Last time Izuho battled Kyouka and Yuuki in a duel to decide whether or not he would tell them what exactly he was. Despite the duo being far from matching Izuho's power, he developed a respect for the 7th Unit Chief and the young man that fought alongside her. However he couldn't afford to waste anymore time in Mato.

It had been a day since Izuho's battle against the 7th Unit Chief Kyouka Uzen and her partner, Yuuki Wakura. The orange haired Arrancar was currently walking across the bone white sands of Hueco Mundo with Nelliel and Roka following behind him.

Nelliel: Why couldn't we take the shortcut again?

Nelliel's arms hung lazily at her sides as she slowly marched along. Roka simply walked alongside her green haired teammate, a blank expression on her face.

Roka: I would imagine boss wants to drag his feet as much as possible before his meeting with his majesty.

Izuho groaned when Roka mentioned the old man, he had nothing against the guy, he was more reasonable than a lot of his other colleagues. However that didn't change the fact that he was a real hard ass at times.

Izuho: Look I wanted a moment to clear my head before talking to him, so I brought us back to about a day's walk from Las Noches. That and I really didn't feel like explaining the injuries to the old man.

Izuho gestured to his shirtless torso, the injuries from his battle with Kyouka and Yuuki having all closed up at this point.

Roka: I could've stitched them up for you before your meeting.

Roka then held up her right hand, yellow Cero threads connected her mask to the tips of her fingers. Izuho groaned in frustration as he pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration.

Izuho: Okay look, I get it we should probably stay at Las Noches more frequently. Look I won't have us camp out for five months, fair deal?

Nelliel and Roka looked at one another before looking back at Izuho and nodding their heads in agreement.

Roka: That seems reasonable.

Nelliel: Maybe you'll manage to make friends with a few more of the Espada Izuho!

Izuho: I doubt it......

Izuho grumbled under his voice as the trio made their way over another dune. Waiting for them on the other side was a massive White Castle-like structure. Around said structure were countless smaller structures. The entire thing appeared to be the size of Tokyo.

This was Las Noches, the home of the Hollow King and the city of Souls. Izuho looked at the massive sprawling city with slight dread, there was no turning back at this point.

Izuho: Let's get moving, it's a three day walk to the castle.....

Izuho was about to start walking only for his ear to get pulled by Roka who shot him an annoyed look.

Roka: We are taking the underground tunnel, it should only take us two hours to arrive at the main castle.....

Izuho: Alright fine! Geez can't a guy have time to mentally prepare himself?!

Roka shot Izuho an annoyed look as she started dragging him by the ear towards the tunnel.

Roka: You've had a day to mentally prepare! You don't need three more!

Izuho: I get it! Dammit stop pulling on my ear!

Nelliel giggled softly at the exchange before she followed behind the duo. The trio made their way to the entrance of an underground tunnel that would allow them to arrive at the castle within an hour. Roka let go of Izuho's ear as the Espada grumbled in frustration, shooting a glare at the medic of his Fracción.

Izuho: Let's get a move on then.....

Izuho descended the staircase first with Nelliel and Roka following close behind. Izuho grimaced as he continued to march on through the underground tunnel, he was not looking forward to setting foot in the castle again.

One Hour Later
After an hour of walking the trio found themselves in the main entrance of the sprawling palace. Izuho looked around the grand halls as he let out an exhausted sigh.

Izuho: Alright let's head to the throne room, update the old man, let him yell at me, then we can return back to my section of this damn place and sleep.

Nelliel and Roka exchanged worried looks between each other, Izuho wasn't one to head to bed early. He must've been stressing this meeting more than they initially thought. The trio continued to walk, however the silence was swiftly broken by the sound of rapid footfalls.

????: IZUHO!!!!!!

Izuho: Goddamnit every time......

Izuho quickly drew Zangetsu from his back as the bandages unfurled from the blade before the orange haired Arrancar raised the blade in a defensive manner. A figure leaped at him, swinging a katana down, attempting to decapitate Izuho. However Izuho blocked the attack with Zangetsu, sparks flew off the two blades as they collided. Standing before Izuho was a man with short, wild blue hair, the right side of his face had the mouth of a Hollow mask on it. He wore white robes like Izuho, a large hole was on his abdomen, clutched in his hand was a katana.

