Fate in Bleach: Unlimited Blade Works!

Nell looked at her hands, then patted her flat chest, confused as to why she had reverted to her child form.

"Nell-sama!"

Pesche and Dondochakka dropped the branch and rushed to her side.

"Are you alright, Nell-sama?"

"Waaaaah! My… my power is gone!" Nell burst into tears. Her childlike mind returned along with her smaller body.

Pesche and Dondochakka exchanged relieved glances. As long as she was unharmed, her lost power was a minor concern. They examined the crack on her mask. It had widened slightly, a sign of her improving regeneration. At this rate, it would heal completely within a few years, and she would regain her full strength.

For now, however, their priority was to comfort her. In her child form, even her temperament had regressed.

Pesche explained, "Nell-sama, you simply used up all your hidden power, like a superhero transforming to save people! Once the danger is gone, the superhero's power fades, and you return to normal."

"Really, Pesche? Am I really a superhero?" Nell's tears stopped.

"Of course, Nell-sama! You're the greatest hero!" Pesche and Dondochakka declared in unison.

It was their honest opinion. In this brutal, unforgiving world of Hueco Mundo, there was no one like Nelliel. Thanks to her protection, they had survived, had grown, had found something resembling… compassion.

Even after she had lost her power and memories, they had never considered abandoning her. They had protected her from any threat, even deceiving her into believing the Hollows trying to devour them were simply playing, their way of showing affection.

The bond between Nell, Pesche, and Dondochakka was unique in Hueco Mundo. They, too, had hearts.

…

"Tch. A waste of time."

Zaraki flicked the blood from his Zanpakutō. Before him, Nnoitra Gilga's bisected body lay lifeless.

Nnoitra, after his Resurrección, had been powerful, his strength rivaling that of a veteran captain. But against Zaraki, he had been outmatched. His Hierro, which he boasted was the toughest in Hueco Mundo, had only delayed the inevitable. Once Zaraki got serious, a single blow had been enough.

What irritated Zaraki even more, however, was that Nnoitra's interference had caused him to lose track of Gin Ichimaru's reiatsu.

"Hey, Ken-chan," Yachiru Kusajishi, perched on his shoulder, pointed ahead. "There's another one!"

Yammy Llargo stood in the distance, arms crossed.

Zaraki had come to Hueco Mundo seeking a worthy opponent, a chance to enjoy a good fight. It seemed, however, that Aizen and his forces had already left for the World of the Living. Only discarded pawns remained.

"Hey, you!" Zaraki shouted at Yammy, pointing his Zanpakutō. "Come here and let me kill you. I don't have time to waste." His tone was dismissive, as if Yammy wasn't even worth his attention.

"Damn it! You… you dare look down on me?" Yammy roared, drawing his Zanpakutō. "Just because you crushed an insect doesn't mean you're my equal! I'll show you the true power of an Espada!"

"Ira! Enraged!" His reiatsu exploded outwards, his body swelled and transformed into a massive figure, over five meters tall, with twelve legs.

"Die!" He slammed his fist down at Zaraki.

…

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Within the Soul Society, alarms blared in the Twelfth Division.

"They're coming!"

Seeing the data on the monitors, Akon immediately contacted Mayuri Kurotsuchi.

"Captain Kurotsuchi, we've detected activity within the Dangai. Aizen and his forces have left Hueco Mundo. They're heading towards the World of the Living."

"Is that so? Understood. Akon, keep monitoring the situation. Report any changes immediately."

"Yes, Captain Kurotsuchi."

In the First Division barracks, Kurotsuchi ended the call. "Captain-Commander Yamamoto, Aizen and his forces are en route to the World of the Living. We can begin preparations for the spatial distortion."

"Yes. Chōjirō, summon all captains and lieutenants to the First Division for a battle meeting."

"Yes, Captain-Commander Yamamoto."

Soon, the captains and lieutenants assembled in the First Division's meeting chamber.

Yamamoto, as always, struck the floor with his cane before speaking.

"I assume you all know why I've summoned you. You're correct. The traitor, Sōsuke Aizen, and his forces have left Hueco Mundo and are heading towards Karakura Town. We will intercept them there and prevent the creation of the Ōken. The Sixth, Ninth, and Twelfth Divisions will remain in the Soul Society. The Second, Third, Seventh, Eighth, and Thirteenth Divisions will accompany me to the World of the Living to confront Aizen."

