Hueco Mundo

Kai, still irked by the past reckless behaviors of Uryuu, offered him a dismissive wave. Despite the Quincy's atonement in aiding Ichigo and Sado during the Soul Society invasion, Kai remained unimpressed. His deep-seated irritation reared its head, coloring his reply with an abrasive edge.

"They are in the Mirror Dimension, training. Don't worry about my women," he retorted, his tone clipped and terse. His eyes, darker than the shadows cloaking them, reflected a stormy annoyance as he stared at Uryuu.

Uryuu blinked, taken aback by Kai's biting remark. He opened his mouth to say something, perhaps an apology or a retort, but he was interrupted by Sado. The towering teenager calmly intervened, his deep voice acting as a salve over the brewing tension.

"We all have a common goal, Kai-san," Sado reminded, his eyes steady and reassuring. "To defeat Aizen and protect Karakura Town. We need to work together."

Kai, his anger dissipating as quickly as it had flared, offered a nonchalant shrug. "I know, I know. It's just that Quincy pisses me off."

There was a small silence. Then, to everyone's surprise, Uryuu let out a soft chuckle. "It's fine, Kurogami-san. I can't say I'm particularly fond of you either."

"Good, let's keep it that way," Kai answered dismissively. He then turned to Urahara, "Let's go Urahara-san."

Urahara nodded, his demeanor serious. Gathering his Spiritual Energy, he began to recite an incantation, his voice resonating with a solemn cadence that echoed around the underground chamber, "In my right hand, I hold the stone that connects the borders of worlds, in my left hand, I hold the blade that binds existence. The black-haired shepherd, the seat of noose, a bank of clouds comes, striking us and the crested ibis."

As he chanted, two wooden pillars lodged between the rocks began to emit a soft, eerie glow. An eye-shaped space materialized between the pillars, its inky darkness threatening to swallow everything. Urahara then explained, "This is a Garganta. The technique Arrancars use to come and go."

"Alright. See you in a few days. I hope we can return before Aizen starts his invasion." Kai muttered, his gaze hardened by the impending battle. Then, with a casual flip of his hand, he jumped into the gaping void, quickly followed by Ichigo, Uryu, and Sado.

Within the endless void of the Garganta, they each formed platforms with their Spiritual Power. Uryu's platform was clean and precise, like his meticulous character, while Ichigo's was rough but practical, a testament to his unrefined but unyielding spirit. Sado, following Ichigo, stumbled a couple of times, struggling with the instability of Ichigo's platform.

"Stop," Kai commanded, halting their progression. The void around them echoed with the silent expanse of darkness. He focused his Spiritual Energy and, in the next instant, a boat materialized amidst the black expanse, crafted solely from his Spiritual Power. "Jump in to the Bead Rider," he said with a smirk, his eyes dancing with mischief despite the looming danger.

Ichigo, Uryu, and Sado stared at the boat for a moment before hesitantly stepping on. The boat held steady under their weight, its surface firm and real, despite being created from Spiritual Energy. Kai reclined leisurely at the helm, seeming perfectly at ease in the infinite darkness of the Garganta.

As they embarked on their journey through the endless void, the tension among them was palpable. Despite Kai's easygoing demeanor, each of them understood the gravity of the situation. The vast nothingness around them served as a stark reminder of the magnitude of their mission.

The journey was mostly silent. Kai led them through the dark void with the ease of someone navigating familiar territory. His eyes held a far-off look, reflecting the endless expanse of darkness around them.

Even in the grim circumstances, Sado couldn't help but admire the surreal scenery. The endless void seemed to twist and warp around them, creating a sense of otherworldliness that was both terrifying and captivating.

Ichigo, on the other hand, remained silent. His brows were knitted in concentration, his gaze fixed on the horizon as if he could see through the endless darkness. There was a grim determination in his eyes, a testament to his resolve to save his sisters at any cost.

Uryu, unlike the others, looked visibly uncomfortable. His eyes darted around, constantly scanning the seemingly infinite void. His hand was tightly gripping the hilt of his weapon, a silent indication of his nervousness.

The silence was finally broken by Kai, his voice echoing throughout the expanse, "We'll reach soon. Get ready." His casual demeanor seemed strangely out of place in the daunting darkness of the Garganta.

"Get ready for what?" Uryu asked, his voice barely concealing his apprehension.

Kai merely smirked in response, his eyes reflecting an unfathomable depth of knowledge. "You'll see."

The Bead Rider came to a smooth halt, docking at the end of the void and facing an eerily similar portal. Before they crossed over, Kai lifted his hand, a bubble of energy enveloping them. It shone for a brief moment, then disappeared, leaving only a faint shimmer as a reminder of its existence.

"What was that?" Uryu's question pierced through the silence, his gaze fixed on Kai.

Kai's eyes scanned their surroundings before he answered. "Like how you feel whenever a high-ranking hollow enters Earth, our entrance would alert the enemy as well. Thus, I masked our Spiritual Pressure. For now, we are undetected, but Aizen is expecting us anyway. He wants you here, Ichigo. That's why he came after Karin and Yuzu."

Ichigo clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles whitening. He nodded, his gaze steely.

When they finally stepped off the Bead Rider, they found themselves inside a building. The stone walls surrounding them were ominously cold, and the smell of dampness hung heavy in the air. The architecture was impressive, a grand mix of ancient and modern designs. Arched ceilings loomed high overhead, intricate carvings etched onto their surfaces. Despite the lack of illumination, an eerie glow seemed to emanate from the stone, providing just enough light to see.

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