Izuho glared at the man who shot him a feral smile.

Izuho: Dammit Grimmjow! I set foot in the palace not even five minutes ago! How the hell did you know I was here?!

Grimmjow: I followed your scent, now give me a proper fight!

Grimmjow swung his katana, Pantera upwards deflecting Zangetsu before swinging the katana down to slash Izuho across the face. Izuho quickly recovered and positioned Zangetsu's blade in front of his face, blocking Pantera's blade once again. Grimmjow's feral smile only grew larger as he pushed against Izuho, causing the orange haired Arrancar to slide backwards ever so slightly.

Izuho: Would you get your head outta your ass for once in your damn life?! You know the Old Man will blow a fuse if we fight in the damn palace!

Izuho swung Zangetsu upwards, deflecting Pantera away, causing Grimmjow stumble backwards slightly. The orange haired Arrancar then grabbed Grimmjow by his jacket with his right hand. Izuho proceeded to throw the blue haired Arrancar across the room. Grimmjow was sent sprawling across the ground before he stood up and shot Izuho the same feral smile from before.

Grimmjow: Let the old man burst a blood vessel! So shut up and fight Izuho!

Grimmjow lunged at Izuho again, kicking off the ground and leaping high into the air as he raised Pantera above his head. Izuho growled in frustration as he lunged forward and swung Zangetsu horizontally in an arc over his head. Zangetsu's blade collided with Pantera's blades as sparks flew off the metal grinding together. Izuho grit his teeth and put extra force behind the swing, causing Grimmjow to get knocked backwards through the air. The blue haired Espada smirked as he twisted around, landing feet first on the ceiling.

Grimmjow: Finally! Come on Izuho, show me what you got!

Grimmjow kicked off the ceiling, propelling himself down towards the orange haired Espada who let out an annoyed groan as he readied Zangetsu once again. Nelliel and Roka watched on, concern evident on their faces. They knew Izuho was most likely already in hot water with the king as it was, destroying the palace in a fight would only make his situation worse.

Grimmjow: Here we go Izuho!!!

Grimmjow raised Pantera above his head as he fell towards his fellow Espada. Izuho grit his teeth in frustration, his hands tightening around Zangetsu's tang as he got ready to counter once again. However before Izuho could swing his Zanpakuto, a figure stepped in front of him, blocking Pantera's blade with the sheathe of their own katana. This figure wore white robes like Izuho and Grimmjow. He had messy black hair and full green eyes, a helmet-like Hollow Mask covered half of his head.

Grimmjow: The hell you want?

Izuho: Ulquiorra.....

Ulquiorra lazily swung his sheathed Zanpakuto, knocking Grimmjow backwards, away from Izuho. Grimmjow landed feet first on the ground as he slid backwards another foot.

Grimmjow: Man you got some balls interrupting my fight.....

Grimmjow glared at his fellow Espada who stared back at him with a blank and rather bored expression on his face.

Ulquiorra: Izuho has a meeting with his Majesty, you are wasting his time by delaying Izuho with your pointless games.

Grimmjow glared at Ulquiorra who merely stared right back at him blankly, clearly unfazed by the hostility of the blue haired Espada. Grimmjow let out a huff before sheathing Pantera and turning away.

Grimmjow: This ain't over Izuho, you hear me?! Be ready, cause I'm coming for you as soon as the old man is finished with you!

Grimmjow then stalked off down the hallway as Izuho let out a relieved sigh as the bandages wrapped themselves around Zangetsu's blade once again as he sheathed it on his back.

Izuho: Guess I owe you one for getting that jackass to back off.

Ulquiorra: I require no favors from you. That rabid beast needs to learn some level of restraint.

Izuho felt a chill run down his spine. While he found Ulquiorra more tolerable than some of the other Espada, he found his emotionless and detached mannerisms incredibly unnerving.

Izuho: Right, so did I miss anything while I was gone?

Ulquiorra: Nothing of major note, his Majesty appears to be rather frustrated with the actions of those self proclaimed Gods. Their continue meddling is throwing the order out of whack.

