Hueco Mundo—Las Noches, inside the research lab.
Aizen Sōsuke stood calmly, his gaze fixed upon the struggling Gillian-class Menos trapped within a massive glass enclosure. Their hollow cries echoed in vain, but his expression remained unchanged—cold, distant, devoid of even the faintest shred of mercy.
At his side, Szayelaporro Granz, the eccentric pink-haired scientist among the Arrancar, worked feverishly with the strange instruments lined up before the glass chamber. With a flick of his hand, all the Gillians inside convulsed and were drawn together, compressed into a single radiant orb of white. Slowly, that light began to shift, darkening until it pulsed with a faint blue-black glow.
"To think you'd use Gillians as raw material to forge a Hōgyoku… Aizen-sama, you are truly extravagant," Szayelaporro chuckled, a sly grin curling his lips.
"What's wrong, Szayelaporro? Do you feel pity for your brethren?" Aizen's voice was soft, almost playful, but the weight of it pressed heavily against the air.
"Not at all. If they can be used, then no number is too many," Szayelaporro shrugged, pretending at nonchalance.
Though Aizen had invited him to aid in the creation of this new Hōgyoku, Szayelaporro harbored no illusions. The overwhelming power Aizen commanded crushed even his own lust for discovery. The Hōgyoku that stood before them was beyond anything Szayelaporro dared to covet.
"That's good…" Aizen murmured, his eyes gleaming with faint amusement. "Still, Kisuke Urahara's experimental records are far too crude. His Hōgyoku… though merely a half-completed device, was forged using ordinary Hollows as base material. That it could even manifest as a Hōgyoku at all… that is what I find truly remarkable."
Aizen's tone carried no envy—only curiosity, edged with superiority. After all, his own attempt had required countless souls: hundreds of Shinigami and spiritually gifted souls from Rukongai, woven together into what was still an incomplete form.
"Then why not, Aizen-sama," Szayelaporro asked carefully, "inject the power of these Gillians directly into your current Hōgyoku? Would that not accelerate the process?"
"The Hōgyoku is not so simple." Aizen's eyes narrowed. "To inject hollow power directly into my construct would only create imbalance. The nature of Hollows conflicts with that of Shinigami. But if two incomplete Hōgyoku are fused… the balance between Hollow souls and Shinigami souls will harmonize. From that balance, the true Hōgyoku will be born—and its power will far surpass these weak imitations."
He raised a hand, almost reverently, as if feeling the pulse of invisible energy. "Still… I intend to refine Urahara's methods. With proper conditions, I will show him whose creation truly reigns supreme."
Szayelaporro adjusted his glasses. "So you plan to use Gillians as the foundation material?"
"Yes," Aizen replied with a thin smile. "And faster than I anticipated. Their reiryoku compresses well. An unexpected boon."
He paused, voice low, contemplative. "As a consumable resource, Gillians are indeed exceptional material. But tell me, Szayelaporro… if one were to use even higher-class Hollows—say, Adjuchas—would the result not be a Hōgyoku closer to perfection?"
A bead of sweat trickled down Szayelaporro's neck. Gillians were one thing. But Adjuchas? Many of the Espada themselves had once been Adjuchas. To suggest harvesting their kind… even he felt unease coil in his chest.
Sensing it, Aizen chuckled softly. "Relax, Szayelaporro. You, and the Espada, are my valuable subordinates. How could I possibly think to use you as fuel?"
Though the scientist forced a smile and bowed slightly, deep down he knew Aizen's words could never be trusted.
"Still…" Aizen touched his chin thoughtfully. "If I recall correctly, there remain Adjuchas outside Las Noches—stubborn ones who refuse to kneel. Especially in the Menos Forest, where countless Gillians still lurk."
"Yes, Aizen-sama," Szayelaporro admitted, lowering his gaze. "The Menos Forest hides many such creatures."
"Then gather them," Aizen said with a smile that held no warmth. "Bring me more Gillians… and more Adjuchas. If they will not serve me, then at the very least, they will serve as nourishment."
His voice dropped, carrying a chill that even Szayelaporro felt in his bones. "This new Hōgyoku demands it."
"Understood, Aizen-sama."
"Summon the Espada," Aizen ordered suddenly, turning from the lab. "It is time… for Las Noches to extend its rule over all Hueco Mundo."
"Yes, Aizen-sama," came Tōsen Kaname's calm response. The blind warrior bowed deeply, ever loyal, while Ichimaru Gin—eyes narrowed into his trademark fox-like smile—gave a soft laugh.
"My, my… Captain Aizen sure wastes no time, huh? Already thinkin' about takin' over Hueco Mundo…"
"The original plan was interrupted," Aizen replied without hesitation. "Which means we must move quickly. The window of opportunity won't stay open forever." His voice was calm, but the unshakable conviction behind it left no room for doubt.
Though he had once considered searching again for Urahara's Hōgyoku, Aizen now felt no need. With these resources, with this method, the Hōgyoku he would create would surpass even Urahara's greatest ambitions.
Szayelaporro Granz bowed deeply, his smile a thin blade of cruelty. He felt no pity for the countless Hollows outside Las Noches who were about to meet their fate. To him, Hollows were nothing but research material, their suffering little more than an afterthought.
Inside the grand Main Hall of Las Noches, the air grew heavy as the Espada assembled in full for the first time. Their spiritual pressures swirled like a storm barely restrained, yet every eye shifted upward when Aizen Sōsuke entered. Flanked by Tōsen Kaname on one side and Ichimaru Gin on the other, Aizen moved with the composure of a king. He sat upon the highest seat, the black haori draped over his shoulders like a mantle of inevitability.
"Espada," Aizen's voice rang out, calm yet commanding. "This is the first time we have all gathered together, is it not?" His lips curved into that gentle smile that masked his true designs, and not a single Espada dared to interrupt.
"You have been made to wait long enough," Aizen continued. "At the time of your selection, my work in Soul Society was still at its most delicate stage. But now…" His gaze sharpened, and a ripple of unease passed through the room. "Now, we begin."
He spread his hand, as though embracing all of Hueco Mundo. "First, we will bring total domination to this world. From today, all Espada will move out. Hunt down the Menos still roaming freely. Do not kill them immediately—capture them. Bring them under our banner, one by one. In time, all of Hueco Mundo will kneel before us."
His voice grew colder, more absolute. "Whether in this conquest or in the future war against Soul Society, you must not falter. Do not let arrogance cloud your blade. Do not let fear root your step. Walk with me, and understand this—before us, no opponent exists who can prevail."
Aizen did not use words like "believe" or "trust." He had no need. Such things were fragile, fleeting. What he offered was certainty—his absolute confidence in his power and the inevitability of his vision.
One by one, the Espada rose, their silence louder than any oath, and left to carry out his will.
In the First Espada's palace, Coyote Starrk slouched onto his couch, scratching lazily at his hair. The ever-energetic Lilynette Gingerbuck rushed over, eyes wide with curiosity. "Hey, Starrk! What did Aizen say this time?"
Starrk let out a weary sigh. "Aizen wants Hueco Mundo completely under his control. He's sending us out to crush the Hollows who won't submit. And… eventually, there'll be a war with Soul Society."
Lilynette blinked. "A war… with Soul Society? Do you think we'll win?"
He shrugged, gaze drifting to the ceiling. "Yeah… we'll win. As long as we follow Aizen, there's no way we'll lose. But… tch, what a drag…"
Lilynette grinned mischievously, punching his arm. "Yare yare, Starrk, you're always so lazy!"