He felt a sense of despair.
This despair wasn't just because he had once again been defeated by Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
More than that, it was the chasm-like gap between them, seemingly impossible to bridge, as if no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't close it.
A thousand years, an incredibly long time.
What's more, Yoriichi making no progress was merely a futile, impossible hypothesis.
For a moment, Grimmjow's deep lake-blue eyes quietly dimmed a few shades, as if losing their usual brilliance and sharpness.
Starrk gently shook his head.
He knew very well that these words would inevitably deal a heavy blow to Grimmjow's confidence.
However, in his opinion, losing some confidence was far better than blindly pursuing an unrealistic dream.
Because the latter was meaningless, and as time went on, the more effort expended, the greater the eventual blow would be.
The air seemed to freeze at this moment.
The surrounding time also seemed to stop, so silent it was suffocating.
Starrk was about to ask Grimmjow if he was willing to join them.
In his perception, the reason Grimmjow was so keen on fighting was simply to make himself stronger.
But fighting wasn't the only way to become stronger, and moreover, fighting was divided into sparring and life-or-death battles, with a world of difference between the two.
Starrk believed that the Shinigami would definitely set all the rules.
And as long as they, the Menos Grande, obediently followed, they would be able to enjoy long-lasting peace, which was also the state he yearned for in his heart.
Unfortunately, he had just uttered half a syllable.
The next moment, with a loud "whoosh," a white figure, like lightning, suddenly burst into everyone's sight, rushing directly towards the two Shinigami with astonishing speed.
Starrk's keen dynamic vision instantly caught that the white figure was a Menos Grande, and an Arrancar Menos Grande at that.
This Menos Grande extended a finger, and that finger, like a sharp sword, stabbed directly at Kisuke Urahara's throat.
The finger cut through the air, emitting a sharp whistling sound, chilling to the bone.
Although this action came extremely abruptly, because Kisuke Urahara had always been on guard against Grimmjow's rampage, his mindset had never relaxed in the slightest.
He gripped his Zanpakuto tightly, and at the critical moment, he finally reacted.
With a crisp "ding," the blade barely met the sword-like finger, just managing to protect his vital spot.
Swish!
Failing in one strike, the white figure retreated like a swift wind.
As he retreated, Kisuke Urahara vaguely heard the other party let out a "tch," a sound as if saying he had failed, full of unwillingness and vexation.
Kisuke Urahara's pupils slightly constricted.
He held his breath, his heart pounding like a drum.
Being ambushed twice in a short period truly tightened his nerves to the extreme.
What was wrong with these Hollows?
Why did they always come after him?
Was it really because he was weaker?
"Hoo…" Kisuke Urahara exhaled heavily, then looked towards where the white figure had retreated.
At this moment, he had already seen the opponent's full appearance.
It was a handsome young man, with a golden and black braided pigtail swaying slightly with his retreating movements.
He looked completely harmless.
However, his posture and demeanor were extremely sharp, with a saber-toothed tiger-like mask worn on his head, like a man-eating beast, exuding a strong wildness.
As an Arrancar who had just completed his evolution, this also explained well why he would attack the weaker one first.
Because in the law of survival in nature, the survival of the fittest is an eternal truth.
The young man extended a finger and shouted loudly towards the crowd:
"I am Ggio Vega, the Second Seat Officer under Lord Baraggan."
"Who among you is the murderer of Ulquiorra Cifer?"
"Step forward yourselves, don't force our hand, otherwise when Lord Baraggan arrives, none of you will escape."
"Surrender obediently, and you can still earn a glimmer of hope for your companions."
The young man's demeanor was extremely arrogant, as if he himself were Baraggan, full of overbearing pride.
Kisuke Urahara watched him quietly, listening to these words, and immediately understood what he was encountering.
Aizen had learned of Ulquiorra's death and sent people to pursue them, and the pursuer was… Baraggan!
…
The King of Hueco Mundo himself actually came?
Kisuke Urahara frowned slightly, feeling it was truly a bit outrageous.
But on second thought, it made sense.
The dead Ulquiorra Cifer was no ordinary small fry; as a Vasto Lorde, the meaning of his death was completely different from the meaning of an Adjuchas's death.
Being able to kill him meant being able to kill other Vasto Lorde.
In this situation, sending more Adjuchas would be meaningless; a supreme strong one had to appear to settle the matter once and for all.
For this reason, Baraggan's appearance became logical.
From this point, it could also be seen that the number of Vasto Lorde under Aizen's command was not large.
Because if there were many, it wouldn't be just Baraggan alone who came.
Of course, it couldn't be ruled out that Aizen was too confident, believing that sending only Baraggan could defeat them.
