Setsuna clearly felt that his Reiatsu level had finally broken through that critical bottleneck, stepping into the top tier among Captains, the level known as 1st-Class Reiryoku.
The total amount of Reiatsu, its quality, control, and ability to interfere with the surrounding Reishi environment all underwent a qualitative leap.
The pressure on him suddenly lightened.
Zaraki's fierce attacks, combined with [Emotional Omen], were now once again suppressed by Setsuna in response to his suddenly elevated Reiryoku.
Setsuna let out a long, silent sigh of relief. A strong sense of anticipation welled up within him.
"Finally reached this level!"
This meant that a crucial step in his plan: Actively going to Hueco Mundo to hunt high-level Menos… could finally be put on the schedule.
He clearly perceived that the Gourmet Cells within his body had long been restless, their desire for evolution reaching a peak.
Over the past period, he had been forcefully suppressing them, no longer consuming any delicacy that might stimulate their evolution, precisely to reserve this precious opportunity for deep evolution until after his Reiatsu breakthrough to 1st-Class Reiryoku!
If he evolved while at 2nd-Class Reiryoku, relying on the nature of Gourmet Cells, his Reiatsu would naturally break through to 1st-Class Reiryoku.
But if, already at 1st-Class Reiryoku, he then ushered in the full awakening and evolution of his Gourmet Cells, his Reiatsu would have a great chance, leveraging this leap in life level, to break through the Captain-level boundary, touching or even directly stepping into the realm of the Transcendent!
That would be a qualitative leap, a level of power truly capable of influencing the world's structure as an individual.
At the same time, looking at Zaraki before him, who, though slightly pushed back by his suddenly erupted Reiatsu, had eyes burning even brighter and was eager to continue attacking, Setsuna couldn't help but marvel once again at the other party's terrifying talent.
'In less than two months, from a wild swordsman completely ignorant of swordsmanship theory to initially grasping [Emotional Omen]… this rate of progress is simply unimaginable.'
Although Emotional Omen was not as perfect in realm as true Ultra Instinct, it allowed Zaraki to continue fighting in his preferred way, reducing compromises on his emotions.
However, Setsuna could understand this.
This was certainly related to Zaraki's own monster-like combat talent and accumulation, but it was also connected to the form of existence of Shinigami.
A Shinigami's body is essentially a 'spirit body' composed of high-density Reishi, fundamentally different from the flesh and blood bodies of living world humans.
In the spirit body state, the separation and coordination between 'consciousness' and 'body' are naturally relatively easier than in a flesh and blood body.
"Haha, I got stronger, and you got stronger too!" Zaraki didn't care about analysis or musings. He only felt that Setsuna had become stronger, which excited him even more. The silver-white Reiatsu halo danced cheerfully around him, a sign that [Emotional Omen] was continuously operating.
"Interesting! Let's fight again!"
Setsuna, however, shook his head slightly. The golden Reiatsu Pillar around him slowly receded, returning to calm.
"That's enough for today, Zaraki. You did very well, exceeding my expectations. [Emotional Omen] suits you well. Continue along this path."
Setsuna twisted his neck. "And I should go prepare for my 'hunt'."
Although Zaraki wasn't fully satisfied with the fight, upon hearing the word 'hunt', his eyes immediately gleamed. "Finally going hunting?"
Setsuna was certainly a great opponent, but fighting Shinigami was never as satisfying as slaying Menos.
"I plan to hunt the King of Hueco Mundo. To show respect, I'll take you, Azashiro, Aizen, and Yoruichi with me!"
"King of Hueco Mundo? Is he as powerful as the Soul King?" Zaraki's eyes lit up. He didn't think Setsuna's approach was excessive at all.
"Perhaps," The corner of Setsuna's mouth lifted slightly. He hoped Barragan wouldn't be scared to tears when he saw their lineup.
...
Rip!
An ominous black rift suddenly tore open in the sky of Hueco Mundo.
Shadows thick as ink and turbulent Reishi Currents poured out from within. Immediately after, five figures stepped out of the Garganta in succession, landing steadily on the cold, fine sand of Hueco Mundo.
The unique Reishi Wind of Hueco Mundo, carrying a faint hint of decay and emptiness, swept past, raising fine dust.
In the distance, the pale horizon and lead-gray sky formed a monotonous and oppressive picture.
"Las Noches..." Setsuna murmured to himself, his gaze fixed on the distance.
Thanks to the detailed intelligence provided by Szayelaporro, he was thoroughly familiar with the location of this center of power in Hueco Mundo.
"Let's go."
Without unnecessary words, the five slightly stirred their Reiatsu, transforming into five streams of light in different colors, speeding towards the central region of Hueco Mundo.
Along the way, occasionally low-level Hollows were startled by their powerful Reiatsu, but before they could even approach, they were easily dealt with by sword energy casually swung by Zaraki or the silently spreading Reishi Assimilation Domain of Azashiro, unable to delay them even for a moment.
As they continued deeper, the surrounding Reishi Concentration gradually increased. The air began to thicken with the more intense, mixed Reiatsu belonging to Menos.
Finally, a magnificent and bizarre complex of buildings appeared on the horizon.
Completely different from the solemn and classical style of the Seireitei in the Soul Society, the architecture of Las Noches was filled with an aesthetic of distortion, sharpness, and asymmetry.
Huge, deathly white pillars soared into the clouds. The palace outlines were angular. The whole was shrouded in a hazy, dim Reiatsu Barrier that seemed to absorb light.
However, the periphery of Las Noches at this moment was not peaceful.
Hundreds of Gillian, like silent black towers, surrounded the vast sand plains outside the palace. Their huge white masks vacantly faced the same center.
Furthermore, dozens of Adjuchas-class Menos of various forms and fierce auras were scattered among them, some growling, some sharpening their claws, restlessly watching the core of the battlefield, but none dared to easily step into that area.
And at the focal point of all eyes, a pinnacle duel capable of shaking the structure of Hueco Mundo was unfolding.
The terrifying clash of Reiatsu, like tangible tsunamis, spread out wave after wave, kicking up powerful sandstorms.
Two distinct yet equally heart-stoppingly powerful Reiatsu were fiercely tearing at space.
For Setsuna, the two fighting were not unfamiliar. One was the King of Hueco Mundo, Barragan. The other was the future Tres Espada, Harribel.
"Harribel!" Barragan's voice echoed across the battlefield. "Submit to me! I, Baraggan Louisenbairn, am the one and only eternal King of Hueco Mundo! Submit, and I will grant you authority second only to mine!"
"Join me, gather the power of Hueco Mundo, tear open that nauseating barrier of the Soul Society, and spread the glory of death and decay across the lands of those arrogant Shinigami. That is the destiny and glory befitting us Menos!"