Chapter 150: You Dare Oppose Baraggan?
With the explosive force of both fists and the propulsion from his legs, Satoru transformed into a meteor under Kōga's stunned gaze, crashing down with devastating impact.
Earth-shattering power erupted instantly!
The surrounding kilometers of desert exploded layer by layer, silver sand shooting skyward. Amid the roaring blast, the entire Menos Forest was filled with dust clouds.
The silver sand connected ground and sky into one entity. Every ordinary Hollow caught in the maelstrom was torn to shreds without any chance to struggle.
Yoruichi raised her arm to shield her face, desperately channeling Reiatsu for protection.
She strained to keep her eyes open, gazing toward the epicenter of the battle.
Even standing at the periphery of the shockwaves, she felt as if doomsday had arrived.
What kind of scene were Satoru and Kōga experiencing at ground zero?!
...
...
"Pfft—"
Kōga spat a mouthful of blood, his face contorted in disbelief as he looked down at his waist.
His once-perfect body now had a massive chunk missing. His entire right flank had become a hollow cavity, organs visible to the naked eye through the gaping wound.
Even after amplifying his Reiatsu twelvefold, he'd been torn apart like paper against Satoru's punch!
Was this some kind of joke?!
What kind of monster was this guy?!
Through excruciating pain, he mustered all his strength to use Kidō to staunch the bleeding. Normally, such severe injuries would have rendered him unconscious instantly. But facing life-or-death terror, he somehow endured, his mind even sharper than usual.
He'd heard about Satoru's abilities from Yasushi Takada. That guy indeed possessed a terrifying hand-to-hand technique capable of breaking through Yasushi Takada's Bankai. However, using that move would injure Satoru himself.
Right now, Satoru might be even more wounded than he was.
There was still a chance.
If only he could escape this pl—
Clutching his waist, Kōga froze mid-thought as the dust slowly settled on the ground.
Satoru's face gradually emerged from the haze.
Half his features were obscured by dark crimson blood—likely splattered from Kōga during their close-range exchange.
Yet beneath the blood mask, the same mad grin remained undiminished.
But what truly horrified Kōga weren't the facial injuries—it was Satoru's limbs.
Both arms had turned an unnatural purple from mid-bicep to fingertips, as if starved of oxygen. Skin ruptured everywhere, blood seeping from countless wounds.
His legs exhibited the same eerie bluish-purple discoloration from the calves down to his bare feet. Continuous use of Sōkotsu acceleration had long since shredded his shoes and socks to dust. The recent Quadruple Sōkotsu had even vaporized the lower hem of his Shinigami Uniform pants.
Shirtless, shoeless, and half-trousered—yet this disheveled state did nothing to diminish the terrifying aura radiating from him.
This guy, using some unknown method, still stood there even with his body battered to such an extent.
Moreover, in the few seconds Kōga stared at him, the glow of Reiatsu began to surge from Satoru's body once again!
"Guh... guh!"
Kōga's pupils trembled violently.
Madman. A complete madman.
Does this guy not feel even a shred of fear toward death?
Suddenly remembering something, he looked down at his sword.
"Muramasa! Muramasa!"
"Damn it, come out! Muramasa! Go kill that bastard for me!"
Yet no matter how desperately he called, Muramasa gave him not even the slightest response.
"Useless! Worthless!"
Frustrated, Kōga couldn't help but curse aloud.
Seeing Satoru looking like he was ready to keep fighting, he quickly turned to flee.
But before he could move, a gleaming Zanpakutō pierced through his chest.
Kōga's eyes widened in shock as he turned to look behind him.
There stood Aizen, who had somehow silently appeared at his back and stabbed straight through his body.
Meeting Kōga's disbelieving gaze, Aizen wore a somewhat pitying expression.
"What's wrong? Can't even sense the state of your own Reiatsu anymore?"
"Just moments ago, you lost the enhancement of your Bankai."
"Your Zanpakutō gave you no feedback, did it...?"
"I imagine it no longer wishes to serve such an incompetent master."
"Don't worry. I'll do my best to help it break free from you."
The moment he finished speaking, Aizen pulled his Zanpakutō out of Kōga's body.
Then he thrust his hand into the wound on the latter's back, injecting a powerful anesthetic directly into his bloodstream.
