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"Cero" Jutsu/Hollow Techniques/ Demon talk.
'Cero' Thought
"Cero" Regular Speaking
'Cero' Flashback thoughts.
"Cero" Flashback Jutsu/Hollow Techniques/ Demon Talk.
XxxXxxXxxXxxX
White light. Huh, who knew that there actually was a white light in death? Ulquiorra blinked in surprise at the realization of the thought. Then blinked in surprise again when he actually figured out that he was able to blink in surprise.
"Am I not dead?" the Espada looked around to see only more white light before looking down to himself and his eyes widened and his face twisted into the first actual expression in over a hundred years as a Hollow. Half of his body was clad in the white clothes of an Espada, his Zanpakuto tucked in the sash. And his other side. On his other side were clothes he had almost forgotten. An orange jumpsuit and kunai holster strapped to his thigh.
"What is this madness?" Ulquiorra spoke as he recognized the split forms. His previous life, Uzumaki Naruto and current life, Ulquiorra Schiffer.
"Welcome Uzumaki Naruto and Ulquiorra Schiffer. Although I take no pleasure in saying this; 'I have been expecting you.'"
Ulquiorra turned his head and his currently mismatched eyes widened when he saw himself suddenly standing in a vast white room before an equally large golden throne. "This is..."
the occupant of the throne nodded and looked down to the duel soul. "This is the throne room that your Aizen-sama wishes to enter. I have many names. The Shinigami King, Kami-sama. Buudha, Zeus, Jupiter, God, Jehovah."
Ulquiorra looked at the occupant of the throne and narrowed his eyes in slight confusion when he saw this Ruler that Aizen-sama believed to not exist. It, he, whoever this being was, appeared to be nothing more than a ten year old boy. A mere child even to humans. The boy had no hair on his head to speak of but several intricate and finely detailed tattoos covering the bald dome. The being's eyes were a myriad of color. Shifting through all the colors of the spectrum. The being, this Kami-sama was wearing a simple outfit consisting of a par of denim jeans and a really corny looking Hawaiian shirt decorated with red and yellow flowers.
"Are you not going to greet me Espada-san?"
Ulquiorra nodded slowly and bowed his head down in grudging respect to the Shinigami King, unable to think of any response worth speaking to the God.
"I guess that is as good as I can expect then." Kami-sama sighed, shaking his head. "Now then, I suppose you want to know why you have appeared here since you should be dead?"
Ulquiorra nodded. "Correct. Kurosaki Ichigo destroyed my body. I should not exist. I have no reason to."
The Shinigami King let out a sad sigh and held his head in his hands as he looked at the dueled appearance of the Espada. "You should have had reason to though. A Deity I may be I cannot control fate, however the book of Uzumaki Naruto was not supposed to come to a close at the tender age of thirteen. You were never meant to bear the burden of containing the Kyuubi no Kitsune all those years ago."
"Regardless of fate and what was meant to be Lord. In the end I was the container for the Kyuubi. And my life was but to an end at the age of thirteen." Ulquiorra stated.
"Be that as it may this was not supposed to happen." The Shinigami King continued. "It is for this reason that I have brought you here. But first I have a question for you. It is about the current state of your appearance."
Ulquiorra looked down at his body again, taking in the duel appearances. Ulquiorra the Espada. And Naruto the Shinobi.
"Who are you? Are you Uzumaki Naruto, shinobi of Konohagakure no Sato and Juuinchiruki of the Kyuubi no Yoko? Or Ulquiorra Schiffer, Fourth Espada."The Shinigami King asked. "Answer my question. I will not judge you for your decision."
Ulquiorra held out his hands and looked at the two. His pale left hand and tanned right. "I am Ulquiorra Schiffer. I have found more purpose and reason as an Espada than I ever did as Uzumaki Naruto."
The Shinigami King nodded in understanding. "I see. But answer me this. You say that you have found more as Ulquiorra than as Uzumaki Naruto. What of the Hyuga? Hinata was her name? Did you find someone in Hueco Mundo to replace her?"
