It was time for Gabriel to do his kingly duty, which unfortunately did not include slacking off.
His Nephilim project was coming along just fine, though he needed stronger test subjects. Those basic Shinigami would die during the Hollowfication process, much less handle something like Hollowfication.
No, sending anyone on a mission like this would not be fine. Maybe Nell? No, not her—to Soul Society.
If Starrk stepped in there, he would die. Granted, he would respawn back here because Gabriel had made sure the man had like three respawns.
Hmm, Belial seemed like his best option. He needed to capture a Shinigami Captain, or at least a very strong Shinigami, in order to test out some stuff.
From his spy in Soul Society... i.e., a Soul Reaper whose brain he had completely rewired to see his words as law—
Alongside, like, thousands of Plus souls.
One of which was entering the Academy right now. Apparently, there was a young prodigy there.
Hmm... Toshiro was his name.
Yes, he would do fine.
Everyone else was too protected. That was his next plan—capture the genius.
Anyway, now time to tell Nell her mission. This capture the genius mission would be done later.
"Nel."
A blur of green and white shot into the room, landing in front of him with perfect posture, her head slightly bowed.
"Yes, Gabriel-sama?" she said, voice smooth and obedient, like a knight awaiting orders from her king.
She was very formal. Good for her. That was very good for her.
"I need you to investigate something for me."
She lifted her head slightly, awaiting further instructions.
"Sun-Sun reported a pit in the western territories. She didn't go in because it gave her a bad feeling, which, knowing her, means it's something serious." He rested his chin on his fist. "I want you to go there, investigate, and see what's up. If it turns out to be dangerous, do not engage. You come back immediately."
Nelliel tilted her head slightly. "Gabriel-sama, I am capable of—"
He waved his hand. "Not up for debate. Your life is more important."
Nelliel's eyes widened slightly before she smiled beneath her mask fragment.
So he truly did value his subordinates' lives. How kind.
Gabriel, meanwhile, was internally thinking something very different.
Do you know how much time, energy, and resources it takes to make a Sin? A lot. A ridiculous amount. Not to mention finding someone competent enough to fill the role. No way in hell am I losing one, especially someone as strong as her.
"Understood. I will report back as soon as I confirm the situation," she said calmly.
BZZZT—BOOM!
And just like that, she was gone. Hmm, Gabriel wondered what to eat today. So many options.
Maybe a Gillian. Or an Adjucha. Maybe a Vasto Lorde. Options.
Hey, he was still a Hollow at the end of the day.
Western Territory - The Pit
Yes, this was Starrk's territory. Or at least, his place to guard... but come on, it was Starrk. He did not give a fuck that she was here. Knowing him, he was probably dozing off somewhere.
Meanwhile, with Nelliel.
Nelliel stood at the edge of the crater, staring down into the abyss below. A faint, oppressive energy seeped from within, thick and heavy like the weight of an ancient Hollow.
She narrowed her eyes. A Hollow this strong, and we never noticed?
Something was down there.
She took a breath and leaped in.
Whatever was in there was strong. It felt even stronger than her base state.
Resurrección, especially with her Sin Authority activated, which basically made it nearly impossible for her to get one-shot. Think Star and striped from my hero academia.
As long as her pride in herself remained strong, she wouldn't crumble. She practically got stronger the more good deeds she did. The more good deeds she did, the prouder she felt of herself. And the prouder she felt, the bigger the boost her Authority gave her.
As she landed, her foot barely made a sound against the cracked, thorn-covered ground.
And there, amidst the thorns, lay him.
A pale-skinned, dark-haired figure, his body covered in thin scars and fresh cuts from the thorns. A broken mask fragment rested on his head, and his piercing green eyes, void of emotion, flicked to her the moment she arrived.
A natural-born Arrancar.
He seemed like he had been laying in the thorns for a while.
She took a slow step forward, hands raised slightly in a non-threatening manner.
"You're a strange one," she murmured. "Most Hollows would attack first and think later."
The man—no, the Arrancar—stared at her, completely unmoving. His voice, when he finally spoke, was emotionless.
"There is no point in attacking. I feel no need to. Whether I live or die here... it is all the same."
"So you're just lying here waiting to rot?"
Nelliel had never met a Hollow like him. He seemed to have no hunger whatsoever. Like his hunger was gone.
He didn't respond.
She crouched a few feet away, keeping her distance but making sure he knew she wasn't leaving just yet.
"Do you have a name?"
"...Ulquiorra."
"I see. I am Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck."
She exchanged greetings with the Hollow. Hmm, this Hollow seemed to literally take the Hollow name to its meaning. He was quite literally... hollow.
No reaction.
"Do you not feel any pain from the thorns?"
The Hollow tilted his head. Pain? What was that?
Yeah, he was empty. Like a former version of himself.
Taking out her coat/jacket, she used it to cover him a bit.
"You seem cold. Come, let's go see His Majesty. I am sure he can help you feel."
"Why are you so certain that this man you speak of can help me?"
Ulquiorra's tone was questioning. What was this level of trust for?
"His Majesty can do a lot of things. I am sure he can help you too." She gave him a smile.
Ulquiorra remained unmoved, yet this Majesty fella was proving to be more interesting in his mind.
Fine. He would visit.