In a secluded cave deep within Hueco Mundo, Ito Makoto was quietly treating his injuries with Kidō.
"Hiss… so I'm actually this strong."
He grinned in satisfaction while wincing in pain as he continued healing himself.
Through the intense battle between his clone and his main body, he had finally gained a clear understanding of how terrifyingly powerful his true self had become.
Not long after, with simple treatment, most of Ito Makoto's injuries had recovered.
He then sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began circulating his Reiatsu, preparing to sense the unique Kidō aura left on Shinigami within Hueco Mundo.
His goal was clear.
He was searching for the expeditionary force.
More precisely, he was searching for a certain person within that force.
Whenever the Gotei Thirteen dispatched an expedition to Hueco Mundo, each participating Shinigami was implanted with a special Kidō mark.
This Kidō allowed expeditionary members to locate one another even if they were scattered.
At the same time, it could partially shield their Reiatsu from Hollow perception, concealing their presence from Menos Grande.
It was precisely because of this concealment Kidō that Yekawa had been unable to locate the expeditionary force earlier.
Although Ito Makoto had never been implanted with this special technique, he was still a Shinigami.
Naturally, he could sense the residual Kidō traces far more easily than his Hollow main body.
As Ito Makoto entered a deep perceptive state, his Reiatsu surged violently, surpassing even the level he had displayed during his battle with Halibel.
He had now borrowed fifty percent of his main body's Reiatsu.
Only then did he begin his large-scale search.
During this period, Ito Makoto constantly shifted locations, extending his perception in all directions.
Hueco Mundo was simply too vast.
Even with half of Yekawa's Reiatsu supporting him, it was impossible to locate the expeditionary force in a single attempt.
Thus, Ito Makoto wandered across multiple regions of Hueco Mundo, sensing and searching without rest.
This process lasted for more than half a month.
"Found them."
Deep within the Great Hollow Forest, Ito Makoto suddenly opened his eyes.
A hint of excitement flashed across his face.
He had finally sensed a trace of Shinigami Reiatsu.
...
On a hill south of Las Noches, Halibel was sparring with Yekawa.
After half a month of guidance and training under Yekawa, her combat ability had improved at an astonishing rate.
In the past, she would be defeated within five seconds when facing Yekawa.
Now, she could hold on for more than thirty seconds.
If she were to face Ito Makoto borrowing thirty percent of Yekawa's Reiatsu again, even if she still lost, it would no longer be a crushing defeat.
"Bang!"
With a sharp sound, Halibel was sent flying backward by a lightning whip.
She crashed into a rock crevice.
Yekawa used Sonido and appeared beside her in an instant.
He reached out and helped her up, gently brushing her half-exposed face beneath the mask.
Thinking of Halibel's proud figure and enchanting appearance after becoming an Arrancar in the original timeline, a surge of excitement rose in Yekawa's heart.
"Arrancarization needs to be put on the agenda."
Although he was still technically an Adjuchas, his true Reiatsu and combat power already far exceeded that of ordinary Vasto Lorde.
During his evolution, he had devoured over a hundred Adjuchas.
Logically speaking, advancing to Vasto Lorde would require devouring even more of his own kind.
Yet Hueco Mundo likely did not even possess ten Vasto Lorde.
Therefore, relying on devouring alone was no longer feasible.
He had to find another path.
If he wanted to rapidly increase his strength, Arrancarization was the best option.
Becoming an Arrancar first would not affect his later advancement.
After all, in the original history, Grimmjow had followed this very path.
Another crucial reason was Aizen's control over Las Noches.
Yekawa needed enough power to secure his place in the coming storm.
He was definitely not rushing to become an Arrancar because his Hollow body was incapable of engaging in improper activities with Halibel.
Absolutely not.
"Halibel, I have some matters to handle. During this period, do not go out, especially toward Las Noches."
Yekawa spoke gently.
"Yes, Lord Yekawa."
Halibel replied respectfully.
Her emerald eyes shone with admiration and affection.
Half a month of close interaction had already caused this proud shark empress to fall deeply for him.
...
Deep within the Great Hollow Forest.
A group of Shinigami clad in black robes were battling a swarm of Gillian.
Their Reiatsu was formidable.
Even the weakest among them possessed the strength of a seated officer.
Among them stood a man wearing a Captain's haori.
His Reiatsu was terrifying.
With every swing of his blade, a Gillian was slain.
Strangely, however, there was no squad number on his haori.
When the Gillian were nearly wiped out, six loach-shaped Adjuchas burst from different directions.
They fired Cero simultaneously.
"Ambush!"
An older Shinigami shouted in alarm.
The Cero were about to strike.
The man in the Captain's haori calmly tossed his Zanpakuto.
The blade transformed into dozens of rhombus-shaped shuriken.
They pierced through five Adjuchas instantly.
"Pfft!"
Blood sprayed.
The last Adjuchas completed its Cero charge behind him.
Just as it was about to fire, a disheveled young Shinigami stepped forward.
"Sever, Raikazuchi!"
His Zanpakuto transformed into a pure white hooked weapon crackling with flame.
He split the Cero in half.
Then he Shunpoed forward, drew a steel fork-like weapon, and stabbed it into the Hollow's brain.
"It's Captain Osaki Masahiro's Flying Shuttle and Tsubaki Izusuke's Raikazuchi!"
"This teamwork is incredible!"
A nearby Shinigami exclaimed.
Osaki Masahiro turned and smiled.
"Tsubaki Izusuke, well done. Leaving my back to you is reassuring."
Tsubaki scratched his head shyly and smiled.