Standing within Aizen Sōsuke's former residence were two young Arrancar.
One had long black twin ponytails, deep purple eyes, and wore a white dress paired with black boots. A fractured Hollow mask rested over her left eye, its jagged edge marking her status unmistakably.
The other had short blonde hair, sharp green eyes, and a broken mask fragment over her right eye.
Seeing the two figures, Kurotsuki Renya frowned slightly.
Aren't these Aizen's personal guards…?
The dark-haired girl glared at him openly, hatred flashing in her eyes.
"Ulquiorra," she said coldly, "is this the one who defeated Aizen-sama and dared to seize control of Hueco Mundo?"
Her name was Loly Aivirrne.
The blonde beside her was Menoly Mallia.
Menoly tugged lightly at Loly's clothing, trying to stop her.
"Loly…"
Renya smiled faintly.
"Yes. That would be me."
"How dare you harm Lord Aizen!" Loly shouted.
A thin blade slid into her hand.
"Die..Poison Princess: Hundred Stings!"
As her voice fell, white armor rapidly enveloped her body. From both arms extended segmented, centipede-like whips each section lined with venomous stingers that crackled with Hollow Reiatsu. The weapons lashed forward violently.
Boom!
The massive centipede whips struck Renya yet stopped cold.
He caught one casually with a single hand.
A stinger near his fingers discharged venom directly at him.
Hiss!
The toxin splashed harmlessly against Renya's skin, but the floor beneath corroded instantly, forming a deep, smoking crater.
Renya glanced down, mildly surprised.
"Highly corrosive," he noted.
"Die already!" Loly screamed.
The second whip surged forward but Renya vanished.
In the next instant, he appeared directly in front of her and swung his arm lightly.
Boom!
Loly was hurled backward, crashing into the wall. Stone shattered, and debris rained down.
She coughed violently, blood spilling from her mouth as she struggled to rise.
"You bastard!"
She tried to charge again.
A shadow flashed.
A severed head spun through the air.
Ulquiorra stood motionless beside her body.
Loly's headless corpse collapsed.
"Loly!" Menoly screamed.
She drew a knife and rushed toward Ulquiorra in desperation.
In the blink of an eye, she was cut down, her body falling lifelessly to the ground.
Renya looked at Ulquiorra with clear displeasure.
"You acted too quickly."
He sighed.
"I need capable subordinates. They served Aizen directly and possessed critical information. I intended to spare them."
Ulquiorra replied calmly,
"You already showed restraint. They chose death."
Renya exhaled slowly, brushing corrosive residue from his sleeve.
"I also need someone to maintain the palace."
Ulquiorra inclined his head.
"My apologies, Lord Renya. I acted without authorization."
Renya waved it off.
"They attacked first. It's done."
He paused.
"Any other issues in Las Noches?"
"There may still be modified Arrancar created by Szayelaporro Granz," Ulquiorra answered.
"Ignore them," Renya said. "Prepare another residence and restore this chamber."
"Yes."
Ulquiorra led Renya to Barragan Louisenbairn's former palace, which dwarfed even Aizen's quarters.
After settling in, Renya dismissed Ulquiorra and retrieved the Hōgyoku.
Two Hōgyoku rested sealed within a transparent cube, suppressing their energy completely.
"So this is the Hōgyoku… a device that bends reality to desire."
Few powers rivaled it.
Only Yhwach's Almighty stood above it in potential.
Renya sealed it away and entered seclusion.
Seven days later, after reviewing Aizen's records, Renya summoned Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck.
She rushed in eagerly.
"Is today the day you help me recover my power?"
Renya nodded.
"It may not succeed on the first attempt."
Nelliel smiled brightly and sat beside him, clearly trusting him without hesitation.
Renya retrieved the Hōgyoku.
"Focus. I will restore what was lost."
She nodded silently.
Renya adjusted the cube. A circular aperture opened, aligning with Nelliel.
Crack.
The fractured mask began to regenerate.
Nelliel stiffened slightly, her Reiatsu fluctuating.
"How does it feel?" Renya asked.
"…Strange. Like pressure."
"Endure it."
As the mask completed, her spiritual form expanded. Hollow Reiatsu surged, reshaping her body.
With a burst of energy, Nelliel's adult form fully returned, her horned mask restored.
She laughed joyfully.
"I'm back to normal!"
Renya immediately stepped back.
"Good. Now step away."
She tilted her head playfully.
"You helped me regain everything. How should I thank you?"
Renya turned aside sharply.
"That won't be necessary. Leave."
Nelliel blinked then laughed.
"You really are still a child."
Renya frowned.
"…I am not."
She pointed at his face.
"Then why is your nose bleeding?"
"That's dust!" Renya snapped.
Nelliel laughed even harder.
"You're hopeless."
Renya scowled.
"Remember where you are. You were once Aizen's captive."
Her laughter faded slightly.
"I know," she said softly. "Which is why I won't forget who freed me."