That said, Nelliel had basically already joined Las Noches.
Two days later, Yoshio tossed the still-in-Byakurai-state Rukia and Renji onto the reishi sand near the ruins of the Hollow White evolution, then released Fireball Technique.
The Fireball Technique attracted the Shinigami's attention, and after Rukia and Renji were taken away, the Hueco Mundo Dispatch Team returned.
As for how they would report the Hueco Mundo situation upon return, and how Seireitei would handle Kisuke Urahara and the others afterward, that was beyond Yoshio's control.
During this time, Yoshio became busy. He started mobilizing the Hollows in Las Noches to search for mid-level Menos Grande and high-level Menos Grande, preparing to gather powerful Hollows when Aizen arrived, making it convenient for Hōgyoku experiments.
Of course, because he also needed to monitor the situation in Seireitei, Yoshio basically returned to Seireitei every night.
As the Lieutenant, Yoshio naturally had the authority to know the Central 46's reaction after the Hueco Mundo Dispatch Team's report.
Upon learning that Yoruichi Shihouin was involved, Second Division Captain Suì-Fēng reacted particularly strongly, insisting on going to Hueco Mundo to capture this criminal group.
But the Central 46 didn't allow it, instead temporarily halting further actions on the Bull-Head Hollow incident.
Because Kisuke Urahara was simply too dangerous, Seireitei needed time to consider how to deal with this great criminal.
And seeing Yoshio tarnish Kisuke Urahara and the others' reputations, Aizen said nothing.
…
…
Nearly three years had passed, and Soul Society still had no follow-up actions, which made Yoshio, who was preparing to watch the show, feel very bored.
And today, he entered Hueco Mundo with Aizen.
This time, Aizen was already prepared to use the Hōgyoku for Arrancar experiments on Hollows.
However, such "Arrancar" experiments also carried certain risks.
After all, the Hōgyoku Aizen created wasn't perfect yet.
In the end, a mid-level Menos Grande named Shawlong Koufang decided to become the first Hōgyoku Arrancar test subject.
Originally, the first was supposed to be Grimmjow, but Shawlong preempted Grimmjow, preparing to become the first experimental body.
Shawlong was Grimmjow's subordinate; he wanted to use his life to confirm for Grimmjow whether the Hōgyoku was truly that miraculous and could really grant Hollows great power.
Under the effect of Hōgyoku, the originally stalled evolution of Shawlong began to change. The mask on his face started peeling off, eventually shedding nearly three-quarters.
His body was also transforming.
Shawlong Koufang was already an excellent Adjuchas; his form was very close to human, and now, he had completely turned human.
Only the hollow hole and the broken mask still indicated Shawlong's identity.
His body condensed an extremely high concentration of spiritual pressure, and in terms of quantity, it was much denser than before his revival.
"This..."
Shawlong Koufang stared at his hands in shock, his eyes filled with uncontrollable excitement!
The spiritual power growth he hadn't felt in years was happening again, and this long-lost sensation made him uncontrollably excited.
Not just him—the surrounding Hollows watching were also excited.
Even some Vasto Lordes couldn't help but be shocked; even Starrk, who originally seemed uninterested, couldn't help but take another look at Shawlong Koufang.
"This is it..."
Aizen looked at Arrancar Shawlong Koufang with satisfaction, extending his hand as if inviting the surrounding Hollows, or perhaps the world itself.
"Gentlemen, follow me to a new world."
The Hollows showed eager eyes; they had all seen what kind of evolution Shawlong had achieved after becoming an Arrancar. Not a single Hollow didn't want to become like Shawlong.
"I'm next!"
Grimmjow stepped forward; he had originally planned to be the first test subject, but Shawlong had beaten him to it.
Yoshio walked up to Starrk and said, "Do you want to try?"
"Me?" Starrk was a bit puzzled. "I should already be what you call an 'Arrancar,' right?"
In the original story, Starrk joined Las Noches and became an Espada quite late.
It wasn't until Aizen openly betrayed Soul Society and took control of Las Noches that he was discovered by Aizen and invited to join the Espada.
By then, the Espada in Las Noches had already been completed.
And he was already an Arrancar himself, so he naturally didn't need Aizen to use the Hōgyoku for further Arrancarization.
But now it was different; because of Hollow White, they had discovered Starrk early, so perhaps Starrk could benefit from another wave of the Hōgyoku.
Yoshio continued, "Arrancarization isn't the endpoint for Hollows. As far as I know, Hollows can also achieve 'Segunda Etapa.' Don't you want to try?"
"Forget it." Starrk leaned against the wall, looked up at the dim sky above Las Noches, at the crescent moon that, despite its best efforts, still couldn't emit much light, and said softly:
"I... I don't want to get stronger anymore."
"This... this is a bit arrogant." Yoshio also followed Starrk's gaze upward, looking at the crescent moon, and said, "Do you think getting weaker will get you companions?"
"If you really believe that, I can only say, you really don't seem like a Hollow."
"..." Starrk remained silent, while Yoshio lowered his head and pointed at the surrounding Hollows with his finger.
"Do you see their eyes..."
"..." Starrk glanced but still didn't speak.
Then Yoshio continued, "Those are eyes that want to become stronger. For Hollows, evolution is their eternal goal."
"To put it bluntly, for Hollows who have lost their 'heart,' what they most desire to pursue is that lost heart, and what they fear most is 'degenerating' to the point of losing not only their heart but also their reason."
"You are a powerful Vasto Lorde; you've experienced the stages of evolution and naturally understand the fear of 'regression,' so you should understand even better."
Yoshio said softly, "A Hollow who wants to get weaker, who wants to degenerate, cannot survive among Hollows who want to evolve, and will inevitably not be accepted by other Hollows."
"The times have changed; you can put away your arrogant thoughts. With Captain Aizen's Hōgyoku, you no longer have to worry about your spiritual pressure killing Hollows, nor about the people around you being weak."
"Moreover..."
Yoshio glanced at Lilynette beside him and said, "Didn't you already have a companion back then?"