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Chapter 334 B
🕑 Added 2025-05-01 15:02:01 +0000 UTCChapter 334
2-in-1 chapter:
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*Welcome to Hueco Mundo?*
Hearing Sōsuke’s words, Shinji Hirako couldn’t help but freeze for a moment.
Then, his heart sank.
The worst-case scenario he had predicted before—had it really come true?
That guy Sōsuke had actually allied himself with Hueco Mundo!
Now, the situation was utterly disastrous.
Although he had been cautious of Sōsuke over the years and hadn’t let him access too much core intelligence, the man was very close to Kaelith. As the captain of Squad Eleven, Kaelith had access to secrets no less important than his own.
Given Kaelith’s mind... cough, cough. Given Kaelith’s temperament, he had probably already been completely exploited by Sōsuke—even the color of his underwear had likely been figured out.
Who knew how much of Seireitei’s secrets Sōsuke had grasped—and how much he had sold to Las Noches.
While Shinji quickly pondered the situation, Sōsuke had already brought him before a massive gate.
Creaaak—
The enormous white gate opened, sunlight pouring through.
Shinji furrowed his brow.
When he saw the scene outside, he couldn’t help but widen his eyes.
In his mind, Hueco Mundo should have been an endless night, barren and desolate sand dunes stretching infinitely.
But what appeared beyond the gate was a sunlit land.
A giant, smooth, pristine white castle stood at the center.
Outside was a neatly paved, hardened roadway.
On either side of the road stood tall trees, shrubs, and various flowers and plants.
If one didn’t know better, it could easily be mistaken for a European garden.
Figures in white uniforms moved back and forth along the road.
At a glance, they looked like Soul Reapers.
But on closer inspection, it became clear that each bore remnants of masks on their faces, and the spiritual pressure emanating from them was unmistakably Hollow in nature.
In the distance, on a plaza, numerous humanoid Hollows in white uniforms were practicing swordsmanship under the lead of a ram-horned Hollow.
Their coordinated movements radiated a shocking momentum.
Shinji couldn’t help but wonder if he was dreaming.
What was going on... when had Hueco Mundo become like this?
Why did those Hollows resemble Soul Reapers?
Where had the sunlight in the sky come from?
And why, despite being notorious for having no organization or discipline, did these Hollows display such strong execution and order?
As Shinji questioned everything, a few passing Arrancar spotted Sōsuke and quickly halted their steps.
“Sōsuke-sama!”
Two Hollows bowed their heads respectfully.
“Mm.”
Sōsuke nodded. “Perfect timing... You two, push Captain Hirako and follow behind me.”
“Yes!”
Without hesitation, the two Hollows rushed to the container behind Shinji and grabbed the handles.
Shinji: “...”
The attitudes of these two Hollows toward Sōsuke weren’t a pretense.
Clearly, this man held a significant status in Hueco Mundo...
As Shinji watched with growing concern, Sōsuke walked ahead, introducing various facilities along the way.
“Captain Hirako, this is the residential area where the Arrancar rest.”
“This is the dining hall, established by some Arrancar who enjoy fine cuisine.”
“This is the corridor to the research building, which directly connects to the tower we were just in...”
Listening to Sōsuke’s explanations, Shinji keenly picked up on a term.
Arrancar.
So that’s what these Hollows who had broken their masks were called—Arrancar.
It was quite an apt name.
He wondered what level of strength these beings possessed.
Shinji tried to sense their spiritual power, but the tubes connected to him absorbed all his outward spirit pressure, making it impossible.
Noticing his actions, Sōsuke turned to him.
“Captain Hirako, there’s no need to rush. Soon, I will let you witness their power.”
His thoughts guessed by Sōsuke, Shinji felt displeased.
But considering his current predicament, he wisely chose to stay silent.
Sōsuke led Shinji into a hall.
Inside, many individuals were already gathered.
All were Arrancar.
Unlike the ordinary ones outside, these Arrancar radiated intense danger.
Two of them, in particular, triggered Shinji’s deepest sense of crisis.
One was a man lazily sprawled across the conference table, looking drowsy.
The other was a burly elder seated in a large chair, playing a game console.
Shinji’s instincts told him that even without the restraining tubes—even at his peak—he would not be able to defeat either of them.
