Calcular, Urahara
Yoruichi Shihoin examined her bandaged hands and legs, angry at her recklessness in attacking an Arrancar with hakuda instead of shunko. I did expect his hierro to be so dense. We are far behind…
She looked at Urahara Kisuke, who was standing in the doorway, looking at her with concern. "We have underestimated them, Kisuke. They are far more powerful than either of us anticipated."
Urahara sat next to her, perceiving the gravity of the situation. A month ago, incomplete Arrancar had made their way into Karakura Town – shambling, half-beast, half-humanoid beings that were still crude and lacking in power. Then, Isshin Kurosaki had defeated the hollow-turned-Arrancar, Grand Fisher, finally avenging his wife.
The Arrancar they had seen this afternoon, however, were much more complete, fully humanoid, and far more powerful. "It seems that Aizen has succeeded in creating some very powerful and high-level Arrancar since his departure into Hueco Mundo," he muttered. "Did you notice their swords? They have zanpakuto just like shinigami. Aizen has been up to his old tricks – he failed to hollowify Shinigami 110 years ago, and now he's using the Hogyoku to shinigamify hollows! And he has advanced rapidly…"
"How is he doing it, Kisuke? You yourself told Captain Commander Yamamoto that the Hogyoku would only awaken this winter!"
Urahara pursed his lips. "That remains true. But the Hogyoku's powers can be awakened for short periods in the meantime, if it merges with someone with reiatsu that is at least twice that of Shinigami captains. Perhaps this is what Aizen has been up to…"
"But for what purpose? How will these experiments help him overthrow the Royal family? Aizen cannot hope to reach the King, even if he had a million Arrancar at his disposal," asked Yoruichi.
Urahara fell strangely silent. Perhaps there is a way. Time to get in touch with Ukitake.