Chapter 257 Aizen: Let Me Show You Something
Seeing Satoru, Baraggan instinctively tensed up.
But immediately after, he came back to his senses.
Ridiculous, why should he be afraid?
Mere Satoru, while quite powerful, was just a Shinigami.
He, on the other hand, had crossed the boundary between Hollow and Shinigami, obtaining magnificent new power!
Under Baraggan's gaze, Satoru took the lead, charging into Las Noches followed by a large group of roaring Shinigami.
"Old thief Baraggan! Come out and face your death!"
Satoru, bare-chested, raised his sword and shouted loudly.
The Shinigami behind him all joined in the shouting.
Baraggan: "..."
This was supposed to be a high-stakes battle where the two leaders should exchange dignified words from a distance before ordering their subordinates to engage first.
With Satoru's antics, the atmosphere immediately felt wrong.
These people didn't seem to be here to contest for control of a realm, but more like they were here for plunder.
Though somewhat displeased, he still had to maintain his imposing demeanor.
Standing high in the sky, Baraggan's black-purple robe fluttered in the wind.
"Satoru, you've come at just the right time."
"I have broken through to a new realm, yet have not slain a single powerful foe to consecrate my great axe."
"Though your standing is somewhat lacking, you will suffice."
"Let your blood serve as the celebratory offering for my breakthrough!"
As he spoke, Baraggan extended a skeletal arm, retrieving a massive battle axe from his back. With a sudden swing, he pointed it at Satoru.
Gazing at Baraggan hovering mid-air, Satoru wore a contemplative expression.
Baraggan's great axe had a long chain attached behind its handle, seemingly capable of being swung like Chad's weapon.
It felt somewhat overlapping with his own Risō Jakumetsu's attributes.
What was particularly vexing was that this giant axe appeared more martial and virtuous than Risō Jakumetsu.
Such a large double-edged axe, swung with a chain—wouldn't this make even gods and ghosts flee in terror?
Looking at his Zanpakutō, Satoru shook his head slightly.
Forget it, for this battle, I won't release my Zanpakutō.
As if sensing Satoru's thoughts, the Zanpakutō vibrated violently.
Unfortunately, the protest proved ineffective.
Satoru sheathed his sword and cracked his neck.
"Where the strong are revered, I should reign; among heroes, only I dare strive to be first!"
"Baraggan, if you can hold the title of Hueco Mundo's king, why can't I, Satoru Mikami?"
"Now my Mikami Technical Bureau boasts thousands of fine commanders and millions of armored troops. How can the faint glow of rotting grass compare to the bright moon in the sky?"
"If you lay down your arms and surrender with courtesy, you may still retain your position as a Hueco Mundo executive. Wouldn't that be splendid?"
Baraggan was stunned for several seconds.
He felt a flicker of self-doubt and glanced behind Satoru once more.
At most, there were only the Tsunayashiro Clan members, barely three hundred in number.
Filthy Shinigami, spewing nothing but lies!
"Insignificant Shinigami! How dare you flaunt your insolence before me, who has shattered the limits and transcended mortality!"
"Charlotte, Abirama, Findorr!"
"Go and kill this wretch!"
Baraggan swung his massive axe forward with a fierce motion.
At his command, three Adjuchas soared into the air.
One was a humanoid Menos Grande clad in pink armor.
Another was an eagle-shaped Hollow covered in crimson feathers.
The last resembled a Clauncher, a massive white shrimp-like Hollow.
The Reiatsu emanating from these three far surpassed that of ordinary Adjuchas.
Without hesitation, they fanned out, surrounding Satoru from three directions!
Baraggan's gaze remained fixed on the battlefield.
He never expected three mere Adjuchas to defeat Satoru.
All he needed was an opening.
The moment Satoru's attention wavered, he would unleash his axe.
Even a scratch from that axe would mean certain death for Satoru!
Yet, Satoru simply stood there, showing no intention of moving.
Just as the three Adjuchas closed in, several figures burst from the shadows of nearby structures—
"Urgh!"
"Gah!"
"Bwoof!"
With three agonized cries, the Adjuchas charging at Satoru were sent flying, carving long arcs through the air before crashing into the ground.
To Baraggan's astonishment, three figures emerged.
Tier Harribel.
Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck.
Szayelaporro!
At the sight of them, Baraggan seethed with rage.
Szayelaporro… this was supposed to be his subordinate!
