BLEACH: SURVIVAL SYSTEM

The war raged on for a long time, drawing the attention of even distant Hollows.

As the fierce battle between these two exceptional Adjuchas-class Menos Grande unfolded, countless Hollows, including Gillian-class Menos, began to flee out of instinct. They knew that if they got caught in the crossfire, the sheer force of the battle alone would be enough to obliterate them.

Boom!

The battle concluded with Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck's powerful Cero. Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, his body covered in wounds from the intense clash, let out a frustrated growl before turning and retreating.

There was nothing else he could do—although Nelliel disliked fighting, her strength far surpassed Grimmjow's. This fact would later be confirmed when they both underwent Arrancarization and received their Espada ranks. Even then, Grimmjow was no match for her. In the end, he had no choice but to abandon his ambitions and retreat to survive.

"It's finally over."

Nelliel sighed in relief before making her way back to Akira's side.

"You're a Shinigami, aren't you? You've got some nerve coming to Hueco Mundo alone."

By this time, Akira had recovered a good amount of his reiatsu, restoring some of his confidence. He glanced at Nelliel and smirked.

"I didn't expect a Menos Grande to protect a Shinigami."

"I wasn't protecting you," Nelliel corrected him. "I told you—whoever attacked first, I'd help the other side."

Akira nodded, choosing not to argue. Instead, he focused on recovering as quickly as possible.

After some time, Nelliel, noticing his calm demeanor, finally broke the silence.

"I don't get you…" she muttered. "I'm a Hollow—an Adjuchas-class Menos, a sworn enemy of the Shinigami. And yet, you're just sitting there, healing like it's nothing. How can you be so at ease?"

From her experience, Shinigami either fled at the sight of a Hollow or immediately engaged in battle. Yet Akira was completely relaxed around her, not even showing a hint of hostility or fear.

Akira smiled slightly. "Because I know you're different, Nelliel."

He said it so casually, yet his words had a profound effect on her.

"He… he trusts me?" Nelliel thought to herself, feeling a strange warmth. "Maybe… not all Shinigami are bad after all."

As time passed, Akira recovered more than half of his energy and decided to eat something to replenish his strength. Reaching into his system space, he retrieved a bowl of steaming noodles, a dish he had won in a lottery two days prior. He glanced at Nelliel.

"You helped me, so consider this a thank-you gift," he said. "Not sure if you can eat it, though."

Nelliel's eyes widened as she saw the food appear out of thin air.

"You… where did that come from? Is it your Zanpakutō ability?"

Food was unheard of in Hueco Mundo—let alone a bowl of freshly made noodles with broth. She hadn't even seen him release his Zanpakutō, yet he had conjured something so absurd.

"Don't worry about the details," Akira said, handing her the bowl. "Shinigami and Hollows are both spiritual beings, so if I can eat this, you should be able to as well."

Nelliel hesitated for a moment before accepting the food.

"…Thank you," she said softly. Then, after a pause, she added, "By the way, you already know my name, but I still don't know yours."

"My name is Akira Kurokage. You can just call me Akira."

"Akira… Kurokage?" Nelliel repeated, her voice trailing off.

A thoughtful look crossed her face before she hesitantly spoke again.

"Since we know each other's names now, and you even shared food with me… does that mean we're friends?"

Akira blinked in surprise. He hadn't expected that question, but as he looked at Nelliel—who seemed uncertain yet hopeful—he realized she might still retain traces of her past self, a memory of her life before becoming a Hollow.

He smiled.

"Of course."

Nelliel's eyes widened. She had regretted asking almost immediately. After all, how could a Shinigami be friends with a Hollow, their natural enemy? She had expected him to reject the idea outright.

But he agreed without hesitation.

For the first time, Nelliel met a Shinigami who didn't see her as a monster—who didn't judge her simply for being a Hollow.

Her face brightened with a small, genuine smile.

"…Alright, then! Let's be friends. I'll be counting on you!"

Nelliel responded a little shyly before picking up the noodles and eating the catfish noodles.

The moment the noodles entered her mouth, the smooth texture and rich flavor completely overwhelmed her senses. Her eyes widened in surprise.

"Delicious! I've never had anything this good before!"

"As long as you like it," Akira replied calmly. He took a few bites himself before focusing once again on recovering.

He was now waiting for the end of the day to receive his survival reward.

"Today, I was surrounded by six Menos Grande. One of them was even on the verge of evolving into an Adjuchas—potentially strong enough to reach the Espada level. This was definitely the most dangerous situation I've ever faced!"

The thought of the potential rewards after such a life-threatening battle filled Akira with anticipation.

Hueco Mundo – Las Noches

Though many Hollows in Hueco Mundo exist as scattered and unorganized individuals, that does not mean there is no ruling class.

Any Menos Grande that evolves into an Adjuchas gains intelligence equal to that of humans, making it inevitable for them to form groups, establish hierarchies, and engage in battles of dominance.

Las Noches is the pinnacle of this order—the palace that represents absolute rule over Hueco Mundo. It is the domain of its king.

And at the very peak of Hueco Mundo's hierarchy sat its former ruler, the most powerful of all Vasto Lorde-level Hollows—Baraggan Louisenbairn.

Sitting on his skeletal throne, Baraggan slowly opened his ancient, menacing eyes.

"What do you wish to do?"

A voice rang out in response—Charlotte Chuhlhourne, a future high-ranking Arrancar under Baraggan.

"Your Majesty, I wish to begin the performance," Charlotte said in his usual dramatic tone.

"We've received intelligence that a Shinigami has infiltrated Hueco Mundo. He has been acting recklessly, slaughtering many Menos Grande over the past few days."

Baraggan scoffed. "A Shinigami daring to cause trouble in my domain? He must have some skill. However, his mere existence is already a crime worthy of death—let alone his audacity to rampage here."

His voice carried a weight of absolute authority.

"Charlotte, Abirama, Findor, Choe Neng Poww, Ggio Vega, Nirgge Parduoc—I command you all to hunt down and eliminate this fool who dares to challenge me!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The six formidable Hollows—each destined to become powerful Arrancar—vanished into the sky, their presence a silent oath to complete the task.

All of them were Adjuchas-class Menos Grande, the elite of Hueco Mundo.