Ulquiorra's eyes widened at the name. Hinata-chan?
XxxX
"Because..." Hinata looked down sadly, more tears flowing. "Because, I-L-love you Naruto-kun. I always have. And I wanted you to know that. To know that even if everyone else has abandoned you. I'm always by your side."
XxxX
Ulquiorra looked away from the Shinigami King and down to his Naruto side. Hyuga Hinata. The one person, human, hollow and Shinigami alike that had tried to be there for him. The only one who had been there for his death as Uzumaki Naruto. The closest he had come to her as Ulquiorra Schiffer was in Orihime Inoue. They both had the same hidden fire. The same unyielding gentleness in them them. It was also the same reason he had targeted Kurosaki Ichigo so fervently, the orange haired human had served as a reminder of the once living Uzumaki Naruto. It had been uncomfortable to punish the Human for unknowingly serving as a reminder, but Ulquiorra had felt that it had to be done, that Kurosaki Ichigo needed to be made aware of his own foolishness for the blind faith he had in his friends. It had not served Uzumaki Naruto and it would not serve Kurosaki Ichigo.
At least, that had been the Espada's belief.
"I do not require someone like Hyuga Hinata. I have aquired the heart of Orihime Inoue." The Espada answered finally.
"Her heart?" The Shinigami raised an eyebrow. "Have you disregarded the Hyuga woman so completely Ulquiorra Schiffer?"
Ulquiorra shrugged. "Hinata-chan is better off without one such as me. A Love that she proclaimed cannot exist. I have never seen such a thing so it cannot exist. Hinata-chan will have found someone to replace her so called, love."
The Shinigami King shook his head and stood up, walking over to a single picture frame that decorated the wall to his left. He turned to look at Ulquiorra and gestured for the Espada to join him.
Ulquiorra obeyed and stepped over to the Shinigami King.
"Through this frame I view the world. Allow me to show you the Hyuga Hinata you have tried to forget."
Ulquiorra watched as the empty picture frame was filled with a bright blue light for a brief second. When it cleared the Espada saw a sight he thought never to see again.
Konoha.
The view showed an eagle eye view of the village. He could see all of the sights he had once loved. The Hokage Mountain. The Great Fire Gates. Even Ichiraku's Ramen Stand.
The scene shifted to a well kept room and Ulquiorra's eyes softened for the first time in a hundred years when he saw Hinata kneeling before a small shrine in her room. She appeared to be in the middle of prayers to whomever the shrine was dedicated to and Ulquiorra was almost sad to see that he had missed so much in the time he had been dead.
It was a curious thing. In the hundred years he had been in Hueco Mundo it appeared that only as much as three short years had passed in Konoha. Hinata had grown into a beautiful woman. Her dark lavander hair had grown long and hung midway down her back. She was wearing a light grey and purple jacket and a pair of shinobi cargo pants and it appeared that her bust size had grown along with her, making her one bombshell of a woman.
"She has been praying at this shrine in her room every day now for three years. Without fail." The Shinigami King interrupted. "She prays every morning and again before missions."
"But to who?" Ulquiorra asked.
"Who do you think?"
The picture shifted to an over the shoulder shot at the Shrine and Ulquiorra's eyes widened once more as he saw a photo of his old self. The blonde haired boy with a wide carefree grin. Next to the photo was a scratched and worn Konoha headband and behind that was a chipped Ramen bowl.
"Naruto-kun. I miss you. Konoha has gotten really bad since you left." Hinata's voice echoed through the frame. "The Council has removed the Hokage and rules Konoha. Everyone has changed. I wish you were here Naruto-kun."
Ulquiorra looked away from the image and stepped away, unable to watch any longer. "Why do you show me these things? Is this a punishment for aiding Aizen-sama?"
The Shinigami King shook his head. "Not at all. It is my hope that what I showed you would be enough to give you purpose."
"Purpose?" Ulquiorra looked back to the Deity. "What purpose can you hope to inspire through images of a world long since taken from me."
