"Want to join the fun, Callum?"
From Nelliel's limited perspective, Kyōraku Callum clearly seemed harmless.
Dondochakka and Pesche, however, eyed Kyōraku Callum with suspicion.
They possessed memories Nelliel lacked; though usually scatterbrained, they were fiercely loyal to Nelliel and would protect her to the death. They recognized the Shinigami as regular army.
Their efficient movements, fierce gazes, and occasional flashes of killing intent—none were simple characters.
"I don't have time right now," Kyōraku Callum explained with a smile that nonetheless felt chilling. "Have you seen any Shinigami around here recently? We're looking for them."
Nelliel put a finger to her lips, tilting her head in thought.
"Um, I don't remember. Dondochakka, Pesche, do you know?"
Kyōraku Callum and Nelliel looked at the two trembling Arrancar. Their refusal to flee under the gaze of so many Shinigami was remarkable courage.
"If you mean a squad of Shinigami, we did see some!" Dondochakka recalled.
"I remember!" Pesche suddenly knocked his horn, speaking in a strange tone. "They were banished to the Death Forest by Lord Runuganga!"
Hearing this, Kyōraku Callum and Madarame Ikkaku exchanged serious glances.
"That's the Great Forest of Menos," Pesche explained nervously, intimidated by their gazes. "The Hollow's nest."
Kyōraku Callum set Nelliel down on the sand. "Do you know how to get to the Great Forest of Menos?"
Dondochakka and the others shook their heads and waved their hands frantically, denying any knowledge.
"No, no!"
Kyōraku Callum glanced at Madarame Ikkaku. Madarame Ikkaku understood immediately.
"Damn it, you really don't know?!" He suddenly drew his Zanpakutō, his aggressive nature fully unleashed.
Kyōraku Callum facepalmed, thinking, I should have told him to calm down. That look would scare anyone.
Dondochakka and Pesche embraced, screaming.
"Underground!"
"The Great Forest of Menos is underground!"
BOOM!
As soon as they spoke, the calm sand surface beneath them violently upheaved. A massive sand vortex spread out from them.
"A hundred Runugangas. They really think highly of us," Kyōraku Callum said, sensing the spiritual pressure of the giant Hollows and judging their number. Their movements had been under surveillance; perhaps they'd find out who at the Great Forest of Menos.
The sand collapsed, forming a vortex that enveloped them.
"Don't panic! This is how we get to the Great Forest of Menos," Kyōraku Callum shouted, reassuring everyone. "Runuganga couldn't defeat us, so it banished us."
With that, the ground vanished. The Shinigami fell from a great height. Kyōraku Callum caught Nelliel, protecting her. Powerless Arrancar were extremely vulnerable in this harsh environment. Except for Dondochakka, Pesche, and Bawabawa, everyone landed safely.
"This is the Great Forest of Menos?" Madarame Ikkaku looked around, a thrilled smile on his face. "I can sense the Hollows' spiritual pressure!"
In the darkness ahead, countless crimson lights flickered like lanterns. Numerous towering figures emerged from the forest.
"Gillians!"
"There are so many Gillians?!"
"My giant hammer is hungry!"
Unlike normal Shinigami, the Eleventh Division members were ecstatic at the sight of their enemies.
Nelliel clung tightly to Kyōraku Callum, sensing the danger.
"We're doomed!"
"We're dead!"
Dondochakka and Pesche cried in despair. "We've fallen into the Death Forest!"
"Bawabawa!"
The atmosphere turned strange.
"If you keep whining, I'll cut you down!" Madarame Ikkaku turned, shouting fiercely. The two Arrancar huddled together, trembling before his intimidating presence. Compared to the Gillians, the bald Shinigami seemed far more terrifying to the Hollows.
"It seems those Shinigami who fell here didn't fare well," Kyōraku Callum sighed.
"Shouldn't we be thinking about escaping?" Nelliel peeked out from his arms, asking timidly.
Hearing her, Kyōraku Callum's lips curved into a smile, revealing his teeth.
"No, they should be the ones escaping."
Nelliel followed his gaze to the endless sea of Hollows.
"Alright, let's fight!" Madarame Ikkaku charged to the front. "Let's cut these bastards into spiritual particles!"
The Eleventh Division members were ecstatic, shouting in unison. As the Eleventh Division's most elite members (excluding the seated officers), their thirst for battle rivaled Kenpachi Zaraki's, especially under Madarame Ikkaku's leadership.
This Hueco Mundo mission involved thirty Eleventh Division members, besides Madarame Ikkaku and Yumichika Ayasegawa.
They'd lost one member to Runuganga's surprise attack earlier.
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