Soul Society was a relatively unfamiliar term to Ulquiorra. He was initially unable to communicate with other Hollows and could not recall his past. He only had the instinct to survive, so naturally he knew nothing.
It wasn't until he was recruited by Grimmjow after becoming Arrancar that he was able to communicate with other Menos Grande.
However, it wasn't normal communication either, because the Adjuchas were all afraid of Ulquiorra's terrifying Reiatsu, and the Hollows' instinct to obey stronger Hollows also limited the development of their communication.
How do normal humans communicate? Do humans fight each other? What is the world of Soul Reaper like? Do they share their joys and sorrows with each other? Ulquiorra was really curious back then, having never been to the World of the Living or the Soul Society.
Ulch first heard the term 'Soul Society' from Dordoni, when they seemed to be reminiscing about someone who lived in Soul Society.
Now Ulquiorra realized that the guy in front of him was Nangong Ling, and that the Blood Panther Group was originally created by Nangong Ling.
"Can."
Out of curiosity, Ulquiorra only quietly agreed to what Zero asked for. In his view, it was a task of equal exchange, and he had not yet completely regarded himself as Zero's subordinate.
The response was still somewhat lukewarm, and Zero couldn't help but complain, "Say a few more words, even if it's just complaining, but you still don't seem natural enough."
Ulquiorra paused for a moment, then said, "From the moment I developed self-awareness, I have always been alone. I can't hear, smell, or make a sound; I can only see the world through these eyes..."
This wasn't an answer to Zero's complaint, but rather an answer to Zero's earlier curiosity... From Ulquiorra's words, Zero seemed to see a figure walking alone in the desert, a world filled with malice towards him...
"You just said I was accommodating Grimmjow, afraid of losing this comrade? That's not it at all. I'm just grateful to him for showing me that relationships beyond killing and devouring exist among Hollows."
"Your relationship with Grimmjow also intrigues me. For Soul Reaper to help Menos Grande evolve, you must have a purpose. You gave Grimmjow a goal to strive for. In my opinion, he's very lucky."
"Once he has a goal to strive for, he doesn't need to be confused or retreat; he only needs to gradually gather his strength and move forward..."
"And the fact that they found me means that you indirectly gave me a reason to exist, so thank you too."
For Ulquiorra, who has existed aimlessly in this world for hundreds of years, following Grimmjow and his companions is a blessing, because it gives him a goal and something to do.
In contrast to Grimmjow's roughness, Zero's goals seem clearer, his plans more meticulous, and he has more of a leader's demeanor; this man has a different way of living than Hollow, which deeply attracts Ulquiorra's attention.
'So confused? That makes things easy. Just give them a little nudge, hehe...'
'Boss, I don't think we need to keep trying to fool him. This is how things are in Hueco Mundo. Even Baraggan stopped progressing after losing his goal after taking control of Hueco Mundo. Just give him a goal, and he'll be fine.'
'Yes, that's what I think.'
Zero and Yanis were also having an Inner World dialogue. Ulquiorra had indeed learned a lot from Grimmjow and the others, but his nature remained so simple that he easily expressed his thoughts.
Without revealing a trace of his thoughts, Zero walked to Ulquiorra's side and put his arm around his shoulder. "Then it's settled. You'll be in charge of our Arrancar Army, and since you're also Arrancar..."
Zero also summoned elite generals such as Dordoni and Yaxiao, and set several development goals for the 'Arrancar Army'.
He then planned to return to Soul Society to continue his training, and would come to Hueco Mundo every now and then to absorb Reiryoku and improve his strength.
The first plan, the Great Unification: Conquer the nearby Menos Grande forces, become the recognized leading power in Hueco Mundo, and search for the whereabouts of Baraggan and his group.
The second plan is to gather forces: After completing the first plan, gather all kinds of Menos Grande who want to evolve, implement a breeding system, let the Menos Grande kill and devour each other, and let the talented Menos Grande evolve into Vasto Lorde or Arrancars.
The third plan is scientific modification: to find highly intelligent scientific research souls in the World of the Living, bring them to Hueco Mundo, and have them research Modified Menos Grande to enhance the combat power of the Adjuchas.
Putting everything else aside, this third project was the New World that Szayelaporro opened for Zero, making him realize the true importance of scientific research.
First came the Modified Menos Grande Lojia, then the forced fusion with Picaro, and then the various Sealing Devices —all of which greatly surprised Zero, who firmly believed in his own path to power.
Unfortunately, the search of the vicinity of Las Noches only revealed various instruments destroyed by Szayelaporro; they would have to figure out how to recreate them on their own...
Some members of the Arrancar Army expanded Las Noches according to Zero's request and opened Arena inside, specifically for the Menos Grande to unleash their true nature and fight each other. This is also the site of the Second Plan.
The first plan has already begun. In just one month, more than a dozen surrounding forces have been eliminated, and dozens of Adjuchas that refused to submit have been captured and brought to Las Noches, where Zero has been tasked with killing them and absorbing their Reiryoku.
However, Zero was no longer enough. As he grew stronger, even the Reiryoku provided by Adriachacas did not provide a significant boost.
In the past ten years or so in Hueco Mundo, Zero only improved his strength a little bit. Only those of the Vasto Lorde-class or Yammy level could make Zero feel a significant improvement.
