The Hōgyoku's Evolution
In the cold and glowing inner sanctum of Las Noches, Ulquiorra was summoned by Aizen, his expression blank as he approached the mastermind of Hueco Mundo.
"What's the status of the Hōgyoku?" Ulquiorra asked without emotion.
"Fifty percent," Aizen replied coolly, his fingers resting gently on the orb's dark surface.
"When will it awaken?" growled Yammy, standing nearby, his towering form radiating impatience.
Aizen chuckled lightly.
"Just when Soul Society expects it to," he said. "But even they do not know this — in its dormant state, the Hōgyoku awakens temporarily if it comes near someone with spiritual pressure twice that of a captain."
As he spoke, Aizen touched the Hōgyoku once more — and it responded. A radiant wave of energy burst forth, the orb spinning wildly as it emitted a humming vibration. Then, slowly, a new Arrancar began to form out of pure spiritual matter.
A boy no older than twelve stepped out, pale-skinned, silver-haired, with curious yet vacant eyes.
"What is your name, new one?" Aizen asked, kneeling down.
"Wonderweiss," the boy replied, voice soft and detached.
Aizen turned to Ulquiorra.
"Do you remember the order I gave you several months ago?"
"Yes, Master," Ulquiorra said, bowing slightly.
"Then proceed with it," Aizen said, standing up. "And you are allowed to bring anyone you like."
Without delay, Aizen dispatched a strike force:
Yammy
Luppi, the newly appointed Espada 6
Mid-training Neroxis
Grimmjow, the former Espada 6, ever-hungry for a fight.
Scene: Karakura Town – The Calm Before the Storm
Near the outskirts of the World of the Living, under a quiet blue sky, Mohit meditated in silence atop a jagged stone. The wind rustled his robes, the blindfold across his eyes unmoved by the breeze.
Nearby, Ikkaku mirrored his stillness, deep in focus, while Yumichika was banging his sword against a rock repeatedly.
"NOW SAY THAT I AM THE MOST HANDSOME MAN IN THE WORLD!" Yumichika shouted at his zanpakutō.
Rangiku raised an eyebrow.
"What are you doing, Yumichika?"
"My sword's a pretty boy. He thinks he is the most handsome and that I'm ugly — like Omaeda!"
Rangiku laughed, placing a hand on her cheek.
"Now, now… at least your sword says the truth. Because my captain is the most handsome man in the world… even with a blindfold!"
She made a dramatic blushing face, giggling — but Mohit ignored her entirely, his focus unbroken.
Suddenly — the sky cracked open.
A Garganta tore into the air like a jagged scar, dark winds howling through the rift. From the dimensional breach stepped:
Yammy, grinning wide.
Luppi, floating smugly.
Neroxis, radiating unstable energy.
Grimmjow, tense with anticipation.
Before anyone could react, Grimmjow darted away at full speed, vanishing in a blur.
"Hey! WAIT, dammit!" Yammy roared.
"Why bother stopping him?" Luppi scoffed. "He's not even an Espada anymore."
But then Neroxis saw Mohit.
Rage boiled over.
Without waiting, Neroxis lunged, blade colliding against Mohit's. His eyes burned.
"Remember me?" Neroxis hissed.
"No. I don't," Mohit replied flatly. "And if I don't… it means you were worthless."
The insult ignited Neroxis's fury. He attacked more aggressively, his strikes wild yet powerful — but Mohit remained calm, deflecting each blow with precision.
As the battle intensified, Mohit noticed Yammy and Luppi moving toward Ikkaku, Yumichika, and Rangiku.
In a flash, Mohit dodged Neroxis's next strike and appeared in front of the two Arrancar.
"My, my," Luppi mocked. "You've got guts, fighting sixth Espada while also handling that unstable freak."
"Shut the hell up," Mohit said calmly. "Who said I blocked your path? I blocked the big guy's."
He pointed to Yammy.
Without another word, Mohit engaged Yammy, ignoring Luppi entirely. Neroxis quickly regrouped and joined Yammy in a two-on-one battle against Mohit. The air grew tense as blades clashed and spiritual energy exploded.
Mohit began casting Kido up to level 58, striking both Yammy and Neroxis with tactical precision.
Meanwhile, Luppi toyed with Ikkaku, taunting him, while Yumichika and Rangiku fought to keep up.
Yammy then fired a barrage of Bala — small, rapid-fire versions of Cero — at Mohit. With swift reflexes, Mohit cast Danku, forming a barrier that blocked the blasts.
Just then, Neroxis moved in to strike, but Mohit countered with Riku Jōkōrō, pinning him mid-air with golden rods. He then slashed Neroxis and turned to Yammy, delivering a powerful Oni Dekopin — the same flick Isshin once used on Aizen — launching Yammy across the battlefield.
Meanwhile, Luppi continued to humiliate Ikkaku, Rangiku, and Yumichika. Mohit, breathing heavily, was readying himself when Neroxis charged a Cero. Just as Mohit moved to dodge, Yammy blocked his escape route and launched several Bala.
The attacks collided with Mohit, exploding with force.
"CAPTAIN!" Rangiku screamed in horror.