Soon, Kōga collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
With Kōga secured, Aizen flashed to Satoru's side.
Satoru lay sprawled on the sand dune, already fast asleep.
His earlier threatening posture toward Kōga had just been a bluff.
Even if Kōga had stood there waiting, Satoru wouldn't have been able to move an inch.
Seeing his condition, Aizen frowned slightly.
Though he appeared fine on the surface, Satoru was actually completely spent.
The bones in all four of his limbs had been crushed to pulp.
The only reason Satoru was still functioning was because his formidable Reiatsu was sustaining his shadow manipulation ability, forcibly holding his bones in place.
The moment that shadow power faded, Satoru's limbs would instantly turn to mush.
Aizen opened his mouth, wanting to scold Satoru for using such a dangerous power.
But the words died on his lips, and he only sighed.
Of course Satoru would be desperate.
With Yoruichi Shihōin absent from the Soul Society, the Tsunayashiro Clan would undoubtedly seize this opportunity to pressure the Shihōin Clan into taking a stance.
If the Shihōin Clan couldn't withstand the pressure, the Kuchiki faction would collapse completely.
Without the Kuchiki, the Tsunayashiro Clan would face no more restraints.
And Yamamoto, who had openly and secretly opposed the Tsunayashiro Clan multiple times, would certainly meet a bad end.
Of course, if Yamamoto decided to flip the table and openly break with the Tsunayashiro Clan, they would be no match for him.
But the question was—would Yamamoto actually do that?
"Shihōin! Over here!"
Aizen helped Satoru up and called out to Yoruichi.
Yoruichi flashed to Satoru's other side, supporting him.
"I'm taking you both back to the Soul Society now."
As he spoke, he took out a stone-like object from his chest.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, he looked at Yoruichi.
"The Central 46 meeting... has it already begun?"
"What time did it start?"
Yoruichi thought for a moment before replying, "It should be the evening of the third day by now."
Hearing this, Aizen slightly frowned.
After a few seconds of contemplation, he spoke, "After returning to the Soul Society, don't rush to Central 46 immediately."
"At this point, normally speaking, the meeting should have already reached a conclusion."
"If that's the case, your return won't change anything."
"If the meeting hasn't ended yet, it means Yamamoto Shigekuni has forcibly delayed the proceedings. In that case, being a little late won't matter."
"After returning, first take... first take Satoru for treatment."
"In his current condition, he must receive immediate treatment, or it will cause serious complications."
"However, don't go to Squad 4."
After hesitating briefly, he sighed:
"Take him to West Rukongai District 79. Once you arrive there, wake him up. He'll tell you where to find the medical equipment."
Yoruichi nodded subconsciously.
Then, she couldn't help but show a puzzled expression.
This guy, how does he know the proceedings of the Central 46 meeting so well?
And... from what he said, it seems like there's a base in the border areas of West Rukongai.
And Satoru knows the location of that base too.
These two really do have a good relationship...
What exactly is the connection between Satoru and the Shadow Killer?
How much was he involved in the Shinigami assassinations?
Although she desperately wanted answers, Yoruichi knew now wasn't the time to dwell on such questions.
More than anything else, keeping Satoru alive was the priority.
While instructing Yoruichi, Aizen made a decision.
After Yoruichi took Satoru away, he would first go check on the Central 46.
If Yamamoto had taken control of the situation as he suspected, that would be ideal.
If Yamamoto hadn't intervened and the Central 46 was already under Tsunayashiro's control, then he'd activate Plan B.
After healing Satoru, they'd return directly to Hueco Mundo!
Just as he was about to activate the stone in his hand, he suddenly turned to look beside him.
Several figures descended from the sky, landing on the sandy ground.
Tsunayashiro Takatori, Yasushi Takada, and... five Adjuchas!
Seeing the ground around them looking as if it had been bombed, they were all shocked.
"What terrifying residual Reiatsu... what kind of battle happened here?" one Adjuchas exclaimed in amazement.
The spider Hollow sniffed the air, then said grimly, "Jerola is dead."
Takatori quickly scanned the surroundings.
When he saw Kōga lying on the ground with a gaping hole in his waist, condition unknown, his pupils slightly contracted.
Damn... Kōga Kuchiki actually lost?
He's one of the strongest Shinigami in the Soul Society, second only to Yamamoto Shigekuni!
