"Isn't this making too much noise?"
"This will actually be more convenient."
Gin explained that the internal structure of Las Noches was extremely complex and built like a maze. Even with someone familiar with the layout leading the way, it would still require a long detour to reach the location of the Hogyoku.
"Is there any difference? Even if we proceed normally, we'll encounter who knows how many Arrancar along the way. Do you think we can keep the noise down?"
"You make a very good point."
Shunsui withdrew his question. At this stage, battle was almost unavoidable. Being discovered by the Arrancar was inevitable. Since it could not be avoided, instead of wasting time wandering through corridors, it was better to save time and obtain the Hogyoku first.
But those Arrancar would not just watch them take the Hogyoku.
Regardless of what the Hogyoku meant to Aizen, and without discussing how loyal the Arrancar were to him, there was another problem.
The Hogyoku could mass produce Arrancar. Because of this alone, the Arrancar would never allow Ethan and the others to take it.
So they could fight freely.
The Arrancar who first appeared to block Ethan were not important figures. Apart from a few who attacked the Human World with Grimmjow in the original story, Ethan did not recognize the others. They were probably background characters who never appeared in the plot.
Enemies of this level could be handled by Yoruichi alone.
"Why are they all just cannon fodder?"
It was almost one punch per Arrancar. Combined with Yoruichi's terrifying speed, the Arrancar collapsed before they even understood what was happening.
Yoruichi did not hit them too hard. She only rendered them unable to move, but her expression showed clear dissatisfaction.
"Maybe the Espada didn't take us seriously."
The Espada held high positions in Las Noches, so they were not the type to rush out over every disturbance.
However, they were already taking Ethan seriously enough to send Arrancar with decent combat ability instead of weaklings.
They simply did not expect the intruders to be so powerful, and they certainly did not expect that there would be a "traitor" guiding them.
"Traitor?"
Gin did not care what the Arrancar thought of him, but he still spoke casually to clarify his stance.
"From the beginning, my goal was to kill Aizen. How can that make me a traitor?"
"So that's how it is."
As the minor enemies were cleared out, the Espada could no longer remain idle. When Ethan and the others finally arrived near the Hogyoku, several Espada were already waiting there.
Except for the First Espada Coyote Starrk, the Second Espada Barragan Luisenbarn, and the Tenth Espada Yammy, the others had all arrived.
Coyote Starrk was extremely lazy, so it was not strange that he did not appear.
Barragan saw himself as a supreme emperor. He likely believed that with so many Espada present, there was no need for him to appear personally and lower his dignity.
As for Yammy, his temper was extremely bad, so it was actually strange that he had not appeared.
On the way here, Gin had already explained the basic situation of the Espada. Shunsui observed the Arrancar carefully, calculating the odds of victory and considering possible strategies.
However, none of that mattered.
Yoruichi's strategy was simple. Fight first, no matter who appeared.
"Your reliable opponents have arrived."
Yoruichi struck her left palm with her right fist, then stretched her neck and stepped forward.
"Seven Espada. These are worthy opponents."
As for the Hogyoku, Yoruichi could not treat it as casually as Ethan did. Even just for the safety of the Soul Society, she could not leave the Hogyoku in Hueco Mundo.
Otherwise, as the number of Arrancar increased, the Soul Society would eventually be overwhelmed.
So she had to take the Hogyoku away.
As for Ethan's plan about killing the Soul King and having her replace him as the world's foundation, those matters felt too distant. She did not want to think about them for now.
"You want to fight all seven of us by yourself?"
Yoruichi's words shocked not only Shunsui but also the Arrancar.
Where did this crazy woman come from? She was actually declaring that she would fight seven Espada alone.
Despite their disbelief, the Arrancar did not immediately lose their temper and rush forward together. Instead, they exchanged glances.
Finally, Grimmjow stepped forward first.
"Hmph, ignorant woman. To look down on Arr…"
Grimmjow did not even finish his sentence before Yoruichi, who had been standing in front of him, disappeared.
"What…"
A sudden gust of wind behind his head alerted him to her position. But Grimmjow had no time to dodge and received a heavy kick.
Grimmjow was sent flying by the kick, but he was not seriously injured. He quickly stood up from the rubble.
