As usual, copyright to Tite Kubo, whoever does the scanlations, ViZ media etc.
Bit of a shorter chapter this time around, again, it's merely setting up the rest of the narrative without messing up things that wouldn't be affected by the survival of the Fraccion and Arturo's presence in Hueco Mundo. Whether we'll see Ichigo training with the Vizard or not remains to be seen, although it'll probably just end up being a re-telling of a volume if I do.
"I don't believe I've encountered you before. Tell me your name, Arrancar." Aizen knew he was onto something with this one, the sheer power he exerted was proof of that. Slaughtering an entire army of artificially-created soldiers and forcing their master to surrender was just the icing on the cake.
"I am Arturo Plateado, and I have seen more things than you will ever comprehend, Shinigami. Your army of fleas is nothing!" Arturo's power grew greater with every soul his zanpakuto, Fenice, took, and this was what made him so deadly. If he killed a Captain, he would become as powerful as them, if not more so, and the enemy would serve as fuel for the raging inferno of Fenice. Rudobon was lucky to have escaped with his life, if the sheer overwhelming numbers of Calaveras he could summon without using up vast amounts of his Reiryoku had not been sufficient then he most certainly would have been slain alongside them.
"Tell me, Arturo, how did you acquire such power?" Aizen asked, curious as to how he had been able to fight off thousands of powerful footsoldiers within seconds.
"I will not divulge such facts to a mere Shinigami!" Arturo snapped, thinking little of the Lord of Hueco Mundo. His wings flared, his reiatsu rising to dangerous levels, causing the very foundations of Las Noches to tremble.
"As you wish. However, I wouldn't want to see that power go to waste. Join me, and your power can be used to destroy the Soul Society and the Shinigami you loathe so much. I'll even let you fight Head Captain Yamamoto yourself." Arturo suddenly backed down, the levels of reiatsu returning to their original level, the chance to face Yamamoto once again was too good for Arturo to pass up. At long last, the 1000-year grudge could be settled, and vengeance would almost certainly be sweet.
"Fine. As long as you withhold your promise, Shinigami, I shall comply. But only if you ensure that Yamamoto is mine."
"Those are the terms I set out, and I would never go back on my words," Aizen said, reassuring the Arrancar that he was not being manipulated and exploited for personal gain, even though of course that was Aizen's real intention. He hadn't even had to use Kyoka Suigetsu on this one, which was as impressive as it was completely unheard of. He'd just happened to tap into a long-held vendetta against Soul Society, which was all that was needed to add to the Espada.
The Shinigami had finally made their way back to Orihime's house, and along the way found Chad, who'd been attacked by Grimmjow. After the tough battle they'd had, poor Orihime had her work cut out healing everyone up, especially in Rukia's case, but with Soten Kisshun being as powerful as it was, it didn't take anywhere near as long as conventional healing techniques, even dedicated healing Kido would often take days to work on wounds such as these.
Once that was finished, everyone except Matsumoto left to collect their gigai and returned shortly afterwards to report the events that had transpired. Ichigo, however, did not return. He didn't even bother to go home to see his family one last time before seeking out the hideout of the Vizard. If there was one thing he'd learned from his encounter with Grimmjow, it was that he needed to become much stronger, and the only way to do that would be to control his inner Hollow. If Shinji would just teach him how to keep it from taking over him, he'd finally be able to take on Aizen and end this once and for all.
Everyone else, oblivious to what Ichigo was planning, crowded round the wall in Orihime's living room, where a conference with Yamamoto took place regarding the recent events.
"The limit was not released? But it was made clear that you would be battling powerful opponents! I have no idea how this mistake was allowed to occur, but rest assured, whoever was responsible won't make the same mistake twice!" Yamamoto's reiatsu alone would be enough to scare the incompetent fools in 12th Division into making sure the limit seal was released on subsequent visits to the Human World.
"Thank you, Head Captain Yamamoto. Now, what was it you mentioned earlier about the library?" Hitsugaya asked.
"Ah, yes. That. It appears that Aizen, before his departure, took documents concerning the Royal Key from the Great Spirit Library after his massacre of the Central 46. Judging by this, it would seem he plans to open the gate to the Royal Palace, putting the King of Soul Society's life in grave danger. If he succeeds, then everything we know could soon be in jeopardy. Even before this, Aizen will need to gather 100,000 souls, from a plot of land with high spiritual energy surrounding it. The only such location today would be... Karakura Town!"
"What?" Orihime couldn't believe it. Sure, it seemed like the only place where Hollows seemed to congregate, as she'd never heard of any other incidents outside the town, but it seemed ridiculouss that she just so happened to live in the one place where Aizen could successfully create a key to another dimension.
"Unfortunately, this is true, Inoue. Your town is the chosen one. But do not fear, young one, Soul Society shall stop Aizen's plans, whatever the cost. If our sources are correct, then it will be four months until the Hogyoku is at full strength. Until then, all of you stay vigilant, especially you, Inoue. Your powers, while not useful for combat, are unique, and you must use them to their full potential. As for everyone else, return to Soul Society immediately for further debriefing." With Yamamoto's last words, the conference ended and the monitor faded to static.
By the time Tosen had dragged Grimmjow and his Fraccion back from the Human World, Arturo had already killed two Espada, Aaroniero Arruruerie and Zommari Rereaux, and was currently in combat with Tia Harribel.
"Enough, Arturo, the Espada are supposed to number ten, not one," Aizen said, ending the massacre before it was too late.
"Boy, he sure doesn't waste time, does he? Only been here a few minutes and already he's looking like taking Coyote's spot," Gin observed. Tosen cleared his throat to bring their attention to the return of the rule-breaking Sexta Espada and his Fraccion.
"Sorry you had to return to a bloodbath, Tosen, but a new recruit has joined us and was eager to prove himself," Aizen stated, seemingly ignoring Grimmjow.
"My lord, these six should be punished in the only just way for their transgressions. They acted without orders, and the punishment for such a crime, as with all others, would be to execute them all. I do not see Grimmjow as one capable of learning a concept such as justice." Tosen hated Grimmjow, as he was almost an Arrancar equivalent of 11th Division's captain Kenpachi Zaraki, only concerned with reckless destruction with a disregard for life.
"That's a little unnecessary, Kaname. Even though they failed to eliminate their targets, and went against orders, it's the determination that counts," Aizen said, "and besides, we're short on Espada as it is. To lose one is misfortune, to lose two would seem like carelessness."
"You're not seriously considering letting them off with no caution, are you?" Tosen enquired, shocked that Aizen would even think of being so lenient.
"Due to our newest arrival, things have become a little... shall we say, complicated. At least he has the power required to take an Espada's place."
"But Aizen-"
"Not another word," Aizen interrupted, "we need to sort out this mess and find adequate replacements for the deceased before we continue..."
A.N. Just in case you didn't know, Reiryoku refers to the energy used for Kido and the like, reiatsu is simply the natural spiritual energy that souls have, but can be manipulated in order to intimidate enemies or, in the case of Arturo, grow some badass wings. Next chapter will have more going on, and the new Espada shall be revealed. (Arturo pretty much earned his place already).