Thinking of this, Kisuke Urahara looked at Yoriichi Tsugikuni, wanting to give him a look to signal him to be careful.
Since even Baraggan's subordinate had completed his Arrancar transformation, then Baraggan himself must also be in this state.
His strength had clearly improved compared to before, and he absolutely could not act carelessly anymore.
Unfortunately, when Kisuke Urahara's gaze swept over where Yoriichi Tsugikuni had originally stood, he found that the latter was already gone.
Coming back to his senses, he saw Yoriichi Tsugikuni suddenly appear in front of Ggio Vega, capturing him alive with an unimaginable speed.
Bang!
Ggio Vega didn't even see Yoriichi Tsugikuni's movements; he was lifted up, instantly feeling it difficult to breathe.
This tightened his heart, and he thought, 'Impossible!'
He was a saber-toothed tiger; after becoming an Arrancar, his speed had already surpassed an Adjuchas, comparable to a Vasto Lorde. Why was he caught without even time to resist?
A thought flashed through his mind, and he suddenly understood something, but at the same time, he was sent flying into the air.
The backward motion left him no time to speak before he crashed down beside Kisuke Urahara.
A deep pit was plowed in the desert, and Kido was then released.
"Bakudo No. 30: Shitotsusansen."
Three golden light shards followed closely, binding him firmly.
Yoriichi withdrew his finger, looked at Kisuke Urahara, and softly said:
"I leave him to you. Since he is a subordinate of Baraggan, the King of Hueco Mundo, there's no need to hold back."
"He should be the vanguard. Ask him who else is with Baraggan."
Yoriichi clearly knew that after Aizen learned of Ulquiorra's death, it was unlikely he would send only Baraggan alone.
The appearance of Baraggan's subordinate confirmed this point.
At the same time, his words were also very thought-provoking.
Second Seat Officer…
Who was the first, and who was the third?
The feeling it gave him was very similar to the Shinigami's Seat Officer positions.
Knowing oneself and one's enemy leads to a hundred victories.
These Hollows were truly too overconfident.
…
Kisuke Urahara stared blankly at the scene before him.
The astonishment in his heart surged like a tide.
But he quickly reacted, preparing to interrogate Ggio Vega.
But just then, a figure rushed over from not far away like a strong wind.
This person was extremely tall; with every step he took, the ground would tremble slightly, as if a thousand catties of force erupted from beneath his feet.
As soon as Ggio Vega saw the newcomer, he immediately yelled at the top of his lungs:
"Chinnon, come save me!"
The newcomer was none other than Chinnon, Baraggan's Third Seat Officer.
Before acting, Ggio Vega had never expected to be captured so easily.
Nor had he expected the speed of these Shinigami to be so quick.
The power of his Arrancar transformation had made him extremely arrogant, and his youthful disposition further exacerbated this arrogance.
For this reason, he had been so careless.
But Chinnon was completely different.
His original form was a massive whale, and his temperament was extremely steady.
Hearing Ggio Vega's shouts, Chinnon slowly stopped his steps.
His bean-sized eyes were fixed on Ggio Vega, who was bound on the ground, and his brows furrowed slightly.
What exactly was going on?
Since he didn't know how Ggio Vega had been defeated, Chinnon weighed his words and slowly said in a booming voice:
"Gentlemen, are you the targets Lord Baraggan is looking for?"
"Why do you gang up on one?"
"Don't you feel ashamed?"
"Huh?" As soon as these words came out, Grimmjow, who usually favored Hollows, immediately couldn't stand it.
Ganging up on one? What kind of nonsense was that?
If he wasn't mistaken, that Menos Grande had just ambushed Kisuke Urahara, and that despicable act made him feel deeply disgraced.
Moreover, Ggio Vega's defeat was purely the result of a one-on-one fight, completely unrelated to ganging up.
Grimmjow spat, saying disdainfully:
"You are Baraggan's subordinates? You don't look like much."
"I thought the subordinates of the King of Hueco Mundo would be as strong as he is; I never expected them to be so ordinary."
If every one of Baraggan's subordinates was like this, then his own strength and personality would not be difficult to deduce.
Grimmjow let out a "tch" in response, his voice full of contempt.
Chinnon quietly looked at Grimmjow, a hint of authority in his eyes:
"Little leopard, who are you?"
"Didn't your elder tell you that words can lead to trouble?"
Saying that, his figure instantly disappeared from his spot like a ghost.
His massive and clumsy body did not affect the activation of Sonido in the slightest; in the blink of an eye, he appeared in front of Grimmjow, swinging a punch fiercely at him.
This punch was incredibly heavy, like a gigantic sandbag, carrying an overwhelming force.
The air around the fist seemed to ignite, erupting with bursts of explosive sounds.
