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Aozaki Reiji left the Human World and stepped into the Eleventh Division Barracks in the Soul Society.
Without any concealment, he brazenly declared his intention to slack off in front of Ichimaru Gin and the other Squad members.
Immediately after, he summoned Ichimaru Gin alone into his office.
Upon entering the room, Aozaki Reiji casually sat in the chair behind the Captain's desk and nonchalantly said, "You don't need to look for me for a while, Gin. I'll leave the Squad's affairs to you. I'll naturally inform you when I return."
Upon hearing this, Ichimaru Gin's body trembled violently.
It was the first time he had heard such a request from Aozaki Reiji—to refuse contact.
He straightened his back, his expression becoming extremely serious: "Where are you planning to go? Will there be danger?"
"Hueco Mundo," Aozaki Reiji replied casually.
"...Are you insane!?"
Ichimaru Gin couldn't help but exclaim in shock.
Before he finished speaking, he felt a chilling coldness surge from the soles of his feet, like a surging cold current, climbing bone by bone along his spine until it drilled into his mind.
This chill did not come from external temperature changes but from the deep fear and worry within him.
The reason was simple: Ichimaru Gin knew Aozaki Reiji's personality well—
Once he made up his mind, no matter what or who it was, it would be difficult to sway his will.
"Why go to Hueco Mundo? It's too dangerous; it's the Hollows' territory."
Ichimaru Gin took a step closer, his voice tense and lowered as he spoke to Aozaki Reiji, "You might run into Menos Grande, or even Vasto Lorde Menos Grande. Ten of them could destroy the Seireitei."
Clearly, his understanding of Menos Grande was still based on the textbooks from the Shin'o Academy.
After all, from birth until now, the farthest he had been was the Human World, and that was only for routine duty.
He hadn't even seen a Gillian, the lowest-ranked Menos Grande, let alone a Vasto Lorde.
"Hmm, what you said makes a lot of sense, but I have a reason why I must go."
Aozaki Reiji grinned.
Upon hearing this, Ichimaru Gin's body stiffened, and a look of astonishment appeared on his face, but he quickly regained his composure and firmly stated, "I'm coming with you!"
However, Aozaki Reiji shook his head without hesitation, his tone resolute: "Absolutely not. With your current strength, you are far from capable of handling the dangerous situations in Hueco Mundo. Even I would have difficulty looking after you."
Then, Aozaki Reiji patted Ichimaru Gin's shoulder and continued earnestly, "You just need to stay here and take care of the Squad's affairs for me. That would be the greatest support and help you could give me!"
Ichimaru Gin clenched his fists, his lips trembling slightly as if he wanted to retort, but he ultimately held back.
Because he knew very well that Aozaki Reiji's words were true.
Aozaki Reiji was a Captain-class powerhouse with Second Class Reiatsu.
If a crisis that even he couldn't resolve were to arise, then even if he, a Vice-Captain with Five Level Reiatsu, were to go along, he would probably be nothing more than a useless burden.
Aozaki Reiji sensed Ichimaru Gin's internal struggle and unease, so he patted his shoulder again and smiled reassuringly, "Don't be too nervous."
Then, he paused for a moment, a hint of confidence and pride showing on his face, and quietly added, "Don't forget, I am the Captain-Commander's favorite student! Compared to you, I know those Menos Grande much better."
Finally, Aozaki Reiji looked into Ichimaru Gin's eyes and solemnly promised, "With the strength I currently possess, protecting myself is more than enough. There's no need to worry about my safety."
After speaking, he turned and left.
Ichimaru Gin gazed at Aozaki Reiji's receding back, his brows tightly furrowed, his heart filled with worry.
...
Three days later.
The night enveloped the land.
A bright, clear moon hung in the sky, but it appeared somewhat hazy and blurred, as if obscured by a layer of gray mist.
This mysterious and eerie place was the dwelling of Hollows—Hueco Mundo.
As far as the eye could see, it was a landscape of gray and white, like being in an endless white desert.
The ground beneath their feet was exceptionally dry and hard, devoid of any signs of life.
And the scattered, quartz-like dead trees added a touch of desolation and stillness to the entire scene.
The fierce wind howled intermittently, kicking up gusts of sand, making one's heart tremble with fear.
Several dazzling light cannons, like meteors, streaked across the night sky, trailing long red tails, and with lightning speed, they lunged towards the four white-masked figures rushing ahead.
Based on their Reiatsu, it could be determined that the four fleeing figures were all powerful Menos Grande.
Following behind were three other Menos Grande, in the forms of a horned deer, a python, and a lion, all Adjuchas-class Menos Grande.
The Menos Grande leading the charge held a large bone sword and was remarkably similar in physique to a human.
Although her entire body was covered in tough white bone armor, revealing only her eyes and long golden hair, the massive, heart-like organs on her chest indicated that this was a female Vasto Lorde Menos Grande.
Accompanied by deafening roars, "Boom boom boom!!"
Sheets of snow-white fine sand exploded around the four female Menos Grande, like surging sandstorms, shooting straight into the sky.
Immediately after, massive crimson flames violently erupted in the high sky, releasing rolling thick smoke, like blooming mushroom clouds, dyeing the entire sky fiery red.
"Harribel!! Don't run!! I'm going to catch you today!!!"
Not far from the four fleeing Menos Grande, a dozen other Menos Grande followed behind them. One of them, also humanoid, roared furiously, swinging his thick arms like windmills, frantically throwing huge rocks.
"It's Oswiel again!! Will this bastard never stop!? He's been chasing us for three days and three nights!! Why do these bastards keep pursuing Lady Harribel? Aren't they tired!?"
Beside the humanoid Menos Grande named Harribel, a slightly irritable voice came from a deer-shaped Menos Grande.
"I'm sorry, Apacci, I've dragged you all into this."
A clear yet slightly apologetic voice emanated from Harribel's face, hidden beneath her mask.
Upon hearing this voice, the deer-shaped Menos Grande, Emilou Apacci, instantly changed her expression.
Her eyes were filled with panic, as if she had just said something she shouldn't have.
"No, no, no... Lady Harribel, please don't misunderstand me!" Apacci quickly explained.
"I really wasn't blaming you! It's just... it's just that Baraggan's subordinates are truly too much!"
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