With Ishikawa's arrival, the repair work on Las Noches officially began.
As for manpower, there was no need to worry at all. As Cirucci said, there were countless Arrancar capable of manual labor, and with the Hollows distributed throughout Hueco Mundo, gathering these Arrancar and Hollows was not a difficult task.
In a sense, Hueco Mundo might actually be more united than the Soul Society.
Because the principle followed in Hueco Mundo was that the strong reign supreme. Here, the Espada were kings, and any Espada could freely control Arrancar and Hollows outside of the Espada.
However, compared to coordinated combat, the Espada preferred and excelled at individual combat, and rarely would an Espada control a group of Hollows to wear down an opponent's stamina.
Standing amidst the ruins, Ishikawa looked at the grand construction scene before him, finding it bizarre no matter how he looked at it.
The Arrancar who barely resembled humans were one thing, but the Gillians, with their varied appearances and looking like walking skyscrapers, appearing on a construction site was truly a bit hard to get used to.
However, compared to Ishikawa, Urahara Kisuke seemed very calm, skillfully directing the Hollows in the repair work.
Regarding the candidates for repairing the sky, Ishikawa could only think of two: Urahara Kisuke and Kurotsuchi Mayuri.
These two, if he asked them to repair the canopy, should not refuse.
But after some hesitation, Ishikawa still chose to bring Urahara Kisuke here.
Because if he invited Kurotsuchi Mayuri to repair the canopy, he would undoubtedly leave countless hidden traps within Las Noches, meaning there would be absolutely no privacy to speak of as long as one stayed in Las Noches.
In this regard, Urahara Kisuke was actually the same.
Ishikawa still remembered…
Any Denreishinki Urahara Kisuke gave him basically had functions that a Denreishinki should not possess.
However, compared to Kurotsuchi Mayuri, his level of madness was slightly lower, and although Urahara Kisuke was part of the faction that maintained the status quo, he did not belong to the Gotei 13. From a positional standpoint, inviting him was clearly more suitable.
Urahara Kisuke led the team repairing the canopy, and Ishikawa led the team rebuilding various damaged structures. With the assistance of the tireless Hollows, both their progress was very fast.
Of course, this 'tireless' was what Cirucci said, and those Hollows and Arrancar did not refute it. Whether they actually felt tired or not, Ishikawa didn't care…
"Ishikawa-sama, is there anything else you need me to do?"
A figure wearing a bull skull-shaped mask stood behind Ishikawa, speaking respectfully, "If there is a need, please do not hesitate. I can create more subordinates."
Ishikawa looked at Rudbornn behind him and smiled slightly, "Then I'll trouble you to go to the Forest of Menos and chop down some more trees. Those irrational Gillians always run back to the Forest of Menos halfway through transport when no one is controlling them."
"You are too kind."
Rudbornn said respectfully, "Lady Cirucci told me to follow all your instructions. You don't need to be so polite."
Although Lord Aizen, who bestowed upon him god-like creative abilities, was defeated by this Shinigami, which made Rudbornn, who deeply respected Aizen, somewhat unable to accept it at first.
But when he heard that the other party could allow Arrancar to evolve further, Rudbornn immediately took on the task of assisting Ishikawa with the repairs.
And as they interacted, he found that this Ishikawa-sama felt like Lord Aizen in his early days, treating everyone gently. Being by his side did not make him feel unfamiliar, but rather extremely comfortable.
In the distance, three figures stood amidst a ruin, looking at Ishikawa, who was directing a group of Hollows, their expressions all somewhat strange.
"This scene really looks awkward."
A female Arrancar with blue-black short hair, deep red eyeliner-like facial markings on her left eye, and a horn-shaped mask spoke, "Why should we obey the command of a Shinigami!"
"Wasn't it like this before?"
Beside the blue-black short-haired girl, the female Arrancar with long, dark green bangs and three circular teardrop marks under her right eye covered her face with her sleeve and said, "Now it's just a different person."
"Apacci, Cyan Sung-Sun, don't forget Lady Harribel's instructions—" the tall, strong woman beside them reminded.
"Tch, isn't it just not to offend him?"
The girl named Apacci glanced at the tall, strong woman, "Mila, I don't need you to keep emphasizing it. Besides, we're so far from him, what's wrong with talking? And besides, that 'expert' who defeated Aizen wouldn't bother paying attention to us three Fracciones."
"No."
A voice suddenly entered the three's ears, "I did hear it, though."
"…"
The sudden voice startled the three. Looking in its direction, they found that Ishikawa, who had been dozens of meters away just a second ago, had appeared behind them at some point.
