Part 5: Hueco Mundo Vol.1, 3-5

She's a brave girl.

They belong to Lord Aizen, and are for his purpose and use.

She only hesitated for an instant. She didn't flinch at my question.

Hey, tell me.

How is our little pet doing today?

Nnoitora...

I know that Lord Aizen decided to leave you in charge of that girl, Ulquiorra. How wonderful...

Have you disciplined her yet?

How vulgar.

Don't get so touchy. I'm simply asking if things are going okay in there, that's all. Well?

You're curious? Don't worry yourself over such trifling matters.

Hmm?

Actually, what I meant to say was that the girl was under Lord Aizen's spell long before she came to Hueco Mundo.

In any case, right now that girl does not have the strength to run away.

She doesn't have the strength or the will to defy us.

I'm glad you've come, Orihime.

There's something very important that I'd like to show you.

This is what I wanted to show you, Orihime.

Huh?

You can sense it, can't you? You know that it's the Hogyoku.

Without the Hogyoku, it is impossible to transform Hollows into Arrancars or to create the Ouken.

I've chosen to show this to you for one reason. To prove that I trust you.

You have a phenomenal power. You can negate things that have happened and possess the ability to wipe out entire events.

This is an incredible power. A power that is very useful to me, Orihime.

You'll use your power for me, won't you?

............

We finally came to a decent looking place this time!

A crossroad.

How do we decide which door to go through?

............

Nel... Sorry, but it looks like we'll have to part ways here after all.

Huh?

The Spiritual Pressure is too strong. There's no way you guys will be able to withstand it from this point on.

I can't even imagine what might be facing us ahead.

Ichigo...

There are five paths.

We have to check each one, starting with the ones on the ends.

No. Let's each go down a separate path at the same time.

Huh!

That's just crazy! I mean we're talking about Espada here!

If we all stand together as one unit, we'll have a better chance against them. Think about it!

If we become separated...

Enough.

It's insulting to a warrior to be concerned about his life while he's out in the battlefield.

Huh!

Ichigo, you say that because you're worried about me, but that's just not like you.

I told you, don't worry about me.

I didn't come here so you could worry about me.

*Sigh*

Alright then, we'll go down separate paths.

Good. But before we do that, I think we should probably do a charm together.

A charm?

That's right. It's a ritual that the Thirteen Court Guard Squads has used over the years and it's chanted before a big battle.

It's fallen out of use, and to be honest, there aren't many squads that still do it anymore.

But I figure it's a good thing to do at a time like this.

Come on, join hands!

As we approach the crucial battle grounds, believe that our blades will not shatter! Believe that our resolve will not weaken!

Though our paths may diverge, our iron hearts will remain together!

Swear that though the land itself may break asunder...

...we will come back here alive!

Hey, they left. Ya know what I'm talking about?

So what should we do?

Uhh... Forget about it! If we turn back now, it'll still be dangerous.

Ichigo... Nel is going after Ichigo!

What? Going after him?

Nel had...Nel had fun! Nel had lots and lots of fun!

Nel still...Nel still wants to stay with Ichigo and the others!

Nel!

All right, then we're going too!

Yeah let's do it!

Which way did Nel go?