Punishment  

"Ulquiorra, inform the other Espada to assemble at Las Noches for an Espada meeting."

"Yes, Lord Aizen," Ulquiorra bowed before vanishing in a flash.

His Sonído, a high-speed movement technique, rivaled that of Yoruichi Shihōin in Ailin's memory.

Of course, it had been nearly a century since Ailin last encountered Yoruichi.

To assume she hadn't improved in that time would be foolish.

Ailin had a rough estimate of Yoruichi's current strength.

Decades ago, her reiatsu had reached the peak of captain-level.

By now, both Yoruichi and Kisuke Urahara had likely achieved the level of a hundred-year captain.

During the Thousand-Year Blood War, Yoruichi in her Shunkō state possessed the power of a peak hundred-year captain.

With Shunkō: Raijin Senkei, she could surpass that limit and reach an even higher level.

And in her Shunkō: Raikōhō, her strength likely rivaled that of those who had reached the limit of a Shinigami.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to assist Urahara in his battle against Askin Nakk Le Vaar, one of Yhwach's Schutzstaffel and the "Sternritter of Deathdealing."

At that time, the Schutzstaffel had already been resurrected once by Yhwach using his "Auswählen" ability, their strength enhanced by the stolen power of other Quincy. Their reiatsu undoubtedly surpassed the limits of a Shinigami.

Now, Ulquiorra's speed in his base form rivaled Yoruichi's. This meant that after his second Resurrección release, his power would likely exceed that of a peak hundred-year captain, even if it couldn't match Yoruichi's Shunkō: Raikōhō.

Ailin settled onto the throne of Las Noches, resting his chin on his left hand, his gaze indifferent as he surveyed the empty hall below.

"Tch, what's going on? That guy hasn't shown his face in decades. Why is he here today?"

"If he doesn't have anything important to discuss, I'll definitely..."

The first to arrive was a brash man with blue hair and a jagged bone mask covering the right side of his face.

He had his hands tucked into his pockets, a Zanpakutō at his waist, and his upper body leaned forward as he walked, exuding an air of aggression, like a predator stalking its prey.

This was Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, the 6th Espada.

Grimmjow kicked open the doors of Las Noches, muttering to himself as he strode into the hall.

However, as he stepped through the doorway and looked up, his body stiffened, a chill running down his spine.

The man he referred to as "that guy" was lounging on the throne, his chin resting on his hand, his gaze indifferent, as if nothing in the world held any significance to him.

But what truly shocked Grimmjow was the man's appearance.

Over two hundred years ago, this man had invaded the heart of Hueco Mundo, defeating and subjugating Baraggan Louisenbairn, the King of Hueco Mundo, and claiming the title of "King" for himself.

Under his leadership, the overall strength of Hueco Mundo had increased dramatically.

Grimmjow couldn't speak for others, but as a long-time resident of Hueco Mundo and a recognized "King" among many Adjuchas-class Menos Grande, his own power had increased tenfold with this man's assistance.

Adjuchas-class Menos Grande possessed reiatsu comparable to that of captains in Soul Society.

However, in actual combat, they were often no match for Shinigami captains.

After all, aside from their physical strength, a Hollow's primary offensive ability was the Cero.

Shinigami, on the other hand, had mastered Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō, and their Zanpakutō releases further enhanced their power, leaving Adjuchas-class Menos Grande with little chance of victory.

Even Grimmjow, who had reached the pinnacle of Adjuchas-level, was only comparable to a captain in Bankai.

But after receiving this man's assistance and undergoing the Hollowfication process, his reiatsu had skyrocketed tenfold, making his base form as strong as his previous peak.

And after releasing his Zanpakutō, his power rivaled that of a hundred-year captain.

Previously, Grimmjow had viewed Aizen with distrust.

After all, Aizen was a Shinigami.

If not for Aizen's overwhelming strength and his ability to perform Hollowfication, enhancing the overall power of Hueco Mundo, Grimmjow would have rebelled long ago.

However, upon seeing Aizen today, Grimmjow's dissatisfaction vanished instantly.

Ailin, upon entering Hueco Mundo, had solidified his appearance into Aizen's post-hair gel transformation.

