Bleach: The Captain of the Fifth Division Becomes Stronger Through Training.

Chapter 263 Chapter 262: Growth

Welcome to my kingdom.

Under this overwhelming feeling of oppression, Inoue Orihime trembled slightly but did not let her head drop.

It's easy to give up, but if you do that.

I always feel that something invisible... is about to disappear because of this.

"Ah……"

No evaluation will be given.

Aizen Sosuke turned and left, speaking lightly in a lazy tone.

"Let's adjourn."

There was no point in discussing the gathered Arrancar themselves.

After all, asking the beast to think and make decisions is undoubtedly an act of forcing it.

So in a sense, this so-called meeting was essentially a form of performance art designed to please Aizen.

Yes, that's it.

Walking on the deserted corridor, Lori, who had been following him, did not follow him because her broken hand had not fully recovered.

But Aizen Sosuke whispered at this moment as if he was talking to himself.

"You've followed me all the way here, but you're still not going to speak..."

After a pause, Aizen stood still and half turned his head.

"silver?"

In the shadows.

A tall and thin figure emerged from it, half-kneeling on the ground.

"Lord Aizen."

"Even you are starting to feel a little awkward? Really... I thought only Kaname would act so pedantic."

Although I feel emotional.

But how to judge and act in this way is ultimately left to the discretion of others.

Aizen won't interfere too much in this regard.

"So, you left Shizuya-kun's place and came to me. Is there something important?"

After a brief pause, as if thinking for a while, Yin lowered his head slightly and spoke in a subtle tone.

"Why did you... do that to that human?"

It sounds like an attempt to hold someone accountable.

But in reality, it is essentially conveying an emotion called doubt.

This is true.

For beings at Aizen's level, their souls have already reached another level.

Based on this premise, not to mention ordinary Shinigami, Arrancar... even some "experts" in the literal sense, cannot reach the current level of the prison master.

The gap between souls is as huge as the difference between heaven and earth.

Then.

Would a giant be interested in ants?

This question itself troubled Gin Ichimaru so much that even if it meant doing something a little disrespectful, he still wanted to find out.

——Thoughts in my mind are constantly churning.

There was not even enough time to form orderly and coherent discourse.

Aizen Sosuke in front of him was the first to speak.

"Why? This is such a frustrating topic, Gin."

The King of Hueco Mundo slowly closed his eyes, and a hint of emotion flashed in his eyes, as if he was feeling regretful for something.

he said with a chuckle.

“Whatever you do, you must seek meaning and reason.”

"I've been through so much of this, and now..."

"I also want to experience once in a while, the feeling of being able to do whatever I want without having to think too much and acting completely on instinct."

Can you accept such a reason?

Without waiting for the other party to respond, the prison master's smile gradually faded, and at this moment only his lonely back was left.

"It's okay if you go and complain to Shizuya-kun. I forgive you for your unauthorized actions."

“Gin, we have been companions since we came to Soul Society. Although I want to share my thoughts with you, but…”

"You are a similar type of person to me. Even if we talk about these things, I'm afraid it will be difficult for you to understand my thoughts."

really……

Even for a man like you, it's hard to understand my behavior.

A plain and subtle smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and Aizen closed his eyes and walked away.

"Regarding this aspect, I'm afraid that only Shizuya-kun can understand what I'm thinking."

Literally, I was belittled by my own leader...

But Gin Ichimaru did not feel any emotional resentment.

At the moment, he was filled with confusion and puzzlement. After all, this was a style of behavior that did not ask for any reason but acted entirely on instinct.

It's totally unlike something Aizen Sosuke would do.

and so……

What exactly went wrong?

"Is it something that only Captain Arima can understand?"

In silence, Gin Ichimaru began to slowly retreat, and he hid his figure in the shadows again.

It was as if he had never appeared before...

the other side.

The Arrancars who had already dispersed left on their own, and in the end only two figures were left there.

"Can you still walk on your own?"

Ulquiorra put his hands in his pockets and looked at Inoue Orihime from top to bottom.