Unfortunately, Vasto Lorde in Hueco Mundo are extremely rare, and Hollows like Yammy, who can grow stronger regardless of their rank, are even rarer; it is only because they are in the central area of Hueco Mundo with the highest concentration of Reishi that so many Vasto Lorde have appeared.
Now that he's recruiting Menos Grande to consolidate his forces, even if he encounters Vasto Lorde, he can't just kill them at will; he might even need to recruit them and train them into his own subordinates...
"Donnie, where did you encounter the Quincy before? Was it far from here?"
With his power increasing too slowly, Zero thought of the Quincy who had many Captain-level members. He summoned Dordoni to inquire about the Quincy he had encountered during his time as a wanderer of the Blood Panther Group.
Moreover, with each one he devoured, his power would surge several times over, and after adapting to the Hakusui and Saketsu, the Reiryoku he produced was significantly stronger.
Dordoni bowed slightly to show his respect as he replied, "It's not far, but Adjuchas has already reported that there are no Quincy there anymore; they seem to have vanished into thin air."
"What about the Vasto Lorde mentioned in the previous report? Have you found it?"
Zero's question stems from information discovered by an Adjuchas: a Half-Human Sheep Vasto Lorde that can conceal its Reiatsu is active in the vicinity, its allegiance unclear.
"No, they might have gone into hiding in the Menos Grande Forest. There are still quite a few Menos Grande who can control their Reiatsu at will..."
Caw! Caw! Caw!
As he Dordoni, a small, parasitic-like creature on his shoulder suddenly squealed; it was only the size of an adult man's fist.
"Lord Dordoni, Lord Yaxiao encountered the Soul Reaper Ashido in the Menos Grande Forest and fought with him, but he ultimately escaped."
"Knew."
A voice came from behind him. After Dordoni replied, he looked at Zero, who was still frowning and trying to remember. The name Ashido sounded familiar; it seemed that Kuruyashiki had mentioned it before...
The ability to transmit messages is possessed by Adjuchas named Qiu Jite, and can be used for reconnaissance and intelligence transmission regardless of distance.
Qiu Jite can possess hundreds of these parasites simultaneously. The parasites only need to absorb a tiny amount of Reiatsu each day to survive, maintaining this surveillance state and feeding back information to Qiu Jite.
Zero named it 'Hand Chicken,' which is quite fitting, because it also makes a strange noise before it speaks, and the world we World of the Living now has not yet entered the technological age.
"Wait, just let them drive that Soul Reaper away, don't kill him. I'll take that guy Soul Society..."
"Yes!"
Zero had Dordoni relay the order, and he suddenly remembered who it was. When he first led the Expeditionary Force to Hueco Mundo, Kuruyashiki had told him privately: If you encounter a Soul Reaper named Ashido, take him back to Soul Society.
If he were just an ordinary Soul Reaper, then death wouldn't matter. However, Zero wanted to take him back out of gratitude for Kuruyashiki's kindness, but he had to be careful not to let Kuruyashiki discover his relationship with Hollow.
With things temporarily settled here, Zero is also planning to return to Soul Society. As Captain, he can't stay away from Seireitei for too long.
After explaining everything, Zero left with a specially made Qiu Jite 'sound-transmitting Spirit Worm '.
In the pitch-black Menos Grande Forest, chilling chewing sounds and roars could be heard from time to time; it was terrifying.
However, there is such a figure who often follows various sounds, traversing the unseen darkness, and then erasing the source of the sound... Slaying the Void, this is the work that Ashido must do every day.
He had arrived in the Menos Grande Forest by accident, and no one knew how long it had been, conservatively estimated to be over a hundred years. All his companions who came with him had long since died in battle, leaving him to persevere alone.
In Ashido's view, the more Hollows he kills here, the fewer Hollows will appear in Soul Society and the World of the Living... The ideal is good, but there will never be fewer Hollows over there.
Previously, many Gillian were driven to the surface, seemingly due to a war breaking out between the Menos Grande. Ashido was pleased about this, and since Adjuchas did not stop him, he thoroughly cleaned up many of the Ragged Hollows.
However, this period of peace was short-lived. The war between the Menos Grande quickly came to a conclusion, and another group of Adjuchas entered the Menos Grande Forest. They were very powerful and were hunted down.
Ashido was driven to the territory of a Menos Grande, led by five Adjuchas. This place was quite far from Las Noches, and the Arrancar Army had not yet reached this area.
These five Adjuchas had planned to lord it over the world for a while before surrendering, but Ashido's arrival changed their plans, as he killed one of the Adjuchas...
Clang! Clang clang!
In the darkness, a massive Zanpakuto clashed repeatedly with a giant hand, the sounds of metal striking metal echoing and sparks flying everywhere.
A figure draped in a fur coat adorned with various Hollow masks was engaged in battle with a tall, thin, horse-faced Adjuchas, wielding Adjuchas Zanpakuto.
"Ashido, you're not getting away today!"
Adjuchas, a horse-faced, man-bodied, and tail-wearing creature, uttered threats, his bony claws harder than swords, relentlessly pressuring Ashido.
Ashido remained silent, then used his Shunpo to attack Horse Face's vitals. Horse Face also used Sonído, and the two continued their entanglement.
Suddenly, the horse-faced creature Sonído and distanced itself from Ashido. Then, a burst of red and purple Bala covered the area, and Ashido was hit and let out a few muffled groans.