Last time we got to see Izuho return to Hueco Mundo and reunite with his Fracción. Despite being ordered to return to Las Noches, Izuho decides to perform one more patrol of Mato before returning to the palace. However Tenka seems to have a plan in regard to the Arrancar.

Standing on a cliffside overlooking one of the large stretches of wasteland in Mato was Izuho, Nelliel, and Roka. The trio surveyed the area closely as if they were in search of something.

Roka: the demonic energy within this sector of Mato feels no more intense than any of the other Sectors we surveyed.

Nelliel: Looks like our theory that sectors with higher Shuuki activity potentially holding a clue to their whereabouts was false.

Izuho grimaced as he continued to survey the area, ever since he joined the Espada he had one mission.

Izuho: The old man wasn't lying when he said these so called "Gods" are rather damn elusive. Guess we really got our work cut out for us with this one.

Izuho stood up and stretched his arms above his head, letting out a relieved groan.

Izuho: Well, let's get moving then. We had a light workout this morning so we should probably start moving our search elsewhere.

Nelliel and Roka both nodded as they also prepared to leave.

Roka: Izuho, it was faint due to the demonic energy interfering with my senses, but I picked up a sinister Spiritual Energy.

Nelliel: So a Hollow is in the area? How should we approach Izuho?

Izuho turned to face his Fracción a small smirk spreading across his face.

Izuho: Same way we always deal with them, if we cross paths with it, we slaughter it.

Nelliel and Roka both nodded their heads in agreement as they also prepared to leave. Behind the trio were the disintegrating remains of around fifty Shuuki. The three Arrancar leaped off the cliff as they fell to the ground below to continue their investigation.

With Tenka
Tenka found herself standing in one of the open fields of Mato within the territory of the 7th Unit.

Tenka: What exactly does the Swordsman in White want here in Mato? With power like his, he could realistically do as he pleases here.

Tenka's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of rapid footfalls. The blonde woman turned around to see a large humanoid monster with a canine-like head, pure white body with red markings. Around its neck was a spiked collar with a chain connected to it. Holding onto the chain, riding upon the creature's back was a young woman around Tenka's age. She had long silver hair and piercing pink eyes. She was dressed in an Anti-Demon Corps uniform and had a katana in her hand.

This young woman was Kyouka Uzen, the Chief of the 7th Unit of the Anti-Demon Corps. The monster she was riding on was a young man by the name of Yuuki Wakura. A young man who can take on a monster form through Kyouka's Slave Blessing.

Tenka: Kyouka, it is good to see you again. I wish we could meet under better circumstances.

Kyouka: Friendly meetings in our line of work are a rare commodity Tenka. We need to get to the bottom of all these strange occurrences.

Tenka nodded before turning her attention towards Yuuki, a small smirk spreading across her face.

Tenka: You must be the slave I've heard so much about, aren't you a curious sight~

Yuuki: N-Nice to meet you Chief Izumo.

Yuuki looked down slightly embarrassed as Tenka let out a small giggle at the young man's reaction.

Tenka: Where is the rest of your Unit?

Kyouka: Himari, Shushu, and Nei have taken the jeep and are patrolling the other side of our territory. What of your Unit?

Tenka's expression became slightly more serious as she locked eyes with Kyouka.

Tenka: Shuuki activity spiked near our base, Yachiho and Sahara stayed behind to take care of it. I will be the only assistance on this investigation.

Kyouka nodded her head in understanding before gesturing for Tenka to get on Yuuki behind her.

Kyouka: Nei detected a large horde of Shuuki within our territory, it was most likely another nest. However it oddly disappeared minutes later. To her knowledge, not Gate was opened at the time.

Tenka frowned as she climbed onto Yuuki behind Kyouka, she had an idea of who wiped out that large horde of Shuuki.

Tenka: How odd, did she sense anything else?

Kyouka: Nei mentioned something odd, she seemed to spot three figures with her clairvoyance. However they were obscured, almost as if something was guarding them from her Blessing.

Yuuki: Is something like that even possible?

Tenka: Under normal circumstances no, a Peach Blessing is only limited by the user's own capabilities. Whatever those three figures were, they are an unknown variable.

Kyouka frowned as Yuuki took off across the landscape of Mato, something odd was going on around here. Tenka however was lost in her own thoughts, she expected Nei to detect the Swordsman in White, but two other figures were accompanying him?