Izuho groaned at hearing that as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

Izuho: What else is new? I still haven't found a single clue to where they could be hiding. At this point it feels like I'm beating my head against the damn wall.

Ulquiorra studied Izuho for a moment before simply letting out an emotionless sigh before walking past Izuho.

Ulquiorra: Regardless, you are realistically the best choice for investigating Mato. Given the nature of many of our colleagues would either get sidetracked or potentially make our current situation far worst.

Ulquiorra then walked away down the hallway as Izuho let out an exhausted sigh as he hadn't even made it to the throne room and he was already exhausted from being back at his "Home" here in Hueco Mundo.

Roka: Izuho, we should get moving. I imagine his Majesty is already furious by now.

Nelliel: We could always mention Grimmjow delayed us. Honestly that man has no tact sometimes.

Nelliek let out a disappointed sigh, while she certainly didn't dislike the blue haired Espada, his priorities were sometimes horribly one track.

Izuho simply let out a frustrated groan before he continued walking down the hallway, Nelliel and Roka closely followed after Izuho, flanking him on his left and right.

Throne Room Entrance
After another fifteen minutes of walking the trio found themselves at the giant doors that led to the throne room of Las Noches. Izuho looked up at the giant doors with slight dread. However the trio was quickly interrupted by the sound of footsteps.

????: Lord Izuho! You've finally returned!

Izuho, Nelliel, and Roka turned to see a young woman with long black hair done up in twin tails. She wore a white dress that was similar to all Arrancar clothing, she had a Hollow Mask piece that covered her left eye similar to Izuho's. Sheathed are her waist was a dagger of sorts.

This young lady was Loly Aivirrne, one of the many Arrancar working within Hueco Mundo, she acted as one of the two Throne Room attendants. Loly then noticed Izuho's shirtless form and her eyes widened in realization.

Loly: Did you get into a serious fight in Mato? What creature could possibly do that to you?! Was it one of those so called "Gods" his Majesty has you searching for?

An annoyed expression spread across Loly's face as she couldn't begin to fathom who could possibly make an Espada struggle outside of a fellow Espada. Izuho however let out a defeated sigh, he knew the truth would only make Loly even angrier.

Izuho: No, I ended up crossing swords with a member of the Anti-Demon Corps. They got a few good hits in before I decided to start putting in a bit of effort.

Loly's face quickly contorted into an expression of barely restrained rage at the mention of the Anti-Demon Corps.

Loly: What did those arrogant bitches want? You think they would be smart enough to stay out of our way!

Izuho, Nelliel, and Roka all looked at one another. It was no secret that Loly despised the Anti-Demon Corps due to her life as a human before becoming a Hollow and later an Arrancar.

Izuho: No, they were pretty reasonable. Wanted answers and challenged me, let me walk away when I won. Honestly they were pretty fun to fight, honestly I kind of hope to cross paths with them again.

Loly's expression went from spiteful to completely baffled at Izuho's statement. A giggle was heard as more footsteps were heard.

????: I've said it once, I'll say it again Lord Izuho, you would be just like Lord Grimmjow if it wasn't for the fact you actually understand the concept of priorities.

The group turned to see another young lady approach them, she had short blonde hair and a Hollow Mask piece that covered her right eye. She wore stand white Arrancar robes and had a basic katana sheathed on her waist.

This young lady was Menoly Mallia, the second throne room attendant and Lily's closest friend.

Izuho: I take offense to that comment, unlike that jackass I don't only think about fighting.

Menoly: Right, you also think about sleeping and eating. So your Lord Grimmjow with a few hobbies.

Izuho shot a glare at Menoly who gave him a teasing smirk in response to the reaction she got out of the Espada. The blonde Arrancar's comment did earn a giggle from Nelliel and Roka as Izuho snarled in annoyance.

Izuho: I think I liked it better when you first came to Las Noches and were too timid to be sassy.

Menoly: Oh come now Lord Izuho, I thought you hated all the formalities majority of the other Arrancar in Las Noches showed you? I thought my sass was appreciated?

Menoly stuck her tongue out teasingly as Izuho shot her another annoyed glare.

Izuho: Not when you compare me to that blueberry pussycat it's not.....

Menoly let out another giggle before she walked over to Loly and stopped by the doors to the throne room.

