The Ise Clan, known for their lineage of shrine priests and custodians of the rituals in the Seireitei, harbors a curse that has persisted through countless generations:
"Any man who marries a woman from the Ise family is destined for an untimely death!"
Nanao wasn't sure if Makoto was aware of this rumored curse, but she was determined to prevent it from befalling him.
Therefore...
"It's just a small favor, Vice-Captain Senju; no need to be so formal."
Nanao's voice and demeanor remained as cold and composed as ever.
However, at this moment, Shinro Bansho felt deeply grateful to Nanao, his affection for her rapidly approaching the level he had for Makoto.
Unintentionally, he let slip a habitual phrase.
"No, Nanao-chan, you've been a great help."
Na... Nanao-chan?!
Hearing this address, Nanao's ears tinged with a faint blush.
In the past, Shunsui Kyōraku often used such a familiar term, but it never stirred any emotion in Nanao...
After all, she knew that while her uncle Shunsui was a respectable man, his usual demeanor was frivolous and mischievous.
Yet, the same term "Nanao-chan," spoken by Makoto with his handsome and gentle face, caused Nanao's breath to quicken slightly.
"Isn't such an informal address inappropriate, Vice-Captain Senju?"
Nanao's voice carried a hint of stiffness, as if distancing herself and warning Makoto about his behavior.
Realizing his slip, Shinro Bansho scratched his cheek subconsciously before quickly reverting to Makoto's usual demeanor, speaking gently.
"Apologies for my impudence; I got carried away. That was rude of me, Vice-Captain Ise."
Pushing up her glasses, Nanao inquired.
"So, Vice-Captain Senju, is that how you think of me in your mind, with such informal addresses?"
Pausing while continuing her paperwork, she added, "If that's the case, being a bit more sincere in private interactions isn't unacceptable."
Undoubtedly, such ambiguous statements were enough to overload Shinro Bansho's mental circuits.
Was this sarcasm? A reprimand? Disdain?
Or was she permitting him to call her "Nanao-chan," or reminding him to apologize for his rudeness?
Finally, with a mix of tentativeness and uncertainty, Shinro Bansho softly uttered.
"Nanao-chan~"
This nearly caused the usually cold and efficient Nanao to melt, her actions pausing once more.
Observing from behind, Shinro Bansho noticed no visible reaction from Nanao, gradually understanding, and called out again.
"Nanao-chan? Nanao-chan? Nanao-chan?"
Each gentle, affectionate call was like a powerful strike to Nanao's heart.
This was undoubtedly... like a dream...
After a moment of daze, Nanao abruptly stood, her body tensing, and hurriedly left the tent after saying.
"I forgot to inform Vice-Captain Senju about the details of the ambush; please wait a moment..."
However, Shinro Bansho was puzzled as to why she needed to leave the tent to report the details.
When Nanao returned, she had changed into a more formal and tidy Vice-Captain uniform, her face appearing even more aloof and capable, with a faint glow, holding a stack of documents.
Placing the documents before Shinro Bansho, they contained records and intelligence about the Forest of Menos. Nanao began.
"Vice-Captain Iba and I set out in Hueco Mundo to search for hidden Adjuchas groups, following the planned directions, but found no traces for a long time."
"However, during a battle with an unexpected Adjuchas, Vice-Captain Iba and I inadvertently entered the Forest of Menos, a place known to be filled with countless low-level Hollows and Gillians..."
At this point, Nanao's expression became unprecedentedly serious.
Shinro Bansho had a hunch about what she was implying and asked, "So, a large number of Adjuchas are hiding in the Forest of Menos?"
Nanao nodded and continued.
"Yes, but the most surprising thing isn't the number of Adjuchas; it's... order!"
"In the chaotic and evil Hueco Mundo, within the Forest of Menos, something most unlikely has emerged—order!"
...
Meanwhile.
Accompanied by Sung Sun, Tier Harribel arrived at one of the entrances to the Forest of Menos, the origin of most Menos Grande.
Hollows are born from human souls unable to let go of their attachments, driven by instinct to devour other souls.
After consuming a certain number of souls or reaching a certain level of growth, human souls provide diminishing returns for Hollows.
Consequently, Hollows are instinctively drawn to the Forest of Menos in Hueco Mundo.
Within the Forest of Menos, countless regular Hollows exist, and at every moment, Gillians are formed by ordinary Hollows devouring enough of their kind to evolve.
Compared to the desert surface of Hueco Mundo, inhabited mostly by Adjuchas-level and above Menos Grande;
For thousands of years, Baraggan Louisenbairn, the self-proclaimed "King of Hueco Mundo," never paid attention to the lower-class Hollows he considered insignificant, completely ignoring the Forest of Menos.
This led to the Forest of Menos becoming even more chaotic, with devouring and evolution being the only rhythms...
For Harribel, now with a more developed sense of self and ideals, recalling her time in the Forest of Menos evoked feelings of disgust and displeasure.
As she neared the familiar yet strange light of the Forest of Menos, two spiritual pressures appeared ahead, causing a slight change in her expression.
'Adjuchas? And two of them?'
Before Harribel could ponder why two Adjuchas were together in the Forest of Menos, they blocked her path.
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