In the vast, silver expanse of sand, Arrancars lay sprawled across the ground in disarray.
Of what was once a nearly twenty-strong squad, fewer than three remained standing. Terror was etched across their faces as all eyes turned toward the crest of a distant sand dune.
At the top sat a lone figure, draped in tattered black fabric, his gaze cast downward with an air of resignation and helplessness.
Beside him, a young girl clad in similar black rags peered down at the scene below with curiosity.
"Starrk, Starrk, look! Those guys... their masks seem just as incomplete as ours!"
She jabbed the man beside her sharply in the side with her elbow.
But Starrk didn't respond.
Unlike the fallen Arrancars, his attention was entirely fixed on the man walking lightly behind them.
That man was dressed in a black Shihakushō, draped with a flowing white Haori.
When the fabric shifted with the wind, the number "十一" (Eleven) could be faintly seen embroidered on its back.
His figure was tall and lean, standing as steadfast as a mountain peak.
Long black hair cascaded over his shoulders like a waterfall, brushing against his pale skin, exuding an air of calm mystery.
From a distance, he appeared refined—almost like a nobleman of elegant deanor.
But... Starrk knew better.
That image was nothing more than a façade.
He had existed in Hueco Mundo for an unimaginably long ti, yet never before had he felt this kind of pressure.
It wasn't the crushing force of overwhelming Reiatsu—but sothing deeper.
A fear that gripped the soul itself.
The terrifying certainty that even the slightest misstep could erase him from existence in an instant.
"You're different from us... and different from Hollows."
Starrk's gaze locked onto Masatsuki Aozaki, his voice calm and steady.
"Are you the King of Hueco Mundo? The one they call 'Shinigami'?"
"You're right. I am a Shinigami."
Masatsuki Aozaki gave a slight nod in acknowledgnt.
Strictly speaking, "Shinigami" was rely a title of profession, not a classification of lifeforms.
Ordinary Shinigami were spiritual beings belonging to the concept of "Plus," the opposite of "Hollow."
Although his existence had long since transcended the boundaries of that classification, there was nothing wrong with calling himself a Shinigami.
As long as the old man Yamamoto let him remain in the Gotei 13, that was what he was.
Masatsuki Aozaki's gaze settled on the two figures atop the dune, an unmistakable glint of interest in his eyes.
As expected, these two were exactly the ones he had been looking for—
Coyote Starrk and Lilynette Gingerbuck.
Starrk...
A laid-back, lethargic man, with nothing to his na besides an absurdly high Reiatsu.
But Lilynette was a different story.
She deserved a proper introduction!
Her soft, short hair was a gentle shade of pale green. The mask fragnt beside her left eye was adorned with intricate purple fla-like markings, and her pinkish-purple eyes shimred like gemstones.
In short—she was absolutely adorable, with a future full of promise!
Once they returned to Las Noches, he would definitely have his personal designer, Aizen, craft her a beautiful new outfit.
Starrk frowned slightly and asked,
"Are you here to kill us? Or... are you trying to force us to submit to you, like the others?"
Though he had never seen a Shinigami in person, he knew enough from rumors.
In his understanding, Shinigami and Hollows were sworn enemies. Whenever the two t, it was a battle to the death—only one side would walk away alive.
But today, that understanding had been shaken.
The figures lying on the ground, just like himself, were Arrancars with broken masks. They claid that the Shinigami ruled Hueco Mundo and that they had been sent under orders.
That ant the Shinigami who ruled this land did not necessarily see Hollows as enemies to be eradicated.
Masatsuki Aozaki smiled slightly and reassured him,
"You don't have to worry—I have no interest in taking your life."
"However, I've only been in control of Las Noches for a few years, and I could use soone with your strength."
He and Aizen frequently traveled between Soul Society and Hueco Mundo, rarely staying for long.
Though Tōsen Kana was still an insignificant figure in the Gotei 13, he had plenty of ti. Masatsuki Aozaki and Aizen could use Kyōka Suigetsu to conceal his presence and have him remain in Hueco Mundo indefinitely.
But Tōsen's strength was lacking—he simply wasn't fit to guard Las Noches.
As for Nelliel and Harribel, under Masatsuki Aozaki's guidance, they had made great progress.
Yet, compared to top-tier Arrancars like Baraggan and Szayelaporro, there was still a gap.
Starrk smirked, his expression tinged with mockery.
"Oh... So what, am I supposed to be grateful that you're sparing ?"
Masatsuki Aozaki waved his hand nonchalantly and chuckled.
"No need for that. If you really want to thank soone, thank the cute little girl standing next to you."
"She's Lilynette, right?"
"If it weren't for the fact that you've got such a pretty little Arrancar by your side, I would've just beaten you into submission and dragged you back."
"..."
Starrk was montarily at a loss for words.
Though he and Lilynette were two halves of the sa soul, the gap in their strength was vast.
In the past, every ti they faced danger, it was always his power that got them through.
Who would've thought that today, he'd have to be grateful to this loud, obnoxious girl?
"...Well, thanks, Lilynette."
He turned toward her as he spoke.
The little girl with short, light green hair finally lost her patience and shot to her feet.
She gestured wildly at both of them, muttering,
"Hah!? Why the hell are you just listening to him like that? He's our enemy!"
"And you—how dare you say I look good? I'm mad now! I'm really mad!!"
"Take this! You're dead, you bastard!!"
Before she even finished, Lilynette lunged, drawing a gleaming, curved blade from the broken horn of her helt.
But before she could even get half a ter into the air, a strong, calloused hand clamped down on her head, stopping her in place.
"Starrk! What the hell are you doing?!"
She squird in frustration, glaring at him.
Starrk sighed helplessly and explained,
"Haven't you noticed? That man is standing well within my Reiatsu's range, but he's completely unaffected by it."
"That guy... he's not soone you can take on."
"Well... I don't want to fight, but it looks like we don't have much choice."
"If you want us to submit, you'll have to do more than just talk."
Though he had only just t Masatsuki Aozaki, Starrk's sharp instincts told him one thing—
The man standing before him reeked of death.
Despite his calm deanor, despite the ever-present smile, there was sothing dangerous lurking beneath it.
Reviews
All reviews (0)