As the smoke cleared, Mohit stood.
His captain's haori was torn, his right arm broken, his rib cage visible, and blood streamed down his side. His breathing was shallow, yet his eyes burned with fury.
He stared down Neroxis, then reengaged both enemies.
Though weakened, Mohit fought fiercely. However, with only one working arm, the upper hand slowly shifted to Yammy and Neroxis.
Until — Mohit activated his Shikai: Honour Arcane.
A wave of glowing spiders emerged, weaving through his body and healing his arm.
Seeing this, Neroxis began to power up for his first Resurrection.
"Wait!" Yammy shouted. "We're not allowed to use that yet!"
But before anything more could be done, a hollow light descended, shining down on Neroxis, Yammy, and Luppi — a recall beam.
Elsewhere – Grimmjow vs. Ichigo
Far away, Grimmjow had found Ichigo, now capable of sustaining his mask for 13 seconds.
Their clash was devastating — Ichigo wounded Grimmjow early, but once his mask shattered, Grimmjow overpowered him.
Just as the killing blow neared, Arthur arrived.
"You look strong, boy," Grimmjow sneered.
Arthur simply lowered his mask over his face.
Suddenly, the air thickened, becoming five times denser under Arthur's spiritual pressure.
Arthur fired a Cero, matching Grimmjow's. The two blasts collided — but Arthur's broke through, carving a half-donut-shaped crater into Grimmjow's torso.
Before Arthur could finish him, Ulquiorra appeared, stepping calmly through the air.
He rescued Grimmjow as a hollow light enveloped them, pulling all remaining Espada and Arrancar back into Hueco Mundo.
The cold halls of Las Noches echoed with footsteps as Ulquiorra walked through the towering doors. Behind him followed Yammy, Neroxis, Luppi, and a severely wounded Grimmjow. Floating beside Ulquiorra was Orihime Inoue, unconscious and bound in a spiritual barrier.
They kneeled before Aizen, who sat on his throne with a calm, unreadable smile.
"Welcome back, all of you," Aizen said with silken menace. "How was the mission?"
Ulquiorra rose slightly, his voice unwavering.
"We succeeded in extracting the girl."
Neroxis, eyes burning with suppressed rage, stepped forward.
"Yes, but I could have defeated Mohit. I was ready to release my Resurrección, Lord Aizen, but you forbade it."
Aizen's smile widened ever so slightly.
"You'll understand, Neroxis… sometimes restraint is more valuable than power. That time will come. For now, continue your training."
Before anyone could respond, a terrifying noise echoed through the throne room. Orihime's body began to swell unnaturally, her spiritual form suddenly imploding like a balloon — violently collapsing into itself and vanishing in a burst of light.
"WHAT?!" Yammy shouted, stepping back.
"A decoy!" Luppi exclaimed.
Tōsen clenched his fists.
"Damn that Urahara…"
Aizen chuckled lightly, leaning back in his throne, fingers steepled.
"I expected nothing less from Kisuke Urahara… his trickery has always been world-class."
He looked across the room at the shaken Arrancar.
"It seems you've failed in your mission. But no matter. This failure will serve as a lesson."
His gaze locked onto Neroxis, suddenly sharp and commanding.
"Next time, you won't be bound by restriction. You may use your full power."
Neroxis's lips curled into a smirk.
"Understood… Lord Aizen."
Scene: Urahara Shop – Karakura Town
Inside the cozy, cluttered room of Urahara's underground training area, the air was tense. Mohit, Ichigo, Ikkaku, Yumichika, Chad, Rangiku, and Orihime (the real one) sat in a loose circle.
Urahara, ever the enigmatic host, sipped tea while hiding his smile behind his trademark folding fan.
"My, my… you were right, Captain Mohit. They did come to capture Orihime," Urahara said lightly.
Ichigo stood abruptly.
"Why?! Why does Aizen want Orihime?"
Mohit, arms crossed, stared into the distance.
"He's Aizen. His mind is a thousand steps ahead. He sees value in places no one else does… That's why he's dangerous."
Chad, silent until now, finally spoke.
"So what now? What if they try again?"
Mohit turned to him, voice cold but reassuring.
"They won't succeed. I've already contacted the Head Captain. He's approved my request—our spiritual seals have been lifted."
Everyone's eyes widened.
"Wait… the seals?" Ikkaku asked. "So we can fight at full strength?"
"Not just that," Mohit nodded. "We have reinforcements on standby."
Rangiku leaned forward.
"Who?"
"Captain Shunsui Kyōraku and Captain Unohana."
A hush fell over the room.
Mohit continued:
"Shunsui is a brilliant fighter — unpredictable and strategic. And Unohana is… perhaps the most feared healer in Soul Society. If you think she's just here to treat wounds, you're mistaken."
Ichigo tensed.
"Then… it's only a matter of time before they come again."
"Yes," Mohit said. "But next time, they won't walk away. That's why I want each of you to focus completely on your training. We strike back when the time is right."
Urahara snapped his fan closed with a grin.
"Well then… I suppose it's time we dust off the gloves."
The war had only just begun.