Chapter 567 - 567 Aizen's Invitation, Nel's Refusal

Upon hearing the explosion of the Cero, both Rangiku and Ashido looked at this scene in shock. Even Toshiro and Aizen, who were in the midst of battle, temporarily stopped fighting.

"Nnoitra-sama!"

Just as Nnoitra was hit by the Cero, an Arrancar with short flaxen hair, an eyepatch over his right eye, and the appearance of a handsome young boy suddenly appeared, passed by Nel, and rushed towards Nnoitra, who was enveloped by the aftermath of the Cero explosion.

Nel glanced at this suddenly appearing Arrancar, remembering that he seemed to be Nnoitra's subordinate, Tesra.

Watching Tesra rush towards the site of the Cero explosion, disregarding his own safety for Nnoitra, Nel's heart was somewhat touched.

She thought of her own companions, Pesche and Dondochakka. So, momentarily softening, she refrained from attacking Tesra as he passed by her, allowing him to go.

Then Nel turned around and ran towards Toshiro's side, no longer concerning herself with Nnoitra and his subordinate Tesra.

The move Nel had just used to absorb and reflect Nnoitra's Cero was Nel's unique secret technique, [Cero Doble]. It not only absorbs the opponent's Cero but also merges the absorbed Cero with Nel's own Cero before reflecting it back. Its power is much stronger than Nnoitra's original Cero.

Previously, when Toshiro was fighting Dordoni, Nel had inadvertently used Cero Doble as well. However, at that time, Nel hadn't reverted to her 'adult form'.

Although she could absorb Dordoni's Cero, she couldn't merge it with her own. So, the Cero Doble could only absorb and reflect the opponent's Cero, and its power depended on the power of the opponent's Cero.

But now that Nel had transformed into her adult form, after absorbing Nnoitra's Cero, she could add her own Cero. The power was at least twice as great as Nnoitra's Cero.

Therefore, Nel believed that even if Nnoitra wasn't dead by now, he was at least severely injured and could no longer threaten everyone. As for Nnoitra's subordinate, Tesra, his own strength was 'too weak' to pose a threat to the group.

So, ignoring Nnoitra, who was directly hit by the Cero, and the suddenly appearing Tesra, Nel rushed straight towards the location on the other side where Toshiro was facing off against Aizen.

"Toshiro—!"

After rushing over, Nel directly hugged Toshiro, tightly wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Thank goodness! Toshiro and everyone are alright! That's really wonderful!!" Nel said, shaking Toshiro with a happy expression like a child.

"..."

In her adult form, Nel's height exceeded Toshiro's. So, after Nel hugged Toshiro, his head was buried directly into Nel's breasts, which were no less impressive than Rangiku's.

"Ne... Nel... Aizen... Aizen is still here!" Toshiro quickly struggled and reminded her.

Earlier, after seeing Nnoitra get hit by the Cero, Toshiro and Aizen had temporarily stopped fighting to observe the situation.

However, that didn't mean Aizen wouldn't take the opportunity to suddenly attack Toshiro.

"Ah! That's right!" Nel also realized this and quickly let go of Toshiro.

"Huff, huff..." Toshiro gasped for air.

"Good grief... I wasn't killed by Aizen... but I almost suffocated to death because of you..." Toshiro said intermittently.

"Hehehe..." Nel laughed sheepishly upon hearing this.

Aizen, standing by, did not take the opportunity to attack when Toshiro was being hugged by Nel. Instead, he watched Toshiro and Nel with an amused expression.

"Oh my, Hitsugaya-kun, you're quite popular." Aizen suddenly spoke teasingly.

Then, Aizen greeted Nel: "Yo, long time no see, Nelliel."

"Long time no see, Aizen-sama." Nel put away her smile and replied seriously.

"I'm truly sorry, Nelliel. I wasn't aware when you were injured by Nnoitra and thrown out of Las Noches. By the time I learned of this and wanted to find you, I couldn't. So, I sincerely apologize for these matters."

Aizen said with a compassionate expression: "As compensation... If you are willing to return now, I can overlook your involvement with Hitsugaya-kun and the others, and reinstate you as an Espada. How about it, Nelliel?"

"Then why did Aizen-sama capture me, Pesche, and Dondochakka earlier?" Nel asked.

Aizen replied without changing his expression: "That was just a misunderstanding, Nelliel. I didn't recognize you before... I didn't know you were Nelliel. If you are willing to return, I will not only reinstate you as an Espada but also release your subordinates immediately."

After all, Toshiro and the others had already been lured to Hueco Mundo, and Pesche and Dondochakka had lost their use value. So, if Nel was truly willing to return, Aizen wouldn't mind releasing Pesche and Dondochakka.

After all, following Ulquiorra's death, the position of the Cuatro Espada had been vacant. Aizen felt his subordinates' power was somewhat insufficient. So, if he could trade two insignificant Arrancars like Pesche and Dondochakka for a Vasto Lorde-class Arrancar like Nel to become an Espada, it would definitely be a profitable deal.

However, Nel was destined not to agree to his proposal.

"I'm sorry, Aizen-sama. The one standing here now is Nel, no longer the Nelliel of the past. Let the past stay in the past. Right now, I simply want to repay Toshiro's kindness. Even if it means making an enemy of you, Aizen-sama, I don't care!" Nel said with determination.

"Is that so? Then you don't care about the lives of your two subordinates either?" Aizen put away his smile and said expressionlessly.

"As for Pesche and Dondochakka, I will rescue them myself." Nel said.

"Is that so? Then what a pity." Aizen said, his expression turning slightly cold.

Aizen didn't really care all that much whether a Vasto Lorde-class Arrancar joined his ranks... after all, it wouldn't affect the overall situation. But what bothered Aizen was that he rarely extended an invitation, and it was rejected, which was somewhat embarrassing.

"Toshiro, let me help you deal with Aizen!" Nel said to Toshiro.

"No, leave Aizen to me alone!" Toshiro refused with a shake of his head.

"Why? I know Aizen's strength is indeed very great, but you should have seen my strength just now. Although I'm still no match for you and Aizen, I think I should be able to help at least a little." Nel couldn't help but ask.

"It's not that I'm saying you can't help, it's just..."

At this point, Toshiro looked towards the place where Nnoitra was, still shrouded in dust after the Cero explosion: "It's just that your opponent is over there."

Bang!

The figure of Nnoitra's subordinate, Tesra, suddenly flew backwards out of the dust.

"Damn thing! Who asked you to come over? Tesra! Do you think a mere attack of this level could kill me?" Accompanied by an angry voice, Nnoitra's figure walked out of the spreading dust.

"Cough... I'm very sorry... Nnoitra-sama..." Tesra, lying on the ground, coughed up blood.

Apparently, Tesra had just rushed into the aftermath of the Cero explosion, disregarding his own safety to save Nnoitra, but was kicked flying mercilessly by Nnoitra.

"Yo! Nelliel! Surprised I'm not dead?" Nnoitra looked at Nel with a sinister grin.