"Captain Yusuke, my apologies. I have only found five Espada replacements who meet the requirements." Ulquiorra, kneeling before Yusuke in t
"Captain Yusuke, my apologies. I have only found five Espada replacements who meet the requirements."
Ulquiorra, kneeling before Yusuke in the Hueco Mundo palace, spoke with remorse.
Yusuke wasn't surprised. Finding Hollows who met the Espada standards wasn't easy.
Of the current Espada, the former 8th Espada, Szayelaporro Granz, had been transferred to Kurotsuchi Mayuri under Yusuke's orders to work in the Research and Development Institute. Yusuke had appointed Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck as the new 8th Espada.
"While the number is small, it's enough to remind the current Espada of their precarious positions. Furthermore, I entrust you with the arrangements for the upcoming 'Hueco Mundo Tournament'," Yusuke said calmly.
The "Hueco Mundo Tournament" was an internal competition to determine the Espada rankings, held every fifty years. It served to re-establish the Espada hierarchy and provided an opportunity for replacement Espada to challenge the incumbents.
The Espada members were responsible for various tasks—Ulquiorra for punishment, Harribel for security, and so on. Their duties were unrelated to their ranking, which solely reflected their strength.
Yusuke, however, had another purpose for this tournament.
"Ulquiorra, are you aware of the Hollows within Hueco Mundo who are dissatisfied with my rule?" Yusuke asked.
Ulquiorra responded respectfully, "I have records of them, sir, and I've been monitoring them. I believe your plan will proceed without issue."
Yusuke smiled and nodded. "Ulquiorra, you are indeed my most trusted subordinate. Rest assured, I won't leave you idle; there's much work to be done."
Ulquiorra's expression remained unchanged, but his eyes gleamed with excitement. "Thank you, sir!"
After meeting with Ulquiorra, Yusuke visited Kurotsuchi Mayuri's laboratory.
Since receiving Hirako and the others over a decade ago, Kurotsuchi Mayuri had been completely engrossed in researching Shinigami Hollowfication.
His research on Shinigami Hollowfication had led to breakthroughs in understanding Arrancar multi-stage Resurrección.
Kurotsuchi Mayuri's technological achievements currently surpassed both Urahara Kisuke and Aizen, a fact that even Yusuke found astonishing.
This wasn't because Kurotsuchi Mayuri was inherently more intelligent than Urahara Kisuke or Aizen; the three were incomparable in terms of their technological prowess.
However, with Yusuke's full support and the resources of Hueco Mundo, Kurotsuchi Mayuri could focus solely on his research, unlike Urahara Kisuke and Aizen, who faced numerous constraints.
"If we remove the negative energy from a Hollow's core and integrate it into a Shinigami, we can achieve perfect Hollowfication…"
"No, no! Without the negative energy, the Hollowfication loses its 'spiritual pressure surge,' significantly weakening its power…"
Kurotsuchi Mayuri muttered to himself, engrossed in his experiments and thoughts.
Suddenly, he erupted in maniacal laughter, his spiritual pressure surging as a grotesque Hollow mask appeared on his left side.
Kurotsuchi Mayuri's face was already terrifying, but his Hollow mask was even more horrifying, exuding a crazy, eerie aura.
"Madness? Useless! Not even a Hollow can match my madness!"
Kurotsuchi Mayuri suppressed the Hollow's outburst effortlessly, the mask quickly vanishing.
"I never thought Aizen's incomplete 'Shinigami Hollowfication' would come so close to fruition," Yusuke said with a smile.
Aizen could Hollowfy Shinigami, but imperfectly. The host Shinigami often risked being consumed by the Hollow, preventing widespread use of this power.
However, Kurotsuchi Mayuri's research was on the verge of making Shinigami Hollowfication a controllable ability, akin to Zanpakutō or Kidō.
Kurotsuchi Mayuri chuckled. "Isn't that obvious? He lacked the madness and dedication to understand Hollowfication through his own body."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri felt a surge of pride. He had always sought to surpass Urahara Kisuke. Upon discovering Aizen's hidden technological prowess through Yusuke, he considered both men his rivals.
Now, all three had developed the Hōgyoku, and he had solved the problem of uncontrollable Hollowfication in Shinigami, making him feel invincible in the scientific realm.
Perhaps realizing his boastfulness, Kurotsuchi Mayuri cleared his throat, regaining his composure. "I've created five samples to enhance Arrancar power, but as I mentioned, the effects are unstable. Fusion carries significant risks."
Yusuke adjusted his glasses. "Don't worry; I've already prepared test subjects."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri chuckled darkly. "Looks like you've found more unlucky souls. I hope we can start the experiments soon. If this works, your Espada will experience a massive power surge, far surpassing the Gotei 13 captains!"
Yusuke smiled. "Isn't that the goal of our experiments?"
In a secluded palace within Hueco Mundo, the members of the Arrancar army, clad in Hueco Mundo uniforms, sat listlessly in the courtyard.
They were all bound by spiritual constraints and under the watchful eyes of Hueco Mundo guards.
The courtyard was lush and green. At Yusuke's behest, the Research and Development Institute had been researching Hueco Mundo landscaping, resulting in a significantly improved environment within the palace.
"Hey, you idiot Hirako, haven't you figured out how to escape yet?" Sarugaki Hiyori yelled at Hirako.
She had been imprisoned for nearly twenty years, feeling close to a mental breakdown.
