Las Noches

After this brief commotion, Rukia not only gained two old friends, but also acquired the power of Hollowfication.

However Rukia still sincerely bowed and apologized to everyone, explaining that Homura and Shizuku were her Hollow's power, and that she herself had wasted everyone's time.

Seeing that Rukia was quite sensible, even Kurotsuchi Mayuri, who had the most complaints, did not criticize her, and the group returned to the state they were in when they first left the Forest of the Hollows.

As they prepared to set off once again, the original six seats were not enough, but that didn't matter, as Red Princess had added another seat at the back of the sled thanks to her modifications.

Knowing that he didn't get along with anyone, Kurotsuchi Mayuri consciously sat in the last seat.

Surprisingly, Ashido chose to sit with Rukia.

From Ichigo, Ashido learns that Ichigo and Tsuna, who possess Hollow's power, are humans from the World of the Living, not Bleach in the traditional sense.

Now that he saw Rukia accept the power of Hollows so readily, Ashido genuinely curious. He wanted to know Rukia's opinion on Hollow's power from this Bleach Rukia.

Upon learning the purpose of Ashido's visit Rukia asked, "Mr. Ashido, are you still uneasy about possessing Hollow's power?"

Ashido smile, "Although Ichigo explained it to me, it's really hard for me to accept in a short time that the Captain-Commander, who hates Hollows so much, would choose to accept the power of a Hollow."

"Didn't Ichigo explain it to you clearly?" Rukia, puzzled.

"Ichigo- kun's expression is a bit abstract. I only know that Soul Society will have a very powerful enemy in the future," Ashido said. This was the result he had gleaned from Ichigo's scattered pieces of information.

"Ichigo ... that's how it is, I understand." Rukia in agreement, stroking her chin.

"Hey! That sounds like an insult to me, I can't pretend I didn't hear that!" Ichigo in the front row, turned and yelled Rukia Rukia, who was making him sound like he had a mental disability.

Ignoring Ichigo's impotent rage, Rukia pulled out a small notebook from somewhere and started drawing her abstract paintings, explaining them to Ashido as she drew.

"Our future enemy is the Quincy, a thousand years ago..."

"To Quincy, everything Hollow is poison. Our trip to Hueco Mundo might not be without the intention of joining forces with the Hollows here."

After saying that, Rukia wiped the sweat from her brow and said that drawing and painting were really exhausting, but at least she was able to explain the whole story to Ashido.

Ashido closed his eyes and accepted Rukia's information, mainly because Rukia's paintings were truly an eyesore and would affect his judgment, so it was more efficient to simply listen to Rukia speak.

"So that's how it is. I never thought that the Hollow's power, which is despised by everyone, could one day become a pillar of strength in battle." A red light flashed in Ashido's hand, and the Visored of the antelope appeared in his hand.

As Ashido took out his Visored, Rukia also illuminated the scythe mark on the back of her hand, repeating with certainty, "A very important power."

Just as Rukia was introducing Ashido, the person at the very front had their little ears twitching constantly, having overheard their entire conversation.

A leopard's ears are also very sensitive. Grimmjow wasn't stupid enough to just run away headlong; he would also take the time to listen to whether those bastards behind him were planning to ambush him.

If these guys try to pull some kind of "kill the dog after the rabbit is caught" trick on him, Grimmjow could find an opportunity to fight to the death and take one of them with him.

As for escaping? Grimmjow didn't expect to escape. When Tsuna used his Bankai, the XX-BURNER not only intimidated Homura and Shizuku, but also intimidated Grimmjow's mind.

Under such terrifying long-range attacks, no matter how far you run, you'll still be caught, right?

With this thought in mind, Grimmjow didn't say a word after Rukia returned to normal, and obediently completed his mission. In this way, that guy named Tsuna might spare his life.

As he was eavesdropping on the conversation behind them as usual, Grimmjow caught a juicy tidbit: the Soul Society's attitude towards Hollows had changed? Hollows were no longer the Bleach's number one enemy? Even the Bleach were starting to use Hollow powers?

When Grimmjow heard that Tsuna and the others had come for the sake of Arrancar among the Espada, he almost tripped and fell flat on his face.

If Tsuna and the others didn't intend to kill the Arrancar, then wasn't Grimmjow's act of leading his men to the World of the Living to be their victims a bit foolish?

No, that's not right. Grimmjow didn't think he should believe in the mercy of the Bleach. How could that powerful Lord Aizen possibly be willing to hand over the Espada, which he had painstakingly built up?

Surely not, right?

Grimmjow's head was spinning the whole way, but fortunately there were no obstacles in Hueco Mundo, and with his spiritual pressure, no Hollows dared to come near him. He just had to keep running towards Las Noches.

Is this information about the Bleach's attitude towards the Arrancar important?

It's very important to the Arrancar in Las Noches, but it doesn't seem to be that important to Lord Aizen. Tsuna and his group are heading there for this purpose, which means Aizen will find out about it sooner or later.

