"UAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGH!!"
In a massive hall, a lone Arrancar was rampaging with all his might. He had Hollow holes for eye sockets, six arms wielding scythe-like blades, and a pair of asymmetrical horns forming a crescent moon atop his head.
The 5th Espada, Nnoitra Gilga. One of the elite warriors of Sosuke Aizen's army was unleashing his released Hollow powers in a storm of primal fury.
"Nnoitra."
Suddenly, a young woman's voice called out from behind him. Before the man could even process his surprise, he had lunged forward and grabbed the speaker.
"YOU BASTARD!!"
"!"
His hand gripped the throat of a petite woman. It was the source of his rage—his superior, the Army Leader of the Arrancars, Momo Hinamori.
Dangled in the air by her neck, the woman offered no resistance, quietly allowing her subordinate to do as he pleased.
"Why!? Why did you keep me alive!?"
"..."
"Do you think your soft little head is doing me a favor!? Or do you just want another pawn to throw at the Soul Reapers!? Answer me!!"
She was dressed in a stoic, inverted version of the Soul Reaper robes, a departure from her usual dress-like attire. Nnoitra's sharp claws dug into the pale skin of her collarbone.
Not long ago, Nnoitra had been defeated in a grueling battle against a Soul Reaper at their base in Las Noches. Left alone in the desert, at the very brink of death, he had been transported to this hideout in Naruki City by some unknown technology. When he woke up, every wound he had received was gone. He had been saved.
And he hated it.
"YOU SHOULD HAVE JUST LEFT ME TO ROT!!"
A roar of spiritual pressure shook the girl's delicate frame. In a situation where anyone else would be offering thanks, this man could only scream insults at his savior. It was an anger born from a fundamental difference in values.
"You remember what you said when you recruited me!"
Having vented his initial explosion of emotion, Nnoitra regained a sliver of logic. He didn't even stop to catch his breath as he interrogated her.
When he had joined her army, he had made three contracts. One was the increase in power through Arrancarification. One was a status within the organization befitting his strength. And the last thing he had wished for was...
—I will give you the perfect place to die.
"You promised not to interfere with my battles! No help, no orders to stop! That was the deal!"
"..."
"If I lose, I die! The 'Strongest' me gets cut down by a 'Stronger' enemy and dies! That was how it was supposed to end!!"
Gritting his teeth in unbearable humiliation, the 5th Espada kept his grip on the woman's throat.
What separated Nnoitra from other Arrancars—from other living beings—was his lack of attachment to life. He had no hope. Nnoitra Gilga was in despair over his very existence as a Hollow. To him, there was no salvation, even as an Arrancar.
He was the only one who had never touched the "gifts" his superior provided to his comrades. He had no interest in fine wine, gourmet food, or human entertainment. He only wanted power. He only wanted combat.
He had spent his life boasting that he was the strongest, all while waiting for the day a true superior power would appear as his enemy and kill him before he even hit the ground.
"I thought... I thought you were the only one who understood."
He spat the words at her. He felt no loyalty, no affection. He had no use for a "strong" person who refused to kill him.
But on that one point—her ability to see through his craving and offer him that specific promise when they first met—he had trusted her, even if he didn't like her.
"And now you!? You're going to act like that damn woman and show me mercy!?"
Years ago, a female Arrancar had constantly followed him, interfering with his wish for a warrior's death by claiming he was "weaker than her." She was an ignorant, insensitive woman who practiced "mercy" only because she thought it was "human," treating it like a duty.
And the person that woman looked up to as her mentor was this Momo Hinamori.
In the end, was she just the same? Was she trying to trample on his wishes and bind him to despair with the "mercy of the strong"?
"No, Nnoitra. You're wrong."
Despite his hand tightening around her throat, Hinamori's voice and expression remained perfectly calm. However, the tone of her voice was different from her usual act—it carried a weight and intensity that made Nnoitra gasp, reminding him of a terrifying experience from his past.