There is no thought of pitying women.

I am standing here only because of my duty and mission.

The reason why I opened my mouth at this moment... rather than asking, it was more like urging in another sense.

Xu would never be so weak.

It was just a swollen face, congestion, temporary blindness, or a concussion.

It's countless times better than losing your arms and legs.

"No, it's okay..."

Even so.

But Inoue Orihime just stood up trembling, and then fell back weakly.

There was no change in his expression, as if Ulquiorra was an absolutely calm observer, just staring at the other person.

Until I sighed vaguely in my heart.

How weak.

Just suffering this level of injury is enough to almost make him lose the ability to move.

If this thing were left in the wild, it probably wouldn't survive more than a day.

"You're... troublesome."

Like a low hum to oneself.

He walked slowly forward and pulled the other person up from the ground.

"what……"

Inoue Orihime only had time to let out a low cry before she was carried on the shoulders of Wu Laosi.

"Don't move, I don't want to waste time."

Not very big.

But his power as an Arrancar allowed Wu Laosi to easily lift the opponent up and carry him on his back like cargo.

Inoue Orihime, who was in a daze, choked for a while.

"Sorry……"

"Why are you apologizing?"

"I should have walked on my own..."

"That's too slow and doesn't make sense in terms of efficiency."

But then again, this reaction actually made Ulquiorra a little curious.

"why."

"……Why?"

"Why can you apologize so easily to me, but can't even beg for mercy to Aizen-sama?"

I don't understand.

"You can communicate normally, which means there is nothing wrong with your brain. But from the perspective of interests, I find it difficult to understand your previous behavior."

Is it difficult to surrender to a strong person?
Inoue Orihime slightly pursed her swollen, bloodshot lips.

"Because, it seems like I have caused you... some trouble." He is not afraid of power in the literal sense, but will feel ashamed of minor shortcomings.

Maybe sensitive, maybe insensitive. Such a contradictory combination is exactly the characteristic of Inoue Orihime.

It's just a pity that the content in this regard is too profound for an Arrancar without a 'heart'.

Ulquiorra's eyes rolled around blankly, and there was no trace of emotion in his tone.

“…What is that?”

The confused mood was not relieved at all.

But that's where the interest ends.

Chatting itself is another kind of entertainment - although there is no emotional change, occasionally exploring some unknown things is also a good attempt for Ulquiorra.

Leave Xuye Palace.

Under the empty dome, he walked through it with Orihime Inoue.

I could feel the person on my body trembling slightly.

"Are you scared? Woman."

"Do not……"

Subconsciously, I wanted to say something to save face, but the words got stuck in my throat and just turned around before changing into another shape.

The tears couldn't stop flowing again.

After all, it's just the mentality of an ordinary person, but at this time, who can blame her?

There was no response, but after catching the faint sound of sobbing, Ulquiorra just raised his left hand in silence.

He used his own dark green spiritual pressure to construct a thin protective shield.

Blocking the cold wind outside, Inoue Orihime was stunned for a moment, and then heard Ulquiorra's calm voice slowly coming from her ear.

"I heard a statement from a certain adult."

"He believes that the power of the void comes from emptiness and fearlessness, and that this power is just a frivolous illusion."

"Because we are all flawed in some way."

Lonely, tyrannical, cruel, indifferent, lonely...

Various character flaws make up the individual personalities of the Ten Espada.

"And that lord once predicted it."

"He said... as long as he could find the missing part."

"The power of our Arrancar will be able to go even further."

It is just a one-sided confession and will not cause dissatisfaction from others.

Because in a sense, the act of being frank itself is also a process of dissecting oneself and revealing one's inner self.

Ulquiorra's eyes rolled, his lifeless gaze directed upwards.

"The adult finally said that I can find the missing part of me with your help."

Therefore.

"Woman, I will be your next escort."

I subconsciously clenched my fists, even though I was still very scared.

But compared to the pressure exerted by Aizen Sosuke, Wu Laosi at this moment naturally looked much more handsome.

