Nelliel

Upon Liu Ziyun paused slightly, a complex light flashing in his eyes.

Countless images flashed through his mind—fragments of memories about the future, the trajectories of fate that he once thought had changed but were still unfolding step by step.

He thought he had changed the people and timing of his arrival in Hueco Mundo, and that he could avoid certain predetermined encounters, but fate seemed to have its own will, and would push the people who were meant to meet in front of each other no matter what.

"What a strange fate," he thought to himself. "Even though I changed who came to Hueco Mundo and when, I still met her..."

His gaze fell on the little girl, on the skull mask with obvious cracks on her head—the mark of Arrancar, a human form gained by a Hollow after breaking through its mask.

On her forehead, there was a deep crack on the mask, stretching from the center of her brow to her hairline, like a scar that would never heal.

The first three Espada – Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck.

The name flashed through his mind, carrying countless fragments of memories associated with it. The former Espada who lost his power to protect his friends, the pitiful man forced to become a child and wandering the wastelands of Hueco Mundo for many years, the warrior who, by fate's arrangement, met Ichigo Kurosaki and ultimately regained his power.

Upon seeing the little girl being chased by three Hollows, Ichigo Kurosaki instinctively lunged forward without a second thought. His speed was astonishing, leaving a trail of deep footprints in the sand, Zangetsu landed in his hand from his back.

Renji Abarai followed closely behind, his red Zanpakuto already drawn, its blade gleaming with a faint red light.

Rukia Kuchiki also activated her sword at the same time, the white blade of Sode no Shirayuki standing out against the dim yellow sky.

Although Yasutora Sado was a little slow, he clenched his fists, and the distinctive markings of Giant's Right Arm began to appear on his right arm.

The four men reacted almost instinctively—seeing the weak being bullied, seeing children being chased, they didn't hesitate or weigh their options; they rushed in immediately.

Liu Ziyun's voice rang out behind them, not loud, but every word was as clear as if etched into the air. "Don't kill anyone."

These four words were like a bucket of cold water, dousing the murderous intent that had just ignited in the four men. They simultaneously withdrew their impending fatal blows, opting instead for a gentler approach—

Ichigo Kurosaki's Zangetsu changed angle in mid-air, the blade that was originally going to strike the Hollow's head slightly off course, instead slamming the back of the blade into its skull. The Hollow let out a shrill scream, its six segments digging wildly in the sand, kicking up a cloud of dust, before turning tail and running away, faster than when it had been chasing.

Renji Abarai's Zanpakuto drew an arc in the air, the back of the blade striking precisely the back of a Hollow's head. The Hollow staggered, collapsing onto the sand, its mouth full of sand. It struggled to get up, but Renji Abarai had already placed a foot on its back, pinning it firmly to the ground.

Rukia Kuchiki's movements were the most elegant. Her Sode no Shirayuki, traced a silvery-white path in the air as the tip of her blade lightly touched the shoulder of another Hollow. A chilling aura surged from the blade, instantly freezing half of the Hollow's body. The Hollow let out a scream, its body stiffening as it collapsed onto the sand, unable to move, but not fatally injured.

When Yasutora Sado arrived, the battle was already over. Somewhat embarrassed, he withdrew his transformed giant arm, scratched his head, and stood aside watching the three Hollows that had been subdued.

The little girl stopped in her tracks the instant the illusion was subdued, turned around, and looked at the people who had saved her with her big green eyes.

She reached out her little hand and lifted the hood that had been blowing in the wind, covering half her face, revealing a round and adorable little face. On her forehead, the skull mask with obvious cracks stood out conspicuously in the dim light.

In her childish voice, she said, "Did Nel do something to upset you? Nel can apologize to you, please don't hit them anymore."

Her voice was soft and sincere, tinged with a hint of timidity, as if she genuinely worried she had done something wrong. Her large green eyes were full of innocence, making one feel an irresistible tenderness towards her.

Upon hearing the voice, Ichigo Kurosaki instinctively turned around.

Then his eyes widened suddenly, his mouth opened, and he froze on the spot as if struck by lightning.

"Arrancar?!" His voice was filled with disbelief, Zangetsu almost slipped from his grasp.

Renji Abarai and Rukia Kuchiki both showed expressions of shock. They looked at the skull mask on the little girl's head, at the tattered cloak she wore, at her innocent little face—all of this told them one fact: this little girl was an Arrancar.

But what's going on? Aren't the Arrancars all Aizen's subordinates? Aren't Arrancar all bloodthirsty monsters? Why is this little girl being chased? Why does she look so... human?

Countless questions flooded the minds of the three of them simultaneously, and for a moment they were at a loss for words.

Liu Ziyun walked over unhurriedly from behind, his footsteps making a steady rustling sound on the sand. His gaze swept over the three Void creatures that had been subdued and were trembling, and finally landed on the beetle Void creature.

"Alright," his voice was calm and composed, as if all of this was within his expectations, "Not all Hollows are evil. From the moment they regain their senses, their future path is already decided... Some will choose to be enemies of humanity, some will choose to live in peace, and some..." His gaze fell on Nel, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes, "... will choose to protect those weaker than themselves. So, there's no need to be surprised."

He walked up to the three phantoms, looking down at them with a mixture of scrutiny and curiosity in his voice. "You little guys, explain what you're doing. Why are you chasing a little girl?"

The beetle Hollow, trampled under Renji Abarai's feet, trembled violently and could barely speak. The humanoid Hollow, however, whose body was half-frozen by Rukia Kuchiki, managed to stammer, "M-Master, we're not chasing her... we're playing with her... playing games with her..."

"Playing games?" Ichigo Kurosaki looked even more confused.

Nel nodded vigorously, a bright smile spreading across her small face. She ran back to the three Hollows, reached out her little hand to touch the back of the beetle Hollow, and then patted the shoulder of the humanoid Hollow, as if to comfort them.

"Yes, yes!" Her voice was cheerful and lively. "Nel, Pesche, and Dondochakka are playing a game! We're playing the Infinite Escape Game! Because there's absolutely nothing fun to do in Hueco Mundo, Nel invented this game!"

Her eyes sparkled, as if she were sharing a huge secret. "Nel pretended to be chased, and Pesche and Dondochakka pretended to chase Nel. We ran around like that in the desert, it was so much fun! But..." Her voice suddenly trailed off, a shy blush creeping onto her face, "But sometimes they would accidentally ruin Nel's clothes, and sometimes Nel would accidentally fall..."

She looked down at her tattered cloak and smiled somewhat embarrassedly.