Menoly: Sorry for wasting your time, haven't seen in three months, needed to get a few jabs in. His Majesty is waiting for you inside.

Menoly and Loly both placed their hands on either of the two large doors as they shined before swinging open on their own. Izuho nodded to the duo before he, Nelliel, and Roka walked into the throne room. The doors closed behind the trio as Loly shot her best friend an annoyed glare.

Loly: I was going to ask Lord Izuho if I could join his Fracción before you interrupted us.

Menoly rolled her eyes at her best friend's words, not even amused by the statement.

Menoly: Neither of us even have impressive enough strength to be members of Fracción. What makes you think he would let you join up?

Loly shot an annoyed glare at her friend.

Loly: Roka is not exactly a combat specialist and she's a member of his Fracción, strength isn't a requirement with Lord Izuho!

Menoly: Roka can also reattach severed limbs as if they were never cut off in the first place with her Cero Threads. Last time I checked you don't have any unique abilities like that.

Loly bit back a snide comment, if it wasn't for the fact Menoly was the one person she could go to for comfort when they had first been brought to Hueco Mundo, she would deck her for that comment. Menoly however once again rolled her eyes at her best friend.

Menoly: Loly, you do realize you're not the only Arrancar gunning for a position on Lord Izuho's Fracción. A few others are as well, heard through the grape vine one of them is Cirucci.

Loly looked at her best friend in shock before her face contorted in a look of frustration.

Loly: That haughty bitch is still upset she missed out on a spot within the Espada's ranks!

Menoly: Yeah and she could kick both our asses at the same time, so I'm asking you as your friend not to start something with her. You're the only person I can rely on in this castle.

Loly crosses her arms over her arms over her chest and lets out an annoyed grumble while Menoly merely smirked. She was looking forward to whatever shenanigans would occur now that Izuho had returned.

Throne Room
Izuho, Nelliel, and Roka found themselves standing within a large open room, its polished green floor created an eerie light. It was mostly empty except for the large white cube in the center of the room, a throne on top of it.

????: So you've finally returned, I would like to say I am surprised you disobeyed my summons for an immediate return. However at this point your continued defiance is rather predictable.

Izuho looked at the throne, sitting upon it was a rather elderly looking man. He had bone white hair and a mustache, scars adorned his body. The Hollow Mask piece on his body looked like a crown. His white robes were rather regal, adorned with a few gold ornaments. Leaning against the right side of the throne was a large battle axe.

This was Barraggan Louisenbairn, the first and oldest Arrancar, the founder of the Espada, its second strongest member, and the King of Hueco Mundo and Las Noches.

Izuho smirked up at Barragan.

Izuho: Long time no see old man, you still look in good health. I miss anything important?

Nelliel and Roka sighed, they expected Izuho would still show the King some left of snark despite dreading the meeting with him.

Barraggan: Still as disrespectful as ever brat, saddest part is you are still one of the more bearable members of my elite task force.

Izuho: I'm not the one that told you to give those lunatics their ranks. Seriously old man why would you even think people like Szayelaporro and Nnoitra are even remotely trustworthy?

A grimace spread across Izuho's face, while he wasn't exactly fond of most members of the Espada. Those two in particular rubbed him the wrong way since day one.

Barraggan: Something you learn after ruling for thousands of years brat. Some people are less dangerous when you can keep your eye on them. Those two are much more manageable as members of the Espada than when they were lone Arrancar.

Izuho: If you say so old man. Our investigation into Mato over the last three months has been pretty routine. We eliminated eight newly formed Hollows before they could cause any more panic to Human Society.

Barraggan leaned back in his throne, his posture relaxing ever so slightly.

Barraggan: Good, what of tracking down those "Gods" have you managed to find anything of value? Give your disheveled appearance, it seems you got caught up in a rather severe fight.

Izuho: Not quite concrete proof, but we did get a piece of information that might lead us in the right direction.

Barraggan raises an eyebrow at this statement, his curiosity peaked if ever so slightly.

Barraggan: Oh? Do enlighten me on this new development then.

Nelliel: We ended up crossing paths with members of the Anti-Demon Corps during our last expedition into Mato.