Before Ichigo Kurosaki arrived.

No matter how unwilling she is, life here is something she has to face.

Inoue Orihime did not choose to avoid it, but took a deep breath and spoke in a cautious tone.

"Then... please take care of me."

"..."

no response.

The figures of the two gradually became smaller in this vast and lonely desert.

Located hundreds of kilometers away from Xuye Palace.

At the same time, it was a vast desert with no human habitation.

But at this moment it was surrounded by shaped edges and corners, and finally turned into an extremely large square body.

It was like a strange object that fell from the sky. It seemed so discordant and strange in the Hueco Mundo.

Ulquiorra stood at the edge, reached out his hand silently, and touched this strange-looking thing.

The sensation like an electric shock returned.

It is a device that detects and analyzes spiritual power, excludes strangers, and accepts recorders - according to the person involved, it is a device similar to a door access control.

A crack large enough for two people to walk side by side appeared in front of them.

Ulquiorra walked in without hesitation.

And in the next moment, the scene before my eyes suddenly became clear.

You can see that what appears in front of you is a rather quaint Japanese courtyard-style building.

The sunlight is slanting, and the birds are singing and the flowers are fragrant.

It was as if he had escaped from the desolate and empty Hueco Mundo and returned to the Soul Society of the past.

Even Inoue Orihime couldn't help but reveal a surprised expression.

"……Why?"

This is where?
"Oh, are you here already? Sorry, I was a little busy these days and couldn't visit you."

A frivolous voice came from a house not far away, accompanied by a burst of short footsteps.

After a while.

The sliding door was pulled open.

"Please come in, please come in. I've prepared some tea and snacks. If you don't mind, please enjoy them..."

I couldn't finish my words.

Because the other party saw the miserable look of Inoue Orihime.

At this moment, the smile on his face froze for a moment, so much so that he couldn't help but let out a low cry of "ah".

As for Ulquiorra, who had his hands in his pockets, he also had a trance-like expression at this moment.

and so.

Now, what is the situation?
……

Briefly describe the things that happened not long ago.

Ulquiorra stood up, left the room, and stood next to the door.

After understanding the whole story, the man in front of Inoue Orihime gave a bitter smile and lowered his head slightly towards her.

"I'm sorry, Inoue. I didn't expect things to develop to this point... I'm really sorry that you have suffered some unnecessary hardships due to my negligence."

"Aizen-sensei himself did not have any malicious intent. Rather than saying it was deliberate, it was more like a casual act."

"It just so happened that Inoue-san happened to be in a situation where he wanted to see someone in such a state of distress at that time."

This is the ease that comes with being a superior observer; this is where Aizen's condescending attitude comes from.

There is a lot to say, and it is a bit convoluted.

The man gave an awkward smile.

"Isn't that a little hard to understand? Then let me apologize to you on behalf of Mr. Aizen."

"I'm sorry, Inoue Orihime."

"We have no ill intentions."

The other party was unexpectedly easy to talk to.

but……

"Why do you know my name?"

"Ah~ That's because..."

The other party paused for a moment.

Under the wide robe, the slightly thin figure leaned slightly sideways.

The unclear jawline and the tied-up long hair both highlight a neutral feel.

Inoue Orihime knows the other party's identity.

There is Ma Jingye.

The culprit who destroyed Soul Society's Seireitei.

It would be a lie to say that she wasn't nervous, after all, she had witnessed the other party's atrocities with her own eyes.

It was hard to imagine that the man who could easily erase the existence of Seireitei would have such a generous expression.

And at this moment.

The other party slowly stood up, walked behind the table, and gave her a very indifferent smile.

"We can talk about that kind of thing in detail later, as for now."

"Let's take care of the injury first."

"It must have been hard on the road, right? You suffered unnecessary torture. It's a relief that you managed to persevere."

Reaching out, Arima Shizuka also patted Inoue Orihime on the head.

"You've grown a lot since your time in Soul Society, Inoue-san."

(End of this chapter)