That's the end of it... But it's still early.
Since Nelliel is busy tonight, should I go see her now while I have the ti?
No need to even think about it!
Having made up his mind, Masatsuki Aozaki's lips curled into a barely noticeable mischievous smile.
Aizen, seeing that expression, couldn't help but roll his eyes. He knew all too well that this guy was up to no good again.
Just then, a figure appeared behind them.
"Reporting to Your Majesty and Aizen-sama!"
The voice was low and respectful, carrying a hint of nervousness and reverence.
Masatsuki Aozaki slowly turned around at the sound, his gaze landing on the newcor.
The figure was tall and slender, clad in the white uniform of Las Noches, a long sword hanging at his waist.
An Arrancar—but his face was still concealed beneath a white bone mask, completely obscuring his true appearance.
This was Rudbornn, the captain of the Exequias under the Public Security Maintenance Force.
Unlike in the original tiline, Masatsuki Aozaki's Exequias had no need to retrieve fallen Arrancars.
Their duty was to explore Hueco Mundo, searching for powerful but little-known individuals—those like Starrk and Ulquiorra, whose strength was imnse yet remained hidden.
A flicker of sharpness and anticipation flashed in Masatsuki Aozaki's eyes as he studied Rudbornn.
The captain's sudden appearance likely ant one thing—important information or a new discovery.
With a calm tone, he asked,
"What is it?"
Under their watchful gazes, Rudbornn knelt on one knee and swiftly reported,
"Not long ago, a male Adjuchas-class nos with third-class Spiritual Power suddenly invaded the outskirts of Las Noches. We have successfully captured it!"
An Adjuchas with captain-level Reiatsu might have the potential to evolve into a Vasto Lorde.
For Masatsuki Aozaki and Aizen, such an Adjuchas wasn't particularly significant.
But for the Arrancars, it was an entirely different matter.
Masatsuki Aozaki nodded slightly in acknowledgnt.
Rudbornn was a sharp one—he knew exactly what information would be of interest.
Masatsuki Aozaki turned to Aizen.
The unspoken ssage was clear: This Adjuchas is your responsibility.
Aizen gave a small nod and said softly,
"Take it to my laboratory."
"Yes, sir."
Rudbornn bowed slightly, then rose to leave.
"Wait."
Masatsuki Aozaki suddenly called out, stopping him in his tracks.
Rudbornn looked up, slightly puzzled. What else did he want to know?
Masatsuki Aozaki let out a light chuckle before asking,
"What's its na?"
Rudbornn thought for a mont before answering seriously,
"Yammy... Yammy Llargo."
Upon hearing the na, Masatsuki Aozaki couldn't help but laugh.
Well, well, isn't that the little Ulquiorra's favorite playmate?
Looks like Ulquiorra won't be so bored in the future.
He gave a small nod.
"I see. You may go."
Aizen shot him a suspicious glance, silently mulling over the situation.
What does he an by that? Is this another figure he knows about that I don't? Where is he getting his information?
Masatsuki Aozaki's smirk deepened, his expression unreadable.
Aren't you supposed to be a genius? Figure it out yourself.
Seeing that Masatsuki Aozaki wasn't going to explain, Aizen frowned slightly, lost in thought as he turned and headed toward the laboratory.
...
That evening, Masatsuki Aozaki found himself face-to-face with an enormous man, towering at nearly 2.3 ters tall.
Trailing behind him was a small, dog-like Arrancar.
Not many people in Las Noches kept pets, making him stand out even more.
The burly man grinned, baring a vicious, nacing expression as he spoke in a deep voice.
"So, you're the one in charge here, Masatsuki Aozaki?"
Then, tilting his chin arrogantly, he continued,
"Hmph, ignoring ? Do you think you're too good to answer? Sure, I may have been captured by you before, but I've gained far greater power since then."
"A weakling like you, who can't even sense my Reiatsu, should just step down!"
Before he could finish, Yammy swung his massive fist, aiming straight at Masatsuki Aozaki.
However, what happened next was sothing everyone in Las Noches was used to.
Like a cannonball, Yammy was sent flying, smashing through the do of Las Noches before plumting into the desert sands below.
Masatsuki Aozaki turned to Nelliel beside him.
"Have soone take him to the Science Departnt for treatnt."
He paused, as if recalling the image of a woman getting her head blown off, and added,
"Oh, and keep an eye on Roka. Don't let that big oaf hurt her."
"I got it." Nelliel nodded.
She knew Roka.
Roka Paramia—forrly a subordinate of Szayelaporro, an artificially created, spider-like Adjuchas.
Masatsuki Aozaki had discovered her after taking control of Las Noches and perford an Arrancar transformation on her.
Now, she was the head of the dical departnt under the Science Division and, of course, one of Nelliel's closest sisters.
Did Roka have so kind of grudge against this newcor?
Frowning at the thought, Nelliel grabbed one of Yammy's legs and dragged him toward the dical departnt.
If he dared to lay a hand on one of their own, she wouldn't just sit back and watch!
Although this beating had left Yammy severely injured, it was clear he wouldn't stay quiet for long.
After a month of lying low, he set his sights on the Espada again.
This ti, he challenged Gantenbainne.
Yammy might not have the sharpest mind, but his strength was undeniable.
In the end, Gantenbainne lost, and Yammy, victorious, was promoted to the Espada.
Through deliberate arrangents, he was assigned to work alongside Ulquiorra.
None of this, however, was of any concern to Masatsuki Aozaki.
For a while, he enjoyed a truly carefree life before eventually returning to the Soul Society to continue enjoying himself.
...
Soul Society, Shihōin Clan Mansion.
A cute, brown-skinned boy sobbed uncontrollably, his eyes brimming with tears.
"Waaah... Sister, I don't want to be the family head! You should be the head! I'll go tell the elders right now—I quit!"
"Alright, Yūshirō, stop crying already. You're the family head now. You can't just keep bawling like this."
Yoruichi Shihōin, looking mildly annoyed, pushed her younger brother away before he could sar his snot and tears all over her.
"And don't bother trying to talk out of it. I gave up the position because I wanted to, not because of the elders. Even if you tell them, I'm not coming back."
It wasn't that she disliked her little brother. She knew he adored her.
But his personality could be a real handful.
Even for soone like her—who was already a handful herself—there were tis she just wanted to run away.
"But I don't want to be the head! I just want to help you, Sister!"
Yūshirō Sakimune Shihōin sniffled.
Yoruichi sighed, knowing she'd never win against him, and coaxed him patiently.
"Everyone knows I'm completely unsuited to be the family head."
"If you take on the role, that's the biggest help you could ever give ."
Wiping his eyes, Yūshirō asked,
"Really?"
"Really."
Yoruichi nodded solemnly.
"...Alright then."
Yūshirō choked back his tears and agreed.
"I'll do my best as the family head. I won't let you down."
His "good" sister, however, secretly clenched her fists in triumph, unable to hide the mischievous glint in her eyes.
Got him!
"Oh, by the way, I already spoke to the Captain-Commander. Your captain succession ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow. Don't forget to show up."
"Tomorrow? That's too soon! I'm not ready yet!" Yūshirō panicked. "What if I ss up?"
"It's not too soon. Being a captain doesn't require much preparation," Yoruichi said, shaking her head.
"Besides, you're just taking over as the family head and the captain. I'm not leaving the Shihōin Clan or the Second Division. I'll be around to help you."
"Don't stress too much. Just go for it. If anything goes wrong, Ōmaeda will clean up after you."
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