The Shinigami King smiled. "For the same reason I brought you before me. I offer it as a form of penitence on my behalf. For allowing you to die in such a manner so quickly. I am prepared to return you to the world of the Living. To the Elemental Nations in the form of your desire."
"I do not understand."
"What do you wish? Would you prefer the natural order of things as with all Hollow's and be sent to either The Soul Society or Hell. Or will you take my offer and return to The Elemental Nations as either Uzumaki Naruto or Ulquiorra Schiffer to be with the woman who still loves you."
"Uzumaki Naruto was killed by the people he thought his family. He will never return to the Elemental Nations. But neither do I wish to go to Soul Society." Ulquiorra answered. "I am an Espada. I am Ulquiorra Schiffer."
the child like Deity looked at Ulquiorra for a moment before returning to the throne, leaving the frame locked on Hinata a she continued to pray at the shrine to Naruto. "You wish to stay as Ulquiorra? I cannot say I am surprised. As an Espada you had a power that was well and truly your own. I cannot say I blame you. Uzumaki Naruto was killed by those precious to him while Ulquiorra died an Espada's death. You must hold quite the hatred for Konoha."
"I hold no hatred for Konoha. I feel nothing for the village that condemned me. However, I would like a chance to live a life. A full one this time."
the Shinigami King nodded and stepped up to Ulquiorra. "Then you have reached a decision. Good. I shall give life to Ulquiorra Schiffer and you will be given a second chance in the Elemental nations as you are." The Deity reached out and pressed a small hand against the Espada side of Ulquiorra. "I must be honest, I cannot deny that I am curious to see how your world evolves with a living Espada."
Ulquiorra felt a heated sensation run through his body and looked down to see the Naruto half of his body disappearing as his Espada uniform returned. When the Naruto half of him was completely gone and he was fully Ulquiorra once more, the Espada felt the same sensation as before when he had turned to dust start to overcome him and looked over to The Shinigami King.
"You will wake in the Elemental nations Espada-san. However if I may offer some parting advice. Make your way to Sunagakure. Your friend Gaara appears to be in need of your help."
With that Ulquiorra's vision returned to white and he knew no more.
XxxX
Ulquiorra awoke once more and his eyes immediately widened when he felt an almost forgotten sensation. It was something that was indescribable. He was lying on a bed of wet grass. For the Arrancar it felt almost foreign and wrong. He who had known sand and nothingness for almost a complete century. To be lying now on the ground and feeling the morning dew moist grass against his skin. Ulquiorra was content to just lay there and enjoy the feeling of the grass when the Shinigami King's parting words echoed through him.
"Make your way to Sunagakure. Your friend Gaara appears to be in need of your help."
At this the Espada rose to his feet and, using his Pesquisa, his ability to detect and identify spiritual pressure he located Suna through finding a concentrated source of Wind energy. He couldn't remember what Gaara's energy felt like so he wasn't able to try and locate the Ichibi Juuinchiruki so he just focused on the wind energy, knowing that Sunagakure was the Hidden village of Wind so it was logical that it would have a high concentration of Wind based energy.
When he had a lock on it the Espada filed the location away and gathered his Reitsu. In an instant he vanished in a blur with the only sound to announce his departure being the sound of static.
Ulquiorra used Sonido several times to leave the rich greenery of the forest he had woken in and after a few minutes he entered a large desert. He had never been to Suna during his previous life but he was nonetheless mildly interested when he saw signs of ancient civilization scattered throughout the sand dunes. As he flew over the desert, he noted a ruined temple, a broken statue. From the looks of the desert, it appeared as if it had not always been there and that there had once sat a grand city. In a way it reminded him of Hueco Mundo. With the exception of Las Noches, there were the occasional ruined temple and stone building out in the endless white desert.
Another two Sonido movements and Ulquiorra came within sight of what could only be Sunagakure. He wasn't high enough in the air to see over its main wall, but he could detect several shinobi gathered at the narrow crevasse that most likely served as Suna's main entrance.
The Espada used one more Sonido to come within a short walking distance and came to a stop behind a sand dune so as not to alert the Suna Shinobi and those gathered by the main entrance.
