Under Shimo's persuasion, Ashido finally agreed to return with the group.
This mission to Hueco Mundo, meant as a rescue operation, hadn't ended empty-handed after all. Now, there was only one last matter to resolve.
"Shi… Shimo, you're leaving?!"
Nel wailed, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face.
"N-Nel doesn't want you to go!"
Beside her, Dondochakka and Pesche clung to each other, howling dramatically while sneaking glances at Shimo from time to time.
Shimo ignored the two and crouched down, gently wiping the tears from Nel's cheeks.
"I don't want to leave you either, Nel… but Hueco Mundo isn't a place we can live in. So, no matter what, I have to go."
Nel hiccuped, her sobs quieting, and looked up at him timidly.
"Isn't there… another way?"
Shimo thought for a moment, then nodded firmly.
"There is. But… it means you'll have to make your own choice."
Nel blinked in confusion. "What choice?"
Instead of answering right away, Shimo countered, "Nel… do you trust me?"
Nel tapped a finger against her lips, thinking. Then her face brightened.
"Of course Nel trusts Shimo! Being with Shimo feels safe, and happy! Especially in Shimo's arms—they feel so warm!"
By now, they had moved away from the main group. Ikkaku and the others were curious but didn't question him. This mission had been led—and ultimately saved by Shimo, so they respected his decisions.
As for Ashido, having just rejoined a Shinigami squad after centuries alone, he had remained quiet… but when it came time to leave the Forest of Menos, he hesitated.
Shimo locked eyes with Nel, his gaze unwavering.
"Nel… would you come with me?"
Still confused, Nel pointed at Dondochakka and Pesche.
"Can I bring Dondochakka, Pesche, and Bawabawa too?"
The moment she said it, Dondochakka and Pesche burst out in protest.
"Nel! Absolutely not! You can't leave with a Shinigami!" Dondochakka cried, almost in tears.
"The place Shinigami live is full of scary, vicious Shinigami! They'll chop you into pieces!" Pesche added, forgetting to even think about whether Shimo was dangerous.
Protecting Nel was the sole purpose of their existence. As her Fracción, they had made guarding her their reason for living—and that was why they were so desperate to stop her from leaving with him.
"Shimo… is what they're saying true?" Nel asked, torn.
On one side were her long-time protectors; on the other, the Shinigami she didn't want to part with. She didn't know how to choose.
"You two seem to know a lot," Shimo sighed. "But relax. I'm not taking you to the Soul Society—that place is far too dangerous for you."
Dondochakka and Pesche paused, bewildered.
Shimo's gaze deepened as he glanced toward where the other Shinigami were gathered.
"The World of the Living."
Shimo still handled all travel between Hueco Mundo and the Soul Society.
Dondochakka and Pesche decided to trust him—partly because Nel trusted him, and partly because if he had wanted to take her by force, nothing could have stopped him. He had killed Nnoitra, after all.
Under the watch of everyone present, Shimo began chanting a Kidō incantation and produced a transmission device developed by the Research and Development Institute.
A wave of overwhelming spiritual pressure burst out instantly, sweeping across the surroundings.
Sensing it, nearby Hollows scattered in a panic, remembering all too well the nightmare this spiritual pressure had brought them before.
In a flash of blinding light, a Senkaimon appeared.
"Yumichika, lead the way. Ashido, stay in the center. Ikkaku, you're on rear guard," Shimo ordered crisply.
Soon, only Ikkaku, Shimo, and Nel's group remained.
"Shimo… are you taking them back to the Soul Society too?" Ikkaku asked after a moment's hesitation.
"Of course not," Shimo replied evenly. "If Nel, as a Hollow, appeared in Soul Society, she'd be destroyed instantly. I'll see them to the white sands, then leave."
Ikkaku's expression was odd, but he didn't press the matter.
"Then… see you back in the Soul Society."
The Senkaimon closed, leaving Shimo alone in Hueco Mundo.
"Dondochakka, put Bawabawa away," Shimo instructed. "It's time we left this godforsaken place."
Soon, Kidō light flared again in the darkness.
Unlike before, this time Shimo chose a Garganta for travel.
A rift split open, revealing an endless void.
Shimo once again scooped Nel into his arms, glanced at Dondochakka and Pesche, and said:
"Stay close. Don't get lost. Our destination—Karakura Town."
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