Grimmjow's words had barely left his mouth when Nakeem frowned in confusion.
"Huh? When did we ever, "
But before he could finish, Grimmjow shot him a glare sharp enough to shut him down completely.
Shin didn't notice the exchange. All he heard was that Nelliel and the others were supposedly in their hands. His anger flared.
"You bastards! That's too despicable, hand them back, now!"
He knew all too well: if Nelliel was dragged into Las Noches, it would bring nothing but disaster. Not just the danger of old enemies hunting her down again, but also the risk that revisiting this place would force her to relive those traumatic memories she'd buried.
For that reason alone, Shin would never allow it.
But his outburst was exactly what Grimmjow had been waiting for.
The Espada gave a low chuckle. "Your friends are fine, for now. Later? Who knows. Their lives depend on your choice. If you want to see them again, come along."
With that brazen threat, Grimmjow turned, his fracción following as they strode over the dunes.
An hour later, Shin trailed them through the stark white corridors of Las Noches.
If he was going to rescue Nelliel, he needed to figure out where they were being held.
But as soon as they stepped into a wide, dark chamber, Grimmjow veered off and left him standing there alone.
"Grimmjow! Where are my companions?!" Shin demanded, voice sharp with suspicion.
"Ha! Please. I've never even seen them." Grimmjow's grin was all mockery.
"You-!"
The realization hit him. He'd been played. Shin had always thought of Grimmjow as reckless and blunt, but apparently the panther could be sly when it suited him. His jaw clenched, ready to confront him, fight again, if necessary.
Then his eyes adjusted to the dimness.
The room wasn't empty at all. A dozen presences pressed down on him from both sides of the chamber. Powerful, suffocating auras.
Arrancar, seated high on raised platforms. Espada.
"You've got to be kidding me. This is our new comrade? He looks way too weak," one voice sneered.
Another, female, sang back with acid sweetness. "Heh~ As if Aizen-sama would recruit anyone weak. Your intelligence really is hopeless."
"Say that again, Sung-sun!"
The female arrancar bickered amongst themselves, but Shin hardly listened. His instincts were locked on one particular gaze, sharp and malicious, drilling into him.
Tall, over two meters, hair spilling from beneath a wide collar, Nnoitra Gilga.
He was the one who'd sent Tesra after Shin. The man's unease at Tesra's failure was written all over his face. Shin's presence here confirmed what he feared.
A faint click echoed. A pale light flickered on overhead, weakly illuminating the chamber.
Shin's eyes moved forward, and froze.
Three figures dominated the room, their presence eclipsing even the Espada.
Gin Ichimaru.
Kaname Tōsen.
And in the center, smiling with calm menace, Aizen Sōsuke.
All eyes turned to Shin.
"Well, well. Grimmjow, you've actually brought him back alive. Though it looks like you had to resort to tricks," Aizen said with a teasing lilt. Then his gaze returned to Shin. "Welcome to Las Noches, Shin."
Shin knew he'd walked into a trap. All he could do now was play along. He inclined his head slightly, saying nothing.
Aizen's smile warmed, his tone almost kindly. "I've heard the Espada speak of you more than once. Your abilities intrigue us. As you can see, we are building something greater. I wonder, would you be willing to join our ranks?"
He extended one arm as if offering a place at his side.
But Shin wasn't fooled. Anyone else might have believed that benevolent act. He knew better.
"Sorry. I need to find my companions first." His reply was firm.
"Impudent! Who do you think you are?!"
Szayelaporro snapped, fury in his voice.
Shin shot back without hesitation: "If memory serves, you serve someone else too, don't you? And in this room, at least ten people outrank you. Frankly, it's embarrassing, I almost pity you."
"You-!" Szayelaporro's face darkened.
"Enough."
Aizen's voice cut the tension like a blade. His smile never faltered as his eyes returned to Shin. "If you join us, your friends will be found easily enough."
For the first time, Kaname Tōsen leaned forward. His low voice was calm but grave. "Aizen-sama, perhaps we're moving too fast. The Hōgyoku is only half-awakened. We've been forcing its power again and again. It is unstable, its future unpredictable. And besides, we have plenty of candidates. Is it wise to gamble everything on him?"
Aizen tilted his head slightly. "Oh? What are you suggesting?"
Tōsen's answer came in a whisper. "Why not let him prove himself against those in the east…?"
He trailed off, but Aizen understood.
"Very well," Aizen said, turning to the Espada. "Who currently oversees that eastern faction?"
A solemn, commanding voice answered from the ranks. "Aizen-sama, that responsibility lies with me. Reports confirm they recently captured three hollows, likely as food. Their location is known. I can move at once."
The speaker was none other than the Tercera Espada, Tier Harribel.
The eastern group she referred to was a rising hollow faction, notorious for rejecting Las Noches' offers. Their leaders were powerful, their clashes with the Espada inconclusive, and each encounter had ended in stalemate. The mission had now escalated to Harribel herself.
"Then see it finished today," Aizen ordered. His eyes slid back to Shin, sharp as razors. "A battle like this will claim many lives. I wonder, may we borrow your power?"
Shin understood. This wasn't about corpses. Aizen wanted to test him, to see what he could do in the crucible of war. Survival of the fittest, those who lived would become Aizen's soldiers, and his reliance on the unstable Hōgyoku would lessen.
But Shin's focus was already caught by the mention of three hollows. His instincts screamed that it was no coincidence.
Even if Harribel's intel was wrong, it was a chance. He might find Nelliel and the others. And failing that… he could escape in the chaos.
After a long moment of thought, Shin gave a small nod. He would not refuse.
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150 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter