Las Noches, in a desert area in front of the Fifth Tower.
By this time, Byakuya, along with Rukia and Hanataro, and Zaraki, along with Yachiru, Rangiku, Ashido, Nel, and the others, had arrived here one after another.
Then, just as the group was about to continue forward to rescue the Shinigami of the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force and Nel's companions, the Diez Espada, Yammy Llargo, suddenly appeared, blocking their path.
Then Yammy shouted: "Enrage, Ira!"
Facing two Captain-class opponents at once, even though Yammy was arrogant, he couldn't simply ignore Byakuya and Zaraki. So, he immediately released his Resurrección.
Boom!
A powerful Reiatsu, even surpassing Captain-class, erupted from Yammy's body. His size drastically increased, transforming into a giant dozens of meters tall with twelve legs. At the same time, the number on Yammy's left shoulder changed from 10 to 0, making him the so-called 'Cero Espada'.
After his Resurrección, Yammy's confidence soared. He shouted: "Come on, you two little mice. Let me crush you..."
Whoosh!
Byakuya's figure flickered, directly appearing before Yammy.
"Hado #33: Sokatsui!"
Boom!
Before Yammy's arrogant words could finish, a blue blast of flame directly hit him.
"Gyaaaah—!!!" Yammy screamed in pain, then roared angrily: "Damn little mouse..."
Whoosh—
An afterimage flashed, and a sword light flickered.
Slash!
Blood blossomed. One of Yammy's feet was directly cut off.
"Gyaaaah... ho... how can this be?" Yammy screamed again, looking incredulously at Byakuya, who was as small as an insect.
Yammy had thought that after his Resurrección, he could easily crush his opponents. But instead, the enemy had given him an instant deterrent right from the start.
At this moment, Zaraki also arrived from behind and shouted at Byakuya discontentedly: "Hey, brat! Who told you to strike first? Get out of my way!!"
Having finally encountered an opponent, Zaraki was undoubtedly very unhappy that Byakuya had beaten him to it.
"What are you talking about..." Byakuya said coldly. "I arrived here first. You're the one who should get out of the way, aren't you?"
"Ha? Since you won't stay to the side, if you accidentally get caught up in my attack and get chopped to pieces together with the enemy, don't blame me!" Zaraki said unreasonably.
"Hmph! Just two little mice! How dare you ignore me!!" Seeing Zaraki and Byakuya 'arguing' as if they completely disregarded him, Yammy got angry and punched Zaraki.
Bang!!!
Zaraki, caught off guard while bickering unreasonably with Byakuya, was directly sent flying into a large boulder by Yammy's fist, which was larger than his own body.
"Hooh... that hurt. I didn't expect this little mouse's body to be pretty hard..."
Yammy shook his hand, then looked at Byakuya: "And you, you stinky bug! How dare you cut off my foot! I won't forgive you..."
Just as Yammy was about to attack Byakuya, he suddenly heard a whoosh behind him. So he had to change the direction of his attack, punching behind him without turning around.
Bang!
A large boulder was directly shattered by Yammy's punch.
"What's the matter? Is that all the power your fists have? Not even enough to scratch an itch. I thought I was just being bitten by a big mosquito..."
Zaraki, his face covered in blood and dirt, climbed out of the rubble behind Yammy and still forcefully shouted loudly: "If you're going to hit someone, use more force!! You stinky caterpillar!!"
Hearing Zaraki's words, Yammy was furious: "You buzzing little bug! Go to hell!!"
Zaraki's ability to draw aggro was undoubtedly greater than Byakuya's. Yammy roared and directly abandoned Byakuya, who had cut off his foot, and turned to charge at Zaraki.
Byakuya frowned, but said nothing more. He just stood there, watching the battle between Zaraki and Yammy.
"Captain Kuchiki, shouldn't we take the opportunity while Captain Zaraki is fighting the enemy to continue advancing and enter the Fifth Tower to rescue the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force?" At this moment, Rangiku, holding Nel, walked over.
"Let me introduce you. Captain Kuchiki, this is Nel. She is a friend of my Captain."
Rangiku pointed to Nel and said to Byakuya: "Her companions are also Arrancars and have the ability to open Garganta. Moreover, according to our speculation, they should also be imprisoned in the Fifth Tower along with the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force. So, as long as we enter the Fifth Tower and rescue the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force and Nel's companions, we can leave Hueco Mundo. Otherwise, we'll have to wait until Urahara Kisuke realizes the situation in Hueco Mundo and rescues us. After all, he's the only Shinigami who can open Garganta. Even Captain Kurotsuchi..."
"Even I, what about me? Hmph! All of you going on and on about Urahara... it's so noisy!" A voice suddenly came from behind Rangiku and Byakuya.
"Captain Kurotsuchi!" Rangiku turned around and saw Mayuri walking towards them. Behind him, Nemu Kurotsuchi and Renji were pushing a cart that they had found somewhere.
"Hmph! As Shinigami of the Gotei 13, constantly mentioning an outsider, showing trust and deference, it really damages the face of our Gotei 13. But I'll let it slide this time. Don't let me hear such words again." Mayuri said to Rangiku.
"How rare of you to be so tolerant. Is it because of the things on that cart?" Byakuya asked.
The name Urahara Kisuke was a taboo for Mayuri. Whenever someone mentioned that name in front of him, Mayuri would definitely be very unhappy. But to Byakuya's surprise, he didn't this time.
Although, considering Toshiro, Mayuri might not dare to do anything to Rangiku anyway, he would still at least scold her a few times.
"Exactly. I'm in a great mood right now because I just obtained some valuable spoils of war. And... I also incidentally completed the analysis of Garganta's structure." Mayuri couldn't help saying somewhat proudly.
"Analyzed Garganta?!" Rangiku and Byakuya said in surprise.
"Correct! And without error, the effect is semi-permanent. I seem to already see 'that guy's' annoyed expression. How can my mood not be good? Ahahaha..."
'That guy' naturally referred to Kisuke. Just thinking about Kisuke's 'flying into a rage out of humiliation' after learning that he had surpassed him in Garganta research, even Mayuri couldn't help laughing loudly.
"However, although there's no problem in theory, since it hasn't been tested yet, I don't know what the result will be. So... I need a test subject right now..." After laughing, Mayuri 'maliciously' set his sights on Rangiku.
Byakuya was a Captain, so Mayuri couldn't force him to do anything. So, he couldn't help but target Rangiku, who had just violated his taboo.
"Te... test subject?" Rangiku said with cold sweat.
Mayuri said indifferently: "Correct. This is an experiment, and you are Test Subject No. 1. That's all. So you have no right to refuse..."
"Oh my, Captain Kurotsuchi, please don't make things difficult for others. Let me be Test Subject No. 1..." Another voice suddenly rang out.
"Captain Unohana?!" Rangiku said in surprise.
There, Unohana and Isane were sitting on Minazuki, flying towards them.