"Ding! The host has defeated the 4th Espada, Ulquiorra. You may choose one of the following rewards:
One: Ulquiorra's Black Wings.
Two: Ulquiorra's Lanza del Relámpago.
Three: Ulquiorra's Cero Oscuras.
Four: Ulquiorra's High-Speed Regeneration."
...
After Ryūjin Uchiha defeated Ulquiorra and the 5th Espada, the system notification echoed in his mind.
Both Espada possessed a large number of abilities that could be claimed as rewards.
However, Ryūjin could only select one ability from each Espada.
After a brief consideration, he chose Ulquiorra's Black Wings. The ability looked incredibly impressive and, more importantly, it greatly enhanced mobility.
Although Ryūjin could already fly through the void, his speed was far from exceptional. With the Black Wings, his flight speed would increase dramatically.
As for the 5th Espada, Ryūjin chose the ability known as Designated Copy, the power that allowed the opponent to create another Ulquiorra.
It was undoubtedly an absurdly powerful ability.
"Captain Ryūjin, are you alright?"
Just as he finished receiving his rewards, Unohana Retsu arrived with the members of the 4th Division.
"I'm fine."
Ryūjin shook his head.
"Those two Hollows were strong, but they weren't capable of injuring me."
Unohana and the others did not question him further. Judging from Ryūjin's condition, he indeed showed no signs of injury.
"Captain Ryūjin, what exactly happened? Were those two creatures really Hollows?"
Unohana asked with disbelief.
She had never seen Hollows in such a form before.
Those beings were enough to completely overturn one's understanding of Hollows.
"Captain Unohana, those should be a new type of Hollow created by Aizen. We need to report this to the Captain Commander immediately."
Ryūjin's expression became serious.
"Captain Ryūjin is right. We should return at once."
Unohana nodded heavily.
The group immediately returned to Soul Society and reported everything that had happened in the Human World to Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.
"Aizen created an entirely new type of Hollow whose power exceeds that of a Captain?"
The Captain Commander was visibly shocked.
Captains represented the strongest combat force within the Seireitei. They were the pillars of the Gotei 13 and the primary force opposing Hueco Mundo.
Yet Aizen had managed to create Hollows stronger than Captains.
How were they supposed to fight against such enemies?
Furthermore, according to Ryūjin and Unohana's descriptions, aside from the Hollow masks and Hollow holes on their bodies, these creatures were nearly identical to Shinigami.
They existed on an entirely different level from ordinary Hollows.
"Captain Commander, the two Hollows I fought were indeed extremely powerful, stronger than many Captains. However, I don't think there are many of them, so there's no need to panic."
"I noticed numbers on both of them. One was number four, and the other was number five."
"During the fight, I found that the one marked five was weaker than the one marked four."
"Before Captain Unohana arrived, I also killed one marked number ten. That one's strength was even lower."
"Captain-level Shinigami can deal with them."
"So these powerful Hollows should only make up a small portion."
After hearing Ryūjin's analysis, Yamamoto finally relaxed slightly.
He continued listening to the reports from Unohana and Ryūjin.
After a period of contemplation, he decisively summoned every Captain and Vice Captain of the Gotei 13.
The information Ryūjin had brought back from the Human World was simply too important.
"Captains, Vice Captains, the Hollow incident in Karakura Town has been resolved by Captain Ryūjin Uchiha and Captain Unohana Retsu. The injured members of the Gotei 13 have also received timely treatment."
"Both captains performed exceptionally well during this mission."
"However, Captain Ryūjin has obtained extremely important information."
The expressions of everyone present became serious.
For the Captain Commander to personally summon every Captain and Vice Captain, the matter had to be significant.
"Captain Ryūjin, explain everything you witnessed."
Yamamoto looked toward him.
Ryūjin stepped forward and repeated the report.
The entire hall fell silent.
Every Captain was shocked.
"Unbelievable. Aizen actually did something like this? What exactly is he trying to accomplish?"
Ukitake Jūshirō, who once shared a good relationship with Aizen, spoke with disbelief.
"So the Hollow incident in Karakura Town was orchestrated by Aizen."
Soi Fon narrowed her eyes.
"What was his objective? Was he trying to kill Captain Ryūjin?"
The possibility was not impossible.
Aizen understood the Seireitei extremely well.
He likely knew that with the Gotei 13 facing overwhelming pressure, Ryūjin would inevitably be sent.
As a result, he could have prepared an ambush in Karakura Town specifically to eliminate Ryūjin, who had already become his greatest obstacle.
The discussion continued for some time, yet nobody could reach a definite conclusion.
Soi Fon's deduction remained the most convincing.
"Captains, that is precisely why this old man called all of you here."
Yamamoto's low voice silenced the room.
"This is the first time Aizen has revealed himself since his disappearance. We do not know his goals."
"We also do not know the extent of his strength."
