Nanatsuki began suppressing his Reiatsu, preparing to leave—when he sensed a Hollow approaching.
The overwhelming burst of spiritual pressure he'd just unleashed had sent most nearby Hollows fleeing in terror. So the one drawing closer now stood out like a lone candle in a storm.
He turned toward the source.
The terrain in that direction was no different than the rest—razed by the shockwaves of spiritual detonation, the rocky pillars shattered and strewn across the ground.
Moments later, a white-bodied Hollow with black wings stepped across the debris, walking slowly toward him.
The creature was roughly human-sized. Twin horns curled from its head, and its face was hidden behind a white mask, save for a pair of glowing green eyes.
[Ulquiorra Cifer]
[Talent: S]
[Reiatsu: Lv.88]
[Reputation Level: Stranger]
[Status: Calm]
"Ulquiorra…" Nanatsuki's brow lifted. According to the original timeline, Ulquiorra was fated to become the Cuarta Espada.
It seemed the recent commotion had drawn him in.
"You're not afraid?" Nanatsuki gazed at him steadily. "All the other Hollows fled in the opposite direction."
"What is fear?" Ulquiorra asked in a neutral tone, still walking forward.
"Fear is an emotion... an instinct of living beings," Nanatsuki replied, glancing at the Hollow's chest. The hollow hole was located there, just as emotionless and vacant as his stare—like a metaphor made literal.
"I cannot feel it," Ulquiorra said softly.
Nanatsuki released his Reiatsu. The pressure dropped like a mountain on Ulquiorra's shoulders.
"Is this fear?" Ulquiorra halted, but his expression remained unchanged.
"No," Nanatsuki said, withdrawing the pressure. "That's only the weight of Reiatsu."
"Then what is fear?" Ulquiorra pressed again.
The next instant, his body flew backward.
He hadn't even had time to react—Nanatsuki had kicked him clean across the air.
Ulquiorra barely managed to twist midair when another powerful force struck his back.
Nanatsuki had already appeared behind him, driving another kick directly into his spine.
CRASH—
Ulquiorra hit the ground hard, scattering stones in every direction.
He hadn't been able to resist at all—he couldn't even follow Nanatsuki's movements.
Even now, lying in a crater, he showed no sign of emotional fluctuation.
"Other Hollows, when faced with death, typically exhibit fear," Nanatsuki said, standing over him. "But not you. Your heart is hollow. You lack the ability to feel."
"To lack… feeling," Ulquiorra echoed faintly, eyes shifting just slightly.
His spine had been fractured. He couldn't even stand up yet.
"Serve under me. Become my disciple," Nanatsuki said gently. "I can help you evolve—help you reach a more perfect form. Perhaps that will fill the void inside you."
Ulquiorra had great potential. One day, he might even master the second stage of Resurrección. A perfect candidate for apprenticeship.
"Alright," Ulquiorra replied, rising to his feet.
He had no purpose to begin with. He had wandered the Forest of Menos without direction for a long time. Perhaps this change would bring meaning—or at least help him understand what he was lacking.
His regeneration ability was already impressive—his broken spine had fully healed in the time they'd spoken.
"We're going to Las Noches. But before that…"
Nanatsuki confirmed the panel and formally accepted Ulquiorra as a disciple.
"I'm going to evolve you into an Arrancar," he said, producing the Hōgyoku.
Ulquiorra was clearly at the edge of a breakthrough—ready to ascend. All he needed was a push.
Nanatsuki would give him that push with the Hōgyoku.
"What must I do?"
"Accept my power—and the Hōgyoku's."
With a thought, the translucent container opened and the Hōgyoku floated out, radiating a dim azure light.
Resting in his palm, it pulsed.
Nanatsuki reached out. As his fingers touched it, tendrils of light extended from the sphere, piercing into his hand.
The blue glow began to darken—turning black.
In the next instant, the Hōgyoku flared with brilliant light, engulfing Ulquiorra entirely.
His Reiatsu surged upward at an astonishing rate.
Cracks began forming in the mask over his face.
Crk—crack—
The fractures spread rapidly. The mask fell away, revealing a pale, bloodless face.
Two long, black markings ran beneath his eyes—like twin streaks of tears.
His black wings had also grown larger.
Ulquiorra already resembled a human to begin with. After becoming an Arrancar, aside from the wings and remaining mask fragments, he looked almost the same.
[Disciple Ulquiorra Cifer has evolved into a Vasto Lorde Arrancar. Rewards granted.]
[Reward received: 100,000 General EXP]
[Reward received: Lance of Lightning]
Nanatsuki received his feedback. Along with the EXP came a new ability— Lance of Lightning.
This was Ulquiorra's signature technique—a spear of spiritual pressure condensed into a piercing projectile. When thrown, it exploded with even greater force than a Cero Oscuras.
"So this is my Arrancar form…" Ulquiorra touched his chest. The hole was still there. The void still ached.
"Becoming a Vasto Lorde Arrancar isn't the final destination," Nanatsuki said, closing his hand around the Hōgyoku. "When you reach the end, maybe then the emptiness will be gone."
"But evolution isn't the only way to fill that void," he added. "I'll introduce you to others—my disciples."
Nanatsuki led Ulquiorra out of the Forest of Menos.
They returned to Las Noches.
"Sensei!" Nelliel ran up the moment she saw them—and immediately noticed the stranger at his side. "A new Arrancar?! Is this your newest disciple?"
"He is," Nanatsuki replied, gently ruffling her hair as she approached. "Where's Harribel?"
He could sense she wasn't present.
"Noitora's leadership was awful," Nelliel said, frowning. "A lot of the Hollows sneak off to the World of the Living to hunt humans. Harribel went to bring back our subordinates to help manage things."
The number of Hollows in Las Noches had grown troublesome. Managing them all was becoming difficult. Both Nelliel and Harribel still needed time to train, so they'd gone to fetch the subordinates who had once followed them faithfully to assist.
"You're right," Nanatsuki nodded. "Training shouldn't be interrupted for trivial matters."
Both Nelliel and Harribel, despite having reached Vasto Lorde Arrancar status, still had room to grow.