Tenka's Thoughts: There are others like him? There has to be something behind this, where exactly could a person obtain power like his? It is no mere Peach Blessing that is for certain.

Kyouka: Tenka, is something wrong?

Tenka was snapped out of her thoughts as she locked eyes with Kyouka, who was shooting her a concerned look over her shoulder.

Tenka: Nothing, I am merely reviewing what we currently know. My Unit encountered similar oddities in our territory, the landscape sliced up and craters littering the ground.

Kyouka: So this is not a contained incident, that is troubling. Hopefully we get to the bottom of this mess.

Tenka nodded her head in agreement, however she hoped that if they did encounter the Swordsman in White, Kyouka would hopefully listen to her. The 6th Unit Chief believed attempting to speak with the strange man could benefit them in the long run.

Other Side of 7th Unit Territory
On the other side of the 7th Unit's territory, a jeep was seen driving across the barren landscape of Mato. Behind the wheel was a girl with long blue hair and golden eyes, sitting next to her was a girl with short blonde hair and green eyes, finally in the back seat was a young girl with long pink hair and blue eyes. They were all dressed in Anti-Demon Corps Uniforms.

The girl with blue hair was Himari Azuma, the youngest child of the Azuma Family, and the Vice Chief of the 7th Unit. The girl with short blonde hair was Shushu Suruga, another member of the 7th Unit. Finally the young girl with long pink hair was Nei Ookawamura, the youngest and possibly most mature member of the 7th Unit.

Shushu: I don't get why we're freaking out so much about some Shuuki dropping dead? Doesn't that just mean people are at less risk if they're dragged in here?

Himari shot Shushu an annoyed glare as she continued to drive the jeep across the rocky terrain of Mato.

Himari: Shushu, you do realize if there is some unknown force slaughtering Shuuki it could potentially be an even bigger threat than standard Shuuki.

Shushu rolled her eyes at Himari's statement, a noted look on her face.

Shushu: I mean sure if you wanna be all doom and gloom about it.....

Himari groaned in frustration as she opted to ignore her teammate and focus on the landscape ahead of them.

Nei: Do you think it's possible that a group of girls consumed Peaches with authorization and have been fighting off the Shuuki?

Himari: If that is the case they would face harsh punishment for breaking multiple laws that monitor and control the distribution of Peaches. If it was a desperation move to survive they would only get reprimanded. However entering Mato and continuing to combat threats within it is in violation to multiple laws created in regard to the Anti-Demon Corps.

Shushu: I guess you can't just have anyone running around with superpowers, gotta make sure you don't get any crazies in the mix.

The three girls all went silent, contemplating the idea of a rogue group of women waging war against the Shuuki. This moment of contemplation however was interrupted by something flying towards the jeep.

Himari: Hold on!!!

Himari turned the wheel of the jeep to the right, causing the vehicle to violently swerve out of the way of a rather large object. Himari hit the brakes as the jeep screeched to vault as she, Shushu, and Nei all looked at where the large object had crashed into the ground. Lying there was the torso and head of a Shuuki, its entire lower section was missing.

Shushu: Whoa! What do you think cut that Shuuki in half?

Roka: Nelliel, you have to be more careful! You can't just send Shuuki flying like that!

Himari, Shushu, and Nei all looked at each other in surprise as they weren't expecting to hear a woman's voice.

Himari: It appears we do have a group of rogues after all.

Himari got the gas as the jeep sped forward, it only took two minutes before they arrived at where the voice came from. To their absolute shock two women were standing, surrounded by the mutilated bodies of fifteen Shuuki. The duo were Nelliel and Roka, Nelliel had her sword drawn.

The Anti-Demon Corps members were dumbfounded by the duo, essentially due to the strange skulls they wore on their heads.

Shushu: Bit of a morbid fashion statement isn't it?

Himari shushed her teammate in annoyance, wanting to overhear what the odd duo were talking about.

Nelliel: It's fine Roka, we can always find more of these pests.

Roka: That's not the point! We could've easily tossed them into Hueco Mundo! Why did you have to kill them?!

Himari and Shushu were baffled by the odd name mentioned by the meek girl with the skull mask covering half her face. Nei however was more surprised by the name.

Nei: Hueco Mundo? That's Spanish for Hollow World. However in Japanese it means Hollow Sphere, I wonder why they would be talking about something like that?

Himari and Shushu looked at their teammate in surprise, not expecting an explanation about the strange name.

