Death: This Death is a bit unorthodox.

Nellyel herself also really likes this nickname.

"No, I want Mayuki to pat my head!"

Nelielu clung tightly to Aozaki Mayuki's waist, refusing to let go.

Aozaki Mayuki was truly at a loss for words, both amused and exasperated.

He simply couldn't refuse such a lovely girl's request.

Left with no other choice, he could only reach out and gently stroke Nelieel's hair, feeling its silky smooth texture.

Neliel looked completely blissful, humming softly as if it were the happiest thing in the world.

She has the air of a mature and sophisticated woman, yet she acts like a child, which is such an adorable contrast.

Looking at her adorable appearance, Aozaki Mayuki couldn't help but laugh.

Nellyel did not experience becoming a child as in the original work, and she also showed no fear when facing the Arrancar army at their first meeting.

Aozaki Mayuki thought she would be a cool and aloof older sister type.

But after spending more time with her, they discovered that this woman was actually an enlarged version of "Little Nile" from the original work.

They are calm and reliable in battle, but become clingy and adorable in private.

It just goes to show that a person's true nature is not easily changed.

Aozaki Mayuki's gaze softened as she looked at the radiant smile of Nelliel.

Actually, it wasn't Nelliel who usually assisted him in conducting the face-breaking experiments, but Sun Sun.

If we let Nelliel assist, doing this every day will only seriously affect work efficiency.

Nellyel is in charge of the defense of Las Noches.

I just happened to be free today and wanted to spend time with Aozaki Mayuki, so I was brought along.

Thinking of this, Aozaki Mayuki suddenly asked:

Have those two people been found?

"Those two people?"

Nelieel tilted her head.

"Those two Arrancar who don't belong to Las Noches."

Aozaki Mayuki reminded him.

"You mean them... We've conducted a thorough search of Hueco Mundo and have found some clues."

Nellyel wrapped her arms around Aozaki Mayuki's neck and said,

"But... do those two people you mentioned really exist? How could a Hollow become an Arrancar through its own power?"

"Do not believe?"

“No way! I trust Shingetsu the most!” Nelieel shook her head. “I’ll have my companions hurry up and go look for him.”

…………

In the Soul Society, the atmosphere in the Captain-Commander's office was heavy and oppressive.

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni.

One of the most powerful Shinigami in the history of Soul Society sat upright in his office chair, his eyes as sharp as a hawk's, staring at the man opposite him.

Aizen Sousuke stood there quietly, his expression serious, emanating a heavy aura.

After a long silence, Yamamoto broke it and spoke in a low voice:

"Tell me, what exactly happened?"

Aizen nodded slightly, gently pushed up his glasses, took a deep breath, and then spoke in a solemn tone:

"I have investigated the recent disappearances of the Grim Reaper..."

Yamamoto's gaze remained fixed on Aizen, never wavering.

"According to my investigation, there is a Vasto Lorde-class Hollow named Szayelaporro in Hueco Mundo."

"He is a mad scientist and also the chief researcher of Hueco Mundo."

Aizen's tone was grave, as if he were wary of the scientist.

"In order to carry out his crazy experimental plan, he captured all kinds of spirits as experimental subjects."

"That's why the Grim Reapers who guard the mortal world have also become one of his targets."

Aizen's words made Yamamoto's brows furrow even more.

Yamamoto stroked his long beard, seemingly thinking of something. After a moment of contemplation, he said in a deep voice:

"The Technology Development Bureau detected an imbalance in the number of souls in Hueco Mundo. Is this also due to the experiments conducted by Nassar Apollo?"

Aizen nodded and answered affirmatively:

"I cannot give a precise answer, but your judgment should be correct."

"As far as I know, before he captured the Grim Reaper, he used the Adjuchas of Hueco Mundo as research material."

After he finished speaking, the two fell into a brief silence.

"What about Captain Kuchiki? He went to the mortal realm to assist you, so why can't I contact him?"

"Where is he now? Why didn't he come with you to see me?"

Captain-Commander Yamamoto frowned.

Aizen shook his head, a hint of helplessness on his face:

"Well... actually, I don't know where Captain Kuchiki is either."

"That Hollow named Szayelaporro was incredibly powerful. It took Captain Kuchiki and me working together to barely defeat it."

Aizen paused, then continued:

"However, after killing Szayelaporro, we encountered a skeletal Hollow."

"That Hollow was even more powerful, and it seemed to be related to Szayelaporro. I heard Szayelaporro address him as His Majesty."

"Faced with such a formidable enemy, Captain Kuchiki and I fought with all our might, but we still couldn't withstand it and could only barely escape."

"After that battle, I lost contact with him."

Upon hearing this, Captain-Commander Yamamoto's face turned ashen.

With nearly three thousand years of experience, he has dispatched expeditionary forces to Hueco Mundo more than once since becoming the Captain-Commander, and can be said to have a very good understanding of the situation in Hueco Mundo.

Hearing Aizen's description of the skeletal Hollow form, his heart sank.

Isn't that Barragan, the king of Hueco Mundo?

He recalled his youth when he fought against Barragan, a Great Hollow from the same era.

Despite our best efforts, we ultimately failed.

Later, the Hollow was sealed by the Zero Division, ending a major crisis that was wreaking havoc on the Seireitei.

This shows that Barragan, who co-ruled Hueco Mundo with that Hollow at the time, was no ordinary person either.

With Kuchiki Kyoga and Aizen Sousuke both possessing captain-level strength at the third-rank Reiju level, it would be extremely difficult for them to escape from Barragan.

Based on his understanding, Aizen was practically incapable of fighting him head-on.

As for the Rotting Wood Echo River...

They're notoriously good at internal warfare but incompetent at external warfare!

Muramasa's abilities are very powerful when used on a Shinigami.

However, when dealing with Hollows, its main abilities are essentially rendered useless, with only a few secondary Kido techniques having any effect.

If we encounter Barragán, the odds are probably against us!

Yamamoto let out a long sigh.

He felt sorry for the thought that Kuchiki Hibiki might die.

After all, he is an outstanding junior.

But more than anything, I was worried about my old friend who might have lost his son-in-law.

They're all so old, yet they still have to experience the tragedy of an elderly person burying their child.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but think of his young disciple.

Fortunately, although that brat is also a handful, he is strong enough and has a powerful punch.

Otherwise, given his trouble-prone nature, he'll inevitably outlive his own children sooner or later.

Chapter 262 shows progress

After countless days and nights, accompanied by a crisp sound,

"Swish!"

The portal slowly opened to both sides, and Aozaki Mayuki nimbly jumped out from inside.

He appeared at the very entrance to the world of the Aozaki family, a noble family of higher status.

This is the private territory of the Aozaki family, so there is absolutely no need to worry about it being discovered by outsiders.

Aozaki Mayuki gently shook her body, stretched her limbs, and then walked briskly towards her house.

He couldn't wait to take a nice hot bath and relax.

He's been so tired lately; those Arrancars have been going way too far...

Sigh, let's not talk about it, there's nothing to say.

When he pushed open the door to the room, he immediately saw Matsumoto Rangiku sitting quietly inside.

She lay on her side on the tatami mat, casually grabbing a snack from the table and putting it in her mouth, looking very relaxed and carefree.

"Little cutie, are you slacking off again? Aren't you afraid Chojiro will scold you?"