To the Zoo!

The man was tall, his lean figure draped in the traditional attire of an Arrancar. His black hair was long, flowing past his shoulders and partially concealing the left side of his face. Over his right eye was a large, white eyepatch, leaving a single dark gray eye visible. That eye was focused on them, a sense of amusement twinkling within its depths. A toothy grin spread across his face, exposing his upper teeth.

"Yo, you finally arrived," the man called out cheerfully, his words echoing around the vast chamber. With a swift motion, he raised his peculiar Zanpakuto, a giant axe-like weapon with two crescent moon-shaped blades. A looped chain connected the weapon to the handle, swinging wildly as he prepared to strike.

Kai stepped forward, his azure eyes gleaming with a rare hint of annoyance. His usual laid-back demeanor seemed to evaporate, replaced by an aura of cold determination. He didn't even glance at the weapon swinging toward him; instead, he extended a hand.

The giant axe was abruptly halted in its path, trapped within Kai's grip. His fingers closed around the shaft of the weapon, halting it as if it were nothing more than a child's toy. The force of the blow sent a powerful shockwave rippling through the air, creating a dust storm behind him. Yet, Kai remained unaffected, his figure a picture of serenity amidst the chaos.

Behind him, Ichigo and the others staggered, struggling to maintain their balance against the blast. Their eyes widened in disbelief, their gazes flickering between Kai and the Arrancar. It was an incredible display of power, a testament to the strength Kai wielded.

"Is it because Nel is so cute, or is it because of Dondochakka's memories?" Kai mused silently, his gaze hardening as he scrutinized the man known as Nnoitra Gilga. The memory of Nnoitra's callous treatment of Nel stirred a bubbling hatred within him. The thought of the cheerful, innocent Nel being subjected to such cruelty was unbearable. His azure eyes reflected the quiet fury simmering inside him, a direct contrast to his usual laid-back demeanor.

Nnoitra, on the other hand, looked genuinely shocked. His previously smug grin faltered, replaced by a look of disbelief. He had thrown his powerful Zanpakuto with significant force, expecting a destructive result. Yet, it had been stopped as if it were a mere twig.

"You will make a good addition to my Zoo," Kai said, his voice chillingly calm. With a slight pinch of his fingers, Nnoitra's Zanpakuto broke, crumbling away as if it were made of brittle glass. Nnoitra's eyes widened in shock, his disbelief growing. "I will make you regret what you've done," Kai continued, a note of promise lingering in his words.

With a swift motion, Kai's fist flew toward Nnoitra's gut. The Arrancar, known for his exceptionally sturdy Hierro, merely grinned in anticipation. He was confident, assured of his defense, the pride of being the strongest Hierro of all Arrancar fueling his arrogance. The thought of Kai hurting him seemed absurd, a laughable notion.

However, the reality was vastly different. When Kai's fist connected with Nnoitra's gut, a sensation akin to being doused in lava surged through him. It was not just external pain; it felt as if his very organs were being seared, a crippling agony spreading from within. Blood splattered from his lips, painting a grim picture of his suffering. His knees buckled under him, forcing him to kneel before Kai.

His dark gray eye was wide, a mirror reflecting his disbelief. He couldn't comprehend the situation, his mind struggling to process the pain wracking his body. He had been so certain of his victory, so sure of his invincibility, yet he was now kneeling, defeated and vulnerable.

"Your Hierro isn't as great as you thought, is it?" Kai's voice cut through the silence, his tone dripping with disdain. He didn't wait for a response. Instead, he waved his hand, enveloping Nnoitra in his reiatsu. The Arrancar's form shimmered before disappearing, transported to Kai's Zoo in the Mirror Dimension.

The chamber fell into silence, the only sound being the faint echo of Kai's words. Ichigo, Sado, and Ishida watched the scene in awe, their eyes wide with surprise. They had known Kai was strong, but witnessing this level of power was a different matter altogether. It was a stark reminder of the gulf that existed between their abilities.

With Nnoitra gone, Kai turned back to his companions, a semblance of his casual demeanor returning. "Let's move on," he said simply, a wave of his hand indicating the path they should take.

Ishida, his brows furrowed in a frown, watched Kai's retreating figure. "That wasn't Reiatsu," he stated, his voice echoing in the silence of the chamber.

Kai paused but didn't turn. "And?"

"That was Reishi," Ishida continued, his tone a strange mix of accusation and curiosity. He glanced at Ichigo and Sado, seeking their thoughts on his observation, but they seemed equally perplexed. "You're a Shinigami, aren't you? No, you've also donned a Hollow mask. Just... what the hell are you?"

Kai turned then, his azure eyes meeting Ishida's. His lips quirked up into an amused smirk, but it was clear he was annoyed. "Like I've said before," he replied, his voice cool and dismissive, "I'm neither and I'm all. I couldn't care less about labels."

Ishida opened his mouth, ready to press further, but was cut off by Kai's warning gaze. "Don't make the mistake of overstepping, Ishida," Kai's tone took on an edge, his lazy demeanor replaced by a dangerous calm. His azure eyes gleamed with an unspoken threat, a wild grin pulling at his lips. "We're not friends. And you're not strong enough to question me. I indulged your previous query, but don't assume me to be always this… benevolent."

With that, he turned his back again and started to stride away, but not before letting his Reiatsu flare briefly. The spiritual pressure hit Ishida like a wall, not enough to physically harm him, but certainly enough to render him speechless.

As the pressure ebbed away, Kai disappeared into the shadowy depths of the next chamber, leaving a stunned Ishida behind. Ichigo and Sado, caught in the tense exchange, exchanged a glance before following Kai. Ishida, after a moment's hesitation, trailed behind them, his mind buzzing with unanswered questions.

Kai navigated the maze-like structure of the palace with an eerie familiarity, his footsteps echoing in the vast, empty corridors. After all, he was here on a mission; he still had Espada to hunt.

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