Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez.
Once the Sexta Espada in the original, he seemed to have ascended to Vasto Lorde-level shortly after becoming an Arrancar and facing Ichigo Kurosaki.
For a brief moment, Makoto regarded Grimmjow with a slightly more amiable expression.
Although Grimmjow had yet to reach the Vasto Lorde level at this point, he undoubtedly possessed the potential to do so.
However, to Grimmjow, the sudden shift in Makoto's demeanor was nothing short of a danger signal.
In the next instant, driven purely by instinct, Grimmjow—his feline-like form exuding predatory agility—vanished in a blur, dashing away at high speed.
Yet, just as he was about to disappear from Makoto's sight, a surge of Hueco Mundo's signature deadwood erupted from the ground, engulfing him from all directions.
Faced with this sudden entrapment, Grimmjow wasted no time. His mouth opened wide, gathering a Cero of tremendous power, firing it without hesitation to blast open a path to freedom.
But…
A few seconds later.
Grimmjow found himself thoroughly restrained, his limbs tightly bound by the deadwood, dangling helplessly like a sacrificial lamb. The very same deadwood hoisted him back toward Makoto.
As Makoto looked at Grimmjow's utterly humiliated expression, he spoke with a tone of mild exasperation.
"Why so eager to run, little panther? That's a clear violation of our agreement."
Grimmjow gritted his teeth and growled. "I answered your question! You're the one breaking the agreement!"
Makoto raised an eyebrow and shot back. "Did I ever say I was only going to ask one question?"
Clearly, when it came to verbal sparring, Grimmjow was no match for Makoto, who had been thoroughly trained by Unohana in the art of conversation.
With just a few words, even Grimmjow started to feel as if he were in the wrong.
"Shinigami, what exactly do you want? I told you—I don't know Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck's exact location."
Makoto shook his head and replied, "I already have ways to confirm Nelliel's whereabouts. You, on the other hand... you've caught my interest."
???
Grimmjow blinked in confusion. Then, almost instinctively, his tail clamped between his legs, and he warily asked, "What do you mean?"
Makoto reached out and patted Grimmjow's head, speaking bluntly.
"Pledge your loyalty to me. Follow me. What do you say?"
Grimmjow's eyes flickered with shock and doubt.
For someone who had fought his way through Hueco Mundo's brutal survival-of-the-fittest environment, this was an utterly foreign proposition.
After a brief pause, he couldn't help but ask, "With your power, does an Adjuchas like me even have value?"
"Of course," Makoto replied without hesitation. "I never underestimate the strength of an Adjuchas. And from what I see, you're capable of becoming a Vasto Lorde. Your journey doesn't end at this stage."
In that moment, hesitation flickered across Grimmjow's gaze.
Loyalty?
For someone as proud as Grimmjow, who pursued only fair, decisive battles, the idea was strange.
Yet… he didn't find himself outright rejecting Makoto's offer.
Because Makoto's strength had already proven he was worthy of making such a proposal—even if he was a Shinigami.
Grimmjow looked directly at Makoto and asked, "If I swear loyalty to you… what do I get in return?"
Makoto's answer was simple.
"I'll make you stronger. And in the near future, I'll help you undergo Arrancar Transformation. How does that sound?"
After a brief silence, Grimmjow spoke.
"…Then tell me the name of the one I am to swear loyalty to."
A faint smile crossed Makoto's lips as he waved his hand. The deadwood dissolved into spirit particles, releasing Grimmjow.
As the panther-like Adjuchas landed before him, Makoto considered for a moment before answering.
"Asura Gensei. Remember that name."
"Yes, Lord Asura."
Grimmjow's voice carried respect, yet his proud head remained unbowed.
Makoto didn't mind in the slightest.
In fact, he gradually came to understand some of Aizen's methods.
A dragon would not be concerned with whether an ant bowed properly—it would either ignore it or crush it. Nothing more.
And to Makoto, Grimmjow's potential threat was far too insignificant. The reason he chose to recruit him was not just because of his latent power, but also out of momentary interest.
After all, Grimmjow's white panther form had an undeniable aesthetic appeal—a rare high-tier beauty among Adjuchas-level Hollows.
If Grimmjow remained loyal, Makoto would reward him accordingly. A little insolence was no big deal.
If Grimmjow ever stepped out of line, killing an Adjuchas was no trouble at all.
Because, in truth, the only being in Hueco Mundo that Makoto truly considered a threat was Aizen.
---
Grimmjow's gaze sharpened. "Lord Asura, how do you plan to find Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck?"
Makoto answered casually, "Simple. If Nnoitra knows where Nelliel is, that means she must not be far from this location."
His words trailed off, and his gaze shifted sharply toward a distant direction.
Grimmjow frowned. "What's wrong, Lord Asura?"
Makoto's eyes narrowed slightly.
"It seems our search for Nelliel will have to wait. We have… unexpected guests."
As his words fell, powerful spiritual pressure flared across the surroundings.
From all directions, an overwhelming number of Hollows emerged.
Hundreds of Adjuchas.
Thousands of Gillians.
And looming over them all—a massive spiritual pressure belonging to Baraggan Louisenbairn.
Within moments, Makoto and Grimmjow were completely surrounded.
The battlefield was draped in black, as massive Gillian-class Menos loomed like an encroaching darkness.
The Adjuchas moved like predatory beasts, encircling their prey.
Makoto's gaze shifted and landed on Baraggan, his tone calm and unreadable.
"Baraggan, is this how you welcome your guests?"
A deep, aged voice rumbled in response.
"I have been expecting you for quite some time… Asura Gensei."
Makoto's eyes narrowed sharply.
"I don't recall ever telling you that name, Baraggan."
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