We move back toward Las Noches, the massive fortress looming like a shadow in the distance, its jagged silhouette cutting through the bleak landscape of Hueco Mundo. The air feels heavier here, like the place itself knows power is stirring again.
The entire Bone Circle is with me — Grimmjow, Yammy, Edrad, Nakeem, Yylfordt, Di Roy, Kukkapūro, Shawlong, my loyal dog Idiot Aizen, and me. Everyone's a little rougher around the edges after recent events, but the tension in the air is electric. We're coming back not just to regroup, but to face the new order under Glasses Aizen.
As we enter the familiar hallways of Las Noches, my eyes quickly search for one figure I've missed more than I expected — Spike o Sensei.
There he is, standing a good ten meters tall and looking just like a cactus. A normal cactus. Really, nothing more than that. At first glance, he looks utterly ordinary. But I know better. There's no way a cactus that huge is just a cactus. He's hiding something, hiding his strength beneath that prickly facade.
Yammy immediately perks up at the sight, his big grin spreading wide. "There he is! The strongest member of the Bone Circle! Spike o Sensei! I knew he was waiting for us."
I shake my head with a smirk.
Walking up to Spike, I feel a wave of guilt wash over me. I hadn't meant to leave him behind all this time — stuck here, quietly standing watch as if nothing had changed. I lower my voice. "Sorry, Spike. We shouldn't have left you here all alone."
He doesn't respond, just stands firm — like a living monument to patience and strength. Still, I know Spike understands. He always does.
Yammy grunts confidently. "With Spike o Sensei by our side, we can guarantee success in whatever we plan next. No one will stop us."
I nod in agreement. "Exactly. We need every edge we can get."
Before we continue, though, there's another pressing matter. Shawlong's twin brother — Szayelaporro Granz, that flamboyant pink freak — is still out there somewhere. We've been searching for nights without success.
Then, out of nowhere, we run into him.
It's a total coincidence, but we're ready.
Without hesitation, we ambush him, grabbing the twin by surprise. Shawlong's eyes widen in shock and disbelief, but I don't hesitate. "We need him. And we're not leaving without him."
We drag Szayelaporro back to the fortress, and the beating begins.
His narcissistic, lewd comments barely slow down the pounding fists and kicks. Shawlong looks on, conflicted but understanding — sometimes family's complicated.
After the beating, Szayelaporro is battered but conscious. I lean in, voice low and serious. "Join us. You'll get power, protection, and a place in the new Bone Circle."
He spits out some sarcastic insult, but I see the flicker of consideration in his eyes. We'll break that stubbornness soon enough.
With the twin secured, we finally move forward.
Glasses Aizen waits for us inside Las Noches, calm and calculating as ever. But with Spike o Sensei back and Szayelaporro in our ranks, I feel stronger — like we're ready for whatever this new alliance with him might bring.
The future is uncertain, but one thing's clear: Bone Circle is far from finished.