Inoue Captured Again

Just as Kenpachi Zaraki, carrying his Zanpakuto and with the grinning Yachiru Kusajishi on his shoulder, had left and rushed towards the battlefield where Renji Abarai and Yasutora Sado were, where the Reiatsu was still surging—

A sudden change has occurred!

Just a few meters away from Ichigo Kurosaki, Nelliel, and Orihime Inoue, a seemingly ordinary building shadow cast by the pale moonlight suddenly rippled violently like water!

Immediately afterwards, a figure emerged from the shadows with a speed that surpassed the limits of visual perception, like a ghost! There was no violent burst of Reiatsu, no obvious distortion of space; everything happened so abruptly and so quietly, yet it carried a chilling, precise, and ruthless efficiency.

The newcomer was tall and wore a dark coat that clashed with the atmosphere of Las Noches, resembling a modern urban style. The collar was turned up high, obscuring half of his face. His gray-white hair was slightly disheveled, and his face carried a heavy weariness, as if he were perpetually sleepy. His eyes were languid and empty, as if he had no interest in anything in the world. Yet, this seemingly harmless fellow moved with unbelievable speed!

His goal was crystal clear— Orihime Inoue.

Almost the instant his figure appeared, he was already beside Orihime Inoue. A pale, bony hand gently rested on Orihime Inoue's shoulder with an irresistible yet nonchalant gesture.

Before Orihime Inoue could even react to what was happening, she felt a weight on her shoulder, and a gentle yet irresistible force came over her.

"Excuse me, I'm sorry to interrupt your reunion." A deep male voice, heavy with weariness and sounding as if he had just woken up, rang in Orihime Inoue's ear. The voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone present clearly. "Lord Aizen wants to see you... so, I'll ask you to come."

The moment the words left his mouth, Ichigo Kurosaki and Nelliel reacted almost simultaneously!

"Inoue--!"

"Let her go!"

Ichigo Kurosaki's eyes were bloodshot with rage. With a roar, he almost instinctively unleashed his remaining Reiatsu, Zangetsu instantly appeared in his hand as he lunged at the figure! Nelliel's emerald green eyes flashed with a fierce light, and her Reiatsu, which had just subsided, surged again. Her figure was as fast as lightning, and her five fingers were like hooks, aiming straight for the wrist that was gripping Orihime Inoue's shoulder!

However, while they reacted quickly, the figure moved even faster!

He didn't even turn around to look at the two people rushing towards him; he simply tightened his grip on Orihime Inoue's shoulder slightly.

The next moment, he lightly touched the ground with his foot—not stepping on the ground, but as if stepping on some invisible ripple.

Buzz...

A very faint tremor, as if space itself had been disturbed, rang out.

Immediately afterwards, his figure and that of Orihime Inoue, whom he had captured, blurred and flickered like a television screen with a poor signal!

Ichigo Kurosaki's Zangetsu and Nelliel's claws arrived at the spot where the two had been standing almost simultaneously, but they only managed to swing and grab at empty air!

Only the turbulent, slightly disordered air remained, along with the lingering, dissipating echo of Orihime Inoue's final, short, and startled "Eh?".

That figure, along with Orihime Inoue, vanished into thin air! Without leaving any smoke or dust, without leaving any trace of Reiatsu, it was as if they had never existed, or as if they had merged into the omnipresent paleness and shadows of Hueco Mundo.

"Inoue--!"

Ichigo Kurosaki let out a heart-wrenching the Roar, his eyes instantly bloodshot, and veins bulging on his forehead! His knuckles turned white from Zangetsu so tightly, and his Reiatsu surged uncontrollably, with crimson energy faintly appearing. Watching helplessly as his comrades, whom he had just reunited with and hadn't even had a chance to exchange a few words with, were so easily taken away before his very eyes, the sense of powerlessness and rage almost consumed him.

"Damn it--!" He whirled around, frantically scanning his surroundings, his Reiatsu senses at full power, trying to catch even the slightest trace. But the air was filled only with the chaotic aftershocks of the battle and the cold flow of Reishi from Hueco Mundo itself. Where was the presence of Orihime Inoue or that mysterious Arrancar?

Nelliel also darkened, her emerald green eyes sharply scanning her surroundings as she quickly assessed the situation. "This speed... this way of using space... is it the highest level of 'Sonído'? No, it seems more... natural, more elusive. And that Reiatsu... though restrained, is extremely powerful in essence... It's the Espada! And a very high-ranking Espada!"

Seeing Ichigo Kurosaki's near-collapse and furious state, she sighed inwardly, stepped forward, and tried to soothe him with her voice as calm as possible. "Ichigo, calm down! Anger won't solve anything!"

She gently placed her hand on Ichigo Kurosaki's violently trembling shoulder, sending a gentle yet firm Reiatsu through him, attempting to calm his raging emotions.

