Chapter 523 - 523 A Ruthless Plan

"Oh wow, I never imagined Toshiro was this amazing!"

Nel said with an expression of admiration.

Although Nel knew Toshiro was very strong back when he easily killed the [White Sand Guardian], she never imagined he was this powerful.

"And that's not all. Do you know who Toshiro really is?"

Dondochakka suddenly said mysteriously.

"Identity? Isn't Toshiro's identity a Shinigami?"

Nel asked, confused.

"Toshiro is indeed a Shinigami, but not an ordinary one. He is the Vice-Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, the Captain of the 10th Division, the number two figure among the Shinigami. I've heard that Aizen-sama once personally said Toshiro's strength is no less than his own, and even considers Hitsugaya Toshiro his greatest enemy!"

Dondochakka said with an amazed tone.

"Is that so? I didn't know Toshiro was such an amazing, important person. If only Toshiro could protect us in the future, then no one could bully us anymore. But since Toshiro is such a great person, if we see him again later, will he still acknowledge us?"

Nel suddenly felt a bit melancholy.

"Toshiro made a promise with me back then, saying we would meet again. And liars have to swallow a thousand needles. But several decades have passed now, and Toshiro hasn't come to see us even once."

Nel felt somewhat lost. She hadn't seen Toshiro in decades. Although lifespans for Hollows and Shinigami are incredibly long, so they don't care too much about the passage of time, several decades is still a considerable period, even for them.

But Toshiro had been completely out of contact for all these decades, making Nel worry that he might have forgotten about her.

Seeing Nel's lost expression, Dondochakka couldn't help but console her: "Don't worry, Nel. Toshiro isn't that kind of person. If he said he would meet again, he will definitely do it. The reason he hasn't come to see us all these years must be because he's been too busy with work. Besides, a Shinigami can't just come to Hueco Mundo whenever they want. I believe that if he gets the chance, Toshiro will definitely come to see us!"

Perhaps Dondochakka's comfort worked, or perhaps Nel was naturally cheerful and lively. Either way, she quickly recovered from her lost mood.

"Dondochakka, you're right. Toshiro will come to see us one day. But that guy dared to ignore us for so many years. Next time we meet, I'm definitely going to prepare a thousand needles for him!"

Nel said with innocent and cute puffed cheeks.

Shiver...

Hearing Nel's words, Dondochakka and Pesche couldn't help but shudder.

"Alright, Dondochakka, Pesche, let's continue playing the endless chase game!"

Having said that, Nel started running off into the distance, crying and shouting, while Dondochakka, Pesche, and their pet Bawabawa dutifully played the villains and chased after her.

But after Nel and the others ran far away, a figure wearing a skull mask, a Zanpakuto at their waist, and a standard white uniform emerged from the shadows...

…

Las Noches.

Aizen sat on his throne, frowning as if deep in thought.

"Oh dear, oh dear, Captain Aizen, you look very troubled. Are you still worried about the mission failure and Ulquiorra's death?"

Gin said as he walked in from outside.

"No, I wouldn't call it worry. I just didn't expect the Espada I created myself to be so useless. So, I'm just a little disappointed. Looking at their incompetent performance this time, I don't have much confidence in their ability to defeat the Gotei 13's Captains in the decisive battle against Soul Society."

Aizen said in a deep voice.

"Well, well, you can't really blame them. After all, Hitsugaya Toshiro saw through the plan. Failure was somewhat unavoidable."

Gin seemed to be making excuses for the Espada.

"Gin, you don't need to make excuses for them. Failure is failure. No matter what excuse they give, it doesn't change the outcome of their failure."

Aizen said indifferently.

"Oh dear, oh dear, how ruthless, Captain Aizen."

Gin teased.

"Speaking of which... do you have any suggestions for the next step, Gin?"

Aizen suddenly asked Gin.

"What?"

Gin looked confused.

"Don't play dumb, Gin. You must have seen it long ago, right? There's no way I would deploy nearly half the Espada just for an Inoue Orihime."

Aizen looked meaningfully at Gin.

"Oh dear, oh dear. Since Captain Aizen puts it that way, it seems my guess was indeed correct. Captain Aizen's true goal this time was to use Inoue Orihime as bait to lure the Shinigami to come to the rescue, thereby dispersing and weakening Soul Society's military strength, and finally… seize the opportunity to settle the score with Soul Society! Am I right, Captain Aizen?"

Gin smiled with narrowed eyes, like a fox.

"As expected of Gin, you have completely guessed my thoughts. However, this mission has already failed. So the plan to use Inoue Orihime as bait to lure Soul Society's rescue and disperse their forces has completely collapsed. Do you have any suggestions for that, Gin?"

Aizen stared intently at Gin, as if testing him.

"Does Captain Aizen mean to continue trying to split Soul Society's military strength?"

Gin asked.

"Correct."

Aizen nodded.

Aizen had originally wanted to disperse and weaken Soul Society's forces. Ulquiorra's death and the mission failure had further damaged the Espada's standing in Aizen's eyes. He suddenly realized that the Espada he had created himself might not be as powerful as he had imagined.

So now, Aizen was even more focused on the plan to disperse and weaken Soul Society's forces.

"Actually, there is a way to lure the Shinigami to Hueco Mundo to disperse Soul Society's strength."

Gin suddenly said with an air of mystery.

"Oh? What method?"

Aizen asked with interest.

"—The Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force!"

Gin said, enunciating each word.

"The Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force, huh..."

A glint of sharp light flashed in Aizen's eyes.

"Exactly. Whether Soul Society or Hueco Mundo, everyone has always overlooked that there has always been a Shinigami army in Hueco Mundo! If we attack that Shinigami unit, can Soul Society just sit still?"

A cruel smile tugged at the corner of Gin's mouth.

Looking at the smirking Gin, even Aizen felt a momentary chill.

"Oh, Gin, I didn't expect you to be so ruthless. Having been a Captain in Soul Society for so many years, you would propose such a cruel plan."

Aizen said, somewhat surprised.

"Oh dear, Captain Aizen, I am utterly loyal to you. Proposing such a cruel plan was all for your sake, Captain Aizen. Yet you call me ruthless. That's rather disheartening."

Gin said with a feigned aggrieved expression.

"I'm sorry, Gin. I shouldn't have said that."

Aizen immediately apologized sincerely, as if he truly believed in Gin's loyalty.

"Aizen-sama!"

Just then, Tosen hurriedly walked in.

"Aizen-sama, I have a special matter to report to you."

Tosen glanced warily at Gin, then walked directly to Aizen's throne and reported in a low voice: "According to a report from a member of the Exequias, the 'former' Tres Espada, Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck, and her Fracción appear to have a connection with Hitsugaya Toshiro of the Gotei 13..."

After listening to Tosen's report, an interesting expression appeared on Aizen's face.

"Gin, we just discovered something interesting. This time, we might even be able to lure Hitsugaya Toshiro to Hueco Mundo."