Hueco Mundo desert

The white dunes under the eternal moon that Ichigo, Uryū and Chad cross as soon as they leave the Garganta. Here they meet Nel, Pesche and Dondochakka, busy with their 'eternal game of tag'.

The little Arrancar with the broken mask is really Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck, a former Tercera Espada left like this by Nnoitra. The group, with the giant sandworm Bawabawa, escorts the ryoka to the walls of Las Noches; Rukia and Renji, sent in secret by Byakuya and Ukitake, soon join them.