Chapter 69: The Forest Of Menos Grande
"What's going on, Kurosaki? "
Ishida Uryu noticed something was off with Ichigo's expression and asked in confusion, "Uh… Fiander, do you… know him? "
"Uh."
"I've faced him once before—just once. "
That encounter lingered in his thoughts, as the opponent had easily destroyed his mask, a moment of utter humiliation that he couldn't forget.
"Compared to the other Espadas, that guy is more dangerous. "
Ichigo's remarks immediately heightened the alertness of Ishida Uryu and Sado.
Despite her cute appearance, the girl was connected to a perilous Espada.
Seeing Ichigo's face change drastically when she mentioned Fiander's name, Nell asked suspiciously, "What's wrong with you?"
"Fiander isn't dangerous; he's very kind to Nell "
Seeing Nell's innocent grin, Ichigo realized this child was close with Fiander, so he shook his head with an ironic smile and reassured, "Is Nell your name? "
"Yes. I'm Nell, an Arrancar.
By the way, the two beside me are my big brothers, Pesche and Dondachaka.
That large creature over there is our pet, called Bawa Bawa. "
Nell first pointed to Pesche and Dondachaka, then gestured toward the enormous sandworm.
"Hello, we are Nell's older brothers; nice too meet you. "
Pesche and Dondachaka bowed to them.
"Wait, wait, wait! ! "
After hearing the introductions, Ichigo replied, looking perplexed, "If you are Arrancar, how can you possibly have siblings or pets for that matter? "
Nell scrunched her nose at his question, replying, "Rude! Of course, Arrancar can have that! "
Dondachaka added, "We just happened upon her and thought she was adorable! "
"So we became her big brothers! "
Watching Nell and Pesche scratching their heads in unison, Ichigo couldn't help but exclaim, "You guys don't look alike at all! "
"Ah~! "
"Aren't we siblings? Then what are we? "
Observing their amusing expressions, Ichigo could only facepalm and sigh.
"Yeah yeah, you guys are siblings "
After some playful banter, Ichigo and his companions settled on Bawa Bawa's back along with Nell and the others, making their way toward the Night Palace.
"Nell, why are you guys here? "
Ichigo lay comfortably on Bawa Bawa's back as he inquired.
"Woowoo"
Nell began to cry, saying, "At first, we were fine at home, but then our big brother turned evil and kicked us out."
"He also warned us not to go near the Night Palace, or he would break Nell's legs! "
"How terrifying! "
" Nell!"
"Pesche, Dondachaka ! "
The three suddenly embraced each other, engaging in a humorous moment while singing a nonsensical tune.
"Then. . . who is this so-called big brother of yours? If you're not permitted to go near the Night Palace, why are you joining us then?"
Ichigo pressed on, undeterred.
"It's Fiander. . . "
"We were perfectly fine at home until we were forced out.
But Nell isn't one to back down easily. The more she's told she can't go, the more determined she'll be to go! "
As she spoke, Nell crossed her arms and stood up, though she was soon at a loss.
"Boom! ! "
Suddenly, the ground trembled beneath her, and Nell, who struggled to maintain balance on Bawa Bawa's back, lost her footing and tumbled sideways.
"Nell! ! "
Ichigo sprang up quickly, catching Nell in his arms, but just then the massive sandy terrain below them began to engulf everyone.
Ishida pulled Sado along, while Pesche leapt off Bawa Bawa's back, bringing Dondachaka with him.
However, Ichigo was too late to react and found himself caught in the swirling sand along with Nell and Bawa Bawa.
"Nell! ! "
"Kurosaki! "
"Ichigo! ? "
Ishida, and the others gazed anxiously at Ichigo and Nell who were sinking into the sand, their voices filled with concern.
"What do we do? Is there a way to save them? "
Ishida questioned Pesche with urgency.
"It's over! We're done for! Master Fiander will be furious! "
"We've lost Nell, and our mission has failed! "
Pesche was seen pacing frantically, holding his head as if the world was collapsing around him.
"Below. . . lies the forest of Menos Grande, an extremely perilous area! "
"Only the fiercest predators can survive there! ! "
Dondachaka was sweating profusely, his voice shaking.
"Hey, how can we rescue them? "
Seeing that they weren't responding, Ishida kicked them lightly.
"Yes! ! "
Pesche rubbed his rear and hurriedly clarified, "The Forest of Menos Grande is under Lord Fiander's authority, and there's a specific overseer assigned there. "
"Overseer? "
"Didn't you say there were beasts inhabiting that place? "
Sado questioned, appearing skeptical.
"Yes, a group of beasts. "
Pesche's voice shifted suddenly, as if he recalled something, expressing fear.
"We must first reach a certain place and wait for the overseer of the Menos Grande forest to return."
Ishida was momentarily stunned by Pesche's statement and then asked, "And where's that? "
"I can't disclose that location to outsiders. We'll quietly slip in, and it should be fine. "
"Let's go! "
Without further ado, Pesche and Dondachaka turned and began to walk away.
"Hey! Wait! "
Seeing the two suddenly depart in such haste, Ishida and Sado had no choice but to tail them.
At the base of the Menos Grande Forest, Ichigo and Nell gradually opened their eyes.
"Huh? Didn't we fall? "
"Yeah? "
Just as Ichigo and Nell looked each other in confusion, a faint whimper emerged from beneath them: "Bawa. . . Bawa. . . "
Naturally, the two who had plummeted from several hundred meters had Bawa Bawa cushioning their fall, so they were unharmed.
Nell abruptly dismounted from Bawa Bawa, patted his head, and exclaimed, "Bawa Bawa, you really fell with us just to protect us."
"Uh----"
Witnessing this, Ichigo rubbed his forehead and remarked, "I think we fell because of him."
As he spoke, Ichigo surveyed the multitude of enormous white tree trunks surrounding them and asked Nell, "By the way, do you know where we are? "
Upon hearing Ichigo's question, Nell's eyes widened in realization, and she stammered, "It's over! It's over! This. . . this is the Menos Grande forest! "
****
25+advance chapters at patreon.com/Eatinpieces