Ishikawa looked at the three in front of him, a smile on his face, "Don't be nervous. I just came over to ask if the three of you have any requirements for your living quarters. That way, when I rebuild, I can plan accordingly in advance."
"For example, Miss Cyan Sung-Sun, the environment in Hueco Mundo is quite dry, which must make you feel uncomfortable, right? I can engrave some damp Spell Inscription that can autonomously absorb Reishi when rebuilding the houses. And the windows can also be removed as you like…"
"Miss Apacci…"
"And Miss Mila Rose…"
Ishikawa spoke at length, leaving the three somewhat stunned.
After a while, Apacci looked at Ishikawa in front of her and said, feigning composure, "You know us?"
Although she had previously acted as if she didn't care about Ishikawa, that was only because Ishikawa wasn't nearby. This Shinigami, after all, was the one who defeated Aizen, not to mention that even Lady Harribel had repeatedly warned them not to offend him.
Ishikawa smiled upon hearing this, but couldn't help but inwardly grumble.
In the vast Hueco Mundo, there were only so few female Arrancar who could provide him with experience points. How could he not remember them?
On his second day in Hueco Mundo, Ishikawa had investigated all information on female Arrancar from various sources. Their height, habits, and preferences were all firmly etched in Ishikawa's mind.
So as soon as the three arrived, Ishikawa had already noticed them and had been thinking of a way to communicate with them.
"Cirucci has mentioned your situations to me, so I thought I'd try my best to get your opinions to create the most livable environment you can imagine." With that, Ishikawa pulled three business cards from his black work uniform pocket and handed them to the three:
"Allow me to introduce myself, I am Ishikawa from the Everything Store. I undertake…"
After briefly explaining what the Everything Store was, Ishikawa paused before continuing, "If you need anything, you can contact me anytime. You don't need to worry about not being able to reach me, because there will also be a branch of the Everything Store in Las Noches. I have already obtained Roka's consent for her to help me take on commissions from Hueco Mundo."
Commissions?
Upon hearing this, the three looked at Ishikawa with increasingly strange expressions.
Because if Ishikawa wanted to, the entire Hueco Mundo would be his, so why bother going through such a roundabout way?
Although the three of them disliked taking orders from Shinigami, as long as Lady Harribel acknowledged the other party's status, they wouldn't say much more.
"Are you out of your mind?"
Apacci, the most impulsive of the three, blurted out instinctively, but regretted it immediately after speaking.
Her two companions beside her were also startled by her words and quickly gathered around her, looking at Ishikawa warily.
Although the three often quarreled and seemed to be on bad terms in normal times.
But when a crisis truly arose, the three stood together without hesitation, even when facing someone who could defeat Aizen.
"Why would you say that?"
Ishikawa shook his head slightly, "On the contrary, I find your thinking a bit strange. Why do you insist that I want to become the new King of Hueco Mundo?"
"Isn't that obvious?"
Seeing that Ishikawa wasn't angry because of her offense, Apacci simply let loose, "You defeated Aizen, and you modified the Espada. If it wasn't to control Hueco Mundo, why would you go to such great lengths to help Lady Cirucci and the others evolve?"
To make friends!
Ishikawa secretly replied in his heart.
He was not interested in becoming the King of Hueco Mundo, because it was difficult to gain others' favorability when there was a vast disparity in status.
Though somewhat inappropriate, ants do not have the courage to befriend humans who can easily step on them.
And in front of Ishikawa…
Apacci and the other two were, in fact, no different from ants.
The three of them were well aware of this.
Becoming the King of Hueco Mundo would be like revealing his identity as a Central Central 46 sage. No matter how approachable he was, it would be difficult to gain others' favorability, and this was something Ishikawa absolutely, absolutely could not accept.
"In your eyes, do you think I helped Cirucci evolve to rule Hueco Mundo?"
Ishikawa shook his head slightly:
"My initial reason for helping Cirucci wasn't as complicated as you imagine; it was simply to save my own life. If I hadn't demonstrated my value back then, I would probably have died by Cirucci's hand long ago."
At these words, all three present were stunned.
Ishikawa didn't hide anything, recounting what he had encountered after first arriving in Hueco Mundo. He told it not only to the three, but also to Harribel, who had immediately rushed over and hidden in the shadows after noticing his contact with the three.
Of course, there were others secretly listening as well, but Ishikawa couldn't be bothered with those who couldn't provide him with experience points.
"…That's how it was. I was captured by Cirucci to research methods to further enhance her strength."