Even though the punch hadn't landed yet, a strong chill rose in Grimmjow's heart—he would die!
His pupils instantly contracted to pinprick size. Grimmjow wanted to retreat and dodge, but the punch seemed to have him locked on, preventing him from using Sonido.
He originally thought he would have to take the blow with his body, and his life or death would be uncertain.
Unexpectedly, Yoriichi Tsugikuni, who was not far away, simply watched the scene quietly.
He slowly drew his Zanpakuto.
Instantly.
Whoosh!
An invisible reishi blade, like a fleeting, brilliant spark, effortlessly severed the fist Kinon Bon was launching directly at Grimmjow.
Along with his shoulder, it fell to the ground, utterly still.
His posture was as relaxed as a spring breeze passing by.
But Kinon Bon grunted in pain, his eyes wide as saucers, his face filled with disbelief.
From such a distance, this Shinigami could precisely neutralize his attack...
Could this Shinigami be the one who slayed Ulquiorra Cifer?
At this moment, Ggio Vega belatedly replied,
"Ah... I almost forgot to tell you, that guy just now caught me."
"He should be the target Baraggan is looking for."
"Be careful... Hey, where's your arm?"
Ggio Vega was stunned speechless.
He had only been distracted for an instant, trying to break free from the Bakudo's restraint.
Yet in that mere instant, the situation had undergone such a drastic reversal.
Kinon Bon was the Second Seat Officer, would he also be instantly defeated?
At this moment, Kinon Bon had no time to consider Ggio Vega's feelings.
Facing these sudden words, he merely cursed, "Idiot," and immediately prepared to retreat and find Baraggan.
Ggio Vega was truly a burden; he knew the target was here but said nothing, causing him to lose an arm...
Even with Kinon Bon's steady temperament, he found it hard to remain calm at this moment.
Damn it!
One might even think he was deliberately set up, after all, Ggio Vega was the Third Seat Officer...
Kinon Bon gave Yoriichi Tsugikuni a deep look, then activated Sonido.
But unfortunately, Yoriichi did not give him that chance, simply saying softly,
"Did I tell you to leave?"
As soon as his voice fell.
"What?" Before Kinon Bon could react, he saw a pair of fists appear before his eyes like lightning.
These fists were incredibly swift, carrying astonishing might, as if they could tear through anything.
His pupils slightly constricted, and he instinctively defended.
He genuinely believed that such a tiny human could not possess much strength.
After all, his true form was a several-hundred-meter-tall whale Menos Grande, and even when shrunken, his strength was something no Shinigami could withstand.
But one second he was thinking that, and the next, with a loud "bang," his palm caved in, and his bones instantly shattered.
Pain, like a tide, pierced his soul, and his heart was instantly seized by panic and fear.
The rapidly receding scenery on both sides mirrored in his eyes like an illusion; he could hardly believe what he was experiencing.
—What's going on?
—I was sent flying?!
You must be joking!
His pupils completely constricted at this moment, and his breathing instantly hitched.
Even seeing Baraggan arrive close behind, his mood could not calm down.
Because as a Menos Grande, as a super-gigantic Menos Grande, he was instantly overwhelmed in terms of strength by a Shinigami...
It was like a dream.
...
Baraggan arrived at the battlefield shortly after.
He looked at his two Seat Officers: one captured alive by a Shinigami, the other severely injured and spitting blood, struggling immensely even to stand.
His majestic eyes were now as silent as winter ice, revealing endless fury.
This was an absolute disgrace!
He had only been a minute late, and two Arrancar had been defeated so easily.
What kind of Arrancar were these?
They had completely shamed the Hollows.
If he weren't the King of Hueco Mundo, unable to show his emotions, he would have wanted to strike them down first.
Useless!
Baraggan took a slight breath, forcibly suppressing the anger in his heart, slowly raised his eyes, and was about to speak.
At this moment, Starrk, across from him, suddenly dropped his relaxed smile, his expression becoming serious.
He looked at Yoriichi and softly warned,
"Be careful, this guy is very strong, probably the strongest opponent I've ever seen, besides you."
"He should be Baraggan."
"I didn't expect him to have completed his Arrancar transformation... It's true."
While the strength of Arrancar varies, one thing is certain: any Vasto Lorde, after becoming an Arrancar, gains a special ability.
Harribel's ability wasn't fully developed due to her partial Arrancar transformation.
Starrk, however, was completely different; he deeply understood the immense boost this ability gave to one's combat power.
Furthermore, Baraggan, as the former King of Hueco Mundo, being able to rule Hueco Mundo for such a long time, was enough to show he was no simple opponent.
If they treated him as carelessly as they did other Arrancar, they might very well suffer a defeat.