"I have expectations for your strength, yes. But the reason I healed your wounds was to keep my promise."
"What are you talking about?"
As he glared at her, dangled in mid-air, the girl spoke a truth that was impossible to ignore.
"You were cut down by Kenpachi Zaraki—a man who wasn't even using half of his full power."
Nnoitra went cold. He replayed the words in his head until they formed a coherent sentence, and then he recoiled in shock.
"After you were defeated, I received orders to bring Orihime back. I fought that man while she was beside him."
"!"
"That's how I noticed. Kenpachi Zaraki is a man that even Lord Aizen respects for his strength. There is no way an Espada could push him that far into a corner, and there is certainly no way you could survive a strike from a Kenpachi who intended to kill you."
The woman spoke as if Nnoitra weren't currently strangling her.
Kenpachi Zaraki had famously lost to Ichigo Kurosaki in the past. At that time, Ichigo was a weakling who hadn't even achieved Bankai—hardly someone who could fight an Espada. Yet Kenpachi had lost to him.
"Kenpachi has a habit, Nnoitra," Hinamori explained.
"A habit...?"
"Yes. A strange, unconscious habit of adjusting his own power to match his opponent, just so he can enjoy the thrill of the fight for longer."
It took Nnoitra a long time to process that.
It meant that Kenpachi had been holding back, looking down on him throughout their entire fight. It meant Nnoitra had been defeated by a fraction of the man's power—a "game." And because of that "game," he hadn't died instantly, leading to him being "saved" by Hinamori.
"Don't... don't screw with me!!"
A bottomless rage boiled in his gut. To Nnoitra, death was the final salvation. The only hope he found in his despairing life was the battlefield—the place closest to death, where the line between life and death became blurred. That was the only thing that gave his worthless life meaning.
And that hope had been defiled by a "game." He had been cast back into the living hell of his own existence. He had been humiliated more than Neliel ever could have achieved.
"Wait... you don't mean..."
He remembered the girl's words: "to keep my promise."
"Nnoitra."
The girl smiled. Her tone returned to its usual persona—the humble, harmless mask she wore for everyone else.
"I won't deny your philosophy. You came to Lord Aizen seeking the perfect death. Achieving that is who you are."
Then, Momo Hinamori—the woman rumored to see the future and read the hearts of others—spoke a prophecy that made the man turn pale.
"The world is about to enter a time of great upheaval. Soon, enemies will invade our Hueco Mundo—warriors so powerful that even Kenpachi Zaraki at full strength won't be able to stop them."
"What...!"
"Unlike Kenpachi, many of them are the type of people you like: people who show no mercy to their enemies. I want you to hone your skills, fight them, and enjoy the death-struggle you crave. I believe that serves both of our interests."
That was why she had saved him. He was a combat asset for the coming war—one that fit his own desires perfectly.
"Hah. So you saved me because I'm useful. That's all."
"Hehe. If it weren't for that, it would just be the 'mercy' and 'pity' you hate so much, wouldn't it?"
"Tch. Point taken."
The two shared a look.
A compassion that was unaffected by appearance, race, strength, or sanity. A madwoman who showered her comrades with unconditional favor just because they were her comrades. For a cynical man like Nnoitra to follow her, she had to provide a hidden agenda like this. Her willingness to accept Aizen's imprisonment despite her loyalty was likely part of a plan only they understood.
Fine. I'll give you this much.
The man released his grip on her throat and wore a vicious grin. Just like the ceremony in the throne room, the 5th Espada showed his submission to the new Queen.
"If the female wants to stand above the male, fine. But if you ever show a single moment of weakness, I'll crush your neck for real this time... Lady Hinamori."
"Please, stop with the 'Lady.' If people hear you, they're actually going to force the throne of Hueco Mundo on me..."
Ignoring the new Queen's mumbles, the Arrancar turned and walked toward the training grounds.
First things first... I'll try that 'two-handed sword' thing she mentioned.
***
In a bed covered by a strange white capsule, a small girl lay still. There was a hole in her chest, and she wasn't breathing. Her skin was as cold and pale as ice.
The Arrancar holding her hand—the 1st Espada, Coyote Stark—waited in silence, his eyes full of flickering hope.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
A presence appeared behind him, accompanied by a woman's voice.
"Whoa! Oh, it's you. Please, stop showing up like that..."
"Oh? Sorry! This is just really convenient for moving around."
Stark let out a breath, his heart racing from the sudden appearance. The person who had just emerged from a specialized dimensional tunnel was the salvation he had been praying for—the key to the girl in the bed, his First Fraccion, Lilibette Gingerback.
Stark had been defeated by a surprise attack in the previous war, losing his soul-partner Lilibette on the same battlefield. He had been near death himself when he was secretly transported to this Naruki City hideout along with the 3rd Espada. When he woke up, he was fully healed, but the loss of his partner was like his own death. He felt a void in his chest where she used to be.
Then, a hand was reached out to him. His direct superior—the leader of the Espada—claimed she could perform a miracle.
—Using our Arrancar soul-regeneration technology, I can bring Lilibette back.
He had been stunned. Then skeptical. He didn't understand the science, but apparently the "Anti-Membrane" devices they had been given were equipped with a function to protect the "spiritual core" of fallen Arrancars in case of emergency. Using that recovered core, they could regenerate her soul.
He had been brought to this "Soul Regeneration Ward," and seeing his partner's mended body, Stark knew he had no choice but to believe.
"I've been pouring my spiritual pressure and part of my soul into her like you asked. Is it enough?"
"Yes. This will restore the bond that was severed."
"You can really do that...?"
Stark let out a sigh of relief. His origin was different from his comrades; he and Lilibette were a single soul split into two. Their relationship—the Resurrección and the mental synchronization—was unique. Losing her wasn't like losing a friend or family; it was literally losing half of himself.
"Then, let us begin."
With a heart full of anticipation, Stark nodded.
His superior reached out toward Lilibette's capsule, and light flashed from her hand. Suddenly, his partner's body glowed intensely, and the capsule exploded from the inside.
"!?"
Stark shielded his eyes from the storm of spirit particles. The phenomenon felt familiar—a sense of déjà vu hit him as he remembered a scene from a few days ago. It looked just like Wonderweiss's awakening under Lord Aizen.
When the smoke cleared, warmth had returned to Lilibette's pale skin.
"Star... k...?"
"Lilibette!?"
He didn't miss her faint voice. He grabbed her hand, calling her name over and over. The little girl responded with a weak, spiteful smirk.
"You... idiot. Don't... show me... that ugly... crying face..."
"I'm not the one crying...!"
Through his touch, he felt it. The heartbeat of his missing half. Warmth. Life.
Back as a complete pair, Coyote Stark and Lilibette Gingerback held each other as if they would never let go again.
***
"Uh... look... that wasn't... I mean..."
"Now, now. Being close is a wonderful thing. I'm glad I could help."
"I told you it wasn't like that!!"
Having finished their moment, the two were met with their superior's warm, knowing gaze. There was nothing shameful about it—they were just happy to be whole again—yet she seemed to be getting the wrong idea.
Lilibette fled the room in embarrassment, leaving Stark to receive a briefing on the current situation.
"So Lord Aizen is..."
"Well, he's immortal now that he's fused with the Hogyoku. He could break out whenever he wants. But he's currently busy praising the hero who defeated him, so he'll likely enjoy prison life for a while."
"Sounds like him," Stark said with a dry laugh. He looked at his superior—Momo Hinamori—who seemed far too nonchalant about the whole thing.
He had learned that their side had lost the war when their "Monarch" was defeated. He was disappointed, but knowing that all the fallen soldiers would be recovered and revived made him feel a sense of peace. He looked forward to returning to their previous quiet life.
The Arrancar army had always taken orders from General Hinamori more often than from the intimidating Aizen himself. Halibel and the others would likely be happy to continue this arrangement without having to walk on eggshells. Stark felt the same.
