Ika does have feelings for Zero, but they are limited to feelings; she feels mostly gratitude... Moreover, Ika also discovers that Zero has no interest in romance at all, making him a very strange man.
Actually, the men in Soul Reaper are all very strange. Take Aizen, for example. He could control a group of girls with his charisma and looks, and even the Hollow girls were infatuated with him, but he only used them as tools for his great cause.
Then there's Kyōraku, all flashy and flamboyant, always getting involved with girls in ambiguous relationships, but he just doesn't have a wife.
There's also the even more outstanding Yama-jii. If he had a son with such an amazing bloodline, he could easily grow up to be at the level of Da Bai!
Another year has passed, and thanks to the advent of Healing Way, the problem of souls dying from illness has been largely solved.
However, Central 46 summoned Zero and bluntly stated that 'Healing Way' could only be performed within the Seireitei area, and that it would require a large sum of money.
The reason given is that free treatment may lead to a decrease in the soul mortality rate, making it impossible to maintain the number of souls reincarnated into the World of the Living Soul Society each year, thus disrupting the existing balance.
Zero remained silent for a long time before finally indicating that he understood what Central 46 meant... It was simply about using 'Healing Way' to better enslave the souls of the Rukongai, making them serve the nobles in exchange for money to obtain treatment for their illnesses.
Subsequent events proved this to be true. Although ordinary Pluses in Rukongai had heard of the existence of 'Healing Way,' they were all discouraged when they learned about the price of treatment.
For those guys who only think about drinking water all day, it's practically impossible for them to make money unless they get sick...
Yanis returned and set off several times, and Zero didn't go to Hueco Mundo during this time, while Ulquiorra brought good news from there.
Reishi scientists created a humanoid Menos Grande with combat power comparable to Vasto Lorde, but unfortunately it lacked rationality and self-destructed after only three days. Scientists are still investigating it.
The reason Zero hasn't gone to Hueco Mundo recently is because he knows that someone from the Stealth Forces is monitoring him. He has already discovered that person, and the other party's strength is far greater than that of an average Vice-Captain.
On this day, the 11th Division received a mission: Menos Grande had appeared in the 71st district of South Rukongai, and they needed Captain-level reinforcements. Zero led Maki and Ashido to the Kidō Corps and had Kidō Corps Vice-Captain Hachigen Ushōda teleport them there directly.
After so many years of getting to know each other, Ashido has come to admire Zero to the point of complete awe. As Kenpachi is not only capable of killing, but he can also create the 'Healing Way', even surpassing Kuruyashiki.
"Big brother..."
Call me Captain.
"Yes, Captain. According to the reports, the enemy might be Adjuchas. By the way, we could have just come; why did you have to come as well?"
"Someone's been following me. I'll force him out and sort out these problems."
Maki's relationship with Zero was common knowledge within the 11th Division, but Ashido showed no unusual expression. He was surprised by the Stealth Force member who was monitoring Zero.
'Why is there Stealth Force surveillance unit monitoring Captain Nangong? Is he involved in something? But the opponent is really formidable; I didn't even notice.'
You have to understand that because of his rank, Ashido often meets with Zero, and there's never been any news about Zero getting into trouble.
Furthermore, given the sensory abilities he honed in the Menos Grande Forest, he hadn't detected the monitor, indicating the other party's formidable strength...
When they arrived at the scene, they found that a small town of a few thousand people had been turned into a Hollow's paradise, where Ragged Hollows and Giant Hollows were playing a treasure hunt. By digging through the ruins, they could possibly find the souls hidden among them.
The leader was undoubtedly Adjuchas, for there were also three Gillian present, their massive bodies swaying constantly, and wherever they went, the Ragged Hollows would make way.
Upon arriving at the scene, Zero noticed something amiss not far behind him. He knew it was the observer, but he decided to ignore it for the time being...
"Ashido? You bastard, you actually went back to Soul Society."
The leader, Adjuchas, had three arms. He was being chased and attacked by Ashido, a former subordinate of Baraggan, who immediately recognized Ashido, the infamous Soul Reaper of the Menos Grande Forest.
"Those former stray dogs have become so arrogant, Gillian, Cero."
Having been slashed twice, the three-handed man flew into a rage and Gillian, who had participated in the attack on Ashido, but Ashido had escaped back then.
Ashido Cero the Cero, Maki killed a Gillian with a single strike. Meanwhile, Ashido was sent flying by a small Adjuchas that had been hiding in the shadows. Three claw marks appeared on Ashido's chest, and blood dripped down.
There were not one, but two Adjuchas. They worked together seamlessly, sweeping through more than a dozen villages and towns of all sizes in the Soul Society.
"Having slain quite a few Soul Reapers, finally a master has arrived? Heh, long time no see, Ashido."
After successfully landing a blow, the dwarf sub-class character excitedly greeted the enemy. This Adjuchas, Ashido, recognized him; it was the same Adjuchas that Ashido had chased down to the ground and then summoned a dozen Adjuchas to attack it.
After that incident, Ashido times, but eventually had to give up because there were far more Menos Grande on the surface than underground, making it too dangerous. He could only hide in the underground Menos Grande Forest and slowly slay Hollows.
"Two Adjuchas, do you know each other?"
"I've fought too many Adjuchas to remember them all."
Despite Maki's persistent questioning, the injured Ashido remained indifferent, as if the injury meant nothing to him. He raised his hand and unleashed a Shakkahō at the dwarf sub-class without even bothering to call out his name.