Before he walked out from behind the dune, he cast an eye over his appearance and zipped up the top of his white Espada jacket, covering the hole in his chest. That done he put his hands into his pockets and walked out from his hiding spot and towards the main entrance.
As he came within view of the entrance to Sunagakure, Ulquiorra felt a stab of primal anger, the first in a long time when he saw the people gathered there, in front of two Suna shinobi.
Hatake Kakashi, Haruno Sakura and Uchiha Sasuke. There was a fourth Konoha shinobi but Ulquiorra did not recognize the fourth member so he ignored him. The Espada was surprised when he felt his hand twitch in the desire to strike out at the Konoha Shinobi. He instantly smothered the urge and approached them smoothly. It wasn't until he was standing next to Kakashi that the Konoha and Suna ninja noticed him, jumping back when they saw the lanky pale skinned stranger standing there as if he had always been there.
"Identify yourself stranger? Where did you come from and why are you here?" The Suna ninja, a man with half his face hidden behind a cloth veil spoke up.
Ulquiorra looked at the Suna ninja and noted that it was the man that had been Gaara's Jounin sensei. Baka, Boken? Baki was it? "My name is Ulquiorra Schiffer. I am a visitor from Hueco Mundo to see a shinobi of Suna. Subaku no Gaara."
"The Kazekage? Why are you here to see Kazekage-sama!" Baki demanded, taking a stance that showed he was prepared to take action against Ulquiorra should the Espada provide a reason.
"He is Kazekage?" Ulquiorra mused aloud, surprised that the Juuinchiruki had reached such a prestigious rank. "Interesting. Why do you wish to know my purpose here? Are not ambassadors permitted to see your Kazekage?"
"Normally yes, however..." Baki lowered his guard a fraction when he sensed no hostility coming from the white clad man. "...Gaara-sama has been kidnapped."
Ulquiorra frowned. Who would want to kidnap Gaara? More to the point, who would be stupid enough considering the Red heads impressive power. "How?"
"And why would an Ambassador form where was it, Hueco Mundo, wish to know this?" Kakashi finally spoke up, looking to Ulquiorra with a haughtiness that the Espada had hated when he had been alive... the first time.
"My interests are my own Konoha Shinobi." Ulquiorra spoke, looking to Kakashi for the first time.
The Jounin took a step back, his single visible eye widening when he saw the merciless slitted green eyes staring back at him.
"For now I simply wish my questions to be answered so I may locate Gaara and conclude my business."
"Well that might be difficult seeing as Gaara-san has been kidnapped by the Akatsuki baka. Or were you not listening."
"Sakura enough."
Ulquiorra turned to look at the pinkette briefly before frowning. "The Akatsuki? They have taken your Kazekage." He turned back to Baki.
Baki looked to Sakura with an expression of annoyance, making it clear that the Jounin had intended on keeping the intimate details of Gaara's kidnapping a secret on a need-to-know basis. When he looked back to Ulquiorra he nodded. "Hai. Kazekage-sama fought and was taken by an Akatsuki member. It was then later confirmed that there were two Akatsuki members present."
Ulquiorra nodded as he processed the information. "I assume then that Konoha is here to assist in his recovery. No doubt in an attempt to foster good will and favor rather than out of any genuine interest to offer aid."
Kakashi narrowed his eye at Ulquiorra at this, as did Sakura and Sasuke, but said nothing.
Baki nodded slowly. "It would appear that Konoha is indeed here to offer help. They had just arrived moments before you appeared Ulquiorra-dono. Would you like to join us as we make for the Kazekage tower. Perhaps you may wish to offer your assistance if you wish to meet with Gaara-sama."
Ulquiorra shook his head. "While that will not be necessary I do however have one request. In the interest of recovering your Kazekage. Do you perhaps have a sample of his Chakra."
"Why?"
"I merely need to familiarize myself with Gaara-sans energy signature and patterns and I will be able to locate him." Ulquiorra explained. "It has been some time since I last spoke to Gaara and so I cannot recall his presence."