"Inoue- san isn't in immediate danger. Since they said 'Aizen wants to see her,' her safety is guaranteed, at least for the time being," Nelliel analyzed, her tone calm. "What we need to do now isn't to be angry and blame ourselves, but to chase after them immediately! I can vaguely sense that they're heading towards the deepest part of Las Noches, towards the tallest White Tower! That's where Sōsuke Aizen's palace is located!"

Her words were like a clear spring, temporarily extinguishing the raging flames in Ichigo Kurosaki's heart, but his heart-wrenching anxiety and determination remained undiminished. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, and the bloodshot in his eyes slowly faded, replaced by an even colder and more resolute determination.

"Chase him!" he spat out through gritted teeth, his gaze fixed on the towering, pale spire reaching into the clouds deep within Las Noches. "No matter where he is, no matter who he has to face, I will bring Inoue back!"

Our gaze shifts back to the passage where Liu Hao and his group were located.

After learning that Mayuri Kurotsuchi had intervened in the battle between Renji and Chad, and that Captain Retsu Unohana might also be nearby, Liu Hao's worries were indeed greatly reduced. Although Mayuri Kurotsuchi had an eccentric personality, his strength was undeniable, and his methods were often unexpected. Against an opponent like Szayelaporro, a mad scientist, his methods might actually be surprisingly effective.

"Okay," Liu Hao nodded to Byakuya Kuchiki, accepting the arrangement. "Renji and Chad are safe with Captain Kurotsuchi and Captain Unohana on their side. Now, I'll go find Ichigo. Rukia and Ishida, you two will stay with Captain Kuchiki for now."

"Okay." Rukia and Uryū Ishida were also worried about Ichigo and Inoue, but they understood that it was not a wise move to disperse their forces now, and besides, Byakuya Kuchiki's strength was enough to guarantee their safety.

At this moment, the two Arrancar Fracción had been following Liu Hao — Pesche, who resembled a lizard and had a rather impatient personality, and Dondochakka, who resembled a hippopotamus and had a kind and gentle personality—immediately stepped forward.

Pesche said in his distinctive, slightly comical, shrill voice, "Lord Liu Hao! Please let us go with you! We know the terrain of Las Noches better than you do, and... Lady Nelliel is there too! We absolutely must go!"

Dondochakka nodded heavily on his massive head, echoing in a deep voice, "Yes! Dondochakka wants to go too! To protect Nelliel!"

Liu Hao glanced at them but did not refuse. These two were loyal Arrancar Nelliel and were quite strong. They were also familiar with the Las Noches environment, so bringing them along would indeed be helpful.

"Okay," Liu Hao replied succinctly, "Let's not delay, let's go."

Having said that, he didn't linger any longer. With a swift movement, he rushed towards the direction where Ichigo Kurosaki and Nelliel had previously unleashed their Reiatsu. Pesche and Dondochakka quickly followed, and the three figures swiftly disappeared into the depths of the maze-like passageway.

Watching Liu Hao's departing figure, Rukia couldn't help but show worry in her eyes. She turned to her aloof older brother beside her and asked softly, "Brother... will Liu Hao and the others be alright? That Arrancar who took Inoue seemed very difficult to deal with..."

Byakuya Kuchiki's face, as still as a frozen lake, remained unchanged, but his usually icy eyes softened almost imperceptibly for a moment when he looked at his sister. He spoke in his characteristically calm and even voice, yet at this moment carrying a reassuring strength:

"Rukia, there's no need to worry." He paused, as if stating a given fact, "Liu Hao's strength far exceeds your imagination. In Hueco Mundo, those who can truly threaten them are few and far between."

"As for rescuing Orihime Inoue..." Byakuya Kuchiki's gaze also turned to the White Tower deep within Las Noches, "That was their ultimate goal. Trust them."

Liu Hao, carrying Pesche and Dondochakka, moved at high speed through the complex terrain of Las Noches. Relying on his keen sense of Ichigo and Nelliel's Reiatsu, as well as the shortcut information provided by Pesche and the others, he quickly caught up with Ichigo Kurosaki and Nelliel, who were heading at full speed towards the White Tower in the center of Las Noches.

From afar, Liu Hao saw Ichigo's anxious yet determined back and Nelliel's tall and elegant figure.

"Ichigo! Nelliel!" Liu Hao shouted.

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Ichigo Kurosaki and Nelliel turned around simultaneously. When Nelliel saw Liu Hao, and Pesche and Dondochakka following behind him, waving their arms excitedly, her emerald green eyes immediately lit up, and a genuine, relieved smile appeared on her face.

"Liu Hao--!" she called out joyfully, even temporarily forgetting her anxiety about Inoue being kidnapped. In a flash, she appeared in front of Liu Hao. In the eyes of Pesche and Dondochakka, this "adult" who was gentle in their hearts was actually like a little girl, opening her arms and hugging Liu Hao's neck, burying her face in his shoulder and gently nuzzling him.