As for Harribel, he had repeatedly tried to force her submission through threats and promises.
Though he wasn't closely acquainted with Nelliel, they had crossed paths a few times.
In Baraggan's eyes, this self-proclaimed knight should have eventually bowed to him, the "King."
They were all meant to be his followers, or at least future subjects—yet here they stood, aligned with Satoru!
What nonsense… what absolute nonsense!
The soul-fire in Baraggan's pupils blazed wildly.
"Szayelaporro… you damned traitor!"
"I will tear you apart, shred you to pieces!"
Szayelaporro scratched his head.
"Ah, now that's a bit unfair… With so many people opposing you, why single me out?"
He offered a gentle smile, attempting to placate Baraggan.
Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he added:
"By the way, didn't you mention something about shattering limits and transcending mortality…?"
"My, I hadn't realized you were so fixated on such matters."
"Honestly, breaking through limits isn't that remarkable. Just look at us."
"Both Lady Harribel and I have transcended the boundaries between Hollow and Shinigami, becoming new forms of life."
"But what of it? We still serve under Lord Satoru, don't we?"
"I think you should let go of such trivial concerns… It does come across as rather narrow-minded."
Baraggan trembled with fury at Szayelaporro's words.
His skeletal frame rattled with a cacophony of creaks and cracks.
"Fine… very well."
"Szayelaporro, when I catch you, I will slice you into pieces and erase you from this world forever!"
"Ggio, Nirgge!!"
Baraggan roared furiously.
Two Adjuchas suddenly materialized.
One took the form of a saber-toothed tiger.
The other resembled an elephant.
Satoru had no particular impression of the previous Adjuchas they'd encountered.
But upon seeing this elephant-shaped Hollow, his eyes suddenly lit up with recognition.
He remembered—wasn't this the fracción who fought against the Zaraki in the blood war and got killed by him?
Among all the fracción, this was one of the rare ones he actually remembered.
Though, to be fair, Baraggan's move here was rather pathetic.
On their side, they had three Vasto Lordes, two of whom had already achieved Resurrección.
And Baraggan was sending out a few Adjuchas, not even in their Arrancar forms? This was just sad.
Satoru took a deep breath.
Since Baraggan didn't want to make the first move, he would take the initiative.
He stepped forward, preparing to engage Baraggan directly.
But just then, something as massive as a mountain suddenly erupted from beneath his feet, intruding into the range of his Gigai's spiritual field.
Curious, Satoru looked down.
He saw an enormous mouth bursting forth from the silver desert beneath him.
The gaping maw stretched over ten meters wide, poised to swallow Satoru and his companions whole.
As the mouth appeared, the massive body behind it emerged from the desert as well.
Harribel and the other two instinctively leaped aside, evading the devouring range of the colossal mouth.
As Nelliel jumped, she cast her gaze toward Satoru.
Seeing him standing there, head bowed in what appeared to be deep thought, she felt a jolt of alarm.
Had he been too startled to react?!
Without the slightest hesitation, Nelliel suddenly changed direction. Her slender deer-like hooves kicked powerfully against the air as she charged toward Satoru.
However, her speed proved just slightly too slow.
BOOM!!!
Under the watchful eyes of the spectators—some shocked, some excited, some worried—the massive jaws snapped shut, swallowing Satoru whole.
Only then did everyone clearly see the true form of the enormous mouth.
A gigantic whale.
The whale measured nearly a hundred meters long, with just its head and gaping maw stretching over thirty meters as it emerged from the desert.
The saber-toothed tiger Hollow laughed heartily:
"Well done, Cirucci!"
"Digest Satoru completely!"
The enormous whale didn't respond, instead frantically channeling its Reiatsu to generate digestive gases within its body, attempting to corrode Satoru.
Baraggan watched quietly, his giant axe in hand.
Cirucci Sanderwicci was a very special Adjuchas.
Although its Hollow level wasn't high, its massive size allowed it to store terrifying amounts of spiritual energy.
In normal combat, this Reiatsu could be used as an endless supply of Cero ammunition.
But when it swallowed enemies into its stomach, it possessed a special ability.
The dense Reiatsu within its body would form an indestructible prison,
trapping the enemy before endless digestive gases would surge forth, reducing them to pus.
Though Satoru was powerful, he was still a Shinigami—his physical defense and recovery capabilities couldn't possibly match those of a Hollow.