"The only thing we can be certain of is that Aizen has likely remained hidden in Hueco Mundo all this time."
The conclusion was not difficult to reach.
When Aizen betrayed Soul Society, he escaped through Garganta with the assistance of Menos Grande. It was obvious that he had already established a foundation within Hueco Mundo.
There was no reason for him to abandon it.
Furthermore, Hueco Mundo was the ideal hiding place.
No other location could have allowed him to evade Soul Society for so long.
"We cannot allow matters to continue this way. Captains, what are your thoughts?"
Yamamoto's gaze swept across everyone present.
"Captain Commander, if Aizen continues hiding in Hueco Mundo, the situation becomes difficult."
Hitsugaya Tōshirō spoke first.
"Old man, I agree."
Kyōraku Shunsui adjusted his hat.
"The best option may be to wait for the proper opportunity."
"Captain Commander, I request permission to travel to Hueco Mundo and investigate."
Ryūjin suddenly spoke.
The room became silent.
Everyone stared at him.
Hollows and Shinigami were natural enemies. Due to the nature of their souls, conflict between them was inevitable.
Yet Ryūjin was proposing to enter the enemy's territory personally.
His boldness shocked everyone.
One could only say that Captain Ryūjin truly lived up to his reputation.
"Captain Ryūjin, only you would make such a daring proposal."
Komamura Sajin looked toward him.
"Now that's more like it!"
Zaraki Kenpachi grinned excitedly.
"Count me in. Old man, I want to go to Hueco Mundo too."
"Troublesome as it is, there doesn't seem to be a better option."
Kyōraku's expression grew serious.
"Captain Ryūjin, have you considered this carefully? You understand what kind of place Hueco Mundo is."
Yamamoto looked directly at him.
"I've already considered it."
Ryūjin met his gaze without hesitation.
"Sitting around waiting to get screwed is pointless. We move first."
"We all know how Aizen operates. It's only been a short time, and he's already created those humanoid Hollows."
"If we keep waiting, things will only get worse."
His words caused several Captains to nod silently.
Although infiltrating Hueco Mundo was dangerous, the current situation left them with few alternatives.
Everyone had personally experienced Aizen's schemes.
Allowing him more time to grow stronger was a risk none of them wanted to take.
"Captain Commander, Hueco Mundo is extremely dangerous. If we send investigators, several Captains should travel together."
Unohana made her suggestion.
"Captain Unohana is correct."
Yamamoto nodded.
"Which Captains are willing to go?"
"Captain Commander, I will go."
Hitsugaya stepped forward.
"I request to accompany them as well."
Soi Fon followed.
Yamamoto nodded.
Three Captains would be sufficient.
"In that case, Captain Ryūjin, Captain Hitsugaya, and Captain Soi Fon will carry out this mission."
"Return to your divisions, make your preparations, and depart as soon as possible."
The meeting ended.
Ryūjin, Hitsugaya, and Soi Fon briefly discussed the operation before returning to gather their respective squads.
Later, they assembled once more at the First Division barracks.
"Captain Kurotsuchi, please open the Garganta for us."
Ryūjin looked toward Kurotsuchi Mayuri.
Unlike the Senkaimon, opening a Garganta required the assistance of the Research and Development Institute.
"You people better not die in Hueco Mundo."
Mayuri's hoarse voice echoed through the room as he activated the Garganta.
"If possible, bring back one or two of those humanoid Hollows Captain Ryūjin mentioned."
His eyes shone with excitement.
"They would make excellent research material."
Naturally, Ryūjin and the others completely ignored him.
...
Las Noches.
Deep within a hidden laboratory, a handsome young man floated inside a large culture tank.
His eyes remained shut.
His body rested quietly within an unknown liquid while bubbles continuously escaped from his nose and mouth.
On his forehead rested a strange white mask fragment.
A Hollow mask.
This young man was not human.
He was a brand new Arrancar created by Aizen.
"Creating new life within only a few hours."
Aizen gazed at the young man as though admiring a masterpiece.
"The Hōgyoku truly is miraculous."
"Aizen, can he really deal with Ryūjin Uchiha?"
Tōsen Kaname asked quietly.
Standing beside Aizen, as always, were his two most loyal followers, Tōsen and Ichimaru Gin.
"It took nearly two months to create Wonderweiss."
Wonderweiss had been specifically created to counter Captain Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.
"Precisely because of that, the process has become much faster."
"The groundwork was already completed."
"All I needed to do was recreate Wonderweiss while changing the core catalyst to Ryūjin Uchiha's spiritual pressure."
"When the time comes, he will devour Ryūjin's spiritual pressure just as Wonderweiss can suppress the Captain Commander's flames."
"In other words, no matter what techniques Ryūjin uses, they will be perfectly countered."
A faint smile appeared on Aizen's face.
"This is a gift I prepared specifically for Ryūjin."
"I hope he enjoys it when they finally meet."