Ethan, Gin, Yoruichi, and Shunsui, representing Yamamoto Genryusai, quickly arrived in Hueco Mundo after passing through the Garganta.
"This is Hueco Mundo?"
Ethan had only located Hueco Mundo in general rather than a precise position, so even he did not know where they had landed.
"I overlooked that. It shouldn't be a big problem, right?"
Yoruichi glanced at him with a look that clearly said "you idiot," while Shunsui's face showed an expression that seemed to say things had become more troublesome. Was Ethan reliable or not?
Gin also felt that Ethan seemed somewhat unreliable. Just a moment ago he thought this man was even more terrifying than Aizen. Why such a huge contrast the next moment?
"No need to worry. Las Noches is over there."
Gin looked toward the distant Las Noches. Such a massive structure was impossible to miss.
"It's just a bit far."
"Then let's just walk there slowly. It's not like anyone has anything urgent to do."
"I'm the Captain of the Eighth Division. I have a lot of work to deal with."
Shunsui stated that he was not a free-spirited person like Ethan. As the intelligence division, the Eighth Division had a huge number of documents to process every day.
However, Ethan, who knew him well, immediately exposed his lie.
"Don't you just dump all that work on your lieutenant?"
"…"
Shunsui adjusted his straw hat as if to hide his expression.
"There are always some documents that require my personal attention."
Ignoring the two, Yoruichi looked around at their surroundings.
"Hueco Mundo is really desolate."
Hueco Mundo looked like a desert, filled with nothing but sand and barren terrain.
"Actually, Hueco Mundo is not as desolate as it appears."
Gin had come to Hueco Mundo many times and knew that this world, which looked like a vast desert, contained countless creatures. Large and small Hollows of various types hid everywhere, struggling to survive in this dangerous world.
Weak Hollows tried their best to avoid being hunted by stronger ones to avoid becoming food, while those that had grown stronger did everything they could to hunt weaker Hollows to strengthen themselves.
Those that had grown to a certain level, the Gillian, Adjuchas, and Vasto Lorde, all lived in this seemingly barren world.
"So Hueco Mundo is much livelier than it looks."
Ethan pointed ahead.
"Look, aren't there already people here to welcome us?"
As Gin finished speaking, a bizarre and indescribable monster appeared in front of the group. However, before the Hollow could even say anything, it was reduced to dust by a flash of blue spiritual energy.
"You were too fast. I wanted to try!"
Yoruichi complained to Ethan, who was retracting his fist. Ethan casually shook his hand even though it had not touched anything.
"Wasn't fighting Soi Fon enough fun?"
"How could I go all out against Soi Fon?"
Because Yoruichi's strength had increased greatly compared to the original plot, her fight with Soi Fon this time was less a battle and more like teasing a younger sister. Poor Soi Fon had been bullied to tears and finally shouted out her biggest complaint.
Why didn't you take me with you when you left?
Whenever Ethan thought of that moment, he felt that Yoruichi definitely had the potential to be a scoundrel.
"Forget this one. It's ugly and weak. When we encounter something stronger, you can take action."
This trip to retrieve the Hogyoku would certainly not be peaceful. If Aizen had indeed placed the Hogyoku inside Las Noches, they would inevitably clash with the Arrancar he had gathered.
After casually dealing with the Hollow, Ethan asked Gin about the situation inside Las Noches. When Shunsui heard that Aizen had been arranging things in Hueco Mundo for several years and had recruited several powerful Vasto Lorde-level Hollows, he suddenly felt that coming here had been a mistake.
"Oh dear, this is truly a troublesome assignment."
He could already predict that Ethan would not hand the Hogyoku over to him. When the time came, he would also need to determine Ethan's purpose for obtaining the two Hogyoku. If Ethan intended to harm the Soul Society…
"If I'm not careful, I might not be able to return. Little Nanao, please don't forget me."
Ethan knew that this seemingly carefree man was actually very meticulous and often noticed details others overlooked.
Combined with the fact that he was Yamamoto's favorite disciple, this was why Yamamoto had sent him to accompany them to Hueco Mundo.
"Don't worry. I have no intention of harming the Soul Society itself."