This move by Cirucci might actually be able to harm Satoru.
Indeed, after being swallowed, Satoru showed no reaction whatsoever.
No Reiatsu fluctuations, no struggles—nothing could be detected.
Nelliel grew frantic.
She extended her hand, summoning a knight's lance from the void.
Gripping the spear, she prepared to charge toward the giant whale.
However, after rushing forward just a few dozen meters, she sensed danger rapidly approaching from the side.
Nel raised her lance and swept it horizontally to the side.
Simultaneously, Harribel swung her massive bone sword to assist.
Together, they gripped their weapons and jointly blocked a giant axe that came flying through the air.
Screech!!!!
Sparks flew brilliantly.
The combined strength of two Vasto Lordes nearly proved insufficient against the force of the giant axe.
"Haaah!!"
They shouted in unison, exerting force to thrust upward.
The giant axe thrown by Baraggan was finally knocked away.
In the distance, Baraggan pulled lightly on the black iron chains, effortlessly retrieving the axe back into his hand.
Both Nel and Harribel were visibly tense.
When they blocked the axe just now, they noticed black smoke emanating from its blade.
They had both seen this smoke before.
It was Baraggan's Respira.
Once it touches the body, unless the affected part is immediately severed, the breath will spread throughout the entire body, turning the victim into dust in an instant.
Although they were aware of this ability, it was the first time they had faced it at such close range.
Fortunately, Baraggan's Respira could only take effect if the giant axe struck the enemy.
If it could be released freely, both of them might have been severely injured just now...
"Lady Harribel, I will hold off Baraggan. Please go rescue Lord Satoru!"
As she spoke, Nelliel slightly bent her knees, preparing to charge at Baraggan.
Harribel frowned slightly.
Given Nelliel's strength, facing Baraggan head-on wasn't a wise choice.
But under the current circumstances, there was no room to be picky.
She nodded and was about to rush toward the giant whale.
However, at that moment, a voice suddenly came from inside the whale—
"Sister-in-law, open your mouth! I'm coming out!"
"?"
Hearing this familiar voice, Harribel froze in surprise.
Baraggan snorted coldly.
So he's still alive after all!
The giant whale kept its mouth tightly shut, seemingly trying to trap Satoru inside forever.
But the next moment, a large bulge suddenly appeared on its stomach.
Looking closer, there seemed to be a fist imprint at the center of the bulge!
The intense pain forced the giant whale to let out a miserable scream.
The moment it opened its mouth, a figure shot out and landed on a distant sand dune.
"Yo, Sōsuke! I brought you back a gift!"
Satoru stood there glowing with brilliant Reiatsu, completely untouched by anything from inside the whale's stomach.
In his hand was a large bag temporarily formed from condensed Reishi.
Inside the bag, a mass of flesh was slowly squirming.
Seeing this, many Tsunayashiro Shinigami frowned.
Aizen, however, showed a satisfied expression and walked over to take it.
Sure enough, when he opened it, he found the special structure from inside the whale's stomach.
He looked at Satoru.
This guy, when they first met, had been a complete idiot who knew nothing about research.
Now, without any prompting, he actively collected interesting experimental materials.
To show his appreciation, Aizen mentally crossed off one ten-thousandth of the entries in Satoru's dedicated grudge notebook.
Even for him, processing this much information took two full seconds.
Behind Satoru, the giant whale struggled a few times before collapsing with a thunderous crash.
It opened its massive mouth, trying to suck Satoru back in, but found it had lost its terrifying devouring ability.
Not only that, it could feel that its special ability to seal enemies inside its stomach had also disappeared.
The whale's eyes filled with despair.
Satoru paid no attention to its feelings.
As for Aizen... he cared even less.
After storing the valuable material Satoru brought into his shadow laboratory, Aizen raised his hand and pulled down his hood.
Then, he stepped forward to the front lines.
With each step, his Reiatsu grew stronger.
By the time he reached the open space in the center, everyone's attention—including Baraggan's—was inevitably focused on him.
Under everyone's gaze, Aizen smiled.
"Everyone, I'd like to show you something."
He drew the Zanpakutō from his waist and raised it elegantly, pointing the tip downward.
Seeing this movement, Satoru immediately closed his eyes without hesitation.
Aizen curled his lips:
"Please watch carefully, my Zanpakutō's release—"
"Shatter, Kyōka Suigetsu."