"I owe you a lot," Stark said. "If you're going to take over for Lord Aizen as our Queen, I'm with you, Hinamori."
"Why does everyone assume I'm going to be Queen!? Don't say things like that—you're sounding like Captain Ichimaru and Szayelaporro!"
Hinamori slumped her shoulders. "I wish you all would only gather during wartime..." she muttered.
Despite her protests, she was a pushover for her subordinates, except when it came to Aizen's orders. She looked like she would eventually cave to their demands. Stark decided to let someone like the needy Aaroniero do the begging later, and focused on the future.
"So, Hinamori... Lady?"
"Drop the 'Lady.' What is it?"
Momo Hinamori was uncharacteristically merciful for a Soul Reaper when it came to Hollows. But Stark knew there were no selfless saints. She had organized the Arrancar army as Aizen's vanguard; there had to be a reason she was going through the trouble of reviving even the dead.
And he suspected he knew what it was.
"Are you planning to use us as Lord Aizen's soldiers to fight the Soul Reapers again?"
If Stark's eyes were correct, this woman was quite fond of her King. The fact that she showed no negative emotions about his imprisonment made sense if she was already planning a reorganization.
If she told him to fight, he would. He even felt confident he wouldn't lose to Shunsui Kyoraku a second time. Most of the Espada would be hungry for revenge.
But Stark's true feeling was: I'm done fighting people that strong.
Hinamori's answer was entirely unexpected.
"Do you remember Uryu Ishida?"
Stark blinked, searching his memory. "One of the intruders? The one with the glasses?"
"Yes. The black-haired Quincy."
"Oh, he was a Quincy?" Stark was interested in the rare race, but he didn't see where she was going.
"The Research and Development Institute of the Soul Society has been studying them," Hinamori continued. "A subordinate Lord Aizen planted there copied some files, and there was a very interesting note."
She pulled out a tablet and showed Stark the data. Stark was clever enough to grasp her point immediately.
"So... the Quincies didn't actually go extinct as an organization?"
"Exactly. It's a hypothesis based on the massive leap in technical progress between past and current Quincy tactics, but the conclusion matches yours."
"So it's not just Uryu Ishida developing things on his own... it's a level we can't afford to be optimistic about."
A chill ran down Stark's spine. A reorganization of the Arrancars, a Quincy threat that sought the extinction of Hollows... with this much foreshadowing, there was only one answer.
With a solemn face, Momo Hinamori delivered her prophecy to the pale man.
"Hollows, Soul Reapers, and Quincies. Very soon, a survival competition between these three powers..."
"—...is going to begin."
***
The defeat of Sosuke Aizen and the victory of the Gotei 13 were broadcast to every Soul Reaper across the three realms.
In Hueco Mundo, the roof of the tilted tower erupted in cheers. Chad, Orihime, Uryu, Isane, Hanataro, and the child-form Nel were all relieved.
The battle here was winding down. Only Yammy remained. With most of the wounded—excluding Byakuya and Kenpachi—now stabilized, the support team was requested to move to the World of the Living to assist the overwhelmed medical teams there.
Hanataro, Rukia (as an escort), and Orihime (to get her away from the danger of Hueco Mundo) dived through Mayuri's Garganta.
"What... is this...?"
Arriving in the fake Karakura Town, they were met with a landscape of massive craters and pulverized earth. Almost no one among their comrades was left unharmed.
"Captain Unohana! Hanataro reporting!"
"Wait! Where's Ichigo!?"
"Spiritual pressure... it's just a remnant. I hear he's safe, though."
The group rushed to the Squad 4 camp to regroup. Captain Unohana, while directing the healing efforts, briefed them on the situation.
"So... Ichigo is with Urahara?"
"Yes, he is receiving treatment at his base. I'm told there is no immediate danger, so you should be able to visit him soon."
Rukia and Orihime nearly collapsed in relief. They were desperate to help in any way they could.
"Let's go, Hanataro."
"Right!"