"You are a Shinobi then?" Baki raised an eyebrow.
Ulquiorra shook his head. "In a past life maybe."
"Well I must be honest, I do not feel entirely comfortable with you walking into this village with our current situation armed." Baki glanced at the katana at Ulquiorra's side.
The Espada glanced at his Zanpakuto before pulling it out of his sash and holding it out to Baki. "I will collect it before I leave." He had no problem with parting with his sword while in Suna to conduct his business. After all, these humans did not possess the strength and ability to pierce his Heirro let alone pose a threat.
Baki hesitated for a moment, knowing full well what he had been asking. To most swordsmen, both Samurai and Shinobi alike their Sword was their life, it was a part of them. The Suna ninja knew full well that he had asked the equivalent of this Ambassador removing one of his arms. Finally he reached out and gingerly took the sword, holding it carefully.
"I will keep it with me so you can be assured that no-one will attempt to take it."
Ulquiorra nodded, noticing the pointed look that Kakashi and Sasuke were giving the sword, both trying to hide their desires to take that sword. Everyone could sense on some level that Ulquiorra's Katana was no ordinary blade. (If only they knew)
With all that done Baki motioned for team Kakashi and Ulquiorra to follow him as he turned and entered the village.
"Excuse me Ulquiorra-san. But where exactly is Hueco Mundo? I have never heard of such a place."
The Espada flicked his eyes to the right to look at the pink haired Sakura who was looking up at him curiously. It was almost hard to believe that she had a mean streak the size of a Gillian. Almost.
"A vast desert kingdom to the North. Beyond the borders of the Elemental Nations." Ulquiorra answered, speaking a half truth.
"And you traveled all this way on your own? You must be quite strong." Sasuke spoke up, sizing up the Arrancar and taking in his appearance.
Ulquiorra returned his attention back to where he was walking. "Or simply you are very weak. If it takes four people to cross a distance such as Konoha to Suna."
Sasuke glowered at the pale skinned Espada and moved to hit him when Ulquiorra turned his head and looked at Sasuke, his eyes devoid of any concern and pity.
"Do my words offend you Uchiha Sasuke. I would think that you would be accustomed to your state of being by now."
The Konoha Shinobi all blinked in surprise when Ulquiorra spoke Sasuke's name, as none of them had ever introduced themselves to the pale man.
"Ulquiorra-san you should show some respect. A foreign dignitary you may be, but Sasuke is a Clan Head. He deserves respect even from you." Kakashi spoke, sounding perhaps too pleased and prideful.
"A single loyal Uchiha does not classify as a Clan." Was Ulquiorra's response.
Sasuke by now was leveling a large (to everyone else) amount of Killer Intent at Ulquiorra. Less than pleased that his authority was being challenged.
"You should be respectful Ulquiorra Schiffer." Sasuke said, a sneer lighting his face. "The last person who disrespected me was executed as a traitor."
Ulquiorra flicked his eyes back over to Sasuke, knowing full well who the Uchiha was referring to. "Oh?"
"Uzumaki Naruto. He used to be a Konoha Ninja and our teammate before he decided that he would challenge the true order of things. He even tried to have me killed."
Ulquiorra looked to Sakura and then Kakashi. "Considering this was a Konoha Shinobi you are referring to I can accurately assume that he was presented with irrefutable evidence of his betrayal and given a chance to defend himself. I have heard tales of Konoha's glowing justice system."
Kakashi scoffed. "There was no need."
"Yeah, that monster had been terrorizing our village for years before we finally put and end to him." Sakura smiled. "you should have seen the traitor's face when our former Hokage, Senju Tsunade convicted him, it was priceless."
"I take it Uzumaki Naruto and Senju Tsunade were close then? He did not expect such harsh treatment?"
Sasuke laughed. "Nope. The bitch was about to allow that moron to go free and put me behind bars before the council and I got to her. We put her under a massively strong Genjutsu and forced her to do it. Afterwards she screamed and cried like a pathetic weakling."