"Yes, Captain-Commander!"

Led by Mayuri Kurotsuchi, the assembled Shinigami headed towards the Zaraki district of Rukongai. This desolate area, unsuitable for souls to inhabit, was practically deserted. However, as they approached their destination, a modern city appeared before them, surrounded by hundreds of Kidō Corps members in black Shihakushō.

"What is this?" someone asked.

"A replica of Karakura Town, built to scale," Kurotsuchi announced proudly. "It will serve as our battleground against Aizen."

"We don't have much time," Yamamoto interrupted. "Let's enter the city."

Kurotsuchi grunted, annoyed by the interruption, but he didn't protest. He respected Yamamoto's strength, but he also pitied his ignorance of science's beauty.

As Yamamoto and the others entered the replica, the Kidō Corps members channeled their reiatsu into the ground. Black Kidō inscriptions spread across the earth, encircling the city, emitting a blue light.

"Spatial Distortion!" The blue light intensified. The city shimmered, then solidified. Unlike before, however, it was now filled with people. They had successfully swapped the replica with the real Karakura Town.

"What… what happened?"

"Hey, I've lost my signal!"

"The TV's not working!" The residents of Karakura Town, now in the Soul Society, found their communication devices disabled. Games, televisions, phones… all went silent simultaneously.

Seeing the confusion and panic spreading through the city, Kurotsuchi drew his Zanpakutō.

"Bankai! Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō!"

His spiritual pressure surged, flowing into his Zanpakutō, which transformed into a large, caterpillar-like creature with a yellow halo.

"Eeeeee!" Ashisogi Jizō let out a high-pitched shriek, then flew into the sky above Karakura Town.

"What… what is that?"

"A monster! Run!"

The terrified residents scattered, seeking shelter.

However, Ashisogi Jizō's true power wasn't its physical form, but the poison gas it exhaled, a gas Kurotsuchi had modified to be lethal to even those far stronger than him. Since the targets were ordinary humans, however, he had used a non-lethal variant, a powerful sleeping agent.

With each breath, the gas spread through Karakura Town. Those who inhaled it collapsed instantly, unconscious. Some, sensing the danger, donned gas masks, but they had underestimated Kurotsuchi. The gas wasn't only inhaled; it could also be absorbed through the skin. Without Kurotsuchi's antidote, they would remain unconscious for at least three days.

Within minutes, everyone in Karakura Town had fallen asleep.

…

In the World of the Living, as Ailin sensed the spatial distortion, he knew the decisive battle had begun.

A white light enveloped Karakura Town. When it faded, the city had changed. The streets were empty, the buildings deserted. Only a few cars remained. Shop signs and restaurant names were… different, distorted. The city had been replaced.

The current Karakura Town was a replica, created by Mayuri Kurotsuchi. The real Karakura Town had been transferred to the Soul Society. And along with the replica, the Gotei 13 captains and lieutenants had arrived.

The sky tore open, and Aizen and his forces emerged from the Garganta.

Over a dozen figures flashed forward, intercepting them.

"It seems we've arrived just in time," Yamamoto spoke.

The Gotei 13 captains and lieutenants stood before Aizen.

"Just in time?"

Aizen stepped out of the Garganta and spoke with an indifferent tone.

"What are you talking about, Captain-Commander Yamamoto? I allowed you to arrive. Did you really think I was unaware of your actions? However, they're irrelevant. Whether this is the real Karakura Town or a replica, it makes no difference. I can create the Ōken here. And after defeating you all, I will go to the Soul Society, create the Ōken there, and then… ascend to the Soul King Palace and claim this world."

"Arrogant!" Yamamoto was angered by Aizen's dismissive tone.

"No, Captain-Commander Yamamoto," Aizen replied calmly. "This isn't arrogance, but merely… stating a fact."

Sizzle! Sizzle!

Three more Garganta opened behind him.

From the central one, a languid figure and a small girl emerged. From the one on the right, four female Arrancar appeared, the most mature among them radiating a spiritual pressure rivaling that of a captain. And from the one on the left, an imposing, corpulent figure stepped out, followed by four younger Arrancar.