Some unknown corner of Hueco Mundo.
The empty space was instantly torn apart by the surging Reiatsu, and a portal appeared.
The simple-style sliding doors opened to both sides, and the strange Reiatsu escaped from behind the boundary-transmitting door like a poisonous mist, spreading over several miles in an instant.
A few seconds passed.
A group of Shinigami in all-white uniforms filed out of it.
In the quiet atmosphere, bursts of fierce cursing suddenly broke out, the voice indifferent and cruel, devoid of any other emotion.
"Idiots, all idiots."
"Once this kind of operational efficiency is discovered by the Hollow swarm, the entire group will be wiped out."
"Do you want this captain to be buried with you?!"
The speaker was wearing a white captain's haori over a black Shinigami uniform. A Zanpakutō hung from the belt at his waist.
The black and white gaps on the strange mask seemed glued to the skin of his face. As his expression changed, the mask wriggled accordingly.
In the depths of his yellow pupils, there was no trace of emotion.
There was only cruel indifference and an endless thirst for knowledge.
The exposed arms were abnormally pale, with faint traces of stitching visible.
If Shendu were here, he would immediately recognize this person.
The captain of the 12th Division and the second director of the Technology Development Bureau—the craziest scientist in the Soul Society.
Kurotsuchi Mayuri.
This man appeared in Hueco Mundo as frequently as those responsible for combat operations.
Because his various experimental research often required a large number of Hollows.
For higher standards, Menos Grande were a minimum requirement.
"For this operation, we must find a qualified living subject," Kurotsuchi Mayuri said coldly. "The last thing I need is a self-aware Gillian."
"My experiment has reached a critical phase."
"If there's any mistake in this operation, every single one of you will be turned into meat bombs!"
Even toward his team members, Kurotsuchi Mayuri showed no mercy.
Compared to some Menos Grande, he was undoubtedly crueler.
With the spiritual equipment provided by Kurotsuchi Mayuri, the members of the 12th Division cautiously explored Hueco Mundo, searching for traces of Menos Grande.
For them, Hueco Mundo was full of unknown dangers.
A single misstep could lead to the team's annihilation.
Failure to complete the mission would result in severe punishment.
Being turned into a meat bomb meant that even one's fate would no longer be their own; they could be sacrificed as an explosive at any moment.
At that point, not even a complete corpse would remain.
Meanwhile, in the direction Kurotsuchi Mayuri and his team were exploring, a broad figure was soaring high in the sky.
The messy feathers falling from the figure's wings from time to time revealed its identity.
It was Santos, heading toward the Forest of Menos Grande to deliver information about the Hollow swarm's expansion.
The Forest of Menos Grande.
In the towering white stone tower, Shendu and Szayelaporro were conducting their first collaborative research.
As for the task of declaring war, it had naturally been handed over to Harribel.
As the Vasto Lorde who had previously dealt with Baraggan, Harribel understood him well.
A declaration of war would undoubtedly provoke Baraggan's wrath.
If he sent another Menos Grande, the envoy might be instantly decayed into nothingness.
"The fundamental principle of Arrancar, in fact, is that a standard Menos Grande gains the powers of a Shinigami," Szayelaporro explained, his tone fanatical as he delved into research, rivaling Shendu in intensity.
"As for the methods used by Aizen, at my level back then, I couldn't understand them at all."
"Even now, I have only a few trivial clues."
Shendu watched Szayelaporro thoughtfully, absentmindedly flicking his claws. Sparks ignited at his fingertips before fizzling out, causing the room to flicker with light.
Szayelaporro was furious but dared not express it.
Not long ago, he had cursed Shendu in a fit of frustration.
In response, he was engulfed in flames. His short pink hair, which had just grown back, was incinerated, leaving him utterly disheveled.
This punishment didn't even involve the power of the contract—just a minor reprisal from Shendu.
"Next time, I'll twist your arm off and shove it into your mouth," Shendu said calmly, his tone almost teasing.
However, Szayelaporro shuddered involuntarily, swallowing the words he'd been about to say.
From his time spent with Shendu, he knew the other was entirely capable of carrying out such threats.
"We need a way to achieve Arrancar," Szayelaporro said after taking a deep breath.
"In addition to dissecting different Menos Grande, we must also deepen our understanding of Shinigami."
Shendu interjected thoughtfully, "Actually, Arrancar is not as complicated as you think."
"It's simply a matter of discovering potential and manifesting it externally."
"In the devil's wisdom, there are many magics that can reveal potential. You could try them."
To Shendu's surprise, Szayelaporro refuted him, analyzing the matter seriously:
"Science isn't as simple as you make it out to be."
"Uncovering potential isn't easily achieved, and it often comes at a price."
"That price might be life or even the soul..."
Shendu fell silent, acknowledging Szayelaporro's point.
Demonic magic often demanded an equal exchange—the greater the potential unlocked, the higher the price.
"Thoroughly studying Shinigami and Menos Grande is essential," Szayelaporro concluded.
"Perhaps we can start by focusing on two aspects: body and soul."
Before he could continue, Santos's sharp cry echoed from outside the white tower.
"Your Majesty!"
"Important information!"
Shendu stepped out of the tower just in time to see Santos's excited expression.
Feathers cascaded to the ground, forming a pile at the door.
Santos stretched his wings and pointed toward the southeast of the Forest of Menos Grande, exclaiming, "In that direction, there's a group of Shinigami wandering!"
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