Yusuke, however, treated them humanely, occasionally inviting them to Hueco Mundo banquets and granting them occasional supervised outings.
Hirako, lying in the grass, a dogtail grass in his mouth, looked up at the moon with its Rinnegan pattern. "Escape? Look at this giant surveillance device in the sky. Where do you think we're going to run?"
Hirako's long hair had been forcibly cut short by Kurotsuchi Mayuri, resembling his appearance in the original story. This made Hirako resent Kurotsuchi Mayuri as much as Aizen.
Lisa Yadōmaru, her usually serious face suddenly softened into a lovestruck expression. "I've decided to stay! Being here, I've realized Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck is my soulmate!"
Lisa Yadōmaru, despite her outwardly serious demeanor, was a lesbian.
After their imprisonment, Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck, Yachiru Kusajishi, and Lilynette Gingerbuck often visited them, fostering friendships.
Kensei Muguruma said sternly, "Are you kidding? We have to return to the Seireitei. Uchiha Yusuke is far more dangerous than Aizen. We have to inform the Captain-Commander."
Rabu Aikawa looked despondent. "But according to him, we've been declared deserters by the Seireitei. Is this organization really worth serving?"
"That's just his word; why should we believe him?" Kensei snorted.
Lisa Yadōmaru, her lovestruck expression gone, adjusted her glasses. "While we can't confirm it, what he said does sound like something those nobles in the Central 46 would do."
As they debated their return to the Seireitei, Hirako calmly stated, "If I can leave, I'll go to Soul Society to verify what Uchiha Yusuke said. If the Seireitei truly abandoned us, I won't serve them again. But regardless, I won't let that bastard Aizen get away with this."
"Captain Hirako is indeed perceptive, knowing what choice to make."
A man's voice echoed, and Yusuke appeared amidst a spatial vortex.
"Ah, you bastard! Take this!"
Hiyori, enraged, leaped into the air, aiming a flying kick at Yusuke's head.
Yusuke easily dodged the attack, and Hiyori crashed into the wall behind him.
The others tensed. Hirako sat up from the grass.
"When are you going to release us?" Hirako demanded coldly.
Yusuke smiled. "What? Are you dissatisfied with my hospitality? It seems the servants haven't been attentive enough. If you have any complaints, feel free to report them; I will punish those who are negligent."
Hiyori, nursing a large bump on her head, climbed to her feet. "You bastard, you've kept us locked up for years, and you dare speak so casually! What do you want?"
Yusuke turned to Hiyori. "Ms. Hiyori, aren't Nelliel, Yachiru Kusajishi, and Lilynette Gingerbuck your friends? Why such animosity towards this place?"
Hiyori's expression softened.
She mumbled, "They're them. I have nothing to say to you. Just release us, and I'll visit them again."
Over the years, Yusuke had strategically fostered friendships between his subordinates and the Arrancar. This was a subtle strategy to change their hostile views of Hueco Mundo.
While their intentions weren't missed, human emotions couldn't be completely suppressed by logic.
How could they view as enemies those who had visited and spent time with them?
Hirako snorted coldly. "Are you trying to recruit me?"
Yusuke smiled. "Why not? Your only remaining conviction is that I'm deceiving you, that the Seireitei hasn't abandoned you. But if I'm telling the truth, you'll have no grounds to object. Besides, your enemy, Aizen, is also my target."
The Arrancar fell silent. Being abandoned by the organization they served was painful.
Yusuke hadn't caused the soul disappearances, and though his motives were unclear, he hadn't harmed them and had even helped suppress their Hollowfication.
Looking at the silent group, Yusuke smiled. "Mayuri Kurotsuchi's experiments on suppressing your Hollowfication are nearly complete. Soon, you'll control your Hollowfication. You'll not only avoid being consumed but also gain significant power. Consider what I've said."
Yusuke began to transform into a spatial vortex.
Hirako shouted, "Even with increased power, will you grant us freedom?"
"Captain Hirako, freedom is not absolute. To be free, you must possess the resolve."
With that, the vortex closed, and Yusuke vanished.
"Damn it! He means if we don't join him, he'll keep us imprisoned forever?!" Kensei roared, smashing a courtyard tile to pieces.
Despite his sealed spiritual pressure, Kensei's immense strength allowed him to easily shatter the stone.
Lisa Yadōmaru said calmly, "Isn't that perfectly reasonable? If I were in his position, I wouldn't simply release you."
An Arrancar servant, hearing the commotion, rushed in.
While Yusuke hadn't widely implemented Arrancarization among his Hollows, most servants in Hueco Mundo were Arrancar, aligning with Yusuke's aesthetic preferences.
"Mr. Kensei, why did you break the floor again? We'll have to report this to Lord Ulquiorra," the servant said worriedly.
Kensei, startled, quickly tried to smooth things over. "Little Round, please pretend nothing happened. It was an accident. Find a replacement tile; I'll fix it myself."
"Little Round" was the servant's name, derived from her round Arrancar mask.
"Mr. Kensei, you've damaged Hueco Mundo property and attempted to obstruct justice. According to Hueco Mundo law, you are sentenced to one week of confinement," a cold voice announced. Ulquiorra had silently arrived.
The servant, Little Round, bowed her head nervously.
Ulquiorra tossed a black gem at Kensei, which transformed into a black-hole-like dimensional portal, engulfing him.
"Damn you, Ulquiorra! I'll get you!" Kensei roared before disappearing.
The other Arrancar shook their heads. "That idiot!"
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