Both Sides' Schemes

If, in the World of the Living, Chiba Makoto, as the master of the name "Reishi," was still subject to various restrictions due to reishi density,

Or within the Seireitei, where the existence of the Soul-Covering Membrane prevented Chiba Makoto from directly seeing every corner of the Soul Society,

Then in Hueco Mundo, when Chiba Makoto's will searched along the reishi, his eyes could reflect the image of any place within Hueco Mundo.

This was no particularly special application of an ability. To Chiba Makoto, it was merely like using his gaze to examine some detail on the surface of his own body.

Just as Hyōsube Ichibē, the master of the name "Black," was immortal so long as something called "black" still existed in the world,

"Black" was a part of Hyōsube Ichibē's body, and the omnipresent reishi could likewise be considered part of Chiba Makoto's body.

Then, Chiba Makoto's "gaze" swept through Las Noches once more and quickly locked onto Nel's location.

What surprised Chiba Makoto somewhat was that Nel was actually with Grimmjow, blankly staring at the false dome of Las Noches outside the window in utter boredom.

Chiba Makoto narrowed his eyes and sent a message to the surrounding reishi in the manner of "Reishi."

"Sōya Azashiro."

Almost as soon as Chiba Makoto's voice fell, Urozakuro, visible only to him, appeared at his side as a Reishi Illusion.

However, unlike her voice in the past, which had always carried a faintly teasing and provocative undertone, Urozakuro spoke in an unusually solemn and proper tone this time.

"Lord Makoto, it has been a long time."

"Where is Sōya Azashiro?" Chiba Makoto asked.

"There are too many friends around Lord Makoto. Sōya is not suited to appear, so he asked me to speak with Makoto," Urozakuro answered.

Upon hearing