章 37: Cave in the south
Kiyota quickly bought two shinigami robes and threw them to Luna and Kain.
"You can use these, the shinigami robes. They increase agility and provides minor protection against spiritual attacks." Kiyota said.
"Why do we need these robes? I have no problem being naked. Besides, the robes will restrict my movement." Kain said.
"Yes my Lord." Luna said, putting on the black robe.
"It doesn't matter if they are comfortable or not. Wear it anyway. It's better than running around naked." Kiyota replied.
"But you are naked." Kain said.
Kiyota rolled his eyes.
"That's different."
"How so? You're naked, too." Kain said, looking at Kiyota.
"I'm an adhjchas... Do you really think that would fit me?" Kiyota said with an exasperated tone.
~~~
In the Soul Society. In the First Special Confinement Cell of the Fifth Division barracks, Lieutenant Momo Hinamori sat with her head in her hands. The memory of finding Captain Sōsuke Aizen's lifeless body earlier, still on her mind.
The cell door opened, 10th Division Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto stepped in. She looked around the cell, then she took in Hinamori's messy appearance.
"Hinamori... you look awful," Rangiku said gently. "Have you calmed down at all since earlier?"
Hinamori looked up, her eyes red and puffy from crying because of Aizen's death.
"Rangiku... I'm sorry for causing you trouble as well."
Rangiku waved off the apology. "Don't worry about it. I couldn't do much either, given the circumstances."
Hinamori's voice was barely above a whisper as she asked, "What's it like out there? In the Seireitei?"
Rangiku sighed, leaning against the wall. "Chaos, to put it mildly. With this unprecedented tragedy happening right in our barracks, on top of the Ryoka situation... High-ranking Shinigami are all over the place, each pursuing their own agenda. We're losing focus."
Hinamori's eyes widened in disbelief. "But... why aren't they arresting the perpetrator? Shouldn't that be the priority?"
"It's not that simple," Rangiku explained. "They're still investigating the crime scene. For now, we have no choice but to wait for Captain-Commander Yamamoto's decision."
Suddenly, Hinamori's face contorted with anger. "It was Captain Ichimaru! He must have killed Captain Aizen!"
"Hinamori!" Rangiku snapped, her voice sharp. "Don't say such reckless things! Do you have any idea what you're implying?"
Meanwhile, Ichigo stood his ground, his eyes locked on Kenpachi Zaraki.
"I can't let you pass through here," Ichigo said, with a firm and confident, tone despite the overwhelming spiritual pressure of the captain before him.
Kenpachi's had a wild grin.
"You've got it all wrong, kid. I'm not here to pass through. I'm here to fight you. I couldn't care less about what happens to Rukia or your friends." Kenpachi said.
Ichigo's grip tightened on Zangetsu behind his back as he stared at Kenpachi. Without hesitation, he drew his zanpakutō, blue reiatsu swirling around him.
"Not bad," Kenpachi observed, his voice tinged with amusement. "Your guard's stiff, though. Full of openings. No wonder, Ikkaku lost to you. Ordinary lieutenants wouldn't stand a chance."
Ichigo's eyes narrowed, but before he could respond, Kenpachi continued.
"Still, you're not on my level yet." Kenpachi's smile widened.
"Tell you what, I'll give you a handicap. Take the first swing. Cut me wherever you like."
Ichigo's eyes widened in disbelief. From nearby, Yachiru's voice piped up, "Ken-chan, you're so generous!"
"What can I say?" Kenpachi chuckled.
"I'm a bleeding heart of generosity."
"Are you mocking me? I can't attack someone who hasn't drawn their weapon!" Ichigo hesitated.
~~~
Back in Hueco Mundo the trio had been travelling for a while now.
'This sand is getting annoying. I know this is Hueco Mundo and everything, but c'mon, this much sand?' Kiyota thought to himself.
'It would be so bad if I could fly there, but unfortunately I have to walk with these two.'
"Hey Luna, you feel anything?" Kiyota asked.
"My lord, I don't feel anything yet. But I'm sure we are close." Luna said.
'Siri, how far is it still?' Kiyota asked.
"It's not that far, though it's pretty faint. Either the vasto lorde is really good at concealing its spiritual pressure, or it has less, which is unlikely the issue." Siri replied.
'Ok, that's good. It shouldn't be long till we arrive.' Kiyota thought.
Kain's face droopy, as if all the excitement had been sucked out of him.
"Luna... this is so boring, I wish something interesting would happen. Do something funny!" Kain whined.
"Shut up! This is a serious matter, and we need to stay focused." Luna snapped.
"I don't take orders from princesses." Kain complained.
"If you don't shut up, I'll punch you." Luna threatened.
After some more time of travelling, Siri's voice chimed in, breaking Kiyota's reverie.
"Alright you're here. You see that cave in front of you?" Siri asked.
'Yeah I see it. Now that we are closer I should be able to feel it but I don't.' Kiyota thought.
Kiyota looked at the Luna and Kain who were walking.
'They don't sense it either... Something is fishy. I don't think I should send in Luna or Kain.'
Kiyota considered the situation carefully. The fact that neither he nor his two powerful Arrancar could sense the Vasto Lorde's presence was concerning. It could mean that the Vasto Lorde was exceptionally skilled at concealing its spiritual pressure, or it could be a trap.
'I can't sense it either and if it wasn't for Siri, we wouldn't even find this place. I don't know how those other regular hollows felt the spiritual pressure, but I can't risk sending Luna or Kain in there,' Kiyota thought.
'If it's a trap or if the Vasto Lorde is more powerful than we anticipate, I could lose them both. And if it's not hostile, their aggressive natures might provoke an unnecessary fight. And now that I think about it, it's likely that the vasto lorde felt our spiritual pressure too in turn and felt that it was best to hide rather than scare.'
He also realised that this was an opportunity to prove his own strength and leadership.
'I need to show them that I'm not just giving orders from the sidelines. I can handle this myself.'
Kiyota turned to Luna and Kain.
"See that cave? That's where it is, and I'm going in alone." he announced firmly.
Luna's eyes widened in concern. "But my lord, it could be dangerous. Allow me to..."
Kiyota held up a hand, silencing him. "No. I need you both to stay out here. Stand guard at the entrance. If I call for you, come in immediately. Otherwise, wait for my return."
Kain looked like he was about to say something, but a sharp look from Kiyota silenced him.
As kiyota walked in the cave, he reassured himself.
'I can handle this. If it comes to a fight, I should be able to hold off a Vasto Lorde long enough for Luna and Kain to come to my aid. And if it's not hostile, maybe I can recruit it without any violence.' Kiyota thought.
With a deep breath, Kiyota stepped in.
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