Before Tsunayashiro Jin became a guardian spirit of Hueco Mundo, deep within the underground Tsunayashiro laboratory, the experimental subject in the cultivation tank—which still had some time before full maturation—abruptly opened its eyes.
It floated silently in the nutrient fluid, its genderless body twitching slightly.
For this experimental subject, cultivated by the Tsunayashiro Clan using special techniques and resonating with Ikomikidomoe, the high-concentration spiritual particle environment and Hollow aura of Hueco Mundo were the best stimulants.
As its bodily functions awoke, the experimental subject tightened its grip on Ikomikidomoe, which had always been at its side, and swung the blade to shatter the nutrient tank imprisoning it.
Sensing the intense spiritual pressure fluctuations from the surface above—Tsunayashiro Jin's fierce, despair-tinged pressure, the destructive waves from Kurohitsugi, and the heart-palpitating pressure of Kensei and Aizen...
Though the intelligence of the newly awakened experimental subject was not yet mature, its instincts already blared a danger alarm.
Following the Tsunayashiro's preset underground passages, combined with its own strength, the experimental subject easily dug a tunnel leading far away.
By the time Kensei and Aizen descended into the laboratory, it had already fled far from this dangerous area, emerging in the white sandy wilderness of Hueco Mundo.
Standing quietly in this desolate expanse, the experimental subject closed its eyes, sensing the surroundings.
The thick spiritual particle concentration of Hueco Mundo, the spiritual pressure fluctuations of some low-level Hollows... those chaotic pressures created a strange resonance with certain parts within its body.
It felt hungry.
Still not understanding why it had this thought, its body's instincts urged it to rush towards the nearest location, its speed so fast it left afterimages on Hueco Mundo's desert.
Minutes later, several maimed Hollows lay around the experimental subject, as its hands constantly shoved pieces of their bodies into its mouth.
Not far from the experimental subject, a pink figure appeared on the ground, his eyes carrying the curiosity of a scholar beholding a novel species.
"A fascinating creation." The four peculiar tentacles on Szayelaporro's back twitched slightly, as if sensing something. "It seems those trash Shinigami also dabble in research."
Within a few breaths, he arrived beside the experimental subject, circling it several times like a professional appraiser, occasionally emitting clicks of admiration, interspersed with a few sighs of regret.
"A fusion product of Shinigami and Hollow..." Szayelaporro saw through the experimental subject's essence in a short time.
The experimental subject did not move. For it now, it was not a match for this strange individual. Moreover, though it didn't understand the other's gaze, at least it held no hostility.
"Pity. They are, after all, trash Shinigami. Creating such a thing, yet lacking the ability to perfect it." Szayelaporro shook his head with a sigh, extending a hand towards the experimental subject in an inviting gesture. "Come with me."
Though he looked like a pervert, sounded like a pervert, Szayelaporro's words held a seductive quality.
"I can make you complete, make you the most perfect work." Szayelaporro's smile deepened. "Rather than aimlessly devouring inferior food here, follow me. Pursue true perfection."
The experimental subject remained silent for a long time. The intelligence that had grown slightly from feeding reminded it to stay away from this perversion, but its Hollow instincts were filled with yearning for his words. Finally, it reached out and grasped Szayelaporro's hand.
"Very good~" Szayelaporro nodded with satisfaction, his purple fingers stroking the experimental subject's face. "From today, your name is Gorudo Roikodium."
Gorudo.
The experimental subject repeated this name in its heart, raising no objection. Silently, it followed behind Szayelaporro, walking towards an unknown destination.
A gust of sandy wind blew past, and the two figures vanished within Hueco Mundo.
"I didn't expect that experimental subject to be such a good digger."
Kensei looked at the seemingly endless tunnel dug by Gorudo, unable to help but feel a sense of awe.
In Aizen's hand were the experimental data collected earlier from the scattered floor. Her eyes narrowed slightly. "The Tsunayashiro Clan certainly put considerable effort into this experimental subject."
Looking at the methods described in the data—erasing memories, blending Shinigami and Hollow, synchronizing with Ikomikidomoe—Aizen's lips curled into a disdainful sneer.
Had she not met Kensei, this data might have held some value for her. But now, it was merely a defective product.
"Let's go, Sōsuke."
Kensei sighed. It seemed this trouble would have to wait until later when he came to conquer Hueco Mundo to deal with it.
"You think Tsunayashiro Jin was an idiot, right? Thought he could win against Old Man Yama just by copying other Zanpakutō abilities."
Pulling out Enrakyōten for a look, Kensei still couldn't see what was so special about this blade.
"Incompetent people always attribute others' strength to external objects, forgetting the gap in spiritual pressure is the essence." Aizen adjusted her glasses, burning the data in her hand with spiritual pressure. "Don't get any foolish ideas about using this Zanpakutō."
"I'm not an idiot."
Kensei shot Aizen a look, feeling she underestimated his intelligence.
Just as the two returned to the surface, they saw a familiar purple figure standing there.
After clearing out the Tsunayashiro accomplices in the Seireitei, Yoruichi Shihōin had rushed to Hueco Mundo via the Senkaimon. Behind her was the now-reorganized Onmitsukidō unit. Though bearing some injuries, they were largely intact.
"All done here too?" Yoruichi stepped forward, patting Kensei's body to check if he was in one piece. "Tired?"
"Uh... not really."
Kensei felt somewhat awkward. It seemed he hadn't done much this time. The main damage output seemed to have come from Aizen.
Wait!
Although Aizen's Kurohitsugi dealt considerable damage, Tsunayashiro Jin only died after trying to mimic his Kūkon. So, looking at it that way, the MVP should be him! Aizen was just riding his coattails!
"The Tsunayashiro's secret weapon escaped."
Glancing at the suddenly proud Kensei, Aizen calmly added.
"We'll deal with it later. For now, let's head back to the Seireitei."
Yoruichi was also of a carefree nature. Entering the Soul Society from Hueco Mundo wasn't simple. That experimental subject likely didn't possess such capability.
The Onmitsukidō unit had already returned to the Soul Society via the Senkaimon one after another. Now only Yoruichi and the two of them remained here.
Passing through the Senkaimon, Kensei stretched. "That Old Man Yama... throws all the dirty, tiring work at me, while he just drinks tea in his division all day."
Yoruichi rolled her eyes. "Stop complaining. Old Man Yama and the Royal Guard are still waiting for your report."
"What's the situation in the Seireitei?"
Compared to trivial matters, Aizen was more concerned about the Tsunayashiro accomplices.
"What else? Losing that many nobles had little impact. The remaining ones are all afraid of being treated as Tsunayashiro accomplices, not even daring to step outside their gates."
A cold sneer hung on Yoruichi's face. These fair-weather nobles were probably scared out of their wits after this incident. They'd likely behave for a good while.
"Tch, working myself to the bone. When I become Captain-Commander, I'll definitely order Old Man Yama around all day."
Kensei cast an envious glance at Aizen and Yoruichi, who were already heading back to their new residence to rest, then shook his head with a sigh and headed towards the First Division.
***
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