The following day, Fiander, who had captured the Adjuchas and returned to the Night Palace, strolled down the corridor towards the meeting hall alongside Ulquiorra and Yammy.
"Why did you summon me? I just returned from apprehending an Adjuchas yesterday, and I'm completely exhausted! "
Fiander, clearly still groggy, had just been pulled from sleep and was in a notably irritable mood.
"It's merely an Adjuchas, and it's a directive from Lord Aizen, Fiander. "
"And didn't you previously state, 'No one is permitted to question Master Aizen's command'? "
In front of the typically unfeeling Ulquiorra, this moment was unique, as he effectively challenged Fiander's inconsistency with his words.
"Hahaha, Ulquiorra, you've joined the verbal sparring as well. "
Yammy chuckled, enjoying the exchange unfolding before him.
"Hey, hey, I don't recall you being so chatty, weren't you supposed to be the laid-back one? ! "
Fiander appeared incredulous, his eyes wide, clearly taken aback by Ulquiorra's remarks.
"…"
Ulquiorra disregarded the banter from Fiander and Yammy, and the trio continued walking in silence.
At last, they reached a door, and Ulquiorra took the initiative, announcing, "Master Aizen, we have arrived. "
After his words, the previously shut white door swung open immediately, allowing Ulquiorra, Yammy, and Fiander to enter the hall together.
"Welcome Ulquiorra, Fiander, Yammy. "
Inside the hall, Aizen turned to greet the three. In addition to them, all Espada, except Starrk and Baraggan, were assembled in the gathering hall.
"You arrived at the perfect moment. "
Aizen produced the Hōgyoku, placing it on a transparent cube. Inside, a deceased hollow was wrapped in white bandages. Clearly, Aizen intended to transform it into an Arrancar.
"Ah, is this the one I captured yesterday? "
"Why is he undergoing the Arrancar transformation process so quickly, Master Aizen? I recall he was quite resistant. "
Fiander stepped forward, closely examining the figure within the transparent cube, sensing the Reiatsu revealing it to be the Adjuchas he had recently captured.
"Indeed, Fiander, his abilities are valuable, and we can proceed with the 'Fire seal' plan, thanks to your capture. "
Aizen smiled, radiating confidence.
"How close is the Hōgyoku to awakening? "
Fiander inquired with interest.
"I would estimate it to be about 50 percent. Furthermore, I fear the Hōgyoku was sealed right after its creation. "
"I doubt even Urahara Kisuke, who has never unsealed it, knows the exact details. During the unblocking phase, the Hōgyoku, still in a dormant state, can temporarily merge with someone possessing several times the Reiatsu of a captain. "
"At that point, you can briefly access the Hōgyoku's abilities as if it were fully awakened. "
As Aizen extended his finger toward the Hōgyoku, which remained in its dormant state, the moment Reiatsu made contact, it transformed into a deep black hue, following their brief interaction.
The Hōgyoku erupted with a bright white light. The Adjuchas, who had been confined within the transparent cube, tore through the bindings encircling his form as the light from the Hōgyoku flourished. An Arrancar emerged.
"Can you share your name, new ally? "
Aizen inquired, observing the Arrancar who stood bare, adorned with a crown-like mask.
"Wanda. . . Wise. "
"Wandawise Margera. "
Thus, the Arrancar named Wanda Wise was created. Aizen's objective in bringing him into existence was to combat Yamamoto's Zanpakutō, the oldest and most formidable Zanpakutō in the Soul Society—Ryūjin Jakka. Even Aizen felt uncertain and needed an alternative approach.
"Recall what you told me a month prior, Ulquiorra. "
Aizen turned to address Ulquiorra positioned behind him.
"Go and carry it out. The authority to decide is yours, and you may bring whoever you wish along. "
"Also, Fiander, do you wish to accompany him? "
Initially, he assumed that after witnessing Wanda Wise's creation, he could return to rest, but upon hearing Aizen mention his name, he quickly responded.
"No need, Lord Aizen. Everyone here is an Espada; allow them to go, I do not need to accompany them! "
Fiander's statement immediately provoked a retort from an Arrancar, who responded mockingly in a particularly annoying tone.
"Oh my, is this No.10? You dare to question Lord Aizen's words. How can you claim to be an Espada? "
These comments caused Fiander's eyelids to twitch as he turned to locate the source of the voice and found a young girl with short black hair, slanted bangs, and light purple eyes.
"Uh… excuse me, who are you? "
Seeing a face he didn't recognize, Fiander asked with curiosity.
"Me? I'm the new Espada No.6. I suggest you show me some respect. "
Upon hearing Fiander's response, they displayed the tattoo imprinted on their right waist, prominently featuring the No.6 designation.
"You? No.6? Where is that individual Grimmjow? "
Facing such an arrogant and reckless Arrancar, Fiander remained unfazed, turning instead to Ulquiorra beside him.
"Grimmjow attacked the human world without permission, so Master Aizen stripped him of the Espada title, resulting in a vacant No.6 position, which Ruby Ante Noel temporarily occupies. "
"Oh, that explains it! "
Fiander suddenly smirked, as if recalling something amusing, and turned back between Ulquiorra and Yammy, saying, "Alright, let's venture to the world together! "
"Now, you have no objections, No.6! "
Ruby Ante Noel cast a dismissive glance at Fiander, choosing not to engage him further. His previous words were merely for show in front of Aizen, intended to solidify his position as No.6 in Espada.
Noticing that Fiander had consented, Aizen grinned, turned about, and exited. Before departing, he glanced at Grimmjow perched on the beam and remarked, "By the way, are you interested in joining them? Grimmjow? "
"Mn! "
Grimmjow merely conveyed a murderous intent in his gaze, replying coolly.
Fiander observed Aizen as he departed, then smiled at Grimmjow, who was alone above, saying, "Enjoy the show. "
"Also, Ulquiorra, when the moment arrives, you go ahead, and I will follow with Reinhard. "
After voicing these words, disregarding Ulquiorra's response, he promptly exited the hall.
"Fiander remains as overconfident as ever," Yammy commented to Ulquiorra after watching Fiander leave.
"Don't concern yourself with him; I never intended for him to accompany us. Since Lord Aizen has appointed him to go, he can proceed as he wishes. "
With that, Ulquiorra surveyed the Espadas present and left the meeting hall, setting out to execute the assault on the human realm and fulfill the earlier plan.