"Damn it."
"These Arrancar are quite durable."
Yoruichi stretched her right leg lightly and glanced at the protective gear on her calf. She was wearing a tight black suit underneath her clothes, a jacket on her upper body, and light armor on her calves.
This equipment provided some defense and also increased the power of her kicks.
Cracks had appeared in the armor after the attack, showing how much force she used. Even her own gear could not endure it, yet the opponent seemed unharmed.
"Arrancar possess Hierro. Ordinary attacks cannot damage them easily."
"I already knew that."
"I was just reminding you again."
Gin had explained many details on the way here. Yoruichi simply wanted to confirm them herself.
After learning what level of attacks were ineffective, Yoruichi stopped holding back and released stronger spiritual pressure to launch more powerful attacks.
Having spent more than a hundred years with Ethan and being heavily influenced by him, Yoruichi's combat strength was completely different from her original version.
Her fighting style had also changed greatly.
In addition to her already superb Hakuda and Shunpo, she had learned many strange combat techniques.
She could use abilities such as Spirit Gun, Spirit Shotgun, and even Spirit Reflection. She also mastered unarmed combat techniques like Hakkesshu.
Combined with spiritual pressure far stronger than in the original timeline, even without a Zanpakuto or Hollowfication, the current Yoruichi could suppress Grimmjow, the Sixth Espada.
The strength she displayed shocked the Arrancar.
None of them expected this "crazy woman" to be so powerful.
While everyone quietly watched the battle, an unexpected figure stepped in front of Ethan and Shunsui.
"Shiba Kaien…?"
The person standing there was indeed Kaien.
Ethan had never interacted with Kaien. But as the Vice Captain of the Thirteenth Division and because of the close relationship between Captain Jushiro Ukitake and Shunsui, Shunsui knew Kaien very well.
"It's been a long time, Captain Kyoraku."
The familiar appearance and voice made it seem as if Kaien himself had returned.
"If Captain Ichimaru hadn't reminded me earlier, I might really have been fooled."
Ethan remained silent the entire time. Of course he knew what was standing in front of him. He simply wanted to see how the other side planned to act.
As for the fact that this Arrancar's real target was Shunsui, Ethan could only think that the opponent had chosen the wrong person.
On the surface, Shunsui appeared lazy, unreliable, and emotional. But in reality he was meticulous, calm, and even ruthless when necessary. His usual behavior was simply a disguise.
Trying to manipulate emotions by taking Kaien's appearance was a mistake.
This tactic would not work on Shunsui.
His calm thinking allowed him to make the most accurate judgments and act accordingly.
"Poor Kaien. As an old friend, the only thing I can do is help you escape this suffering as quickly as possible."
Just as Ethan expected, the Ninth Espada Aaroniero Arruruerie's plan failed. Not only did he fail to make Shunsui hesitate, he angered him instead.
Shunsui immediately drew his blade and attacked.
"Why? Captain Kyoraku, don't you recognize me?"
"I recognize Shiba Kaien, the Vice Captain of the Thirteenth Division. A Shinigami who sacrificed himself to protect the Soul Society's dignity."
Shunsui's voice was calm.
"But I do not recognize you, a Hollow wearing someone else's skin."
Aaroniero blocked the attack with his Zanpakuto, then jumped back and smiled at Shunsui.
"You say I'm only wearing someone else's skin?"
His smile became eerie.
"Then look at this. Swirl the waters, Nejibana."
Shunsui watched in surprise as the Zanpakuto in Aaroniero's hand transformed into a trident.
He did not expect this Hollow, who could imitate Kaien, to also use Kaien's Zanpakuto.
At that moment he understood what Gin had meant earlier when describing Aaroniero's ability to absorb the powers of others.
But the surprise lasted only a moment.
In battle, Shunsui remained absolutely calm. The opponent using Kaien's Shikai did not shake his resolve.
Compared with the ability Ethan once displayed, this was nothing.
Instead, it only strengthened his determination to destroy the Hollow.
"Wait. Leave this one to me."
Just as Shunsui was about to release his Zanpakuto, Ethan suddenly stepped forward.
"Maybe I can save Kaien."
(To be continued.)