Somewhere deep within the Great Hollow Forest.
The goat Hollow Rojo Capra and the monstrous fish Hollow Giwa Barnes guarded the outer perimeter, while Raizen Kō concealed himself inside a dim cave, carefully observing the small, incomplete mask fragment he had taken from Ulquiorra.
After studying it for a long while, Raizen suddenly opened his mouth and swallowed it without hesitation.
Yet even after consuming the fragment, his Reiatsu did not increase in the slightest. Instead, he felt as if something subtle and profound had been added to the very core of his existence.
"It really works!"
Raizen's expression brightened with excitement as he sensed the faint but unmistakable changes occurring within him.
The world of Hollows followed a cruel and rigid hierarchy.
Those capable of devouring countless Gillians and evolving into Adjuchas were already as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns. As for the highest class of Menos Grande the Vasto Lorde they were even more incomparably scarce.
In the original history of Hueco Mundo, only a handful of confirmed Vasto Lorde ever appeared, and many of them were said to have been born naturally rather than through gradual evolution.
The only one clearly known to have ascended to Vasto Lorde through his own efforts was Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, and even that occurred only after the Thousand-Year Blood War.
Even Nnoitra Gilga who was fiercely competitive and obsessed with challenging stronger opponents remained stuck at the Adjuchas level, unable to surpass Neliel Tu Odelschwanck, despite her long disappearance and loss of power.
Did Nnoitra not wish to become a Vasto Lorde?
Of course he did.
The truth was simply that he lacked the talent the aptitude to reach that level.
Swallowing Ulquiorra's broken mask fragment was Raizen's method of increasing his own potential for evolving into a Vasto Lorde.
It was not because he believed he lacked the natural aptitude.
Rather, Raizen understood a simple principle: one more preparation meant one more chance of success.
"You shattered part of your mask to become an Arrancar, and I swallowed part of your mask to strengthen my foundation."
Raizen chuckled quietly to himself.
"In a way… we both have bright futures."
The Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy – Training Grounds
At the same time, within the grounds of the Spiritual Arts Academy, a lively crowd had gathered.
These people were all sixth-year veteran students Shinigami cadets who had completed six full years of training and were preparing to graduate.
The only exception among them was Itō Makoto.
At this time, Matsumoto Rangiku and Hisagi Shūhei were still in their fourth year, while Itō Makoto had already advanced directly to the sixth year. As long as he passed the upcoming graduation assessment alongside these senior students, he would be officially qualified to join the Gotei Thirteen.
Everyone present was participating in a final pep rally.
Three days from now, they would be dispatched to the Human World to undertake the Soul Burial practical assessment.
By this point, nearly a full year had passed since Itō Makoto first entered the Spiritual Arts Academy.
It was not that Itō Makoto required an entire year to graduate.
Rather, Academy regulations clearly stated that no matter how monstrous a student's aptitude might be, they were required to remain enrolled for at least one full year before being allowed to take the graduation examination.
The last individual to graduate in such a short time was none other than Ichimaru Gin.
The Next Day – West Rukongai, District 1
Inside a modest hot pot restaurant, Itō Makoto was fulfilling a long-standing promise by treating Rangiku and Hisagi to a meal.
Watching the sukiyaki bubbling gently on the table, Itō Makoto felt his memories drift back to his previous life.
"Makoto-Nii is really unfair!" Rangiku complained loudly, puffing out her cheeks. "You promised to graduate with us, but you finished six years of courses in just one year! Just like… just like him!"
She crossed her arms with a pout.
"Why do I only ever meet freaks? It's so frustrating!"
Rangiku was slowly beginning to develop into the confident and voluptuous woman she would one day become, though her temper was already very much the same.
Meanwhile, Hisagi Shūhei sat unusually silent beside her, his expression gloomy and distracted.
Recently, he had been in an especially poor mood.
He could not help but think back to the shocking news that had shaken the entire Soul Society not long ago.
That is the unprecedented defection incident.
'Former Head of the Research and Development Institute and Captain of the Twelfth Division, Kisuke Urahara, has betrayed the Soul Society.'
And alongside him, many others had vanished as well:
Former Captain of the Fifth Division, Hirako Shinji.
Former Captain of the Ninth Division, Muguruma Kensei.
Former Captain of the Third Division, Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō.
Former Captain of the Seventh Division, Aikawa Love.
Former Vice-Captain of the Twelfth Division, Sarugaki Hiyori.
Former Vice-Captain of the Eighth Division, Kuna Mashiro.
Former Vice-Captain of the Ninth Division, Kuna Mashiro.
Former Vice-Chief of the Kidō Corps, Ushōda Hachigen.
Former Chief of the Kidō Corps, Tsukabishi Tessai.
And even the current head of the Shihōin Clan and Captain of the Second Division Shihōin Yoruichi herself.
This sudden upheaval had been like a massive earthquake to the Soul Society, forcing an enormous reshuffling of the Gotei Thirteen's mid- and high-level forces.
Of course, Itō Makoto armed with knowledge from an omniscient perspective understood the truth behind everything.
The root cause was none other than Aizen Sōsuke's secret Hollowfication experiments.
Even Itō Makoto, as someone who had transmigrated with foreknowledge, had to admit that Aizen and his Kyōka Suigetsu were truly terrifying beyond reason.
A single illusion-type Zanpakutō had managed to manipulate the entirety of the Soul Society like pieces on a chessboard.
"Little Hisagi, don't look so sad," Itō Makoto said gently.
"I believe you'll definitely see Captain Kensei again someday."
"Really… Makoto-Nii?" Hisagi asked weakly, his eyes filled with uncertainty.
"Of course," Itō Makoto replied confidently.
"But until then, you have to train hard. You wouldn't want your idol to look down on you when you finally meet him again, would you?"
As he spoke, Itō Makoto reached over and ruffled Hisagi's hair encouragingly.
"Mmm! You're right, Makoto-Nii! I'll definitely work twice as hard from now on!"
Hisagi's eyes regained their spark of determination. Grabbing his chopsticks, he picked up a piece of steaming beef from the sukiyaki pot, blew on it quickly, and stuffed it into his mouth.
"Ahh so hot!"
"Hey! You sneaky brat!" Rangiku shouted. "I saw that piece of meat first!"
The three of them laughed and argued playfully as they continued eating.
But suddenly, Itō Makoto's expression changed.
Without warning, he picked up a small plate of persimmon cakes from the table and walked calmly out of the restaurant.
"Little Rangiku told me you like persimmon cakes the most," Itō Makoto said quietly into the empty street.
"Care for one?"
The moment his words fell, a figure appeared out of nowhere.
Clad in a Captain's haori, with silver hair and narrowed foxlike eyes it was Ichimaru Gin.
"My, my… you always manage to find me," Gin said with his usual sly smile.
"Your spiritual awareness is truly terrifying."
He accepted the persimmon cake from Itō Makoto's hand, popped it into his mouth, and vanished instantly with Shunpo.
"Hey! Why did you take the entire plate?" Itō Makoto called out helplessly.
"I still have to pay for that!"
In the next instant, Ichimaru Gin reappeared as suddenly as he had left, now holding the empty plate. Without a word, he handed it back.
"How about coming inside for a bite, Captain Ichimaru?" Itō Makoto asked calmly.
"Aren't you going to see her?"
Gin did not answer.
He only paused for a brief moment before disappearing once more with Shunpo.
Immediately afterward, Itō Makoto heard a faint Kidō transmission that only he could perceive.
"No need," Gin's voice echoed softly.
"Thanks for the persimmon cakes."
"And… be careful during the Soul Burial assessment."