Chapter 188
Is Yuta dead?
Such a question emerged in everyone's mind.
Inoue Orihime, Kuchiki Rukia, Matsumoto Rangiku, Shihōin Yoruichi, Unohana Retsu, and Soi-Fon all stared at Yuta, who was swallowed in the black aura of Baraggan. Their heartbeats quickened, and their breathing grew heavy.
(T/n: ngl i think this is the harem list.. hopefully.. barragan excluded of course unless he turned into some big titty gilf.)
Even Aizen Sōsuke, standing above in the air, looked at the space where Yuta had disappeared and spoke in a low voice.
"Yuta… if Baraggan's ability alone is enough to make you fall, then perhaps you are not worthy of being my opponent."
For a moment Aizen sensed a faint loneliness-the isolation of someone who stood too high and found no equal at his side.
Then, from within Baraggan's deathly aura, a light burst outward.
In the sea of black and white, when only one eye remained visible, Yuta closed it slowly.
So this is the power of aging… the essence of time itself.
When Yuta opened the eye again, an overwhelming surge of power radiated from it. Within that gaze, a complex image formed: a tree of infinite branches, vast and intricate.
Yuta moved his body back into its restored state and condensed spiritual energy into clothing that wrapped neatly against him. Reaching out his hand, the deathly aura that had surrounded Baraggan gathered like rivers diverted into the sea, flowing into Yuta's palm.
Seeing him unharmed, Kuchiki Rukia and the others exhaled in relief. A moment ago they were ready to rush forward against Baraggan themselves.
From afar, Aizen observed closely, noting the aged energy that gathered in Yuta's grip. He narrowed his eyes. No-this was not simply the power of aging like Baraggan wielded, but something greater, the power of time itself.
"It's astonishing, Yuta," Aizen said quietly.
"You have become stronger again."
"This is the Yuta I know."
"A man who never reaches his limit."
"Come… there must be a battle between us."
"Let us prove with our strength who is the true king."
From the other side, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni loosened his grip on his cane and muttered with half a scolding tone, "This boy… always making people worry."
Baraggan stared at the scene before him in disbelief. The skeleton king who had once ruled Hueco Mundo watched as his aura bent to Yuta's command. If he had retained eyes, they would have burst wide at the sight.
"You… you brat!" Baraggan's roar echoed, his voice breaking under fury. If he had blood, it would have turned backward in his veins; if he had a heart, it would have pounded with rage.
Yuta looked at him calmly and shook his head.
"Ridiculous. This is the arrogance of the so-called king? The moment your ability was stripped from you, you throw away the will to fight?" His words were sharp and direct as he extended his hand, spiritual pressure gathering. "Are you worthy of being called king?"
The power of time pulsed through his palm as it shot toward Baraggan's chest.
---
Long ago, in Hueco Mundo-before the grand palace was raised and while its barren landscape remained exposed beneath the endless sky-there stood only scattered structures across the white desert. At the center of one desolate expanse was a cracked stone platform upheld by weathered pillars that seemed ready to collapse. Atop it sat a throne made of bleached bone.
Upon that throne rested Baraggan Louisenbairn, king of Hueco Mundo. Around him knelt countless Hollows, their heads bowed toward his feet. Yet even in their submission, he felt only boredom.
If eternity continued like this-without challengers-what was the point? Nothing was more suffocating than ruling without an enemy to oppose.
"What do you think?" he asked aloud, though he already knew his subjects could only answer with empty affirmations.
Suddenly, commotion stirred at the gate. The structure itself was nothing more than uneven stone crumbling into the sand, but Hollows rushed to it in alarm.
"What's going on? Kakameier was killed?" Fear spread through their voices.
Through the opening stepped three figures-Shinigami, each wearing a white haori over black robes, their Zanpakutō at their sides. Surrounded by Hollows, they showed no fear.
At the front was a man with soft hair under large spectacles: Aizen Sōsuke.
"This must be our first meeting," he said evenly. "King of Hueco Mundo."
Baraggan stared down at them with a smirk that did not waver. "Welcome to my castle-Hueco Mundo Palace. So, no masks… you're Shinigami, then. Not that it matters. If you hadn't come, I would have been so bored today that I planned to divide my men into two sides and have them fight each other."
Tōsen Kaname's brow furrowed as his head tilted toward the open sky above them. "Can a place without a roof be called a castle? It seems the King of Hueco Mundo likes to joke."
Baraggan replied without hesitation. "I need no roof. For a king like me, the entire sky of Hueco Mundo is my roof."
"Meaningless arguments will not change anything," Aizen said calmly as he drew his Zanpakutō and set it upright before him. "Let's speak of your title… King of Hueco Mundo."
"Do you wish to see my blade? Kyōka Suigetsu."
Baraggan narrowed his empty sockets. "What is it you want?"
"Are you satisfied with this stagnant world?" Aizen's tone was steady. "Have you ever imagined a world beyond this one? A step further? Follow me, and I will grant you greater power."
Baraggan's laugh rattled like stone striking stone. "Ridiculous! You speak of new worlds? I am king of Hueco Mundo! King of this world! There is nothing beyond what I have built for myself! All of you-kill this arrogant ant!"
At his command, Hollows rushed forward.
But Aizen only tilted his blade and whispered, "Shatter, Kyōka Suigetsu."
In an instant, the Hollows collapsed, revealing their true state-already slain by Ichimaru Gin and Tōsen Kaname before Baraggan even realized it.
PS GOALS: 150 PS= 5-10 extra chapter on an update.
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