"That sounds like a truly terrifying Arrancar."
Ichimaru Gin narrowed his eyes, genuine surprise flashing across his face.
"Aizen, dealing with Uchiha Ryūjin has already consumed so much of our effort."
Tōsen Kaname spoke in a low voice.
"Anything spent dealing with someone like him is worthwhile."
Aizen answered without expression.
Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!
As the three of them spoke, a device mounted on the wall suddenly lit up, flashing repeatedly like a warning signal.
"Shinigami have entered Hueco Mundo."
Ichimaru Gin raised his head toward the glowing device, his expression changing slightly.
The instrument had been specially developed by Aizen to detect Shinigami Reiatsu.
Normally, Shinigami would never appear in Hueco Mundo. Even if one somehow managed to enter, Aizen's own Reiatsu had already reached an astonishing level. Anyone approaching Las Noches should have been detected by him immediately.
Furthermore, as the ruler of Hueco Mundo, Aizen had numerous subordinates and detection methods spread throughout the realm. Logically, such a device was unnecessary.
However, nobody knew that Aizen had specifically developed this detection system because of Ryūjin.
Back in the Seireitei, Ryūjin's elusive movement abilities and spatial techniques had left a deep impression on him.
They had also made Aizen extremely cautious.
He believed that no one else could enter Soul Society without his knowledge.
Only Ryūjin was the exception.
"So, he came after all."
Aizen withdrew his gaze, his expression remaining composed.
Ever since he decided to use the Espada against Ryūjin in the Human World, he had already considered the possibility that Ryūjin would infiltrate Hueco Mundo.
His arrival did not surprise Aizen in the slightest.
Aizen took out another specialized projection device and injected several streams of Reiatsu into it.
The device immediately activated.
Images rapidly flickered across its surface as it searched for the source of the detected Reiatsu.
Soon, several figures appeared.
Indeed, a group of Shinigami was advancing rapidly across the endless white sands of Hueco Mundo.
The figure at the front caused everyone's expressions to stiffen.
Uchiha Ryūjin.
"It really is Uchiha Ryūjin."
Aizen nodded slightly.
Exactly as expected.
"Gin, Kaname, gather the remaining Espada."
Without hesitation, Aizen issued his orders.
Ichimaru Gin and Tōsen Kaname immediately accepted the command and departed.
Meanwhile, Aizen approached the cultivation chamber.
He looked at the young man floating within and spoke slowly.
"Awaken. I grant you a name."
"Tatsumi Weiss."
As Aizen spoke, the Hōgyoku embedded within his chest emitted a gentle radiance.
The soft light spread outward and bathed the young man inside the chamber.
The young man's eyes suddenly opened.
Buzz!
An overwhelming Reiatsu erupted from his body.
The cultivation tank exploded instantly.
The young man landed on the ground and stood before Aizen.
Confusion appeared in his eyes, much like a newborn experiencing the world for the first time.
Soon, his gaze stabilized.
He bowed respectfully.
"Lord Aizen."
"Tatsumi Weiss, do you understand your mission?"
Aizen stared directly at him.
"Yes, Lord Aizen."
"My sole purpose and reason for existence is to kill Uchiha Ryūjin."
His voice carried absolute conviction.
"Very good."
Aizen nodded in satisfaction.
"Up until now, you are the most perfect creation I have ever made."
"He's here."
Tatsumi Weiss suddenly raised his head.
"Uchiha Ryūjin has already arrived in Hueco Mundo."
"You can already sense his Reiatsu."
Aizen's satisfaction deepened.
"Excellent."
"Should I eliminate him now?"
Tatsumi Weiss asked.
"No."
Aizen shook his head.
"Even though I created you, I have never held absolute confidence when dealing with Uchiha Ryūjin."
"I still do not know the true limits of his power."
"I do not know how many abilities he possesses."
"I have already prepared several methods to deal with him. Those methods will test him first."
"Your current task is observation."
"Ryūjin possesses countless abilities. I want you to familiarize yourself with each one."
"Especially his eyes."
"Even now, I still cannot fully understand them."
Aizen's expression became serious.
"Lord Aizen, I don't understand."
Tatsumi Weiss showed a trace of confusion.
"I can absorb Uchiha Ryūjin's Reiatsu. All of his techniques are formed from Reiatsu."
"In theory, his attacks should have no effect on me."
"Why are you still so cautious?"
Aizen answered solemnly.
"That is only the theory."
"Uchiha Ryūjin is far too unpredictable."
"I do not believe he is someone who can be killed so easily."
"Being cautious is the safest approach."
Tatsumi Weiss nodded.
He said nothing further.
After giving several additional orders, Aizen and Tatsumi Weiss left the room one after another.
