenth Division.
The square buzzed with excitement as the students held a rally. In three days, they would depart for the Human World to carry out the Soul Burial assessment.
By now, nearly a full year had passed since Ito Makoto enrolled in the Spiritual Arts Academy.
It was not that his aptitude required a year to graduate. Rather, Academy regulations stipulated that no matter how monstrous one's talent, a Shinigami cadet must remain enrolled for at least one year before being allowed to graduate.
The last person to graduate at such speed was Ichimaru Gin.
…
The following day, West District One of Rukongai, inside a certain hot pot restaurant.
Ito Makoto was honoring his previous promise by treating little Rangiku and little Hisagi to a meal.
As the sukiyaki bubbled and steamed on the table, Ito Makoto's memories were unconsciously drawn back to his previous life.
"Makoto-Nii is way too sneaky! He said he'd graduate with us, but he finished six years of courses in just one year. Seriously, why do I only ever meet freaks? It's so unfair!"
Matsumoto Rangiku, whose figure was becoming increasingly voluptuous, puffed out her cheeks and complained loudly.
Beside her, Hisagi Shuuhei had grown unusually quiet, his mood clearly low.
His thoughts drifted uncontrollably to the shocking news that had recently swept through Soul Society.
Former Head of the Technological Development Bureau and Captain of the Twelfth Division, Kisuke Urahara, has defected from Soul Society.
Those who disappeared alongside him include:
Former Captain of the Fifth Division, Hirako Shinji.
Former Captain of the Ninth Division, Kensei Muguruma.
Former Captain of the Third Division, Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi.
Former Captain of the Seventh Division, Aikawa Rōbu.
Former Vice-Captain of the Twelfth Division, Hiyori Sarugaki.
Former Vice-Captain of the Eighth Division, Kuna Mashiro.
Former Vice-Captain of the Ninth Division, Kuna Mashiro.
Former Vice-Head of the Kidō Corps, Hachigen Ushōda.
Former Head of the Kidō Corps, Tsukabishi Tessai.
And the current head of the Shihōin Clan and Captain of the Second Division, Yoruichi Shihōin.
This sudden upheaval was nothing short of an earthquake for Soul Society. The mid-to-high-level power structure of the Gotei Thirteenth Division had been violently reshuffled.
Of course, with his omniscient perspective, Ito Makoto was fully aware of the truth behind the incident.
At its core lay Aizen Sōsuke's Hollowfication experiments.
Even Ito Makoto had to admit that Aizen, paired with Kyōka Suigetsu, was truly heaven-defying. A single illusion-type Zanpakutō had manipulated the entirety of Soul Society.
"Little Hisagi, don't be sad. I believe you'll see Captain Kensei again someday."
Ito Makoto spoke gently, offering comfort.
"Really, Makoto-Nii?"
Hisagi looked utterly dejected.
"Of course. Until then, you have to train even harder. You wouldn't want your idol to look down on you when you finally meet again, would you?"
As he spoke, Ito Makoto gently ruffled Hisagi Shuuhei's hair.
"Mm. Thank you, Makoto-Nii. I'll definitely work twice as hard!"
Encouraged, the young Hisagi immediately perked up. He grabbed his chopsticks, picked up a piece of steaming beef from the sukiyaki, blew on it briefly, and stuffed it into his mouth.
"Phew! That's hot!"
"Hey, you little brat! That was the piece I was eyeing!"
As the three laughed and bickered, Ito Makoto's expression suddenly changed. He picked up a plate of persimmon cakes from the table and walked outside.
"Little Rangiku said you like persimmon cakes the most. Care for one?"
The moment he spoke, a white-haired youth clad in a Captain's haori appeared before him as if from thin air.
"Oh dear, you always notice me. Your spiritual perception really is frightening."
Ichimaru Gin smiled with his trademark narrowed eyes, resembling a cunning fox.
He accepted the persimmon cake and vanished instantly with Shunpo.
"Hey, why did you take the whole plate? I still have to pay for that!"
Ito Makoto called out helplessly.
In the very next instant, Ichimaru Gin reappeared, returned the empty plate, and vanished again.
"How about coming in for a bite, Captain Ichimaru Gin? Aren't you going to see her?"
Ichimaru Gin paused, said nothing, and disappeared once more.
Moments later, a Kidō transmission reached only Ito Makoto's ears.
"No need. Thank you for the persimmon cakes. And… be careful during the Soul Burial assessment."
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