Gin Ichimaru stood before the ruins, bored. His foxlike face wore its usual smile as his narrowed eyes swept over the wreckage. "Captain Kuchiki... why do you think those Intermediate Menos Grande came to the World of the Living?"
The smile only made Byakuya Kuchiki's gaze colder. "I don't know."
"Come on, don't be so cold. Finding out why they came here is part of our mission too!" Gin went on.
Byakuya shook his head, clearly unwilling to continue the conversation.
"My, Captain Kuchiki, you really are distant," Gin said with a foxlike smile.
Byakuya said nothing. He stared at the ruins, his expression cold.
He had examined the wreckage countless times, yet something still bothered him—especially the craters. Ren had made them while fighting the Menos Grande with his bare hands. Every punch had left a massive hole.
Byakuya frowned at the craters. These were clearly made by fists. Could that mysterious powerhouse be that cat demon? She's strong enough to deal with several Intermediate Menos Grande, and her Shunpo is fast enough to evade pursuit. Was it really her?
The craters reminded Byakuya of someone he had known since childhood: Yoruichi Shihōin. He knew how formidable her Taijutsu and Shunpo were. He began to suspect that she, who had defected from the Seireitei, had killed the Menos Grande.
Byakuya kept his suspicions to himself, his expression as cold as ever.
Gin, by contrast, kept smiling. Well, well... Lord Aizen is going to be furious this time. Those Intermediate Menos Grande were clearly under the king of Hueco Mundo. What is that king up to? This is getting interesting.
Trouble for Aizen delighted Gin, though his foxlike smile grew more guarded.
Gin and Byakuya both fell silent, each occupied with his own thoughts.
Kenpachi Zaraki was itching for a