Himari: Why don't we ask them? They already shouldn't be here in Mato fighting Shuuki to begin with.

Shushu and Nei nodded as all three of them started walking towards the duo, neither seeming to notice their presence.

Nelliel: Not a step closer Anti-Demon Corps Operatives......

The trio's eyes widened in shock as Nelliel addressed them despite not even so much as glancing in their direction.

Himari: You two do realize civilians are not allowed to enter Mato and combat Shuuki correct? Did you two eat Peaches in a desperate attempt to save your own lives after falling into here?

Nelliel and Roka turned to face the trio, a sudden pressure filling the area around them, causing a shiver to run down the Anti-Demon Corps members' spines.

Shushu: Is it just me or did it get chilly all of a sudden?

Himari: Some kind of pressure, is this your Blessing?

Nelliel giggled at Himari's question, finding it rather amusing.

Nelliel: You misunderstand us young lady, neither of us consumed a Peach.

The trio only grew more confused at this proclamation as it did not explain how a completely normal woman could send a Shuuki flying like that.

Shushu: If you didn't eat a Peach, how the heck did you send that Shuuki flying at us at like ninety miles an hour?

Roka: I suppose we in a sense gave up our humanity in order to survive?

Once again the trio were baffled by this statement, still not understanding any of the implications the odd duo were making.

Nei: Are you two more of those Humanoid Shuuki we encountered a week prior?

When that question left Nei's mouth, Nelliel's expression darkened as she gripped the handle of her sword, Gamuza more tightly.

Nelliel: Do not compare us to those vile beasts who have no regard for life!

Himari, Shushu, and Nei all took a step back, not expecting Nelliel to yell at them, the pressure around them only seeming to grow more intense with her anger.

Roka: We are no Shuuki, however we were killed by them. In a way dying here in Mato corrupted our souls, turning us into what we are now.

Shushu: Soul corruption? Did you guys hit your heads or something? Nothing you are saying is making sense.

Roka was about to respond, but was stopped by Nelliel resting a hand on her shoulder.

Nelliel: Roka, don't bother, we could spend hours explaining it to them and they would still reach the same conclusion.

Roka looked down at her feet, saddened by Nelliel's words, but nodded her head in agreement. Nelliel and Roka both turned away from the Anti-Demon Corps members before they started to walk away.

Himari: Where do you two think you are going?

Nelliel: Forget you ever crossed paths with us young lady, you are better off not getting involved in our conflict.

Himari grit her teeth in frustration, these people were being needlessly cryptic and refused to give them any form of clear answer to their questions.

Himari: You two are not leaving, we are bringing you back to our base for questioning, do not try and resist.

Nelliel and Roka both stopped to dead in their tracks, both of them slowly turning around to face the trio once again.

Nelliel: I give you a final warning, you do not wish to cross us in combat......

Himari's arm shined as it transformed into what appeared to be a Gatling gun.

Himari: Please, don't make this more difficult than it has to be, just come quietly.

Himari gently pointed her Gatling gun arm at Nelliel and Roka, a pained expression on her face. She didn't want to use force, but she couldn't let them walk away either, not when they were acting against the law itself.

Nelliel: I'm sorry for this next part......

Himari, Shushu, and Nei looked at the green haired woman in confusion. Nelliel opened her mouth as a small sphere of pink energy began charging in front of her mouth.

Shushu: What the heck is she doing?

Nei: It looks like she's charging something.

Suddenly a beam of pink energy shot out of the sphere, barreling towards the trio. Himari quickly dove to the right while Shushu scooped Nei up and dove to the left. The Cero tore past the trio before impacting a nearby cliff punching a hole through the rock formation. The members of the Anti-Demon Corps stared at the hole in shock.

Roka: Nelliel! You know we don't kill humans!

Nelliel: It wouldn't have killed them Roka, that Cero had the smallest amount of energy poured into it, I couldn't have made it any weaker.

Shushu: That was considered weak?!

Nei: She called the attack Cero, that's Spanish for Zero, but in Japanese it means Hollow Flash! It seems the word Hollow is a core aspect of whatever their powers are.

Himari stood up and aimed her Gatling gun at the duo, the weapon began spinning before it fired a barrage of bullets at the two Arrancar. Roka leaped in front of Nelliel, golden energy threads shot out of her Hollow Mask and connected to her fingers. Roka began weaving the gold energy threads together in front of her, forming a tightly knit shield of energy threads. The bullets impacted the shield, seemingly getting absorbed by the energy threads that comprised it.