Reporting this information would be meaningless to Aizen, Grimmjow wouldn't dare share it with the other Arrancar either. How could they prove that the Bleach's attitude towards the Arrancar was friendly? By risking the lives of all the Arrancar?

Grimmjow couldn't do it. After all his subordinates had died, he had no one left in Las Noches to trust, and this information was destined to remain a secret in his own heart.

The driver was in a daze the whole way, but fortunately the journey went smoothly and the cart did not overturn.

Guided by Grimmjow, after about a day's journey, Tsuna and the others finally saw something different in this world of endless white desert.

It was a completely white building with a huge hemispherical structure in the center, surrounded by towering cylinders that protected the main building.

Amidst this unchanging landscape, there stands a solitary building: Las Noches, originally the fortress of Barragan, the 2nd Espada, later rebuilt by Aizen as a vast and intricate labyrinthine structure.

"Hey, I've brought you to your destination. What happens next is none of my business!" Reaching the vicinity of Las Noches, Grimmjow seemed to have regained his confidence, his voice becoming more assertive.

"Ah, it's alright, thank you for your hard work, Ge Liu."

Tsuna waved goodbye calmly, and Urahara readily untied the This Rope from the sled.

The actions of these two surprised Grimmjow. Back in the Forest of the Hollows, he had heard them say that they were going to make a deal with Aizen.

But Grimmjow didn't believe it at all. That all-powerful, domineering man actually needed to make a deal with these two?

Furthermore, why are these two able to say the Aizen so calmly? Ever since he challenged Aizen, Grimmjow knew that Aizen was not someone he could surpass.

As Lord Aizen, he will stand above the heavens. What is it that Lord Aizen lacks?

Grimmjow didn't understand, nor did he want to understand. He always had a feeling that Aizen and the Hollows were never on the same side. The sixth rank was just right. This feeling of being neither close nor distant allowed him to better retain the wildness of a Hollow.

Since Tsuna didn't want him to stay any longer, Grimmjow casually waved his hand and walked towards the interior of Las Noches. As for whether Tsuna and the others lived or died, it was no longer his concern; he was prepared to be punished.

"Tsuna, are we just going to let him go like that? We haven't found Aizen yet!" Ichigo asked, puzzled.

"The condition we agreed to for Ge Liu was simply to go to Las Noches. He still needs to make a living in Hueco Mundo; there's no need to push him so hard." Tsuna smiled at Ichigo. "Besides, do you really think Aizen doesn't know we're here?"

"What?"

"When Aizen was monitoring the World of the Living, he could use Surveillance Spirit Bug. What makes you think he doesn't have any spies in Hueco Mundo? He's a man who can control the whole situation."

Tsuna's words forced Ichigo to draw his sword; he was ready to be on guard against Aizen's sneak attack at any moment.

"Don't worry, from the moment he revealed his true intentions, he wouldn't resort to petty tricks like sneak attacks. He's someone who's on high enough to stand in the heavens. With his magnanimity, even if he were to use Kyoka Suigetsu' technique, he would do it right in front of you."

"Before you go in, let's say hello to the owner of this place."

Tsuna's eyes widened suddenly, and the spiritual pressure from the four powers within him —Bleach, Hollow, Quincy, and Fullbring— pressed down on Las Noches.

At this moment, all members of Las Noches felt an immense pressure bearing down on them. Apart from the Espada and Aizen, the subordinate officers were all unable to straighten up due to the terrifying spiritual pressure.

Who on earth is so audacious as to challenge the strongest organization in Hueco Mundo?

Every Arrancar shared this thought, and the Espada closer to the gate charged directly toward the direction of the spiritual pressure. In any case, these arrogant individuals should be killed!

Unlike the Arrancar, Aizen sat on the highest throne in Las Noches, looking up at the lonely moon in the sky with an excited smile on his face. It was just a pity that he was missing a glass of red wine, which made him look less elegant.

"You've finally arrived, Sawada Tsunayoshi ~"

After a slight sigh, Aizen turned to the corner in the shadows and said, "Your friend has arrived. Aren't you going to greet him?"

Sora Inoue emerged from the shadows, just as Tsuna had said, Aizen had always known that Sora Inoue was passing information to Urahara.

Aizen never stopped Sora Inoue, or rather, Sora Inoue, Arrancar with a background as an office worker, was too useful. He always managed everything in Las Noches perfectly, and even the relationships between the Espada were mediated by Sora Inoue.

Aizen had endless tolerance for such a useful subordinate, not to mention that the messages Sora Inoue had passed on were utterly insignificant to Aizen.

It's good to let Urahara Kisuke and Sawada Tsunayoshi know about his progress, and it's also good to add a couple more scenic views to this lonely road.

Ignoring all petty villains and defeating everyone who stands in his way with honor and dignity—this is Aizen's path to the supreme throne, his kingly way.