Even Shunsui was defeated by him, yet he lost?
But then, seeing Satoru being supported by Yoruichi, unconscious and battered, he couldn't help but feel pleased.
Excellent! Satoru is done for too!
Although losing Kōga is a blow, at least Satoru has been dealt with!
With that, eliminating Yoruichi Shihōin should be easy.
Next, he noticed Aizen standing beside Satoru, covered in colorful Kidō.
Is this... the Shadow Killer?
Takatori raised an eyebrow.
Wasn't this guy already dead?
Even if he survived, why is he here?
Though puzzled, it didn't matter now.
Baraggan sent two more executives, so he now had five powerful Adjuchas and Yasushi Takada, a captain-level fighter.
How could a mere Shadow Killer stop him?
"Adjuchas, attack! Eliminate those three!" Takatori waved his hand sharply.
The five Adjuchas glanced at each other, nodded, and assumed combat stances, preparing to surround them.
Aizen gripped Kyōka Suigetsu, calmly watching the scene unfold.
Although his Reiatsu had plummeted... controlling these few Adjuchas shouldn't be a problem.
First, he'd control the Adjuchas to create chaos, then suddenly strike to subdue Takatori.
Without their commander, this rabble would surely fall into disarray.
The only tricky one was Yasushi Takada.
Unlike Satoru, he lacked powerful armor-piercing abilities.
Satoru's Double Sōkotsu was a technique used in conjunction with his Zanpakutō—no matter how talented he was, he couldn't replicate it.
In the past, faced with such an unpredictable situation, he would have chosen to retreat first, returning triumphantly only after thorough preparation.
Now, he could only blame that troublemaker Satoru for leading him astray.
Even knowing victory was unlikely, he still had to act.
The thought of "taking one step at a time" actually occurred to him.
Sōsuke, oh Sōsuke, next time you mustn't follow Satoru's reckless behavior.
While admonishing himself, Aizen stepped forward and raised Kyōka Suigetsu in his hand.
Seeing his movement, the five Adjuchas all showed alert expressions.
Takada drew his Zanpakutō and immediately released it, covering himself in rock armor.
Takatori, without hesitation, hid behind Takada.
So cautious... It seemed the difficulty of this battle had increased a bit more.
Aizen narrowed his eyes.
Just as he was about to begin this tough fight, a figure suddenly descended from the sky, landing in the middle of the battlefield!
Looking at this figure, Aizen was slightly stunned.
Short golden hair, an impressive figure, a mask covering the lower half of the face, and a long shark tail swishing back and forth behind...
Wasn't this the humanoid Hollow he had encountered earlier?
This guy, after barely escaping with his life, actually dared to follow them?
After a brief surprise, his heart sank.
Although this humanoid Hollow had suffered at his hands earlier, that didn't mean it was weak.
On the contrary, this humanoid Hollow's strength was quite formidable.
He suspected this creature might be the legendary super Menos Grande, the Vasto Lorde!
If this humanoid Hollow was allied with the other side, then he might be in serious trouble today.
As he quickly pondered this, the five Adjuchas opposite simultaneously exclaimed in surprise.
"Harribel!"
"Dammit! Why are you here?!"
"What are you trying to do?!"
Hmm...?
Aizen raised an eyebrow.
Harribel looked around at the several Hollows.
Then, she turned to look at Aizen.
"You are enemies of Baraggan?"
Baraggan... the King of Hueco Mundo, the most powerful Menos Grande.
Judging by the attitudes of these Menos Grande, the two sides were clearly not allies.
He nodded: "That's right."
Harribel gave a slight nod.
Then, she looked at Satoru, who was being supported by Yoruichi.
"This person... is he the 'reckless fool' you mentioned earlier who saved me?"
It took Aizen a second to understand what Harribel meant.
He found it somewhat amusing, but his face maintained a calm and serious expression.
"Correct."
Harribel hummed in acknowledgment.
Under the astonished gazes of Takatori and the others, she thought for a few seconds.
Then, she slowly said:
"He helped me once. Out of principle, I should help him once in return."
"Since you are enemies of Baraggan, keeping you alive would be more useful."
"Understood. Leave this battle to me to handle."
As she spoke, she raised her arm.
The large white bone sword covering it swept forward with a powerful swing!