Himari: Threads?

Nei: They looked like they are made similar energy to that Cero the green haired lady fired. I don't think their powers are Peach Blessings, those are unique to the individual!

Himari and Shushu's eyes widened in disbelief but they didn't have time to respond as Nelliel leaped over the shield and lunged at Himari. Nelliel raised Gamuza above her head, ready to slash the young girl across the torso.

Shushu: Paradigm Shift!

Shushu's body shined as she grew to giant proportions.

Shushu reeled back her left hand and slapped Nelliel away like a fly. The green haired Arrancar was sent flying backwards through the air before she crashed through one of the jagged rock formations that littered Mato.

Roka: Nelliel!

Shushu: I'd be more concerned for yourself!

Roka looked up only to see Shushu's right hand coming at her fast, most likely attempting to grab her. Blood splashed onto the ground as Shushu stumbled backwards, clutching her right hand, a bloody cut on the palm.

Shushu: OWIE! What was that?!

The trio looked at Roka, only for their eyes to widen in shock at the sight of Nelliel standing in front of Roka, blood dripping off Gamuza's blade.

Himari: How could you possibly recover from that attack so quickly?!

Nelliel didn't respond as she took a step forward only to completely disappear from sight.

Shushu: Where did she-

Shushu was cut off when Nelliel appeared in midair right in front of her face. The green haired Arrancar reeled back her left fist and punched the giant girl square in the nose. Shushu stumbled backwards clutching her nose while whimpering in pain.

Himari: Shushu!

Himari was about to aim her Gatling gun arm at the airborne Arrancar, only to find her arm wouldn't budge an inch. Himari turned to look at her Gatling gun arm, her eyes widened in shock. Wrapped around it were those golden energy threads, restraining it completely. Himari looked towards Roka, who had her arms outstretched towards her, the golden threads connected to her finger tips.

Roka: You should worry about yourself Miss....

Roka then swung her arms upwards as the threads went taut as Himari was yanked into the air by the threads. Roka swung her hands downwards, slamming the blue haired girl into the ground. Himari groaned in pain before gritting her teeth in annoyance. The Vice Chief's arms glowed again as it transformed into a blade.

Himari slashed the threads, with her blade arm, setting herself free. The Vice Chief lunged at the meek Arrancar who sighed in disappointment.

Roka: Why couldn't they just let us walk away?

The golden threads began weaving themselves together over Roka's right arm as Himari leaped into the air and raised her blade arm above her head. Himari swung her arm blade downwards, aiming to slash Roka across the torso as the meek Arrancar swung her right arm horizontally in front of her. Sparks flew off Himari's arm blade as her eyes widened in shock, Roka had weaved a a blade similar to her own over her right arm with her threads. Roka swung her arm again, knocking Himari backwards as the Vice Chief slid across the ground.

Himari: You mimicked my attack with your threads?!

Roka: You know what they say Miss, mimicry is the best form of flattery~

Roka raised her arm blade in front of her, a coy smile spreading across her face which only caused Himari to snarl in frustration.

Himari: Copying me won't help you win!

Himari lunged at Roka who raised left hand as five golden energy threads were launched at Himari. The Vice Chief saw the attack coming and swung her arm blade horizontally in front of her in an attempt to slice the threads. However the threads dove downwards and burrowed into the ground, confusing the Himari.

Himari: What in the world?

The energy threads burst out of the ground and ensnared Himari's legs, restraining her in place as Roka lunged at her. The meek Arrancar readied her arm blade and swung it horizontally, slashing Himari across the torso. Himari hissed in pain as the threads restraining her legs snapped and she was sent sprawling across the ground. The Vice Chief shakily stood up and looked down at her abdomen, a shallow cut was bleeding on it.

Roka: I may be weaker then Nelliel, but down underestimate me.....

Himari readied her arm blade and lunged at Roka again, not willing to give up the fight just yet. Meanwhile Shushu raised her right foot and attempted to stomp on Nelliel, who took a step to the right before disappearing from sight right before Shushu stomped on the ground.

Shushu: Hold still!!!

