Deep within Las Noches, in the grand hall at the heart of the sprawling complex, the ruler of Hueco Mundo stood atop the highest platform. Dressed in a white robe, Aizen Sosuke watched the image floating in midair.
The image was of the battle in the Human World.
Behind him stood Kaname Tōsen and Ichimaru Gin. Both watched the image without much change in their expressions. In Tōsen's case, he simply had no idea what Lord Aizen was looking at, since he couldn't see.
As for Ichimaru Gin, his face still wore that faint, foxlike smile. There was no way to tell what he was thinking beneath it.
"Lord Aizen, the mission is complete. Please allow me to open a Negación and bring them back."
Ulquiorra's voice drifted up from below the platform. He stood straight in the middle of the hall. Once his mission was complete, he had planned to head straight to the Human World and open a Negación to bring everyone back.
But... Kaname Tōsen had appeared and brought him here instead.
"Ulquiorra."
Aizen Sosuke didn't look down at Ulquiorra. His gaze remained fixed on the image as he asked, "In your opinion, how has this human changed since you last saw him?"
Ulquiorra remained as cold as ever. He studied the image for almost three seconds before answering, "He's grown stronger. Many times stronger."
"Do you know why?" Aizen Sosuke's lips curved into a slight smile.
Ulquiorra's brows twitched. After a moment, he shook his head. "I don't understand. I don't understand how this human, or that yellow-haired Shinigami, could become so strong in such a short time."
"I understand how Kurosaki Ichigo did it. But this human..."
Aizen Sosuke paused, the interested smile on his face growing wider. "I don't understand how he went from