The main Las Noches Palace.
Most of the area was shrouded in darkness, the ground gleaming with a cold, bluish light. Aizen leaned against the only stone chair, his hand supporting his cheek, his eyes closed, replaying the battle scenes transmitted back by the Reiatsu Recording Bug in his mind.
The battle against Nnoitra, Shiraishi's moves, were all captured in detail.
After a short while, Aizen opened his eyes, a smile appearing on his face. He muttered to himself, "Interesting, truly interesting. It's been a long time since I've met someone who interests me like this."
Shiraishi, who exactly are you?
An aura shield to withstand attacks, the ability to pass through the body, Wind Wall that Gran Rey Cero, a tornado capable of lifting Nnoitra, a sudden increase in Reiatsu, and a technique that can still slice through Hierro even when the Reiatsu returns to normal.
Everything about Shiraishi was different from the familiar Zankensoki.
To say that it's a fusion of Zanjutsu and Kidō wouldn't be accurate, as he didn't detect Micro Kidō arts being incorporated into the Wind Wall.
The battle scenes recreated from the Reiatsu Recording Bug are an immersive experience, 100% recreating the scene, giving Aizen the feeling of being Nnoitra in battle.
Therefore, the data was so realistic that even Reiatsu could be detected, allowing him to be certain of his judgment.
The only ability Shiraishi uses is the power of his Zanpakuto.
The other types are unrelated to Zanpakuto.
It is not the power of Quincy or Fullbringer, and may not even be related to the Soul King, the origin of all things.
It transcends common sense and his understanding.
It might involve the Hell.
Aizen was very knowledgeable and had an outstanding memory. He remembered that among the many documents that Takehiko Tsunayashiro stole, there was one that said that when one is in Hell, no one can detect one's Reiatsu.
This characteristic of hidden Reiatsu fits Shiraishi's situation very well.
Throughout history, Hell has never spared a sinner, and the Shiraishi's appearance does not conform to the image of Hell.
Could it be the theory of Dangai?
Scholars from Soul Society have mentioned that the Dangai contains many different dimensions, large and small, and perhaps one of these dimensions possesses a civilization, living a life unrelated to the outside world.
Aizen fell into deep thought. He enjoyed contemplating the unknown, and even more so, he enjoyed uncovering the unknown step by step, getting closer to the truth of things.
Unfortunately, as he explored, the unknown became less and less.
Currently, only the Hollowfication Experiment can bring him a sense of novelty, but now there's another one: Shiraishi.
Before he could even peruse all the documents in his mind, a Reiatsu approached from outside the hall.
He looked up and said gently, " Nelliel, you're back."
A woman with Arrancar appeared at the doorway.
She wore a skull mask resembling an antelope's skull, had an oval face with bright rose-colored horizontal markings, and long, lake-green hair cascading down her shoulders.
The white clothes covered her from the neck down completely, but still couldn't hide the magnificent view on her chest, with a knife hanging at her waist.
" Lord Aizen, I'm back. Tier Harribel said she'll consider joining us."
Nelliel reported the mission's progress truthfully.
Aizen said gently, "Yes, thank you for your hard work. I believe that soon we Espada will have another new member."
Nelliel around and asked, " Lord Aizen, I think I sensed a trace of Nnoitra's Reiatsu. Was he here just now?"
Aizen shook his head and said, "No, the Reiatsu you sensed was probably Reiatsu Recording Bug attached to him."
" Reiatsu Recording Bug..." Nelliel frowned slightly. If she remembered correctly, this should be the research product of the former Zeroth Espada.
"Yes, being able to attach oneself to others and collect enemy combat data is a very convenient invention."
"Is Nnoitra dead?"
"Mission failed; killed by the enemy."
Aizen gave an affirmative answer, "Are you very sad?"
"No, it's just that as a former partner, please let me complete the mission that guy left unfinished."
A hint of sadness flashed in Nelliel's golden-green eyes. She had always wanted to save Nnoitra from despair, but she had never been able to.
The two are entangled because their essence and beliefs are completely opposite.
Nnoitra, who always considered himself a beast, reveled in battle, numbing himself and believing that the Hollow race was meaningless and had no redemption to speak of.
She was different; she didn't see herself as a beast.
Despite a period when she transformed from a human into a monstrous form, losing her mind and constantly devouring her own kind, evolving into Vasto Lorde, the hunger in her heart remained insatiable.
However, after encountering Aizen, the unfinished Half Hōgyoku helped her transform into Arrancar, regaining her sanity. She no longer needed to devour her own kind and was able to consume some Reishi food from Soul Society.
She therefore believed that she could be considered a complete person, thinking and acting with human reason, rather than repeating empty and barbaric behavior.
The two had many conflicts over who was right and who was wrong, and being assigned to work together, they often clashed.
She's gotten into the habit of beating up Nnoitra every day before meals, and then going back to eat.
Don't worry, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future.
Aizen did not give a direct answer, and the emergence of one Captain-level Menos Grande after another was likely to attract the attention of the Soul Society.
He had other plans for Shiraishi.
"Yes." Nelliel somewhat disappointed, but still obeyed Aizen's decision.
She deeply respected the Shinigami who had enabled her to stop devouring her own kind, and she believed that Hueco Mundo, under Aizen's leadership, would move in a better direction.
The maturation of the Hōgyoku technology will increase the Arrancar, and Hollows who gain rationality will reduce unnecessary killing.
Perhaps she could do some landscaping in Hueco Mundo then; facing the desolate scenery of the Sea of White Sand every day was making her somewhat weary.
Aizen pulled a large crystal ball from his robes and tossed it forward, saying, "I need to return to Seireitei to handle some matters. If Tier Harribel arrives, you can use my Hōgyoku to perform the Arrancar for her."
"I see."
Nelliel reached out and caught the unfinished Hōgyoku.
The technology for Arrancar is not yet mature; only Vasto Lorde like her can truly Arrancar.
Menos Grande below the Adjuchas level cannot become Arrancar; they can only become Imitation Arrancar.
While they may look similar to Arrancar, the differences are significant. The Imitation Arrancar cannot use their Resurrección, and their combat capabilities are far inferior to those of Arrancar.
Tier Harribel is Vasto Lorde, so there's no problem with her being transformed into Arrancar.
"You may leave." Aizen his hand. He had different methods of managing subordinates depending on their personalities, whether it was intimidation, bribery, talking about dreams, or expressing goodwill.
His method with Nelliel was to give her trust and, coupled with beautiful dreams, to make her fight to the death for him.
"Yes." Nelliel bowed, tightly embracing the unfinished Hōgyoku, vowing never to betray this trust.
Aizen stood up, turned and walked into the darkness, stepping into the Garganta leading to Soul Society.