Nelliel suddenly reappeared in the air in front of Shushu's torso. The green haired Arrancar opened her mouth as a pink sphere of energy charged in front of it. Nelliel fired a Cero that impacted Shushu's abdomen, causing the girl to be knocked off her feet and start falling towards the ground. Himari and Roka clashed blades as they both struggled to overpower each other. However Himari heard Nei scream which caused her to turn her head. Shushu was about to fall on top of the young girl.

Himari: Nei!

Himari's arm blade was deflected due to her being distracted as Roka slashed her across the torso diagonally, leaving another shallow cut on her torso. Himari however didn't care as she watched Shushu continue to fall, however Nelliel suddenly appeared next to Nei. The green haired Arrancar scooped Nei up and dashed out from underneath the giant girl. Shushu crashed back first onto the ground letting out a groan of pain. Nelliel then gently set Nei on the ground, the pink-haired girl looking at her in confusion.

Nei: You saved me?

Nelliel: We don't kill humans, we merely intended on incapacitating all of you before taking our leave.

Nelliel then took a step forward, disappearing before reappearing next to Roka, who dispersed the energy threads that comprised her arm blade.

Nelliel: Roka, let's get going. Izuho is most likely waiting for us.

Roka: Hopefully he managed to send some Shuuki to Hueco Mundo. He's already disobeying his Majesty's orders by not returning immediately.

Nelliel grimaced and nodded in agreement before they both leaped away, dashing across the wasteland of Mato to reunite with their Espada. Hikari watched them go, a frustrated expression on her face. She wanted to give chase, but Shushu and her were in no condition to keep fighting at the moment. Himari shakily got back on her feet and began limping towards Shushu, who started to shrink back to her original size. They would have to return to base and regroup for now.

With Kyouka, Yuuki, and Tenka
Yuuki ran across the open wasteland of Mato as Kyouka and Tenka scanned the environment around them.

Kyouka: You mentioned encountering similar oddities in your territory correct? Did you find any other clues that could explain what is happening?

Tenka remained silent for a moment, she didn't know if she should mention the Swordsman in White to her fellow Chief or not. However she also knew withholding information could only lead to further frustration.

Tenka: A few days ago, my Unit encountered a strange creature. It was fish-like in appearance and had a face that looked like a bone white mask. It was devouring Shuuki and spoke, voicing its intentions to devour us.

Kyouka and Yuuki's eyes widened in shock at this information, not expecting such a statement.

Yuuki: A monster that could talk? Was it a humanoid Shuuki?

Tenka: No, I assure you that creature was still very much monstrous, but it got enraged when I compared it to a Shuuki. Believing they were beneath it, it gave us some trouble in our attempt to fight it.

Kyouka looked over her shoulder at Tenka, stunned her and her Unit struggled against the creature.

Kyouka: It gave you that much trouble? Even with your Blessing? What kind of monster is capable of that?

Tenka was about to respond until she noticed bone white sand littering the ground.

Tenka: More of that strange sand, I wonder if we are close?

Izuho: I thought I told you to forget ever crossing paths with me....

Kyouka pulled on the chained as Yuuki slid to a stop, the trio looked up to see Izuho looking down at them from a nearby jagged rock formation.

Kyouka: Who in the world are you? Do you not realize it is dangerous here in Mato?!

Tenka: The Swordsman in White.....

Kyouka and Yuuki both looked at Tenka in shock, she somehow knew this strange man.

Yuuki: You've met him before Chief Izumo?!

Izuho: We have, however I thought I warned you getting involved with me would only put you in danger. So I'll warn you and your associates one last time, forget you ever crossed paths with me. It's for your own safety.

Kyouka tightens her grip one the chain as she rests her free hand on the handle of her katana. Yuuki's entire body tenses up while Tenka stares up at Izuho, a blank look on her face. The trio feel a strange pressure around them that sends shivers up their spines. Whoever the Swordsman in White was, he clearly wasn't playing around in regard to his warning.

So 7th Unit has crossed paths with Izuho's Fracción and have been left with more questions than answers in regard to the strange individuals. Meanwhile Kyouka, Yuuki, and Tenka have crossed paths with Izuho, who is giving them one last warning to forget he even exists. As always please leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments! What awaits Kyouka, Yuuki, and Tenka now that they are face to face with Izuho? Will they heed his warning or continue to push for answers from the Arrancar? Why are they trying to send Shuuki to Hueco Mundo? What is it they are looking for in Mato? Find out in the next Chapter of Chained Soldier: Resurrección of the Forsaken!