Yoriichi nodded, indicating he understood.
He had never been careless, because only by doing so could he protect those around him from harm.
Just as Baraggan was about to speak, Yoriichi suggested to Kisuke Urahara behind him,
"Kisuke, you should leave first. Starrk and I are enough here."
"Also, Grimmjow, if you don't want to die, you should go with him."
"This is no longer a battlefield you can interfere with."
Grimmjow wanted to refuse; his nature would never allow him to retreat.
Even when facing the clash of their auras back then, he hadn't fled from the Bone Mountain.
Let alone now that he had grown stronger...
However, Baraggan's threat was imminent.
Even if Grimmjow wanted to stay here, Yoriichi didn't grant his wish, sealing him with a Kido and having Kisuke Urahara take him away.
Kisuke Urahara hesitated for a moment but ultimately said nothing and obediently left.
As a Shinigami, he deeply understood the importance of rules; moreover, he never forgot that he was merely a researcher, merely a negotiator.
Engaging Baraggan was simple to say, but very difficult to do.
With his current strength, it would probably take decades of refinement.
Using strategies could accelerate this process, but he hadn't thought of any methods yet.
After all, he still didn't know Baraggan's true ability.
He would observe for now.
With the departure of the two, the environment instantly quieted down.
Yoriichi glanced at Lilynette Gingerbuck beside Starrk.
The latter glared at him: "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Starrk and I are one; only with me by his side can he unleash his full power."
"Shinigami, didn't you want to know how strong Starrk really is?"
"Today, you'll see it."
Saying that, Lilynette eagerly signaled Starrk to act quickly, wishing to immediately display their combined power.
Since they had already joined the Shinigami side, then no matter how heavily they struck Baraggan, it didn't matter.
Starrk sighed helplessly at this:
"Sigh... I really hate fighting."
"Yoriichi, I'll go first. Although Baraggan has completed his Arrancar transformation, his methods are still unknown."
"Let me force out his ability."
"You don't have any objections, do you?"
Whether Baraggan lived or died was irrelevant to him, but he still didn't want to see his friend get hurt.
What if he was the King of Hueco Mundo?
Hearing this, Yoriichi drew his Zanpakuto: "Is that okay?"
"Of course it's okay!" It was Lilynette who said this, lifting her chin, her brows filled with confidence.
"Shinigami, don't underestimate Starrk."
"I dare say that in the current Hueco Mundo, there is basically no Hollow that is his match."
"It's just that Starrk never actively displays his power; otherwise, how could Baraggan be the King of Hueco Mundo?"
These words were a bit much, and Yoriichi couldn't judge their truthfulness. He knew Starrk was strong, but...
Thump.
Starrk tapped Lilynette's helmet, signaling her not to say too much, that one shouldn't speak too boastfully.
He hadn't fought seriously in a long time, because he was afraid of hurting others.
But now...
He shifted his gaze to Baraggan, his tone carrying a subtle hint of melancholy:
"Let's try it. Anyway, we have no other choice, do we?"
"In battles of our caliber, one must never act rashly."
As he was speaking, Baraggan opposite him showed a hint of impatience.
He felt that everything he said had become pointless, because these two completely ignored him, continuing their conversation amongst themselves.
What did they take him for?
Baraggan's voice was chilling:
"Ants, you actually disregard the words of the great King of Hueco Mundo; this is truly arrogant to the extreme."
"I, Baraggan, shall grant you all death today."
"Quietly accept your fate."
Whoosh!
Baraggan violently drew his giant axe, emitting an astonishing chill.
Starrk looked at him again, while stroking Lilynette's forehead and activating his ability.
Instantly, his appearance underwent a drastic change.
His black cloak disappeared, replaced by attire resembling a hunter's coat.
Gray fur covered his hands and legs, like a hunter amidst a pack of wolves, full of wildness and danger.
Two guns appeared in his hands, and Lilynette's excited voice came from within the guns:
"Alright, Starrk, that's it!"
"Hurry and fire!"
"I can't wait!"
Hearing this voice, Starrk smiled bitterly.
He locked his gaze on Baraggan, and without turning his head, he said to Yoriichi Tsugikuni,
"You were wondering what my ability is? It's very simple."
Saying that, he aimed his two guns at Baraggan.
In an instant, Starrk softly chanted,
"Infinite Cero."
As soon as his voice fell.
Boom!
Thousands of blue Cero burst forth from the gun barrels like cannonballs, instantly forming a monstrous tsunami, burying everything in front of them!
An boundless torrent of reishi crushed towards Baraggan, as if the Milky Way had fallen from the sky, its powerful force terrifying!
Even though Baraggan was prepared, his expression changed at this moment.
What is this thing?!