And the rest of those present weren’t much weaker.
Though they didn’t emit the same overwhelming pressure, more than half possessed strength equal to or surpassing his own.
When had Hueco Mundo produced so many high-level combatants?
As a captain, he was completely unaware of this.
Didn’t this mean that these Hollows could launch a surprise attack on the Soul Society at any time and cause catastrophic destruction?
With Sōsuke acting as a traitorous guide, the situation was indeed dire!
He had to do something... but how could he escape from here?
As Shinji anxiously pondered, he was suddenly surprised to see all the Hollows in the room stand upon noticing Sōsuke. Even the elder engrossed in his game console, though reluctant, also stood up.
“Sōsuke-sama, as per your orders, the three generals have all assembled!”
“The seven members of the Hollow Blade—aside from Ulquiorra, who is on assignment in the human world, and Zommari, who is patrolling the desert—are all present!”
Harribel reported calmly.
“Well done, Harribel.”
Sōsuke nodded.
Shinji was somewhat stunned.
These Arrancar... weren’t they treating Sōsuke a bit too respectfully?
Wasn’t he just a turncoat guide? Did he really deserve this level of reverence?
Their attitude toward him resembled how one would treat a true leader. Could Baraggan, the King of Hueco Mundo, tolerate such a situation?
As the restrained Shinji was pushed into the room, everyone directed curious glances at him.
Some even wore provocative smiles.
One of them, with blue hair, grinned and approached.
“Hey... isn’t this the captain who chased after Ulquiorra? I remember him.”
“Sōsuke, let me fight him!”
As he spoke, his spiritual pressure surged.
Sensing Grimmjow’s spiritual pressure, Shinji was shocked.
So powerful!
This guy was even stronger than he had estimated! Could he be the strongest in Hueco Mundo after those two earlier?
“Grimmjow, you’re being far too insolent.”
Harribel’s face grew cold, her voice stern.
“Sōsuke-sama is Kaelith’s close friend. How dare you address him so casually?”
“Apologize to Sōsuke-sama.”
“Huh? What nonsense are you spouting?”
Grimmjow raised an eyebrow.
“I pledged loyalty to Kaelith, not Sōsuke. Why should I use honorifics for him?!”
Staring at Grimmjow, Harribel’s expression grew even colder.
“I said—apologize.”
BOOM!!!
The moment the words fell, a terrifying spiritual pressure engulfed the entire room. Even through the container, Shinji could clearly feel the overwhelming force of the Reiatsu, so dense it seemed almost tangible.
This woman Harribel—her strength surpassed even Grimmjow!
What on earth had happened to Hueco Mundo?!
“Hmph.”
A cold snort suddenly rang out.
Accompanied by an irresistible surge of spiritual pressure. Harribel’s Reiatsu was instantly dispersed and vanished into the air.
The burly elder put down his game console.
“Harribel, how could you display such an ugly demeanor in front of outsiders?!”
Harribel paused, realizing that Shinji was still present.
As someone who always considered herself an executor of Kaelith’s will, she showed a rare hint of shame.
The elder looked at Grimmjow.
“Little cub, will you admit your mistake yourself, or shall this old man help you?”
Grimmjow frowned.
He wasn’t one to shy away from conflict. Under normal circumstances, he’d even dare to defy Baraggan.
But realizing he had gone too far today—and that Kaelith himself might punish him afterward—he reluctantly clicked his tongue.
“Sorry, Sōsuke-sama.”
He lowered his head slightly toward Sōsuke in a half-hearted manner.
Then, glancing aside:
“Harribel, Baraggan, I’m only doing this out of respect for Kaelith—don’t get any ideas that you two are anything special!”
“Heh.”
Baraggan chuckled dismissively and returned to his game.
If Harribel had said that, he might have been angered enough to act.
But Grimmjow... he was merely one of the seven, a little cub unworthy of his ire.
Harribel ignored Grimmjow’s childish attempt to save face.
Grimmjow clenched his teeth.
Inside the container, Shinji’s heart surged with shock.
Just now, what had Grimmjow called that old man?
Baraggan?!
That elder was the King of Hueco Mundo—Baraggan?!
After a moment of stunned realization, it seemed to make sense.