"Huh? Weren't you just talking about destroying the world earlier?"
"Do you think things are too boring, so you want to create trouble on purpose?"
Shunsui suddenly stopped walking and stared at Ethan with a serious expression.
"What exactly do you intend to do with the Hogyoku?"
"What? Not planning to observe slowly anymore?"
Ethan also stopped and looked at Shunsui, whose demeanor had completely changed. He no longer appeared lazy but instead gave off a dangerous aura.
"I need to confirm something. If that's really the case, maybe it's better to deal with it now."
If Ethan truly planned to do something harmful to the world, then who knew what changes might occur once he obtained the Hogyoku.
It would be better to act now while his combat strength was still at its peak. Although Ethan's strength was terrifying and he could not even determine its level, using Bankai should at least give him some chance of winning.
Moreover, he did not believe that Yoruichi would truly stand with Ethan if his intentions were harmful to the Soul Society.
"It's rare to see you like this."
Shunsui's hidden strength was astonishing. After all, this man would eventually inherit the position of Captain Commander.
"However, if you think you can defeat me with just Bankai, I can only say your idea is too naive."
"Is that so?"
Shunsui habitually touched his straw hat. He was not angered by Ethan's words.
"That really isn't good."
"Not necessarily."
Ethan turned around and continued walking toward Las Noches.
"Because my target has never been the Soul Society."
"Not the Soul Society?"
As one of the longest-serving captains, Shunsui naturally knew some higher-level secrets.
"You mean… How is that possible?"
"Nothing is impossible."
Ethan turned his head and glanced at Yoruichi. She showed no surprise at all.
"You guessed it earlier?"
"From the moment you asked whether the world should be destroyed, I thought of that possibility."
Yoruichi puffed out her chest with a proud expression.
"I just didn't believe it at first. Later I began to think you might be serious."
"Didn't you think about stopping me?"
"I did."
Yoruichi answered honestly without hiding anything.
"But you always seemed conflicted, so I knew something was different. Actually, I didn't need to think too much. Based on the Ethan I know, he definitely wouldn't do something like that."
The two continued talking while Shunsui, who had been standing quietly to the side, glanced at them and decisively chose not to interrupt. Like Gin, he simply acted as if he were invisible.
"What if you were wrong?"
"Then I'll do my best to correct the mistake I made."
Ethan and Yoruichi looked at each other for a moment. Finally Ethan looked away first and pointed to some scattered rocks nearby.
"Let's rest for a bit. I'll explain everything clearly so you don't overthink."
He had not explained earlier because he did not yet have a definite plan. There had still been enough time before the matter needed to be resolved, so there was no need to burden others with those concerns.
Now things were different. The matter was already in front of them and could require action at any moment.
Moreover, he disliked the kind of situation where a simple explanation could resolve misunderstandings but people kept everything hidden instead, causing unnecessary trouble.
The group casually sat on nearby rocks as if they were chairs. People like Yoruichi and Shunsui would not feel uncomfortable sitting directly on the ground.
"Where should I start?"
"Tell us your purpose," Shunsui said. "That is the core of the matter."
"My purpose…"
Ethan organized his thoughts.
"My biggest goal, or rather the task I must complete, is to destroy the core of this world."
Yoruichi and Shunsui both felt their eyelids twitch. They clearly understood what that meant.
"Are you really planning to move against that person?"
This world had been created by the Soul King. Destroying the core of the world could be understood as killing the Soul King.
"Action must definitely be taken."
Ethan looked at the somewhat nervous Shunsui and Yoruichi. To ease their tension, he immediately added another sentence.
"But I quite like this world and don't want it to be affected."
The Soul King was the foundation of the world's existence. If the Soul King were killed or destroyed, the Soul Society, the Human World, and Hueco Mundo would all be affected. It might even lead to the destruction of the entire world.
"So that's why you want the Hogyoku. You hope to kill the Soul King without affecting the world?"
Shunsui quickly figured out why Ethan wanted the Hogyoku.
However, he guessed wrong.
"No. I've already figured out how to kill that vegetable without affecting the world."
Ethan spread his hands.
"The Hogyoku was just something I made casually to pass the time."
(To be continued.)