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Early the next morning, after Aaron informed Yoruichi, he left the residence alone and headed toward the Urahara Shop.
Before reaching his destination, he spotted Urahara Kisuke and the others approaching from a distance.
Once everyone had entered the shop together, Aaron smiled and asked, "Did Ichigo and his group leave with Tōshirō?"
"Yes, sensei, they departed with Tōshirō and the others last night," Urahara Kisuke replied, pouring a cup of tea for Aaron.
After hearing Urahara's words, Aaron nodded slightly and took a sip of his tea.
At that moment, Hirako Shinji, who was seated beside Aaron, looked at him, bowed, and said, "Sensei, if you're going to Hueco Mundo this time, please take us with you."
Kuna Mashiro and the others standing beside Shinji also fixed their gazes on Aaron, their eyes filled with anticipation.
Upon hearing Hirako's request, Kuchiki Kōga, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Sensei, I wish to accompany you as well."
Aaron glanced at the group around him, sighed, and shook his head helplessly. "I understand the resentment you carry in your hearts, but this time, I need you to remain in Karakura Town."
"As for whether Aizen will make a move, I can't say for sure. But if he does, your presence here will help safeguard Karakura Town. Kōga, you should stay here at Urahara's."
"This mission is solely to retrieve Orihime. The Arrancars shouldn't pose too much of a problem. However, I must warn you—Aizen has recruited a Quincy organization known as the Sternritter to assist him. Their abilities are highly unpredictable. If you encounter them, exercise extreme caution."
"I'm leaving now, so all of you take care."
"Sternritter?"
"A Quincy organization working with Hueco Mundo?"
"Unbelievable..."
"Could this be Aizen's trump card?"
Everyone except Aaron and Urahara Kisuke broke into hushed discussions.
Aaron glanced at the silent Urahara Kisuke, then smiled and patted his shoulder. "For now, don't worry about the Hōgyoku. You're well aware that Aizen will need time and effort to fully merge the two Hōgyoku. In the meantime, protect Karakura Town with the others."
Urahara Kisuke looked up at Aaron and nodded firmly.
"Alright, I'm off." With that, Aaron extended his hand, creating a Garganta in the air.
Then, without hesitation, he stepped through the dark rift.
Meanwhile, Ichigo and his group had separated from Tōshirō's squad and were making their way toward Las Noches from another route.
However, just before reaching their destination, they were ambushed by guards and inadvertently strayed into the Forest of Menos.
To their surprise, they encountered Tōshirō and his group once again.
After exchanging information, everyone realized they had been deliberately misled by the guards of Las Noches.
Yet, amidst their realization, they discovered that Rukia had disappeared at some point.
Tōshirō frowned in silence, lost in thought, while the others grew increasingly anxious.
Breaking the tense atmosphere, Tōshirō spoke in a serious tone, "Based on Seireitei's records, we can infer something important."
"Right now, we are at the outermost layer of the Forest of Menos. While there are many Hollows here, we can handle them."
"However, if Rukia got separated from us, she may have been drawn deeper into the forest."
"For safety's sake, we should move together and search the depths for any signs of her."
The group nodded in agreement and cautiously proceeded further into the eerie forest.
Meanwhile, Rukia slowly regained consciousness, her eyes adjusting to the unfamiliar surroundings.
She vividly recalled being with Tōshirō and the others just moments ago.
Yet, in an unexpected turn of events, they had been ambushed by Hollows claiming to be the guards of Las Noches.
Before they could even engage in battle, they had been swallowed up by quicksand, sinking deep underground.
As Rukia tried to make sense of the situation, she suddenly sensed multiple spiritual pressures closing in on her from all directions.
Accompanied by guttural growls, dozens of Menos Grande emerged from the shadows, surrounding her.
A barrage of crimson Cero blasts hurtled toward her from multiple directions. With quick reflexes, she leapt into the air, narrowly dodging the deadly beams.
Just as she was preparing to counterattack, she sensed an overwhelming spiritual pressure approaching from behind.
"Not good!" she thought, instinctively turning to defend herself.
Before she could react, a massive fist struck her, sending her flying through the air.
Blood spewed from her mouth, but she managed to stabilize herself mid-flight.
Her eyes locked onto the Menos Grande that had attacked her, and with unwavering resolve, she unsheathed her Zanpakutō.
"Dance, Sode no Shirayuki!"
She swung her blade, forcing back the Menos attempting another sneak attack.
However, she hadn't anticipated the sheer number of enemies. The deeper she ventured into the forest, the stronger their spiritual pressures became.
Suddenly, a black blur streaked across the battlefield, leaving a trail of silver flashes in its wake.
A series of deafening explosions followed, and to Rukia's astonishment, every Menos Grande caught in the figure's path was instantly slain.
Still dazed, she barely registered the sensation of being lifted off the ground by an unknown force.
When she finally regained focus, she realized she was being carried by the mysterious black-cloaked figure.
At the same time, far away in the endless white desert of Hueco Mundo, a Garganta opened, and Aaron stepped out, surveying the eerily familiar landscape before him.
A sudden loud crash echoed in the distance.
Through the swirling dust, he spotted a massive Hollow chasing after three figures of varying heights.
"Aah! Help!"
"Run for it!"
"We're doomed!"
The three panicked figures bolted straight toward Aaron.
In an instant, a small figure leaped into Aaron's arms, clutching his collar tightly with tear-filled eyes.
"Run! If it catches us, we're finished!" the girl cried out frantically.
Aaron glanced at the trembling child in his arms and couldn't help but chuckle.
Allowing her to cling to him, he smiled and said, "Well, what a coincidence."
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