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"Hueco Mundo," the vast desert realm of the Hollows.
Rukia gazed at the dark figure that had taken her to a cave, uncertainty clouding her mind. She couldn't discern his intentions, nor could she shake the ominous feeling settling in her chest.
Just as she was lost in thought, a sudden flash of light streaked toward her, a blade of pure energy aiming for her without hesitation. Instinct took over. Rukia swiftly drew her Zanpakutō, intercepting the attack just in time.
After a brief exchange, she found herself facing an unfamiliar figure, wearing an antelope-like helmet and donning a mask characteristic of a Hollow. Her stance was cautious, her grip on her sword firm.
"Why did you attack me?" Rukia demanded, her voice steady and serious.
The masked figure remained silent for a moment before slowly reaching up to remove his mask. As it fell away, a man with long, red-brown hair and a resolute expression emerged. His eyes carried the weight of experience.
"I just wanted to see if you had what it takes to survive here. That's all," he replied calmly.
Rukia's gaze flickered to the Zanpakutō at his side, still sheathed. Recognition dawned upon her, and she took a step back in disbelief. "You're… a Shinigami?" she asked, her voice laced with surprise.
The man nodded slightly before offering his story.
His name was Asido, and over five hundred years ago, he and his squad entered Hueco Mundo on a mission. However, they were ambushed by a massive force of Hollows. One by one, his comrades fell, consumed by the relentless attacks. Only Asido survived, forced to wander the endless sands of Hueco Mundo, battling Menos Grande for centuries.
Rukia listened intently, unable to hide her astonishment. Asido's tale reminded her of someone—a certain individual who had also endured unimaginable hardship.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the vast desert, a small, childlike figure watched the scene before her with curiosity. Nel Tu, also known as Nilu, tilted her head in confusion as she observed two figures fleeing from a monstrous Hollow.
"Run, Nilu!"
The desperate cries of her companions, Pesche and Dondochakka, echoed across the white sands.
Suddenly, an immense spiritual pressure erupted from nearby. Aaron, a lone wanderer, unleashed his Reiatsu like an impenetrable wall, halting the advancing sandstorm and shielding the three figures from the impending danger.
He had no time for games—not even a high-stakes version of hide-and-seek.
The moment Pesche and Dondochakka felt the overwhelming Reiatsu emanating from Aaron, they recoiled in terror. Even the colossal Hollow pursuing them cowered, its body trembling as it burrowed into the sand in submission.
Aaron hadn't expected to encounter Nel and her companions here, of all places.
Seeing their fear-stricken faces, he spoke in a calm, reassuring tone. "I mean no harm. There's no need to be afraid."
Pesche, resembling a humanoid termite, cautiously sat up from the ground, inching closer to Dondochakka for safety. Nel, on the other hand, curiously approached Aaron and asked in a small voice, "Big brother, are you a Shinigami?"
At the mention of the word "Shinigami," Pesche and Dondochakka stiffened, stepping back instinctively. Realizing Nel was still in the stranger's grasp, their panic escalated.
"My lord, please spare us!" Pesche cried, immediately falling to his knees in a plea for mercy.
Aaron chuckled at their dramatic reaction. "Relax. I have no intention of harming you."
Just then, the ground beneath them shifted, turning into a loose, sinking pit of white sand. Within seconds, they were being swallowed by the desert itself.
"It's over! We're doomed!"
"The Menos Forest is below us! We're going to die!"
"Ohhhh nooo!"
Pesche and Dondochakka wailed in despair, even their pet, Bawabawa, joining in with a pitiful cry.
Unlike the others, Aaron remained composed. Instead of resisting, he intensified his Reiatsu, accelerating their descent.
Holding Nel securely in his arms, he raised his free hand, gathering a sphere of condensed spiritual energy. With a single powerful strike, he blasted the sand beneath them, clearing a path as they plunged into the dark abyss below.
With a soft thud, Aaron landed gracefully in the Menos Forest. He scanned his surroundings with an air of familiarity—this was the place where he had fought for five centuries.
"My name is Nel," the little girl in his arms introduced herself cheerfully. "And these two are my brothers, Pesche and Dondochakka." She pointed toward the duo, who were still sprawled out on the ground.
"Oh, and that's Bawabawa, our pet!" Nel added, gesturing toward the giant, eel-like creature beside them.
Aaron glanced at Nel, then at Pesche and Dondochakka, offering a knowing smile. He had already recognized them the moment he saw them, but he chose to say nothing. Setting Nel down, he turned and began walking deeper into the Menos Forest.
He had sensed something—powerful spiritual energies clashing in the distance.
"Big brother, where are you going?" Nel called after him, concern in her voice. "That way leads to the depths of the Menos Forest! There are dangerous Menos Grande in there!"
Despite her warning, Aaron didn't waver. He could feel the presence of Rukia and others in the chaotic spiritual energy ahead.
At that moment, multiple surges of Reiatsu erupted nearby, signaling an intense battle.
Aaron's sharp spiritual senses picked up everything happening in the distance. Without hesitation, he pressed forward, indifferent to the looming danger.
Seeing no other choice, Nel and her companions exchanged a glance before hurriedly following after him.
At the same time, Rukia and Asido had just finished cutting down several Menos Grande. Wasting no time, they pushed onward, dashing through the eerie forest toward the source of the distant battle.
Rukia's heart pounded as she recognized the spiritual signatures ahead.
"Ichigo…" she murmured. She could sense his Reiatsu.
Meanwhile, Aaron strode forward unchallenged. No Menos dared cross his path, as if an invisible force repelled them.
A chilling, murderous aura radiated from his very being, unsettling Nel and her companions behind him.
"Big brother… your aura…" Nel whispered fearfully.
Pesche and Dondochakka trembled violently, their bodies reacting as if they were in the presence of a predator.
And then—
A devastating attack, brimming with sheer destructive power, surged toward them from behind.
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