Ishikawa sat on the ruins, looking at the three who were listening intently, and continued, "And after spending some time together day and night, I found that Hollows weren't as terrifying as I thought. Unbeknownst to us, we went from enemies to friends, and what was originally her coercing me into research became me actively helping her seek methods of evolution."
"So you absolutely don't need to worry about me wanting to be some Hollow King like Aizen, and you also don't need to be wary of me because I'm a Shinigami. After all, strictly speaking, I have an employer-employee relationship with the Gotei 13. From beginning to end, I have been a resident of Rukongai, not Seireitei."
"Of course, if Hueco Mundo and Soul Society go to war, as a resident of Rukongai in Soul Society, I would definitely choose to help Soul Society, as it is the place I have lived for decades."
"Who would go to war with Soul Society?"
Apacci pouted. Strictly speaking, Hueco Mundo and Soul Society had no direct conflict, as there was still the Human World between the two worlds.
Initially, there were disputes between the two sides, but as time passed, Soul Society and Hueco Mundo reached a delicate balance. Except for certain special individuals in the Human World, neither side would break this balance.
So battles between Hollows and Shinigami basically occurred in the Human World, not in Hueco Mundo or Soul Society.
And without exception, these battles were all between newly transformed Hollow fodder and Gotei 13 fodder… The true combat forces of both sides, if not for Aizen, would basically have no contact.
Most importantly…
Although a long time had passed, that old man who played with fire had indeed left a huge psychological shadow on the three of them.
"You really don't want to rule all of Hueco Mundo?" Cyan Sung-Sun beside him said, somewhat disbelievingly.
"Why would I rule Hueco Mundo?"
Ishikawa said somewhat helplessly, "Am I supposed to lead you to attack my own home?"
"Some people in this world have goals, like Aizen. His goal, as he said, is to fill the vacant throne of the King of Heaven, to become… the so-called god, and he has always acted towards that goal. As for me…"
"I don't have such grand ambitions."
"If I had to say, it would probably just be to keep my friends safe and sound."
"So I came here simply because a friend needed my help, not to rule Hueco Mundo or for anything else."
[Harribel Favorability +1, gained 1600 experience points. Current Favorability: 25]
[Mila Rose Favorability +1, gained 160 experience points. Current Favorability: 7]
[Apacci Favorability +1, gained 320 experience points. Current Favorability: 11]
[Cyan Sung-Sun Favorability +1, gained 160 experience points. Current Favorability: 9]
The notifications in his mind made Ishikawa Can't help it secretly glance at where Harribel was hiding. It seemed he hadn't spoken so much to the three for nothing.
However, compared to Nel, the experience points Harribel provided per point of favorability were still a bit low.
It seemed he needed to advance the process of reforming their spiritual nucleuss. Only by making them stronger could they provide him with more experience points.
After chatting with the three for a while longer, Ishikawa returned to continue directing the repair work.
As the saying goes, too much of a good thing. Being overly intimate would instead cause the three to doubt his motives.
This was experience Ishikawa had accumulated over many years. Although the experience was accumulated with Shinigami as the subjects, it should be similar for Arrancar.
"Hmph hmph hmph ha~"
Looking at the increasing experience points, Ishikawa couldn't help but hum a tune, feeling even more certain that coming to Hueco Mundo this time was truly the right decision.
"Does pleasing a few Fracciones make you so happy?" A voice came from behind Ishikawa.
Ishikawa wasn't surprised. He turned to look at Grimmjow, who was leaning against the wall with an unhappy expression, and smiled, "Speaking of which, our last meeting was too rushed, I haven't even greeted you yet."
"Hmph, I have no interest in greeting Shinigami—" Grimmjow said disdainfully, "Let alone a Shinigami with no goal."
"Tsk tsk, by the sound of your words, it seems you're quite disappointed that I'm not becoming the Hollow King, eh?"
Grimmjow's expression immediately turned somewhat ugly upon hearing this.
"I think you all are fine as you are now. Discuss things when they come up. There's no need to force yourselves to have a Hollow King to lead you."
Ishikawa paused, then looked at Grimmjow and shook his head, "If you think Hueco Mundo should have a Hollow King like Soul Society has a Soul King, then there's absolutely no need."
"The Soul King isn't as wonderful as you imagine. Soul Society has done many things you can't even imagine to achieve autonomy like yours."
"That's precisely why Aizen didn't want to submit to 'that kind of thing,' but rather wanted to replace it."
Grimmjow frowned upon hearing this, but didn't ask further. He simply turned and left, not wanting to say anything more to Ishikawa.
Ishikawa watched his departing back and suddenly realized that this guy was surprisingly simple.
It was completely: you helped me, you're stronger than me, so if you become king, I have no objections… but no one else can.