Chapter 12: A Sly Trap, Break Through The Forest Of Menos
When they had made it into the Garganta Ichifo explains that there is a certain way to travel through it.
"Okay listen up, I will lead the way. the only way to safely pass through the Garganta is for the one in front to create a path of reitsu. So follow me closely."
He then began to run through the Garganta with the rest of the group following behind.
"Wow Ichigo you have gotten a lot better at this than last time."
Commented Unohanna.
"Yeah I've learned more control over my reitsu than back then."
The path through the Garganta wasn't a very long one, they made it to the exit in just a few minutes. As they slowly stepped out of the Garganta a sudden realization swept through the new squad members. They was behind enemy lines, the enemy outnumbers them by the thousands if not the millions. They knew that this was a sort of stealth mission, they had to stealthily rescue the captain and bring her back to the Sereitei. How was that possible though? There were so many high ranked officers there so how could they mask that much spiritual pressure? The only way that they could would be to split up, and if a 3rd or 4th seat run into an Espada by themselves how do they think that will turn out? Yuzuki thought all of this, the input of questions was at such an alarming rate that it would drive most people mad. His inner conflict ceased when he heard his captain's voice.
"Alright we are here. Hide your spiritual pressures the best you can."
The shinigami did as they were told, and the captain let out another order.
"Everyone lets head for Las Noches. Byakuya you and your team go west, Captain Unohanna take the east, and my team and I will go north. Las Noches will be the rallying point."
Captain Byakuya took his team west, Captain Unohanna took her team east, and Captain Kurosaki proceeded north with his team. On the way there they heard a loud roar followed by a few separate screams.
"Come on let's check it out hurry up!"
The men creaped towards the sound of screams and slowly but silently made their way there. They reached a huge mass of rocks and the screams were protruding from behind them.
"Everyone keep it down, don't let anyone know that we are here."
The captain peaked his head over the rocks to see a small Arrancar, and two hollows. One was rather fat with a large what looked like tribal mask, and spots covering his body. The other one was skinny with a white mask that had what appears to be pincers in place of it's mouth. The trio was being stared down by a group of about five or six hollows. Just as they were about to be swallowed Ichigo lept out from behind the rocks.
"Nell, Dondochakka, Pesche what kind of trouble have you gotten yourselves into this time?"
"Ichigo, is that really you?"
"Of course it's me, now hold still for a second."
The captain took his massive blade off of his back and went to leap at the hollows when he noticed Enoki, and the rest of the team drawing their swords as well.
"Calm down guys I got this one."
"But sir..."
Yuzuki started to object when enoki just put his arm across Yuzuki's chest signaling him to stop.
"Just watch Yuzuki now you can see a taste of our captains power."
Then Ichigo heald his blade back and swung it towards the group of hollows.
"Getsuga Tenshou."
A large curved blue blast of energy was launched toward the hollows making contact. the blast ripped through everyone of them slicing them compltely in half before they beacame soul particles.
"Wow so that is the power of a captain?"
Said Yuzuki being rather amazed by the captain's display of strength.
"Oh that was only a small amount of what he could do."
Stated Enoki.
"Okay Nell are you alright?"
"Yes Ichigo thank you."
"It's fine Nell what were you doing outside of Las Noches, did Harribell kick you out?"
"No Ichigo, master Harribell is..."
Their conversation was interuppted when they heard a loud roar coming from below.
"Dondochakka where is Bowa Bowa?"
"He's right here like always, why do you ask?"
Said Dondochakka pointing at his stomach.
"Everyone be on guard!"
"Ichigo Nell thinks she might know what this is. It's..."
But before she could finish a large amount of roots sprouted out of the ground grabbing everyone by their ankles. Before they could cut them with their blades they were all dragged down underneath the sand. As they were falling deep below the sands of Hueco Mundo they glanced down below them to see the mouth of the large hollow that was pulling them under. Ichigo gathered his thoughts, and sliced the root off of his body.
"Getsuga Tenshou!"
The captain swung his blade and another blue blast shot out just like before. The blast made it's way through the mouth of the monster, and as it let out it's final shriek of agony it dispersed into soul particles, along with it's roots. The team landed on their feet, and Ichigo gave them a hasty order.
"Everyone get up we have to hurry before the exit closes!"
They all leapted into the air and rushed towards the gap above them, only for it to close at the last second before they could make it out. They cursed at the roof of the place that they were in for trapping them there. Their cursing ceased when they heard a strange voice.
"Where are we Captain?"
Asked Yuzuki.
"This is the Forest Of Menos."
"The Forest of Menos? What is that?"
"It's the sacred ground that you are all tresspassing on."
A mysterious figure cloaked in the darkness spoke to them from beyond the shadows.
"Who are you? Show yourself."
Demanded the captain.
"As you wish."
The figure stepped out of the shadows to reveal the body and face of an Adjuchas class Menos. The Adjucha was around 5 feet 11 inches tall, it's upper body was a strange blue color almost purple. It's torso was wrapped in bones that almost looked like it had a towel on. it's arms and legs were the same shade of blue, with gill like protrusions under it's arms. It's had no eyes, but could clearly see somehow. It's mouth was large and full of razor sharp teeth. It's hollow hole was very small and placed in the center of it's chest. It also had four large horns that resembled antlers on its head, two of the horns had were forked on the top of them. It also had an oval shaped protrusion on the top of its head that was red and yellow.
"I am Guntara the head guardian of this forest, I guard the fourth domain of this forest Kūfuku ki no mori " (Forest Of Hungry Trees.)
Said the hollow in it's raspy voice.
"Fourth domain but the last time I was here there was no levels just a large forest. "
Said Ichigo in a curious tone.
"Yes, but since that bastard Aizen was killed our new king saw the potential of this place, and improved it. Now there are six domains and each of them have a guardian that watches over it."
"New king? You mean Queen right?'
"No, I mean king, that imbecile Harribell couldn't even control a insignificant place such as the human world let a long Hueco Mundo."
"So who is this new king, and why is this forest so important?"
"The kings name is not something you will learn from me, but as for the importance of this forest. There is a very powerful reiatsu that is released when a menos is devoured our king caught onto that and began collecting it for research. So he made this place more elaborate so that no one could destroy it and interfere with his research. That is why he split it into four domains and gave the strongest adjuchas in Hueco Mundo leadership of it."
"Well that is very interesting, but I don't suppose you will tell us how to get out of here would you?"
"Oh no now come on, I wanna have some fun, it's not to common that we get new pray around here."
"Well then I guess I'll just have to beat it out of you."
Ichigo raised his Zanpakuto and prepared to strike the Adjuchas down. Before he could attack the Hollow waved it's finger in front of it's face.
"No no no, only those with enough power to make it to my domain can challenge me. I guess I'll see you then if you even make it that is."
Guntara then vanished in the blink of an eye, gone from everyone's sight.
"That was some pretty fast Sonido, it was even quicker than most Espada I have faced. That's strange for an Adjuchas."
Stated the captain.
"Well men are you all ready? It seems like we aren't getting out of here without a fight."
"We are ready sir, shall we proceed?"
Answered Enoki.
"Lets go!"