Shin returned to the Human World with Nel. Nel wanted to bring Pesche and Dondochakka along, but they said they wanted to stay in Hueco Mundo to look after their pet Bawabawa.
Shin looked at the familiar city and couldn't help but sigh that his own home was the most comfortable.
He had been in Hueco Mundo for less than a week this time, and if it weren't for Nel and the others, he would have been bored to death.
"Big brother, is this the Human World?"
"Yes. I'm taking you home now."
'Home...'
Nel didn't have a home in Hueco Mundo, she just wandered around with Pesche and Dondochakka.
—
The Nohara Residence.
Nothing had changed here.
As Shin and Nel walked through the main gate, they saw Soi Fon and Yoruichi in the courtyard.
Soi Fon was holding a black cat, and they were both looking at what seemed to be a manga.
"Ah, Nohara!"
Soi Fon only noticed him when they got closer.
"Oh, it's Shin. Welcome home." Yoruichi was still staring at the book.
"Your vigilance is terrible, isn't it? What are you looking at so intently?" Shin tried to peek, but Soi Fon quickly put it away.
"Nothing, just something to pass the time when we're idle."
It was then that Soi Fon noticed a small child clinging to Shin's back.
"An Arrancar?"
They were both a little surprised. How could he go to Hueco Mundo and bring back an Arrancar loli?
Shin held Nel in front of him and introduced her, "This is Nelliel, my little sister."
"Little sister?"
"That's right. Nel, this is Yoruichi-nee, and this is Soi Fon-nee."
With that, Shin introduced the two to Nel.
"I am Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck, please take care of me." Nel introduced herself formally and bowed deeply.
Both Yoruichi and Soi Fon were charmed by Nelliel and didn't sense any danger from her, so they quickly became friends.
Soi Fon also became more relaxed and was playing with Nel.
Shin looked at Yoruichi beside him and asked, "Has anything happened in the Human World these past few days?"
"No, everything's normal. What about you in Hueco Mundo?"
"Something did happen in Hueco Mundo. I met Aizen."
"What?"
Yoruichi jumped up as if her tail had been stepped on.
"You went to his stronghold? You didn't fight?"
"I just went to Las Noches to have some tea and chat with him, and incidentally, I got some information from 'Mr. Traitor'."
"I don't even know what to say to you. It seems Aizen really wants to win you over."
Saying that, Yoruichi gave Shin a meaningful look.
"I'm not interested. In a couple of days, I plan to go to Soul Society to discuss our strategy."
"Alright." Yoruichi nodded.
"I'm cooking tonight to celebrate Nel joining our family." Shin wanted to try out the effect of his "Culinary Master" skill.
Yoruichi looked at Shin with a hint of suspicion. "Are you sure?"
They had always ordered takeout before, Shin had never cooked.
There was nothing he could do about it. Shin used to only know how to make simple home-cooked dishes, and his cooking was mediocre, so he was too embarrassed to show it off.
Fried tempura, stew, braised pork, unagi don... all were everyday dishes.
Yoruichi and Nel ate heartily.
Yoruichi said, "Shin, you're in charge of cooking from now on. It's much better than takeout."
Nel patted her bulging stomach. "It was delicious."
"It's indeed good." Soi Fon's evaluation was concise.
Shin looked at the table full of empty dishes and felt as if he had taken on a difficult task.
It was also thanks to Yoruichi being rich. Otherwise, with his limited funds, he probably wouldn't be able to eat well for long.
—
The next day.
Shin took Nel to Urahara Shop early in the morning. He let Ururu play with Nel while he went inside with Kisuke.
"What? Nohara-san, you're saying this child is a Vasto Lorde-class Gillian?" Kisuke was uncharacteristically flustered.
"Yes, that's right."
"I can't tell at all. Her Reiatsu feels very low too." Kisuke watched Nel chasing Ururu.
Shin thought, 'It would be strange if you could tell.'
"Nel was ambushed by two Arrancars and was injured, which caused her to lose her memories and power."
"I see. So you're hoping..."
"I'd like to ask you if you can make something for Nel that allows her to change size at will."
Shin remembered that in the original timeline, Kisuke had made such a device for Nel.
Kisuke stroked his chin, "I'll have to study it carefully, but Nohara-san, aren't you worried that once she returns to normal..."
Shin knew what he wanted to say. He knew exactly what Nelliel was like. "It's fine. Nel is an innocent and kind child. I trust her."
Kisuke nodded. "Alright, as long as you have it handled. Did you have any other gains from your trip to Hueco Mundo?"
"I gathered some information about Aizen and his subordinates."
Then, Shin revealed everything: Aizen's Arrancar experiments, the awakening level of the Hōgyoku, and information about the Espada.
Kisuke fell into contemplation after listening. After a moment of thought, he said, "Your intel is crucial. I need to seriously consider our next steps."
Shin nodded. "Okay, I'm preparing to go to Soul Society to discuss it with the Gotei 13."
...
Afternoon.
Eastern district of Karakura Town.
Boom!
With a massive explosion, a deep crater appeared in the forest.
Ulquiorra and Grimmjow slowly emerged. They didn't conceal their Reiatsu, causing some ordinary people nearby to faint under the pressure.
"Is this the Human World?"
Grimmjow had actively requested this mission. He wanted to see if he could encounter the orange-haired Shinigami that Shin had mentioned.
The two paid no attention to the ordinary humans sprawled on the ground, they were not indiscriminate killers.
Chad and Orihime, being the closest, were the first to arrive at the scene.
Looking at the two figures before him, Chad's expression was grim. He remembered the slender, frail one as the person who had fought Shin before.
"Inoue, check if those people are still alive, then take them and leave quickly. I'll cover you."
"Okay. Sado, be careful."
Grimmjow used Pesquisa (Detection nerves) to sense their Reiatsu and instantly lost most of his interest.
"They have some strength, but it's not enough."
Chad activated his Right Arm of the Giant and immediately unleashed his strongest attack—El Directo.
Grimmjow blocked with both hands, his body sliding back more than ten meters from the immense impact. He shook his arm, completely unharmed.
"A bit of force."
No sooner had he spoken than Grimmjow used Sonído to instantly appear before Chad, slashing his sword at his right arm.
Chad saw Grimmjow disappear and immediately retreated, but he was still struck, leaving a deep, bone-visible gash from which a large amount of blood gushed out.
Grimmjow was about to finish off Chad when...
"Santen Kesshun, I reject!"
An orange-yellow light shield unfolded in front of Chad, blocking Grimmjow's fatal blow.
(End of Chapter)
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