Compared to Sōsuke Aizen with his black-rimmed glasses, Aizen with his hair styled and glasses removed exuded an aura of dominance and power.

Coupled with Ailin's indifferent gaze, he was an intimidating presence.

In Grimmjow's mind, if there were a "god" in this world, Lord Aizen's current appearance would be the perfect embodiment.

"Oh? Grimmjow, I believe I just heard something quite interesting... Is the 'that guy' you mentioned referring to me?"

Ailin's voice was calm, yet his immense reiatsu pressed down on Grimmjow like a mountain.

Boom!

Under Ailin's gaze, Grimmjow felt powerless to resist, collapsing to one knee under the overwhelming pressure.

Although Ailin's clone's reiatsu had just surpassed the level of a hundred-year captain thanks to the half-formed Hōgyoku, it wouldn't be enough to subdue Grimmjow with brute force alone.

However, Ailin's main body's reiatsu had already transcended the limits of a Shinigami, reaching a higher dimension.

With his mastery of Kyōka Suigetsu's abilities, manipulating Grimmjow's five senses to make him perceive Ailin's reiatsu as far greater than it actually was posed no challenge.

Under this terrifying pressure, Grimmjow felt as if he were being swept away by a raging river, struggling to even breathe.

This experience only deepened his reverence for Aizen.

"I apologize, Lord Aizen," Grimmjow lowered his head in submission.

"I misspoke!"

He offered no excuses, simply acknowledging his transgression and expressing his obedience.

"It's alright. I don't take offense at mere words," Ailin said, unaware that his gaze had completely shifted Grimmjow's perception, making him see Aizen not as a Shinigami but as the true "King of Hueco Mundo."

However, seeing the usually rebellious Grimmjow humbled, Ailin decided not to pursue the matter further.

"Rise."

"Yes, Lord Aizen."

Grimmjow stood up, his arrogance still evident but his actions more restrained.

He walked to his designated position and stood silently, awaiting the arrival of the other Espada.

It didn't take long. Within five minutes, almost all the Espada had assembled in Las Noches.

"Lord Aizen," Ulquiorra Cifer reported, "the current Espada are all present."

"Oh? The current Espada?"

Ailin scanned the group and quickly noticed that only nine Espada were present.

The 1st Espada, Coyote Starrk.

The 2nd Espada, Baraggan Louisenbairn.

The 4th Espada, Ulquiorra Cifer.

"..."

Ailin realized that the 3rd Espada, Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck, was missing from Aizen's original Espada lineup.

This meant that Nelliel had already been attacked by Nnoitra Gilga, the 5th Espada, her mask broken and her reiatsu leaking.

She had likely escaped Las Noches with the help of her two Fracción subordinates.

Additionally, two of the Espada present were not the ones Ailin remembered from the original storyline.

The 9th Espada was a Arrancar named Pikkaro.

And the 10th Espada was Dordoni Alessandro Del Socaccio.

These two were the original 2nd and 3rd Espada, respectively, and hadn't yet been demoted to three-digit numbered Arrancar.

"Where is Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck, the 3rd Espada?" Ailin inquired.

"I apologize, Lord Aizen, but I couldn't locate Nelliel or her Fracción within the 3rd Tower of Las Noches," Ulquiorra replied.

The other Espada remained silent, their unfamiliarity with Nelliel evident.

"Tch, that woman probably betrayed Lord Aizen and ran off with her Fracción," Grimmjow scoffed. He could relate to such a notion, having considered it himself in the past.

"No, Grimmjow," Ailin corrected him. "Nelliel is not one to betray others."

After explaining to Grimmjow, Ailin turned his attention to Nnoitra Gilga, the 5th Espada, and Szayelaporro Granz, the 8th Espada.

"Nnoitra, Szayelaporro..."

The two Espada stepped forward.

"Lord Aizen."

"I'm giving you three years to find a suitable replacement," Ailin declared. "If you can bring me a Vasto Lorde-class Menos Grande within that timeframe, I will forgive your actions. But if I don't see a Hollow with sufficient strength to become the 3rd Espada within three years, then you will shatter your own masks and leave Las Noches."

"Lord Aizen, Nelliel's disappearance has nothing to do with me..."