"Thank goodness... you're alright..." she murmured softly, her voice trembling slightly, a tremor that wasn't just from concern for her companion, but also from lingering fear after the life-or-death battle with Nnoitra and the sudden attack by the Starrk.

Liu Hao's body stiffened slightly, then he smiled helplessly. He could feel the dependence and reassurance emanating from Nelliel's (currently in her adult form) embrace. He raised his hand and gently patted Nelliel's arms, which were tightly wrapped around his neck, his voice gentle yet admonishing:

"Nelliel, let go. We can't talk properly or move around properly when you're holding me like this." His tone was like that of someone comforting a spoiled younger sister.

Upon hearing this, Nelliel gave a slightly embarrassed "uh," obediently releasing her arm and taking a step back. But then, under everyone's gaze, a faint emerald light flashed around her, and her tall, mature body rapidly shrank, transforming back into the form of a child wearing a cute little kimono, with short green hair and tear-stained patterns on her face.

After transforming back into Nel, she nimbly leaped onto Liu Hao's shoulder, skillfully found a comfortable spot to sit, and then reached out her little hands to hug Liu Hao's head, as if only in this way could she feel safe and close enough.

"Liu Hao," Nel leaned close to Liu Hao's ear, perched on his shoulder, and said quickly in her childish voice, "We've found Inoue- san, but... the 1st Espada, Koyatai Starrk, suddenly appeared and took her away! He was too fast, and it didn't seem to be using ordinary Sonído; we couldn't stop him..."

Her voice was filled with frustration and resentment.

Liu Hao turned his head and gently touched Nel's head with his cheek to indicate that he understood. His tone remained calm. "It's alright, Nel. Now that we know it was Starrk who took Inoue, and their target is the White Tower where Aizen is, let's go there directly to demand her return."

He turned to Ichigo Kurosaki, who was standing anxiously to the side and about to speak, and said, "Ichigo, don't worry. I've already separated from Rukia and Ishida. The Soul Society reinforcements have arrived, and I've sent them to follow Captain Byakuya Kuchiki. As for Renji and Chad, Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi and Captain Unohana have gone to support them, so they should be fine."

Hearing that his companions were temporarily safe, Ichigo Kurosaki felt a little relieved, but his brows remained furrowed. "Liu Shu... Captain Zaraki came over to our side earlier, but since the battle was over, he felt there was nothing to fight, so he went to Renji and the Renji. Shortly after he left, Starrk suddenly appeared and took Inoue away..." He clenched his fist. "That guy... is very strong, and he seems... strange."

Liu Hao nodded, naturally aware of Starrk's strength and characteristics. His gaze swept over the traces of the battle around him, the still unconscious figure of Grimmjow in the distance, and the lingering, rapidly dissipating Reiatsu belonging to Nnoitra in the air, and he understood.

"Is Grimmjow, the one you fought, still alive?" Liu Hao asked, while his spiritual senses detected Grimmjow's faint life force.

"We gave him some basic first aid and stopped the bleeding; he shouldn't die," Ichigo Kurosaki replied, then glanced at Nel on Liu Hao's shoulder and added, "As for Nnoitra... he's already been... killed by Nelliel."

As he finished speaking, Ichigo Kurosaki's voice lowered. Although he was an enemy of Nnoitra, witnessing the fall and dissipation of such a powerful being inevitably left him with mixed feelings.

Nel, perched on Liu Hao's shoulder, stiffened slightly when Ichigo Kurosaki mentioned Nnoitra, a flicker of sadness crossing her small body. She gently rested her face against Liu Hao's hair and whispered, "Um... Nnoitra... he... asked me one last question..."

She didn't specify what the problem was, but Liu Hao clearly sensed the disappointment and confusion in her voice.

Liu Hao paused for a moment, then raised his hand and gently patted Nel's head in a reassuring manner. His movements were gentle, and his voice was calm. "Nel, it's okay."

He paused, his gaze seemingly fixed on the direction where Nnoitra had vanished, or perhaps on something more distant, a contemplation of the origin of the void.

Some paths are their own choices. Some questions, perhaps even they themselves already have the answers to, but... they need others to confirm them, or they need an end point to verify them.

His words carried a calmness and clarity beyond his years, as if he had seen through life and death and obsessions.

"Nnoitra chose his fight, and fought to the very last moment. You gave your answer, with your gun. This, perhaps, is the best way to settle the score between you."

"Now," Liu Hao withdrew his gaze, his eyes sharpening and resolute once more, looking towards the towering, pale tower deep within the Las Noches, seemingly shrouded in mystery and impending doom, "We should go our own way. Go and Inoue home."

"Yes!" Nel nodded vigorously, hugged Liu Hao's head tightly, and the sadness in her eyes was replaced by a new determination.

Ichigo Kurosaki also took a deep breath, gripped Zangetsu tightly, and stared intently toward the White Tower.