4-2...

Rukiaaaaaaaaaaa!!!

Ouf!

Same old Kon, I see.

Yeah, only one person would stomp me without hesitation after we hadn't seen each other for a whole summer!

It has to be Rukia!

Same old tiny bedroom of yours, I see.

Why do you have to go and point out how small it is?

Just tell me about these Arrancars. Do you know what they are and what they want?

Just a second.

If you want to know about the Arrancar, just hang on. We'll tell you all about it.

Gah, you jerks. What the hell? Why are you in my room without my permission!

Now, that's no way to greet old friends. I'm hoping we'll have some fun here.

Oh wow...

Your buttons are too tight! Let me adjust them for you, pleaaaaaaaase!!!

Bbbt-ouf!

Arrancars are essentially Hollows, but ones that have removed their masks and gained the power of both Hollows and Soul Reapers.

Until recently, they were few and imperfect. But now that Aizen has begun manipulating them with the Hogyoku, mature, fully developed Arrancar are being born.

Like the two that you ran into the other day.

The Soul Society was willing to sit back and see if anything developed with the Arrancars, but that was before Aizen got involved.

The fully developed Arrancars were completed much sooner than we had expected. And now that they've been sent into this world, we can't afford to sit back and wait any longer.

They selected a team to come here at once. That's us.

It's true enough that an Arrancar is born when the mask is removed from a Hollow.

But simply taking the mask off a run-of-the-mill Hollow wouldn't result in anything particularly dangerous.

Anyone who was serious about declaring war on the Soul Society would need something big, something strong: Menos-level and above.

Above a Menos?

Hold on. Are you trying to tell me that there are Hollows out there that are even stronger than the Menos?

Well actually, to be more specific about it, there are three different classes of beings under the name of Menos.

The first is the Gillian, the lowest class within the Menos, and there are many of them. Their main characteristic is that they all look exactly the same.

The Menos that you banished from this world soon after you gained the power of a Soul Reaper was of this kind.

They're big, but they're slow and their intelligence is only slightly higher than a wild animal. It's hardly any trouble at all for a captain to subdue and kill one of them.

The problem is the next level.

This class is called the Adjuchas. They're somewhat smaller than the Gillians and there are fewer of them, but they are highly intelligent and much better fighters.

And finally, there are the Vasto Lordes. The highest class within the Menos.

There are very few of them within Hueco Mundo, but I have to give it to you straight...

The grim truth is that these Vasto Lordes are believed to be even more powerful than the Soul Reaper captains are.

If Aizen now has more than 10 of those Vasto Lordes under his control...

...then the Soul Society is doomed.

Any idea when you guys are gonna leave?

What do you mean, Ichigo? We're not gonna go home.

We're staying here until our fight with the Arrancars is done. No one leaves 'til then.

Where the hell are you all planning on sleeping?

Let me make this perfectly clear. We don't have enough space for you to stay here.

Aww? You don't mean me, do you?

You're the last person I'd let stay here!

Hm...

Waaaahhhhh!!! Whaddya think you're doing?!

You can't change my mind by undoing a button!

Not even if you lift your skirt a little!!!

Dammit! I will not give into temptation! A man like me doesn't give into temptation!!!

Really? Then why are you peeking through your fingers?

Hmm? You want to stay over? At my place, here?

That's fine, but...

Great! Good girl! I knew you wouldn't turn me away.

Hey, I know. A bath! The excitement today sure got me all sweaty.

Ehe... Okay, right this way.

So how's the tub? Is it okay?

It's fine. Though it is a bit small.

I'm sorry.

So, can I help? Why are you so serious?

What? Am I? I feel fine!

Come on now, tell me all about it. I'm a pretty good listener.

Oh...uh...but...

So that next time, I won't let them hurt you!

Rukia is really something, isn't she...

With just one kick, she was able to snap Ichigo right out of his funk.

When Rukia came back and she cheered up Ichigo, I should've been happy, and yet... I couldn't do it.

But it was great, and yet...

And yet...

In truth, I feel jealous. I wish I didn't.

Rukia is kind and gentle, strong and beautiful. She lifted Ichigo's spirits and has a special chemistry with him.

I like her a lot. Anyway, I shouldn't feel this way.

I don't feel like this in school, but when I come home and I'm alone, I fall apart and I'm a mess.

Rangiku? You're...

You silly girl.

It's essential to be who you are. That means you and Rukia.

Ichigo is still a kid who hasn't learned to stand up by himself. That's why he needs both you and Rukia.

What's wrong with being jealous?

You're trying your best to come to terms with some very serious emotions, aren't you?

We both know that it's easier to run away from these emotions and to protect your heart. But look at you, Orihime.

Standing firm and trying to deal with them because you are good.

Uh...

*Sob* *Sob*

Did anyone see you?

Of course not.

On the journey to meet with you, I detected Spiritual Pressures. They were many and strong, contrary to Ulquiorra's report.

Just as I thought. There are many more.

Well, the Soul Society, I guess. Must be reinforcements.

Let's begin.

No rest 'til everyone is caught. You will show them no mercy. If they show even a glimmer of Spiritual Pressure, kill them!

Don't let a single one escape!