"That was quick." Yoruichi, perched on Kensei's shoulder, shook her body and sneezed several times. "This damned place, Hueco Mundo. Sand everywhere, air so dry. I miss the hot springs in Soul Society."
She spoke, using her paw to pat Kensei's cheek. "Kensei, figure something out."
"What can I do?" Kensei lifted Yoruichi, still in cat form, down and began grooming her fur with his hand. "Sure, I'm a treasure trove, but I can't conjure hot water out of thin air."
"If it's hot water you need, I can help." Harribel, who had just returned from outside, spoke calmly upon hearing this.
"Hmm?"
Meeting Kensei and Yoruichi's gaze, Harribel explained. "In Resurrección, I can control the temperature of water."
Her words made Yoruichi's eyes gleam. She eagerly led the group to an underground cavern beneath the base. After fully displaying the ugly avarice of a great noble, Kensei used Kūkon's ability to carve out a hot spring facility identical to the one in the Secret Villa back home.
Harribel walked to the center. She pulled her top, which only covered the area above her southern hemisphere, upwards, revealing the massive mask that covered half her face and extended down to her chest, forming a natural barrier.
"Strike her down, Tiburón."
Drawing her Zanpakutō and pointing it at the ground, a heart-shaped giant wave materialized behind Harribel, enveloping her.
As the wave receded, what remained was the fully released female form.
Her originally braided long hair had become a sleek short cut. The mask on her face was gone, fully revealing Harribel's cool and stern features. A dark blue, lightning-shaped facial marking, like shark gills, adorned each cheek.
Her white clothes had transformed into a bikini-like short dress style. Unlike Apacci and the others, whose Resurrección added fabric, Harribel's released state could only be described as cool and refreshing.
"This is Lady Harribel's Resurrección form?"
The three "goddesses" widened their eyes. They hadn't expected her post-Resurrección form to be even more aesthetically pleasing than her Vasto Lorde state.
"Hirviendo."
Harribel raised the greatsword marked with shark gill patterns. Hot, steaming water appeared before the sword's tip, rapidly filling the pool Kensei had excavated, creating a simple hot spring.
"Done."
Harribel released her Resurrección, returning to her Arrancar form, and sheathed her short sword.
Unable to contain herself, Yoruichi leaped lightly. As her bare feet touched the pool's edge, she had already transformed back into her female form, completely unclothed.
"Finally, a chance to relax."
Testing the water temperature with her hand, Yoruichi grinned and stepped directly into the hot spring.
Aizen, who had arrived unnoticed at some point, also walked slowly to the pool's edge and began enjoying the fruits of others' labor.
Yoruichi grabbed Kensei, who was admiring the scenery at the edge, and pulled him into the hot spring.
Kensei plunged completely into the water. Just as he surfaced and wiped his face, Yoruichi jumped back in, pushing him under again.
"Why is Kensei Kenzuru so naturally joining a bunch of women in a bath?"
Hearing Sung-Sun's teasing remark from above as he surfaced again, Kensei was momentarily stunned.
Guess he'd spent so much time with Yoruichi and Aizen, he'd long forgotten such things were unusual.
Just then, Harribel also stepped into the hot spring.
She sat opposite Kensei, the water just reaching her collarbone.
Sensing the strange looks from her three companions, Harribel's face remained as calm as ever, though a hint of awkwardness crept in. "Since I have pledged my loyalty to Lord Kensei and am now reborn, naturally, everything of mine belongs to Lord Kensei."
This statement was made so matter-of-factly that it left Sung-Sun momentarily speechless. The three exchanged glances. If their leader said so, what was there for them to quibble about? They followed into the water.
Nelliel was last, curiously entering. Good thing Kensei had dug the pool large enough; otherwise, Nelliel's ample form alone might have filled it.
Steam rose from the hot spring. Everyone's tense nerves finally relaxed.
Especially Harribel and her group. Recalling how recently they were being hunted by Baraggan's subordinates, facing life-and-death crises, and now enjoying such a peaceful life.
Yoruichi leaned against the pool's edge, her arm draped behind Kensei, the very picture of a noble indulging in pleasure. Her leg occasionally moved underwater, providing light massage.
Kensei ignored Yoruichi's little movements, glancing at Aizen, noticing she was particularly quiet tonight.
Aizen sat slightly apart, lost in thought.
"Sōsuke?"
Aizen's gaze shifted over. The steam made her figure somewhat hazy. "Don't worry. I'm just considering what actions the other side might take, and countermeasures."
Yoruichi snorted, moving Kensei's hand away. "So unromantic."
Just as Kensei expected another verbal spar between Aizen and Yoruichi, Nelliel suddenly swam over. She stopped in front of Kensei, looking at him with her innocent, guileless face.
"Kensei. I have a question for you."
Seeing the pure curiosity in Nelliel's eyes, Kensei suddenly had an ominous premonition.
"That stabilizer Aizen collected from you before... what exactly is it?" Nelliel asked very seriously. "Why did that thing make Harribel and the others so strong? If I want to get stronger, do I need it too?"
"Cough, cough!"
Kensei coughed violently. Beside him, Yoruichi's shoulders started shaking. She bit her lip to keep from laughing out loud. Leaning close to Kensei's ear, she whispered teasingly, "Want to give Nelliel some private tutoring?"
Kensei shot Yoruichi a look and nudged Aizen with his elbow. "Sōsuke, you explain."
Aizen's tone was as usual, like a mother educating an ignorant child. "You'll know when you have the chance later. And once the technology stabilizes, this method might not be needed anymore."
"Oh..." Nelliel nodded, half-understanding. "But before, when I watched you collect it, it seemed difficult."
Now all three of them were speechless. Nelliel's gaze alone made Kensei uncomfortable; now Harribel and her group were looking too.
"You'll find out someday."
Unable to avoid it, Kensei could only reply lamely.
Fortunately, the perceptive Nelliel didn't press further, letting Kensei off the hook for now.
The hot spring grew lively again.
Harribel leaned quietly in a corner, eyes closed, enjoying this hard-won lively atmosphere. The corner of her mouth, hidden behind her mask, curved slightly.
Such moments were unimaginable to her once.
But now, no need to be constantly vigilant against her own kind, no need to struggle for survival in unnecessary slaughter...
Back then, she truly made the right choice.
Harribel silently thought to herself.
-----------------
At the other end of Hueco Mundo.
Within Baraggan's ruined palace, the skeletal King of Hueco Mundo slowly rose from his throne, looking at the information his subordinates had submitted.
"An insolent Shinigami, daring to intrude into my domain!" Baraggan's voice was filled with wrath. "And to establish a base within my territory, sheltering those I intend to kill! Is he looking down on me?!"
He glanced at the kneeling Hollows below. Of all the ones he had sent in pursuit, only one had returned.
Though he looked somewhat unfamiliar, as a Hollow, he was still one of his subjects.
"A bunch of worthless trash. Can't even handle simple tasks." Baraggan's hollow eye sockets turned towards the direction indicated in the information. "This time, I will personally lead you. We'll grind these insolent ants into dust."
"Let these insects witness the terrifying power of the King of Hueco Mundo."
Baraggan, shrouded in ominous black mist, began preparing to personally expedition against Kensei, determined to make this arrogant Shinigami pay the price.
***
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