Chapter 209: That's My New Boss
"Trident… Mist Halberd!"
Harribel raised her massive bone sword, pointing it at the several Menos Grande charging toward her.
Compressed mist, infused with Reiatsu, erupted outward!
Countless tiny droplets, upon leaving the blade, formed dense water-based pellets that instantly exploded into billowing smoke across the battlefield.
Several Adjuchas screamed as they were sent flying backward from the dust cloud, their bodies riddled with small, deep puncture wounds.
A delight for trypophiles.
Then, Harribel lifted her greatsword, tracing a wide arc above her head.
A sharp current of water spiraled with her motion.
Once accelerated, it split into dozens of watery blades that shot outward in all directions.
"Gyaaaaah!!!"
The Adjuchas shrieked again.
In an instant, many Menos Grande lost limbs, and quite a few suffered severe internal injuries.
Harribel swung her sword downward:
"Move aside!!"
Her aura was overwhelming, unstoppable.
Yet, after exchanging glances, the Adjuchas did not immediately retreat.
Initially, they had been terrified of Harribel; even when urged by Baraggan, most hesitated to approach.
But after fighting for a while, things changed.
All the Hollows realized Harribel had a fatal flaw.
She refused to kill Hollows.
Even when enemies thrust their claws toward her face, clearly intent on taking her life, she steadfastly avoided lethal force.
None of the numerous fallen Hollows had died.
Most sustained only light injuries.
What relieved them further was that Harribel not only spared their lives but also refrained from absorbing their power.
Adjuchas-class Menos Grande had a unique trait: if wounded by another Menos and the injured flesh was consumed or the power within the wounds absorbed, they would lose the potential to evolve and gradually degenerate into Gillians.
A Menos like Harribel, who only inflicted wounds without absorbing power, was unprecedented.
This inexplicable kindness only fueled the Adjuchas' fighting spirit.
Since you won't take power from us, we'll take it from you.
If they could injure this Vasto Lorde in the chaos and absorb her power…
The mere thought excited many Adjuchas.
Seeing these Adjuchas showed no intention of retreating, Harribel shook her head helplessly.
Her devotion to "sacrifice" always attracted such pushy opponents.
But perhaps this was for the best.
As long as not all her subordinates had fallen, Baraggan probably wouldn't rush to intervene personally.
If she could buy more time, Sung-Sun would have a much better chance of rescuing the others.
She hoped everything was going smoothly on Sung-Sun's end.
While thinking this, Harribel swung her blade once more.
On the high platform, Baraggan watched this scene quietly.
"What foolish persistence."
"After you become my subordinate, I shall slowly correct that disgusting belief of yours."
As he spoke, a figure suddenly appeared beside him.
Pink long hair, gold highlights, and glasses made of white bone frames.
It was Szayelaporro.
"Oh my, I wondered what suddenly summoned me here."
"Turns out it's for a fine experimental specimen?"
He smiled, looking down at Harribel in the square below.
Seeing Szayelaporro, Baraggan chuckled. "Perfect timing."
"Szayelaporro, display your power before me."
"Go defeat Harribel and shatter her foolish pride!"
Hearing this, Szayelaporro turned his head and glanced at him indifferently.
After a few seconds, he nodded with a smile.
"Very well."
As he spoke, he raised his arm and drew his blade from his waist.
In the distance, Senzaemon, who had been observing the battle, showed displeasure in his eyes when he saw Szayelaporro draw his sword.
A mere Hollow, actually imitating Shinigami by wielding something like a Zanpakutō.
How disgusting.
Down in the square, Harribel, who was fighting the Adjuchas, suddenly looked up at Szayelaporro on the high platform.
The moment he drew his blade, Szayelaporro's presence became infinitely magnified.
The sense of danger, like a sharp blade pressing against her throat, made her break out in cold sweat.
So strong...
This guy, like herself, was Vasto Lorde class?
No, though both were Vasto Lorde level, his strength seemed to surpass hers!
Such a powerful being actually served under Baraggan?
A trace of gravity appeared in Harribel's eyes.
With such a formidable opponent appearing, even she had to consider changing her plans.
Mila and Apacci must be rescued.
Sung-Sun couldn't be abandoned either.
If someone had to be sacrificed, then it would be her!
Harribel took a deep breath and prepared for a fight to the death.
She hoped her death here would buy Sung-Sun and the others enough time.
While thinking this, she raised her greatsword horizontally, ready to receive Szayelaporro's assault.
Then, to her disbelief, Szayelaporro smiled and suddenly swung the sword in his hand backward—
SMACK!!!
Two bones flew high into the air from Baraggan's body.
Though no expression could be seen on the skeletal face, overwhelming fury could still be felt.
"...Szayelaporro, what are you doing?!"
Baraggan remained seated on his throne, not losing his composure despite being ambushed.
However, judging by the giant axe he grabbed, he clearly had no intention of sitting idly by.
Szayelaporro let out a delighted laugh.
"Hehe... Baraggan, you look quite amusing like this."
"Though your question is rather boring."
"Isn't it obvious? I've betrayed you."
Baraggan slowly rose to his feet.
Around him, Reiatsu began to gradually surge.
"Betrayal... Do you intend to seize my Las Noches?"
Szayelaporro shook his head: "No, I've found a new boss."
Boss?
Baraggan didn't understand the meaning of this word, but judging from the context, it probably meant he had found a new master.
He laughed in extreme anger: "In all of Las Noches, I am the strongest! I hold the most power!"
"And beneath me, you are the strongest."
"If you wanted to establish your own faction, I might even respect you... But seeking another master? That's utterly ridiculous!"
Hearing this, Szayelaporro's smile widened.
"Is that so? But I think that guy is far more interesting than you."
"The prospects are much better than following you too."
"Nonsense!"
Baraggan roared, suddenly pointing his great axe toward Szayelaporro.
With his movement, a dark red Cero tinged with black instantly shot forth.
Szayelaporro had been prepared. He raised his sword and deflected the Cero to another direction.
BOOM!!!
The massive Cero violently swept through the high tower where Senzaemon resided.
Two figures emerged from the ruins.
Before anyone could react, Szayelaporro laughed and said:
"See, that sneaky fellow who looks like a thief—that's my new boss~"