"Harribel lost?"
Staring at the massive ice sculpture dominating the screen, Aizen's wise black eyes flickered with unease.
His expression darkened.
As Hueco Mundo's ruler, he knew every Espada's abilities intimately.
Harribel's control over scorching ocean currents was once deemed the perfect counter to Hyōrinmaru.
Her Vasto Lorde reiatsu should've crushed Hitsugaya's current strength.
Yet, the outcome defied expectations!
The 3rd Espada, defeated by the youngest captain!
This was beyond Aizen's calculations!
The underground base's atmosphere grew stifling.
Sensing Aizen's mood, even the usually chatty Gin stayed silent.
Tōsen Kaname, behind them, trembled, watching Aizen's back.
Both felt it—after the Arrancar's consecutive losses, Aizen was replanning something!
---
Karakura Town Suburbs, Abandoned Warehouse
"Phew… it's finally over!"
Hirako Shinji leapt lightly from the warehouse ceiling, landing smoothly.
As the screen darkened, he sighed, "Hyōrinmaru… truly the strongest ice-type Zanpakutō! Its weather manipulation has limitless potential!"
His expression turned serious.
Though usually laid-back, Hitsugaya's duel with Harribel thrilled him!
"No kidding. These new captains are stronger than I expected! I thought they were third-rate," Hachigen Ushōda nodded from a corner, his deep voice resonating.
As a former captain, his pride and disdain for the current Gotei 13 had blinded him.
A century ago, during his tenure, most current captains were nobodies.
But this battle shifted his perspective slightly.
"Hold it, you bald idiots!"
Hiyori Sarugaki's furious roar cut through.
The punkish girl, hands on hips, pointed at Hirako and Muguruma Kensei, cursing, "Shinji, Kensei, stop hyping them up and undermining us!"
"That shorty only won because of his Zanpakutō's gimmick. He's not impressive!"
Her loud voice nearly shook the warehouse roof.
Her words dripped with jealousy—Hitsugaya's feat made her a lemon!
"Hiyori, chill. We're just discussing," Hirako spread his hands helplessly.
Pausing, he reflected, "But you've got a point. Being frozen doesn't mean death. Maybe that female Espada's still alive?"
Recalling the scene, as hundreds of ice flowers bloomed, Harribel was sealed.
The camera shifted to a wide shot, blurring the ice's interior.
Before they could see clearly, the battle ended.
No one could confirm Harribel's fate—only guess.
"Regardless, our focus shouldn't be the captains' strength but these 'Espada'," Hachigen said, frowning. "Hueco Mundo's always been a savage place. Even devouring countless souls, few Hollows become Arrancar naturally."
"Now, so many Arrancar, including Vasto Lordes, appear out of nowhere. It's bizarre!" He wiped cold sweat, chilled by the thought.
What happened in Hueco Mundo to spawn so many Arrancar?
The group froze, faces pale with dread.
Hachigen was right!
Where did these Arrancar come from?
It defied logic!
"Could… Aizen be behind this?" Rōjure Kirinji ventured, a wild idea sparking.
"!!!"
The name "Aizen" sent shivers through the Visoreds.
Memories of that nightmarish night a century ago flooded back like Pandora's box.
"If Aizen's pulling the strings, it's possible," Hirako said gravely, knowing Aizen best as his former subordinate and the first to spot his facade.
"All these Arrancar, created by Aizen? That's terrifying!" Hakka Kudō gasped.
Aizen, playing the "good guy," had toyed with the Gotei 13.
If he ruled Hueco Mundo too, he was a nightmare!
Silence fell, suffocating.
The possibility nearly choked the Visoreds.
But then, the darkened screen flickered back to life, new subtitles appearing:
[NO.12: The Visionary, Gremmy Thoumeaux]
"Hm? Another ranking?"
Hirako turned, frowning at the subtitles.
"The Visionary? Gremmy Thoumeaux… who the hell is this guy? Never heard of him!"
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