Roka: When they encountered us they mistaken us for Humanoid Shuuki. Apparently members of their regime have encountered creatures that fit that description.

Barraggan's eyes widened in shock at this information before he let out a frustrated growl.

Barraggan: So that human military force has finally caught wind of our existence? This could greatly complicate things, however if they've encountered them it could spell doom for the human world if we do not intervene.

Izuho: These Thunder Gods are that much of a threat? You made it sound like we could slaughter them with a full frontal assault.

Barraggan glared at Izuho before letting out a tired sigh.

Barraggan: That's not the point I am trying to make brat. Those insects have thrown the cycle of death and rebirth completely out of whack. Humans that should've lived long lives or died of causes in their own world now die prematurely when they fall into Mato. In their pursuit of worship and conquest they have disregarded the natural order of things.

Izuho looked at Barraggan in slight surprise at the king's statement.

Izuho: For the guy who preaches about how nothing can escape the inevitable march towards death. I honestly wouldn't think people dying from falling into Mato would bother you.

Barraggan: Death is inevitable, however that does not mean there isn't a process to it. Every living being is destined to die at a specified time. This allows the cycle of death and rebirth to stay in balance. Ever since Mato started to bleed into the human world on occasion, people are dying before their destined time. This has led to the cycle being disrupted. If we do not stop them, it may never recover.

Izuho contemplated the king's words for a moment.

Izuho: So you're saying that since people are dying before they're supposed to, the waiting room to be reborn is filling up to quickly? Meaning the process of rebirth can't keep up to balance it all out?

Barraggan: At least that brain of yours is capable of intelligent thought. Yes, Hueco Mundo may be a large realm, but even it can only hold so many Souls before it's flooded. These premature deaths have also led to an increase rate of Hollow creation. As you know, not everyone who becomes a Hollow is strong enough to become an Arrancar. Their consumption of Souls also disrupts the cycle as it eliminates souls from the cycle altogether.

Izuho and his Fracción look at the king in complete shock, they knew Mato was a problem, but not to this degree.

Roka: So in a sense Mato and the Shuuki are a parasite that has infected the cycle of death and rebirth the human realm and Hueco Mundo obey? That means the longer this goes unchecked....

Nelliel: The higher the chance the entire cycle itself collapses.....

Barraggan: Exactly, that is why I am ordering you to begin spying on the branches of the Anti-Demon Corps. Starting with the ones that have encountered these Humanoid Shuuki. While I wouldn't usually want to risk such close contact with humans, they seem to have made more progress than us in investigating Mato. Moving forward you are expected to return to Las Noches immediately after every expedition. Report everything you find to me.

Izuho: You got it old man, we'll go get settled back in and start planning our next expedition. We'll try and mobilize in a week's time.

Barraggan nodded and gestured with his hand for Izuho and his Fracción to leave the throne room. Izuho, Nelliel, and Roka all turned and began walking towards the door, only for Barraggan to speak once more.

Barraggan: Izuho, make sure no more humans die within Mato. The more we can prevent premature deaths, the better our odds of stopping this nonsense are. I can only trust you to do this.

Izuho looked over his shoulder at the king, a smirk spreading across his face.

Izuho: Like hell I'm gonna let these freaks kill anymore humans. Just leave it to me old man!

Izuho then faced forward once again as he continued to walk towards the doors of the throne room. However Izuho's mind was a maelstrom, this conflict he found himself in was a lot more dire than he initially expected.

So Izuho and his Fracción have returned to Las Noches and reported to the king on what they have found so far while exploring Mato. However it appears that the conflict between the Arrancar and Shuuki is far more dire than Izuho originally imagined.

I would like to also update you all on a cowritten project I am working on with KLigers98 it is a Chained Soldier story that is a crossover with Kamen Rider Ryuki. It is titled Chained Soldier: Reflection of Survival! The Bios were posted today on Ligers account, please check it out if you're interested!

As always leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments! How exactly will Izuho prepare while in Hueco Mundo? Who else will he cross paths with now that he's returned to the palace? How are the Anti-Demon Corps handling what little information they have on the Arrancar? What do they plan to do about them moving forward? Find out in the next Chapter of Chained Soldier: Resurrección of the Forsaken!