Their figures soon disappeared.
...
Hueco Mundo.
Ryūjin Uchiha, Hitsugaya Tōshirō, and Soi Fon emerged from the Garganta alongside the members of their divisions.
The scenery before them changed instantly.
Darkness stretched endlessly in every direction.
There were no stars.
There was no moon.
The entire world felt oppressive and devoid of life.
This was a dead world.
Even the spiritual particles in the atmosphere made the Shinigami uncomfortable. The environment itself generated instinctive rejection and unease.
"So this is Hueco Mundo."
Hitsugaya looked around quietly.
"It's the kind of place you never want to visit twice."
Soi Fon frowned.
"Where are the Hollows? Why don't I see any?"
Kenpachi Zaraki gripped his Zanpakutō and looked around with obvious dissatisfaction.
Everyone understood Kenpachi's personality.
No one paid much attention to him.
"Captain Ryūjin, do you have any suggestions?"
Soi Fon looked toward him.
Hitsugaya did the same.
Although no one had officially decided who would lead after entering Hueco Mundo, everyone naturally treated Ryūjin as the central figure.
"Simple."
Ryūjin spoke casually.
"Find Aizen."
His method was straightforward and direct.
"The area of Hueco Mundo is far too large. Even Tsuzuri Raiden's tracking techniques have their limits."
Soi Fon spoke thoughtfully.
There were very few Kidō capable of tracking Reiatsu.
Even the best methods only covered several dozen kilometers.
Within the endless expanse of Hueco Mundo, she had little confidence.
What Soi Fon did not know was that even if Aizen stood within the tracking range, she would still fail to detect him.
After fusing with the Hōgyoku, Aizen's Reiatsu had changed fundamentally.
He was no longer the same person.
"It's fine."
Ryūjin spoke confidently.
"I've got another method."
Without wasting another word, he released his Observation Haki.
In an instant, his perception spread across Hueco Mundo.
Aizen's location was immediately revealed.
The remaining Espada were gathered within Las Noches.
Tōsen Kaname and Ichimaru Gin were also there.
Ryūjin did not bother investigating further.
Just from their positions, he could already guess what Aizen was planning.
He withdrew his Observation Haki.
"Found him."
Ryūjin pointed toward the distance.
"About seventy kilometers in that direction. There's a massive white palace."
"Aizen is inside."
Soi Fon and Hitsugaya froze.
Ryūjin had not seemed to do anything.
He merely stood still for a moment.
Yet he had located someone over seventy kilometers away.
It was unbelievable.
If anyone else had claimed such a thing, they would have questioned it.
But this was Ryūjin.
Nobody doubted him.
His countless abilities had already surpassed common sense long ago.
The group immediately began advancing with Shunpo.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
After traveling less than ten kilometers, violent winds suddenly swept through the area.
This was not ordinary wind.
It was a spiritual particle storm unique to Hueco Mundo.
The storm rushed directly toward them.
Everyone could clearly feel the terrifying Reiatsu hidden within the howling winds.
"Be careful."
"This storm isn't normal."
Soi Fon and Hitsugaya immediately warned their subordinates.
The entire group stopped.
They watched the approaching storm with solemn expressions.
Soon, the winds dispersed.
Several figures emerged.
Seven or eight Hollows stood before them.
A suffocating Reiatsu exploded outward.
"So many Hollows."
"They're Menos Grande."
"No, they're all Adjuchas-class Menos Grande."
The Shinigami present could not help inhaling sharply.
Adjuchas-class Menos were equivalent to Captain-level opponents.
They were enemies that Vice Captains could not handle.
Some Adjuchas were even capable of fighting ordinary Captains.
Now there were seven or eight of them.
Yet only three Captains stood on their side.
The situation immediately became dangerous.
Ordinary division members would only become liabilities in such a battle.
Soi Fon and Hitsugaya's expressions grew serious.
Only Ryūjin noticed something unusual.
Menos rarely acted together.
Unlike the Shinigami, they possessed little cooperation.
The stronger they became, the more prideful and independent they were.
They might attack Shinigami, but gathering in groups like this was almost impossible.
There was only one explanation.
Aizen had ordered them to stop Ryūjin and the others.
There was no second possibility.
Which meant Aizen had already discovered their arrival.
But that raised another question.
Was this all Aizen had sent?
Seven or eight Adjuchas.
Did he seriously think that was enough to stop Ryūjin?
Obviously not.
Aizen knew that as well.
That meant these Hollows were not as simple as they appeared.
Whoosh!
A figure suddenly rushed forward.
It was Kenpachi Zaraki.
The battle fanatic completely ignored everything else.
As long as there was a fight waiting for him, that was all that mattered.
===
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