In Mitidilas's eyes, Shin was resting with his eyes closed. This seemed like a perfect opportunity for a sneak attack, yet he made no move, not even daring to flee.
Shin finished processing the new skills and opened his eyes, noting that Mitidilas hadn't moved an inch.
Thinking the Adjuchas was reasonably obedient, he asked, "Have you seen a child Arrancar with teal-colored hair?"
"A child? An Arrancar?"
"Lord, I saw them on the outskirts of Las Noches, with a few other Hollows."
Based on Mitidilas's description, it must be Nel.
"Miti..."
"Mitidilas, my lord."
"Oh, right. Mitidilas, report the situation here to Las Noches after a day. Tell them a human man who can manipulate flames has appeared."
"Do you understand?"
"I... I understand." Mitidilas nodded.
Although he didn't understand why this human wanted him to expose his whereabouts, he knew better than to ask unnecessary questions.
Seeing that he was sensible, Shin waved his hand and said, "Good, you may leave now."
"Thank you, my lord."
Mitidilas turned to leave, but then a person descended from the sky. He could even feel the chilling gleam of their Zanpakutō.
Clang!
Mitidilas thought he had barely escaped the tiger's den only to fall into a pack of wolves, but unexpectedly, Shin blocked the strike.
"A Shinigami?"
Shin looked at the Shinigami before him, who wore a Hollow mask resembling an antelope skull, was dressed in a shihakusho, and wore a cloak adorned with skulls.
"A human? Why did you save him?"
Shin said, "I don't care about the others, but him, you cannot kill."
He still had use for Mitidilas, he wouldn't let him be killed so easily.
Then, Shin looked at Mitidilas. "You may go."
"Yes, my lord." Mitidilas, having narrowly escaped death, immediately took off.
"Why would a human come to the Forest of Menos?"
Because Ashido was wearing a mask, his voice sounded muffled and booming.
Shin countered, "Then why is a Shinigami in the Forest of Menos?"
Ashido didn't pursue the reason further. He used Shunpo to move behind Shin, but Shin was faster, unleashing a dismantle.
The white slash attacked Ashido. Shocked, Ashido quickly blocked it with his Zanpakutō.
Shin hadn't even used a sword for this strike. It was merely a casual wave of his hand, which was beyond Ashido's comprehension.
"What kind of move is this? Using your hand as a sword?"
Shin didn't answer. He was quite satisfied with the effect of Dismantle. Although its power wasn't immense, it was easy and quick to release.
Ashido was about to attack again, but only saw a flash of white light before his eyes.
Clang!
His mask fell to the ground. If the blade had advanced even half an inch further, he would have lost his life.
Beneath the mask, Ashido had short reddish-brown hair.
Ashido said, "You are very strong. This is the first time I have met such a powerful human."
Shin asked, "Thank you for the compliment. Why are you in the Forest of Menos? You don't look like you just arrived."
Ashido pondered for a moment, then briefly introduced his background. He also wanted to inquire about Soul Society and the Human World from Shin.
It turned out that Ashido was once a member of the Hueco Mundo Expedition Team. He and his teammates mistakenly entered the Forest of Menos. Centuries passed, and all his teammates died in battle, leaving only him behind.
Ashido said, "You know about Shinigami, so you must know about Soul Society, right?"
Shin nodded. "I know a bit."
Ashido continued to ask, "How is Kenpachi Kuruyashiki?"
"The current Kenpachi is named Zaraki."
Hearing this, Ashido understood.
"Are you here just to slay Hollows? Haven't you thought about leaving?"
Shin was curious about his reason for staying. Such dedication, day after day for centuries, was not something an ordinary person could achieve. Moreover, Hueco Mundo, in his opinion, was extremely boring. This boredom and loneliness would be unbearable for most.
"Slaying Hollows is a Shinigami's duty, and the Forest of Menos is the source of Hollows. If the number of Hollows here decreases, perhaps there will be fewer Hollows in the Human World too." Ashido looked up into the distance.
Shin nodded, having a good impression of Ashido. "If you want to return to Soul Society, I can help you."
Hearing this, Ashido looked at Shin with a mixture of confusion and shock. He was clearly human, yet he seemed to have influence in Soul Society.
"No need. This is the path I chose."
All his teammates had perished, and even his old friends were gone. Soul Society held no attachments for him anymore.
Ashido turned around and looked seriously at Shin. "One last question. Have the Hollows in the Human World decreased?"
Shin didn't want to deceive him, so he remained silent.
"Is that so?"
Ashido seemed to let out a sigh of relief. Without saying goodbye, he slowly walked away.
Looking at Ashido's retreating figure, he appeared somewhat lonely, yet his steps were firm.
Shin didn't speak up to dissuade him, this was his respect for Ashido. He was a pure Shinigami, fighting only for the beliefs of a Shinigami.
...
Shin left the Forest of Menos and returned to the surface.
He looked up at Las Noches and flew towards it using his Wings of Crimson. What he didn't expect was that Nel had appeared very far away from Las Noches.
The trio and a large caterpillar were fleeing desperately in front, pursued by an Adjuchas.
Nel's two subordinates weren't weak, were they? Did they really like playing chase games? And how could that Adjuchas not catch up to the trio?
Shin found it a bit strange.
In the original story, Nel loved playing a chase game called "Infinite Tag" with her companions because Hueco Mundo was too boring and lacked entertainment.
Bang!
Shin descended from the air and stomped the Adjuchas into the sand with one foot.
Hearing the commotion behind them, the trio turned to see what was happening. They saw a stranger wearing a white trench coat standing on the head of the Adjuchas that had been chasing them.
"We... we're saved."
The three thanked Shin together. "Thank you so much."
Nel had short green hair, wore coarse greenish-gray clothes, had a scar running from her forehead to the right side of her nose, and was barefoot.
Shin was curious. "What exactly is going on with you?"
Nel took off her hood and said with a smile, "We angered him while playing Infinite Pursuit, and he kept chasing us, trying to kill us."
"Oh, right, I'm an Arrancar, Nel Tu."
She then introduced the two beside her, "This is Nel's older brother, Pesche. And this is also Nel's older brother, Dondochakka."
"I see. I am Shin."
As he spoke, he finished off the Adjuchas under his foot with a single strike.
Seeing him kill an Adjuchas so cleanly and effortlessly, the trio seemed startled.
They looked Shin over again. "Um, excuse me, are you..."
Shin flashed a harmless smile. "A human."
Upon hearing this, the three looked panicked. "We're doomed! We're definitely going to be killed!"
Shin was speechless. Other Hollows usually looked at him as if he were a delicious meal, but these three were the complete opposite.
"Why would I kill you?"
"Huh?"
—
Las Noches.
Aizen sat on his throne and revealed the information he had gathered to the Espada.
"Gentlemen, an unwelcome guest has arrived in Hueco Mundo."
"An intruder?"
Aizen did not answer, instead looking at the Sixth Espada. "Grimmjow, you shall go and investigate this matter."
'Shin, is that you?'