Ulquiorra nodded, noticing with passive interest that he seemed to be becoming quite emotional over the matter. It was strange to feel genuine anger after so many years. "Perhaps I shall visit Konoha in the future. I am sure Hueco Mundo would like to trade with Konoha greatly."
"Oh, what does Hueco Mundo trade in?" Kakashi asked with interest, pleased that the story of how they had executed such a traitor seemed to have sparked what could appear to be trade negotiations.
Ulquiorra's mouth twitched into a smirk and he looked over to Sakura and Sasuke as if sizing up live stock. "Human life."
the Konoha team froze at that, feeling the wave of despair that seemed to wash off of Ulquiorra as he looked at Kakashi's two students before leaving them and catching up with Baki.
"I apologize Ulquiorra-san." Baki said in a hushed tone as the Espada joined up with him. "Konoha has fallen in the past few years. According to Kazekage-sama, that ninja, Uchiha Sasuke actually tried to abandon Konoha in favor of one of Konoha's S-class missing ninja, Orochimaru. Uzumaki Naruto was part of the team sent to retrieve the Uchiha and when the Uchiha resisted, Uzumaki Naruto was forced to use force and bring back the traitor in an injured state. It was because of this that Konoha had him killed, twisting the reality of things."
Ulquiorra nodded. "Pardon me for asking a question I have no business to, but why does Suna remain an ally of Konoha if the relationship is less than favorable?"
"Konoha has applied a threat of war should we negate the Treaties we have with them. Even a neutral stance will have them attack us. And Suna does not have the military might to defend against the combined forces of Konoha. Things are even more tense with the Konoha Council now in charge."
Ulquiorra raised an eyebrow. "I have heard of this in some fashion. The seat of Hokage has been abolished?"
Baki nodded, making sure that his voice was now enough so that not even Kakashi could hear the conversation. "Shortly after the execution of Uzumaki Naruto the council staged a coup against the Godaime Hokage Tsunade-sama. They overthrew her and locked her in a cell. There is speculation on what sparked this move, rumors flew that Tsunade-sama had been planning to have Uchiha Sasuke brought to trial for his affiliation with Orochimaru. The official story that Konoha released was that Tsunade was an Akatsuki spy and was working with Uchiha Itachi to kill Uchiha Sasuke."
Uquiorra nodded. "When Gaara returns I would speak with him on this matter."
Baki nodded and ended the conversation as they arrived at the Kazekage tower. They entered the building and after a few minutes and flights of stairs, the group entered a small infirmary, occupied by Gaara's siblings, Temari and Kankurou.
Ulquiorra stepped to the side, hands still in pockets as Sakura stepped up to the injured Kankurou and started treating him.
While she was doing that Baki walked over to Temari and whispered in her ear before walking back over to Ulquiorra, the blonde following.
"This is the Kazekage's sister, Subaku no Temari. Temari-san this is Ulquiorra Schiffer. An ambassador from Hueco Mundo. " Baki introduced.
Temari nodded, her face stained with tears while still trying to look calm and determined. "Baki-sensei tells me that you may be able to find Gaara."
Ulquiorra nodded. "I simply need a sample of his Chakra. Do you have any of the sand from his gourd perhaps?"
Temari nodded and pulled a small vial out of her pocket, the glass tube filled with sand. "Gaara asked that Kankurou and I both carry these, so he could always find us."
Ulquiorra nodded and looked at the vial. As soon as he had the energy signature he cast out his Pesquisa. After a few seconds he found a trail of Gaara's energy that started just outside the village and revealed a discernible path of where Gaara had been taken.
"May I speak with you in private?" The Espada looked to the two before flicking his eyes at the clearly eavesdropping Kakashi.
The two Suna Jounin nodded and led Ulquiorra out of the room.
"Kakashi-san, Temari and I will show Ulquiorra Schiffer to a room where he may wait for you to return with Gaara, I will be back in just a moment."
The silver haired ninja nodded and turned his attention to the workings of his female student as she removed what appeared to be poison from Kankurou's body.
