At that moment, Nelliel pouted and silently watched Masatsuki Aozaki from behind. fre ewe bnove l.com
After seeing Cirucci off, Masatsuki Aozaki turned around—only to catch a glimpse of a green blur flashing past.
In the next instant, Nelliel shot forward with astonishing speed, leaving behind a clear afterimage before slamming straight into Masatsuki Aozaki's arms...
A loud crash echoed through the room!
Masatsuki Aozaki was sent flying.
"Masatsuki, you're too mean!"
A soft, sulky voice rang out as Nelliel, her head still adorned with her goat-like mask, nuzzled against Masatsuki Aozaki's chest and whined playfully.
She was so adorable that it nearly made his heart melt.
"Nell, get up first..."
Masatsuki Aozaki had been knocked back several meters, but to avoid wrecking Aizen's carefully designed laboratory, he used just enough strength to steady himself.
Of course, Nelliel hadn't reverted to her child form.
And "Nell" was simply Masatsuki Aozaki's personal nickname for her—a name she absolutely adored.
"No way! Not until you pet my head!"
Nelliel clung tightly to Masatsuki Aozaki's waist, refusing to let go.
Masatsuki Aozaki could only sigh in exasperation.
Faced with such an adorable demand, how could he possibly say no?
With no other choice, he reached out and gently stroked her hair, savoring the silky smoothness beneath his fingertips.
Nelliel closed her eyes in pure bliss, letting out a soft hum, as if this was the most wonderful thing in the world.
Despite looking every bit like a mature woman, she was acting like a spoiled child—this kind of contrast was undeniably charming.
Masatsuki Aozaki couldn't help but smile at her.
Back when they first met, Nelliel had stood fearless against the Arrancar army, and without the events of the original story that turned her into a child, Masatsuki Aozaki had assumed she would be a cold and dignified figure.
But after spending time with her, he realized that she was basically an enlarged version of "Little Nell" from the original story.
Composed and dependable in battle, yet affectionate and clingy in private.
It only proved that a person's true nature rarely changes.
Looking at Nelliel's radiant smile, Masatsuki Aozaki's expression unconsciously softened.
In truth, it wasn't Nelliel who usually assisted him with the Arrancar experiments—it was Sung-Sun.
If Nelliel were involved, nothing would ever get done.
She was responsible for the defense of Las Noches, but since she happened to be free today and wanted to spend time with Masatsuki Aozaki, he had brought her along.
Thinking of this, Masatsuki Aozaki suddenly asked,
"Have those two been found?"
"Those two?"
Nelliel tilted her head.
"The two Arrancars who don't belong to Las Noches," Masatsuki Aozaki reminded her.
"Oh, them... We've launched a thorough search across Hueco Mundo and have found some clues," Nelliel said, wrapping her arms around Masatsuki Aozaki's neck. "But... are you sure they even exist? Hollows evolving into Arrancars purely through their own power?"
"You don't believe me?"
"Of course not! I trust Masatsuki the most!" Nelliel shook her head. "I'll have my people keep searching."
...
In the Captain-Commander's office within Soul Society, the atmosphere was heavy and oppressive.
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.
One of the most powerful Shinigami in Soul Society's history sat in his chair, his hawk-like eyes fixed on the man standing before him.
Sōsuke Aizen stood silently, his expression serious, his presence carrying a heavy weight.
After a long silence, Yamamoto finally spoke, his voice low and commanding.
"Speak. What exactly happened?"
Aizen nodded slightly, adjusting his glasses with a light push to the bridge of his nose. Taking a deep breath, he responded in a solemn tone.
"I have investigated the recent disappearances of Shinigami..."
Yamamoto's sharp gaze never left Aizen.
"According to my findings, there is a Vasto Lorde-class Hollow in Hueco Mundo named Szayelaporro."
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