"Good morning," Aizen said. "My dear Espada."
Once again, all the Espada were gathered around at the table in Aizen's meeting room. Nnoitra was in a foul mood as he wasn't able to sit all the way back in his chair. His back was still badly burned, despite the healer Arrancar's best efforts. Each time something came in contact with his back, he would feel a tinge of pain and give a small hiss. And each time he felt pain, he would hate Ben Tennyson a little more each time.
"It seems that I must set some rules regarding our young guest, Ben Tennyson." Aizen said.
Everyone listened intently. Harribel noticed Baraggan, Nnoitra, Szayel, Aaroniero, and Yammy paying close attention to Aizen. Harribel once again felt satisfaction at the hatred that Nnoitra was obviously showing.
"Ben Tennyson has proven to be full of surprises," Aizen continued. "His powers are unlike anything I have ever seen. I believe he holds a great secret."
"Aizen-sama," Szayel spoke now. "If you would just allow me to experiment on him…"
"Doing so has the possibility of tampering with Ben's powers and also damaging Ben beyond repair. I am fairly certain that we have not yet seen the full extent of his powers."
"I understand, Aizen-sama," Szayel agreed. "The mere thought of all Ben's powers send shivers down my spine."
Nnoitra snarled. Grimmjow noticed this and grinned.
"What's the matter, Nnoitra? Angry that Ben was able to wipe the floor with you?"
"That little brat did not…"
"You are the one with burns all over your back," Harribel said suddenly. "While Ben walked away without a single wound on him."
Nnoitra growled at her. But at that moment, Aizen spoke.
"You attacked his teammates, Nnoitra," he said. "It is only natural for Ben to defend them. You should have considered the possibility of that."
"Hold on," Aaroniero said. "Do you mean….Ben defeated Nnoitra?"
"The fight was interrupted by Harribel before a victor could be decided," Aizen explained. "But Nnoitra was the only one who received any wounds from his little disagreement with Ben."
Grimmjow laughed at Nnoitra. "If you can let a squirt like Ben beat you, what are you doing being the fifth Espada?"
Nnoitra shot his glare at Grimmjow now he was about to say something to him but Baraggan spoke now.
"Do you mean to tell me that your little pet has the potential of being as strong as us?" he asked, looking like he was struggling not to shout. Aizen turned his smile at Baraggan.
"Ben has proven capable of holding his own against three Privaron Espada and has actually been able to inflict harm on two of my Espada."
"Aizen-sama!" Yammy yelled. "Just because he got some good blows in…"
"Yammy," Ulquiorra interrupted. "It is possible that we have not seen the full capability of Ben's powers. There is a high chance that he was holding back."
That above all things ticked Yammy off. To hear that his opponent was holding back while hurting him made him want to just smash the table to pieces.
"And the fact that Ben had a form capable of doing damage to one of the top Espada is nothing short of impressive for an ordinary human," Gin said with a cock of his head.
Szayel laughed. "I think it's very obvious that Ben is far from a mere human," he said. "But there is one thing I don't understand."
"What would that be?" Aaroniero asked.
"Ben's powers are sure to get him noticed," Szayel answered. "How is it that Soul Society was not aware of a boy with such powers? You would think that they would try to recruit him in a heartbeat."
For once, that was something that all the Espada agreed on. Ben's powers would make him a definite prize for anyon.
"I have given the matter some thought," Aizen told him. "And I too find it interesting that one such as Ben has managed to escape the notice of Soul Society. However, that is a matter than can wait. I have a far more important one at the moment."
At once, all the Espada began listening more intently.
"Today," Aizen continued. "I would like for Ulquiorra and Yammy to go to Karakura Town. There's someone I want them to examine."
This caught everyone's attention.
"The one known as Ichigo Kurosaki," Aizen said.
"I understand, Aizen-sama," Ulquiorra said. Yammy merely nodded in boredom.
"Also," Aizen said. "I want everyone to make sure that Ben does not find out about this under any circumstance."
"That's rather a shame," Szayel said with a shake of his head. "If Ben only knew, he'd be less willing to cooperate."
"It is merely because Ben has not seen the cruelty of the Shinigami," Zommari said solemnly.
"You're one to talk, Zommari," Grimmjow said. "If he wasn't useful to Aizen-sama, you would've killed him without mercy."
"That is enough," Tosen said to them both. "Ben does not seem to be on Soul Society's side. Of which I am grateful for."
"You and him are best buddies aren't you, Tosen?" Gin asked gleefully.
"Ben is a good person and his heart is for justice," Tosen said to Gin. "I am honored to have met someone like him."
"Tch," Nnoitra said. "As soon as the brat finds out what we're really after…"
"What we're really after," Aizen said. "Is to create an ideal world. A perfect world that I only am capable of creating. Ben will come to see that, I am certain."
Ulquiorra spoke now. "His actions to protect his fellow Fraccion show that he is slowly coming to our side. In time, he will fully become one of us."
"I think we should just kill the brat and be done with it," Baraggan said gruffly. "We were doing fine without him and we don't need him now."
"Ben is a valuable asset to us," Harribel said, frowning at Baraggan from behind her jacket and mask. "And he is a member of my Fraccion. I will allow no harm to come to him."
For once, Nnoitra's sneer came back on to his face. "If I didn't know better," he said mockingly to her. "I'd say you had feelings for Ben."
Harribel simply ignored him. But she didn't deny it, that she has started feeling for Ben.
"Ben's powers can make Soul Society so much easier to take down," Szayel spoke. "In fact, I have an experiment in mind that I wish to go over with Aizen-sama at the earliest convenience."
Aizen smiled more. "I will listen, Szayel, to your plan. But first, there are many matters that we are going to discuss today. First, I want it perfectly clear that Ben is off limits and I will make sure that anyone who lays a finger on him will be justly punished. Is that understood?"
All of the Espada nodded. It wasn't lost on any of them that Yammy, Nnoitra, and Baraggan were the ones who had reluctantly nodded. Now none of them could have their revenge on Ben for being made fools. Harribel on the other hand felt relieved that Aizen was doing something to help Ben during his time in Las Noches.
"However," Aizen went on. "You are allowed, with my permission, to spar with Ben whenever you desire. But you are forbidden to kill him."
While Yammy, Nnoitra, and Baraggan were upset that they still lost their chance to kill Ben, the thought of pounding him into the ground gave them enough pleasure. Harribel narrowed her eyes at the three of them.
I won't let them harm you, Ben. She thought sternly.
Aizen smiled. "Good. Now, on to the other matters that we need to discuss."