That overwhelming Reiatsu, the kingly aura, and the unique throne-like chair unlike anything the others had...
All pointed to his exceptional status.
So... Baraggan had also become an Arrancar.
It was said that since ancient times, Baraggan had ruled Hueco Mundo. Countless Soul Reapers had fallen to him. Even Yamamoto, when young, had reportedly failed to defeat him.
And such a legendary being had bowed his head to Sōsuke?
No... not to Sōsuke.
From Harribel’s and Grimmjow’s earlier words, it seemed their respect toward Sōsuke stemmed from Kaelith...
Suddenly, a terrifying thought struck Shinji’s mind.
Could it be that Sōsuke hadn’t pledged allegiance to Hueco Mundo—but rather...
“As you suspect, Captain Hirako,” Sōsuke’s voice suddenly sounded.
“Hueco Mundo has already come fully under my and Kaelith’s control.”
“Even Baraggan, once the unsolvable threat to Seireitei, is now merely Kaelith’s vassal.”
Hearing this, Baraggan frowned slightly but said nothing.
He only pressed the buttons of his game console a bit more forcefully.
Inside the container, Shinji’s eyes widened.
“How is that possible?!”
The Soul Society had existed for a million years. The Gotei 13 had stood for a thousand.
Even with Yamamoto, Unohana, and so many captains, they had never subdued Hueco Mundo. How could these two have done it?
Sōsuke tilted his head slightly, the smile fading from his face.
“The incapable, when witnessing others achieve what they never could, prefer to soothe themselves by declaring it ‘impossible.’ It’s a way to preserve self-respect.”
“But reality doesn’t change just because someone covers their eyes.”
“Captain Hirako, the truth before you is undeniable.”
“Hueco Mundo is already ours.”
“Half the Gotei 13 now belongs to Kaelith’s faction.”
“Among the Five Great Noble Houses, four support Kaelith.”
“Even the Zero Division you trusted—at least two among them stand with Kaelith…”
“And you, alone, think you can reverse all this?”
“Your perception may be sharper than most, but ultimately, you’re just a man trying to resist the tide, blind to the larger picture.”
“I could even release you right now. Let you return and report everything to Captain-Commander Yamamoto and Ichibē Hyōsube.”
“But what good would that do?”
“Never mind the Commander’s affection for his disciple, or the Zero Division’s dealings with Kaelith... Even if both opposed him as you hope, do you really believe it would change anything?”
“The era demands change. And this moment is the trigger.”
“When you finally understand that, your perspective will no longer be limited to the pitiful power struggles within Seireitei.”
Hearing Sōsuke’s words, Shinji’s pupils trembled continuously.
He couldn’t help but speak:
“You... no—you two—what exactly are you planning?!”
“Merely to change this world.”
“Bastard! How can you say it so lightly?!”
Shinji grew furious.
“Do you realize how much sacrifice this will cause?!”
At this, Sōsuke smiled.
“Sacrifice?”
“Since you mentioned it, let me ask you, Captain Hirako.”
“If not for Kaelith, how many would’ve died in the rebellion?”
“If not for Kaelith, how much destruction would the Quincy have brought to Seireitei?”
“If not for Kaelith, how many deaths would’ve followed the descent of Hell?”
“And even if one were to disregard such matters, how many innocent lives has the current noble system consumed in its preservation? You have never reflected upon this—not out of ignorance, but because you have profited from the perpetuation of this disgraceful order.”
“As a captain, you have complacently accepted the reverence of your subordinates and the tributes extracted from the destitute souls of Rukongai.”
“Your every desire has been satisfied, and in time, you ceased to perceive the bloodstains that stain the very foundations upon which your authority rests."
“This is the decision you—and countless others of your ilk—have consciously embraced.”
“Kaelith lacks your cunning; he is incapable of feigning blindness to such truths.”
“And it is for this reason that you could never surpass him.”
Sōsuke produced a crystal-like gem that emitted a soft glow and approached Shinji.
As the latter watched in shock, he smiled.
“It’s fine, Captain Hirako.”
“Though your perspective is constrained by a narrow frame, I can help you open it.”
As he spoke, he slowly extended the gem toward him.
Comments
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Hmm, technically the Hogyoku can do nearly anything. Brainwashing?
