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There were eight figures in all, but one in particular captured his immediate attention. In the middle of the group stood a woman, as its pseudo-leader, strikingly beautiful with an ethereal aura that seemed almost out of place in the harsh, desolate landscape of Hueco Mundo.
She had an exotic face framed by cascading green locks and a pair of graceful antelope horns protruding from her head alongside some distinctive facial markings. Esteban immediately recognized her from his previous life memories. She was Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck, whose strength and beauty were renowned, evident in front of him.
Flanking her were the other figures, all too familiar to Esteban. Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, with his spiky blue hair and wild, fierce eyes.
The lean and muscular figure of Nnoitra Gilga, his black eyepatch contrasting his white skull-like Hollow mask. Then there was the immense and muscular Yammy Llargo, his short temper as famous as his size.
On the other end stood three Privaron Espada as Esteban knew them from his past life but now wasn't sure they were called that at this point in time.
The tall, calm, and collected Dordonni Alessandro Del Socaccio, the winged and mighty Cirucci Sanderwicci, and the Mohawk-styled Gantenbainne Mosqueda. Each exuded a unique spiritual pressure that resonated with their individual personalities and powers.
Lastly, Zommari Rureaux, stood silent, his eyes—seven in total—each carrying a deep, unreadable mystery. He was the embodiment of stoic tranquility in the storm that the Espada represented.
Recognition flashed across Esteban's face. These were the Espada, the most powerful Arrancars in Aizen's army, each of them an embodiment of might and terror. The presence of these individuals could only mean one thing—his activities had not gone unnoticed.
Esteban felt a rush of adrenaline. Despite the potential threat, he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. After all, a challenge was just another opportunity for him to prove his might, to test his current limits.
"Quite the welcoming party just for one person...", Esteban spoke, his voice laced with amusement and a hint of danger, "To what do I owe the pleasure?", He questioned, his eyes gleaming with an eager spark, ready for whatever the Espada had to offer to him today.
His gaze mainly focused on Nelliel, for some reason, standing at the helm of the assembled Espada. She was a breathtaking sight in person—more so than any illustration in the manga had ever conveyed.
Her vibrant green hair cascaded over her shoulders, creating a stunning contrast against the harsh landscape of Hueco Mundo.
The skull emblem that adorned her forehead lent an enigmatic touch to her already fascinating features. And her figure, accentuated by her form-fitting white attire, had an allure that was impossible to overlook, with her ample bosom presenting a generous curve.
Breaking the silence, her voice, calm yet assertive, echoed throughout the barren desert, "Our intentions are not hostile...", She started, her tone assertive, effectively silencing any possible interjections from her fellow Espadas.
She glanced at them briefly, a silent reminder of their mission and her leading position during its duration, then turned her attention back to the figure standing in front of them.
The unnamed figure radiated immense reishi, the sight of which had initially stunned even the strongest amongst them, "You are a force of nature...", She acknowledged, her eyes displaying a mix of fascination, curiosity, and a hint of respect, due to her hollow nature.
"A natural-born Vasto Lorde and Arrancar at the same time. An anomaly that defies the very laws of Hueco Mundo's existence never heard of before. The potential you possess could bring forth a new era, especially under the right guidance.",
Meanwhile, Esteban's keen mind continued to assess the information at hand, a sense of intrigue coloring his thoughts. He surmised that they hadn't encountered Starrk yet, who was also a naturally evolved Vasto Lorde Arrancar.
Starrk's unique existence had become known relatively late in the original storyline, joining Aizen's forces just before the central events of the series unfolded, and was notably absent during Baraggan's reign.
From his understanding, a common Hollow could only ascend to the Menos class after consuming numerous other Hollows, and even then, only if they possessed an inherent potential to evolve further.
But the transformation from the first stage of the Menos Grande to the elusive Vasto Lorde was not simply a matter of consumption. It required a unique innate ability that not all Menos-class Hollows possessed, regardless of the number of souls they consumed.
A Vasto Lorde and an Arrancar simultaneously, from birth - that was indeed unheard of. It suggested an inherent potential that was far beyond what was typical, even amongst the most powerful Hollows.
As Esteban delved deeper into his own existence, he couldn't help but question the nature of his sudden birth. He knew that there were essentially three ways a hollow could come into existence in the vastness of Hueco Mundo.
The first was through a spontaneous manifestation like his own, or Stark's - an occurrence so rare that it was unheard of in the annals of Hueco Mundo's history. These Hollows were born fully formed, embodying a level of power that defied all established norms.
The second type, like Ulquiorra, were born from other powerful Hollows. They were the offspring of the most potent entities in Hueco Mundo, inheriting the remarkable strength and abilities of their predecessors.
Lastly, there were those who originated from the Living World, human souls that had been corrupted and turned into Hollows after death. These Hollows then made their way to Hueco Mundo, where they would consume other Hollows to evolve further.
"So, we're here on a mission...", Nelliel continued, her gaze never leaving the powerful figure before her, "Not to fight, but to extend an invitation.", As she spoke, her mind drifted back to the briefing before their departure.
Nelliel's mind wandered back to the directives given by Lord Aizen during his absence from Hueco Mundo. Aizen had appointed Ulquiorra as his proxy, entrusting him with the management of the realm.
It was a choice well made; Ulquiorra possessed not just immense strength, but also a rational and level-headed demeanor, making him the perfect custodian in Aizen's stead.
The added responsibility of keeping a watchful eye on Baraggan, the Second Espada, and the Las Noches, had also fallen onto Ulquiorra. Aizen always harbored suspicions about Baraggan, even after recruiting him, and despite his undeniable strength, his trustworthiness was in question.
Nelliel, being the current Third Espada, was given a mission of her own - recruitment. Her strategic mind and mature demeanor made her an excellent candidate for this critical task. Despite Baraggan's superior rank and strength, Aizen valued her rationality and dependability, assigning her the crucial role of expanding their ranks with powerful Hollows.
However, the entity that stood before her was an anomaly, a divergence from anything they had previously come across. His raw power and latent potential were unparalleled, sending tremors through the very core of Hueco Mundo's Reishi when he was created in that vortex. This disturbance was impossible to overlook, it caused a ripple in the fabric of Hueco Mundo itself.
In the brief span of time following his manifestation, he had wrought a level of chaos that could potentially tip the equilibrium of their realm. His insatiable appetite for devouring Hollows and the relentless absorption of Reishi had set a new precedent, one that fascinated and yet unnerved the Espada.
"As you might've guessed, we are the Espada.", Nelliel continued, her voice steady and unyielding, "We are the chosen elite, transcendent Hollows handpicked by the current ruler of Hueco Mundo himself. Our duty is to protect this realm and work tirelessly to elevate it."
Her eyes swept over her team—Grimmjow, Nnoitra, Yammy, Zommari, Dordonni, Cirucci, and Gantenbainne. Each of them carried a formidable presence, an assemblage of power that represented the apex of Hueco Mundo's strength.
"We stand united, despite our individual differences. We uphold our responsibilities, seeking always to better ourselves and our realm. Now, we offer you the chance to be a part of us, to add your strength to ours too.", Her message was delivered. Now, the ball was in his court.
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