Outside the room, Baki and Temari led the Espada up to the top floor and into Gaara's office.
Once inside Baki flew through some hand seals and muttered a phrase under his breath. The resulting effect was a brief flash of purple along the walls of the room.
"I have sealed the room. no sound will travel outside these walls." Baki explained.
Ulquiorra nodded. "Gaara has left a trail of his Chakra for you to follow. It appears that during his battle with the Akatsuki just prior to his capture he kept his sand armor on him so that as he is taken it will crack and fall away, leaving a trail of his sand for you to follow."
"How do you know that Gaara encases himself in an armor of sand?" Temari asked, not fully trusting the almost white skinned stranger.
"I have seen Gaara use it before." Ulquiorra answered. "Although only once it was enough. At any rate, the reason I asked to speak with you in private is so that I can inform you that I know where Gaara is and I will be going out to retrieve him at once."
"Why don't you want the Konoha shinobi to know? These are two Akatsuki members we're talking about. You could use all the help you can get." Baki pointed out.
Ulquiorra shook his head. "A mere human does not have the power to be a threat. And I have no desire to be limited by Konoha. "
The two Suna ninja blinked at this, looking at the thin pale man curiously. Was it just them or did Ulquiorra seem to behave like everyone else was inferior to him?
"In two hours you can inform Konoha that there is a trail of Gaara's chakra enhanced sand to follow, that will be plenty of time for me to acquire Gaara and return after they have left to 'rescue' the Kazekage."
"Are you sure that you do not need help Ulquiorra-san. I don't really feel comfortable in relying on a stranger who has no real reason to ensure Gaara's safety." Temari asked.
Ulquiorra nodded and took his Zanpakuto back from Baki and slid it back through the sash around his waist. "I understand Gaara will explain when he returns. For now I will depart."
Before Baki and Temari could do or say anything, the white clad man turned around and, to their complete surprise, vanished in an instant, leaving only a brief sound of static in his wake.
XxxX
Several miles away a white clad form materialized, startling several birds and the local wildlife at the sudden appearance.
Ulquiorra frowned as he looked around, picking up Gaara's trail easily. He had been forced to execute double the amount of Sonido movements to travel the distance he had so far. It was strange, he did not feel diminished in any way. His power was still at the level that had earned him the title the Fourth Espada.
"Perhaps it is a result of the transference from spiritual to living tissue." The Arrancar mused aloud. "However if that is the case then how can I breath with a hole in my chest?"
At this Ulquiorra unzipped the top of his coat and looked down to the small hole that ran through his chest. The tell tale sign of his Hollow status. If he was well and truly alive then he should have died with that hole...again.
"Food for thought." was the Espada's reply to himself as he cast his pesquisa out as far as he could along the sand trail left behind by the Kazekage. Focusing briefly he flickered away with another Sonido.
Another three Sonido movements and Ulquiorra came to a stop at the edge of a cliff overlooking a small canyon with a large river at the base. He flicked his eyes over the area before finally settling his gaze on a large red arch positioned in front of an equally large boulder marked with what appeared to be a seal of some kind.
"Disappointing." The Espada frowned as he stepped off the cliff and walked towards the boulder, walking down on thin air as if there was an invisible set of stairs before him. "One would think that an organization filled with Rogue Shinobi such as the Akatsuki would be more adept at concealment."
When Ulquiorra came to stand on the river's surface in front of the boulder the Espada turned his head to the side and clicked his tongue in annoyance. "A seal that requires its counterparts to be removed at the same time for the protection to be removed." He muttered as he sensed the locations of five other identical seals scattered around the area. "If I still possessed Chakra it would be a simple matter. However, I do not."
The Arrancar stared at the sealed boulder for a moment longer before mentally shrugging and pulling his left hand out of his pocket and pointing a finger at the obstruction. "If the seals are not removed correctly it is impossible to deactivate the barrier? These humans should no impossibility does not exist."
And with that Ulquiorra focused his Reitsu to the tip of his finger, a small ball of green energy appearing.
"Cero."
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