The reason Lynn didn't head directly to the Warring States after receiving the message from Inukimi… was because of Aizen Sosuke.
That man...
Lynn was concerned that Katerea Leviathan and the others might not be able to handle him.
Hueco Mundo.
Above Las Noches, the sea churned violently from the clash of spiritual pressure and magic power. Aizen Sosuke's brown hair lifted slightly amidst the turbulent spiritual flow.
He adjusted his black-rimmed glasses, the lenses reflecting the deep blue magic surrounding Katerea Leviathan.
"I see..."
Aizen's fingertips brushed across Kyoka Suigetsu at his waist. "There's no trace of spirit particles, yet it's still a complete energy system."
Tosen Kaname, his blind eyes directed toward the battlefield, asked, "Do you want me to support the Espada?"
"Wait a little longer."
Aizen's gaze swept over Tier Harribel, who was being suppressed by Midoriko, then to the shattered skeleton of Barragan Luisenbarn, and finally lingered on the faint emerald glow at the tip of Nelliel's spear.
Nelliel...
As the former third Espada, Aizen naturally remembered her well.
He kept watching her, his eyes flickering with interest.
After a moment, he murmured, "She's completely changed..."
And...
"She's even stronger than before."
Even...
Aside from her spiritual pressure, there was another energy system within Nelliel's body.
This...
"Truly unexpected."
Aizen chuckled softly, a strong sense of fascination rising in his heart.
The fusion of spiritual particles with another unknown energy system...
Truly...
"Perfect."
Both energies coexisted within her body without clashing.
Even...
He could faintly sense that the spiritual particles were actively cooperating with the other energy within Nelliel.
Just this alone made Aizen suspect this mysterious energy might be even more advanced than spirit particles.
"Hah..."
Aizen narrowed his eyes, his breath subtly quickening.
He didn't expect it.
Aside from the Hōgyoku, there was something else in this world that could pique his interest.
"So this world..."
Aizen murmured, "I still don't understand it completely…"
He had believed he had already seen through the truth of this world, but now it seemed that he was far from it.
There were still so many powerful unknowns waiting to be uncovered.
Thinking of that, Aizen became genuinely excited about this world's future once again.
But...
For now, he needed to deal with the situation in Las Noches.
Even though things were spiraling beyond his expectations...
His plan still had to move forward.
So...
The Espada couldn't die yet.
Hmm...
Not just yet.
After watching for a while and gathering enough data, Aizen finally said, "Do it."
Beside him.
Tosen Kaname, waiting for Aizen's command, wasted no time. He placed a hand on his Zanpakuto's hilt.
In the next second—
"Cry, Suzumushi!"
His steady voice echoed as he drew his Zanpakuto, and dazzling light burst from the blade.
Buzz—
A sound like countless insect wings filled the sky over the ruins of Las Noches.
The sudden commotion instantly drew everyone's attention.
Starrk dodged another one of Katerea Leviathan's attacks and caught a glimpse of the scene out of the corner of his eye.
When he spotted Tosen, his heart eased visibly.
"It's the Shinigami…"
Hmm...
Normally, Arrancar and Shinigami were enemies.
But...
This Shinigami was different.
He was one of Aizen Sosuke's subordinates.
And...
If Tosen was showing up now, it meant Ulquiorra's message had gone through.
So...
Starrk shifted his gaze again. As expected, he spotted Aizen Sosuke floating in the air with a faint smile in his eyes.
As if sensing Starrk's look, Aizen slightly turned and locked eyes with him.
Starrk froze for a moment, then silently looked away.
Seeing that, Aizen chuckled, "I didn't expect you to be in such a sorry state."
Starrk sighed, helplessly replying, "I wasn't slacking off this time."
"Oh..."
Aizen didn't pursue the topic further but glanced at the wolves constantly circling around Starrk.
Though powerful...
Their weakness was equally obvious.
Aizen's expression didn't change, but in his mind, Starrk's value plummeted.
In the end...
He was just cannon fodder for the sake of a greater goal.
He couldn't even defend Las Noches.
Of course...
Although Las Noches was lost, the gains this time far outweighed it.
He couldn't wait to begin research on Nelliel and the others.
Almost as if she sensed the pure malice radiating from Aizen, Nelliel's heart tightened. She quickly looked toward him and warned:
"Be careful. This guy isn't just from Las Noches, no—"
"He's the king of all Hueco Mundo!"
Nelliel's expression was serious.
Hearing that, Midoriko also looked toward Aizen with caution.
Just that so-called First Seat, Starrk, was already equivalent to a Maou-level existence like Katerea Leviathan.
This so-called king, there was no doubt he had to be a Maou at the very least.
Maybe even stronger.
A Super-Class Devil?
Midoriko grew wary.
On the other side.
Katerea Leviathan also stopped her attack on Starrk and turned her attention to Aizen.
"King?"
She curled her lips. "He looks like a regular guy..."
Midoriko warned, "Don't underestimate him!"
Across from them.
Seeing everyone's attention shift to him, Aizen remained composed and spoke with a gentle smile, "Don't mind me. Continue as you were."
Starrk: "..."
Aren't you here to support us?!
Barragan Luisenbarn: "?"
"Tch. This guy is as annoying as ever."
Aizen Sosuke smiled and added, "You can't even defend Las Noches. You're really incompetent…"
The moment those words fell.
The entire Espada fell into silence.
Barragan Luisenbarn clenched his teeth but had no retort.
Starrk didn't seem to care.
But...
Seeing Aizen's attitude, a suspicion formed in Starrk's mind.
Is he interested in the energy inside those people...?
(To be continued.)