"That's good. I'll take care of those three-handed thieves. Shine, Rainbow Glow!"
Maki became excited and immediately unleashed his Zanpakuto, unleashing a burst of light that pierced through Maki body and reflected off, causing Maki to disappear from everyone's sight...
Zero didn't stand still to watch the battle. He moved through the town at lightning speed, clearing out all the Gillian and Giant Hollows. They didn't even catch a glimpse of Zero before their Zanpakuto their masks open.
Those observing from the shadows were astonished: ' Nangong Kenpachi's speed in slashing voids is too fast, even faster than Yoruichi's, and each strike doesn't waste any power. His control over power is incredible...'
This person is also highly skilled; they managed to observe Zero secretly for so long before being discovered, and their eyesight is exceptional, suggesting they frequently interact with Captain-level figures...
Three-Handed Sub-Rank: The left and right hands are normal, but there is an extra arm on the right shoulder. Maki, who has transformed into the sixth brother, cuts off this arm that can extend and retract with his first attack, which frightens Three-Handed into constantly testing the waters with Bala.
Ashido came to help with the attack, but he had already dealt with his opponent. However, his left arm, which had been missing three times, was now broken, leaving him with only one hand. Terrified, Asido Sonído and ran away.
Unfortunately, he ran in the direction of Zero. Zero had just killed several Giant Hollows and was facing away from him. When Zero turned around, the three-handed fleeing man was stunned.
"You bastard... you're despicable!"
Just as the three hands that had transformed into one were about to say something, a Sword Aura cleaved it vertically; Zero's speed was too fast.
This Adjuchas is clearly from Baraggan's side, and he has even seen me before. He might have been on the battlefield together and survived when Baraggan was defeated and fled.
Zero wore an indifferent expression, but inwardly he breathed a sigh of relief, almost letting out a shout... Actually, he was still too slow; the person in the shadows had excellent hearing and heard the sound of three hands...
Maki and Ashido caught up. After Zero dealt with the sub-class monster, he asked, "Are you all done?"
"Sorry, he almost escaped." Old Six Maki appeared and apologized, admitting that he was the only one who hadn't finished off his opponent.
"It's alright, then... come out, you onlookers over there."
Zero comforted Maki, then raised the Blood Drink and unleashed a Sword Aura strike into the distance.
Over a distance of several hundred meters, the already shattered towns along the way were once again sliced in half by the sword energy. If that person didn't come out, he would be cut in two by this Sword Aura.
A Black-Clothed Man leaped high into the air, dressed in typical Stealth Force attire, with even his hair and face covered by black cloth.
After the Sword Aura passed, he landed and tried to run, but Maki and Ashido had already approached. Maki raised his hand and used the 'Hyapporankan' to catch the Black-Clothed Man.
"Hadō #32, Yellow Fire Flash!"
The Black-Clothed Man didn't even turn his head; he simply raised his palm and knocked down the dozen or so Reishi railings that were imbued with gravity.
Ashido closed in from the side, his powerful thrust forcing the Black-Clothed Man to halt his escape and take cover. Ashido seized the opportunity to entangle him, forcing the Black-Clothed Man to draw his Zanpakuto and fight him.
The Black-Clothed Man was not weak, and his combination of Zanjutsu and hand-to-hand combat skills was also remarkable. In just five moves, Ashido was kicked in the abdomen, causing him to stagger back more than ten meters to dissipate the force.
Ashido attacked again with his Reiatsu. When they were locked in a stalemate, Maki, who had once again transformed into the sixth brother, slashed down with his sword and shaved off the turban covering the other man's face.
Before the Black-Clothed Man could make another move, his Zanpakuto was already at his neck, and Ashido pointed the tip of his sword at the Black-Clothed Man.
With his short, light yellow hair slightly curled up and military green eyes, this man gave a sly smile. He was dressed only in black... The Stealth Force technique— Utsusemi!
"Disappeared?"
"Over there!"
The two men were stunned for a moment, and the creature had already appeared hundreds of meters away, running away at an extremely fast speed. They quickly gave chase.
After moving about a kilometer from his original spot, the man slowed down, but when Maki and Ashido caught up, he suddenly exploded with a bang. Realizing they'd been tricked, the two turned green with shock...
"Come out! Hiding your head and showing your butt, do you think you can escape my detection?"
Zero had been watching this guy toy with the two of them the whole time. If he hadn't used "Kakushitsuijaku" to capture the scattered Reiatsu of this guy while he was fighting the two of them, he probably would have been fooled as well.
"Hadō #88, Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō!"
"Oh dear, Captain Nangong, this joke has gone too far! Getting hit could be fatal."
After waiting for more than ten seconds without receiving a response, Zero directly used a high-level Hadō attack to force him out... He seemed very relaxed, but upon closer inspection, one could see that his green eyes were full of apprehension.
Zero used Bakudō to track and lock onto targets with one hand, and easily unleashed a devastating Destruction Hadō with the other, which truly surprised him.
Zero recognized the man's face. If he had appeared a few years earlier, Zero might have remembered this anime character... But time had faded his memories of his past life, making him completely unable to recall him.
"You started the joke, what's with following me around every day? Is the Stealth Force really that suspicious?"
Blood Drink was already firmly in his grasp. Zero was quite curious about this guy's methods, especially that fast-running fake body just now, which was enough to fool anyone.
"I am Kisuke Urahara, the Second Division Third Seat. As for tracking you, it was merely an order from my superiors. Please forgive me, Captain Nangong!"
The man gave his name, and his expression gradually became serious.