After seeing the girls off with a smile, Unohana returned to her inspection of the field, followed by Hanataro.
He saw people with horrific burns, people cut in half, people missing limbs. Yet, miraculously, there were zero fatalities among the Soul Reapers.
However, Unohana looked grim. She scanned the area, her mind clearly elsewhere. Hanataro grew nervous under her intense focus.
"Is something wrong, Captain?" he asked tentatively.
After a long silence, Unohana spoke. "I don't see any wounded Arrancars."
"Huh?"
Hanataro wondered if she was worried about the enemy out of mercy. But her concern was purely professional.
"Those Arrancars were originally Menos Grande. Menos are the jurisdiction of the Royal Guard—Squad Zero. That isn't because they are the only ones who can kill them, but because they are the only ones who can manage the impact of a Menos's death."
"The impact of their death?"
The Captain explained. Unlike normal Hollows, a single Menos contains the soul-matter of hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of souls. If too many of them are killed at once, the balance of souls between the Soul Society and Hueco Mundo could collapse.
"That is why the Head Captain ordered us to avoid unnecessary killing of Arrancars, except in extreme cases."
"!"
"And yet, there are zero survivors among the defeated enemies. That is impossible."
Hanataro finally understood her concern. Reports were coming in that the three female Arrancars Yamamoto had spared were also missing. The "accidents" were piling up into a pattern.
"Hanataro, contact Captain Kurotsuchi immediately."
"Captain Unohana?"
"Someone is secretly evacuating the defeated Arrancars. The most likely culprit is the remnants of Aizen's army. And their base must be in Hueco Mundo."
Hanataro gasped. There was only one reason for Aizen's remnants to recover their fallen comrades.
If Unohana's deduction was correct...
"Whether it's a mop-up operation or a rescue mission, it seems this war..."
"—...is far from a complete victory for us."
***
Clip-clop, tip-tap. Three sets of footsteps echoed through a clean, white hallway.
Two men and a woman. The petite figure in the middle was flanked by the men, making the scene look like a Queen with her advisors—or a criminal being taken to a cell.
"THIS FORMATION IS RIDICULOUS!!"
The woman in the center stopped and shouted in protest. The two men stopped in perfect unison. One of them smirked.
"Now, now, Momo. It hurts my feelings that you'd rather have Captain Tosen as your right hand than me."
"What 'right hand'? You're just walking on my right! Keep your distance! If someone sees us like this, I'll never hear the end of it!"
"Accept your fate, Hinamori," Tosen said. "Until Lord Aizen returns, you are the Queen of Hueco Mundo."
"I REFUSE!!"
The girl stomped her feet, but the men didn't budge.
"Why is this a monarchy!? Why can't we have a committee!? I was planning to finish my chores and then use a clone to spend a quiet, relaxing time making Shiro sparkle until Lord Aizen gets out...!"
The dark-skinned man looked at her with an exasperated expression as she ranted.
"Stop this nonsense. If you have time to play with that boy, you have time to rebuild our organization. You were the one who gave the Arrancars a taste of a better life—take responsibility for it."
"And look at you, already surrounding yourself with two handsome men," Gin added playfully. "Is building a reverse harem your first decree as Queen Hinamori?"
"Why would I want to create such a hell for myself!? And why the hell are you even here, Ichimaru!? What about Rangiku!?"
The small woman began to tear up. "I hate blunders..." she sobbed. Her pathetic state only made the fox-eyed man smile wider.
"Now, now, Your Majesty. Instead of complaining, let's get the Espada back together."
"Stop with the formal speech!"
"You are, in a sense... my savior," Tosen added. "While Lord Aizen is away, I will follow your lead. Give us your orders, Hinamori."
After being teased and lectured into submission, the woman finally wiped her tears and looked up, her peach-colored eyes clouded with resignation.
The provisional Queen—Momo Hinamori—grudgingly issued her first command to her new inner circle.
"Fine... first things first."
"—We're going to rescue our comrades."
***
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